Love Bites #2 | E-Dating, Part 1

Header-Edating

Author's Note: E-dating is set in the universe of Scandalized, a few months after the events in Summer Crush, a music festival anthology set in the beaches of San Juan, La Union. 

!!!!!

Filipina Legaspi <filegaspi@amethystent.com>                                                                                Thursday, 3:00 p.m.
to Gabriel Park <gabrielpark@amethystent.com>


Hyungniiiiim!

I got the flowers you sent, thank you! They’re beautiful. I think I must’ve taken a dozen photos! ^_^;;

It’s been awfully rainy here in Tokyo the past few days, but also terribly humid. Bad combo, if you ask me. Yesterday, we all trooped to the hospital to get flu shots because the tour is starting soon and none of us can afford to get sick. The best thing about that trip though, is that I now have a video of Steven whining like a baby before getting his shots. Jinjja utkine. ^_^

So, how have you been? I heard mom sent you a care package. Again. Seriously, what kind of spell did you cast on her? She’s never sent me care packages this frequently, and I’m her daughter!

Anyway, gotta keep this short because we have to leave for rehearsal. Happy 100th day, hyungnim! Let’s celebrate when I get back!

. . . . .

Re: !!!!!

Gabriel Park <gabrielpark@amethystent.com>                                                                 Thursday, 6:50 p.m.
to Filipina Legaspi <filegaspi@amethystent.com>


You said you took pictures but never even sent a single one. Wah, what is this injustice.

Yeah, I heard about the weather in Tokyo. I was just about to remind you to get flu shots. Good thing you already did. Meanwhile, it’s hot as hell here in Seoul, so I’ve been having naengmyun and pat bingsu outings with the team for two days in a row now. Wish you were here so we could bingsu the afternoons away. Until then, I guess I’ll suffer brain freeze alone.

By the way, keep that video of Steven for future use. Then again, I guess I didn’t have to tell you that. 😛

Diana is a sweetheart. 🙂 Aside from the usual Choc-Nut and dried mangoes, she sent me biscocho, ube jam, and bottles of gourmet tuyo and crab paste. She said I should try putting crab paste in rice because it’ll taste glorious. I think she’s trying to fatten me up for the kill—what do you think? 😛 She’s going to be the reason why I’ll be spending an extra hour at the gym from now on. Just thinking about all the food she sent made me gain weight.

I’ll be staying up late finishing some documents. Let’s Skype if you’re available, okay? Happy 100th day, I love you.

. . . . .

Re: !!!!!

Filipina Legaspi <filegaspi@amethystent.com>                                                                                Friday, 7:42 a.m.
to Gabriel Park <gabrielpark@amethystent.com>


So sorry I missed you last night. I had Skype on and everything and I swear I was only asleep ten minutes but I woke up with the sun shining in my hotel room!

Anyway, I’ve attached photos of the flowers you sent, plus some other random stuff I took during yesterday’s rehearsal. Minchan’s got a stage lift this time around (I know, right?) and we all took turns riding that lift like little kids trying out the newest amusement park ride. I attached video clips of those shenanigans as well, for your amusement. Added bonus: Steven’s whining video while at the clinic getting flu shots. ^_^

Have a good day, hyungnim. 62 more days and we’re gonna be having tiny vendo cups of coffee to start the day together. I miss you. <3

P.S. Watch the crab paste intake. Too much of it can’t be good for your cholesterol levels.
P.P.S. Eat the biscocho with condensed milk. SO GOOD.

. . . . .

Chat logs

Friday, 7:54 - 8:50 a.m.

. . . . .

Re: Beauty & the Beats

Filipina Legaspi <filegaspi@amethystent.com>                                                                                Friday, 2:35 p.m.
to Yoon Woojae <yoonpd@hbc.co.kr>, Shim Kijoo <kijoo.shim@amethystent.com>, Han Jimin <jumin.han@amethystent.com>
Cc: Shin Minja <minja.shin@amethystent.com>, Gabriel Park <gabrielpark@amethystent.com>


Hello Yoon PD.

We are honored to have received an invitation from your show. We think the concept is fresh and the show an appropriate vehicle for East Genesis Project’s next ventures upon the band’s return from their Japan tour. As of now, however, we cannot give you 100% confirmation if Steven Bae will be able to join your first season. The schedule looks good, but we are also currently looking to extend the band’s tour for two more weeks, so we might be cutting it close to pilot.

We will get back to you as soon as we can.

Filipina Legaspi

. . . . .

Skype video call transcript

Friday, 8:43-10:05 p.m.

Gabriel
Hey, sweetie. Nice shirt. Still at the rehearsal venue?

Filipina
Thanks, my boyfriend gave it to me. (laughs)
Anyway, yeah. Just snuck back in here to eat some dinner while they’re still mixing audio outside.
Sup, four-eyes? Are those your new prescription glasses?

