"Let's do it in 5, 6, 7, 8,..."968Please respect copyright.PENANACfrFAhWVdU
968Please respect copyright.PENANADZl4RxhDJs
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAagPxrgmFkb
968Please respect copyright.PENANACNjT8mLSdX
"Okay, that's good. Shall we do it again?" I asked through heavy breaths.968Please respect copyright.PENANA6cLdlV7KRf
968Please respect copyright.PENANAQvFXwUpi3B
"Yeah," Zoey replied as she wiped her sweaty forehead with the back of her hand.968Please respect copyright.PENANAibUl5tNWD6
968Please respect copyright.PENANAbb44WxL8Bg
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANApgOJDKYhTH
968Please respect copyright.PENANAkeu50IttI4
"Phew! I'm so tired," said Daniel as he grabbed a water bottle from his training bag.968Please respect copyright.PENANADADVXMbl29
968Please respect copyright.PENANAS0dT6gUp4q
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANA6a1k8SLCdR
968Please respect copyright.PENANAQJHvA8K8uk
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAZUH9vYcgV4
968Please respect copyright.PENANARZlvcG7b8G
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANAVen1pEi6FB
968Please respect copyright.PENANAuWcLYC5Gwr
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANAAFGjyW8q1r
968Please respect copyright.PENANA9zEbpq0q2I
"Oh, yes!" Christine exclaimed. "We finally get to go there."968Please respect copyright.PENANAQk2uRyXh0W
968Please respect copyright.PENANALb8qaxA01y
"Why are you so excited?" Mike asked her, looking surprised like the rest of us over her reaction.968Please respect copyright.PENANAAKL4wA0NOr
968Please respect copyright.PENANAFmiGvVa5dn
"Guys, don't you get it?" Christine asked. "We're going to the YG studios."968Please respect copyright.PENANA9yJAf9qcK8
968Please respect copyright.PENANAWV3lR7EaN1
"So?" Daniel asked, shrugging his shoulders.968Please respect copyright.PENANAHQ6QtYKgcs
968Please respect copyright.PENANADS5U6L9xCj
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANAv4MHYcHFHX
968Please respect copyright.PENANAeuzCwQk5hP
"Oh, yeah, that never crossed my mind," said Zoey. "Why didn't you remind me, Christine?"968Please respect copyright.PENANAVX1GI1s9Nw
968Please respect copyright.PENANA7V5qL65IdS
"Don't blame me," Christine defended herself. "You, Zoey, have the knack for these kinds of things. I thought you already knew."968Please respect copyright.PENANAni1rNB1B1B
968Please respect copyright.PENANAzwunEmYTkd
"This will be awesome," said Daniel. "I can't wait to meet PSY in person and do the Gangnam Style with him."968Please respect copyright.PENANAahgEsEgjxf
968Please respect copyright.PENANATBcg8p29rY
"Well, to be honest, we all want to meet PSY," I said, "so let's hit the showers and get ready."968Please respect copyright.PENANAbWmEZO6mpu
968Please respect copyright.PENANAToO4vNqGQa
"I thought you would never say that," said Collins. "You've got twenty minutes. Lee and I will be waiting outside."968Please respect copyright.PENANAXU8l8dlQY0
968Please respect copyright.PENANAyG1Rvhe5BK
"Twenty minutes!" Zoey whined. "We're going to the YG studios; at least give some of us time to look good."968Please respect copyright.PENANAYDoMWqN9i5
968Please respect copyright.PENANAqagaYaM3ba
"Okay, twenty-five," said Collins, giving her a cocky smile. Zoey's jaw dropped. "You better hurry. You don't want to be late."968Please respect copyright.PENANA1VRRMAU4qD
968Please respect copyright.PENANAO5V0jBZOyF
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAe5qTvUsOcP
968Please respect copyright.PENANA9tZWschsWA
"No fair!" said Zoey as she stomped her foot hard onto the floor.968Please respect copyright.PENANAAQcW2GCPce
968Please respect copyright.PENANAr8zoaiLKNT
