"Let's do it in 5, 6, 7, 8,..."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAqJE2rZTyq8
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAUSQJZnXxrd
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANA8q5pUpeuc5
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAj4IAdPl4PB
"Okay, that's good. Shall we do it again?" I asked through heavy breaths.1045Please respect copyright.PENANA8H5igzBdOT
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAAomdjZGns6
"Yeah," Zoey replied as she wiped her sweaty forehead with the back of her hand.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAc4Lf3KX6x3
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAuhUPIpYyqg
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAQo0K39oN6w
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAaWWbyZ22PS
"Phew! I'm so tired," said Daniel as he grabbed a water bottle from his training bag.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAJYELAk21vU
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAw8YcjMpkUW
"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAgLMbL2bc88
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA6lGnz5XrfZ
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAvoxvdb5jJ1
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA44Z8ufZ5QJ
"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA2DfB354ZXj
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAgHvGToQxM2
"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAqyHvP6gLU9
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAQFJk83iutZ
"Oh, yes!" Christine exclaimed. "We finally get to go there."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA393RNqqnmF
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA3AoaCJyQ4E
"Why are you so excited?" Mike asked her, looking surprised like the rest of us over her reaction.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAFRk5EKRjn6
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAMKBoCCeguj
"Guys, don't you get it?" Christine asked. "We're going to the YG studios."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAIV3IOEZeEG
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA4pl7ucR2uK
"So?" Daniel asked, shrugging his shoulders.1045Please respect copyright.PENANA80EBw5KrIH
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAI75INmP8W5
"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA7xO6zMa2ho
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAgGyCjrIge4
"Oh, yeah, that never crossed my mind," said Zoey. "Why didn't you remind me, Christine?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANAKRzAlVubGr
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA6yhVi4EZdN
"Don't blame me," Christine defended herself. "You, Zoey, have the knack for these kinds of things. I thought you already knew."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA1frSu1GY4s
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAzSPsPMvADb
"This will be awesome," said Daniel. "I can't wait to meet PSY in person and do the Gangnam Style with him."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAyqKa3JMFdO
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAfxWgrWsf4M
"Well, to be honest, we all want to meet PSY," I said, "so let's hit the showers and get ready."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAcLx2EmRHvR
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAHcYzgbHYI2
"I thought you would never say that," said Collins. "You've got twenty minutes. Lee and I will be waiting outside."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAzUPQYefIMk
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA29wXWYC6yw
"Twenty minutes!" Zoey whined. "We're going to the YG studios; at least give some of us time to look good."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA7M8YcM1Efb
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA7FPeMJp0Al
"Okay, twenty-five," said Collins, giving her a cocky smile. Zoey's jaw dropped. "You better hurry. You don't want to be late."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAERXgom55sx
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAjOJ5TJCp8k
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANACdNzg9ysEP
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA7HzvSd92q5
"No fair!" said Zoey as she stomped her foot hard onto the floor.1045Please respect copyright.PENANABHSisau6GE
1045Please respect copyright.PENANALlZXfAXPNX
Ah-oh. Here we go.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAmD0NoVhBxE
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAsadPUicyzU
"Zoey, relax," said Christine. "We've got twenty-five minutes. You rush to the showers. Sam and I will get your stuff."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAKYI5AGwIJu
1045Please respect copyright.PENANADMzfZBlXPp
"Fine." Zoey rolled her eyes and dashed out of the room.1045Please respect copyright.PENANA2vN3qNJJnR
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAYHr6GNJnqM
"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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAIPHgxpJhrm
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAHGnd3G0iUS
"Trust me, you've no idea," I said.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAozbVyo8vjb
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAKYawdmLO22
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAzrGu0zpEct
1045Please respect copyright.PENANApfGhSjAJJN
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:1045Please respect copyright.PENANAY7g3W5ZqgB
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAUcyIkuaUvA
"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://..........."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAB15W1iPh5u
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAuiGvNSsIxO
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAma90PZBgKn
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAE5aPu6gghF
"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA7jTTOPa9eX
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA8v6Z0ogUu8
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAhPPfLCp0ag
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAHp3vskRj2R
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANA61poR5eHyl
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAj7lG4vgXef
"Looks like you guys made it out in time," said Lee. "For a moment there, I thought they were going to get you."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAxVMaJ6GrFn
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA4M2fz3a4Ti
"We go through these things almost all the time," said Mike. "It's no big deal when you know the fans love you."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAGDzbqIzDOP
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAKXB1UFC058
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAmCXpn8UZBe
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAXyjxU12Qb1
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:1045Please respect copyright.PENANA5vIXygNWV4
