010
The whole gang are now gathered in the living room. Discussing about the current problem at hand.
Harry
Those people just won't stop.
Jae
What's more important is how do we deal with it?
Theo
I'm kind of with Jim on this one. Either way, I think our fans are stable now. We've been with them for eight years now.
Ren
If you think about it, it does make sense. I mean, isn't it about time?
Jen
Wait! You guys aren't planning on openly dating right
Jen
Do you plan on betraying your fans?
Arcana boys fell silent which annoyed Lea.
Lea
Would you mind answering some questions from a commoner?
Theo
Of course not. Your opinion matters to me.
Lea
Thanks Theo. Well, what I wanted to ask was what are you even afraid of?
Harry
That we won't make our fans happy with our decisions?
Lea
So you're happy as long as they're happy?
Lea
Then why're you in a relationship?
Theo
Because we want to be loved?
Lea
But fans love you enough.
Lea
That should be enough to make you happy according to your words.
Lea
Well you said revealing your relationship would mean betraying your fans. So why are you engaging in personal relationships? You should just stay single.
Jim smirked as he saw Jen and Mia fell silent.
Lea
So why don't you break up now if you don't have the resolve to stick with each other if all goes down hill from here.
Mia
That's easy for you to say.
Lea
It is easy. Only you guys make it complicated.
Mia
You guys are being reckless! What about those who make a living with your employment?
Lea
What? Arcana boys don't have savings and other side lines? K entertainment doesn't have enough artists?
Ren
We do. We're not just dumb chunk of handsome and coolness.
Jae
We're cool inside out.
Theo
Yes! We have different businesses that we invested on cause we know our jobs aren't that permanent.
Lea
Just like we commoners find another jobs when we get fired, people in your industry will do the same.
Jen
But its not easy to start again. Not all people have mental strength just like you.
Zeke
Jim, what's your final decision?
Jim
Do you hate it that much?
Jim
Do you hate being branded as my girlfriend?
Mia
That's not why I'm not in favor.
Jim
Then why the hell are you against it so much?!!
Jim's voiced echoed inside the hall. Lea and Arcana expected his outburst but Jen and Mia trembled as they saw Jim's anger.
Jim
You always assume that I'd put my career over you! You always do that! I endured this kind of predicament for years, and now you want me to deny it again?!
Mia
Please listen to reason!
Jim
Either you agree to me admiting our relationship or we end us right now!
Jen was about to interfere but Harry stopped her.
Mia's tears pooled and streamed down her face. She wasn't able to come up with an answer.
Jim
Fine. Let's break up. I'm tired with you anyway. Zeke, please make sure the evidence is destroyed. I don't want to be entangled with someone who's too coward to date me.
The decision was too sudden that everyone wasn't able to react.
Jim walked out and went to his room.
Ren
We'll talk to him. You girls stay here.
The boys left and the silence between the girls are deafening.
Jen
Don't you think the break up was too much and too sudden?
Lea
I expected it actually.
Lea
Don't lash your anger on me woman.
Lea
You made this all by yourself.
Mia
You shouldn't have said anything! You should've just kept quiet.
Jen
Lea, don't rub salt on her wounds anymore.
Lea
Okay.. Sure. I won't apologize but get your act together if you still want to save your friendship.
Lea
You may not be his girlfriend anymore, but at least try to save your friendship. Though I wouldn't know if he even wants your crappy friendship.
Lea
The feeling's mutual bitch.
Jen
Oh. You two are so adorable.
Jen
Let's just get our massage and calm down.
The ladies went to get their massage and the boys soon followed.
Though Jim was acting normal, Mia can't get her act together.
The thought of their break up still hasn't sunk in and still acts a little too close.
The rest are silent observers but deep down they knew, Jim was serious.
Lea got out of the sauna first and found Jim sitting in a corner.
As soon as he saw Lea, he signed and called her over.
Lea
He calls me like I'm his puppy or something.
But as Lea complained, she went over to him.
Jim
Mind if we hang out a little?
Lea
Not really. What's up?
Jim took a can of lemon ginger juice and gave it to her.
Jim
I just feel calm when I look at you.
Lea
That doesn't make me happy in the least.
Jim
Hahaha. Looking at you makes me believe that there's someone out there who's willing to love me for me.
Lea
Okay.. Back up a little. Are we doing this kind of talk?
Jim
Yeah. The boys aren't really helpful so I think you're a better choice.
Lea
Okay. But don't expect too much.
Jim
Well, you being here is sort of enough.
Lea
So, are you really breaking up?