Ah-oh. Here we go.968Please respect copyright.PENANAeBgFJdZ4Ig
968Please respect copyright.PENANAxOjS6AmVnT
"Zoey, relax," said Christine. "We've got twenty-five minutes. You rush to the showers. Sam and I will get your stuff."968Please respect copyright.PENANAWMBzE4Z1Ke
968Please respect copyright.PENANArgMsbqbEUh
"Fine." Zoey rolled her eyes and dashed out of the room.968Please respect copyright.PENANAvfJfQTNRjE
968Please respect copyright.PENANA7lb5caYdaK
"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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAMsOlrngk4C
968Please respect copyright.PENANAd15G4PR2rd
"Trust me, you've no idea," I said.968Please respect copyright.PENANASYe6cA1usf
968Please respect copyright.PENANAdDoJASGitB
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAadIeHfT3TG
968Please respect copyright.PENANAUbOEnuWHtA
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:968Please respect copyright.PENANACvka0eJkQG
968Please respect copyright.PENANAsnX2XrXzEs
"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://..........."968Please respect copyright.PENANA1DDtxJfwBG
968Please respect copyright.PENANAB17sNtiDu5
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAuU2yOMneMb
968Please respect copyright.PENANAzjgwSX0R5B
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANA6nvpXOgcGd
968Please respect copyright.PENANAPyelRipP8F
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAodj1maNQUo
968Please respect copyright.PENANARDemv0iX4T
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAxYyPokyZkC
968Please respect copyright.PENANAcjeGEhqvcV
"Looks like you guys made it out in time," said Lee. "For a moment there, I thought they were going to get you."968Please respect copyright.PENANANmh9IBXktT
968Please respect copyright.PENANA9pYVDr14k8
"We go through these things almost all the time," said Mike. "It's no big deal when you know the fans love you."968Please respect copyright.PENANA3qKQcvXp7N
968Please respect copyright.PENANAtfeAq5EvEc
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAmTEkKljg1C
968Please respect copyright.PENANAlovamFBfyt
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:968Please respect copyright.PENANAow9ptPZz7H
968Please respect copyright.PENANA9fubdtjFra
"The Astonishing Samantha Glasson: The One Who Stole The Hearts of Many Koreans."968Please respect copyright.PENANAUqbiCPhNyz
968Please respect copyright.PENANAkwheApGoF5
"Huh!?"968Please respect copyright.PENANASWDW2horlz
968Please respect copyright.PENANAKheBFRn4bc
Everyone turned to look at me, and I quickly covered my mouth. It just slipped out; I couldn't hold it.968Please respect copyright.PENANAM73WCGI2B2
968Please respect copyright.PENANAQeEo52plaN
"Hey, are you okay?" Zoey asked. "Did someone send you one of those messages or something?"968Please respect copyright.PENANApVxHeJrZWJ
968Please respect copyright.PENANAYZeDCd665u
"Um... did anyone get the chance to see the cover of the Korean Elle magazine today?" I asked.968Please respect copyright.PENANAbIbxhrruC0
968Please respect copyright.PENANAixhJWZ1zoT
"What? Elle? No, I didn't," said Zoey. "Let me see."968Please respect copyright.PENANAiIHaQLrbVd
968Please respect copyright.PENANA2GLjgOZCCB
I gave Zoey my phone, and she looked just as shocked. Everyone got a turn to look, except Collins and Lee.968Please respect copyright.PENANAgn0NfPlhkz
968Please respect copyright.PENANAuB7klLCfVc
"We already knew about it this morning," said Lee. "We wanted it to be a surprise."968Please respect copyright.PENANA4l74VjZKpH
968Please respect copyright.PENANAVgzBBb9gOA
"Wait... did you tell Taeyang to send this to me?" I asked.968Please respect copyright.PENANAG6Heu7wjfb
968Please respect copyright.PENANALgN3mWVS3N
