Back to work (part 1) (1/1)

“I’m late!” Woohyun yelled, rushing out of the bathroom while buttoning up his shirt. “Yah! Why didn’t anyone wake me up?! The filming starts in an hour!” He hurried into the kitchen, grabbing an apple from the bowl of fruit on the counter.The house was…quiet.He found a note on the fridge.Nam-goon,Sungyeol had a shooting for a commercial out of town so he had to leave at 4am and I have a lot to do in the studio so I left early~ Don’t forget to wake up for work! Have fun :D-Dongwoo Woohyun threw the note on the floor, picked it back up, tore it in half, crumpled it and threw it back on the floor.“That was the most useless thing ever!” He shouted out loud to no one. “What’s the point of telling me to wake up in a note, when I’m already awake to read the note…” He muttered to himself as he shoved the apple in his bag, checking his appearance in the hall way mirror once more before pushing open the front door where his manager’s car was waiting in the drive way.“You’re late again Woohyun.” Man Suk sighed.“Sorry hyung.” Woohyun grinned, as he strapped on his seat belt and Man Suk pulled the compact car out of the driveway. “But I gotta look my best for the first day and—.”“You overslept?” Man Suk snorted.“Ah…” Woohyun rubbed the back of his neck while smiling sheepishly. “How’d you know?”++++They got to the TV studio where they were to film a portion of the first episode.“Doesn’t this feel familiar?” Man Suk looked around the set, grinning. “It almost feels like yesterday when you were getting all flustered and making a fool out of yourself in front of Sunggyu.”“Yeah…” Woohyun smiled to himself. There were so many fond memories, and it all started in this studio. “This was where I first met hyung…” “And you still never gave me back my lucky ring, you know?”Woohyun turned around to see Sunggyu standing there, hands in the pockets of his winter coat. He turned to Woohyun’s manager and bowed politely. Man Suk nodded his head in acknowledgement, before glancing at the director. He seemed to be discussing something with the other managers.“Ah…I better go see what that’s about.” Man Suk sighed and walked over to the group.Woohyun turned to Sunggyu with a frown. “You said I could have that ring.”Sunggyu jutted his lower lip out. “Well maybe I want it back now.”“Well too bad you can’t have it.” Woohyun replied stubbornly.Sunggyu snorted. “I’ll report you for stealing. You want to get arrested?”Woohyun’s eyes went wide and Sunggyu blushed. “That’s…” He looked around cautiously before nudging Woohyun’s arm and lowering his voice. “I-I don’t mean like that dummy.”Woohyun shrugged with a stupid expression. “Like what hyung~?”Sunggyu rolled his eyes and brushed past Woohyun, unwilling to indulge him. “Like what hyung?” Woohyun continued to pester him.“Don’t talk to me!” Sunggyu groaned, clamping his hands over his ears. But then some other celebrities walked past them, and Sunggyu and Woohyun immediately bowed politely.“Omo, Sunggyu-sshi?” One of the female celebrities, an actress gasped. “It’s been so long. How have you been?”Woohyun wanted to laugh because he remembered her as one of the many celebrities during the babysitting with the stars filming who didn’t want anything to do with Sunggyu. But now that Sunggyu’s reputation was good, they all changed. Woohyun figured as much, but he still hated it. Those kinds of people didn’t deserve Sunggyu’s attention or respect. But Sunggyu still bowed.“Ah…I’m sorry, but…I don’t think we’ve met?” He tried to sound polite, and his voice was quiet, perplexed even.“Omo, you were always so funny Sunggyu-sshi!” She tapped Sunggyu’s arm and Woohyun did everything in his power to keep his expression placid.Meanwhile Sunggyu was just really confused and looked to Woohyun, biting his lip, shyly. “Um…” He gestured to Woohyun. “And you remember Woohyun-sshi—.”“So what’re you working on these days Sunggyu-sshi? Your latest album was a big hit!” And just like that she, along with her posse of other actresses and models dragged him away, leaving Woohyun standing there…alone.++++Woohyun sat in the dressing room and he was not happy. No, he was not happy one bit. But he didn’t even get time to stew in his anger, when his manager walked in.