13

                                    

                                          

"Um... room service," Chan interjects, attempting to diffuse the tension in the room. "How are you doing? I thought you guys all wore those penguin coats," Jeff remarks casually, trying to engage Chan in conversation. "Well, yes... usually... I'd just changed to go home... but I thought I'd just deal with this final call." Chan gestures towards Y/n, adopting the demeanor of someone accustomed to being at the bottom of the food chain, earning an approving nod from Jeff.
Seizing the opportunity while Jeff's back is turned, Y/n mouths a 'sorry' to Chan with the most apologetic expression he's ever seen, genuine, unlike the fake apologies from his ex-girlfriend. Sensing the need to intervene in the situation between Jeff and Y/n, Chan speaks up. "Oh great. Could you do me a favor and try to get us some really cold water up here?"
"I'll see what I can do."
"Still, not sparkling," Chan adds.
"Absolutely. Ice-cold, still water."
"Unless it's illegal in the UK to serve liquids below room temperature: I don't want you going to jail just to satisfy my whims... And maybe you could just adios the dishes and empty the trash," Y/n chimes in, her eyes flashing with anger directed at Jeff, silently conveying her frustration to Chan. Jeff, oblivious to the tension, points out the mess he's made in her room.
Feeling his pride wounded, Chan begrudgingly complies. "Right." He gathers up the used plates and heads towards the trash, but Y/n quickly intervenes, attempting to stop him. "No! No, really don't do that... I'm sure this is not his job."
Jeff starts to grow suspicious of Y/n's behavior as Chan mumbles softly near her, repeating 'I'm Fine'. "I'm sorry. Is this a problem?"
"Ah, no. It's fine." Straightening up, Y/n nervously picks at her nails, feeling guilty towards Chan and increasingly frustrated with Jeff, as the two men converse. "What's your name?"
"Ahm... Jisung." Jeff slips him a five, and despite Chan's urge to glare at the man, he holds back. "Thank you, Jisung." Jeff then turns to Y/n, pulling her closer by her waist. Chan begins to slowly back away, remaining in the room as he watches their interaction. Y/n looks uncomfortable as she forces a professional smile. "Hey...nice surprise, or nasty surprise?" she stammers, hesitating to answer.
"N-Nice surprise," she finally manages to say.
Without warning, Jeff pulls her into a rough kiss, catching her off guard. Y/n winces at the pain on her lips as she hastily pulls away. "Liar. She hates surprises. What are you ordering?" Jeff directs his question to Chan, who is still present in the room, before turning his attention back to Y/n.
Caught in the middle, Y/n looks between the two men, not wanting to further burden or hurt Chan. "I haven't decided."
"Well, don't overdo it. I don't want people saying, 'There goes that famous actor with his big, fat girlfriend'," Jeff remarks callously before wandering off to remove his t-shirt, signaling Chan's cue to leave. "I better leave," Chan announces, turning to exit.
Y/n follows him to the door, her expression still apologetic, a feeling Chan wishes he could resent but can't. "This is a fairly strange reality to be faced with. To be honest, I didn't realize..." Looking down at her feet, Y/n chews her lip nervously. "I'm sorry... I don't know what to say."
Meeting her gaze, Chan feels his heart race despite the situation. With a heavy heart, he speaks, "I think a goodbye is traditional." With that, Chan walks away, afraid that staying longer would only deepen his feelings for Y/n. As he exits the hotel, he is left stunned and wounded.
That night, Chan sits alone on a bus, lost in thought, his face a picture of distress. The bus drives away, revealing a huge picture of Y/n adorning the back.
Arriving home, Chan retreats to his room and reflects, "How hard can it be to forget a girl? I managed to forget the last one, so I can do the same with her." But deep down, he knows it won't be easy, especially when the girl in question is as famous and omnipresent as Y/n Scott.
And within a week, Chan finds himself at the movies with Changbin, watching 'Helix'. As he watches Space Y/n on the screen, clad in futuristic attire, he realizes that forgetting Y/n Scott will be a far more daunting task than he ever imagined.
Just as he thinks this, a momentous flash of light explodes on the screen, reflected in Chan's eyes, a symbol of the indelible impression Y/n has left on him.
...
On that particular day, Chan finds himself lost in thought, gazing out the window until Changbin enters with a concerned expression. "Come on... open up... it's me... Binnie... I'm in tune with some pretty important spiritual vibes. What's on your mind?" Changbin settles onto the arm of a nearby chair.
Chan decides to confide a little, "Well, okay. There's this girl..."
"Aha! I had a feeling it was something to do with a lady. Good. Tell me more, dear friend." Chan rolls his eyes but can't help but chuckle, lowering his gaze to his fingers as thoughts of Y/n flood his mind. "She's someone I just can't shake... it's like I've become addicted to her... and now I can't have her again. It's like I've opened Pandora's box, and there's trouble inside."
Changbin nods thoughtfully, though it's clear he might not fully grasp Chan's feelings. "Yeah... tricky situation. I knew a girl in school named Pandora... never got to see her box though." Changbin bursts into laughter. Chan smiles, "Thanks... very helpful."
Weeks have passed since Y/n left his life, and now, in Jeong-in's restaurant, only two tables are occupied. Chan and his friends are on their first course. Jisung reads the "Dispatch Lastest Drama," with a picture of Y/n and Jeff at Heathrow Airport.
"You didn't know she had a boyfriend?"
"No... did you?" Hyunjin asks the oldest while chewing on his steak, Chan frowns at everyone, realizing they all know. "Damn it... I can't believe it... my whole life was ruined because I didn't read "Dispatch" magazine." Chan groans, slamming his face into his palm repeatedly as he mentally berates himself.
"Let's face facts. This was always a risky situation. Y/n's like a goddess, and you know what happens to mortals who get involved with gods." Hyunjin speaks with a raised brow as he sips his wine beside Chan. "Do they get screwed?"
"Every time. But don't despair... I think I have a solution to your problems." Chan's ears perk up at this, while Seungmin shoots a disapproving look at Hyunjin, who quickly tries to amend his choice of words, "... Apparently."
"Her name is Tessa, and she works in the contracts department. Admittedly, her hair is a bit... frizzy, but she's smart as a whip and apparently kisses like there's no tomorrow." Seungmin shoots daggers at Hyunjin, who hastily corrects himself, "... Allegedly."