"Let's do it in 5, 6, 7, 8,..."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAOVvuft7ZKw
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAGb56zbmmyI
Together, we moved our feet to the rhythm of the beat. We moved our bodies from side to side, clapped our hands, and turned around. In a coordinated manner, we switched positions, still in rhythm with the beat. We continued to dance until the music stopped.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAqEtWFcPBsC
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAf3mKEOR3oP
"Okay, that's good. Shall we do it again?" I asked through heavy breaths.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAOfumDXv3VZ
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAAdGltc0gyw
"Yeah," Zoey replied as she wiped her sweaty forehead with the back of her hand.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAot2iHgiE5E
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAWKDUZ0zprF
The others nodded in agreement. I went over to the stereo, which lay a few feet away from us, and hit the play button. I quickly joined the others, and we continued with dance practise. After a few rounds, we took a break.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAFzUvIiYxxw
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAxUuGWeTqVo
"Phew! I'm so tired," said Daniel as he grabbed a water bottle from his training bag.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAEVpzu4bNTp
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA3EZfoENILP
"I know, but we've got to get back to our usual routine," I said as I grabbed my towel, "or else we would all get lazy."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAKClQRCLpcP
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAfwhp174kHd
Back home, we would wake up early in the morning on specific days and go to our dance studio for practise. It's a way of keeping ourselves in shape and also coming up with new dance moves. Collins always came to check up on us to see if we were doing so. He had booked the gym for us to practise in yesterday, so we woke up early and came before opening time to avoid unwanted attention from the fans.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA3IqaN4FG9j
1086Please respect copyright.PENANABPHpSmedyx
"It's good we're doing this again," said Zoey, after taking in water from her bottle. "We had been so busy last week that I missed dance practise."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAXgluoy7R7t
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA6HPUifgDdc
"Okay, guys," came Collins' voice. We turned to see him approach us. "You can wrap up now. We've got to go to YG Entertainment Studios."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAifrn9Rlp0H
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAVRolqlUmxH
"Oh, yes!" Christine exclaimed. "We finally get to go there."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAbTanL2EZDG
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAjWLKxEKsIu
"Why are you so excited?" Mike asked her, looking surprised like the rest of us over her reaction.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAEVBLqOmZHa
1086Please respect copyright.PENANArvihGkTUMc
"Guys, don't you get it?" Christine asked. "We're going to the YG studios."1086Please respect copyright.PENANACkmC55kIzz
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAAOevWDi5rw
"So?" Daniel asked, shrugging his shoulders.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAq7pjMsISSP
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA73nGS7tYmJ
"Oh, my goodness," Christine said, slapping her forehead with her hand. "Do I really need to explain everything? Since we're going to the studios, we get to meet the YG family, like PSY and many others."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAG9FuwchEkq
1086Please respect copyright.PENANARAgcn2MHWP
"Oh, yeah, that never crossed my mind," said Zoey. "Why didn't you remind me, Christine?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANAjgr1s3NxsJ
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAyXtSeCYFJK
"Don't blame me," Christine defended herself. "You, Zoey, have the knack for these kinds of things. I thought you already knew."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAMrP37IfYPW
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAfnbXyu4sbj
"This will be awesome," said Daniel. "I can't wait to meet PSY in person and do the Gangnam Style with him."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAK7iT0cyold
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAwKlwkaaKUI
"Well, to be honest, we all want to meet PSY," I said, "so let's hit the showers and get ready."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAP70YcUZEyK
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAebKAcImKQh
"I thought you would never say that," said Collins. "You've got twenty minutes. Lee and I will be waiting outside."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAkPKdD1kYb4
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAtZpFtbbs2w
"Twenty minutes!" Zoey whined. "We're going to the YG studios; at least give some of us time to look good."1086Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZlDmO35Ln
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAsYajLFk0nt
"Okay, twenty-five," said Collins, giving her a cocky smile. Zoey's jaw dropped. "You better hurry. You don't want to be late."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAKeL0MWNj6I
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAAqHCCcD3WM
Before Zoey could object, Collins started to walk away. I looked at her and prayed that she wasn't going to throw a tantrum. Collins always knew how to get to her, something that I found very difficult to do.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAUpjmfv2Lis
