"Ya, what if people see us-"

"Don't worry, I got it all covered," Namjoon mumbled as he quickly dragged Hyun Ae into one of the expensive clothing stores in the shopping mall. "This is one special shop."

"What do you mean?" she whispered, right after they entered the shop and Namjoon made sure the door was closed behind them.

"Oh, RM-ssi! Welcome!" one of the sales assistants greeted him with open arms.

Namjoon then gave the assistant a nod, to which the staff responded with a nod too, and a hand clap.

As if on order, suddenly the window blinds descended and the door was locked with a click. The store was completely locked out from the public.

"Wow!" Hyun Ae gasped in amazement as Namjoon turned to her, smiling.

"The whole store is ours, for now," he whispered, resting his hands on both of her shoulders.

"So what do you want me to do?"

"Choose anything."

"But-"

"I'm buying for you. It's all on me."

"No, don't do this. I can't-"

"We're not leaving until you at least get something," Namjoon cut her words, gliding his hands down her arms, grabbing her hands with his. Both of them looked at their connected hands, unconsciously drawn to each other as they moved closer. "I... insist."

"Fine. I'll look around," she sighed and began to look around the place.

She walked to the corner of the shop where dresses are hung on a hanger rack. Her fingers went through all the apparel, but her mind kept on asking.

Is there something wrong with him today? Why is he doing this? Is there something that he wants to tell me? Just... what is it?

"You're thinking," Namjoon suddenly appeared behind her, whispering right into her ear, sending chills down her spine.

She sharply gasped as she turned and almost lost her balance, and he was quick enough to catch her.

"What's wrong? Is there anything concerning you? You looked troubled," he softly whispered, making her nervous again. "I'm sorry if everything is overwhelming for you-"

"No, no... it's okay. If I say 'no', you're going to get me something from here anyway. Right? So," Hyun Ae then randomly pulled out one dress from the rack. "I'll take this."

"Gray, again?" he chuckled at her choice. "Girl, you know that I like you in yellow? Remember?" Namjoon then picked out a yellow dress and passed it to her. "I chose this for you. Let's go to that side and choose another one-"

"Why are you doing this?" Hyun Ae instantly asked him, grabbing his arm with curiosity in her eyes as they met with Namjoon's.

"What? Can't a friend give another friend gifts?"

"Then just brush it off! As he said, it's your birthday gift, or apology something that he mentioned last week. Plus, can't a friend give a present to another friend?"

Yoon Hee's words suddenly came back into Hyun Ae's memory, making her nod. "Ah... you're right. I'll... go to that side."

Hyun Ae looked down at the yellow dress and flashed a smile at the idol before she began to walk when suddenly Namjoon grabbed her arm and stood beside her.

"I... If you let me walk you home tonight, I'll tell you."

*

"Wait! Can I try that?" Hyun Ae halted in her tracks as she pulled on Namjoon's jacket. As he turned at her, she pointed to one side of the road.

"What, palm reading?" he sniggered as he saw an old woman sitting on her plastic chair by the road, with a table. "They only want money and tell you nonsense stuff!"

"Oh, come on! I wanna try! You don't have to if you don't want to! Just me. Please, please, please," she pleaded, with her hands clasped together as she looked up at him.

"Your brother is waiting for you," he reminded her. She then let out a sigh as she glanced back at the woman, clearly pouting.

Namjoon, as he saw this reaction from her, finally groaned. "Fine. One reading only."

And with that, Hyun Ae made her way toward the woman in excitement while Namjoon followed her from behind.

"Well hello, young lady. Want a reading?" the woman said as she gestured for both of them to sit before her.

"Yes please, but only me. Me, alone. I just... want to hear something about me," Hyun Ae nervously said, as she placed a bill of 5,000 won beside the woman's wrinkled hand.

"Alright, give me your hand," the woman instructed, holding out her hand before Hyun Ae placed hers on top of it, and then the woman softly let her fingers trace the lines on Hyun Ae's hand.

"I'm going to tell whatever I got from reading your palm, okay?" the woman said, her eyes staring straight at Hyun Ae, as she nodded immediately.

"These days, your business is doing great, right?"

"Yeah!" Hyun Ae answered with amazement. Namjoon, on the other side, crossed his arms as he shook his head.

"Expanding your shop is the best step you ever did. Your father must be so proud of you if he knows."

This had made her widen her eyes. "Y-You know... about me and my dad?" Hyun Ae asked, whispering.

"Hey, I'm a psychic. I know everything through your eyes," the woman chuckled, once again letting her fingers trail the lines on Hyun Ae's palm as she continued. "Business is good, wealth is also good. Life? Well, girl... At such a young age, you had gone through many kinds of experiences, and it helped you get more mature after each new thing that you did. So keep it up."

"Well, what could've gone wrong with Park Hyun Ae?" Namjoon remarked, nodding as he turned to her with a smirk.

"Next, love life." The words suddenly sent chills throughout Hyun Ae, making her nervous. "I won't say more than what I supposed to, but... It's a tough one for you."

Concerned, Hyun Ae stared at her palm as she watched the woman trace the lines again with her frail fingers. "Ups and downs. Hard times, everywhere. You had always had feelings for this guy for a very long time, but you can't just bring yourself to tell him. You're afraid that his work as an-"

"A dedicated person will get affected by my confession," Hyun Ae immediately cut in and passed another 5,000 won beside the woman. "Here, and don't describe him anymore."

"What, can't I know that guy?" Namjoon sighed, a bit disappointed for no reason as he leaned back in his seat.

"Shut up," Hyun Ae whispered before she turned back to the woman. "Tell me, but not everything. Including whether I'll... get him or not. Just... the future, fast forward from that."

The woman hummed as she stared at the young one's palm again, and then suddenly her eyebrow cocked up and she smiled as she looked up at Hyun Ae.

"There's a seed of life that you will take care of soon. Yours, for sure."

Both Hyun Ae and Namjoon froze. Their eyes stuck on the old woman with shock all over their faces.

"Huh? You don't mean..." Hyun Ae's words faded as she placed her other hand over her tummy, trembling.

"Yes. But here's the sad part," the woman paused for a moment, before she slowly folded each of Hyun Ae's fingers, closing her palm. "You'll be alone during that time. The father, he's just busy-"

"Don't," Hyun Ae immediately cut the elder's words again.

"What's wrong?" Namjoon asked, placing his hand on her shoulder he could feel her trembling.

"I... Better if I don't have a single clue about the father," she chuckled, trying to laugh it away.

"But don't worry, happiness would come after that. So, for now, I would like to advise you," the woman began, as she grabbed Hyun Ae's hand in hers, patting it softly as she continued. "Just stay like you are. Just go on with your life as usual. But, like I've told you. Ups and downs, hard times... You'll get stronger with each test, and trust me. You're actually preparing yourself for the next big thing. Being young but full of experiences, that's great."

The woman ended it with an assuring smile. Hyun Ae let out a relieved sigh and nodded, a sign of understanding. Then the woman turned to Namjoon. "You don't want me to read yours?"

"N-No thanks. I'm fine," he said, shaking his head.

"Let me tell you one, just by a glance that I took as you walked past me earlier," the woman smirked and said, "always believe in her."

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