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"To the success of beautiful model and coordinator Amina Muhammad! Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

They each extended their cups out to clank them together, a symbol of the word uttered. The action was followed by them bringing their cups to their lips, taking sips of it. Some had theirs filled with Beers while the Muslims amongst them had some other drinks instead. Settling back down on their individual seats, they assumed their earlier conversation.

"Noona," Hunter started, as always. He's always been the one to start up the conversations, while they follow after him. It was almost as if they'd all silently agreed to it. "working with you for the past two weeks has been hella stressful. Damn, woman. I didn't think you were a strict boss." He pulled a horrified look, reminiscing the times when she looked scary because things didn't work the way she wanted it to.

They all laughed at this, including the said woman as she shook her head, before lifting it to set her gaze on him again. She couldn't deny it. At one point, even she was surprised by how strict she was doing.

While the crew members walked on eggshells around the guys, because they all knew of their importance, she stepped into the shoes of ordering them around and correcting them to get in line. It wasn't that they were misbehaving. There were just moments when they deterred from the original plan.

She had to put them back in line else everything would go down the drain. If she didn't, who else would? She may or may not have been particularly strict on Hunter because he took it upon himself to mess around the most.

Just when she was starting to compliment him, he decided to become a prankster. He took it upon himself to prank each of the guys, her and Ae Ra included because the woman seemed to have become a part of their small, intimate circle as well. How could Amina not be strict on him? His advances were funny to a certain extent. But, at one point, they needed to get work done. Hence, the action.

He tipped his cup in her direction, suddenly becoming serious. "-Regardless, you were a good boss if I have to say so myself. Each one of us here is proof of how hard you've worked to make Project Hallyu a success. We are proud of you immensely, and hope to see grow and reach higher places. The sky is your limit, and this is just the beginning."

"Yes, it really is."

"He's right about that."

"To more success, in shaa Allah."

Choi Ae Ra, whom albeit wasn't around most of the times for the shooting as she had more things to handle, and has placed her trust in Amina, was invited the celebratory dinner chirped in after the man. "Just like he said," She started, her warm gaze set on Amina. "you proved yourself. I know I was right to place my trust in you for this. Though we'd need to release the project out to see its success, and we'd only completed the shooting, I'm immensely proud of you-I want you to know that. I'd known from the first day I met you that you have what it takes. I'm sorry it took so long for you to get to be in the spotlight."

Amina offered her a smile in return, waving the apology off. "Don't say that." She stated earnestly, before sighing. "Yes, I've had difficult days but I don't think I would've been able to handle this if not for those days. I learned from it. It made me stronger." She wouldn't ever want to go back to those days, but she doesn't regret them so much anymore.

Ae Ra nodded in understanding, not disagreeing with Amina's statement. She could see the growth in the woman. She's indeed different, and stronger.

"When Aahil asked us to join this project, I had no plans of turning it down." Surprisingly, it was Bae Hyun whom was seated beside Ae Ra that spoke. His English accent wasn't as good as them all, but he good at it as well. His expression was serious as well, one of his hands wrapped around the cup of his Beer. "It wasn't just because of him though. Ae Ra had an unwavering trust in you, and I trust her choices." He tilted his head in the direction of his girlfriend, his expression softening.

Yes, girlfriend. Amina nearly had a heart attack when she saw them together by chance one day. No one gave her heads-up since they all seemed to know except her. She didn't expect it. And she especially didn't expect to hear that they've been together for nearly three years. It came to her as a great shock really.

Ae Ra met the gaze of her boyfriend, her smile widening as she intertwined her fingers with his. The affectionate action didn't go unnoticed by the other single people there, whom either made a face, looked away, or simply admired them.

Tearing his gaze from her, he met Amina's as he continued. "-as always, she was right. She has an eye for people, and she'd been certain of you from day one. It's an honor to have worked with a great talent like you. I've worked with a lot of people, and I'm not flattering you by saying this, but you're by far one of the most hardworking I've ever met. I'm certain your future looks promising. Keep up the good work."

Amina's expression softened even more, her heart melting at the kind words.

If that wasn't enough, Chris jumped in as well. "Well, sister-in-law, you know wherever you are, I am as well." He offered her a grin which she reciprocated. "Just like Benazir, you're like a sister to me as well. Since I'm a few months older, I'll consider myself your oppa. And you're my younger sister." He has really been a brother to her indeed. "I'm proud of you, and I can't wait to see what you'll do in the future. The world isn't ready for your greatness. They never will be."

