Picture Perfect – Chapter 3: Text Me

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After shooting was over that day, Tae approached Jinie.

“May I see the photos?” he asked.

“Oh, of course!” she paused. “I’m not going to get in trouble for showing you, am I?”

He chuckled. “No, ma’am.”

“All right,” she waved him over to sit down next to her.

“You know, we haven’t ever done all four album shoots at once before. Usually, we’ll take separate days to do each one.  When I found out we were going to do all of them at once, I was surprised.”

Jinie glanced up at him, not quite sure what to say. “Oh, really?” Her headache had started to come back by now.  On top of that, she’d also left her ibuprofen at the hotel by accident.

“Yeah, I wondered how we’d be able to get it all done, but your team seems to be on top of it.” he paused for a moment as he watched her wince. “Are you ok?”

She looked up at him, the sudden movement causing her head to vibrate with pain.  She squeezed her eyes shut and gasped, her hand flying to her forehead. “I-I’m all right…it’s just a headache.”

“Oh…would you like to take something?  I’m sure the medical team has some sort of medicine you can take.”

“Um…”  She nodded, causing her head to ache again. “Yeah…that sounds good.  Thank you.”

“I’ll be right back.” Tae patted her on the shoulder and stood up to go find her some medicine.

She leaned back in her chair after he’d gone.  She was thoroughly embarrassed now.  Why, of all days, did she have to have this headache today?  It had definitely become a migraine by now.  She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping the lack of light would help ease the pain a bit.  By the time she opened them again, Tae was already back.  He was standing over her, a look of concern on his face.

“I brought the pills,” he said softly.

She gratefully took them and the cup of water he’d brought.  Once she’d taken the pills and drunk the water, he spoke up again.

“Maybe you should go back to your hotel.  You look like you need rest.”

She sighed audibly before rubbing her temples. “I should finish sorting these pictures first.” She looked up at Tae again, and was surprised to find a stern expression on his face.

“You don’t look well.  You should go back to your hotel and rest, and tomorrow you can come work again.  I’m sure your boss would say the same.”

Jinie stared up at him for a moment before her eyes started to well up with tears.  She sighed and buried her face in her hands.  Tae patted her shoulder gently.

“Hey…don’t cry, please.  Everyone has their off days.  It’ll be ok.”

It was a few moments before Jinie looked back up at him.

“I’m sorry about this.  You’re right, I should just go back to the hotel.” She wiped her eyes and saved her work before packing up her things to leave.

“Hey,” Tae laid his hand on her shoulder.

She looked up at him, surprised by his action.

“Can we trade phone numbers?  I just…want to know you’re ok.”

Jinie stared up at him, dumbfounded.  He wanted her phone number?

He held her eye contact for a few seconds before pulling out his phone and handing it to her.

“Here.  Just put your number in my phone, and I’ll text you so you have mine.”

She reached out hesitantly and took his phone from him before typing her number in.  Then she handed it back to him.

“Do you have someone to drive you?”

She nodded. “My friend can take me.”

“Ok, good.  Text me…when you’re back at your hotel.  So I know you’re ok.”

 

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