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANAvqeo8pmi1e
968Please respect copyright.PENANA4PmcIgDjQn
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANAp7SnbPJUUY
968Please respect copyright.PENANABxxLegupxm
"You've been keeping tabs on that?" I asked.968Please respect copyright.PENANAWL08NDi3RI
968Please respect copyright.PENANAhxagMAW8kJ
"Well, yeah, some of us have," answered Mike.968Please respect copyright.PENANA4TD4lx3StP
968Please respect copyright.PENANAbhrI9B8xZP
"It looks like you guys are better off than I am. I sometimes don't go online and see what's going on."968Please respect copyright.PENANAiRtXLbTIfx
968Please respect copyright.PENANAU6qq5R5dS7
"That's because you don't like all the attention," said Zoey. "If I were you, I would feel like a queen."968Please respect copyright.PENANAss70YA0h27
968Please respect copyright.PENANAx9hF3zvnGI
"Well, thank goodness Sam isn't like you," said Daniel. "If she were... who knows?"968Please respect copyright.PENANAx2HNH5dNtL
968Please respect copyright.PENANAonJ1cDSPlO
"Do you mean to say I wouldn't make a good leader?" Zoey asked, looking furious. "That pretty much sounds like it."968Please respect copyright.PENANAbfv03sDPyr
968Please respect copyright.PENANAMShBqBOwZf
"Everyone here can all be leaders. Sam's just better at it."968Please respect copyright.PENANAMa41Hr0d3q
968Please respect copyright.PENANAUbgr5eTs22
"I agree with Daniel," said Collins.968Please respect copyright.PENANAeXVeW1BVPA
968Please respect copyright.PENANAsWh0P4EChQ
"Ahh!" Zoey exclaimed as though she were in pain. She placed her hand on her chest. "My heart is broken!"968Please respect copyright.PENANACahLCSOdHl
968Please respect copyright.PENANAfw5dMleCh1
"You're such a drama queen," I said as I smiled at Zoey. "You make everything seem melodramatic."968Please respect copyright.PENANACDSCHcm3Yt
968Please respect copyright.PENANADEEOZsQnJV
"Yeah, that's why you need me around," said Zoey.968Please respect copyright.PENANAz6f9ZAIcCO
968Please respect copyright.PENANAsl3yNesRLX
"We all need each other, no matter what."968Please respect copyright.PENANAaQVTlPOpcx
968Please respect copyright.PENANAUTq5yLtdpu
"Guys, you won't believe what I'm seeing right now," said Lee.968Please respect copyright.PENANAmarZw3gOS5
968Please respect copyright.PENANAW0xwsH3RaW
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!968Please respect copyright.PENANASZPDuwShRH
968Please respect copyright.PENANAHogLOIhuvb
"OMG, this building looks huge," said Christine. "Well, kind of. For an entertainment company, that is."968Please respect copyright.PENANA48f1kl2yap
968Please respect copyright.PENANAltgCTFz6A8
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANANFaXKts0Kh
968Please respect copyright.PENANAsjBFMSmXfr
"You look fine," I said. "You worry about looks for no reason."968Please respect copyright.PENANAX1uBSMbMGl
968Please respect copyright.PENANA2WLtFCPz1e
"Easy for you to say. You don't have to worry because you naturally look good."968Please respect copyright.PENANAOuSAWMIq4T
968Please respect copyright.PENANAXvoQuya3FU
"Wait... for real?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow.968Please respect copyright.PENANAvBXCmKDPUU
968Please respect copyright.PENANAoIut6ZRC8L
"You really should read what people say about you online," said Zoey, rolling her eyes at me.968Please respect copyright.PENANAPswNBHTVhT
968Please respect copyright.PENANA3xssGN7QCQ
"I'll try to do so."968Please respect copyright.PENANAiyE1BeN9uk
968Please respect copyright.PENANAKjFz4cTb9k
"Yeah, and I'll make sure that you do."968Please respect copyright.PENANAZomJ1UgjpR
968Please respect copyright.PENANAsD0inHhXqi
