Erina's Curse (ENGLISH VERSION)

Chapter 2

“Mary Raquelle! Let’s do a photoshoot!”

I’m fixing my fitted black turtle neck crop-top when I heard Sassy and Raqi fighting again. They always fight and bicker like children. They’re actually worse than Stallion, Leina’s golden retriever at Kokoro, her cashmere cat.

“b***h, how many times do I have to tell you that my name’s Raqi and not Mary Raquelle, huh?”

Raqi has always loathed her full name ever since I knew her. She said it was too girly but I knew better, she loves girly things like make-up and tiny cute clothes. It’s just that, the company trained and groomed her to become boyish. They said it suited her position and looks and frankly, we don’t really have a choice, they will make us do what they want without hesitations.

“Ina dongsaeng…” Sassy said while pouting.

I knew she would eventually ask me to take her photos. They’d pissed each other off and they sometimes compete with each other in terms of i********: likes but it’s just a friendly competition. More often than not, the consequence of the loser was just washing the dishes. As far as I can remember, Raqi has more wins because fans go crazy every time she changes her hair. That is also the main reason why the management lets her do what she wants when it comes to hair styling because obviously, she knows what she’s doing and fans lived for it.

“Fix your socks please.”

I directed Sassy’s posing and angles while she fix her black knee-high socks. As always, Sassy looks classy and girly with her black racerback crop top and fitted checkered skirt. She’s also wearing a black arm band with our band’s name printed on it as an added accessory.

After some solo shots, Raqi joined in wearing a fitted turtle-neck checkered crop top and neon green Jagger pants with rips on both knees. She’s also wearing a black Gucci belt and black ankle army boots to add some style. Raqi was pinching Sassy’s cheek as I take their cute photo when Leina and Kesha joined them.

Leina is wearing a black tube topped with a green checkered crop top jacket and a black short shorts. She’s also wearing the same army boots as Raqi and a black band is strapped in her upper right leg. Kesha partnered her neon green crop top with high-waist leggings and black knee-high army boots. She’s also wearing a black velvet gloves in her right arm.

“b***h move your big face, we won’t fit on the camera”, Raqi said while teasing Sassy.

“Dumb b***h, of course we won’t fit on the camera. Did you mean ‘photo’?” Sassy answered while pulling Raqi’s hair.

“If stupidity can cure ugliness we could’ve been as pretty as Erina”, Leina added.

“Lei, I’m flattered and for that, I’ll treat you later!” I intercepted their conversation because Sassy’s close to throwing another tantrum already.

“Hey! Hey! Why are you treating Leina and not all of us?” Kesha pouted like she’s really hurt and sad. What an actress.

“That’s what happen when people get older, they tend to be emotional”, Sassy and Raqi were whispering with each other but they obviously want us to hear them.

“Excuse me! I’m just 21. If I’m old and ancient, what do you call Erina? A f*cking fetus?” Kesha answered while rolling her eyes. I’m 18 and the youngest in our group. Leina’s 20 while Raqi and Sassy are both 19 year olds.

After their bickering, they directed my solo shots. I felt a little uncomfortable because I was wearing a pretty heavy necklace, I felt suffocated. My checkered Jagger pants hang low from my waist so my flat tummy was exposed. I’m also not very fond of taking pictures of myself. I felt like I need to be perfect when someone’s taking my pictures. I felt forced to smile and act happy even when I’m not.

We took a couple more group shots before we were called in the backstage to prepare. We are the opening performance for this year’s KBS Drama Awards. It’s an annual awards ceremony commonly held every December but they had to do it early because last year’s event was cancelled due to unforeseen events.

We were sitting in the platform while we wait for the hosts to call our band’s name. “Junbi doeeossnayo?” The fans around the dome cheered. “Hitting top charts not only in our country but also in the international level, let us all give it up for………GreyArea!” and that was our cue. The platform slowly rise as we made our entrance dancing to the beat of “Kiss Me”, one of our hit songs.

I was much focused and I made sure that each sway of my hips and every move of my hands scream perfection. It was Leina’s turn to go center stage for her rap part when someone caught my eye.

Who is he?

He looked like a God from Mount Olympus for Pete’s sake!

I forced myself to tear my eyes away from him when it’s already my turn to sing. I pushed his beautiful face out of my mind while singing because I don’t want to be distracted. I need to perform well because I’d rather die than to hear false accusations of me being lazy and rude remarks from the bosses again.   

It was Kesha’s turn when I had the chance to glance at him. Who’s this guy? And why do I not know him? He was just looking at the stage without an expression on his face. He was talking to the person beside him who’s actually handsome too but not as handsome as this lost Greek god.

A smile slipped from my lips although the dance requires a serious facial expression. I stared at him hard before the dance break.  