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAel9jL0rS7x
"The Astonishing Samantha Glasson: The One Who Stole The Hearts of Many Koreans."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAYuoveFrIe7
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA7EoobRpMDP
"Huh!?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANA26c96rMloa
1045Please respect copyright.PENANApm8M1W9kFh
Everyone turned to look at me, and I quickly covered my mouth. It just slipped out; I couldn't hold it.1045Please respect copyright.PENANA5BH0ZwI7DE
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAoMwq6USQg2
"Hey, are you okay?" Zoey asked. "Did someone send you one of those messages or something?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANA0r6dbtRMbe
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAEJ6TQD80Zs
"Um... did anyone get the chance to see the cover of the Korean Elle magazine today?" I asked.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAOruhAXRGC5
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAbG32lD94cS
"What? Elle? No, I didn't," said Zoey. "Let me see."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAkQ5caM3Drk
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAx1bqadTU3C
I gave Zoey my phone, and she looked just as shocked. Everyone got a turn to look, except Collins and Lee.1045Please respect copyright.PENANACLVLKwUUoy
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAFpFmAAiP4W
"We already knew about it this morning," said Lee. "We wanted it to be a surprise."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAMycoi1jOgR
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAV7jSZi7LDr
"Wait... did you tell Taeyang to send this to me?" I asked.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAEHpG4k02KG
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAkHLAHHsska
"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANANVQAUeH6MI
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAmCg6bwdslt
"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAWlqkFEUVa3
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAPQsI9c1kgk
"You've been keeping tabs on that?" I asked.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAFnYjeVsa7N
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAVk7L0vAQHz
"Well, yeah, some of us have," answered Mike.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAKqOlP5Yw7M
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAroxjgaxsay
"It looks like you guys are better off than I am. I sometimes don't go online and see what's going on."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAtDKr4KNGeP
1045Please respect copyright.PENANApeWvlZU87K
"That's because you don't like all the attention," said Zoey. "If I were you, I would feel like a queen."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAzpxEymHGkM
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAN6NNYsL77q
"Well, thank goodness Sam isn't like you," said Daniel. "If she were... who knows?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANArqrn2676Es
1045Please respect copyright.PENANALz8QP51MqI
"Do you mean to say I wouldn't make a good leader?" Zoey asked, looking furious. "That pretty much sounds like it."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA9Trnhl8zt8
1045Please respect copyright.PENANASbT5HS2cOw
"Everyone here can all be leaders. Sam's just better at it."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAlK3qxUIgWZ
1045Please respect copyright.PENANApeUnF5wmKr
"I agree with Daniel," said Collins.1045Please respect copyright.PENANATWBWK8dyLd
1045Please respect copyright.PENANACg1lw2jYmZ
"Ahh!" Zoey exclaimed as though she were in pain. She placed her hand on her chest. "My heart is broken!"1045Please respect copyright.PENANALhUr9voGC5
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAT30NTkKGnd
"You're such a drama queen," I said as I smiled at Zoey. "You make everything seem melodramatic."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA3uw0UXzfVU
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAcMad6EdO8J
"Yeah, that's why you need me around," said Zoey.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAulc7zYvIAT
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAwuKUGYvsl1
"We all need each other, no matter what."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAPB129HCC8m
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAhxXygwiKMz
"Guys, you won't believe what I'm seeing right now," said Lee.1045Please respect copyright.PENANA0JbyiYx1lN
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAtE6wkv6RVY
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!1045Please respect copyright.PENANApmJvL0RV0L
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAMUH0NuQwHt
"OMG, this building looks huge," said Christine. "Well, kind of. For an entertainment company, that is."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAaTIM4W9CfR
1045Please respect copyright.PENANANoutAqb2tE
"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAyRDzdl3gn2
1045Please respect copyright.PENANApbDr8K0tGU
"You look fine," I said. "You worry about looks for no reason."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAtS55cLCK8k
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAs98f6yMvRM
"Easy for you to say. You don't have to worry because you naturally look good."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAWP7RrvMxqC
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3ZJiRFubU
"Wait... for real?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow.1045Please respect copyright.PENANATDtLfi3CsS
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAyICbjmqlit
"You really should read what people say about you online," said Zoey, rolling her eyes at me.1045Please respect copyright.PENANApD52NpgL6C
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAZhMgBLXAss
"I'll try to do so."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAQCzA60o6q7
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA7Zv4aZepoH
"Yeah, and I'll make sure that you do."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAkmHMkch70z
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAeX1t7kIZUI
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:1045Please respect copyright.PENANAGYoGmkAu0K
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAfRCpqIxlRi
"Can you two save your little chitchat for later? It's time to go."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAeiy21SWBfb
1045Please respect copyright.PENANApF7jNfXUfM
"Oh," said Zoey as she looked out of the window.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAlhsDgS6lTK
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAuK4zpRvbZ9
When we all got out of the car, we found Yang Hyun-suk waiting for us at the entrance.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAPbEFpqP3WD
1045Please respect copyright.PENANACR6Vt21gLw
"Hello, everyone. I'm glad you could make it," said Yang Hyun-suk as he shook Collins' hand.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAGCJxqN0cNh