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:968Please respect copyright.PENANAtCfla2WWj6
968Please respect copyright.PENANAhugMv5GCal
"Can you two save your little chitchat for later? It's time to go."968Please respect copyright.PENANAiuUCoJ7uTv
968Please respect copyright.PENANAsVrzj1qOng
"Oh," said Zoey as she looked out of the window.968Please respect copyright.PENANAkowCd152k7
968Please respect copyright.PENANA3F7pe5k78P
When we all got out of the car, we found Yang Hyun-suk waiting for us at the entrance.968Please respect copyright.PENANAh76LTN4iAz
968Please respect copyright.PENANAk3FW3RlBko
"Hello, everyone. I'm glad you could make it," said Yang Hyun-suk as he shook Collins' hand.968Please respect copyright.PENANAQm1VTbX4Zr
968Please respect copyright.PENANAF5YPEV0oTQ
"Thank you for having us," said Collins.968Please respect copyright.PENANABETztiCFHg
968Please respect copyright.PENANApbErEpGwBI
"Follow me, please. I'll show you around."968Please respect copyright.PENANAbJGoHLn733
968Please respect copyright.PENANAkfzeGWBjLM
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAoyjDzJ9CXt
968Please respect copyright.PENANAAQ5qLU5CEC
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAO6YBdW0bK3
968Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZDV2w7YPi
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAYb8IjYRoCf
968Please respect copyright.PENANAJdi7y3MPf7
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANA9vP0Hi15VW
968Please respect copyright.PENANAZvLbUhjzwe
The screaming caught so much attention that many other trainees walked out of their studios and came over to meet us.968Please respect copyright.PENANA4Zih8AF2qX
968Please respect copyright.PENANAnaY8zyKJoR
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?968Please respect copyright.PENANAzlQMi6V5kf
968Please respect copyright.PENANAdy6lrIFSQk
"These guys are well-disciplined," I heard Lee whisper to Collins behind me.968Please respect copyright.PENANABIOMfS98W2
968Please respect copyright.PENANAKc7szqfnH6
"Sorry for the inconvenience," said Yang Hyun-suk as he turned to address us. "They could be a little out of control sometimes."968Please respect copyright.PENANAvDPHoD6FA6
968Please respect copyright.PENANARqcufKBBuZ
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANAeSVrFyZve2
968Please respect copyright.PENANAVfUyXa9lG8
"Hey!" The five of us all looked at him with annoyed looks on our faces.968Please respect copyright.PENANAJKItI04TyX
968Please respect copyright.PENANAjg9U7P3MIo
Yang Hyun-suk laughed. Collins rolled his eyes at us. "You see what I mean? No respect for me at all."968Please respect copyright.PENANAxVnhr3pIBc
968Please respect copyright.PENANA4BVN66OOIs
"We do respect you, Collins," said Zoey with a sweet voice and a smile. "And we love you too."968Please respect copyright.PENANANCcTFv88OF
968Please respect copyright.PENANAM2KmBiMjkN
"The only person who respects me is Sam," said Collins. "The rest of you are just crazy."968Please respect copyright.PENANACApSVtAiaQ
968Please respect copyright.PENANAoyEATdkwBs
"Crazy?" Zoey's voice went a little high there. "Come on, Collins. You can at least find a better word than that."968Please respect copyright.PENANAybN8vb4xEQ
968Please respect copyright.PENANABl6GknKNla
"We do have a lot of respect for you," said Daniel. "We just trouble you because we love you."968Please respect copyright.PENANA0maxw7MHvE
968Please respect copyright.PENANAzVlqtCRmdN
"That's cute," said Yang Hyun-suk, with a smile on his face.968Please respect copyright.PENANAN0roYQCmJB
968Please respect copyright.PENANA3rWND21H0o
"Don't mind them. These little arguments happen all the time," said Lee to Yang Hyun-suk.968Please respect copyright.PENANAK0k1aEyVYS