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA5vHzCyB2So
"No fair!" said Zoey as she stomped her foot hard onto the floor.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAYsoSyJMVpq
1086Please respect copyright.PENANALIjOVUa4H3
Ah-oh. Here we go.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA9yDiLZy3Oi
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAKX3NCiE6Vp
"Zoey, relax," said Christine. "We've got twenty-five minutes. You rush to the showers. Sam and I will get your stuff."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAYdOTRN7640
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAoDeLzUI21V
"Fine." Zoey rolled her eyes and dashed out of the room.1086Please respect copyright.PENANARot0IZKgoO
1086Please respect copyright.PENANASF99yQqAtU
"Girls are so complicated when it comes to getting ready," said Mike as he swung his training bag over his shoulder and started heading for the showers with Daniel tailing behind him.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAxBpDL2Zka8
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAOV5Yvn8Ryt
"Trust me, you've no idea," I said.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAWsjMHfWhoN
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAZWq5g0nEFx
As I grabbed my things to put them away in my training bag. I felt my phone vibrate inside my bag. I took it in my hands and unlocked it to check. There are a bunch of unanswered messages. I had so much fun yesterday that I didn't have time to read them. Likewise, I made a mental note to make time to do so today.1086Please respect copyright.PENANABwzblQjvMy
1086Please respect copyright.PENANABxc5gk97sX
I went to the message that I received seconds before. It's from Taeyang. Taeyang? I never gave Taeyang my number. Either Daniel or Mike must have given it to him. I read his message, which said:1086Please respect copyright.PENANAgaWlXBMN1h
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAuxvAOJss40
"Morning, Sam, it's Tae here. I hope you had a lovely night. I was wondering if you saw something online on social media that might surprise you. Here's a link to check it out: http://..........."1086Please respect copyright.PENANA7YjbamI1nU
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAVOg7a66MaF
This made me furrow my eyebrows a little. I know I've been the talk of the town lately, but Taeyang's message gave me goosebumps. The link belonged to a famous entertainment magazine. Hopefully, they didn't say anything bad about me. If it was something serious, Collins would've known by now and told me about it. I decided to check it out.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA0LnYmNMx58
1086Please respect copyright.PENANABoyqDxTelI
"Hey, Sam? Are you coming?" Christine called as she stood by the door, waiting for me with both her bag and Zoey's. "We better go; we don't have much time."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAE1He4rFIkO
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAIIMHZn5zEP
I sighed in frustration. On one hand, I had to get ready, and on the other, there's this link I wanted to press to see what Taeyang's talking about. I dropped my phone in the bag and quickly followed Christine to the showers.1086Please respect copyright.PENANArg8FYcDrxI
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAc87vnOP6FX
Within our given twenty-five minutes, we were all dressed up and ready to go. Even Zoey was on time. As we were heading out, a few people had arrived since it was time for the gym to open. When they saw us, they ran after us with excitement. We quickly ran out of the building. Luckily, our bodyguards, who stood by the doors, blocked the way when we got out to prevent the fans from reaching us. We found Collins and Lee waiting in the car. The driver started the engine and sped away before the fans could even get close.1086Please respect copyright.PENANALwlnNpLQma
1086Please respect copyright.PENANArEusnhNt7j
"Looks like you guys made it out in time," said Lee. "For a moment there, I thought they were going to get you."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAJUApzBZv4d
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAmrN6y9uCHF
"We go through these things almost all the time," said Mike. "It's no big deal when you know the fans love you."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAxgxMBOeXnK
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAfxqtE7jx32
While everyone was engaged in the conversation, I took the chance to check my phone to read Taeyang's message again, staring at the link that came along with it. I don't want to know what the media has been saying about me. Likewise, I've been trying to avoid reading any online newspaper, magazine, or media posts since we got here. For Taeyang to send me this, something's up.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAjOZCMEoL59
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA2CMSdyNWHp
My thumb automatically pressed the link, and the internet page started to load. I looked around to see if anyone was looking, then went back to my phone again. The page had finished loading, and the online front cover of Elle Korean Magazine is the first thing I see. It had my smiling face on it, and what I read on the cover almost made me faint. It read:1086Please respect copyright.PENANAhpts0mq7Xj
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAmX4KbwH5s4
"The Astonishing Samantha Glasson: The One Who Stole The Hearts of Many Koreans."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAc6RMf4dh12
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAzm2bTfb7ob
"Huh!?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANAqEdXrL28kY
1086Please respect copyright.PENANADiY7PwrM96
Everyone turned to look at me, and I quickly covered my mouth. It just slipped out; I couldn't hold it.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAhRXLbZBZab
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA3P3h5nSsJQ
"Hey, are you okay?" Zoey asked. "Did someone send you one of those messages or something?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANA8PRQG4qxUI
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAcd4w2LPUji
"Um... did anyone get the chance to see the cover of the Korean Elle magazine today?" I asked.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAgkEaX1Jebj
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA0fPxbr5znj
"What? Elle? No, I didn't," said Zoey. "Let me see."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAT0enEbgpvU
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA2LmW7FiDLa
I gave Zoey my phone, and she looked just as shocked. Everyone got a turn to look, except Collins and Lee.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQjVFncdfGa
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAXwxekwD8V7
"We already knew about it this morning," said Lee. "We wanted it to be a surprise."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAfckOp0kSWl
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAObsJznsfqM
"Wait... did you tell Taeyang to send this to me?" I asked.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAYAMxJZtpBa
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAkAxQ0cXhqX
"No, we didn't," said Collins. "If we wanted it to look like a surprise, we would've planned something else. We wanted you to see it for yourself."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAYmHUufxP7E
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA733z7KSUVJ
"You're so lucky, Sam," said Christine. "To be honest, everyone has been talking about you from the time we got here and also when we went out on tour."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAIFaYY4Z6qA
1086Please respect copyright.PENANArfngAVYYVO
"You've been keeping tabs on that?" I asked.1086Please respect copyright.PENANATkBrEYDjNS
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAPvGhrApujA
"Well, yeah, some of us have," answered Mike.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA53LnXrndxk
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAblDmHkCLhK
"It looks like you guys are better off than I am. I sometimes don't go online and see what's going on."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAYJvNRQNmsS
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAatcNGzCavt
"That's because you don't like all the attention," said Zoey. "If I were you, I would feel like a queen."1086Please respect copyright.PENANABTva6afKCE
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA7syvz7cPWa
"Well, thank goodness Sam isn't like you," said Daniel. "If she were... who knows?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANAINPGMe4ovJ
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAITf0EXaM0f
"Do you mean to say I wouldn't make a good leader?" Zoey asked, looking furious. "That pretty much sounds like it."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAYJXkhZIQJF
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA7f5SB3BgsF
"Everyone here can all be leaders. Sam's just better at it."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAKWOh4zVO8h
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAvaFptgdTyR
"I agree with Daniel," said Collins.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAmfPF1j0mRV
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAbE4CRC6me9
"Ahh!" Zoey exclaimed as though she were in pain. She placed her hand on her chest. "My heart is broken!"1086Please respect copyright.PENANAXex8PjJNGC
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAYaDVfHXTUC
"You're such a drama queen," I said as I smiled at Zoey. "You make everything seem melodramatic."1086Please respect copyright.PENANA9h4Zh9qVS0
1086Please respect copyright.PENANArHBpDn2uwd
"Yeah, that's why you need me around," said Zoey.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAJsPKj06l44
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAK6wTUmP4p0
"We all need each other, no matter what."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAIHSqOUs8QK
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAOXBI3PBoji
"Guys, you won't believe what I'm seeing right now," said Lee.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAG3TRNcgFsV
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAAUtZBBR2ZX
We all looked in front of us as the car pulled up at the front gates of a building. The YG Entertainment building; we were finally here!1086Please respect copyright.PENANAhswJQZLN87
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAHF4x6YpFMT
"OMG, this building looks huge," said Christine. "Well, kind of. For an entertainment company, that is."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAqxgmRzqYmB
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAIs8BLCarAz
"Guys, do I look great?" Zoey asked, sounding nervous and running her hands through her hair. "I want to make a good impression when we go in."1086Please respect copyright.PENANA9aeHxKoXNf
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAH6NVzXnBB5
"You look fine," I said. "You worry about looks for no reason."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAu1y0GqVVxV
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA8MNThpihND
"Easy for you to say. You don't have to worry because you naturally look good."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAA1JrYLWsac
1086Please respect copyright.PENANACYPbrq5Zks
"Wait... for real?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAyN1t8e5n1B
1086Please respect copyright.PENANANfttoHHHz4
"You really should read what people say about you online," said Zoey, rolling her eyes at me.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAnKh37iqkug
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAgxrhL3uHjE
