“Sit down.” JYP said in a low, scary voice as soon as Khun entered his office.

Khun knew this tone of voice too well. He knew from the way his boss did not look at him, the way his usual friendly aura was weirdly gone today, and especially the way he did not greet him hello. He knew this. The scarier thing though was what was going to come next.

JYP took out two photographs from a brown envelope and laid it on the table in front of Khun. It was stolen photos of him and her kissing the other night, in the park. Khun felt his heart catch fire and turning into ash. For a nanosecond, he thought he felt his brain would explode from all the rush of blood coming to his head. He did not say anything. He just looked at it. There was nothing he could say in hi defense, he’s been caught red-handed.

“I thought we made an understanding.” JYP said in a sulky, disappointed voice.

Khun hung his head and closed his eyes. This was not the reality he wanted.

“A reporter sent this in. Luckily he’s been recently sacked from his job so we made a deal that he will not publish or sell this photos if we paid him his requested amount.” His boss went on, looking at the photos that could ruin an idol’s entire career.

“I don’t know what to say exactly.” Khun said humbly.

“You are 22 years old. You are at the peak of your career. You are sitting on top and the world is your oyster. Why, of all times, did you choose to put everything in jeopardy now?”

“With all due respect sir, my personal life has nothing to do with my career.”

“Yes it does. Sadly, it does. And I hate to break it to you but theoretically speaking, someone with a status like yours, shouldn’t be allowed to be owned. Your fans own you. That’s unfortunate, but it’s true.”

“That’s ridiculous.—“

“Khun I remember the boy I saw in L.A. That young Thai boy whose eyes sparkled with so many hopes and dreams to become somebody. And look where you are now. I helped you become who you are. And so did your fans. Are you going to disappoint them like this?”

Khun held in his rising outrage. He felt as if the whole world was dictating his direction in life. He felt as if everyone was ganging up on him to live a miserable lonely life. He was tired of it. He was tired of having to endure pain and suffering and most especially loneliness. He was fed up with being controlled, with being treated like some kind of handsome puppet everyone was going to take advantage of.

“You can have all the beautiful girls in the world. But not now. Not her. You have plenty of time. At this phase in your life, you have to think about yourself and your group members. You love your group members right?”

Khun looked away. Group members. That was his weakness and strength at the same time. It was bad enough that half their fans abandoned them when Jay left. The six of them went through so much depression and hardships just to gain back the interest of the public; another scandal would be detrimental to the group. Khun heaved a heavy sigh and rubbed his temples. He knew what his boss was trying to do—make him choose between s and his girlfriend.

“I love them.” He answered JYP. “But I also love her.”

“I’m sure you do. Khun, I’m not sure how many serious relationships you’ve had but if you really love a person, you wouldn’t want her to suffer the consequences. Do you have any idea what people would do to her had these photos were sold to newspapers?” JYP explained in a calm, orderly manner, not losing his temper.

Khun could not even begin to imagine Victoria having to face irrational, immature and possessive fans everyday of her life. He knew his fans too well.

“I’m sure that her company’s boss is not like me. Once he finds out about these photos, he will not treat her like I’m treating you now. I know that guy. He does not consider his artists’ feelings at all. The way I’m talking to you is how a friend would. The way he’ll punish her however, I don’t know.” JYP seemed like he knew the industry too well and he did. He’s been around for a long time.

“So what are you trying to tell me?” Khun asked darkly, though he knew very well what.

“You’re a smart boy. You know what’s right.” His boss answered coolly, not exactly giving him the answer directly but implied it nonetheless.

Khun clasped his hands together tightly and pursed his lips. He wanted to make a stand, defy them for a change. All his life he obeyed and followed; he never once went against anyone. He did’t want to continue being a pushover anymore. He mustered all his strength to blurt it all out, but all that came out of his mouth was

“I’m not breaking up with her.” He said in a final tone.

He got up from his seat, bowed to his boss respectfully, and left the room. JYP did not react or speak. He only looked at him as if soon enough, he will learn his lesson.

On Victoria’s end, it was the same situation. Apparently that anonymous reporter had also sent in the photos to their company and asked for money to keep his mouth shut. However, it wasn’t the company’s president that told her off directly; they had managers for that. It did not take long, but the conversation between her manager and her was enough to drain the life out of her. All he said was

Break up with him, or should I do it for you?