968Please respect copyright.PENANAt0pWJ01t06
"Yep, all the time," I said with a nod.968Please respect copyright.PENANATO2o2ttW2i
968Please respect copyright.PENANA3l9RJPLp1B
Daniel looked down the hall and said, "Hey, look, here comes Taeyang."968Please respect copyright.PENANAKtIUuucfqW
968Please respect copyright.PENANAB0ukwcJdOP
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAoA01rQ8082
968Please respect copyright.PENANAPCPMyuurj4
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?968Please respect copyright.PENANAt0j7W1DOnx
968Please respect copyright.PENANAM44xRKhVzt
"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!"968Please respect copyright.PENANATwrXwL7rOU
968Please respect copyright.PENANAoNsI8oWg7w
"I know, right?" Christine whispered back. "Not only is he hot, he is so cute."968Please respect copyright.PENANAzGUsuNSiYF
968Please respect copyright.PENANASSlSpTY5vf
"I was wondering what the racket was all about," said Taeyang when he finally got close. "The Toxins are in the building."968Please respect copyright.PENANABcMv7u5eou
968Please respect copyright.PENANA1M4bFj12xq
"Yeah," said Zoey, giving Taeyang a weird giggle. I looked at her and raised my eyebrow. Zoey noticed and lowered her head.968Please respect copyright.PENANA8mj4XCRzEO
968Please respect copyright.PENANAjqsPFmicI1
"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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAqYcbGeaJ1y
968Please respect copyright.PENANA422qGutCEs
"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?"968Please respect copyright.PENANAS40A0XuKP2
968Please respect copyright.PENANAEXhmBShtBn
"Um... yeah, I did, thanks," I said with a smile, trying to hide my blushing cheeks.968Please respect copyright.PENANAQAX4m3GxVq
968Please respect copyright.PENANAcefp29eZ7d
"I'm coordinating dance practise with some trainees," said Taeyang. "Would you mind joining us? They would be thrilled to have you."968Please respect copyright.PENANALezuiHTEJL
968Please respect copyright.PENANAZdwvXFYf27
"I wouldn't mind, right guys?" I asked the others.968Please respect copyright.PENANAzmszVCBKqZ
968Please respect copyright.PENANAwo6QL6nVIY
"Sure," they responded.968Please respect copyright.PENANA2P4acTYa4s
968Please respect copyright.PENANATKQC8Gffn9
"And if it's okay with Collins and Yang Hyun-suk," I said as I looked over at both managers, waiting for their response.968Please respect copyright.PENANALhjXy2MCjR
968Please respect copyright.PENANA2oKge1fEyk
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."968Please respect copyright.PENANAzisbCwVv7N
968Please respect copyright.PENANAuyXXsZiDEJ
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAls646jj02e
968Please respect copyright.PENANAjA4p0FxhLc
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAuNqLJLTrKe
968Please respect copyright.PENANA4lymBdUZLh
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANAAWrZbHalTX
968Please respect copyright.PENANAimMbzNYJFN
"You're on," Taeyang said with a smirk.968Please respect copyright.PENANAYCfuAdgSCS
968Please respect copyright.PENANAfKwwqW0Zi4
"This will not end well," said Christine, shaking her head.968Please respect copyright.PENANAsfn3jtuv0n
968Please respect copyright.PENANAyXgArQJCB1
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAqh6ZPzl0d8
968Please respect copyright.PENANAvIfqIvboPC
"Sorry, you had to go through that with our manager," said Taeyang as I walked beside him. "He could be a little difficult sometimes."968Please respect copyright.PENANAka6baD1Oe8
968Please respect copyright.PENANAmifWG2e5hw
"Yeah, I figured," I said, trying to put up a smile.968Please respect copyright.PENANAdNAUksZZMI
