The Inevitable Aftermath

*.☽.*




 

 That familiar fragrance…

I was soundly asleep a couple of seconds ago until my brain recognized the scent of his perfume, that familiar fragrance I have become utterly familiar with. With my eyes closed, I rolled over to his side of the bed, stretching an arm over it but found it empty. My eyes automatically opened, wanting to locate him right away.

He wasn’t in the room just like earlier this morning and for some reason, I felt anxious. I sat up, and brushed my hair away from my face before I scrambled to get off the bed. My attention was on my feet as they landed on the cold floor and I instantly noticed that I was wearing one of his navy blue shirts. My brain recalled the things that happened before I fell asleep and it instantly gave me enough reasons to justify the warmth I felt spreading on my cheeks.

Shaking my head, I dismissed the thought right away. I shouldn’t be distracted and look for him. I was about to go for the door but I heard movements from his closet area, so I headed there instead.

He was in the process of getting dressed. He was tucking his white long-sleeved button-up inside his black slacks. My attention fell on his thighs hugged by his perfectly fitting pants causing me to gulp, which was unnecessary right now by the way.

“My baby’s finally awake…” His perfectly beautiful speaking voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “And she’s already busy looking at my…” He trailed off, a handsome smirk on his face.

I got a bit confused as he didn’t continue his statement. I remained silent as I watched his beautiful hands button his pants.

Then, it finally dawned on me. Did he just assume that I was looking at him…
My eyes grew wide as I looked at him again, embarrassed.

“Your thighs…” I muttered before I could even think rationally.

He raised an eyebrow.

“I mean I was looking at your thighs.”

He chuckled, walking towards me. He stopped right in front of me, his hands meeting at the small of my back, pulling me closer to his body.

“Okay.” He uttered, his eyes never leaving mine. “So why were you checking my thighs out?”

“Nothing…” I answered nervously. “I just…” I swallowed. “They just caught my attention that’s all…” I added but paused, unsure of what to say next.

“So, what do you think of them then?” He asked, his head tilting to his right as he planted a small kiss right below my left ear.

I shut my eyes at the feel of what he had just done.

“Well, they…” I cleared my throat. “They look…good.”

I didn’t know why I had to swallow after saying it. But then again, there was no use lying, I thought.

I heard him chuckle next to my ear, making me blush even more.

“Just so you know…” He leaned more to whisper. “I’m crazy about your beautiful legs too.” He continued while I felt his left hand grazing over my leg.

The tips of his fingers sent a tingling sensation, making me hold my breath for a second. I was certain, he was about to take me into a trance again and we would end up being carried away. So, before his little gesture, not to mention his soft lips giving my jaw light kisses, totally making me forget the bigger things, I gave his hand a slight slap.

“My god Baekhyun.” I scolded him but I only got another chuckle as a response. “You know, you have a meeting to attend right?” I reminded.

I was a bit bothered by how tense I sounded at the mention of his meeting. He stepped away, letting out a gloomy sigh in the process. He cleared his throat as he straightened his posture. And honestly, I thought I saw a worried look on his face before he turned away to face the full-length mirror on the opposite side. I watched him button his sleeve cuffs.

“Come here…” I said, pulling him gently until he faced me once more. “Let me help you with this,” I added, smiling at him.

A small smile crossed his face as he let me help him. I knew his eyes were on me while I finished buttoning his sleeve cuffs. Unbothered, my hands went to straighten his collar too before they landed over his firm chest while I met his eyes. With the way he looked back at me, I couldn’t disregard how anxious he must feel right now.

“I know that no matter how many times we tell each other not to worry, we’ll end up doing it anyway,” I said in all honesty as I motioned to cup his face with my hands. “Maybe because we both know better. We know how hard reality is going to hit us.”

A subtle look of pain crossed his handsome face. Maybe I was so directed a while ago that it was just now that I noticed his comma hair, his beautiful forehead, and his eyebrows on display. Then as if in slow motion, I saw him close his eyes. I removed my hands from his face to reach for his own hands.

“But hey…” I gave his hands a slight squeeze taking his attention along with it. “We’re in this together, remember?” I reminded, giving him a reassuring smile before I tiptoed to plant a kiss on his lips.

His mouth formed into a beautiful upward curve after I detached my lips from his. Then he pulled me into a gentle hug. I felt him take a deep breath, his hands caressing the back of my head.

