The door to the roof banged open behind her startling her out of her thoughts. There was no need to turn around to see who it was, only one person could’ve known she’d be up here, and only he would have no trepidation in invading her space.

She felt, rather than heard him come closer; he stood to her side, unmoving, unspeaking, simply gazing at the panoramic view in front of them. She let out a drawn, shaky sigh, the anguish she felt inside seeming to reveal itself. He turned to look at her, his eyes intense in his attempt to read her. “I’m tired, Ji” she spoke, barely above a whisper. His face softened slightly and an emotion she could not place flit across his eyes. “I know” he sighed, looking back at the view. “So am I”.

“I’m tired of all the lies we have to tell. The façade we have to put up. How can I look my fans in the eye knowing that I’m lying through gritted teeth”.

“And now we’re involving other people” she said softly after a breath. “In our own web of lies!” her distraught face searched his, wanting, needing him to understand. He turned to her, his own pain displayed on his face, and slowly took her hand, holding it tightly in his own. The sight of the intermingled hands seemed to let loose the sob she had been attempting to hold in. He pulled her gently and incased her in a hug, his hand gripping her waist tightly, and his other hand gently her hair.

“I wanna be free Ji” she whispered as her sobs died down. “We will be” a lone tear slid down his face and onto hers as his chin was atop her head. “Soon”.