968Please respect copyright.PENANAJg6afB0smU
"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?"968Please respect copyright.PENANAkfjJqgmFHj
968Please respect copyright.PENANA8dM06ZcGuK
"Let's not talk about that," said Taeyang. "The walls have ears, you know?"968Please respect copyright.PENANA8o1R7GEQxN
968Please respect copyright.PENANA14K8fexzsQ
"Great," said Daniel. "It's like we just found ourselves under the radar of Big Brother."968Please respect copyright.PENANAAUir14NMS1
968Please respect copyright.PENANAUuWP6kWe8b
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it," said Taeyang.968Please respect copyright.PENANAc88lA0OFDG
968Please respect copyright.PENANAQeHCfKFxKp
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAaYL0uyu2WO
968Please respect copyright.PENANAHL3KNJGeng
"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?"968Please respect copyright.PENANAjJaD1AgBMA
968Please respect copyright.PENANAaGUPgx9yvq
The trainees responded in agreement with such enthusiasm.968Please respect copyright.PENANAhvKQqYIQLK
968Please respect copyright.PENANA2aAvA94UYo
"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.968Please respect copyright.PENANANuuFc5SaTv
968Please respect copyright.PENANAmLGjZfQzpt
"So, Sam, would you and your team kindly do the honours of taking the dance floor first?" Taeyang asked.968Please respect copyright.PENANAs9JJTNZhFy
968Please respect copyright.PENANAXX5Yr7fK8N
"With pleasure," I answered.968Please respect copyright.PENANA2YzPRzCy4w
968Please respect copyright.PENANAXlYh5J7U53
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAd1VqNYmgQL
968Please respect copyright.PENANAZDwcC6Tjfl
"Oh, thank you, thank you," said Zoey as she did a curtsy. "You're too kind."968Please respect copyright.PENANAYwySF4byqh
968Please respect copyright.PENANAXToU69iusL
"You guys are awesome," said Taeyang as he walked up to me.968Please respect copyright.PENANAOuHZ76VW6r
968Please respect copyright.PENANAKFlrYQwdCO
"Thanks," I said in between breaths.968Please respect copyright.PENANAA3XDHDEf1I
968Please respect copyright.PENANAgag8I60AYL
Mike walked up to us and challenged Taeyang. "Come on, Taeyang. Let's go one-on-one. You and me."968Please respect copyright.PENANA6e0XRPEVKi
968Please respect copyright.PENANARdT9h5bBaS
Taeyang smiled and nodded his head. "Sure. Let's see who is a better dancer and put this behind us once and for all."968Please respect copyright.PENANALw3U1pXep9
968Please respect copyright.PENANAEfNHqYmEI8
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANAVFyVdY4RRf
968Please respect copyright.PENANA1jGu5AIBGy
"Don't worry, sis," said Mike. "You know I'm a good dancer. I can handle him."968Please respect copyright.PENANAuD1aH7lWXu
968Please respect copyright.PENANAGF5tbETsRV
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANA9X80aTi8FJ
968Please respect copyright.PENANAv8Vuhw9KyQ
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANA7VARLwRAjm
968Please respect copyright.PENANASp2ZlumMGs
The trainees cheered for Taeyang while he and Mike gave each other a casual handshake.968Please respect copyright.PENANAcJkHXmx7G7
968Please respect copyright.PENANAjwb7wzuNuP
"I'm still going to get you for this, Tae," said Mike.968Please respect copyright.PENANAQQM0MKkC6h
968Please respect copyright.PENANAJ79l08LidK
"Anytime, Mike," said Taeyang with a smile.968Please respect copyright.PENANAHeydgNu9ew
968Please respect copyright.PENANAOv1I75YkQH
"I told you going up against him was a bad idea," I said as I walked up to them.968Please respect copyright.PENANA2KW8YBdPtd
968Please respect copyright.PENANAHXAsrrCZmR
"I know, I know," said Mike as he rolled his eyes. "I'll try listening to you in the future."968Please respect copyright.PENANAK7hxmwqZGq