At that point, Amina was teary eyed. She looked away, blinking back the tears as she blew out shaky breaths. A tissue being handed to her came as the salvation she was looking for at the moment. Her gaze shifted to the man seated beside her, whom she had been ignoring since the shoot ended despite his advances to talk to her.

"Thank you." She mumbled, taking the tissue from Aahil and wiping her tears with it. Sniffing afterwards, she blinked and them met their gaze again. "Thank you all." She didn't want to be emotional, but they were making it impossible not to. "I'm so glad to have met you all. I can't imagine how my life would've been without you."

How was she supposed to survive living in Seoul without them? They made it home for her. She found herself a family in Seoul, one that she would cherish for the rest of her life.

"You love us, we know." Hunter chirped in, wiggling his brows.

A hand from his side smacked him hard on the shoulder, it was Chris. "Shut up." He warned, throwing him a glare. "Don't cut her off midway."

"Hey, don't smack me!"

Chris held his gaze daringly. "And if I do? What will you do, huh? Red hair."

Hunter glared at him. "My hair is chestnut!"

"Potato, potahto. All the same."

"It is not!"

"You guys should grow up," Ae Ra commented, from where she sat, now leaning on her boyfriend's arm and being securely in the safety of his arms. "how can you be the same for as long as I've know you?" They've always been bickering. She thought they would've grown up by then.

The two men were quick to point accusing fingers at each other.

"He started it!"

"He was being annoying!"

"Aigoo!" Ae Ra tutted, realizing talking to them is a helpless case. She waved her hand at them dismissively. "Carry on, continue. Don't stop till you kill each other, okay? Just continue."

Clicking his tongue, Hunter slanted his gaze to Aahil. "What about you? Won't you say a thing to her? I know you're dying to do so."

Aahil whom was seated comfortably with his arms crossed held up an unbothered expression. "Focus on your arguments. That's between her and I. It's none of your problem."

Unable to help herself, Amina scoffed lightly. Feeling everyone's gaze on her, she met his gaze and then uttered a sarcastic apology. "Sorry, I didn't mean that." Surely, she did. She couldn't help it. With what he said, and the way he said it, one would think there's something intimate going on between them. Leave it up to him to send the wrong signals.

With his brows drawn in, he tilted his head to the side slightly, his gaze fixated on hers. "What was that about?"

She shrugged, rolling her eyes in the process as she feigned indifference. "Nothing." She the mumbled, low enough for him to hear. "It's just not good to give wrong signals." She looked away.

His brows drew in even more if possible, making him lean closer to her. "Wrong signals? I thought I made myself pretty clear." He cared not that they had an audience, curiously watching them with interest. "I admitted earlier that I was, I still am, flirting with you--"

"Shush." She cut him off with wide eyes. Why don't he just put up a billboard so they can all know?

Aahil held her gaze, his eyes searching hers for something. His lips slowly slanted into a smile as he observed her features with keen interest. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" He suddenly inquired genuinely. "You're radiating."

Blood rushed to her cheeks, making her instantly looked away, flushed. This man would soon give her a heart attack at that rate.

And to make matters worse, Hunter chose to be annoying at that exact moment. He awed loudly, instantly gaining everyone's attention. "Is it just me, or do you feel especially single as well?" He inquired, turning around to face Chris.

The man, as always being on the same boat, turned around to face him as well. Intentionally, he dropped his voice. "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" He inquired instead. "You're glowing."

Hunter imitated the look of a woman, flushed to have heard such words. He hid his face between his palms, playfully smacking Chris's arm as he feigned the voice of a lady. "Oh, you! You make my heart flutter!"

"I do, don't I? You like me, don't you?"

"I do!"

"Let's keep oppressing these single fellas then because that's just the right thing to do."

Aahil slanted his eyes in their direction, unamused. "Either you shut up, or I shut you two up." If it was just him, he wouldn't have minded because he's used to such actions from them. But, they were making Amina uncomfortable, he can't have that.

Thankfully, before they really could continue because knowing them, they would do just that, the door slid open, and more familiar faces made an appearance. Benazir strolled in, instantly diving in to rush to Amina's side and give her a warm hug.

Amina, taken aback by the aggressive action was left breathless for a second, before she slowly eased into it. "A little less tight, please." She teased.

"Chingu-yah! Bogoshipo. My friend, I missed you." Benazir mumbled, "I can't believe you did it, girl! That's a huge thing. I'm so so happy for you!" She pulled back, holding the girl within arm's length as she offered her a wide grin. "I'm so sorry I couldn't make it. Work trip got me in a chokehold. I came here directly from the airport."