“I’ll protect you.” He stated with an obvious determination in his tone, tightening the embrace.

Closing my eyes, I concentrated on his entire presence. His scent, his breathing, his heartbeat…

“Can’t wait for you to come home to me later,” I replied, my voice just above a whisper.

“You’re making it hard for me to leave in the first place.” He chuckled, refusing to let me go when I attempted to break the hug.

Maybe he’s so good at reading my body language that he noticed how much I didn’t want him to leave right now.

The truth was, I was scared. Very scared.

I’m scared of what his company’s verdict will be.


*.☽.*

2:24 PM

“Stay away from Social Media, for now, okay Baby?”

This was the very thing Baekhyun kept telling me before he left earlier. Honestly, I didn’t have any plans to do otherwise until I turned my phone on once again. I was in the living room alone, initially wanting to call my mom when a crazy influx of notifications from all my social media accounts came. I couldn’t even manage to use my phone properly, I had to put it down on the table right in front of me.

This was scary.

I neither knew what to do nor what to feel but what I did know was the fact that I shouldn’t check on these notifications just like what Baekhyun instructed. He didn’t want the comments to get to me and I knew full well that he was right.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my phone once more, turned off the internet data first then went to check my inbox. I saw messages from my sister, Ji Hye, Liz, Aunt Sunny, some relatives and friends, and a few several unregistered numbers. My sister asked me to immediately call her and tell her what was going on. She also told me that mom had been crying and dad kept asking if I was okay. She begged me to answer her call a few times as well.

This was what I put my family into. A state of worry.

The first thing I did was call my sister. She answered with a “Thank God Hae Won!” right after the first ring. I apologized right away because I neither knew what else to say nor did I have something better to say. There was a brief silence after my sincere apology and it sent my heartbeat racing thinking she’d be furious. My sister had always been so supportive of me but this was different. I was nervous, my hands were already slightly trembling as I waited.

I heard her sigh.

“Oh, my poor little bub.” She finally replied in a consoling way. “I’ll only take your sorry for not telling me about this sooner. For waiting for everything to blow up before you confide to me.”

My tears instantly formed hearing her words. Oh my god. I honestly expected her to lash out, to yell at me for my decision but turned out she was somehow still supportive.

“Eonnie…” My speech was halted right away as I felt my tears rolling down my cheeks. “Believe me, I wanted to tell you about him from the very beginning but I…I couldn’t. I was scared Eonnie. I was scared that you wouldn’t understand and you’ll tell me that I have lost my mind and tell me to break up with him right away.” I trailed off to make sure I didn’t choke because of my crying.

There were about a couple of seconds of silence until I heard her voice again.

“Would you have broken up with him if I told you to do so?” She asked.

I gulped, taking a deep breath before I opened my mouth for a response.

“No,” I uttered briefly. “He’s…Eonnie…I can’t give him up. I tried a couple of times but I always come running back to him. I can’t…I love him. I really really love him.” I added, desperately wanting her to understand me.

My heartbeat went on racing, it was pounding so hard it was everything that I could hear amidst the silence that took over the next few seconds.

“You’re so brave.” She muttered in a slightly croaked voice, making me realize that she was already crying too. “I can’t believe you just did this. I’m just so worried about you…” She trailed off. “I admit, I got mad hearing it from Mom for the first time. Yes, I even thought that you had indeed lost your mind. But then, I realized that all I ever wanted was for you to be happy, to know that you’re alright in the middle of everything that’s happening.”

I bit my lower lip, unable to find the words to form a decent response.

“I did my research and found your photos on the internet right away. And oh my god, the both of you look so in love with each other. I could instantly tell by the way you looked at each other in those shots.” She continued. “Then I figured out how crazy famous your boyfriend is.” She added, emphasizing her second to the last word. “Let’s not even talk about how handsome and hot he looks.” She let out a laugh.

I couldn’t help but laugh at her remarks, she has always been good at lifting the mood.

“But as I said, I am very worried about you bub.” I heard her once more. “I know how fans can be so possessive, I’m afraid they’ll hurt you something.”

I took a deep breath to fill my lungs with air before I spoke once more.

“I know Eonnie but I promise I’ll be okay. I’ll be strong.” I assured her.

“Just know that no matter what they say, or no matter what names they call you, never let them get inside you, okay?”

I nodded as if she could see me.

“And if you’re having a hard time, call me right away.”

“Mm. Thanks, Eonnie.”