968Please respect copyright.PENANAcoNQ61A84D
"You never do," I said as I raised my eyebrow at him, shaking my head.968Please respect copyright.PENANA1VAoETPcJ3
968Please respect copyright.PENANAySk4dDkRcs
"Never mind. I'll leave you two." Mike left us and joined the trainees and the other Toxins as they gathered around.968Please respect copyright.PENANAL0FRMr2jQr
968Please respect copyright.PENANAOF6kpt7TLZ
"So, how did I do?" Taeyang asked when Mike was out of earshot.968Please respect copyright.PENANA4KcyoWUy01
968Please respect copyright.PENANAzauDJFNckY
"You don't have to ask," I said. "You already know how much of a great dancer you are."968Please respect copyright.PENANAmS4V5e28xU
968Please respect copyright.PENANAhY0g6ZqOOK
"Just hearing that will do," Taeyang told me with an eye roll. My heartbeat quickened.968Please respect copyright.PENANArzAOVhykOx
968Please respect copyright.PENANABjjnLCsq3Z
"You're awesome. You look like a natural when you dance."968Please respect copyright.PENANA7ADu8BVL2l
968Please respect copyright.PENANA1Bm5UfOzGA
"Thanks. You also dance well. It looks like we were both born for this."968Please respect copyright.PENANAlSi4t1ig7v
968Please respect copyright.PENANANFootuiJ4J
"Yeah, we were."968Please respect copyright.PENANALoBGYWGyO1
968Please respect copyright.PENANACAT5apaibu
"We should dance together sometime. What do you think?"968Please respect copyright.PENANAaiWdemOfD0
968Please respect copyright.PENANAYD95luqyhT
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAG04UVzp1O9
968Please respect copyright.PENANAHyhBIDRfzC
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAF76iozlMoC
968Please respect copyright.PENANADHHxFkfuUX
"Seungri, what's wrong with you?" I asked after he stopped spinning me around. I couldn't keep myself from laughing.968Please respect copyright.PENANAP8ie5yH9Mm
968Please respect copyright.PENANAqDR9N4Hzxg
"I heard that you made it to the front cover of Elle magazine," said Seungri. "Congratulations, my panda."968Please respect copyright.PENANAgnrBXS2XlF
968Please respect copyright.PENANAK9VI5mpEYd
"Aww, thanks, Seungri," I said. "I wasn't expecting this from you."968Please respect copyright.PENANA2WQPP1fUUs
968Please respect copyright.PENANAeG22O3yRLE
"You deserve it, my cutie," he said with a wide smile.968Please respect copyright.PENANAMjKri2umbw
968Please respect copyright.PENANANQuPf9KbvZ
"Congratulations, Sam," said T.O.P. as he approached us. "Just like Seungri said, you truly deserve it."968Please respect copyright.PENANAypbW3TwYhG
968Please respect copyright.PENANA8mbZjOjcc0
"Thanks, T.O.P." I said with a smile.968Please respect copyright.PENANAnDGUA74fcE
968Please respect copyright.PENANAILlHMA1fCD
"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?"968Please respect copyright.PENANAXc7zA0nAuC
968Please respect copyright.PENANACebvDVciWe
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANASwkSmfrIzx
968Please respect copyright.PENANArmJ0RsCdqc
"What about a party?" Zoey suggested it, completely ignoring me. "Come on, it will be fun!"968Please respect copyright.PENANAmnHM5zlJkb
968Please respect copyright.PENANAn0LGbB7Cyr
"I agree with Zoey," said Seungri. "We need to celebrate."968Please respect copyright.PENANAR44OZgHLHq
968Please respect copyright.PENANApzXV173k34
"I don't think it's a good idea," I said. "Don't you think we can just go out and have lunch instead?"968Please respect copyright.PENANAzdsifKQFWq
968Please respect copyright.PENANA99ceyTNNfE
"Bo-ring!" Zoey said it in a loud sing-song voice. "You're so not fun nowadays, Sam. A party will be awesome!"968Please respect copyright.PENANAmBb0rwejI3