“Woohyun, c’mon they’re ready to start filming now.”Woohyun reluctantly got up and trudged towards the set, where all the celebrities were being seated in rows of benches in front of the cameras.He looked around for Sunggyu, who was sitting alone somewhere near the back. His expression brightened as soon as he spotted Woohyun and just like that Woohyun’s anger disappeared.Woohyun happily took his seat next to Sunggyu, but of course he tried not to look too happy, because that might seem odd. He didn’t look at Sunggyu either, but he could tell Sunggyu was looking at him.And then he felt Sunggyu’s breath in his ear and a quiet, “Sorry.”Woohyun turned to Sunggyu, who was looking to the director now and nodding at something he was saying. Woohyun smiled and looked down at his lap.“Ok, so this is what’s going to happen.” The director clasped his hands together. “I notice some of you are sitting with the person you were coupled with for the previous show.” He glanced at Sunggyu and Woohyun for a moment, and it somehow seemed apologetic. “And that’s fine,” He continued. “But that might all change.”Woohyun’s heart thumped nervously and he turned to Sunggyu who seemed just as nervous at the director’s announcement.There was some hushed whispers and chatter among the stars.“So, we’re going to do it like this…” He held out a black velvet bag. “There’s marbles in here with everyone’s names on them. “We’ll pick one out of these, and then everyone who wants to be partnered with that person, can line up at the front here.” He gestured to a star shaped print on the floor in front of the benches. “And if there’s multiple people vying for one person, those people can do things to woo that person and convince them to be their partner. Everyone understand?”Everyone nodded, seeming to get it, but Woohyun was in a state of panic. How were he and Sunggyu going to be together now? It would be weird if they chose each other and it might arouse suspicion. But if they somehow managed to be the last two left then that might work. Although, now that Sunggyu’s reputation was no longer in the toilet he’d probably have a lot of others wanting to be his partner. He was Kim Sunggyu after all. His popularity was no joke.The MC soon stepped in, ready to go and the filming began.The MC did all the beginning announcements, cracked a few jokes, introduced everyone, had some small talk and then they got down to it. He pulled the first marble out of the bag and read the name.First was some actress, and a couple guys stepped out for her. She ended up going with some popular model turned actor, who was way too tall in Woohyun’s opinion.A few other celebrities had their turn and Woohyun was just dreading them calling Sunggyu’s name. Its not like he could stand up for Sunggyu…could he?“Budding actor, Nam Woohyun!” The MC announced, snapping Woohyun from his thoughts. He looked up slightly startled until Sunggyu nudged him lightly. Woohyun spared him a quick glance, before moving to the front.“So, Woohyun-sshi, how many do you think will line up for you?” The MC stuck the mic right in his face.Woohyun attempted a charming smile. “Mmm, maybe around five?”Everyone reacted dramatically at that, with laughter, and oohs and ahhs.“Well looks like you’re very confident.” The MC chuckled and Woohyun nodded brightly, though inside he was dreading this so much. A little part of him kind of wanted Sunggyu to come up, but he knew that was impossible.Woohyun stood in front of the star on the ground with his back turned, and his heart thumped nervously as he heard footsteps behind him.“Hmm…” The MC had a huge grin, but Woohyun couldn’t tell if meant a lot of people came or no one came.“Ok, Woohyun-sshi you can turn around now!”Woohyun took a deep breath and turned. There were two women—an idol who was probably way younger than him, and an actress who looked to be at least five years older than him. And there was also a man. He was a really popular ballad and R&B singer who had a lot of female fans since he was so “young and good looking.”The other celebrities were all laughing at the R&B singer guy, who’s name escaped Woohyun.“P-slice-sshi,” The MC put a hand on the ballad singer’s shoulder.“Ah…” Woohyun thought to himself. “P-slice...that was his name.”“What’s this? Why would you come out for Woohyun-sshi, is there something you want to tell us?” The MC joked.“Ah, no its not like that.” P-slice laughed, running a hand through his black as midnight hair. “I just remember in the previous series, Woohyun-sshi was in a namja couple and they were very popular.”