Eric’s alarm beeped angrily at him from where it was situated next to his bed.  Eric gave the clock a firm whack to silence it before groaning into his pillow.  Eric had spent nearly the entire night organizing his thoughts and coming up with what to say at the press conference.  With another loud groan Eric sat up and stretched.  He stumbled out of bed and made his way to the bathroom.  Eric slumped into the shower and the faucet.  The barrage of cold droplets against his skin immediately woke him up completely.  He yelped and then quickly adjusted the water temperature.

              After showering, Eric went to his closet and grabbed the suit that his stylist had recommended he wear when he called her last night.  Eric checked the time on his brand name watch that was firmly secured around his wrist.  To be honest, Eric hated dressing up like this.  It just felt so weird.  He hated having the burden of wearing such expensive clothes and accessories.  But Eric knew that it all came with the turf.  Being a celebrity meant that he had a certain image to maintain.

              Eric quickly brewed himself a cup of coffee and took it with him as he exited his apartment.  Eric unconsciously looked at Hyesung’s unit and noticed the garbage bag that was still there from the night before.  Eric was quickly reminded of the events that occurred after he noticed the bag of waste the first time.  What a horrible night that was.  The leader sighed and grabbed the garbage.  Hyesung would have a fit if he found out Eric never took the liberty to throw it away.

              On his way to the parking lot Eric disposed of the garbage bag in the garbage shoot.  Right as he closed the shoot, his phone beeped indicating that he had received a text message.  He opened the text and it was from Minwoo.  Everything’s set at the press conference location =_=  Be on time!  The message had also been sent to the other members.  Last night, Minwoo had volunteered to go to the location early in order to make sure that everything was prepared for the press meeting.  Eric left a brief message in response letting everyone know he was on his way.  He hurried his way down the last flight of stairs and emerged into the parking lot.  Eric began refreshing everything he had decided to say the night before in his mind.  He climbed into his car and sped off to the location.

              “Hey!” Minwoo greeted his leader when the older man arrived.  Eric nodded in response, his brow obviously furrowed in concentration.  Minwoo couldn’t help but grin at the rapper’s actions.  Eric was a bit 4D, but when it came down to it, Eric was definitely the hardest worker in Shinhwa.  He always made sure that he produced the best work he could for any task given to him.  Minwoo had no doubt that the press conference would go smoothly thanks to Eric.

              “Where are the others?” Eric pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked around for the rest of the members.

              “They’re getting their make-up done right now,” Minwoo gestured towards the waiting room.  Eric thanked Minwoo and went to get his own make-up done.  He walked into the room and saw Junjin, Dongwan, and Andy sitting in their individual chairs facing the mirror.  Eric took the empty seat next to Junjin and waited till a stylist was free to do his make-up.

              “Hey hyung,” Junjin greeted as the stylist working on him put the finishing touches on his face.  Eric grinned at the younger man.  Eric didn’t say anything to Junjin in response.  He didn’t feel like having a conversation right now.  He chose instead to close his eyes and try to relax as the stylist began his own make-up.  Eric cleared his mind of all thoughts and instead concentrated on his breathing and the sound of everyone bustling around him.  Eric’s fatigue from an accumulation of stress and lack of sleep began affecting him and his consciousness slowly faded.

              Minwoo looked at the sleeping face of Eric with pity.  The press conference started in five minutes, but he could not bring himself to wake up the leader.  Minwoo knew that the man didn’t sleep the night Hyesung got hurt and barely slept last night.  After this press conference, Minwoo and the other members were going to force the leader to rest using any means necessary.  Minwoo couldn't help but let his mind wander to the reason that they were holding this conference in the first place.  Hyesung was in the hospital and crippled for probably the rest of his life.  It was still hard to believe.  How would things change?  Minwoo had been mulling over this question for a while now, but he could only come up with guesses.  Only time would tell how this incident would change his life and that of everyone around him.

              Minwoo lightly tapped Eric’s shoulder and the older man jerked awake.

              “We’re on in five,” Minwoo was gloomily serious.  Eric blinked his red eyes and looked at the other three members doing last checks in the mirrors.  Eric stood up and glanced in the mirror in front of him.  He straightened his jacket and adjusted his collar.  Without even waiting for the other members, Eric began walking towards the door leading to the press conference.  Eric’s eyes were fixed forward with a terrifying intensity in them.  Eric was determined to defend his brothers, he had done it before, and he would do it again.  He wouldn’t allow anyone to badmouth any of the men he was proud to call friends.  Especially Hyesung.

