CHAPTER 20

Victoria was seated once again in front of Lee Soo Man, creator of all SM artists. She has been to this office many times before. Although he wasn’t the CEO anymore, she still looked at him in an intimidating and preponderant light. He was a father figure to many of her colleagues, but she never was close to him nor looked at him as her father. He was sitting in his leather armchair, signing documents rather calmly. On one side of his desk was a famous newspaper, already opened to the page where she and Nichkhun was the headline. Below the bellowing headline were a photo of her and Nichkhun, and another one of Kyuhyun in the hospital bed. She couldn’t help but peek at it. She hadn’t gotten a chance to read any article about this, and she wasn’t even planning to. God knows what kind of stories writers made up to make their personal lives more juicy. At that very moment, she was wondering whether or not she walks out that office unemployed. She was very ready. In fact, she got rid of all her fears the moment she entered this office. When Lee Soo Man told her to have a seat in a soft-spoken voice, she was considering it as the calm before the storm.

Finally, the man spoke.

“I just heard about this.” He said, with no trace of interest in his voice at all.

“I’m sorry.” Was the only polite thing she could think to say.

“Why?”

She looked up from her fingers to this old man in a high-end tailored suit. How curious she was whether this was a trick question or not.

“I know it’s against the rules to..” she began.

“To date?” he laughed. “No it was never stated in your contracts that you’re prohibited to have relationships. No.”

Victoria just stared at him, thinking of what to say. She was Chinese and she did not know if she fully understood the gazillion pages in her contract. She had a lawyer present but she didn’t recall him specifically telling her how she wasn’t allowed to have relationships.

“So we’re allowed to have relationships…?” she whimpered.

“No.” he said firmly. That confused her enough. He went on amidst her puzzlement. “It is not stated in your contract that you cannot have any relationships. However, it is stated in your contract that you will willfully, abidingly and truthfully be loyal to the fair demands and terms given by the company, committing and following rigorously the allotted schedules given to you. It is also stated in the contract that you are an embodiment of the company—your actions, words, even your mere gestures represent and reflect the company’s name. The very fact that you walk outside, means your behavior outside of the company is still our liability and it’s our responsibility to make sure your whereabouts do not become something of a circus.”

He paused, and adjusted his glasses. His tone of voice was serious yet strangely calm, as if he wasn’t too vexed by the situation. She was taken aback.

He droned on.

“When this happened with a senior of yours, what’s his name…ah, Jonghyun. That was uncalled for, but behind it lies reasons only the executives should know. However, please understand that we do not restrict our employees from having a social life.”

“So should I be fired, sir?”

“Good lord, no. Where’d you get that idea? Did you see us fire Jonghyun for dating an actress? DBSK seniors all had serious relationships before any of this lawsuit ruckus came up.”

“So then we aren’t allowed to have any relationships?”

“I wouldn’t say not allowed. It’s better to use the term not advised. We don’t advise any of the artists to anything that can distract them or put the company I jeopardy. Like excessively drinking and partying and of course being in relationships, do you understand?”

Victoria nodded. “Just so everything’s clear, he and I aren’t dating anymore. We broke up a long time ago. We’re just…friends right now. As for Kyuhyun being my boyfriend…”

“We know there’s nothing between you and Kyuhyun. We are all aware of the interoffice dating protocol right? However, I know that this thing between you and Mr. Nichkhun are proven to be real, I am a professional you know.”

Mr. Soo Man stopped here to his eyebrows up in a playful manner which, despite the situation, cracked Victoria up a little bit.

“So what is my fate now?” she asked meekly.

He sat on his armchair comfortably and made a musing and brooding expression. For a minute he looked like he was going to fall asleep.

“Nothing.” He replied curtly.

“Nothing? What does that mean?” she expected chaos, apocalypse, rage, but not nothing. Anything but nothing.

“It means life goes on as it should be going on. The whole world won’t stop because you and some two other guys have personal affairs.”

“So I should act like nothing is happening?”

“If you put it that way, yes.”