Victoria knew that there was no way out. It was, for a fact, the end for them. She cried for a long time under her blanket. She tried to stifle the tears but it didn’t help. All good things had to come to an end. She promised herself she wouldn’t cry when she felt sad but this was a different kind of sadness, something that she has never felt before.

For some reason, both parties did not call each other for a few days. No texts, no conversations, nothing. It was as if they subconsciously knew that the end was coming and they wanted to avoid it; tried to deny it by avoiding each other.

On Khun’s end however, no tears were shed. He was sure that he will not break up with her. He wanted to prove to her that he would fight for her, the way she always wanted. The reason why he hadn’t made contact with her was because he didn’t want to be too obvious. When he decides to call her, he will act normal.

Victoria decided to be strong. She looked at her sleeping members and now that Amber was back, she knew she had to take care of them first. She had to fess up for the sake of their flourishing careers, for the sake of her younger members. She had to bury her emotions and feelings because she was, in fact, a leader of the group. Zhou Mi was right; in the end, she had to choose. She wiped her tears. Fixed her hair. She got out of bed and went straight to the practice room without talking to anyone. When she decides to call him, she will act normal.

Victoria decided to send him a text first, asking how he was, asking if he ate a lot, just like she always did. They continued to pretend as if everything’s normal and fine even though they were scared out of their minds. Victoria had planned everything well. She would break it to him quick and painless, just like pulling off a bandaid. She knew he would hate her for it, but it would probably be better for her. She found herself talking to Zhou Mi again, in the piano room no less.

“How should I do it?” she asked him.

“You’ve been in countless music videos. You can act well.” Zhou Mi said as if it as such an obvious answer.

“Act as if I don’t want him anymore.” She murmured. Uttering the mere idea did not make her feel good.

“Just imagine him being a jerk. Pretend that he’s a cheater. That will make it easier for you to break up with him.”

“Yeah…that would probably work. I hope it does.”

“Or pretend that you’re in love with someone else.”

“That could work too. But who?”

“Me?”

“You? But…you’re like my best friend—“

“I know, I’m just saying pretend that you’re confused about your feelings because you think you’re in love with me or something.”

“But I don’t know how to be confused.”

Victoria was panicking and worrying so much tears started to well up again. It was bad enough that she was breaking up with Khun but now she had to act as if she was a bad girlfriend who just played with his emotions. Then, Zhou Mi had a twisted yet plausible plan.

“Let’s kiss.” He said as if it was such a bright idea.

Her eyes widened amidst forming tears.

“What?” she breathed.

“Let’s kiss, take a picture of us in your phone and show it to him when you break up. That way, he will believe it. He won’t ask further questions.” He replied coolly.

It did make sense somehow. It would throw Khun off guard and not be able to say anything. A bit sadistic yes, but it was probably the only way Khun will back off.

“I think it will work.” Victoria agreed and then cried a river of tears. Zhou Mi had to hug her and calm her down.

“If it’s too much for you, then we don’t have to do it.” He said in a fatherly manner.

“No, no, let’s do it. It’s just…it would really hurt me to see him hurt.” She sobbed.

Zhou Mi wiped her tear-streaked face.

“Keep in mind that this isn’t the end of you two. If it’s meant to be, you will both find your way into each other’s arms again. If it’s meant to be, love will bring you back together.” He said as he rubbed her back.

Victoria nodded as she dried her eyes. She got her phone out of her pocket.

“Ready when you are.” Zhou Mi said calmly.

Victoria closed her eyes and held up her phone. Then, she kissed him. Click.

“Thanks.” She muttered sadly as she made the photo her phone background image.

“Remember I’ll always be here.” Zhou Mi said.

Victoria showed a weak smile and hugged her closest friend. She was close to breaking down but she knew she had to be strong, just like the first time she came to Korea from China. She knew the only way how to get through sadness was to neutralize feelings. She was good at it, but being in love with a boy made it harder.

It was the last filming for the show, and Victoria had already practiced her game face. She always thought she was somewhat good at acting through her facial expressions; she wasn’t cast in various music videos for nothing. When she saw him, she acted normal.

