He really didn't have to.

I hardly know the guy and he barely knows me, even if it's out of common courtesy, why do it?

Why go through any trouble at all?

I shift my head on my pillow, facing my phone on the bedside table. Reaching over to check the time-

3:05 AM

As my gaze scans my notification bar,

Hey, beautiful. Message me when you get home. See you tomorrow.

[8:45 PM]

Give me a call when you get home.

Got something to tell you.

[9:17 PM]

Conflicted.  That's how I feel. Should I just wait till tomorrow?

I find myself staring at the contacts screen in my hand. It's late.

I click on Zen's details, catching myself looking, quite attentively,  at one of the pictures he sent me. My whatsapp picture folder is just full of selfies he sends, gifs and my cat- Sultan, that my mom sends me from time to time.
The one I applied, is a pretty laid back picture of Zen.

“Hey.”

My heart beats against my chest. What did I just do?

“Min?”

How did I end up calling him? My phone is haunted. Concluded and Confirmed.

“You there?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Everything alright, you sound nervous?” he asks with a voice of concern.

Silently taking in a breath.

“Yeah, I'm good.”

“What's wrong? Can't sleep?”

“Yeah and I just saw your message.”

“Oh. Right.”

“Well?”

“What?”

“You said you got something to tell me.”

“Wait? I thought-”

And so I wait as I hear clicking happening on the other line.

“Sorry, that was meant for someone else.”

“Okay. So, “ let's not make this awkward.

“How's play rehearsals?”

“Not exactly great.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know what, forget about it.”

Well thanks for making me curious.

“So, beautiful. How's working for Jaehee?”

“Can you say ‘best boss ever’! I mean, she's so understanding and considerate and so willing to get one hundred percent involved, regardless the task.”

“She did work for Jumin, so she knows how hard being an employee can be. Speaking of Mr.Trust fund, he's mentioned meeting you.”

Oh no.

“You skate? Maybe that's where we can go on our first date.”

Either he knows and he's just messing with me or Jumin really didn't mention knowing me at all.

“So, you guessed my name?”

For the love of me I try to sound confident, but I could just feel my voice shake as I spoke.

“I'm close.”

I guess, I'll have to see.

“So, you were saying ‘Rehearsals are going terrible.’ Is it because of that-” insufferable “-woman. The lead?”

“How'd you know?”

“I'm pretty good at figuring people out.”

That, and she did step on my foot, and a couple of other offences during recent days, but I do take great comfort in my ability to get a good guess how a person is.

“I don't know what to say. She messes up her lines, stutters and we can't complete a single scene. We're not getting anywhere. If this keeps up, the production might have to close.”

“Why was she even given the part if she can't act?”

“Apparently she can, but... I don't know.”

“Hyun, maybe if you talk to her and tell her the circumstances, she might start taking her part more seriously.”

“I've been thinking about it, but I can't.”

He pauses and I wait.

“I just can't talk to her.”

“The famous flirtatious Zen, can't talk to a girl? Do you have a crush on her or something?”

That last bit came out slightly harsher than I'd intended.

“I'm sure she's attractive to some guys, but she isn't my type.”

Well, that's good. I would hate to be the one to have the ‘that girl is a total biAtch’  talk with him.

“Then, what's wrong?”

“Hey, it's getting late and as much as I love being the one keeping you up at this ‘unholy hour’, we both have work in the morning.”

“You're just trying to avoid my question.”

“Maybe, but believe me when I tell you that you shouldn't worry about it.”

Telling me not to worry about it. Makes me worry about it!

“Sweet dreams.”

“Night.”

And we both hang up.

I hardly get any sleep. As morning dawns and the sun starts peeking through my curtains, I've figured out what I can do.

After getting dressed. I head over to the nearest store. Celest will have all the equipment for the job.

The motion sensor doors slide open and I start moving, if I want to make it on time for work.

With Google as my sidekick, I finally check out and head back.

“The moment of truth has arrived.” I declare.

Positioned in front of the counter, knife in hand.“I can do this.” I can do this.

The blade cautiously slices through flesh, slowly, but surely I make my way through three pieces, tears running down my face.

I'm doing it. My vision blurs, but I'm on a roll. These onions don't stand a - “My finger!”

I kneel, holding my finger in my other hand. Unintentionally, I press around the cut a little too hard and blood trickles down faster. Pressure to the wound, they say.

I run around the house, frantically looking for the first aid kit. I'm going to bleed to death!

“Where did she put the bandages!”

I need to disinfect this!

“I'm losing blood here!”

~°~

“There.” one last wrap and done. Cleansed, disinfected and secured.

I walk back into the kitchen.“Now, back to cooking.” picking the knife off the counter, my gaze trails to the onions on the cutting board and I can just feel the tears starting to well back up again, “I give up!” I drop to the floor.

