If I told you that you might be over reacting just a tad bit, would you listen?" Binna says cautiously from my side. 

"Uhuhmm," I make an illegible sound that earns a grunt from her. 

I'm bounding up the stairs two at a time, she has to jog to keep up with me. 

Overreacting? Did she see the way the two of them were conversing just now? Did she hear them on stage? In all our group practices I've never seen them so comfortable with each other like this. 

But then again, I was always distracted during those sessions. Trying to keep my cool while Jiho always seemed to brush against my fingers and shoulders. And then there are those stolen looks. 

So when did Rachel and Jiho happen? They must have had some extra private lessons or dates. When and where remains a mystery to me but if he could sneak around with me, he could do it with another, right?

All I know is that I need to get out of here before I combust from all this overthinking. 

Once we are out of the lifts and in the foyer do I finally slow down and take a breath. I slump on the black leather sofa set by the billboards and stretch my legs out before me. 

"I really screwed up today," I admit to Binna who stands in front of me while she bends down to touch her feet. 

She twists around to look at me while squeezing her hamstrings. "So did Kim, Grace and JinJin. I almost went to the wrong position at the end of our dance. It's only the first day, Jina."

I lean forward and feel the tension in my calf muscles as I touch my toes. "Do you think they're seeing each other?" 

Binna smiles, knowing that this is what's bothering me more than anything. The strobe lights above reflect in her large eyes, making them glint my way. I always felt she looked like an anime character, now more than ever.

"You know you could just ask him, right? Or her?" 

I groan loudly. "Do you really think he would admit to two timing me? Are cheaters ever that honest?" 

Just then my phone vibrates and I pull it out of my bag. It's a message from Jeju aka Jiho.

"You, okay? Looks like you need a tofu stick, some ice coffee. Maybe a hug?" 

The message ends with some hug emojis and I want to chuck my phone across the room. How can he message me so nonchalantly like nothing has been happening between him and Rachel. 

I run a hand through my hair and look at Binna. Maybe she's right. Maybe I am over reacting. I feel like typing out a biting message, telling him to go fly kites or hug Rachel but that would be extremely childish. 

I stop myself by leaving the message on read and dump it back into my bag. I'll reply when I'm in a better state of mind. 

The foyer was empty when we got here but it has slowly started to fill up. It's almost evening and most of the junior trainees are heading back home. We however don't have that luxury. We have dance practice later because Mr Lee said we were horrible on stage. 

He always says we are horrible. Sometimes I think he's going to miss haranguing us like he's been doing for the past four years. 

I see the executives walk into the lobby and then head to the VIP lounge behind the reception desk. I've never been inside but I heard the lounge houses a bar, espresso machines and freshly delivered pastries on a daily basis. 

I see Mr Wan walking inside with Mr Yang and suddenly my mind becomes crystal clear.

Hyeon said he needed a copy of that picture on Mr Wan's studio wall. The one with Dalia and all those high profile men. I then remember Luna drunkenly telling me Dalia was involved with someone powerful. Someone she should never have gotten involved with. 

Maybe she was trying to throw me off but we'll never know till we look into these men once and for all. 

"My vocals were pretty off today," I say, eyes laser focused on the thinning greyish hair at the back of Mr Wan's head. 

"It was just one line," Binna sighs tiredly. She lifts a long leg and pull up's the thick woollen socks that come up to her thighs. 

"I know. But I think I need more practice," I reply, ignoring the way Binna rolls her eyes. "With Mr Wan." 

"Why him? He always looks so dodgy." 

Truer words have never been spoken. I remember how he cornered me in his studio, looking like he was about to kiss me. If Jiho hadn't barged in then, God knows what would have happened. It would be stupid of me to seek his help alone but then again maybe today I'll be more prepared. 

"Kind of is. But I need his help and we're free till Mr. Lee texts us. Might as well make the most of it." 

Loud chatter erupts from the direction of the lifts and I turn to see most of the girls walking towards us. I try not to focus on the absence of Rachel, Grace and JinJin. Try not to wonder where and who they are with. 

The deep unease in my chest threatens to return but I push it aside, raking my brain on how to get that picture in Mr Wan's studio. 

An idea forms slowly when Kim sits down in front of us. Liza and Queenie - the more quiet ones who usually go with the flow and never cause any drama - sit down next to us and stretch out their legs as well. 

"Today feels like it's going on forever. I can't believe we still have practice and have to be here at 6am again tomorrow," Kim grumbles. She takes out a deep heat patch, pulls off it's cover and eases it onto her neck. 

My own neck feels sore just by looking at her. 

"Girls, I want to run through my tone with Mr Wan. You all know how good he is with that sort of thing. Do you want to join?" I fold my fingers together apprehensively and wait for their response. 

Binna, my bestie for life is predictable in her answer. "Yeah, why not. I'll come with you. Safer that way." She's always been protective of me and I'm beginning to think I don't deserve it with all the sneaking around I've been doing. 

