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| February 12th, Friday, 2021 |

Annie clicked on the text, only to be met with a blank profile photo.

Of course, no one would be stupid enough to let it show.

She read the message again.

"Break up with him".

There was no name.

And she got the text just as Hyoseop dropped her off.

There was a big chance the person behind this thought she was dating him – and if that were the case, there was nothing to worry about.

But if it wasn't? If someone had found out about her and Minho? Then what?

"Who" – she replied.

One minute passed by before the other side texted back.

"you have until sunday"

"break up with minho"

Oh.

"I'm in trouble."

Annie started laughing.

"What's wrong, you crazy woman? Weren't you heading to the shower?"

Remi entered the room visibly judging her friend.

"Someone found out about me and Minho."

"What?!"

The younger one immediately let go of the notebook she was holding and stood in front of her.

"And you're laughing?!"

Annie let out a giggle.

"It has become a type of coping mechanism."

She shrugged.

Honestly, what good would it make to cry? Or yell at the walls?

"Rim..."

"Someone texted me saying I have until Sunday to break up with him, otherwise they'll expose us."

Annie explained, serious, this time.

"Huh?? Don't tell me you're thinking about it."

The brunette frowned, appearing worried.

"Of course not! I mean, I need to check if that person has any pictures of us. If they do, we'll probably have to stop meeting for some time."

She sighed, throwing her body on the bed.

"It's so stupid that we have to worry about our love life being exposed. I thought we were artists, not dolls meant to fulfil people's fantasies."

"True. But hey, even if the company finds out, I doubt they'll do something. They know how valuable you are. I don't think our fans are that selfish either."

Remi sat beside her.

"So you're telling me I should just ignore the text?"

"Maybe? Who knows if it isn't just a stupid prank?"

"Yeah, but–"

As Annie was about to continue, her phone notified another text from the same person.

"Uh oh."

"What?"

"I don't think it's a prank."

She showed her the pictures. They were taken on Thursday, during the encounter with Jongwon. Not only had they pictured Lee Know pushing the guy, but also him hugging her.

"Hold on. This– Eh?? What's going on here?"

Remi confusedly grabbed the phone.

"Ah, right. So, what happened yesterday was that my stalker came back and almost kidnapped me, but then Minho showed up, they fought and I called the cops."

The girl stared at her in awe.

"But that's weird. Jongwon is my only stalker...so this means Minho is being stalked too? What the hell?"

Annie talked with herself while her friend processed the information.

Does he know about it?

"Why didn't you call us!? Don't ever leave the company alone again! What would've happened if I hadn't told Lee Know about you leaving?!"

Remi finally woke up from her trance and started yelling with teary eyes as she went for a hug.

"Hey, calm down, I'm okay now!"

"You better be!"

She smacked her head.

"Ouch!"

"Deserved."

Annie glared at her.

"Is this how you treat elders?"

"It's how I treat irresponsible and ruthless people."

Remi raised an eyebrow.

"Ha, weren't you crying a minute ago?"

"I was. I worried about you, you're fine. Now you get scolded for making me worry."

Annie stayed silent, understanding the line of thought.

"Anyway, what are you going to do about the text?"

"I don't know. They said I have until Sunday, so I'll worry about that tomorrow."

"Your level of procrastination worries me sometimes."

Remi shook her head in disappointment.

"You know what they say, 'why do today what can be done tomorrow?'"

"I don't think that's how it goes–"

Annie gave her a smile before gathering her things to finally go shower.

Once she was one step from entering the bathroom, her phone rang with a special notification sound. She ran to go get it.

"We need to meet...now"

Her smile faded away. There was a bad feeling about this.

"What's wrong?"

Remi, who was about to leave the room, came back when noticing her friend's expression.

"Minho wants to meet me now. It seems important."

"Now? Where? It's nearly 9 p.m."

The girl replied to him with the same questions.

"His dorm."

Remi scanned her from head to toe, Annie following her gaze.

"What?"

"You look too cute to meet him this late at night."

She laughed.

"The other boys will probably be there! And I told you it seemed important."

"Be back by ten or I'm knocking at their door."

Remi crossed her arms.

"You're acting like a mum today."

"Because you're behaving like a child."

Annie scoffed.

"When did I?!"

"When you carelessly walked alone at night."

She rolled her eyes while walking to the front door.

"I'll be back soon."

"Hm."

Remi shooed her away.

She's going to bother me because of that for the next entire month.

What does Minho even want to call me out to his dorm now? With the other guys around too.

Ever since we started dating, I've never been there to hang out with Minho when there's other people. I get in after they leave and go out before they arrive.

Could it be about Jongwon's situation?

Annie rang the doorbell.

"Coming!!"

Someone yelled from inside.

"Hel– Ham??"

Han immediately pulled her inside and closed the door.

"What brings you here at this hour? Did something happen?"

He softly turned her body left and right, trying to see if she was hurt in any way.

"I'm fine, Hannie. Minho texted me saying we needed to talk."

"Ah."

He stepped back.

"He's in our room."

Oh, right. They share a room.

"I'll be in Changbin's room in case you need anything."

He waved in a tiny manner before walking away.

"Thanks!"

Annie left her shoes at the door and entered the small hallway.

"Oh, hello."

Jeongin bowed, a little surprised to see the girl there.

"Hi!"

She smiled awkwardly.

A few steps later she was knocking at her boyfriend's door.

"Yeah?!"

"Hey."

Annie entered with a timid smile, leaving the door slightly ajar – she didn't want the boys to get the wrong idea.

"Hi, love."

Minho got up from his seat, letting his weight fall on her shoulders in a cosy and warm hug.

"Is everything okay?"

She spoke quietly, caressing his back.

No response, he only wrapped his arms tighter around her body.

Did something happen?

Did he get scolded? Why?

Did his manager find out about yesterday?? Is he in trouble??

"I'm sorry."

He finally said.

She pulled away just enough to be able to see his face.

"Why?"

"Our relationship is at risk and it's because of me."

Annie felt her heart beating faster and her head getting dizzy.

"What do you mean? Why would our relationship be at risk? Is this because of yesterday? Did you get a text too? Don't tell me you're thinking about it..."

She nervously smiled after letting go of him.

"'Too'? You also received something?"

"Yeah, a text saying we should break up or they would expose us. You're considering the option??"

"Did they send you anything else? A threat?"

Annie breathed out, calming down the frustration she was getting from him not answering her question.

"Just a picture. Did they threaten you in another way? Is this why you're saying we're at risk?"

"They're an older stalker of mine, I'm used to their threats."

She sighed deeply this time.

"Minho, answer the question. Do you want to break up or not?"

He stared at her, blinking a few times.

This wasn't supposed to go like this.

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author's note

| sorry for the delay, I had a bunch of work to do :')

| also I'm posting this without reviewing/spell-check so please excuse any grammar errors and incoherence heh (but feel free to point them out!)

off topic:

did yall see the unveil tracks??? they're so good!! I feel like this album may become my all time favorite <3