“It's ruined!”

Head in hands, “I can't do this!”

I spread myself across the floor. I think I'm getting dizzy. It's the blood loss.

“I'll just lay here and wallow in my failure.”

Pft~ can't even cut onions without getting blood all over them.

“I give up!” I shout.

“Uh, what are you doing?”

“Wallowing in my failure.”

“What's all this stuff?” I hear the rustling of  paper bags, but I'm not going to get up and check.

The ceiling is my new friend and the only thing that I can bear to see right now.

Failure!

Ow, it really stings.

Celest pokes her head in front of me, blocking my view of the ceiling. “C'mon, get up.” she reaches a hand out for me to grab.

“Leave me be. Let me wallow.”

“Enough with that.”

“Why aren't you at practice?” I ask, curious since she shouldn't even be here at this time of the day.

“I went in the morning.”

“oh.”

“So, what were you doing?”

“Getting nowhere.”

“What's all this for?”

“Give it to the animals, I no longer need them.”

“Seriously?”

I spring back up, legs folded. “ I was just trying to cook some nice food and I ended up, not only wasting thirty two minutes looking for the first aid kit, I also wasted the onions by getting blood all over them.” I turn to face her. My heart crushing between my rib cage “The tears, sweat and blood I put into this and the result- A whole lot of Nada.” I let out an exasperated sigh and return to laying on my back, on the floor, where I can stay forever.

“Okay, stop this and get up. If cooking’s the problem, I know someone who can help.”

“Can't help the helpless.”

“That makes no sense,” I hear the system sound on her phone as she types or dials, or probably she's just checking her Insta. I wouldn't know.

“I know.” my voice was low, empty. I need to get this done, but how? My brows knit together.

I hear footsteps recede. I guess she left me to wallow.

That's a friend. I smile. She knows when to give a person space.

Turns out, that's what I needed, before I know it, I'm back to getting my hands sticky.

This time, however, I rather start off with the area I'm more familiar with.

Forty five minutes later and the beautiful aroma of chocolate and cookie fills the air.

Taking the freshly baked cookies out of the oven, I set it on the side to cool.

“Mmmm. What's that smell?”

Just in time. “Mademoiselle...s and monsieur..?”

“Yoosung?” I remove my oven mitts and rest them on the counter. “What are you doing here?”

“Meet Mc, she has agreed to be your instructor.” Celest says, motioning towards the girl I've never met.

“Mc?”

“It's actually Y/n, nice to meet you.”

After the formalities and Yoosung explaining that he's here to help, we get to work, spending the whole morning replicating the perfect meal.

Phase one complete. On to phase two.

“Net, who is this all for anyways?” Celest asks as I pack everything into a basket.

“Why would you assume it's for someone?”

“Well, maybe because if it were for you, it would be long finished by now.” Can't argue with the facts.

I set my attention to the next phase. “Anyone know how to look nice?”

No one answers, giving me a look.

Maybe I wasn't clear.

“You know, on purpose.”

“Do I have to say it.” Celest side glances at Mc.

Me and Yoosung are just clueless to what she means. I have a serious problem I have to take care of, and that's all I'm focused on.

“Okay. Okay. No. I do not like a guy and this all isn't for someone I secretly admire.” make that clear.

“Sure. If that's the case.” she doesn't believe me. “What do you say?”

“Lead us to your wardrobe.”

“Yoosung, watch some t.v. Knowing Net, this might take a while.” girl, what are you implying?  Celest's brow raises at me, “You're really picky.” she states matter of factly.

No argument here.

I lead them to my closet and they get to work. I have no idea what look they were going for, but after several outfits that I didn't like, we find one that suits the occasion just as well.

It's not that I needed help being pretty. I just never got dressed to impress anyone before. By that I mean, I have to grab everyone's attention. It's part of phase two of my plan- Be the most attractive girl in the room.

From the way it's going, I do believe we can accomplish that.

Can't wait to see the look on their faces.

“What do you think?” I'm twirled around in my chair to face the mirror.

This will do it.

“Perfect.”

Phase two complete.

Phase one, make delicious irresistible food. Check. Phase two, become an irresistible version of me. Check. Phase three, get irresistible man to go on a picnic with me.

How is this all not related or corresponding to a date? Simple. This is going to get what's-her-name off Zen's case once and for all and hopefully get her to take her part more seriously.

Strangely enough, I can't convince them to join me. Still bouncing the idea that all this is for some dude that I have come to fancy. Yeah~ No boy. If I fancy you, and you think I'm cute, you make me a basket of goodies. How else does he expect to convey his love to me?

I chuckle to myself at the thought.

