If you go, I'll stay
You come back, I'll be right here

say yes to heaven,
say yes to me

- say yes to heaven (lana del ray)

60. yes to heaven

Soojin was typing furiously on her laptop. It did not matter what she was working on, as long as she was working on something to get her mind off things. It had been almost a week since she was with Seojun and her life had taken a sharp turn from the boring, standstill to a rollercoaster of emotions and events.

Even now, as she worked on the advert shoot, all she could do was think about Seojun. She had proposed the idea of being friends with him and he hadn't replied to her yet. With the burning sensation in her heart and the fear of losing Seojun, the worrisome habits of her roommate was adding on to her misery.

Yoon Jaehun was acting just as weird and aloof as Han Seojun did to her and it was pissing her off. He woke her up at 4 am (again), to go to the library and would not come back home until she was asleep. He did not reply to her texts nor did he call her back when she did.

Why were all her boys ignoring her?

So before she could go all Kang Soojin on them, she busied herself in the work that was not hers to do. She finalised the script for the advert shoot, the presentation for the next product launch and worked out an entire day itinerary for the Busan concert. She contacted the photographers for the shoot, emailed a set of reminders to both teams and then worked until she was interrupted by her team leader.

"Miss Kang - " He was surprised to see Soojin's busy state. He could sense how irritated and edgy she, and wondered why she punched in at work at 6 in the morning. "Kang Soojin."

Soojin stopped typing at once, looking at the tall man with little to no expressions. She was doing everything she could to not burst out in flames, especially at her team leader. She desperately needed that bonus and raise she worked so hard for and no way would she let two silly boys take it from her.

"Yes?"

Mr. Choi was taken aback at the calm composure of the girl who looked more in authority in that moment - her eyes holding a challenging aura. But his stern expressions could hardly picture his true self, so he stood back with his hand in his pocket with a gaze that matched hers.

"You were supposed to go with the team for the photoshoot."

"What photoshoot?"

"The one with Mr. Han."

Soojin muttered a curse under her breath, shutting her eyes and fisting her palm. She completely forgot about the shoot and hurriedly packed her laptop in her bag and pinned her hair in a loose bun. She had no time for touch ups and no time to eat either, despite being hungry since morning.

"Sorry - jangnim, I'll head there." She bowed before she grabbed her stuff and headed out of the little room.

"Wait - " Mr. Choi shook his head, reaching out to her and asking for her bag. "I am heading to the airport, I'll drop you on the way."

The airport was on the opposite part of the photoshoot location but Soojin did not speak up against the stone cold man. So she bowed, appreciating his gesture and followed him as he carried her bag and walked out of the office. For now she already had tons of things to worry about, so she could put the strange things Mr. Choi did in a box - to wonder about it later.

This was the first time Soojin had been granted a car ride by the infamously rude Team Leader who would never allow anyone in his expensive car. She had heard tales about his extreme attachment towards his car and how he'd never let anyone in. But then, they were all office rumors and she knew that gossip mill often ran crazy. He had offered her a ride before, and he had been kind about it.

Even so, Soojin felt surreal when she was offered the passenger seat, Mr. Choi opening the door for her and he took the driving seat. She was used to expensive cars and royal treatment - when she was a miserable princess back in her day. Now, all she felt was overwhelming feelings that associated with the yesteryears.

She could imagine her father pointedly glare at her for scrubbing her hands and yell at her for acting like a fool in public.

"Miss Kang?"

"I am sorry." She blurted instantly. Soojin was nervously rubbing her hands, an habit she had long forgotten. She snapped out of her trance when she a concerned man instead of her furious father. "I am sorry - what did you say?" She hoped Mr. Choi was not the nosey kind and wouldn't hold her hesitant actions against her.

"Seatbelt."

Soojin nodded, nervously grasping the belt from besides her but in the process her mobile slipped from her lap and landed on the carpet with a soft thud. Soojin gulped, tears stinging her eyes as she tried to fathom what the fuck was happening to her. She had travelled in cabs all the while but never had such an episode before.

Then why was it happening to her now?

"joesonghabnida " She muttered a series of apologies, trying to get a hold of herself and pick her mobile only for Mr. Choi to hold her arm. His cold touch instantly brought her back to reality as she looked at her left.

He leaned in closer, almost too close as he reached out for the seatbelt and Soojin could not stop looking so closely at the insanely attractive man. Since when did she find Mr. Choi good looking? And what was that scent? The woody musky scent mixed with a spicy element was engraving in her senses.

Kang Soojin - focus.

She averted her gaze when Mr. Choi looked down at her, he was way too close for her to move and so she held her breath. It may have taken five seconds for Mr. Choi to help buckle the seatbelt, but it seemed like days for the girl.

"You okay, Soojin?" Mr. Choi looked at the girl, who at once turned to him on the mention of her name. "You seemed - shaken."

"Aniyo," She smiled through her lie, shaking her head and the anxiety. "I did not get enough sleep, probably that's why."

"If you say so."

Soojin cursed herself mentally as she drowned in her misery of being a loser, slumping in the seat. And the day had not even started.

_

Seojun had half a mind to go back to the hotel when Soojin had not arrived with the rest of the squad. The photo studio was packed with his management and the HFA team. It was a blessing there were not many fans who had spotted him, else the premises would have been filled with crazy fans. He sat on the chair, a stylist and make-up artists were working on his hair and face, as he sat staring at his reflection in the mirror.

