Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Hello guys! I know its been ages since my last update..I'm really really sorry. Work is really demanding,sapping all my writing juices to drought.Anyways..just 2 chapters more. Hopefully you'll stick til the end.

To all my friends who recently celebrated their birthdays- Dianne, Chin, Ate Sue.. sorry for the delay. 

Chapter 23

As soon as the mini press conference finished, Hwangbo and Hyunjoong were escorted by their managers. Atty Park already bid goodbye and went his way as well. Hwangbo’s manager dropped her to her apartment but he made sure that the press people were not able to follow. The apartment’s security team were also advised to ensure that no press will be allowed in the building. Hyunjoong went with his manager in the hotel to avoid any issue. He will head to Hwangbo’s place late in the evening.

It was already eleven in the evening, Hwangbo’s already in bed reading a book when she heard her door opens, She rushed towards the living room and saw Hyunjoong removing his beanie and hooded jacket.

“Hey,babe, welcome home.” She greeted with a smile. Hyunjoong walked towards her and wrapped her in his arms.

“Good to see you again baby. I miss you.” And kissed her hair.

“Did you have dinner?” she asked as they settled on the couch.

“Yes. Manager and I went to the hotel’s restaurant. I was able to take a nap too.” He replied.

“That’s good. Is there any news from Korea? Were there reporters in your hotel?” Hyejung enquired.

“My manager was talking to Key East when I left. Hope it’s something good. There were few reporters in the hotel lobby but I was able to sneak out. I’am a ninja, baby!” Hyunjoong told her.

“Really now? Well my handsome ninja would you like to take a shower before we go to bed?” she asked with a smile and stood up.

Hyunjoong stood up as well and carry her to the bedroom. She deposited her in the bed before taking off his shirt.

“Don’t sleep yet, baby. I’ll be quick.” He stole a quick kiss on her lips before heading to the shower.

Hyejung just smiled and moved towards the middle of the bed. She resumed reading her book as she wait for Hyunjoong.

The incessant ringing of Hyunjoong’s phone woke up the couple. It was Hwangbo who picked up the call after checking who the caller was and Hyunjoong burrowed back in bed.

“Good morning, Oppa. Hyunjoong’s still asleep. Do you want me to wake him up or would you just like to leave a message?” Hyejung politely explained.

“Maybe you should wake him up Hyejung-ssi.  Tell him he needs to be back in the hotel by 10 o clock. We’re all catching a flight back to Korea by one in the afternoon.” Hyunjoong’s manager replied.

“Okay, Oppa. I’ll wake him up now.” She confirmed.

“Thank you and see you in a while, Hyejung-ssi.” And Hyunjoong’s manager hung up.

Hyejung gently shook Hyunjoong and when he didn’t budge, she decided to do her best technic of waking him up. She gently lean unto his sleeping form and playfully bit his ear.

“Wake up, babe.” She whispered in a chuckle.

Hyunjoong pried his eyes open and turn to meet his girlfriend’s smile.

“It’s still early, baby. Can I have a few more minutes?” Hyunjoong mumbled.

“Alright, I’ll fix something for our breakfast then I’ll be back. “And she kissed his cheek before leaving.

Hyejung woke her man after fixing breakfast. Hyunjoong took a quick shower and together they shared a hearty breakfast. He left after the meal but he promised her that he’ll call as soon as he’s in the hotel. Hyejung was checking her mail when her door rings. She opened it up and surprised when her manager came in hurriedly.

“Pack your bags, Hyejung. We have a ten am flight back to Korea. Our agency advised us to head back for a meeting.” Her manager explained.

“As in now? Why all of a sudden?” Hyejung asked as she made her way to her room to pack her bag.

“I’m not sure but they just told me that we have to be there. I already have booked our flight. I was trying to call you but you’re not answering.” He explained.

“Oh!  That.  I’m sorry Oppa. I forgot to pick it up before heading back to sleep last night. It was on silent so I wasn’t able to answer your call.” She explained. “Anyway, I’m ready now. I’ll just inform Hyunjoong that I’m also going back home.” Hyejung added.

“Hyejung, why do you have to call him when we’re all flying back together? Come on now!” her manager chuckled and pulled her out of her apartment.

Hyejung was left with no choice but to just follow his manager. After twenty minutes, they reached the airport and they head to the VIP area. Hyunjoong and his manager where already waiting so they just took the couch beside them.

“Do you know why they called us, Hyung?” Hyunjoong asked Hyejung’s manager.

“I’m not sure but I guess something to do with the presscon yesterday.” He replied.

“Good or bad news?” Hyunjoong asked again.

“We’re also clueless but just hope that it’ll be what you’re hoping for.” Hyunjoong’s manager this time responded.

When boarding was announced, they were ushered to their seats. Hwangbo was sitting next to her manager while Hyunjoong was with his. They didn’t question the arrangement since the plane was packed and people might leak the information to the media.

As soon as the plane touched down, they all head to the Key East building. Bae Young Joon was already waiting as well as Hwangbo’s agency representative when they walked in.

“Hyung, what is this about?” Hyunjoong asked as soon as they were able to take a seat. He decided to take the one beside Hyejung.

“ Hyunjoong-ssi, we received an envelope from a reporter. Asking us to pay then 10 million  won so that they won’t publish your pictures. I already talked to them. All I’m requesting from you is to cancel the endorsement for Choi Galleries.” Bae Young Joon replied.

