"Remind me why I agreed to come here, again?" I yawned widely, facing the excited fan girl buzzing beside me, as we trekked our way to the left course of the huge stage, sides of which were adorned with hexagon-shaped blazing lights.

"Umm..." Rio pouted cutely. "Because you love me, duh!"

She giggled at her silly assumption making me roll my eyes. "No idiot, because I needed some fresh air." I remarked, sticking out my tongue at my member's face.

It was her turn to roll eyes. "Well, miss, you ain't getting any fresh air at EXO's concert!" She stated proudly, waving her banner in the air. She pointed at the screaming crowd filling the empty seats of the Seoul's Olympic Arena. "The only air you'll find here will be hot! Sexy hot! "

I scoffed. Oh please. "Seriously, we're idols too. You hurt my ego whenever you say things like that."

"You and your stupid ego, Somin." She mumbled. "There's no self esteem when it comes to EXO!"

We trudged up the stairs to VIP box, gawking at the view in front of our eyes. "Didn't know this place was so big."

She smiled sweetly. "Only the best for EXO!"

I looked around, frowning. "What shit, I'm already bored to death."

Rio gasped as if I had offended her. "How dare you even talk like that! It was so hard to get VIP seats, and now you're ruining the most precious time." She scowled before muttering, "Should have brought Sae Byul unnie, at least she's supportive. Why did you even volunteer accompanying me anyway?"

I winked. "Because I love teasing the shit out of you."

Rio ignored me. The lights in the arena dimmed immediately and out of nowhere, Rio's light stick blazed hot, burning white. It didn't take me long to notice that we were surrounded by an enormous ocean of small twinkling white lights which I deduced were light sticks. The number was so large that I was momentarily shocked.

Poor Rio had spent a heavy amount of savings to get a seat at VIP box, and I requested my connections when she begged me and baam! here we were as VIP, but it was way too close to the stage. Rio nudged me. "See, my boys are holding such a glorious concert and you can't deny there magnificence anymore."

I glanced at the mighty crowd and then her gleaming face. "You know, Rio. One day, we're going to hold a concert bigger than this. The cheers from the crowd will be deafening, our performances will be legendary and the fans will be going mad. It will be historic."

She smiled quietly. "I hope we will."

"I know we will."

-

EXO had performed at least five tracks by now and I was trying hard to suppress my large yawns, though I doubt it was possible, since the stage was just next to us. I laid my head back, glancing at my band member. She was jumping, waving her light stick, singing along the lyrics or maybe it was the fan chant? I don't know. Energy was radiating off from her body and I was glad to see her this happy. After every fifteen minutes, she would turn back and scream my ears off that this was the best day of her life and how 'Suho' grinned in her direction and that she had never seen 'Lay' this close before. And then, she would go back to dancing her ass off.

I chuckled when I finally picked some of the words she was chanting loudly. "Shawty I am a . . . what?!!"

Rio glared at me who was shaking with laughter. "Don't make fun of Sehunnie's lines!"

"Yah." I held my hands in surrender. "I'm just making a comment."

"I really hope you would enjoy this day. You have no idea Somin, how lucky you are to attend this concert!"

"Don't worry, I am." I smirked. She eyed me weirdly but chose not to argue further.

When the group wrapped up their major performance of the night, she squealed again. "Oh my dear lord! Doesn't Baekhyun look so damn hot in leather pants?!"

"Yea... Definitely." I hummed, scrolling on my phone.

"But he must be feeling very uncomfortable! I feel stuffy even in shorts. Oh poor boy!" Rio whined.

I nodded quietly.

"But, Baek pulls off his looks best when he wears those--- Are you listening to me, Nam Somin?" Her voice turned dangerously quiet.

Switching my gaze from my phone to the stage, I smiled obliviously. "Sorry, which one is Baekhyun?"

A loud gasp emitted from her mouth, fury dripping from her innocent eyes. "You little--" I was gifted with a smack on the back of my head.