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAXaFtqggMn1
"Thank you for having us," said Collins.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAtNLjjp8ceg
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAtkTY6RoXLK
"Follow me, please. I'll show you around."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAjnPGTU1kVD
1045Please respect copyright.PENANASSd3uXuJFO
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAympn5C4GeJ
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAgh11F3yePb
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAPIZYxo8Gow
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA5YFZSjL9R1
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAiN7GgKrNr0
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAJy4j716gT5
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAkMEze0WKs9
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAjTSc9sVZJi
The screaming caught so much attention that many other trainees walked out of their studios and came over to meet us.1045Please respect copyright.PENANA0Q3oBVWNVJ
1045Please respect copyright.PENANACoyfT1OC5B
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?1045Please respect copyright.PENANA10WVspyq8V
1045Please respect copyright.PENANASInEHOT0U0
"These guys are well-disciplined," I heard Lee whisper to Collins behind me.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAOPhcPPMVg3
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAtQgjAhDMC3
"Sorry for the inconvenience," said Yang Hyun-suk as he turned to address us. "They could be a little out of control sometimes."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA9dKtnXb9Ru
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAGS2vYTyhFo
"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANADJDUA0YsFk
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAoWk3IIBSrZ
"Hey!" The five of us all looked at him with annoyed looks on our faces.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAyTtu0lkI6F
1045Please respect copyright.PENANARnniLF9ZA3
Yang Hyun-suk laughed. Collins rolled his eyes at us. "You see what I mean? No respect for me at all."1045Please respect copyright.PENANASvP38WQUZD
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA3M3qDvtdf4
"We do respect you, Collins," said Zoey with a sweet voice and a smile. "And we love you too."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAIPsDRuYSKf
1045Please respect copyright.PENANApmI1sMkQV3
"The only person who respects me is Sam," said Collins. "The rest of you are just crazy."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAUI2Yd7ZCCR
1045Please respect copyright.PENANArMMy4M88gO
"Crazy?" Zoey's voice went a little high there. "Come on, Collins. You can at least find a better word than that."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAIqNYTG77Le
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAjglWCOnZum
"We do have a lot of respect for you," said Daniel. "We just trouble you because we love you."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA4reHbE7Hei
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAbD9IKsP0pp
"That's cute," said Yang Hyun-suk, with a smile on his face.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAHgK0RvqXi0
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA0Zi66f6wNa
"Don't mind them. These little arguments happen all the time," said Lee to Yang Hyun-suk.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAKr6v2RHEu8
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAPuZg3Nd6qA
"Yep, all the time," I said with a nod.1045Please respect copyright.PENANATohP11Lhkt
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAOXWGQw9W8X
Daniel looked down the hall and said, "Hey, look, here comes Taeyang."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA2YBO16EI3v
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAa1myLnaOBI
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAoDtvOELei1
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA1wkCjHFome
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?1045Please respect copyright.PENANApXcVx7mt8h
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAgRJTk3gPoK
"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!"1045Please respect copyright.PENANAcm3bgU8v5W
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAmN1T28TgKa
"I know, right?" Christine whispered back. "Not only is he hot, he is so cute."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAPb5mZ0Ep5r
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAiyfrKSuSwN
"I was wondering what the racket was all about," said Taeyang when he finally got close. "The Toxins are in the building."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAeffHCRGSOo
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAxYD8hUtytU
"Yeah," said Zoey, giving Taeyang a weird giggle. I looked at her and raised my eyebrow. Zoey noticed and lowered her head.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAwB98fOrmhP
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAxhci0zlrZl
"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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAPxQLL6lEx7
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAa3w4dafBwO
"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?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANAAjvGBd18Oi
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAzdE9u1NVTY
"Um... yeah, I did, thanks," I said with a smile, trying to hide my blushing cheeks.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAV5U0DYpqBu
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAYcv206ru4B
"I'm coordinating dance practise with some trainees," said Taeyang. "Would you mind joining us? They would be thrilled to have you."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAEABqBVk6eB
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAzkrwOPNacL
"I wouldn't mind, right guys?" I asked the others.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAIuC22mcu9L
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAMI7cw7MUXA
"Sure," they responded.1045Please respect copyright.PENANArvXZ5RWU8p
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAFYOlcZzoji
"And if it's okay with Collins and Yang Hyun-suk," I said as I looked over at both managers, waiting for their response.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAQLV8An4ZyU
1045Please respect copyright.PENANATOaOxcxOlE
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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAnC57dZQyOl
1045Please respect copyright.PENANApdo45XQYgi
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAc6GZ6LatKV
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAAOrqGakTcW
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANA6bswStECve
1045Please respect copyright.PENANADp1bQCphbh
"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAtad9snj7Le
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAm4kykS86Qw