“Ah…” The MC nodded and everyone laughed. “But aren’t you popular enough P-slice-sshi? The amount of female fans you have is crazy!”Then some actor started talking about how even his mother was a Pepperoni—the name of P-slice’s fans.Woohyun’s eyes absently wandered to Sunggyu who wasn’t even looking at them. He was staring at his lap, seemingly to be deep in thought.Woohyun frowned. He didn’t know what he was going to do. He really didn’t expect anyone to even pick him and it didn’t matter anyways because he only wanted Sunggyu.Then the MC started interviewing the ladies as well, asking them why they chose Woohyun.The older actress lady, Younghee gave some long spiel about how she was living her sad single at thirty-five lifestyle and one day she turned on the television and an ad Woohyun was in was playing. She went on to say how it cheered her up and how she thought Woohyun was so handsome and cute.Woohyun was actually really flattered, but then the MC of course had to cut in with some joke about how old Younghee was and basically turned her into a creepy cougar.Next was the idol girl, Lee Sojin, who was only nineteen years old, one of the youngest celebrities there.She of course got all the MC’s love and affection, as she told her tale about how she saw oppa backstage at a music show and how he was so nice and handsome.“Hm? But…Woohyun-sshi, what were you doing backstage?” The MC turned to Woohyun. “You’re becoming a singer now?” He joked.Woohyun smiled politely. “Sunggyu-sshi was promoting around that time…”“Ahhh…” The MC nodded and a camera zoomed onto Sunggyu who smiled shyly. “You’ve still been keeping in contact after the show ended.”“Of course.” Woohyun replied casually. “Sunggyu-sshi and I are like brothers, so I went to go support him.”Woohyun hated telling that lie. He hated it so much.“Hm? But if you’re so close, how come Sunggyu-sshi didn’t choose you?” The MC pointed out and everyone laughed again. Woohyun laughed too, though it was super awkward, and forced.“I’m still here.” P-slice suddenly said and flashed Woohyun a charming smile. Everyone whooped and cheered and others laughed. Well everyone except a certain rock singer sitting at the back.Sunggyu’s expression remained fairly blank, though inside he was more than a little frustrated. He sort of wanted to just go up there and shove P-slip or whatever the hell is name was. He wanted to take Woohyun’s hand and tell everyone Woohyun was his.But he couldn’t.He watched how P-slice started singing a romantic ballad song to a slightly uncomfortable Woohyun and everyone giggled and then he got an idea. If P-slice was making this into a big joke, then he could add to that. He had learned a few things about variety since his rep had gone up. And one of those things was that doing something unexpected was always better and brought up the entertainment value (and it saved you from getting cut out of the final footage).Sunggyu took a deep breath, brushing off his nerves and stood up. Everyone’s eyes were on him as he walked past them to the front.And just as P-slice was taking Woohyun’s hand as he sang, Sunggyu grabbed onto P-slice’s wrist and everyone ooh-ed and gasped again.“What’s this?” The MC got right in the middle of it. “Looks like Woohyun-sshi’s old partner changed his mind! Could this be…a love triangle?!”Everyone was jokingly gasping and trying to make it seem dramatic, while others just laughed. Some seemed totally weird-ed out by what was going on though.Woohyun tried to laugh it off, and pulled his hand back. “What is this?”Sunggyu nodded, turning to P-slice. “I’m sorry but you need to back off.”More oohs and gasps and there was even a sassy, “oh no he didn’t” somewhere in the back.P-slice looks somewhat startled, and laughed weakly, clutching his heart.“W-Whoah…”“Are you ok?” The MC noticed P-slice’s weakening stance.“Yeah its just…his eyes are so intense, it was a little scary.” P-slice exaggerated, and more laughter ensued.“Actually hyung is like this.” Woohyun piped up attempting to add to the humorous atmosphere. He was almost on his way to being with Sunggyu again. “He gets very concerned about stuff like that…Like Hyun Su, the child we took care of?”“Ah…” The MC nodded. “He was very attached to Sunggyu-sshi wasn’t he?”Woohyun nodded. “They were like father and child. Sunggyu-sshi got very protective over him too. He’s like a mama bear.”The MC laughed at that and so did the other stars.“Ah, so he was just protecting his dongsaeng.” The MC wrapped it all up nicely, turning to P-slice. “He was sensing P-slice’s charms were dangerous.”“Seems like it.” Woohyun nodded, glancing at Sunggyu, who was biting his lip and nodding as well.