Khun was his hyper self. It was as if nothing happened in the past few days. He was also unusually open to skinship even in front of the crew, even when the cameras weren’t rolling.

“Can we go out later? After filming?” Khun asked her.

“Only for a while. Where are we going?”

“Away.”

His sneer made her nervous. She knew that if he was planning something fun or romantic it would ruin her game. She was convinced that she wouldn’t cry when she tells him.

It would be easier if he broke up with me, she thought.

Since it was the last filming, the crew shed tears, expressing their fondness for their favorite couple on the show. Victoria and Khun hugged and shook everyone’s hand, even the cameramen and the PD. They were still going to see them in their black room interview, but still, it will be the last time that they will film.

Khun had brought his car and by brought, meaning he took it from his management without permission. He and Victoria got inside as everyone was busy wrapping the set up.

“Before we go, there’s something I want to say.” She said, readying herself.

“What is it?” Khun said haphazardly as he was busy starting the engine.

“I think we should break up.” She said straightforwardly. Without much of dramatic pauses and elongation, she said it.

“We did. Didn’t we just end filming?” Khun did not understand what she meant.

“No. I mean us.” She said it in a more serious tone now.

Khun stopped whatever he was doing and faced her with a rather puzzled look.

“What?” he said.

Victoria looked away and held her phone tightly in her hand.

“I really think it’s going to be difficult for us from now on. And I think it’s better for the both of us if we ended this.”

“Someone found out, isn’t there?”

“No. I just want to break up.”

Khun chuckled because he still thought she wasn’t being serious. Not until she did not crack a smile. He searched her expression for a sign that this was just a joke, but there was none. Finally, his heart sank.

“I thought we agreed on this. That we would do this no matter how hard it will be.” He said gravely.

“I don’t know my capabilities. Maybe we were thinking too lightly of this. Maybe we’re being stupid.”

“Stupid? You think what we have is stupid?”

“I’m just saying that we’re both not ready at this point. Someday, when we’re past the peak of our careers, we can be together. But not right now.”

Khun guffawed exasperatedly, unwilling to hear her reasons. Victoria was still able to control her real emotions. And her tears especially.

“So we’re just going to break up? Work around each other like nothing happened?” he spat.

“We’re professionals, aren’t we?” she said quietly.

They were both silent for what seemed like an eternity. They were just parked there, immobile and tense.

“I don’t get it.” He broke the silence. “Everything seemed so lasting to me. You slept with me, you said things to me. Was it all just a lie?”

Victoria could not control her tears at this point now. She tried to hold them in, but it couldn’t be helped. All she could do was blink them away.

“Not exactly lies, but I was caught up in the moment. I was always caught up in the moment when I’m with you.” She murmured.

He reached for her hand. She shut her eyes in agony as he tried to intertwine his fingers between hers.

“Do you love me?” he asked longingly.

She choked back an ocean of tears as she looked anywhere but his face.

“I’m sorry. No.” she was whispering now.

“I don’t believe you.” He said.

“Then don’t.”

“Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t.”

She mustered all the remaining strength in her heart and faced him at last. Those eyes. Those eyes that looked after her. Those lips that kissed her to ease the pains. It was torture having to see him this way.

“I don’t love you.” She said through gritted teeth.

Khun pursed his lips as if preventing himself from doing anything.

“I still don’t believe you.” He said, although the way he said it suggested otherwise.

“Look, Khun, let’s just end it here. I’m sorry for everything. “ she said as she wiped her cheeks and began to unlock her door.

Khun held her by the elbow. It was the first time she ever felt him use force on her.

“If you get out of this car, everything that happened, everything we had will be forgotten and erased. Everything, including us, will be nothing but a lie. A show.” He said.

She paused, and turned to him. He was expecting her to say something irrational, just like everything that she’s been saying since they got in the car. But she didn’t. Instead, she forced a small smile and kissed him on the cheek. A friendly goodbye kiss.

She reached for something in her pocket and put it in his jacket pocket.

“When the right person comes along, you’ll know when to give this.” She whispered into his ear and got out of the car before a flood of tears streamed down her eyes.

Khun merely sat there, unable to move. After he watched her walk away, he dug for whatever it was she put in his pocket. It was a small envelope, but it was sealed. Written on it was

 “To Khun’s future wife”