"You're on," Taeyang said with a smirk.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAHiZpNbTHwK
1045Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ocm13AxJ1
"This will not end well," said Christine, shaking her head.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAeIxmjLuK6O
1045Please respect copyright.PENANAA4z2msnrC6
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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAUENFeA8bDv
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"Sorry, you had to go through that with our manager," said Taeyang as I walked beside him. "He could be a little difficult sometimes."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA63v61HZ9wY
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"Yeah, I figured," I said, trying to put up a smile.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAkpnEa3Qq98
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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?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANARPBCNK2Sf7
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"Let's not talk about that," said Taeyang. "The walls have ears, you know?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANAmsHzCJ5SzO
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"Great," said Daniel. "It's like we just found ourselves under the radar of Big Brother."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAs4McRpFxOq
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"Don't worry, you'll get used to it," said Taeyang.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAAs6JxA95gc
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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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANA1HPKYQchIx
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"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?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANAjH1PdkdBxx
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The trainees responded in agreement with such enthusiasm.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAmoGi92KGV2
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"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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAKQzyblzTFa
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"So, Sam, would you and your team kindly do the honours of taking the dance floor first?" Taeyang asked.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAa9Vjpdnr5X
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"With pleasure," I answered.1045Please respect copyright.PENANANd0DWaQK3J
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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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAqGcFD0SVgi
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"Oh, thank you, thank you," said Zoey as she did a curtsy. "You're too kind."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAR3gWamjWHZ
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"You guys are awesome," said Taeyang as he walked up to me.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAN9KWF5RRLi
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"Thanks," I said in between breaths.1045Please respect copyright.PENANApN8rpjMOVw
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Mike walked up to us and challenged Taeyang. "Come on, Taeyang. Let's go one-on-one. You and me."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA2RIV2x39CW
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Taeyang smiled and nodded his head. "Sure. Let's see who is a better dancer and put this behind us once and for all."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAxqrapSZBTO
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"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAhLCRv9noIs
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"Don't worry, sis," said Mike. "You know I'm a good dancer. I can handle him."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA97MCPARvjL
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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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAN8vmLOlf8K
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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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAEWcyXD0UgC
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The trainees cheered for Taeyang while he and Mike gave each other a casual handshake.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAtqtaEWg0JS
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"I'm still going to get you for this, Tae," said Mike.1045Please respect copyright.PENANApAkfoqwoJJ
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"Anytime, Mike," said Taeyang with a smile.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAKp0CDrAeHa
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"I told you going up against him was a bad idea," I said as I walked up to them.1045Please respect copyright.PENANANwk00aNksm
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"I know, I know," said Mike as he rolled his eyes. "I'll try listening to you in the future."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA3CLBJE2Ys5
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"You never do," I said as I raised my eyebrow at him, shaking my head.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAmUc6EOtBHB
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"Never mind. I'll leave you two." Mike left us and joined the trainees and the other Toxins as they gathered around.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAY7eDymTnc7
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"So, how did I do?" Taeyang asked when Mike was out of earshot.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAMbiTFTYIZL
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"You don't have to ask," I said. "You already know how much of a great dancer you are."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAA399GvM3Ed
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"Just hearing that will do," Taeyang told me with an eye roll. My heartbeat quickened.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAXWOwPLeE2n
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"You're awesome. You look like a natural when you dance."1045Please respect copyright.PENANANBTB9YMbpL
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"Thanks. You also dance well. It looks like we were both born for this."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAI803sMT3jk
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"Yeah, we were."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAt89PxeapYx
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"We should dance together sometime. What do you think?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANANKqNPChmL1