"Mr. Yang glared at me during my lines so I must have done something wrong. I'll come too," Liza says and then Kim agrees to join as well. Only Queenie decides to stay back, saying she needs to meet Ms Noh about something. 

The four of us sit there idly and I wait for the execs to leave the lounge. It could take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, but they generally don't spend more than an hour inside. Since there are no visitors today I'm guessing they should be out any minute. 

My prayers are answered about ten minutes later. Mr Yang leaves first then the others slowly trickle out after him. 

Mr Wan saunters out last, a cup of coffee in hand and I quickly jump up from my seat. 

"Give me a second," I tell the girls and then rush after him. 

"Mr Wan!" I call after him as he heads for the lifts and he turns to me so abruptly that some coffee tips over, sliding down the side of his cup. 

"Oh no, I'm so sorry." I pretend to fuss over the mess I caused by grabbing some tissue by the counter and wipe it down for him. I can tell this makes him flustered, the sicko. His face is turning pink and he grabs my hand to stop me. 

His fingers are so soft, so un-calloused like he's never touched a guitar string or washed a dish in his life. I swallow when he doesn't release me but then he gathers himself when he realises where we are. 

He lets go of my hand like it just burned him and clears his throat. "Jina, what can I do for you?" He then takes a step back, looking all business like in his formal suit but I don't miss the way his eyes travel down to my chest for a good second. 

My insides are squirming when I answer. "I screwed up my line on stage." 

His lips purse when I say this and he nods knowingly. "I saw that."

I shift from side to side, looking shy and hoping to God that this will work. "I was wondering if I could run them by you if you're not too busy."

"Sure, schedule it in," He says looking at his watch. 

"Are you free now? We don't have dance practice till later so it would be great-"

Mr Wan cuts me off by raising his hand. He puts down his coffee and sifts through his tablet. "I don't see why not. I don't have anyone scheduled in for now." 

"Great!" I smile so wide that it makes him laugh. His eyes crinkle in delight and he looks more excited that I do but then the excitement dims when I mention the other girls wanting to join. I quickly call them over before he can protest and I swear he looks annoyed as we head for the lifts. 

The girls chatter excitedly, telling him they love his work and Mr Wan nods politely. I pretend not to notice him glaring at my reflection in the lift doors. 

Kim, Binna and Liza skip outside once we reach the floor to his studio. I follow suit but he tugs on the sleeve of my arm. 

"I was under the impression you wanted private lessons," He murmurs crossly. 

The fact that he could even think that makes me want to slap his entitled looking face. Instead I smile coyly, swallowing the bile that has inched up my throat. "They begged me to come but I told them to leave once they were done. So we can practice privately."

The lines around his mouth multiply when he smiles meekly and then he releases me. I swallow hard and walk ahead, eager to put some distance between us. There's no way I'm staying back and he's the biggest fool if he believes so. 

Just then a door opens ahead and I stop in my tracks when I see Jiho, Chan and Silver walk out of a practice studio. Jiho stops in his tracks when he sees us and then his eyes narrow on Mr Wan. 

They walk up to us and the boys bow in greeting. "Mr Wan, we've been wanting to practice with you as well."

Mr Wan stares at the group of us, his face filled with bewilderment. "I swear I've never had so many students hounding me for lessons in one go. You guys will have to schedule it in, as you can see I'm busy." 

He gestures at us girls and I can tell that all three Viva boys don't look happy about this. Even Chan and Silver eye us worriedly. 

"Really no room for us?" Silver asks hopefully. 

"Sorry boys. You know how the system works. Book the time slot and I'm yours." Mr Wan puts his hand on the small of my back, urging me forward. 

I notice Jiho's shoulders square, a muscle in his jaw ticks and he glares at Mr Wan openly. I quickly step forward, the feeling of the older man's fingers on my back is repulsive, even through my sweater. 

Chan and Silver back away, looking defeated but Jiho stands still even though we've reached Mr Wan's studio. He unlocks it and the girls walk inside, disappearing from sight.

"Umm, Jina I need to discuss something about our performance." Jiho scratches his head, his eyes pleading. 

I really don't need to be talking to the source of my discomfort but Mr Wan nods, allowing us to speak. 

He leaves us in the empty corridors and once Jiho's sure no ones looking, he grabs my arm and pulls me further away. 

"What are you doing? You know he's an opportunist. There's a reason he's only assigned boy groups and duets." Jiho's face is so full of concern and anger. It only makes him so much more attractive. 

"It's just a lesson. Nothing's going to happen." I cross my arms over each other defensively. It's hard not to be distracted by his broad shoulders and how good they look in the sweater he is wearing.

"We're not allowed in. Meaning I can't save you this time." Jiho runs a hand through his hair in frustration and it falls to his forehead making a beautiful mess. I'm so tempted to run my fingers through those loose strands but then I remember this morning. 

"I don't need saving." I say angrily and then the verbal diarrhoea spews out before I can stop it. "Maybe you should head back to Rachel. She probably needs you more."

Jiho frowns in confusion. "What?" 

"Nothing," I quickly reiterate and then rush away, eager to put some distance between us before I do or say something even more stupid.