"I'll try to do so."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAv7u3WvRlOE
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA84NuMtRloW
"Yeah, and I'll make sure that you do."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQJVOPHAAWe
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAa3aNbocjho
While Zoey and I continued our conversation, the car entered the YG premises and stopped in front of the building. We hadn't even noticed until Collins looked at us and said:1086Please respect copyright.PENANAXgRvuzKOtf
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAlCSynnC8Ek
"Can you two save your little chitchat for later? It's time to go."1086Please respect copyright.PENANA6QWs8wF8Qg
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAbsttPAqynU
"Oh," said Zoey as she looked out of the window.1086Please respect copyright.PENANARKTcI3RU9x
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAyLUiiUSBDv
When we all got out of the car, we found Yang Hyun-suk waiting for us at the entrance.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAl3GkHRZ3C6
1086Please respect copyright.PENANATrJnSYp1gy
"Hello, everyone. I'm glad you could make it," said Yang Hyun-suk as he shook Collins' hand.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA803eFHLjBy
1086Please respect copyright.PENANANJfNSfPifG
"Thank you for having us," said Collins.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAqnR78bN7hQ
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8lhGzEVuy
"Follow me, please. I'll show you around."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAfdgog8DwZ8
1086Please respect copyright.PENANALhtLkAcpYM
We followed Yang Hyun-suk into the building. The lobby looked formal yet exquisite. We even met a few young male trainees who were making their way out of the building. Many entertainment agencies take them in because they might make a name for themselves in the music industry someday.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA5i8S7wvHsu
1086Please respect copyright.PENANARrAQZ070L2
When the trainees saw us, they bowed their heads as a sign of respect. I could tell they were excited to see us, but they had to keep it under wraps in front of Yang Hyun-suk. Was he that strict, or is that how things are around here? I am aware of their culture, so bowing to their elders is a sign of respect. Maybe I shouldn't dwell on it so much.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAxH1XXaPY7q
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAnp89s8XGNe
We soon went upstairs, where we found a number of recording rooms. We even met a few music producers who were so kind and welcoming. Likewise, we soon found ourselves walking down the hall to the dance studios that were on the other side of the building.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA8C9VSGAtBM
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA7a2fG1RpKR
We found many trainees with their choreographers in almost every room, practising. There was an all-girls' group that noticed us pass by first. They stopped what they were doing as they came out of the room they were practising in and shrieked in excitement. They came over to us and bowed their heads, greeting us as they giggled. Furthermore, they were dying to hug us, so Zoey and I went along and hugged one of them. Likewise, they screamed like crazy.1086Please respect copyright.PENANARHtukcaH2F
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAZesn5ufiNi
The screaming caught so much attention that many other trainees walked out of their studios and came over to meet us.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAgO3ATyH6bD
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA7iYo3FqoQV
The next thing we knew, Yang Hyun-suk told the trainees to quiet down and get back to training. All the trainees quickly obeyed and slowly went back into their respective dance studios. Wow, these guys were well-disciplined, or was my previous hunch about Yang Hyun-suk true?1086Please respect copyright.PENANA2NVrzQeqYb
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAggX62ddy0p
"These guys are well-disciplined," I heard Lee whisper to Collins behind me.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAFl1QnjwPex
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAirUy6Sj1sw
"Sorry for the inconvenience," said Yang Hyun-suk as he turned to address us. "They could be a little out of control sometimes."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQSDXeWIZfw
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAPmWRgrvs7c
"Out of control?" Collins asked and raised an eyebrow. "Your trainees are well-behaved. If it comes to The Toxins, they are the ones out of control."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAX4dO9krvIx
1086Please respect copyright.PENANACY1KI4HqPJ
"Hey!" The five of us all looked at him with annoyed looks on our faces.1086Please respect copyright.PENANACe8zSx5Dca
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAesZRdgZ6Sl
Yang Hyun-suk laughed. Collins rolled his eyes at us. "You see what I mean? No respect for me at all."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAivLxngOR9b
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAMzcaTqffMg
"We do respect you, Collins," said Zoey with a sweet voice and a smile. "And we love you too."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAq22WHtH59X
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAEqneZ4UkaF
"The only person who respects me is Sam," said Collins. "The rest of you are just crazy."1086Please respect copyright.PENANA2E7lxat2TG
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA5ltQ0s6y8a
"Crazy?" Zoey's voice went a little high there. "Come on, Collins. You can at least find a better word than that."1086Please respect copyright.PENANABbQlikcOUZ
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAmFKIVivH3N