“I don’t understand sir, you said that the company will not stand for this kind of situation. I am actually prepared for the consequences I’m supposed to face.”

“Well what do you want us to do? What’s been said has been said. If Shinee was able to face this without the female population threatening the downfall of this company then why shouldn’t you be able to handle this?”

“So I should keep on dating…?”

“You are old enough to make your own decisions in life. If those decisions do not contradict anything in your contract then by all means, do what you must. The only reminder I’m giving you is the one that I gave Jonghyun. It’s that your actions outside reflect the company so always think twice. Be responsible for anything.”

She has never talked to him more than five minutes but this conversation seemed more surreal by the minute. Everything he was saying was vague and evasive, but it hit her that the gist of it is that her career will be unscathed; at least it will be according to the company. The only worry left is the fans. She was more worried about their reactions than anything else.

“I trust you fully understand now, Ms. Song?” he chirped.

She nodded as an answer and left his office. She did understand.

Meanwhile in 2PM’s dorm, Junho was crazily surfing the internet, scoping news and articles popping up every minute about Khun and Victoria—wit a little bit of Kyuhyun in between. Masses of versions have been concocted to twist the whole thing and it has been entertaining for the 2PM members to read.

“Whoa hyung, I never thought that Anti-Nichkhun websites will be put up. I mean there’s only like a hundred members but still, I never imagined you’d have haters all because of Victoria.” Junho exclaimed, his eyes bulging in front of the laptop screen.

“Wow Junho thank you for being such a considerate friend. I will always treasure you.” Nichkhun said with heavy sarcasm.

“Khun look on the bright side. A lot of Khuntoria supporters have sprung up too. I mean I went to Naver and Daum sites and I’m seeing massive influx of positive comments about you and Victoria. Like this one: it says I hope they both make a tape, I would love to see those two beautiful creatures getting it on.” Taec read aloud, followed by roars of laughter and cackles. Khun’s ears turned furiously red.

Wooyoung butted in, facing his own laptop. “Oh I see a few Kyuhyun and Victoria supporters and websites as well. Whoa hyung this has turned into a national love triangle. I should make a poll and let people text in their votes, kind of like on American Idol.”

“Guys you aren’t making me feel any better. JYP has been dodging my calls.” Khun groaned.

“Of course he would dodge it, wasn’t he mad at us because you kept on seeing Victoria? And now this has blown up, I bet he’s celebrating by himself now, thinking you’re miserable and helpless.” Junsu replied, typing away on his own laptop.

“I feel kind of okay actually.” Khun said coolly.

“We know. If you were freaking out you would be swearing in three languages by now.” Chansung pointed out.

“What do you think is Victoria noona doing right now?” Wooyoung mused.

“Since JYP has no more involvement in my personal life would it be bold and frivolous of me to make my own announcement?” Khun asked, pacing back and forth in front of s.

“What do you mean, announcement?” Taec asked.

“I mean, make it an official statement. Victoria and I are dating.” He replied.

The boys were immobile and speechless for a few moments.

“What do you guys think?” Khun reinforced.

“Don’t you think JYP would—“

“He said he won’t have anything to do with this situation right? So technically, I’m on my own on this one.” Khun cut Junsu off.

“Well, I think you have to deal with the board members first.” Taec suggested. True. JYP wasn’t the only one who should have a say in company decisions. There were many officers and stakeholders in the company for decisions like this.

“And hyung, you have to consider Victoria’s company too you know.” Junho added as an afterthought. Another right point. Khun had so many thing to consider before making a move.

“So should I talk to Victoria first?” Khun asked doubtfully.

“Yes.” His five members chorused.

Before he even picked up his phone to dial, it rang. Coincidence or fate, it was Victoria.

“I was just about to call you.” He breathed.

“Can we meet right now?”

“You sound so calm.”

“Why should be in panic?”

“The fact that we are the talk of the town?”

“Which is why we should see each other now. Can I come over?”

“Yeah of course.”

“I’ll be there in a while. Bye.”