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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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAZxg5ICpUf5
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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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAyMWUFaGv1t
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"Seungri, what's wrong with you?" I asked after he stopped spinning me around. I couldn't keep myself from laughing.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAKSStN4fHem
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"I heard that you made it to the front cover of Elle magazine," said Seungri. "Congratulations, my panda."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAL4SftzcM6h
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"Aww, thanks, Seungri," I said. "I wasn't expecting this from you."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAYIcRzmv58j
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"You deserve it, my cutie," he said with a wide smile.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAMWn7juIalH
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"Congratulations, Sam," said T.O.P. as he approached us. "Just like Seungri said, you truly deserve it."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAz2gaKDdxlc
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"Thanks, T.O.P." I said with a smile.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAOzvXf3QVrs
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"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?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANAInVnIPwVXi
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"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAMYyRDiTHim
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"What about a party?" Zoey suggested it, completely ignoring me. "Come on, it will be fun!"1045Please respect copyright.PENANAksSXGELE9O
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"I agree with Zoey," said Seungri. "We need to celebrate."1045Please respect copyright.PENANADPhyPOzfJe
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"I don't think it's a good idea," I said. "Don't you think we can just go out and have lunch instead?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANASUAmqLsF3b
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"Bo-ring!" Zoey said it in a loud sing-song voice. "You're so not fun nowadays, Sam. A party will be awesome!"1045Please respect copyright.PENANAGy7uBUmffV
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"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANA6N3cpyC96v
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"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3horxZWlu
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"Ah, I forgot we've got these 'Netizens' around," said Zoey, putting a lot of emphasis on the word 'Netizens.'1045Please respect copyright.PENANAX2IyHqLqLp
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"I'm going with Sam on this one," said Christine. "Besides Yang Hyun-suk, don't forget there's Collins too."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAX6gtO9Wpyk
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"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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAyhtWCKA617
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"I promise," I assured Zoey with my hand on my chest.1045Please respect copyright.PENANABMnqNSbEbV
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"Alright, that's settled then," said Taeyang. "I'll go get ready and tell our managers that we'll be leaving for lunch."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAu6O6cPGw9K
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"Okay, thanks," I said.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAJPlWWy4TBp
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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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANALm82x9tSBF
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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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANARDq7gT9dHe
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We left the YG premises and went to a famous pizza parlour. Daesung met us at there. Afterwards, we went out to have fun.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAy6RwjjXi0H
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***1045Please respect copyright.PENANAtawLx10dHK
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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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANApDBhQLJSwC
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"Hey guys," said Collins. "How was your day?"1045Please respect copyright.PENANAXp4UnxyIJh
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"It was awesome!" said Zoey with a smile on her face. "After lunch, we went around the city."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAK6Wttyyih0
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"Don't tell me you were stuck with Yang Hyun-suk the whole day yourselves," I said.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAbby5IOabDj
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"Yeah, about that...," started Lee as she bit her lower lip.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAu7ybIeGw9z
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"What's wrong? When you do that, then something's up," said Daniel.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAiyO7C6sngr
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"Let's sit in the lounge, please," said Collins.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAyy8UfQhY3Z
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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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANALkW34Vjyue
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"What's wrong, Collins?" I asked.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAHjtMaZq7gx
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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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAphX0EPItm5
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"Oh, boy," muttered Zoey.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAjMkaxxdWc6
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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."1045Please respect copyright.PENANAiZ9FG2SuLa
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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.1045Please respect copyright.PENANAexiwaXHEFZ
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"What do we have to do now, Collins?" I asked with my eyes closed, expecting the worst.