MARCH 27, 2019

Music flooded her ears.

In her dreams, she was standing on the beach, eyes looking out to the vast sea beyond her. The wind was mercilessly blowing her hair, the coldness bringing a stinging feeling to her goosebumped skin. All the while, she didn't move - just stood still while her gaze was fixated on the scenery in front of her.

She licked her lips and was momentarily surprised when she tasted something salty. When she brought her hand up, she realized that she was crying, but the reason... she didn't know. Hastily, she wiped her tears and looked back out again, only to see the same tear-filled eyes staring back at her.

With a jolt, Lalisa suddenly sat up on her bed and immediately placed her hands on her head. She had been seeing the same dream for days and it was giving her a headache. It was just a dream. Dreams don't have meanings. Nothing's going to happen.

Still sleepy, she rubbed her droopy eyelids as her other hand tried to find her phone amidst the sheets.

Today was their rest day as it was her birthday. This was one of the good things of celebrating it, since their company was kind enough to give the girls a break whenever it was a member's special day. Though they don't do much, sleeping the entire day was already a gift for Lalisa.

She checked the time: 5:42 am. No practices for today. No rehearsals. Time to-

Her bedroom door suddenly burst open and the three of her members came in. Respectively: an overexcited Jisoo holding a chocolate flavored cake, looking as if she woke up hours ago, Chaeyoung with tangles in her hair, indicating that she just woke up, and Jennie, eyes barely open but still managing to smile despite her state. It was too cute to look at.

"Happy birthday, Lisa! Happy birthday, Lisa! Happy birthday, happy birthdaaaaaaaay," They sang - Jisoo being the loudest, Chaeyoung trying her best to exert energy into the song, and Jennie yawning every two seconds, "Happy birthday, Lalisaaa!"

"You guys shouldn't have." Her voice came out raspy and hearing it made her clear her throat, "Thank you so much!" She smiled brightly and they all came to hug her - Jisoo leaving the cake at her bedside table.

"I had to wake up as soon as I can, you know." Jennie spoke, voice tired and eyes closed. "I rarely do this, but when it's for my members," She scoffed, "I'd wake up without a second thought."

Chaeyoung snorted, "Yeah, right, unnie. That wasn't what you said during Jisoo's birthday." The memory came back to her - Chaeng and her dragging Jennie out of bed just so they could greet Jisoo a happy birthday while she was thrashing like a madman. Instead of surprising the birthday girl, she surprised them instead as she heard Jennie's screams.

"Stop bickering now, children. Let's have Lisa make a wish." Jisoo held the cake again in front of her, and beamed excitedly, "Go on, make a wish, Lis!"

Lisa closed her eyes while snickering. I wish I would go to the right path and be successful this year. She blew the candle and at the same time, her members covered their noses.

"God, Lali, your breath stinks." Jennie gave her a disgusted look. "We should've let her brush her teeth before we gave her this, you know."

The birthday girl smirked, "Oh yeah?" She asked and within a second, smeared icing to the half of Jennie's face. "Got you."

Jennie's eyes widened, "Come here, you-" Lisa ran outside the room, not hearing the rest of her words.

▪️

At lunch, Jisoo prepared a bunch of Thai food that she made herself - with the help of her other members, of course. She wasn't allowed to help nor even watch them cook, so she just sat there at the dining table, occasionally glaring at them. It's your birthday, Chaeng said, you shouldn't do anything... except maybe look dumb.

"Lali, close your eyes." Chaeyoung giggled while walking towards her, "Don't open unti I say so, okay?"

Lisa pretended to roll her eyes but on the inside, she felt giddy. Her unnies had never once attempted to do these things to her as they were all busy, but seeing them actually exert the effort made her heart so happy that it hurt.

She closed her eyes and heard footsteps and the sound of dishes being placed on the table in front of her. "Should I open them now?" She was getting impatient.

"Just a moment, just a moment..." Jennie muttered, utensils and glasses clanking. She heard a lid being lifted and a variety of aroma flooded the small kitchen. The smell made her stomach growl and she was about to protest when Jennie spoke again, "A sec, and then... open them now."

She opened her eyes and what she saw made her jaw drop - literally.

In front of her were four Thai dishes, namely: Pad Thai, red curry, sesame chicken with what seemed to be satay sauce, Thai-style brisket, and rice.

"Did..." She licked her lips, still in shock, "Did you really make these?" The dishes looked so good that she couldn't believe it. They looked authentic, as if they came straight out of a Thai restaurant.

"Of course." Jisoo said proudly, grinning, "We had help from your mom, though. We didn't know how spicy you like your curry."

"That's nonsense, I like whatever." She hungrily stared at the food again, "Thank you so much, unnies. I'm very blessed to have you three." Lisa gave them a genuine smile, to which they returned. Jisoo pretended to act cocky, making them laugh.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's eat!"