              As soon as Shinhwa entered the room, all eyes and cameras were on them.  The paparazzi had pens at the ready and immediately began studying the six men.  Even the slightest wrong movement could be the cause of a major scandal.  But these five veterans were not fazed by the tension in the air; they had an important mission to accomplish.  Eric lined up the members and did the standard ‘We are Shinhwa’ greeting.  Eric sat down and observed the faces in the room.  He could recognize a few because of his years in the business.  Eric was relieved to see that this press conference wasn't as big as he had expected.  He assumed that Jang Eon had only contacted press that the Liveworks CEO knew to be reliable and trustworthy.  Eric put the mike to his lips and cleared his throat.

              “Thank you all for gathering on such short notice.  I would like to skip the introductions and just get straight to the point,” Eric ignored all the formalities to intimidate the paparazzi.  The conference would go a lot more smoothly if he could weed out any potential criticism and foolish questions early.

              “I assume that you have all heard the rumor that Shinhwa’s Shin Hyesung was involved in a car accident two nights ago,” Many of the people in the room nodded their heads, their eyes growing wider with curiosity.

              “This is true-“ Eric was cut off by the outburst of questions that exploded from the press.  Eric expected this reaction and gave them a steely glare.  The talking ceased immediately and Eric continued.

              “Please ask your questions ONE at a time,” Eric immediately established his dominance in the situation.  A determined woman raised her hand and Eric nodded at her.

              “Can you please tell us the status of Mr. Shin at the moment,” She requested.  Eric cleared his throat and answered.

              “He is currently receiving treatment at Gangnam Hospital.  He regained consciousness after the accident yesterday,” Many hands went up after Eric’s response.  Eric chose a round, little man to ask the next question.

              “How badly injured is Mr. Shin?” Eric was warily anticipating this question; he had to make sure that he phrased his words carefully.  The other members glanced at the leader worriedly.

              “Hyesung received some minor cuts and bruises including a rather deep one on his forehead that required stitches…” Eric hesitated for a moment and the sharp-eyed press immediately noticed.  The reporters began scribbling furiously on their note pads.

              “He also, broke his spine in the accident,” Eric finished and the press immediately became wide-eyed, many of them began scribbling faster on their pads.  More hands shot up, but Eric already knew what they wanted to ask.

              “The doctor’s diagnosis is that Hyesung will be paralyzed for possibly the rest of his life,” Eric didn’t even make an attempt to sugar coat the news, the paparazzi would find out the truth sooner or later.  The other members were stiffly watching the reporters’ reactions, but they were just as determined as Eric to defend Hyesung.  Junjin decided to speak up.

              “This doesn't change anything though, we still are and always will be Shinhwa.”

              “All six of us, even Hyesung,” Andy added.  Eric looked at his friends and they all grinned at the leader.

              “We have been through tough times before, but we have gotten through them because we are together,” Dongwan took the mike.

              “Apart we are nothing, together we are stronger,” Minwoo finished and the Leader’s heart welled with pride.

              “Now that you understand the situation, we look forward to your support through this difficult situation, thank you,” Eric ended strongly, showing his desire that either the public was with them, or against them.  Everything had gone according to what Eric wanted.  He didn’t wish to prolong the press conference because it would give the reporters time to criticize.  Eric signaled to the other members that it was time to leave and they obediently followed.  The cameras continued to flash until Shinhwa entered the privacy of their dressing room.  The five men each let out an audible sigh of relief.

              “Whoo!  Shortest press conference I’ve ever been to,” Minwoo teasingly nudged the leader.  Minwoo was so glad that the ordeal was over and was very impressed with how Eric handled the situation.  Eric grinned sheepishly in response.

              “Yeah hyung, next time you should tell us the plan,” Andy pouted cutely.  He had been so shocked by the oldest man’s charismatic appearance when dealing with the press that he had barely managed to say anything.  Dongwan pinched the cute maknae’s cheeks, barely able to contain his excitement that the meeting had gone well.

              “Hyyuuunng!” Andy whined as he wrestled out of Dongwan’s grip.  In a matter of seconds, Shinhwa had returned to its natural playfulness.  Junjin grinned widely and was about to join in when he noticed the leader’s agitated appearance.

              “What’s wrong hyung?” Junjin furrowed his brows.  Eric didn’t answer and just looked up at the younger man.  Junjin took a moment to read his friend’s face, and then he smiled knowingly.  After almost fifteen years together, he was able to tell what the older man was thinking with a glance.  Junjin’s smile grew wider and he placed a hand on Eric’s shoulder.

              “Go to him,” These words were all Eric needed to hear before he his heel and made his way towards the exit.

              “Where are you going Eric?” Minwoo paused as he stared after the leader, Andy in a firm headlock between his arms.  Eric gave a backward wave and then was out the door.  Dongwan, Andy, and Minwoo gave each other questioning looks and then turned to Junjin who had his arms crossed in front of his chest and a smug smile on his face.

              “Romantic bastard,” He whispered to himself.