Gabriel
(laughs) Yep. Got them three days ago. Does it make me look statesmanlike?

Filipina
Nice. It makes you look like a nerd.
A hot nerd. (waggles eyebrows)

Gabriel
Stop making me blush. (pops a Choc-Nut into his mouth)

Filipina
God, Gabe… how many Choc-Nut pieces have you eaten since getting that care package?

Gabriel
I finished one pack. I’m in the middle of my second one now.
What the hell do they even put in these chocolate bars? They’re so addictive.

Filipina
(laughs) I have no idea. Don’t overdo it though... or at least drink lots of water so you don’t get sore throat. And don’t—

Gabriel
Yes, mom. (laughs, raises a mug to the camera) I don’t have water right now, but will black coffee count?

Filipina
No. And shouldn’t you be having dinner?

Gabriel
(raises a convenience store dosirak) Right here, sweetie, don’t worry. What’s yours?

Filipina
Hmmm… I have yakisoba, a cheese tart, and coffee. (raises each food item) Jal meokgessumnida!

Gabriel
Itadakimasu!

Filipina
(smacks her lips and begins to eat)

Gabriel
So… (chews his food) you’re planning to extend your tour?

Filipina
Nothing’s set in stone yet, but it looks like we’re going to have four more stops.

Gabriel
Oh, man.

Filipina
(pouts) I know, Gabe. I’m sorry.
Ticket sales are off the charts, you gotta admit we have to make the most out of it.

Gabriel
Of course, and I’m happy for you and the boys. I just really miss you already.

Filipina
Awww, me too. We can go on a date in… (checks her planner) three weeks?

Gabriel
Pentaport Rock Festival?

Filipina
Yeah. Incheon. Closer than Hokkaido.

Gabriel
Two days, right?

Filipina
Three, and then we fly to Osaka.

Gabriel
(checks his phone for the schedule) You know what—it feels like I’m dating someone I shouldn’t.

Filipina
What?

Gabriel
Like we’re sneaking around, making the most out of whatever borrowed time we have.
It’s frustrating and kinda thrilling at the same time.

Filipina
You’ve done this before, haven’t you? (raises an eyebrow)

Gabriel
I plead the fifth.

Filipina
Pretty sure that’s not valid in South Korea, Gabe.

Gabriel
It doesn’t matter. I’m booking a hotel room now.

Filipina
One bed?

Gabriel
Of course. (waggles eyebrows)

Filipina
Stop that.

Gabriel
Whaaaat.

Filipina
(snorts) Playing innocent doesn’t suit you.

Gabriel
Hey. I know my boundaries—

Filipina
I know. And thank you.

Gabriel
You’re welcome. We’re booked.
How’s your yakisoba treating you?

Filipina
Good, good. The noodles have gotten a little soggy, though.
And your dosirak?

Gabriel
Oily now, but still good. Hey, you know this new chimaek place opened up near my apartment.
Wanna try it out when you guys get back? I heard they have fried chicken with melted cheese on it.

Filipina
Oh god, that sounds glorious. I’m in!

Gabriel
We’ll put it in our now humongous list of places to go when you’re back.

Filipina
I swear… no other international tours after this one, so.

Gabriel
(smiles) And you don’t know how pleased I am to hear that.

Filipina
Oh shoot, they’re here. (shifts laptop away from the door before it opens and lets in the band)

Gabriel
Let me say hi at least!

Steven
(peeks at the side of the screen) Abeoji! (hugs the monitor)

Gabriel
Hey, Steven.

Steven
(looks at the food on Fi’s table) Dinner date, nice. You should get candles too.

Yihwan
(passes behind Fi’s seat) Hey, hyung.

Minchan
(peeks in as well) Hyung! Aren’t you coming to one of our shows?

Gabriel
Can’t, sorry. Got my hands tied for Silverazzi’s comeback, plus AmEnt’s signing a few new people in so we’re gonna have to prepare some press events for them.

Filipina
Gabe, gotta go.

Steven
Already? But we just got here! You can leave Skype on while we all have dinner… right?

Gabriel
(laughs) That’s a great idea, Steven… but I do have to go, too. I’m meeting a friend after work.

Minchan
(narrows eyes) Is this friend a woman?

Gabriel
(shakes his head) No.

Minchan
Good. (does an “I’m watching you” gesture to the screen before slinking away)

Filipina
(shakes head while chuckling) We’ll talk later, okay?

Gabriel
Of course.
Good night, guys. Don’t tire yourselves out too much.

Steven
Ne, abeoji!

Filipina
(waves to the camera) Bye, Gabe.

Steven
What, no 'I love you'?

Gabriel
(laughs) I love you, Steven.

Steven
That's more like it.

Filipina
Finish your dinner, hyungnim. I'll call you. Bye~

/ End of call /