▪️

1:05 pm

JEONGGUK

darling, good

morniiiing

LALISA

good morning

to you too, gukkk

JEONGGUK

what's up?

nothing much

sleeping the entire day

JEONGGUK

well i have practice so

just checking on you

talk to you later

darling

Lalisa turned off her phone and sighed. He didn't know that it was her birthday, thank God. At least she would have the entire day to herself. She could sleep, sleep, and sleep. Heaven.

Suddenly, her phone rang.

"Hello?" She answered nonchalantly without looking at the caller.

"Hey, darling." Jeongguk's voice sent chills through her body, but she didn't know why, "You gotta listen to what I say."

Frowning, she asked, "What? I thought you were in practice." She glanced behind her to see if her members were around, but they were nowhere to be found. Huh. They should be watching TV at this hour.

"Shhh." He shushed her, "Here's what you're going to do," Lisa's brows scrunched together, "You have to go to your room, get ready, change your clothes, and meet me outside your apartment complex. Okay?"

It was all so sudden that she wasn't able to comprehend what he was saying at first. Change? Meet outside? "But I-" The call ended. "That fucking... ugh." She contemplated on following his instructions, but the guy seemed serious. Hesitantly, she went to her room and immediately scanned her closet.

She didn't really know what to wear. What was the occasion, anyway? Jeans and a shirt? Nah, boring. A dress? She wasn't feeling it. A skirt? Nope.

Finally, she just settled for a black blazer, a white sleeveless top, jeans, and knee high boots with heels. Hopefully she looked presentable enough.

Hurrying to her vanity table, she did a quick work of her brows. She dabbed blush on her cheeks and on her eyelids to serve as an eyeshadow. She also added a bit of dark brown to accentuate her eyes. Afterwards, eye liner, mascara, and matte lipstick - all under ten minutes. Impressive.

She called Jeongguk again. "Okay, Guk, I'm done. Where are you?"

The other line chuckled, "Go down from your apartment complex."

"But my unnies-"

"They're not going to mind you. Just come down.

Lalisa ended the call and went to the door. She checked for the second time if her unnies were around, but they seemed to be in their rooms. I'm dead meat. She thought as she grabbed her purse on her way out. Fortunately, no one was occupying the elevator so she had it all to herself.

What game is he playing? She thought as the elevator descended. She couldn't stop fiddling with her nails, all because of nervousness and a bit of excitement - but mostly nervousness.

The elevator finally stopped at the ground floor and opened.

Slowly walking, she went outside to the main entrance - but no one was there. Where is he?

Left with no choice, she went to the western wing of the apartment complex that was reserved only for celebrities who wished privacy. She felt dumb for not realizing this sooner. He is Jeon Jeongguk, for God's sake. Of course he is going to use the private wing.

She was right.

As soon as Lalisa caught sight of the stairs leading to the entrance of the wing, she saw him.

Jeon Jeongguk was grinning as he leaned on a sleek gray Lamborghini Aventador clad in dark colors from head to toe. He wore a dark gray turtle neck tucked in black fitted pants with a belt, along with a black trench coat, and a pair of black Dr. Martens.

He looked surprisingly good.

"Am I wearing the wrong thing or..." Lisa started as she climbed down the steps. She couldn't help but doubt her own clothes.

He chuckled and walked towards her, "No, no, darling. It's perfect. You look ravishing." He met her halfway and suddenly engulfed her into a hug, "Happy birthday."

Awkwardly, she wrapped her arms around his torso, "How'd you know it was my birthday?" She asked, frowning even if he couldn't see her. He smells so good, she thought, but cringed as she realized what she said.

"I just know." He responded as he pulled away, his other hand never leaving her waist. "Now, may I?" He gestured to the other side of the car - the front seat.

She rolled her eyes and smiled a bit as he opened the door for her. "You being a gentleman feels weird." She commented as she climbed inside the car.

"I'm a gentleman, alright. Although, I'm not that gentle in bed." He winked and closed the door. She snorted as he walked back to the other side of the car. "So," He started as he entered the driver's seat and closed the door, "What did you do for your birthday today?"

"My members made me Thai food and I was supposed to sleep all day but..." She trailed off and stared at him, "Here we are."

At the mention of her members, she grabbed her phone and sent a quick text to Jisoo, saying that she had somewhere to go to. She's gonna kill me for leaving out of nowhere.

"You know I wouldn't want to miss this, darling." He left the apartment complex and went to the main road. The Han River came to view and Lisa couldn't help but stare in amazement. This was her favorite part of being near the river - the view. It gives her peace.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

She lightly slapped his arm, "Hey, Jeon Jeongguk. You're making me nervous."

Jeongguk threw his head back and laughed, "Relax, Lali. It's your birthday. I wouldn't do anything that you don't want."

Lisa hid her smile. "If you do, I'll scratch your car."

"You wouldn't do that, darling, would you?"