I shrieked, smoothing my hair. God, it had taken me so long to make a decent ponytail. "Yeah, you crazy little bitch! I was kidding! It was a joke. Just a joke! A small, harmless, little joke!"

She crossed her arms tightly across her chest. "Well, you don't joke about Byun Baekhyun. End of story."

I rolled my eyes. Of course I knew who was Baekhyun. Wasn't it the short one with cute, tiny eyes? I only intended to annoy her. I smiled, apologetically. "Sorry."

She snatched my cell phone. "Using phone in EXO's concert is disrespectful."

"Yeah whatever." I retorted. "Give it back."

"Nope." 

"Come on!" 

"Nuh-uh."

"Pretty please!"

"Not working, Somin."

She shoved it in the bag hanging off her shoulder.

I groaned. God, now what?

Before arriving at the arena, I had vowed to myself not to focus too much on the show going on. I wanted to sit back and relax which proved obviously impossible when a loud speaker sat next to me. I peered over the fans and noticed how immersed they were. I examined my freshly painted nails. I played with a stray thread hanging off my shirt. I tried to think of all the moves I have to practice tomorrow. I tried to count the number of bright hexagons swaying in the crowd. After wandering around my eyes here and there for some more time, I was bored enough to break my promise.

Risking a glance at the stage, I found my eyes glued.

The group's choreo was truly breath-catching and I got drawn in it automatically. I tried to rip my eyes away before they fell on one person, truly standing out from his band mates. I smiled crookedly. His lips curled into scornful smirk and I looked away instantly.

Damn.

Rio shrieked. "Aaahhhhh!! He looked at us! He noticed us!" She bolted backward. "Oh fuck, I think he just winked." Grabbing my shoulders she directed my gaze at her electrified smile. "Somin, are you listening to me? Oh my god!!!" She grabbed her chest tightly. "I'm going to die! I can't believe this! Is this happening for real? I didn't know being seated at the VIP area is--"

I chuckled. "There are about thirty more people in VIP area."

Rio's features crumpled in confusion. "So?"

"Idols are instructed to interact with fans, aren't we too?" I reasoned.

 "Yeah but, he was looking here!"

"Whatever." I grinned. "Just don't go thinking that it was specifically for-"

"God, I hate you." She scowled.

"I love you too."

-

The concert lasted for another hour and I was gasping for cool breeze. In the end, all members grabbed their mics talking about their activities and schedules, giving spoilers and said sweet nothings to fans swoon. I was impressed how each of them managed to capture every heart in the stadium with their honey-coated words. The concert ended with a slow b-side track.

I couldn't wait to get out of this place as I dragged my crazy friend away. We put on our face mask as soon as we stepped foot in the bustling crowd. Not that our group was that popular and such, but we still needed to conceal ourselves, another order from our agency. Which I reckon is pretty stupid and pointless.

"Can I have my phone back, now?" I demanded. She handed it in less than a second.

As Rio skipped happily hugging her EXO banner tightly, I called a cab. "Umm.. why don't you take the cab and leave for the dorm?"

Rio's smile dropped instantly. "Why? Aren't you coming?"

"No, I have plans with Soo young. So I... I am gonna drop by her dorm for a while." I explained.

"Her dorm?" Her eyebrows met in confusion. "But it's nowhere near here. I'll drop you to--"

"That's fine." I smiled sweetly. We had to speak loudly because the feverish fans walking by us were chattering quite noisily "She said she's coming here."

"Here?"

"Yes." Then a thought struck me. "Wait, are you okay going on your own? I can cancel my plans if you say so. You just have to ask."

She rolled her eyes. "I may be the maknae but I'm not a baby, okay?"

 "Of course."

"So, I'll see you in an hour? Don't be late, manager unnie said we have practice at six. Arasso?"

"Okay mom." I laughed. My phone dinged with a message notifying me that the cab was here. As soon as the blue Alto came in my view with the same number plate, I helped Rio carry all the merch she brought here and opened the door for her. As soon as she was inside, her head stuck outside. "Somin, I know you're older than me and everything... but please don't do anything an idol shouldn't."