"We do have a lot of respect for you," said Daniel. "We just trouble you because we love you."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAdj5rWQydKg
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAmo44c9ULKT
"That's cute," said Yang Hyun-suk, with a smile on his face.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAxdZu7k4hmy
1086Please respect copyright.PENANArWrruCXvYC
"Don't mind them. These little arguments happen all the time," said Lee to Yang Hyun-suk.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAbf8AvYyvw0
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQAhkp8LhgF
"Yep, all the time," I said with a nod.1086Please respect copyright.PENANABRcIX8NAay
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAOyILRvIXyI
Daniel looked down the hall and said, "Hey, look, here comes Taeyang."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAbG4UdYfK6r
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAT7vUsvNG9B
Everyone turned to see Taeyang come down the hall. Judging by the way he's dressed, he looks like he came straight out of dance practise. He had a black vest on with a matching black tracksuit. He also had a towel around his neck. Likewise, he looked worn out and sweaty.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAIvBe1jsEL8
1086Please respect copyright.PENANALHBybqLzfj
As he approached us, I couldn't help but stare. He has such an awesome physique, and I could clearly see his abs through his vest. I couldn't help but blush. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. Darn it! Why can't I look away?1086Please respect copyright.PENANA1qPELznpRp
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA9nPRBLa9dP
"Wow, if I had known sooner, I would've been drooling over Taeyang," said Zoey as she whispered in my ear. "He's so hot!"1086Please respect copyright.PENANA4cNtZmZ910
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAytK6fTs7JQ
"I know, right?" Christine whispered back. "Not only is he hot, he is so cute."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAoDhNpBIS99
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAsQD332GwTv
"I was wondering what the racket was all about," said Taeyang when he finally got close. "The Toxins are in the building."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAHR5tgAjJMk
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAVW17AaxYCt
"Yeah," said Zoey, giving Taeyang a weird giggle. I looked at her and raised my eyebrow. Zoey noticed and lowered her head.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA0fOfuAfI4n
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAZdMfGUNOCt
"Hello, everyone," he greeted, and to Yang Hyun-suk, he bowed his head. The bowing head thing is going to take some getting used to.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAcA5tyqjJVU
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAIsimtfPxuI
"Oh, Sam, I almost forgot," said Taeyang as he turned to look at me, giving me his cute eye smile. "Congratulations on making it in Elle magazine. You did check it out, right?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANA7GLNPqOxTP
1086Please respect copyright.PENANATwx4gRlENh
"Um... yeah, I did, thanks," I said with a smile, trying to hide my blushing cheeks.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAVlDcxSxZQ4
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAUk4Wfwrh9y
"I'm coordinating dance practise with some trainees," said Taeyang. "Would you mind joining us? They would be thrilled to have you."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAE84X8H0WB9
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAB9yVV88luZ
"I wouldn't mind, right guys?" I asked the others.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA2tFdCDwhvY
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAmclgn1ffqM
"Sure," they responded.1086Please respect copyright.PENANASSdzNT8XYL
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAxNJG5pcWjC
"And if it's okay with Collins and Yang Hyun-suk," I said as I looked over at both managers, waiting for their response.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAzG71vocIOP
1086Please respect copyright.PENANACnyKRSlR9F
Yang Hyun-suk smiled at me and said, "Well, I'm impressed with your respectful gesture, Sam. You've got my permission. You should call me 'Yang Sajangnim' from now on."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAUfZFKrwtdX
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAL46OWsXqfo
I've no words. Is he trying to discipline us too? I know he wants us to bow our heads, but I wasn't going to give him that kind of satisfaction just yet. We might not be Korean, so basic courtesy is all we can do for now. I just smiled at him and nodded.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAMFKe9LqNtE
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAfqJDzXDpIx
My eyes flew towards Collins, and I could tell he felt the same way. I gave him an assuring look, saying that I was fine with it.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAw7AEXUQKL4
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZzPeSXIl0
"What are we waiting for?" Mike asked. "Let's go. I'm going to show the trainees that I'm a much better dancer than you, Taeyang."1086Please respect copyright.PENANA5bJC8wI27g
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA0heedaznYU
"You're on," Taeyang said with a smirk.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA4zeID0z5IX
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAyOuqDcZN4A
"This will not end well," said Christine, shaking her head.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3lY0tEcQH
1086Please respect copyright.PENANALLl2B6UIG6
The five of us followed Taeyang to one of the dance studios, while Collins, Lee, and Yang Hyun-suk continued their way around the building.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA5HcXy4ros1