They've had countless video calls over the past few weeks as Benazir was in Busan for work, she had to fly there after returning from Jeju for a business trip so she couldn't tag in even as a viewer. The others seemed to be having so much fun without her, she couldn't have that.

"I missed you too." Amina stated earnestly. She was honestly starting to wonder how she's lived the past few years without the woman when she's almost always on the phone with her these days. "Thank you."

"Hear me out, we're celebrating all night today. We will catch up on everything, and I mean everything." She not so discreetly gestured to the man beside Amina with a teasing smile.

Amina's lips parted, knowing the others saw it and she couldn't help but feel embarrassed. She smacked her friend's arm. "Shut up!"

"Sorry!" Benazir didn't seem remorseful at all, as she pulled the empty chair to Amina's left and settled on it, placing her bag aside. She suddenly remembered something, making her whip her head in the girl's direction again. "Also, Dean is back in London so he won't make it. Said to extend his heartfelt congratulations to you." She dug into her bag, pulling out a small, rectangular box nearly wrapped with a bowtie and handed it to Amina. "This is his gift to you."

Amina's lips slanted into a small, warm smile at the thought of the man. She wouldn't lie. She's been curious of what happened and why she hadn't seen him around but none of the guys brought it up, so she was afraid to ask. It doesn't mean she wasn't curious though, she truly has been.

It's great to hear about him from someone. She could only hope he's doing good; whatever it is he's doing there.

She admired the cute little box, before placing it away in her bag. She would open it later on when she's alone. Not with that much eyes on her.

"Kimura is not going to make it as well. Went back to Manchester as well." Chris pointed out, referring to the woman's lack of presence. "Our break is coming to an end. We're all flying out in a few days as well." He broke the news.

Amina's heart sunk at the knowledge. She knew they were bound to leave, but was it selfish to say she was hoping they'd stay longer. It was a wishful thought of hers, despite knowing they all have to face reality.

"You can consider this a farewell dinner as well." Hunter elaborated, his tone holding less excitement as well. "I wish we had met a bit earlier, but it doesn't matter. Wherever we are, you can always count on us."

Amina folded her lips in, then nodded slowly. She suddenly felt emotional again, she was seconds away from bursting into tears again. She doesn't understand what's with her being that emotional that night as well. Perhaps, it's because she'd come a long way, her future was starting to look blurry.

She was having thoughts she didn't think she'd welcome ever. She wanted to make a decision that would change her life forever, she was simply yet to conclude whether it's what she really wants.

Thankfully, Hunter came to her rescue before she could dwell on that though. "Enough of all of this sappiness. Tonight is a happy night, let's enjoy it." He got on his feet and made his way to pick up something from the stand opposite them, before returning and handing one to Chris. "We rented a Karaoke place, might as well enjoy it to the fullest."

Benazir and Ae Ra were quick to hoot for them as they made their way out, Amina eventually joined in hyping them up. Aahil and Bae Hyun could only laugh and shake their heads, knowing it was about to be a crazy night. The two muttered something between themselves, before coming to a decision. While Chris went on to pick the desired song. As it started to play, Hunter turned around and pointed a finger in Amina's direction. "This one is for you, noona."

Then, Shut up and Dance by Walk the Moon started to play in the background, signifying the beginning of a night that held a promise of laughter, and craziness coupled with beers, sodas, fried chicken and karaoke.

"Oh, don't you dare look back, just keep your eyes on me.

I said you're holding back,

She said shut up and Dance with me.

This woman is my destiny,

She said Ooh-hoo,

Shut up and dance with me!"

  *****

I'll complete this book here as well, no worries.

But, the complete book is available on Okadabooks at half price for first ten buyers. So, hurry up!!

Also, a friend of mine is doing giveaway to TWO LUCKY READERS, winners will be announced tomorrow. Check my Instagram page @ferdeausee for details on how to get this book on Okadabooks for free by tomorrow.

And again, how do you guys believe that chapter is the last one? I said I'm done writing the book, not it's the end😂😂 see the way I was explaining in comment section like this ah ahnn😂😂

Aahil mannnnn, Aahilll is baeee😭❤️ he has our hearts confam! Ba wasa.

Tbh, this book is so cute, I can vouch for that myself. Not even FOF can match up to its sweetness.

Oya, stay safe.

Love, Jannah Mia ❤️