Anyways, I'm pretty sure they think this is for a date and the concept of ‘third wheel’ is generally an unappealing one. I don't know.

I ask Celest to drop me off before she goes to practice, because I wasn't about to sit in a bus full of strangers with all this delicious smelling food. It seems rude for some reason.

I get out of the car and begin to head inside. “What are you doing with that?” I turn and my gaze trails to where she's looking at. A folder peeking out of the basket. “Why did you bring that here?” she asks, switching gears. Yes, I did wake her up in the middle of the night for the contents in the folder, but for a good reason, I assure you.

“It's all part of the plan.”

She looks skeptical, shaking her head as she switches gears, again. “Well, I'll see you.” she says before she zooms out of here.

I just get one chance. Entering the theater I notice everyone just finished something and they go to the back. I just have one chance and this is how it's going to go-

Step one, walk in. Of course. Step two, locate Zen, the easy part because… she's such a-

There she is, getting super close to Zen. It's vile. She has her hand on his arm, like look at his face, does he look like he wants you touching him? And Zen being too sweet and polite to say anything.

Okay, time to put my game face on. And hope that my makeup stays presentable. I do this the smart way. Be cute. Think cute. You're cute. CUTE!  “Hey, Zen.” that wasn't cute, something like Zenny, or hey would of been fine, but I guess I got everyone's attention now.

As I approach them I get the most obvious glare in my life from ‘that woman’.

“Wow, Min, you look great.” He compliments, finally being able to get away from what's her face. How dare she uses Zen's good nature against him.

“Thank you.” I smile, swaying the basket a little. “I made some lunch and if you're not too busy.” The last word is stretched a little just so he can get the hint and come with me.

“But Zen.” of course she had to butt in. “We still have to rehearse. Time is of the essence, after all.” look who's got a voice. What? Now you speak up!

“C'mon, Zen.” I stretch out my free arm towards him, in an attempt to seem inviting. “I'm sure half an hour won't hurt, right?” at that last bit I tilt my head slightly, it just happened and it seems to fit.

He appears to be thinking. Hyun, I got this dressed up, so you better not reject my invitation. Just grab my hand already. And he does. As he does, he turns towards the director of the play.

The man just shrugs a ‘Whatever’ before adding something along the lines of the plays not going anywhere anyways.

This man looks more done than the director from the movie.

Anyways, I lock arms with Zen and we are on our way out for our picnic. That will teach you. If you had just done your job right none-

There's a tug from the other side and I can physically feel then see Zen tensing up.

This is uncomfortable, disgusting and plain out unbearable to watch.

Next thing I know is I'm yanking Zen away and my knuckles hurt.

I really don't know my own strength.

Not to mention a certain someone sprawled on the ground, with a bloody nose.

For a second I regret it and think that I acted too rash, but then I remember her forcing him into that kiss and I regret nothing.

“I will have you arrested for that.”

“Good, because I have already filed a report on you and your previous behaviour towards me.” I let go of Zen and fold my arms across my chest. I am not backing down out of this. This ends here. “Not to mention, the reports of similar and worse actions towards former co-stars.” I pull out the file and hand it to her. Yeah, it's important, otherwise I wouldn't have disturbed Celest in the middle of the night for it.

That seems to have silenced her.

“With your lack of professionalism-” I take back my folder, didn’t get time to make a copy. “If you're thinking of leaving, it honestly won't make a difference to this production. Though, for your sake I would advise you to stay and finish the job you were hired to do. Otherwise you're credentials to land another part would not be so easy to obtain.” I lock my arm with Zen's again. “ I think that's best for everyone, but if you don't want to take my advice. Fine.” we turn and as we do. “You will not be missed.” my final words before heading out for my picnic. Wasted enough time already. My stomachs been growling since I left the house.

~°~

“Are we going to talk about what happened back there?”

What? “You wanted to kiss her?”

“No.” He leans in closer and whenever he does that something interesting is bound to escape his lips. “You're jealousy was showing.”

“That's what you take from this? The absurd idea that I, I was jealous?” Major emphasis on the ‘I’. Can you imagine?  Just look at my face and tell me that envy crossed my mind. You try to do something nice for a friend and this is what you get faced with.

“You know you wanted me all to yourself today.” He smirks and I just nonchalantly take a bite of my food. “Why else would you pretty up, but to impress me.” he's not even asking; that smug, handsome, heaven's gift to women of a man; he's stating.

Did you not just see how flawless my plan was? Am I the only one who witnessed my genius!?

Not in the mood to argue, or to ruin anyone's mood. “Fine. I'll let you think this was all for you.”

“I knew it.” and he does the most villainous thing ever imaginable. I would never thought of him being so bold as to take one of my dumplings right off my plate. You have yours right there. Eat those!

Did you not just see what I did to that girl?

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