Jim
I know for sure now, that staying with her will only make me unhappy.
Lea
Just to be clear, I didn't promote the break up because I want you to break up.
Jim
I know. You wanted to push her right? To say what she really wants.
Lea
...you're surprisingly perceptive.
Jim
Its cause I know her longer than you.
Lea
Well, in the end, she just kept quiet.
Jim
Yeah. That was the last straw for me.
Jim
I'm done waiting for her to fight for me. I followed everything she wanted.
Lea
Maybe she doesn't really want what she said. Maybe-
Jim
Maybe she said it just because its logical?
Jim
How was I suppose to know that?
Jim
Why do women always assume that men will always read between the lines for them?
Jim
Is it too hard to say what you really want?
Lea
Women are complicated, yes. Emotional, yes. But we're not dumb. Of course, overthinking is a second nature to most of the women out there.
Jim
You really are unique.
Lea
How should I take that?
Jim
Its a compliment. You look like you know what you want.
Jim
No wonder Zeke fell for you.
Lea
This isn't about me and Zeke. This talk is about you.
Lea
So how do you intend to move forward?
Jim
I will still be an idol until I've had enough. Our businesses are booming so there will always be a back up plan if the industry decided to spit me out.
Lea
So you're okay now if one day the limelight won't shine on you anymore?
Jim
Yeah. At first, thinking about not being popular anymore worries us. Not just me, but all of us.
Jim
This may be funny, but things started when we first visited your cafe.
Jim
You never talked to us so you never heard us, but there was this one moment when we were all studying you.
Jim
We actually asked Brent about you.
Jim
He just said that you were a part time barista and a student during the morning.
Lea
So how did that even got you into thinking that it'd be okay to not be in the spotlight anymore?
Jim
Zeke went philosophical that day actually. But then, he concluded that we still have a future ahead of us even if we stop being an idol.
Jim
Cause someone as beautiful as you can survive this harsh world with just a part-time. How much more if we, who're earning a lot more than you, just work regularly.
Lea
💢Somehow, that's pissing me off.
Jim
Sorry we used you as reference, but I'm glad we met you.
Jim
If Zeke hasn't acted as fast, one of us would've pursued you. Except Theo. He doesn't actually like you in that sense.
Jim
You know its weird that he clings to you but then don't look at you romantically.
Lea
Well not all men are attracted to me. As you said, I'm unique. Maybe he doesn't like unique.
Jim stared at Lea appreciatively.
Jim
If I were Zeke, I'd worry every time. Who knows how many men circles around you in a daily basis.
Lea
Zero cause no one dares. I have a resting bitch face when I'm not around Zeke.
Jim
Hahaha. Around Zeke huh. Can I rest my head on your lap?
Jim
Then lend me your shoulders. I feel lonely for some reason.
He didn't wait for her answer and lay his head on her shoulder.
It was only then that Lea felt warm droplets of tears on her skin.
She then gave him a head pat with her free hand.
Jim
If you get tired of Zeke, I'd be more than happy to marry you. Just say the word.
Lea
Tough luck. I don't really like players.
Jim
I could change your mind.
Lea
Say one more, and I'll whack your head out of the cloud.
Jim chuckled and stayed silent for the rest of their conversation.
Zeke, who was silently observing from a distance, grinds his teeth in jealousy.
Zeke
That punk better not feel her up. I can only allow that much.
Jae
Well, seems like she calmed him down.
Harry
Well, she was the only one who understood what he really wanted.
Ren
I actually feel a little lonely too. Maybe she can cheer me up next.
Zeke
💢 Not funny coming from you Man.
Ren
Hahaha. Fine. I won't joke about it anymore.
Zeke
Doesn't sound convicing.
Theo
Why can't we all have someone like Lea?
Jae
Cause she's a rare case?
Zeke
Of course she's one of a kind.
Theo
But she's not that attractive though.
Harry
I'm beginning to doubt your taste in women Theo.
Theo
She's just not my type! I only see her as a sister or a friend.
Jae
Who would you prefer then?
Theo
Someone that looks like Angela, but is as delicate like a flower.
Jae
Angela? The one who had her chest improved?
Theo
She said hers weren't perfect so she wanted to make it perfect.
Ren
Well, you really are my disciple Theo. Those two wonderful lumps of fat are truly amazing right?
Theo
You can say that again.
Zeke
You boys are really dogs in heat.
A little while later, Jim and Lea approached their table and ate some finger foods.
Mia tries her best not to act awkward but Jim wanted to establish the distance so things got too awkward that they decided to call it an early night.
Comments