1086Please respect copyright.PENANALd8xZnjZLh
"Sorry, you had to go through that with our manager," said Taeyang as I walked beside him. "He could be a little difficult sometimes."1086Please respect copyright.PENANA770gVr4rqt
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"Yeah, I figured," I said, trying to put up a smile.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAsLRMKjSxhX
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"I know it's bad to talk about older people behind their backs," started Zoey, "but what's his problem? Does he want to turn us into Koreans or what?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANAWZtqcqkOzU
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAmliyp2Uitd
"Let's not talk about that," said Taeyang. "The walls have ears, you know?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANAw43kxnlIVv
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAu3t7NsJ2cc
"Great," said Daniel. "It's like we just found ourselves under the radar of Big Brother."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAVpceOjTIjl
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA71Z3JTNhdp
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it," said Taeyang.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAAw9aYtmFWJ
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAfHsZotAioT
When we got to one of the studio rooms, Taeyang opened the door for us, and we went in. We found a few young trainees practising. When they noticed us enter the room, they stopped what they were doing as they became excited.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAfdfXY8Cp3X
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAzsSIUWsygM
"We've got important people here with us today," Taeyang told them. "You all know The Toxins, I presume. They would like to join us for our choreography session. Is that okay?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANA3ApVYlhAhk
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAvU6KsfItUR
The trainees responded in agreement with such enthusiasm.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAycu84ra0tb
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAUqxZ7jRniF
"Okay, then," I said, stepping forward and standing next to Taeyang. "I guess you all know that I'm Samantha Glasson, better known as Black Kitty. I'm so excited to be amongst you guys, and I hope we'll have fun together." I went on to introduce the other Toxins. The trainees clapped while the rest of us smiled back at them.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA6ACEGaEiYP
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAL8XRCGxRsI
"So, Sam, would you and your team kindly do the honours of taking the dance floor first?" Taeyang asked.1086Please respect copyright.PENANADVtA3XHgK3
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA3GwsZrJG4I
"With pleasure," I answered.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA5gSqqvNrjG
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAlLvwfXjSWT
The trainees created space as they stood on one side of the room with Taeyang. We, The Toxins, came up and danced to one of our songs that played on the stereo. After the song had played, the trainees, including Taeyang, gave us a round of applause.1086Please respect copyright.PENANArCKHZaVmZ3
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAfyq3qTIIBc
"Oh, thank you, thank you," said Zoey as she did a curtsy. "You're too kind."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAyI9F35FCO1
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAhGORSBeMiy
"You guys are awesome," said Taeyang as he walked up to me.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAM5U3c5XXxS
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAjRiAj793AJ
"Thanks," I said in between breaths.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAaxHDlxXcEb
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA6SQYS0oQzx
Mike walked up to us and challenged Taeyang. "Come on, Taeyang. Let's go one-on-one. You and me."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAWm78jqJj8Q
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQEx1AaYqKh
Taeyang smiled and nodded his head. "Sure. Let's see who is a better dancer and put this behind us once and for all."1086Please respect copyright.PENANA8UAakAo3xL
1086Please respect copyright.PENANApj2oN7kDZl
"Are you sure you want to do this, Mike?" I asked my brother after Taeyang had walked away. "I don't think it's a good idea."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAWaZKH2lvRd
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAnBZJXRIrvA
"Don't worry, sis," said Mike. "You know I'm a good dancer. I can handle him."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAvRzAmoomEh
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAv8apqjOOJJ
Mike smiled at me and joined Taeyang. The Toxins and I went to stand with the trainees. Taeyang and Mike took the floor, and the music soon started to play. Taeyang went first to the centre and started to dance. I had to admit, he looked like a natural, and his moves were awesome. He moved aside, and Mike took over. Mike has always been considered the best dancer amongst The Toxins, and for the moment, he's doing pretty well.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAO1cDpuVEbR
1086Please respect copyright.PENANApYhCyByY7B
Some trainees were cheering for Taeyang, while we Toxins and other trainees were on Mike's side. When the song was about to end, Taeyang took to the floor and did his killer move. Damn, he's good. There's nothing Mike can do about that. The song's already over, and Taeyang stole the show.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAVQMbCXIQzV
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAAOoRetMBNx
The trainees cheered for Taeyang while he and Mike gave each other a casual handshake.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAHxY56fXBJX
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"I'm still going to get you for this, Tae," said Mike.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAsbWgyCiVzT
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"Anytime, Mike," said Taeyang with a smile.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAbqFYE4syXn
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"I told you going up against him was a bad idea," I said as I walked up to them.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAsgh0SuUpYq
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAtIauSuwzxl
"I know, I know," said Mike as he rolled his eyes. "I'll try listening to you in the future."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAa3o3nIfuBP
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAkSi26Ct8VH
"You never do," I said as I raised my eyebrow at him, shaking my head.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA6DfjfNoT9u
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAA4dWrLxwlv
"Never mind. I'll leave you two." Mike left us and joined the trainees and the other Toxins as they gathered around.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAxGZmHMw39o
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAWST7mZQW7D
"So, how did I do?" Taeyang asked when Mike was out of earshot.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA04eX2JWgsz
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAS27V8nz8iJ
"You don't have to ask," I said. "You already know how much of a great dancer you are."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAaoraiqsyQa
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQB5OIwWKDA
"Just hearing that will do," Taeyang told me with an eye roll. My heartbeat quickened.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAa7QCmmSRoU
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAW20d4Khw3p
"You're awesome. You look like a natural when you dance."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6AnhDjSbz
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA2rSDPBbQlp
"Thanks. You also dance well. It looks like we were both born for this."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAzIsbrqqOLs
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"Yeah, we were."1086Please respect copyright.PENANA1cePQL2gOR
1086Please respect copyright.PENANASMa8aGUOuv
"We should dance together sometime. What do you think?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANAe2ktqMMZXy
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAzACZTLGC5t
I nodded, and I couldn't help but blush. Dancing with Taeyang? That's nice, isn't it? That question got me even more confused.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAGxe00LzfMq
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAm4D4chRH2L
The next thing we knew, the door to the studio flew open. Seungri and T.O.P. came in. When Seungri saw me, he ran towards me, took me in his arms, and lifted me up from the ground. He spun me around so much that I screamed out in delight like a little girl.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAUFAqkIfjEj
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAgVqkzuwbCA
"Seungri, what's wrong with you?" I asked after he stopped spinning me around. I couldn't keep myself from laughing.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAifE5JDC0KL
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQFHS6JPbHN
"I heard that you made it to the front cover of Elle magazine," said Seungri. "Congratulations, my panda."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAFt316GZKtQ
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQhqJfd58EI
"Aww, thanks, Seungri," I said. "I wasn't expecting this from you."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAUYSkysdHNE
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"You deserve it, my cutie," he said with a wide smile.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAMLSTIj7o4g
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA8x5aW1Wpt9
"Congratulations, Sam," said T.O.P. as he approached us. "Just like Seungri said, you truly deserve it."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAysH8Juk8SR
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA18pjmhKnu5
"Thanks, T.O.P." I said with a smile.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAqsbGozVsUm
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAP3XkUmXm2Z
"Since everyone is congratulating Sam over this," said Zoey as she approached us, "don't you think she needs to be rewarded or spoiled a little?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANAKUtTi910zQ
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA2Yl0kNjo5I
"Oh, no, Zoey," I said, shaking my head at her. She obviously wanted something out of this. "I think congratulating me is more than enough."1086Please respect copyright.PENANA9QpsZ4hYI1
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAM5vu9lQbW8
"What about a party?" Zoey suggested it, completely ignoring me. "Come on, it will be fun!"1086Please respect copyright.PENANApSxdkYYKKI
1086Please respect copyright.PENANANWQvM8Pbld
"I agree with Zoey," said Seungri. "We need to celebrate."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAOmqR873UYI
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAAYCipLFqZP
"I don't think it's a good idea," I said. "Don't you think we can just go out and have lunch instead?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANAg1nQlGkzcb
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAlKl0mwJtsd
"Bo-ring!" Zoey said it in a loud sing-song voice. "You're so not fun nowadays, Sam. A party will be awesome!"1086Please respect copyright.PENANAblYtqj41Gc