968Please respect copyright.PENANAaCGfWjmnNN
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANA5XmPZFnDtj
968Please respect copyright.PENANA5t5m5yTQ2s
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANA4m4164m5k3
968Please respect copyright.PENANAH8y7kMoGRB
"Ah, I forgot we've got these 'Netizens' around," said Zoey, putting a lot of emphasis on the word 'Netizens.'968Please respect copyright.PENANA6qYhKBikN9
968Please respect copyright.PENANAbFH2UbrhxS
"I'm going with Sam on this one," said Christine. "Besides Yang Hyun-suk, don't forget there's Collins too."968Please respect copyright.PENANANeX2EQU5pb
968Please respect copyright.PENANAwBbxcW6vra
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANAnoQM1g4ugk
968Please respect copyright.PENANAjkHbSfvVlt
"I promise," I assured Zoey with my hand on my chest.968Please respect copyright.PENANAFgG7TtoUJR
968Please respect copyright.PENANAmbvOncNwRx
"Alright, that's settled then," said Taeyang. "I'll go get ready and tell our managers that we'll be leaving for lunch."968Please respect copyright.PENANAioo7RXVHdK
968Please respect copyright.PENANAYLPT6Jq525
"Okay, thanks," I said.968Please respect copyright.PENANAJrZFPzJoCa
968Please respect copyright.PENANA9Bj7eenXKu
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANAtcuJGWUsaj
968Please respect copyright.PENANAJzz2DRUN2W
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANADuwDDQdeH2
968Please respect copyright.PENANAz8m7vAulqM
We left the YG premises and went to a famous pizza parlour. Daesung met us at there. Afterwards, we went out to have fun.968Please respect copyright.PENANA2erwdxTFrE
968Please respect copyright.PENANAaXhJ0jjvGe
***968Please respect copyright.PENANAlfaJZiEBFd
968Please respect copyright.PENANAxbQDASgA47
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANA2emeDzSb0j
968Please respect copyright.PENANAADlXBYWAoL
"Hey guys," said Collins. "How was your day?"968Please respect copyright.PENANAAHTQvST5gT
968Please respect copyright.PENANAOxhIIU6dYN
"It was awesome!" said Zoey with a smile on her face. "After lunch, we went around the city."968Please respect copyright.PENANA658t3UkFry
968Please respect copyright.PENANAbT6K79XPtC
"Don't tell me you were stuck with Yang Hyun-suk the whole day yourselves," I said.968Please respect copyright.PENANAavFMY82iPX
968Please respect copyright.PENANAKKhbuG5jle
"Yeah, about that...," started Lee as she bit her lower lip.968Please respect copyright.PENANASxyxsiWaoA
968Please respect copyright.PENANAamatZHLahp
"What's wrong? When you do that, then something's up," said Daniel.968Please respect copyright.PENANAnddcDCO7YZ
968Please respect copyright.PENANAeMMyM6zdFt
"Let's sit in the lounge, please," said Collins.968Please respect copyright.PENANAbj9yKO3coK
968Please respect copyright.PENANAuBlYthdiQo
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANA5UhPMxEnIS
968Please respect copyright.PENANA0gu8d26DNn
"What's wrong, Collins?" I asked.968Please respect copyright.PENANA6MssxDr5V7
968Please respect copyright.PENANAfiuW0mIfbt
"I'm sorry to spoil your evening with what I'm about to tell you," said Collins, "but this is important."968Please respect copyright.PENANAYM3SZptk2x
968Please respect copyright.PENANAEBCiq28caR
"Oh, boy," muttered Zoey.968Please respect copyright.PENANAm1Gl6FG6qc
968Please respect copyright.PENANAKyPS7xRoe5
"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."968Please respect copyright.PENANAQ3uRqZyy0J
968Please respect copyright.PENANATWlEZNuXg5
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.968Please respect copyright.PENANA6VkefoCJhM
968Please respect copyright.PENANA9DKTKBGHiL
"What do we have to do now, Collins?" I asked with my eyes closed, expecting the worst.