He was dabbed with make-up that hid his swollen eyes, bags underneath them and the will to die.

"Where is Kang Soojin?" Seojun asked when the photographer asked him to follow to the studio room. "I am not going to do this without her and she is already late. If all you wanted was to waste my tim-"

"Han Seojun-shi." The soft voice of the girl calmed the storm before it arose, the rest of the team sighing in relief while Seojun glanced curtly at the woman standing with a smirk. "Apologies for the delay, can we proceed with the shoot?"

Seojun could hardly react whenever Soojin was in front of her so he averted his gaze. Although before they could leave the room, Mr. Choi called out to Soojin and Seojun per usual, held back his frustrated sigh. He saw them exchange a cordial set of pleasantries and then he handed Soojin a little paper envelope and a small smile. Mr. Choi then turned and faced him, raising his hand towards him which Seojun shook - a nod of acknowledgement.

"I shall take your leave, Mr. Han. Miss Kang here will handle everything."

And with that, Mr. Choi left - his team greeting him with good wishes and him wishing Soojin a good day. Seojun rolled his eyes, hands in his jacket when he watched Soojin smile at the man.

"Sorry - where were we?"

"In a middle of a office romance." Han Seojun muttered softly, audible for Soojin to hear.

Instead of fuming, she only chuckled. "You are lucky my team members are not here." Her eyes darkened, as she leaned towards the startled man. "Else this would have surprisingly turned into a murder mystery."

Seojun gulped, this was a quick reminder of how Soojin was back in high school and he may never admit it, but he was always a bit afraid of that girl. He quickly straightened up and cleared his throat, leaving the room and following the rest of the team members. While he sat on the designated seat, the crew helped shuffle things around, the team helping set the props and the product. The advert shoot was for the magazine was today and the interview for it was to be held post the Busan concert, to be held in a two days.

Seojun was a natural at modelling, and he could easily be casted in dramas and movies with his handsome looks. He was a gifted man with his easy on the eyes look and brooding personality, but he was not blessed with a good life though. He sighed, not letting the dark thoughts overwhelm him - at least in public.

The picture flashes kept blinding him away from reality as he slipped into another time zone.

the pictures kept flashing on him, it was his debut and the turnout for paparazzi was good. but Seojun lost his confidence instantly when he saw the crowd gather around and the paparazzi clicking pictures of him and the band. all he could feel was the cold hand trying to grasp him and the heaving panting of his beating heart.

his mother - his sister and their cold bodies.

the blood, and the noise, the screaming and the nightmares... they were all coming to him, all of a sudden. his vision was blackening, his head felt heavy and this heart, his chest was so burdened. the world seemed to collapse around him, his demons surrounding him and mocking him.

Seojun was having a panic attack, and he could hardly do anything to calm himself. Suho was not here, and he was not in close proximity with anyone else. So he rubbed his chest ever so softly, and was sweating profusely in the air conditioned room. The room of people suddenly went cold and empty, like he was the only one there. He was almost in tears, he could feel the screaming ring in his ears and the cold hand reaching out to him.

"Let's take a break?" Soojin called out to the crew, "coffee and snacks, on me."

The members rushed out and Seojun's management team looked at Kang Soojin with a concerned look, but she assured them with a nod. While Seojun sat with his hand on his chest, grasping for breath, Soojin held back her pity and sympathy. She knew he did not need any of it, just someone to be there, just someone to hold.

So she did just that, she held his hand and held it with all her might. Hoping that her warmth could help lessen the coldness of life.

The cold, lifeless, bloodied hand was replaced with a human hand - a warm, soft, familiar warmth engulfed Seojun as he opened his eyes and looked at the girl kneeling in front of him. He met her soft teary eyes, and looked at her hand holding his. Her thumb ever so slightly brushing over his hand, her eyes holding a glint of love and regard and a smile brushed on her lips.

The blurry lines seemed to focus on her, Seojun leaning closer as he reached out to her and her lilac scent. She seemed like that one ray of sunshine in his aloof and scary life, a helping hand that could save him from drowning and a shimmer of hope - a scary shimmer of hope.

So he thought about nothing in that moment, not about the deal, nor about the agreement. He forgot about the plans and the promises he made to himself, and skipped over the demons surrounding him as he lunged himself on her, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her homey scent.

Soojin was taken aback at the sudden hug, Seojun had threw himself on her as they knelt on the floor. She gulped, and found her arms enveloping him in a bear hug. She patted his back, the shoulders that carried the weight of the world seemingly eased up when she touched him and his grip on her body tightened.

"You are not alone." She whispered words that comforted her once, "you are not alone, Seojun-ah. I am right here."

_

A/N Merry Christmas, happy holidays folks <3

just a tiny note, that this will be a love triangle. normally, I HATE LOVE TRIANGLES, but since I this work is to fix what True Beauty did wrong, i might as well fix the love triangle trope they did not do so well. For me, Love Triangles are more interesting and impactful when the love interests are given a fair chance by the main lead. Jugyeong was in her own delusional world the entire time Seojun was pursuing her and stayed oblivious to the very last second, something I did not happen to like at all.

Anyway, if you guys have issue with the trope, I'd suggest to not read further. I understand it can be frustrating but I love to mold my characters in my own little way. I love constructive criticism and not downright hate.

Thank you.

if you like the chapter, make sure to vote and comment, helps me write faster and better!

P.s. many have asked if this story is completed because of the completed tag, but it isn't. The first part can be read as a standalone and hence the tag is still there.