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAhQYQiKqTD4
"I just think it's too soon. We just got here, and you want to throw a party because I made the cover of some magazine? That won't look right at all."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAaYgu5eN5Qg
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAc1QMYu0rcp
"Sam's right," said Taeyang. "You've just seen how difficult Yang Hyun-suk can be. Throwing a party will look wrong, and that will bring the Netizens to criticize you."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAs0afhcwaq9
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAS3cMCeQS9a
"Ah, I forgot we've got these 'Netizens' around," said Zoey, putting a lot of emphasis on the word 'Netizens.'1086Please respect copyright.PENANACAhedbT1CU
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAGMObdXHFjG
"I'm going with Sam on this one," said Christine. "Besides Yang Hyun-suk, don't forget there's Collins too."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAdSgIxUG95K
1086Please respect copyright.PENANA0repQKVP32
"Okay, fine, we'll do as Sam says," said Zoey, pouting her lip. "But you should promise me that before we go back home, we're going to have a big party."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAFOWAGjWVEq
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAG8W0MJrbtF
"I promise," I assured Zoey with my hand on my chest.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAqyH4sQVXGk
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAZOM1lY2uJL
"Alright, that's settled then," said Taeyang. "I'll go get ready and tell our managers that we'll be leaving for lunch."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAALCcH4tWFg
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAs4Gm5vVkC1
"Okay, thanks," I said.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAtiBWVvQJDb
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAwIWeEHvoUP
Taeyang left the dance studio while Seungri went out to call Daesung and G-Dragon to come over for lunch. I was stuck with T.O.P., The Toxins, and the rest of the trainees.1086Please respect copyright.PENANArPOW8qqS9Z
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAJz1PCRCn2k
After Seungri made his calls, he informed us that Daesung would join us, except for G-Dragon, who's busy and won't make it. A few minutes later, Taeyang was all showered and ready to go.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAWdgCZmMxQl
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAJTo5cHygwT
We left the YG premises and went to a famous pizza parlour. Daesung met us at there. Afterwards, we went out to have fun.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA1Fg97dyRtI
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***1086Please respect copyright.PENANA9SC9EQ2GXP
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It was already evening by the time we dropped off at the hotel and said goodbye to the BIGBANG members. We went up to our floor and found Collins and Lee waiting for us as soon as we stepped out of the elevator.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAt8UKyGqhcF
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"Hey guys," said Collins. "How was your day?"1086Please respect copyright.PENANAw0ANsD3f8o
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"It was awesome!" said Zoey with a smile on her face. "After lunch, we went around the city."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAgFHND7hY8f
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"Don't tell me you were stuck with Yang Hyun-suk the whole day yourselves," I said.1086Please respect copyright.PENANA8wxmmNnubc
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"Yeah, about that...," started Lee as she bit her lower lip.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQodHnzoxtQ
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"What's wrong? When you do that, then something's up," said Daniel.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQLau1PKAUk
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"Let's sit in the lounge, please," said Collins.1086Please respect copyright.PENANARo30Onxpu8
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He led the way while we followed. There's absolutely no one in the lounge since we booked the entire floor for ourselves. We took up the empty caramel seats while Collins and Lee remained standing.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAvhP26PVeql
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAhUt9uwWT0w
"What's wrong, Collins?" I asked.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2LNWBAQt5
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"I'm sorry to spoil your evening with what I'm about to tell you," said Collins, "but this is important."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAY1Z8OmiDg7
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"Oh, boy," muttered Zoey.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAxu7rYet0jw
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"What I'm about to tell you might seem a little weird, and you guys might not like it. But if we really want to make a successful collaboration with BIGBANG, we've got to get used to it."1086Please respect copyright.PENANAHiFEvpFEeN
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAvJjjZfXvm9
My heart started to race. What are we supposed to get used to now? To be honest, I don't want to know. It's already tiring enough that we always have to follow whatever the board wants back home. But now it seems we've got to follow Yang Hyun-suk's wishes too. And if we want to collaborate with BIGBANG, we've got to do whatever he says.1086Please respect copyright.PENANAUzlzaPgZmC
1086Please respect copyright.PENANAjZfAL0KcKX
"What do we have to do now, Collins?" I asked with my eyes closed, expecting the worst.