I chuckled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, don't pull those tricks or any rebellious stunts of yours. I don't want you to end up in trou--"

"Okay, I got it." I smacked my red lips. mon diue, this girl thinks I'm some criminal. "Bye bye." 

I signaled the driver to drive and soon enough her car sped off the road.

A satisfied smile crept up on my lips. I ripped off my face mask. No one's going to recognize me anyway. Why suffocate myself when my schedule is tight enough. Instead, I rummaged in my hand bag for a certain pass. When it dangled loosely around my neck, I took my phone out following the directions I had received last night, striding towards the stairs leading to the restricted backstage door.

I glanced over my back and was glad to find the crowd dispersing. Only a small number of fans were roaming around probably waiting for their rides. As I reached the door, I quickly shoved my cell phone inside my maroon hobo bag after I reviewed the text one last time.

Dressing room 4

Taking a large breath, I faced towards the sturdy guard standing at the door. Remember, Somin. confidence is the key, I prepped myself. Flashing a toothy smile and a friendly wink, I walked casually, my heels clicking on the tiles. "Hey, Oppa! Looking handsome as ever." I greeted the man whom I had never seen before like old buddies.

His eyebrows arched in question but as his eyes fell on my entry pass, he smiled politely. "Hi, thanks. Um sorry I don't remember your name." He squinted his eyes to read my pass.

I waved my hand freely. "Oh, that's fine."

I shot another smile as he made way to let me through.  "You better hurry. The show just ended, your help will be needed." He told me.

A victorious smile appeared and I knew the hardest part was over. I wended my way through narrow corridor, hoping that I wouldn't come across anyone, especially a staff member. It would make things so much worse.

Hold your shit. There isn't anything you can't do.

My eyes gleamed in delight when I found the black tainted door on my left, saying Dressing room 4 in gold letters. Pushing it open slightly so I could slip in, my frown morphed into smirk immediately as my eyes fell on the wide back of a certain black head. I'm sure he heard me enter but he didn't turn around.

"Bonjour, mon amour."

My boyfriend glanced back and I heard him inhale sharply. "Oh baby, don't use that voice."

I grinned, trotting forward playfully and wrapped my arms around his slender neck. Goosebumps popped up on my skin as his arms enveloped my waist. He was still wearing that white shirt, wet with sweat. Ignoring his remark, I whispered in his ear, "I told you not to do anything stupid, idiot."

"And I  told you not to look so appealing at a public event." He shot back. I felt his eagle eyes travel from my denim tank top to the A-line miniskirt. "Makes things hard for me."

I jerked my shoulder teasingly. "Well, you know, I can't help but look good."

"I know." He leaned closer, his breath tickling my nose. One of his hands retreated from my waist to my neck while the other rested on the small of my back. "How did you convince your friend?"

"Wasn't so easy." I said. "Are you sure there are no cameras here?"

He shook his head. "Not that I know of."

I ran my fingers through his silky black locks. "You completely slayed your solo stage, by the way."

He was surprised. "Really? You were watching?"

I smiled, flashing a dimple. "I don't need to watch you to tell that you're hot. I already know."

He chuckled. I leaned forward, pecking the corner of his lip lightly. He closed the space between us to respond but I pulled back at the same moment. "Baby, you're driving me crazy." He spoke softly in a raspy tone.

I grinned. "Don't worry, you can't handle me even if I came with a manual."

He smirked. "Right." His thumb was caressing the side of my cheek, he looked in my eyes and all I saw was desire and longing.
"Okay, enough talking." Sehun declared before claiming my lips. I gripped his hair, tilting his head for better access. A small groan escaped his mouth. He pulled me closer. Our lips moved in perfect sync until the door clicked open.

Oh man, dating in secrecy was harder than we had ever expected.

NOTE:
This chapter is neither a part of the book or a prologue. Only a SNEAK PEAK of what's the book going to be like so you know what you're getting yourself into ;)

The actual and current plot will begin from the next chapter!