“But what about the contract with the Songs. Choi Galleries will be compromised.” Hyunjoong replied.

“Hyejung can still endorse the company. We’ll talk to them.” Hwangbo’s agency countered.

“Are you sure they will accept it? Im just concern with the company’s image. I’ll go with you to settle with the Song, Oppa.” Hyejung offered.

“No. We will proceed with the endorsement.” Hyunjoong snapped and turn to Bae Young Joon. “ Hyung, no need to settle with the reporters, don’t pay them. If they will leak our pictures, it’s okay. We can come out and announce our relationship.” Hyunjoong adamantly announced.

“This will affect your career Hyunjoong.” Young Joon retort.

“I know I might lose fans but I cannot let Choi Galleries or Key East to suffer. Choi Galleries is now ours – mine and Hyejung’s. As owner we need to protect its reputation and image. As for Key East, I don’t want you to waste 10 million  just to delay something that will come out anyway. I’m serious with Hyejung and we will get married soon. This situation just speeds up everything but it will eventually happen anyway.”

“What about your projects? Are you out of your mind?” Young Joon asked back.

“There’s was no clause in my contract or any of my ongoing project that stipulate that I cannot get into relationship. I have ensured that with my manager.” Hyunjoong replied.

“It true YoungJoon-ssi. I checked Hyunjoong’s contracts- each one of them. Hyunjoong asked me to double check after he and Hwangbo got involved. He asked me not to accept it if it will not allow him to be with her.” Hyunjoong’s manager explained.

Hwangbo turned to Hyunjoong and the latter just smiled back at her.

“So you really want to announce it now? Regardless if fans don’t accept you being together?” Bae Young Joong asked in despair.

“Hyung, I’m very thankful to you for taking me after our group separated. For that I will be forever indebted. I love my fans as well but I love Hyejung. I cannot kept her as a secret forever. I want to go out with her and be a normal couple. I know my real fans will support my decision and will accept her.” Hyunjoong humbly said.

“What about you, Hyejung-ssi?” Her agency asked.

“I’ll stand by Hyunjoong’s decision.” Hyejung simply replied.

“Then brace yourself for tomorrow’s scandal. Both party will release a confirmation statement but we’ll do nothing more than this.” With than Bae Young Joon and the representative walked out. Both Hyejung and Hyunjoong’s manager followed them for further instruction. The two were left in the conference hall still a bit daze.

“Are we ready for this, Hyunjoong?” Hyejung asked with a sigh.

“I am. All the things I said were true. Choi Galleries is very important to us. I cannot let the Choi couple’s company go into this mess. “ Hyunjoong replied.

“What about your career? What if offers decrease, are you gonna be okay with that?” Hyejung enquired.

“It’s gonna be hard specially if we’re going to start a family but I’ll work hard. Do you have no trust in me?” he quipped.

“Of course I do. I just don’t want you to regret this in the end.” Hyejung explained reaching out to hold Hyunjoong’s hand.

“I will regret nothing as long as I’m with you. We have Choi Galleries and Choi Estate. I have properties and savings so if I need to step out of the industry, I know I can provide for us. But you know babe, I have faith in my fans. I believe they will still support me. And you know that we also have our own fanbase right? So just trust in us. “Hyunjoong appeased her and pulled her closer to his side.

“I love you, Hyunjoong.” Hyejung uttered with a smile.

“And I love you more baby.” Hyunjoong replied and playfully envelop her in a bear hug. Just then their manager walked in breaking their loving moments. Hyejung and her manager has to leave to discuss what will happen tomorrow and Hyunjoong will have to stay in key East to also discuss. They hesitantly said their goodbyes with Hyunjoong promising to call her as soon as he’s home.

Its was past eight in the evening when Hyejung was drop by her manager to her apartment. She was waiting for Hyunjoong’s call but she guessed that he’s still with his company. She decided to then just call her mother.

“Mom, hello. How are you?”Hyejung greeted.

“I’m doing good. How about you? When are you going home?” Jinri asked.

“I’m here in Korea, Mom. Just arrived today. Mom, I need to tell you something and Im sorry for telling this to you over the phone since its very urgent.” Hyejung apologized.

“What is it Hyejung? Are you pregnant?” her mother squealed.

“Mom, Im not pregnant! “ Hyejung dispproved.

“Then what is it?” Jinri interrupted.

“Mom, news about me and Hyunjoong might come out tomorrow. Both our agency will confirm it.  Please tell Appa and Oppa. We will go there to see you as soon as we settle everything.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll tell them. But Hyejung-ah you know its not gonna be easy. Come home if you need to and we’ll be here to support you.” Jinri reminded.

“Thank you, Omma. I’ll call you back soon. Hyunjoong might be trying to reach me now. Take care mom.”

“You too, Hyejung. “And they ended the call.

Hyunjoong was able to call her at around ten in the evening. He just told her that he’ll be dropping by tomorrow morning since it’s already late. They didn’t stay on the phone for long since both of them are tired from the stressful day. They hung up and Hyejung began preparing for bed.

On the other side, Hyunjoong was on the phone pacing back and forth of his living room. Just as soon as the person on the other line pick up, he hurriedly uttered.

“Mom, I need your help.”