“Of course, I don’t know a lot about him. I have to learn more about this Baekhyun of yours aside from him having an amazing voice and deadly visuals…” She paused and I could almost hear her smiling. “But what I’m certain about is that he’s also lucky to have you…you’re an amazing woman. You’re a catch and I hope he knows that.”

We both ended up laughing through my tears continued to roll down my cheeks. I will never cease to thank God for my sister.

“How’s mom and dad?” I asked, anxious about the thought of my parents right away.

“Well…mom is mad considering how you talked to her the last time of course. She kept asking where it all went wrong and how you’re being irrational. She even said that you might have hit your head somewhere for not being able to think right…but you know her, she only wants the best for us. She’s just worried. And dad…you know what he’s like. He’s been pretty quiet but I often see him thinking alone. He would just sit on the couch silently while Mom rants. I know he’s also very worried about you even if he doesn’t say it.”

“They probably never thought I’d do something like this…something this irrational,” I said, disheartened by the trouble I caused my parents.

“They’ll for sure understand soon bub. Just give them time. Just tell your boyfriend to make sure nothing bad happens to you or else I’ll drag our parents there and we will all beat his .” She told me and I knew for a fact that she was trying to distract me from crying again.

“Noted.”

“Okay bub, get in touch okay? If you need anything, I’m just a call away. I’ll talk to Mom and Dad and tell them you called and that you’re fine.”

“Thanks, Eonnie.”

“Love you bub.”

“Love you.”
 

*.☽.*
 

The next one I called was Aunt Sunny. She must have been so worried about me too. Leaving her house the other day, she knew that I was supposed to leave for Australia and I was pretty sure she already saw the news of me still breathing the same air they do. She might be so confused right now.

“Hae won? Oh god…how are you? Are you okay? I saw the news about you and Baekhyun. Are you both fine?”

With a nervous voice, I cleared my voice before answering her questions.

“Yes, Auntie,” I replied. “I couldn’t go back to Australia, I’m sorry.”

I heard her sigh from the other line and I didn’t know what to make out of it.

“Oh no, dear. You don’t have to apologize to me.” She replied and it instantly moved me to tears once more. ”I know how much you love him and how he’s madly in love with you too. You were miserable when you broke up with him and with all those news and videos of him getting drunk, we all knew he was too. And I’d have to apologize to your mom for saying this but I think it’s right that you’re going to fight for how you both feel. A love like this is rare. ”

I couldn’t say anything in response. I couldn’t process how she was also being supportive to this point. Aunt Sunny was one of the very few people who knew about my relationship with Baekhyun. She accepted us from the very beginning and being this supportive until now meant a lot to me.

“Your mom called me the other night and ranted about how I didn’t do anything to stop you. So, I told her how serious Baekhyun was about your relationship. Honestly, that man’s love for you is overflowing and it shows. The way he drives from his schedules from Seoul and even overseas just to see you…I couldn’t think of any other man more deserving of you Hae Won. I hope my sister gets to realize that too.”

“Oh, Auntie…” It was all that I could say.

“Well, of course, she refused to listen to me and insisted on how I tolerated you but…” She paused and I heard her take a deep breath. “We can’t blame her though. She’s just worried and all this news about you two is just way overwhelming for your family. But then, once they get to know him, I'm pretty sure your mom’s heart will soften and she’ll eventually like him.”

My heart almost melted due to Auntie’s words.

“He’s a good man Haewon.”

“Thanks, Auntie,” I said, biting my lower lip as I tried to stop myself from crying again. “This means a lot to us.”

“You’re welcome, dear. Just be strong okay? Tell Baekhyun to look after you.”

“Hmm. Yes, Auntie, I will.”

“Okay…and by the way, can you talk to Ji Hye?”

Oh my god, JI hye. Of course. She must have been so shocked.

“Of course Auntie. I’ll call her during her lunch break.”

“Thanks, dear. Be careful okay? Don’t go out alone.”

“Yes, Auntie. Thank you.”


*.☽.*

As promised, I called Ji Hye during her lunch break. She shrieked with a very high-pitched Eonnie when she answered my call before she started crying. She was sobbing so hard, I had to remind her to breathe properly.

“Why are you crying so hard?” I asked her right away.

“I’m just so happy Eonnie, I feel like my heart is about to burst of happiness.” She replied in between sobs.

