Discarding the tissues that were drenched, not just with tears, but the emotions that poured out from her, I prepared myself for the truth. I sat her on the bed, before making myself comfortable opposite her. Her apologetic eyes full of guilt, regret as her stare pierced right through me. I was extremely annoyed at how selfish I had been, completely disregarding the fact that she probably had her own reasons. I hadn't given her any chance to redeem herself, let alone the opportunity to reason with me. I had ended up deciding to face the truth. I was sick of constantly running away, and hiding from the problems haunting me in life. Most importantly, I was disgusted by how I had broken her in every way possible. And that, was why I concluded the need to hear her out, even if it hurts.

 

"So...?" I cautiously probed.

"Sorry..."

"You probably have your own reasons."

"Remember the other day that you texted me about you wanting to come here as soon as possible? How you can't wait for everything to be over?"

"Yeah I did." I recounted as memories flashed through me.

"Well, Suho came and asked me to give him just a chance. He hadn't left me alone for weeks, asking me the same thing every day. Then, I figured that I could just agree for a while, with specific physical boundaries. I wanted to let him be for a week, then break up immediately just so he would stop harassing me. He had tried holding my hands. But... It didn't feel the same as when you did it back then. It just felt so weird, so forced. For that week, he kept trying to put his arms around me but I didn't like it so I kept him at a distance. After 3 days, I simply got tired of his attempt so I would just let him put his arms around me. That was until he tried to kiss me yesterday. He attempted it, but I avoided it at the very last moment. But since it was still a kiss on the cheek, the girls who didn't know better made a scene over it. After his lips touched, I knew very well that whatever I was doing was wrong. It didn't feel the same as when you had done so back in Singapore. I knew then that it had to stop, so I had already made up my mind to tell him that I simply had no sparks for him. That was until you... Appeared yesterday. I confessed my lack of chemistry with him after you ran out... Sorry..." She confessed everything.

"I see..."

"I'm really sorry..."

"No, I don't blame you. I can see how you were just trying to get rid of someone who wouldn't leave you alone. Why didn't you tell me about it? So that I could come over earlier and stop everything."

"You really think you can? You may be buff, but sometimes, strength doesn't make the cut. He has people backing him. He has his fans, his agency. I didn't want anything to be compromised."

"You should have told me everything, then reason why I shouldn't beat the daylights out of him."

"You're as stubborn as anyone can get. Would you have listened?"

"But I listen to people that I love..." I indirectly confessed.

"Anyway, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have... What?" My words struck her halfway through her sentence.

"I said... I... Have feelings for you." I looked away, unable to look into her eyes. When I turned back, she was blushing.

"Why? No one's ever confessed to you before?" I asked.

"Well, not exactly... Since Suho's one was kind of harassment and annoyance thrown together."

"Can you not mention his name? Unless you want me to beat him up."

"Don't do it." She warned.

"Why? You don't want me to beat up your eye candy?"

"He's always around the other members. I think you'll be outnumbered."

"I don't think their members would stand by him after they know what he's done."

"The problem is... We have no evidence to prove anything. They have no reason to believe anything..."

"That's true." I grinned, "Anyway, I'm sorry for not having listened to you explain..."

"I think it's more so my fault..."

"Stop, stop. It's over already. You mention anything about this again, I'll shut you up with my lips." I threatened.

"Aish, so gross." She pushed me away.

"I watched gag concert, okay?"

"Uhhh.. How do we tell them?" We heard the chatters outside the room.

"Give me a moment." I left Chorong and opened the door to the girls' surprise. I saw the tablet in Naeun's hands.

"What's that?" I pointed at it.

"Oh... Here it is. Let's get out of here girls." Naeun shoved everyone along.

Pictures of Chorong and Suho were circulating rampantly. Misleading headlines everywhere. "EXO Suho and APink Chorong spotted at a cafe together". It hasn't been unknown that there may have been sparks between the two. Many fans have already set the ship on the sail since years ago. The pairing have garnered an insane amount of attention. Photos of them photoshopped together, fan fiction about the pairing being featured. Needless to say, I felt helpless. There was no way this rumour would go to rest, without any party settling it firsthand. Suho, known for how sneaky he is, would probably go to any lengths just to keep the scandal alive. Chorong would have to face the wrath of the EXO fans, those that mean harm. I've seen the incident happen to Taeyeon.

How overprotec