Once Upon A Star: Chapter 5

In a blink, Shirley had been in Star Entertainment for a year. Training was going smoothly for her and she had become best friends with Hung Man.

"Okay, class. Thank you everyone!" Ginny said as the class ended.

"Shirley! Could you stay here for awhile?" Ginny called her as she packed her bag.

"Yes?" Shirley approached her, wondering what was going on.

"We have a meeting in five minutes. Go tidy yourself a bit." Ginny said and shoved her into the toilet.

After that, Ginny led Shirley to the 5th floor and to a door with a sign written "Meeting Room 7".

They went in and Shirley saw around 12 people in the room, gathered together and discussing.

"Sorry we're late. Shall we proceed?" Ginny said and showed Shirley to a seat.

"Do you know why you are here, Shirley?" Someone from the group asked.

"I really have no idea... am... am I in trouble?" Shirley trembled.

"You're not in trouble. You're not going to be training anymore. You're going to shine. You're going to debut." The voice turned out to be CEO Min Thing's.

Shirley was too shocked to say anything.

"...really? Thank... thank you." She could only stutter.

"Well, I'll introduce to you our team of specialists. The one there is Kira, she'll be helping you with the recordings. Did I mention that she's the one writing your songs? And next to her is choreographer, Jayme. You already know Ginny, she'll be going through with your overall performance and album cover design. We're missing someone, rite?"

"She had another meeting. She'll be arriving soon." Ginny said while checking her phone.

"Knock knock!" The door opened to reveal Hung Man. She bowed and apologized. "Mianhe, Min Thing-shi."

"No worries! Come join us." CEO Min Thing said and Hung Man went to an empty seat.

"Well, Shirley, Hung Man here is a part time composer. She's doing your songs along with Kira." Min Thing explained as Shirley felt so excited that her best friend is here.

"I forgot to tell you too. I'll be your manager, for the time being. It happens that Jungmo is involved in a project overseas. He'll be back in a few days time." CEO Min Thing was beaming.

"Well, Shirley, your schedule is going to start tomorrow." Kira said and passed Shirley her schedule.

"Meet me at Studio 3 tomorrow morning. Sleep early and make sure your voice is at it's best for tomorrow." Kira handed Shirley a few sheets of paper and the brief meeting ended.

When Shirley came out of the Meeting room. All she could think was is she still in a big crazy dream.

She started walking towards her dorm but still haven't digest the fact that she is debuting soon.

"Omo! Omo! Am I really...?" All her hard work had been paid of and she started to tear up in the middle of her walk.

She sniffed herself and still tears flowing out.

"Hey! Chukhahaeyo, dear!" Hung Man came and hug her.

"Thank you," and both of them shared a long hug.

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Shirley's debut was a success. Her album had been dominating the music charts. She received praises from the professionals, saying that she is the new generation of artist. She also had an official fan club within a week of her debut.

6 June 2011 was Star Entertainment's 10th Anniversary Function.

Shirley was getting ready in her room. She was wearing a silver cocktail dress. It was pretty and elegant.

"Omo! You're so gorgeous!" Chaerin and Ariel gasped at the doorway. Chaerin was in a soft yellow dress while Ariel was in a sea green one.

Shirley thanked them for the compliment.

"You gals really don't mind barging into other people's room, huh?" Hung Man came out in a purple dress, tying her hair.

"Whoa... Stunning..." The three girls sighed at her beauty.

"Come on, we're going to be late. Are you done with your makeup?" Hung Man asked Shirley.

Shirley put on a little lipstick and the four left the dorms.

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At the air-conditioned hall... ...

"So many people!!" Chaerin exclaimed. There were about maybe... a thousand people? CEOs from different companies, directors, tycoons, artists...

"There's Jungmo-sshi." Ariel pointed to a tall guy a few feet away from them.

"Good evening girls. I was talking to Shuyuan. Come, I'll introduce you to her." Jungmo said and led Shirley to meet Shuyuan as Chaerin and Ariel spotted Shinee members while Hung Man was not in sight anymore.

At Chaerin's side...

"Omo! Chaerin look whose here too?!" Ariel hit Chaerin's arm with hers.

Chaeri's eyes went wide when Minho's eyes meets hers and he gave a neck bow to her.

"Ooo.." Ariel made a 'ooo' sound to tease Chaerin.

"Aish! Come on, let's go find Hung Man," Chaerin pulled her away while looking eyeing Minho from the side.

At Shirley's side...

"Shirley, let me introduce to you, Shuyuan."

"Hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Shirley." Shirley made her introduction.

"Nice to meet you too. I'm Shuyuan. I'm an emcee. I've seen your performance from yesterday. And I must say, you are an amazing singer! I hope I have a chance to work with you." Shuyuan's praise made Shirley blushed.

The three had a long conversation. After awhile, Shirley excused herself and went to get a drink.

"Good evening everyone..." It was Min Thing on stage. She gave a short speech about the company's history, it's latest projects, expanding to other countries, it's future...