I couldn’t help but smile at how adorable she sounded. I knew how she had always been our number one fan. She cried so hard when she found out that I broke up with Baekhyun a few weeks ago. This must have been an emotional roller coaster ride for her as well.

“When I saw the photo of you two walking on that street, I dropped my phone on the floor it left a crack on the edge of my LCD but it’s fine, my phone can be broken all it wants I don’t care as long as you and Baekhyun Oppa are back together.”

My gosh, she’s so sweet.

“Eonnie…” She sounded like she had something important to say but was hesitating.

“Yes Ji Hye, what is it?”

“Don’t worry about the negative comments okay? I promise I’ll reply to everyone I see on the internet. I’ll tell them how much you and Baekhyun Oppa are perfect for each other.”

“Ji Hye…” I trailed off, getting the gist of where this conversation was going. “That’s so sweet of you but I don’t want you to allot time replying to any comment about this. You have to study, remember?”

“But Eonnie…they don’t know you. They can’t judge you like that.”

“No buts…”

“But…” She paused, totally sounding unconvinced. “But I have been doing it since yesterday.” She added.

Since yesterday? How many comments has she seen since yesterday? I wanted to ask her if there were a lot of negative comments but I knew I had to stop myself.

“Okay, then…” I said, making an effort to steady my voice, not wanting her to be worried about me. “Promise me you’ll stop doing it already.”

She didn’t answer.

“Ji Hye…I’m sure Baekhyun won’t be pleased to hear about you fighting with them online.”

She sighed.

“Okay, Eonnie. I won’t anymore.”

“Good.”

“Please don’t read them Eonnie. Some fans have gone mad. They’re delusional.”

I got more anxious. It started to eat me up inside, I was barely breathing when I hung up the phone. I suddenly felt a bit dizzy. I was sitting on the couch and I somehow suddenly felt like sinking all of a sudden. I desperately stood on my feet and headed to the kitchen to get a glass of water.


*.☽.*

Mr. Yoo came by to check on me later this afternoon and brought dinner for me. He said Baekhyun asked him to stay with me for the rest of the time while he was not home yet.

Living overseas most of my adult life, my knowledge about how fans would take news like this was still a bit limited somehow. However, with the way Baekhyun and the rest were so worried about my safety, talked a lot about how risky this could be.


*.☽.*

06:16 PM

Mister Yoo and I were in the living room. It’s been hours and Baekhyun had only texted me once and that was even before they started the meeting. It was almost nightfall and I hadn’t heard anything about him yet and I was getting antsy. I asked Mr. Yoo about it but he said that Baekhyun wouldn’t be able to use his phone in a closed-door meeting like this.

Worry was eating me up inside, so without having second thoughts, I grabbed the remote control and turned the TV on. I wanted to distract myself for now. I wanted to watch something to take my mind away from all of this. I tried a comedy program but for some reason, their attempts to be funny didn’t work. I kept spacing out instead.

Well, not until a newsflash took over.

It was about Baekhyun. The reporter was talking about how Baekhyun was very controversial after the revelation of his relationship with his non-celebrity girlfriend. She talked about how a lot of fans didn’t take the news of their idol dating so well.

Then a video was shown. It was Baekhyun. It looked like this was taken earlier since he was wearing the same clothes he wore today. He was right outside his company, he was with Manager Kang and had two bodyguards with him, one of which was Mr. Yoo. I instantly glanced at Mr. Yoo who was seated right next to me on the couch only to get confused with how he looked back at me. He seemed tense and I didn’t get why.

Darting my attention on the screen once more, I was taken aback when they zoomed in on a group of fans walking past his bodyguards from the other side and threw something aiming for Baekhyun.

Were those…tomatoes?

OH MY GOD. I swallowed so hard in disbelief.

He got hit a couple of times, staining his suit straightaway. He and everyone around him panicked, including Manager Kang who immediately covered Baekhyun’s face with his hands. He spoke and it was obvious that he was calling for security backup since they were next to the company’s building.

My hand went to my mouth as I gasped.

I saw the look on Baekhyun’s face, he was both alarmed and startled when he got hit. He looked hurt and I was pretty sure not just physically.

Mr. Yoo and Manager Kang grabbed Baekyun out of the scene, giving him cover as they walked him towards the entrance of the building. The other bodyguard, with the help of the other security who just come, grabbed the angry fans who kept screaming and cursing at Baekhyun. The news program censored what they were saying but it was obvious that they were calling him names. They even had placards with the capitalized UNGRATEFUL and LIAR written on them.

