The night passed by quickly, a little too quickly for Senghi's taste. Around four in the morning, she and Hana found themselves in the agency's car outside of an apartment building in Itaewon. The house was surrounded by high walls, a thornhedge and CCTV cameras.
"He's usually late", Hana explained, while nonchalantly inspecting her nails. "Hansung had to go in there a couple of times and wake him up with violence."
"I have no intention of doing that", Senghi muttered and stretched in her seat, trying to get her blood circulation going. She was already exhausted. The TV station had sent her today's filming schedule late last night, and as far as she could tell, they would be working at least 16 hours straight today.
"Is it always this hectic?" she asked, and a small giggle escaped Hana.
"Only when the show gets on the road. The studio sessions are easier, with shorter days. But don't worry, you will have fun today. And you won't have time to feel tired."
Suddenly, the back door of the car slid open. Both Senghi and Hana went quiet and sat up straight in their seats.
"Sorry for being late", Joonah muttered hoarsly. He was wearing a baseball cap with the sweater hood pulled up over it, and a light grey wool coat that made him look fairly broad-shouldered.
"Are you kidding me?" Hana turned to face him with a light scoff. "You've never been this early before. You scared the living daylights out of me.
Senghi said a brief hello, leaning slightly forward to program the GPS according to the agency's instructions. She felt his scent, expensive cologne mixed up with something slightly more... harsh, masculine. Her heart suddenly started racing, for no apparent reason.
"We're going to the salon first", Hana prompted. "I swear on everything that's holy, Goodwin, if I can't get those bags under your eyes out... I won't bring any more extra underwear for a month. And forget about your precious Prada jackets. If you can't get to bed on time the day before filming, you simply don't deserve to wear them."
Joonah chuckled and pouted jokingly at Hana's words.
"I will manage just fine without designer jackets, thank you. Extra underwear, on the other hand..." He leaned forward slightly, inspecting his face in the rearview mirror. Senghi's gaze was involuntarily pulled there.
"Is it really as bad as Hana says, Senghi-ssi?" Joonah nonchalantly asked, glancing back at her curiously.
Senghi lowered her gaze and put the car in drive mode. For some reason, his eyes on her felt almost like physical touch. She was beginning to think that she misjudged Joonah. He had seemed so timid at the agency yesterday, but now...
"It's not that bad." She stifled a yawn while releasing the brake and steering the car out in the street, trying to keep her tone casual.
20 minutes later, they pulled over outside of the salon where Hana were to work her morning magic on Joonah.
"I think I'll go and get us some breakfast while the two of you get started in the salon," Senghi said tentatively. "What would you like to have?"
Hana waved her hand dismissively, her expression uneasy. "I never eat breakfast. What about you, Goodwin?"
"Hmm…" He smacked his tounge, considering the question with an intent expression. "A double steak sandwich, and a big iced americano, please."
"Really? Double steak?" Senghi couldn't hide her surprise - she figured it was a lot of meat for such a small guy to have in the morning.
"Yes... I have low iron levels," he added, not looking directly at her.
Hana and Joonah stepped out of the car, and Senghi was about to drive off, as the the back door suddenly slid open, Joonah sticking his head back in.
"Thank you for offering to get breakfast, Senghi-ssi. You are already an upgrade from Hansung."
Leaving for the convenience store, Senghi was lost in thought. She had been trying to figure Joonah out, and kept failing miserably. He seemed like such a nice and easy-going guy, a huge contradiction to all the rumors surrounding him. But of course, the rumors applied to Goodwin. Maybe he had a split personality, after all.
Senghi sighed and pulled over by a 7-11 store. Then it hit her.
She was yet to meet Goodwin.