Amber's POV

„Because I love her“

At those words his face went red as if he's about to explode, but he calmed down a little and a smile formed on his lips

„And before you say what you think, no I don't love her like a sister. I love Krystal romantically, I'm IN LOVE with her.“ I said

I don't even care anymore.

He threw the paper he held to my face „Fine! You pathetic homo. You think you have guts?! Try to say it tomorrow at the press conference. Let's see what your other members have to say to you for ruining their career“

He was beyond furious and slammed the door as he left.

Uncle Lee stayed in the room. We didn't exchange words.

„Can't I be myself? Is loving someone a sin?“ I said weakly.

He sat himself next to me and sighed.

„Amber, remember when I sent you home on NU ABO promotion?“

I nodded.

„We might came up with the excuse of your injured ankle. In my book I said you are homesick. But I knew the truth from the start, Amber. You were homesick, but not because of your family. I knew you had a girlfriend that time and your relationship was on the edge. I waited for you and gave you all the time you need because I believed in you. I don't care if you're gay, I know you belong with us, because dancing and singing is in your blood. I secretly wished for you to come back, because you are one of little who can stand up and show that it's okay to be different.“

I looked at him

„I was just like CEO Kim once, I detested homouality. But with time I realise their love for each other is just as pure as a heteroual couple. As much as I want the world to change, it's easier to look away, to go with the flow. And we are in the part of the world where even the thought of the word itself already bring so much hate. If you decided to stand up for you, Amber, be strong, be brave. Because you are going to have a very bumpy ride. I wish you luck and you know that I'm behind you even though I can't do much for you“

He patted me on the shoulder before he left.

I covered my face with my hand and tears start falling thinking about my members. How much Vic Jie sacrified to be here, to be one of the most successful foreigner in Korea. The sleepless nights she spent to learn Korean, how she silently cried in her room missing her family.

Baby Ssul and Luna have their lives in Korea.

Tears flowing on my cheek. I can't do that to them.

Krys, I'm sorry...

----------

I couldn't sleep that night. The nurse gave me pain killers before I leave, they chose the one that doesn't make me sleepy. Manager Oppa lifted me to a wheelchair. I looked at myself at the mirror and bitterly smiled. I looked pathetic. Long bandage to cover the wound on my forehead, broken lips, arm sling and wheelchair. CEO Kim is going to be proud of me.

Camera flashes blinded me

„Amber! Amber!“ the reporters were outside the hospital and forced their way towards me. I stared at the ground.

I don't need to be pitied, I don't want your pity.

They won't stop taking pictures on me. I got up, refused to be carried inside the car . The painkillers are working, my side doesn't hurt as much as it used to be.

I took a deep breath as the car stopped.

„You can do this, Amber Liu. You're doing this for everyone. Fighting!“ I said to encourage myself. I walked to the wheelchair and manager oppa pushed the chair inside the building.

„Amber, I love you. Marry me“ Girls' scream were everywhere.

„You're so brave.“

I gave them a fake smile and waved, making them screech of happiness. I saw Krystal is sitting in front, an empty space on her side. On the right corner is CEO Kim and Uncle Lee.

„Hi“ I said to her

„Hi“ she said „You okay?“

I nodded. Manager Oppa put the brake. I looked around. So many people, I could see that it's not only japanese TV covering. CEO Kim really want to sell us to gain popularity world wide.

I wasn't really listening until I felt Krystal nudged me.

„Oh, I'm sorry“

„I guess Amber still has to take a large amount of medicine so she can't concentrate“ CEO Kim said.

I bowed a little, apologizing and begged him to repeat the question. I answered it exactly how he wrote it on the piece of paper. I took a glimpse of him and he gave me an approving smile.

2^nd question, 3^rd question, 4^th question, everything as planned. I know I won the crowd's sympathy as the question about my injuries came up. Some girls shed tears at multiple broken ribs, some gasped at 20 stiches and I won the guys respect at broken collarbone.

„Last question before we end this“ CEO Kim said „Yes, Mam?“ he pointed to a woman with blue dress. She spoke in Korean.

„Thank you Mr. Kim. Amber... or should I call you Ms. Liu?“

„Amber is fine“ I smiled. Another fake smile.

„I admire you, Amber. But what I want to know is why? What does Ms. Jung or Krystal, if I may, mean to you that you are willing to protect her to that extent?“

Because I love her... I love her so much. I looked at her, she has this longing look in her eyes. Don't look at me like that, Krys.

I took a deep breath before I opened my mouth „Because I'm the last knight on earth“

Everbody laughed.

„So you're saying, you'll do it for anyone?“

No. But a „Yes“ came out of my mouth.

I stole a glance at Krystal, she was staring at the ground.

„About my question about how Krystal mean to you?“

She's my only love my brain said. „She's my member, our maknae, I had to protect her“ was my answer

I hate myself as I continued „If it were to happen to any of my member, or any of my friend, I would...“

I couldn't finish my sentence because I saw Krystal's tears were dropping on the floor.

I tried to touch her hand, but she pushed me away, got up and walked away.

„KRYS!“ I got up, ignoring the pain on my side and run after her.

CEO Kim tried to calm everyone down, but no one listened to him anymore. Everybody was staring at me, chasing after Krystal.

„Krys! Stop!“ I managed to grab her wrist. „What's wrong?“

We were standing in the middle of the room.

Vaguely I heard CEO Kim said that the meeting is over and everyone should leave, but of course no one obeyed.

Her shoulders were rocking from her sobbing.

„Krys...“ I called her name again „Talk to me“

No one dared to move or to breath until Krystal spoke out. Her voice trembled, I could feel pain in her words „I'm sorry for being a jerk, for being a fool“

„What? What do you mean?“ I tugged her hand to make her face me but she was still staring at the floor.

„I thought you care for me, Amber Liu. I thought I mean something to you“ her words are like swords to my heart.

„Please don't misunderstand“

„WHAT? What did I misunderstand? I'm your member and of course you HAD to protect me“ her tears were flowing down her cheek as her hurt eyes pierced mine.

„Krys... It's not like that. Please don't be like this“

„I thought the look you've been giving me mean something. I thought you are different“

She yanked her hand and tried to escape. I hold on tight to her wrist

„Soojung!“ I always called her real name if I want her to calm down or to listen to me. But she kept on struggling.

„Let me go!“ she screamed

„Soojung, calm down.“

„Let me go! Let me go!“ She hit my chest while sobbing and tried to yank her other hand away „Can't you hear me?! I said let me go!“

She got frustated, her screams got louder, telling me to let her go while I refused.

„LET ME GO, AMBER LIU!“

„I DON'T WANT TO!. Why are you like this?“

She looked at me in the eyes before she screamed her answer „Damn it! Can't you see? I LOVE YOU!“

---------