Khun knew her and he knew very well that she was in a very calm, indifferent mood. No matter how she tried her emotions it would show, but this time he could not unmask her calmness. He assumed her company would have had talked to her by now but this calmness sort of scared him a little bit. He would feel better if she was panicking.

It was only a matter of time until Victoria rang their doorbell. He let her in and they locked themselves in his room. Just like old times.

“You look…okay, why do you look okay?” Khun said to her in alarm, wondering why she isn’t in tears like any other girl involved in a huge scandal.

“What is with you, you’ve been wanting me to crumble since we talked on the phone.” She grimaced.

“It just seems too surreal looking at you so indifferent to the gravity of this situation.”

“Look, I’ll go straight to the point. I’m not being punished. Remember that Jonghyun and Shin Se Kyung news? It’s kind of like this. No one got fired, no one got in trouble. The company just released an official statement confirming that it’s true.”

They both sat on the floor like little kids.

“So they’re going to release a statement?” Khun asked.

“The thing is, we’re not really together, Khun. Kyuhyun blabbed about me and him being together. But my company will release a statement regarding that later today, denouncing it of course.”

“But will your company confirm us two?”

“Probably. I don’t know, I don’t write the statements. What has JYP told you regarding this?”

Khun sighed.

“Well this morning two of JYP’s protégés came to me and asked if it was true and I said yes but none of them told me anything else. They’re waiting for JYP to make a move but we all know that he won’t have any say in this. He thinks I should handle it myself.”

“How?”

“I wanted to make an official statement.”

“But Khun, we’re not together…”

“There you go again with that denial thing.”

“What denial thing?”

“The denial that we are crazy about each other, that you belong to me, I belong to you. Look when is it going to get in your head that we are supposed to be together?”

Victoria stood up.

“I thought we’ve been through this, Khun. I don’t want to hear about your marriage and commitment embargo—“

“Hey, if you’re pregnant—“

“I’m not, I just got my period.”

“Regardless, I still want to spend everyday of my life with you.”

He reached for his drawer and took the ring his mother gave to her. He took her hand and he placed it where it used to belong.

“I know you think I’m stupid and idiotic for the things I say. Idiot Nichkhun, I get it. But don’t question what I want in life. I want you. I want every bit of you. I want to masticate you, swallow you, digest you, you. Gross, I know but…I’m crazy about you. And you wreck me, you wreck me so much it’s not even funny. I may be stupid Vic, but I know what love is. Now quit being such a coward and tell me you love me too.”

She was looking at him, the way a person would stare at someone they find both endearing and pitiful. The way he was ranting made him look like a helpless child, wanting attention and care. She wanted to be in front of this for the rest of her life. He held her by the cheeks, gently, trying to look through her eyes. She showed a small smile like she always does.

“I love you.” She whispered. She was used to saying to him already, but it never wore out.

“Now I want to ask again because you got scared the last time so I’m going to make sure it’s still on.” He said and cleared his throat.

He got down on both knees. He had his palms on his thighs, and he didn’t even lift his chin up. He kept his head low, as if praying.

“Marry me. Make love to me everyday, name my kids, yell at me and make me feel guilty all the time. I will not promise that I will always agree with you. I won’t promise that it will be easy being with me but I promise you, you will be the only one I’ll love. Now promise me, that you’ll marry me.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“See that’s the thing about you!” Khun stood up, pointing at her. “You get me on my toes, playing me like a puppet. Me, Nichkhun, played by a girl. Do you see it? You’re the only annoying, manipulative woman who can play me around, I hate it…but at the same time I love it.”

Victoria couldn’t help but smile. He sounded like a lunatic, but then again she was used to his ranting about love and cheesy things.

“So if you don’t want to marry me fine then go. But before you do, I just want you to know that…you’re the only girl I ever think about. The only girl I ever care about. The only girl I—“

“Oh shut up.”

Victoria cut off his cheesiness with a kiss.

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Song in this chapter: 

Marry Me - Train