“That’s so nice of you Sunggyu-sshi,” The MC turned to Sunggyu now. “What were you thinking?”Sunggyu cleared his throat. “Yes, uh well, P-slice-sshi…” He gestured to P-slice. “It seemed like his intentions were shady.”Everyone burst into laughter at that and P-slice laughed too, clamping a jokingly offended hand to his chest.“Ah, that’s really…Sunggyu-sshi, you’re very interesting.” The MC commented, with an amused smile.Sunggyu tilted his head. “How so?”More laughter and Sunggyu just looked around in confusion. He didn’t think it was that funny.“Ok, I give up.” P-slice raised his hands in surrender.“Oooh looks like P-slice is ducking out!” The MC announced. “And you two?” He turned to the two ladies who seemed to be all but forgotten.“It was so manly how Sunggyu-sunbaenim wanted to protect his dongsaeng.” The idol girl gushed.“Oh? Looks like she fell for Sunggyu-sshi instead!” The MC joked and Woohyun smiled thinly. Because no way was that happening right now. He was almost going to be partners with Sunggyu and some no-talent, too-much-makeup-wearing basic was not going to get in his way.“Sunggyu sunbae-nim is so handsome.” Sojin murmured bashfully, clamping her hands to her cheeks and everyone gushed and ooh-ed once again.The MC turned to Sunggyu. “Looks like Sojin-sshi likes you, Sunggyu-sshi. What do you think about that?”There was a slight hint of a smirk on Sunggyu’s face as he nodded coolly. “Well…”“Aigoo! Look at that smile!” The MC pointed to Sunggyu who laughed out of embarrassment. “Are we seeing a new couple forming here?”Woohyun was practically fuming under the guise of a calm smile now.“So now it looks like the tables have turned and Sunggyu-sshi is the one who has to choose.” The MC gestured to Sunggyu.“Ah,” Sunggyu smiled slightly. “Well I still think it would be best if I—.”“Does this mean I can be Woohyun-sshi’s partner?” P-slice suddenly said. “Sunggyu-sshi wants Sojin-sshi, so I’ll just take Woohyun-sshi, ok?”Sojin blushed and Sunggyu quickly shook his head, getting flustered.“I-Its not like that. I don’t—.”“Ooh looks like everyone agrees with that!” The MC nodded excitedly.No, Woohyun wanted to scream that no one agreed with that stupid idea.“Woohyun-ah still has to choose!” Younghee piped up.“Woohyun-ah?” The MC snorted. “What? Are you close with him or something?”“Not yet~” Younghee winked and everyone laughed again.Sunggyu frowned. His plan wasn’t really working like he thought it would.++++In the end, they ended up cutting, and the writers discussed with the director about making Woohyun and Sunggyu partners after all, since they were one of the most popular pairings from Babysitting with the Stars and they obviously wanted the fans to watch.The director snorted. “That’s what I said in the beginning.”++++Sunggyu heaved a sigh as he collapsed onto the sofa in the dressing room.“What the hell was the point of all that then…?” He rubbed his forehead, feeling very much like he had just gone on an emotional roller coaster.Woohyun stood beside the couch and merely stared at him, blankly, before turning to leave. “Yah,” Sunggyu sat up. “Where’re you going?”“We have to film the next scene, don’t we?” Woohyun muttered and left without so much as sparing Sunggyu a glance.Sunggyu sighed. He guessed Woohyun was upset about the whole thing that happened with Sojin. He got up and followed after Woohyun.“Woohyun-ah…” He called out from behind Woohyun who stomped down the hallway. “Yah, you—.” He immediately stopped and shut up when he saw P-slice approaching them.“Oh, Woohyun-sshi!” P-slice flashed the shorter man a friendly grin. “That was crazy huh? Too bad we didn’t get to be partners.”Woohyun smiled politely. “Yeah, it was too bad. Could you excuse me?” He immediately brushed past P-slice, and made his way into the bathroom. Sunggyu watched Woohyun’s back as he left and sighed.P-slice smirked as he eyed Sunggyu up and down. “So looks like we’re rivals then?”Sunggyu blinked. “Excuse me?”“Well since you’re partners with Woohyun-sshi and,” P-slice suddenly leaned in—too close—so his lips were on Sunggyu’s ear. “I don’t like when others steal things I want.”Sunggyu narrowed his eyes, backing away in an instant. “Y-You…”Then P-slice laughed—a forced, all too fake chuckle. “At least that’s what the writers are planning. So, looks like we’re going to have a lot of scenes together Sunggyu-sshi.” Then he winked and walked past Sunggyu, nudging his shoulder a little too hard as he passed him.Sunggyu gulped, looking around the now empty hallway.“What…” He rubbed his shoulder. “…What was that?”----------Hey look a cliche rival jealousy thing.