"...you enjoy yourselves tonight. Thank you." With that, the speech ended.

"Everyone, get a partner! On the dance floor now~" Someone called out as the music started.

"Hi, do you mind dancing with me," Someone called Chaerin when she was sitting with Ariel. When she turn around to see it was Minho. She blush but agreed and stood up.

"Er...hi, wanna dance?" Taemin tapped Ariel's shoulder lightly but gave her goosebumps.

"Oh, sure," And she made her way.

Shirley stood there, looking at the people, going to the dance floor with their partners. Min Thing was with her boyfriend. Shuyuan was dancing with Nickhun from 2PM. Kira was with Yonghwa from CNBLUE. Ginny was dancing with Key, one of Shinee's members. Chaerin was with Ariel. Hung Man was sitting at a corner, talking to someone. Shirley found Hyunjoong in the crowd, dancing with Iries, the actress he was filming with since a few months ago.

Out of nowhere, someone tapped Shirley's shoulder.

"Would you like to have a dance with me?" He was dressed in a dark blue suit.

Shirley nodded and let the guy lead.

"I'm Jonghyun." The guy introduced himself.

"I'm Shirley. Nice to meet you Jonghyun." They chatted a little.

After a twirl, the dancers changed partners. Chaerin was now with Minho, Ginny was with Nckhun, Ariel was with Taemin, Iries was with Jungmo. Unexpectedly, Hung Man was also in the dance floor.

A mysterious hand gently led Shirley and she followed. As they continued with the flow of the music, Shirley looked up... to see Hyunjoong looking into her eyes.

"Hello... We meet again." Hyunjoong smiled warmly, making Shirley blushed.

"Hmm?" Shirley couldn't utter a word.

He chuckled, "Last time at the studio..."

"O... o..." Shirley wondered... he remembered?... and forgot to dance. She accidentally stepped on Hyunjoong.

"I'm so sorry! I'm sorry... Are you okay?" Shirley got nervous.

"Never mind. I'm okay. Shall we continue?" Hyunjoong still had that smile on him.

Shirley nodded and they danced till the music ended.

As Shirley was drinking her glass of orange juice, Hyunjoong was beside her.

"You wanna get out of here?" Hyunjoong suddenly asked.

"Eh? Out of here?" Shirley asked.

"Yes. I kinda miss the food outside the company.... Would you like to join me?... I mean it's okay if you want to stay here..."

"Okay. I'll go with you." Shirley accepted his invitation.

They left the hall to change into casual clothes and then they met at the front of the company.

They decided to walk there since there will be lots of traffic at the night market. There were so many stalls on both sides of the long road. There were food, toys, clothes, shoes, lighting decorations, fortune tellers, candies...

"Let's try that one!" Hyunjoong pointed to a stall selling bibimbap.

"Okay!" The two rant towards the stall, holding each other's hand. They were not afraid of people recognizing as they were wearing beanie or scarf to disguise themselves. Besides, it's the night market, people are concentrating on what's on sale.

"Here, have this," Hyunjoong bought a Korean market dishes. He took it in his hands and showed in front of her mouth.

For a moment she just stared at him and then she took the bite.

She felt a little awkward but he was doing fine.

"Thank you. It's so tasty!" Shirley exclaimed as Hyunjoong fed her another small piece.

They slowly walked through the night market, buying a little Korean cuisines on the way. As they approached a shop selling accessories, Hyunjoong bought a necklace for Shirley. It has a star on it, sparkling and dazzling.

"Oh, whom is that for?" She asked. She was admiring the beautiful necklace in his hand.

"For you,"

"Eh? Me?" She laughed.

"Here," He gave it to her.

She took it and slowly realizing what he was doing and said, "Tha-thanks..."

He smiled and held her hands to walk.

"Kim Hyunjoong oppa?" A few teenage girls asked.

"Huh? People say I really look like him too. But I'm not him..."

"I told you, it couldn't be him..." The girls talked to each other.

"Honey! Come here and see if you like this dress." The girls' mother called and they left the couple.

"That was close." Hyunjoong said as they were a few stalls away now.

Suddenly, Shirley's phone rang and she answered it.

"Shirley, where are you? Well, never mind about that... At least you're safe. I called to inform you that you have a show tomorrow... be ready at 7.00 am... Sleep early, okay?" It was Jungmo.

"Okay. Yes, sir... Goodnight!" Shirley said and ended the call.

"Who was it?" Hyunjoong asked.

"Jungmo-sshi, my manager. He said I have a show tomorrow." Shirley said.

Hyunjoong looked at his watch, it was already 11.00 pm.

"Turns out I also have a show tomorrow. I guess we need to get back huh?" He said, pouting a little.

"I guess." The two agreed and they walked back to the company.

At the car park... ...

"Goodnight, Shirley." Hyunjoong said as they separated their ways to their dorms.

"Goodnight, Hyunjoong." Shirley whispered.

In her room, Shirley slept in her bed with a smile on her face.

She was dreaming about Hyunjoong...

Hyunjoong was dreaming about her too...