Oh god. Oh god.

My heart broke right away. I couldn’t believe something like that happened to him today and I didn’t have a single clue.

When the news ended, I ended up glaring at Mr. Yoo. He had been with me for hours now and he didn’t even mention anything about this. Anger slowly built up inside me.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this, Mr. Yoo?” I asked, obviously mad. “This happened to him and I’ve just been sitting here like this all day…” I sighed in frustration.

“I’m sorry Miss Park, Baekhyun strictly instructed not to tell you.”

I sighed once more, in defeat this time. I knew he didn’t want to get me worried.
But then this made me hate myself for being clueless.

“How many of these things will you guys hide from me?” I was so frustrated, hurt, and mad at the same time, I didn’t bother hiding it anymore.

“I’m sorry Miss Park, he didn’t want you to see this.” Mr. Yoo replied. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop it from happening. We didn’t know those fans were coming from the other side.” He explained, sounding so guilty. “I should’ve done my job better.”

He sounded guilty. I couldn’t blame him though. I even felt guilty, myself.

I stood and walked back and forth in the living room. I was rattling, I couldn’t forget the look on his face when he found out what was happening around him. Oh, god. He must have been so surprised and heartbroken afterward. His fans.

“How could people who claimed to be his fans do this to him?” I was fuming. “How can they call him a liar? What did he lie about?” I felt like crying because of anger.

There was nothing I could do, it was over. There was nothing I could do to undo it. To prevent stuff like that from happening.

“Mister Yoo,” I called, stopping on my feet. “You should be with him right now. Please make sure something like that won’t happen again. Please.” I begged him.

“But…Miss Park, he told me to make sure you’re okay.” He reasoned out quickly. “I can’t leave you.”

“But I am okay,” I replied firmly. “I’m safe and he’s the one that’s not,” I added. “Please Mr. Yoo, you’re the only one I trust to protect him….” I walked away from him, brushing my hair away from my face. “I can’t stand watching another video of people attacking him like that…I’ll go crazy. Please.”

I had a hard time convincing Mr. Yoo because he said that Baekhyun firmly told him to look after me. I knew I was making this hard for him by telling him to disobey Baekhyun but after what I saw on TV, I couldn’t just sit here and have Mr. Yoo guard me like this. I saw the expression on his face soften and I continued to beg him. So, after a few more attempts to convince him, I finally got him to agree with me.


*.☽.*

7:06 PM

I was left alone in his unit once more. I locked the front door just as they instructed. I was in the living room the whole time and I kept rewinding the news in my head.

How could he suffer something like that?

Oh my god, Baekhyun. I’m sorry.

My phone was on the table right in front of me. I was so tempted to grab and check it. The comments on the internet, couldn’t be worse than what Baekhyun experienced, I thought. So, without giving it much thought, I took my phone in my hand and started to go through the articles about Baekhyun on the internet.

I clicked on the first article which had a photo of Baekhyun and me walking on the street. He was holding my hand. My attention was on our entangled hands while he was staring at me.

The headline said: BYUN BAEKHYUN BOLDLY REVEALED HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH A NON-CELEBRITY.

I skimmed on the article itself which talked about when the photo was taken and how it all happened the other day. I went through the comments and was surprised by how many this article had.

What the hell is going on?

I stopped on the first comment I read, having second thoughts. But then again, I told myself that I had to see them anyway. I couldn’t be a clueless girlfriend while Baekhyun faced the world.

I scrolled on the next comments and I knew there was no turning back anymore.

Wait, is it the same girl Baekhyun was with in the photos a few months ago? The one he was with at the bar? So, the rumors were true? I thought she was just some random girl. Oh my god.
Oh, my freaking gosh, Baekhyun is in a relationship and it’s not with Ara? How did this happen?
Baekhyun, you just broke my heart. What the hell?!
So, the thing he had with Ara was just a stunt? Why did they fool us? Oh my god, he’s such a liar! I’ll never believe anything he says anymore.
Who is she? How did she know Baekhyun? Where did they meet? , I’m so curious.
I knew there was something off about this whole Ara and Baekhyun getting back together. It was just a cover-up for his real relationship with this girl. Oh poor Ara, she was just used. She’s the victim here. I can’t believe Baekhyun would do that to her. He’s not a good person like how his fans portray him to be after all.
This is crazy, Baekhyun is in a relationship with a non-celeb