Bromance Behind The Spotlight

YI'S POV: FLASHBACK- Part 2

When the guest arrived, no, his group. Another no. When he arrived, **** I only focus on him, regardless of how five people were coming my way* we did a rehearsal. It was hectic and short, given the time was running out. We didn’t get to do anything besides briefing them on the whole segment, what they would do, where they needed to sit, etc. Funnily, there wasn't even a proper introduction besides head bowing and a hello, for everyone was rushing. His group was held back by traffic caused by accident, as the ambulance and police cars blocked the road from every direction. It seemed everything was arranged to be late today.

Not that I was superstitious, but well, it looked like it.

“Okay, we’ll start airing in ten minutes.” The director’s soft voice came out deeper than her actual one, given the In-ear Broadcast Headset microphone echo. Her brunette-dyed bob hair bounced. Its curved up tips slapped her pink blushed cheeks gently as she turned her head sideways and told her staff what to do. “Get the cameras ready. Microphone holder, make sure you turn the volume on.” More orders came out as she gave us her back view, but it ended when she turned her heart-shaped face and wide peachy lips to the stage. “Hosts and guests, to your position, please.”

We all headed to our places, including him. Despite not getting to introduce each other, we weren’t exactly strangers. We had already learned the name through the internet, for it was full of useful information lately. That said, I already knew his name. Living in the modern-day was more manageable as long as you have access to that global network. And I had that to be grateful for.

“Okay. Five more minutes.”

My co-hosts and I were already in position. Standing in the middle of the stage with the microphones ready in our hands, we had to brim our eyes while waiting for the stage light to adjust to the right place. Mr. Vincent turned around and looked to a long stool behind my back to see if our guests had settled in properly. Usually, I never bothered to check. But this time, I took advantage of my job and synchronized the action with Mr. Vincent. Though our bodies had the same action, we didn’t share the same purpose.

I was aiming for him. Not the guests. Not his teammates. Just him, and him only.

His group members already settled down cozily and spent the remaining time chitchatting. But he, despite being sandwiched by a couple of talkative guys, stayed silent, eyeing down as if something was fascinating there besides the shiny, black marble floor that looked nothing out of the ordinary to me. His thin upper lip and lower lip stayed attached, leaving not a tiny gap for voices or air to escape. It seemed he was the quiet type, just like me, who preferred the company of silence rather than the talk. The more I stared at those naturally red folds of flesh, the more I found them appealing, as if they had the power to hypnotize, magnetizing all my heart and souls, especially my eyes, to pay full attention only to them.

I wonder how those small lips can produce such a soothing and melodic voice when they part. I asked myself, locking my gaze in the same place.

I heard his voice back then, through the video Peter gave me. I heard him sing a slow vibe song that was entirely not my style, yet I found myself drawn to listen to it until he finished. Well, I didn’t even realize he finished it, to be honest. Just like his lips, his voice owned the same power. It was no wonder why the main vocalist’s position went to him.

How I wished I could hear him sing directly without having a phone screen as a barrier.

During the program, no one noticed how I kept stealing glances his way. And during those many times, my heart pulsating at the sight of a lovely smile that could bewitch people and make them forget to breathe. For someone who was only two years away from reaching thirty, his skin was still smooth and perfect like a teenage boy. His sharp nose bridge complimented the round Asian Brown eyes within that polished, white skin, oval face-shaped and smooth jawline. Though it sounded a little exaggerating, I found his beauty to be naturally unparalleled. Despite being in the entertainment industry for years and meeting many good-looking people, no one had ever made my heart go out of control the way he did.

“Haha.”

For the first time since he entered the studio, he finally let his voice escape from those alluring lips through a pearl of laughter. I sucked in a breath at that familiar sound. Fortunately, that wasn’t the only time. He kept smiling and laughing so innocently at the joke that Peter made, unaware of the crime he was committing.

The crime of stealing my heart.

During my three years as a host of this show, I had never begged for attention. This time, I broke my own rules. I wanted no one to notice me during broadcasting; I just wanted to do my job and get paid to pay the bill. But today was different. I wanted him to see me. To pay his full attention to me the way I did to him.

I was so thankful that the producer's team let me do a dance battle with his teammates. At least I would step out from the host line and singled myself out on the stage. That way, his eyes would be on me entirely.

When the battle began, I let his team's main dancer go out first, for the guy seemed to have little patience in waiting. While watching him, I smiled to cover my smirk, knowing that winning this battle was a cakewalk. The music was still playing even when the guy finished his performance, but I knew it was my turn since he glanced my way and stepped aside. Nodding, I headed to the middle of the stage and started with the basic hands and legs movement first. As the beat reached its peak, I let out my hidden card. I fastened the pace and bent backward until my back almost hit the floor, using no hand to support. Gasps echoed throughout the studio, from the audience seats, my co-hosts, and even the guests, making me let out a weak smile triumphantly, knowing I had done an excellent job to impress. I hoped he was also the one amongst those people. I didn’t care about anyone’s gasp in this room. I only wanted his.

And I was content to see a shock expression plaster on his face even when I had returned to my original place when the music ended. Though I couldn’t differentiate his tone from the crowd, not knowing if he was also one of those that had gasped, at least I could tell from his countenance.

Mission accomplished. I thought to myself. I finally get your attention now.

At the end of the show, thanks to our hectic schedules, we didn't get to exchange many words besides goodbye, thanks for having us, and we hope to meet again. When it was his turn to come to me, if I weren't mistaken, the way he bid his goodbye was just as painful as mine. It was like we didn't want this moment to end. I wanted to ask for his phone number but decided against it, thinking it would be totally awkward. After all, we didn’t even exchange over ten sentences today. To go straight and ask for his number, wouldn’t it sound weird? Besides, there were five guests. It would be rude to only single one member out like special treatment.

I was logical at that time. However, that night while sleeping, I regretted not swallowing my pride and followed what my heart wanted. But then again, why would I even bother? I wasn't the type of person who favored texting or calling, anyway. What would I do with his phone number even if I got it?

Just forget it. All these weird feelings will go away when I wake up tomorrow. We may not be going to meet each other again. Besides, maybe he won’t even remember me. Let's take time to calm down. This was what I convinced myself as I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

I had never thought that I could be so wrong.

We met again. A year later, on the set of a BL drama.

And that time marked the beginning of the change in my life.

Forever.