A/N: THOUGHTS ARE IN ITALICS. Font in purple is spoken in English. Font in bold italics is the flashback

 

Author POV

 

Sasha took in a deep breath as she strapped on the seat belts of her seat. What she is about to do is going to anger her manager but she had to do it. It’s been 10 years under his dictatorship, and enough is enough. She had to protest, and this was how she would do it.

To volunteer to perform at the VC fashion show where her friend was walking.

Yes, VOLUNTEER

Meaning, ANGRY MANAGER

 

It’s a win for sure!

 

He might have gotten her famous but she earned barely anything out of it! On top of that, he never let her out of sight, controlling everything from what she wore, ate, and where she performs and banned her from any romantic relationships.

It’s not like she wanted to date, but… at times, she just wanted to have some fun, just like any girl in her age…

 

Speaking of fun, Shim Changmin walked by her, to his seat.  Now that the devil wasn’t around, she turned to face her (secret) friend.

Yes, she kept her friendship with Changmin a secret from everyone, mainly because of her manager. Shim Changmin was known for his good looks and witty personality – something Sasha loves in a man, so her manager always ensured to “be there” each time she has a photoshoot with him, ensuring to jump in every time to speak on her behalf and ‘help out’.

To the rest, it was normal but somehow Changmin sensed the very subtle glare, shove, hand grab the manager did to Sasha.

It did not sit well with him, but he couldn’t voice anything out. Afterall it was not his place.

But he couldn’t just keep quiet… After a few discrete attempts to ask her if anything was wrong, he finally got her attention.

One conversation became a couple more, and they become friends.

“What?” He asked

“I want to riot”

“Okay, whatcha thinking?”

“Wanna date?”

“Go to hell”

She clicked her tongue and made herself comfortable on her seat.

“You know she doesn’t give a crap about you..” She couldn’t help but mutter.

Meeting his sizzling glare, she grinned victoriously.

 

But then, someone else caught her attention. Someone familiar.

Naaah. But possible…

So she decided to keep an eye on him, hoping that he would turn to confirm her suspicions.

Unfortunately, he didn’t.

 

But that feeling was eating her up, so she, once the fight landed, decided to take a closer look at him.

Was it really that guy with those ultra-cute cheeks she met in Vegas? It was the last time she was genuinely free.

He was the last guy she had some genuine fun with...

 

She always wondered what happened to him. Those few hours with him tend to keep her going as she was never able to be with any one else. Her manager stopped every possible chance to date, let alone hang out with a guy.

This was why she kept Changmin a secret from everyone for a long time. A second phone, hidden at all times.. Gosh! Her life is tragic!

 

Ah, it is the crybaby.. She couldn’t help but smirk.

Crybaby is looking good… The smirk persisted. He has lost his cute cheeks but those wide doe eyes helped her recognize him.

 

The said crybaby though spotted her looking at him. She stayed put, wanting to check if he remembers, but he didn’t.

Instead, he looked quite alarmed.

Smirking once again, she left her post and walked away… The last thing she wanted was to freak him out.

What if he still is a crybaby? She was in no mood to sing for him again…

Yet, she recollected what happened that night. The night she learned that signed her life to the devil. The last night she was truly free.

She smiled to herself remembering their fake marriage. Oh he was so angry with his mother, why on earth people crave for a grand marriage, what meaning or good that would bring to their lives for her to forget about his father and marry another.

They then saw the chapel with fake Jim Reeves and drunk babes just lining up to get ‘married’.

“Look at them, just lining up in front of that chapel..” He muttered, finishing another can of beer. “I don’t know what is so great about the bloody weddings!”

“Why don’t we go and see?”

 

She found it funny about the timing though… then and now – she