He’s wearing a long sleeve solid white polo and black suit. He wasn’t wearing any tie and three of his buttons were open. His black and shiny hair was brushed up. He looks serious and sometimes his expression changes from blank into a smiling one whenever the man beside him says something. They maybe talking about something funny.

I tore my eyes away from him when the dance break started. We dance in sync and after a minute of fast and coordinated moves, the performance ended. We gathered in the middle and the platform slowly drops down. They dimmed the lights and turned it back on when we were already out of sight. I heard the hosts speak again when our assistants gave us sparkling water to drink.

The staff congratulated us for the strong performance and after a series of ‘thank yous’ and paying respect, we were escorted to the dressing rooms to rest. We only performed one song because there are other performers too.

“I swear the ‘kiss me’ choreography drains the life out of me”, said Leina while sitting on the sofa and resting.

“Buckle-up girls because the hell’s not over yet. Performance tomorrow!” Kesha said while tying her hair.

“The effort’s worth it though. The audience were very hyped and there are a lot of gorgeous actors in front!” Sassy squealed like a Hyena.

 Because of what she said, I remembered the Greek god in the audience a while ago. s**t! I need to see him again. For the first time, I felt like a normal teenager who has a crush on someone who’s impossible to like me back.  I was drafting plans on how to meet the guy again when I noticed that Raqi’s not around.

“Where’s Raqi?” I asked the group and the staff.

“She went to the bathroom”, Sassy answered. Speaking of bathrooms, I’ve been feeling the need to go to one. I think I drank so much water after the performance because of thirst. Thirst for water or thirst for the Greek god?  I heard my conscience. Erina, you’re such a tramp. I talked to myself while smiling coyly. I excused myself to go the comfort room.

I was already walking in the hallway when I realized that I wasn’t able to ask where the bathroom is. So that leave me with no choice but to wander around. One way or another, I’ll eventually find my way. I noticed a path at the end of the hallway and assumed that that is the way to the bathroom so I turned left but what I saw made me stop.

I felt like all the water in my body froze.

I saw Raqi kissing Nathan.

Nathan is one of the members of Axis, our male counterpart. I was so confused. We are not allowed to have relationships inside or outside the company. It was clearly stated in our contract. I know that Raqi’s a rule breaker but I’ve never imagined that she has a secret relationship or flings. Still confused, I turn my back on them. They didn’t saw me because they’re both in the midst of their kissing. I walk again and at the other end of the hallway, I finally found the bathroom. It’s not a shared comfort room so I made sure that I entered the right one.

After doing number one, I just stared at myself in the large mirror in front of me. I’m dumbfounded, I didn’t know how I’m going to tell the girls or am I even allowed to talk about what I saw. I moved to open the faucet to wash my hand when a sudden burst of water hit my face directly and my clothes. Because of shock, I shouted out loud like a wounded hyena when the door suddenly opened.

Fuck! Why Lord? Are you secretly mad at me? Why would you let Greek god see me like this? I looked like a f*****g mess!

“Kenchana? I heard a shout and thought something bad happen so I rushed here”.

Shit! The sound of his voice sounds like a lullaby in my ears. I was supposed to smile brightly at him but chose not to when I realize how stupid I may have possibly looked. But eventually, I forced myself to still smile at him even though at that moment, all I want was to sink 6 feet under the ground. He looked at me with those ash gray orbs, confusion reflected in them. Those eyes…. they scream perfection. I looked like a peasant beside this Greek god.

Flabbergasted, I started to panic when he started to remove his suit. Wait! Are we moving to the mature role already? Speed? Are we not going to get through the ‘getting to know each other’ phase? Well, if this Greek god wants to date me then screw all the pha---

“Here. Wear this. You must be freezing”, he said which stop my thoughts.

“Oh! No! No need! I can handle myself”, I acted shyly even though I was dying to wear his suit. I bet it smelled heavenly because despite the distance, I can still smell his manly perfume.

“It’s just a suit. Come on! Wear it so you won’t get sick”.

Is that genuine concern laced in his voice? Thank you Lord! I vow to pray everyday from now on!  He handed me his coat then I wore it while he’s watching me. f**k! It smells so good. It’s a good thing that I still had a little decency because if not, I must have smelled it in front of him. I said my thank you and also promised him to send the coat to the dry cleaners and that I’ll return it as soon as possible.

“No pressure”, he smiled.

He ask me if I still needed anything and also offered to accompany me to my dressing room but I refused because I plan to stay and shout my hearts out in this very comfort room.

“Okay then, be careful next time. You’re not exactly dressed for swimming, young lady”, he chuckled sexily.

Go away now please! I couldn’t contain my happiness anymore and I badly wanted to squeal. He smiled at me for the last time and turn his back to leave.

You’ll be mine. Soon, you will.

I promised myself, not knowing how high the fence I will soon embark to climb. Not knowing, how much I am willing to sacrifice for his smile.