Nine

Nine-Divide

Andrea swept the glass fragments the next day, repeating in her head the alibi she made up for it: air pressure. Well, it's science and no one questions science unless they want a series of formula and dead people with theories. While she was taking out the trash, Sehun called her from the building's back door.

"A girl like you shouldn't be taking out trash." He took the bag from her and threw it in the big green dumpster.

"A boy like you isn't supposed to be seen throwing trash with a girl like me." She answered while walking back to the building.

Sehun followed her, smiling bit at the fact that she was talking to him. He realized just then that her hair is longer than he thought, while it hung lose behind her. Even without touching it, he knew it was soft and probably smelled really good.

"What are you doing up this early, baby boy?"

"I was j-baby boy. I like it. Just like that little kiss."

Andrea turned to him and smirked. She casually put her hand on his chest and slowly ran it down to his abdomen. Sehun caught his breath but tried not to show too much.

"Well baby boy, you better keep that sweet mouth shut or else..."

"Or else what?"

"I already know how to shut you up." She tiptoed to his ear and whispered.

Chanyeol was standing by the window, enjoying the better morning view in Andrea's apartment. In his mind, he knew how rich she was just by the place she lives in. The apartment is equal to a "Presidential Suite" considering the location and the size. The details of the rooms are elegant and her choice of furniture is quite luxurious. Maybe it was too soon to admit or even feel but for Chanyeol, he knew there was something going on in him. From the first time he laid eyes on Andrea, his life was never the same.

He was about to turn to go get something to drink when he caught sight of two people holding hand in hand while walking to the building. His mind raced and his heart beat picked up as he watched Sehun and Andrea happily talking with each other.

"What the-"

He sat down the couch, his sweat pants covering his bruised and scarred legs stretched in front of him. He was jealous, there was no denying that. This peasant might have been branded as the mood maker of the group but when he wants something, he owns it. Even after trying to calm himself down, the burning feeling in his stomach was still there.

"Enjoyed yourself, Sehun?" He asked, his sarcasm reeking all over the place.

"What are you talking about?" Sehun was not on the slightest aware of what the other was talking about.

"She's mine."

Sehun looked at Chanyeol with a "what the fuck" face and tried to find out if the joker was in fact joking. If he weren't then that would be a big problem because he has decided to pursue Andrea and if this older brother decided to get in the way, he's taking him on no matter what. Chanyeol's serious expression remained until he flashed his teeth-rich stupid grin and flicked Sehun's forehead. What an idiot.

"You scared me." Sehun punched Chanyeol's side and retreated to his phone.

In the kitchen, Andrea smiled in satisfaction after drinking some water. The kiss was uncalled for but she managed to use it to her advantage. Her plan is going so well that it even becomes easier to carry out as she thought. These boys are too young to realize what was happening. She's creating a divide among them... and then take them out one by one.

"Plotting a murder?"

Chen's question pierced through her thoughts as she found him already sitting at the table, watching her with his face caught on his palm. Andrea rolled her eyes at him, hating the fact that such a boy could annoy her as much.

"Yes, I am actually." She made sure her indifference was evident.

She turned her back on him, washing her glass in

"Good. Now I know your motive for breaking our sprinklers."

Andrea froze. She started to build up come backs for what the kid said. At the same time, she did her best to keep her face neutral and her body language as calm as she could make it. She'll deal with the other things later.

"First, I plot a murder. Now I broke your sprinklers?" She was taking her time wiping her glass dry before putting it back in the dispenser.

"You're an interesting girl. But I'm smart. You didn't knives, did you?"

Damn. The troll is going at it. He still remembers that day Andrea borrowed knives from them and Luhan happily obliged. He knew what she was up to. Or could it be that he was just waiting for the new girl to call his bluff?

"You really think you're smart, aren't you?" She smirked, that kind she does when she is about to fire someone.

"Not smart enough though." Chen was biting her, one piece at a time.

"If you were right, I think we know now who I'm taking out first."

For the first time, Andrea was letting someone into her thoughts. She stared Chen down and made him feel the hatred she has got for them. The kid felt her anger but surely, he wasn't smart enough to figure out why. From the very first time he's met her, he was dying to see this side of her: opposite from how his brothers saw her.

But if he told them now, who would believe him. After all, he's always been the troll and the fact that he still didn't know where her anger was coming from kept his mouth shut.

Andrea's face slowly crept back to the angelic one as she smiled sweetly to the doubting kid in front of him. In her mind, a clock was starting a countdown. She didn't have a lot of time.

--

The next day, EXO were gathered yet again in the four walls of their practice room. They've spent almost half their lives in this place, which slowly became hell in contrast with the heavenly clouds painted on it. Ten hours of training: dancing, singing, acting, speaking, even their manners were polished. EXO was definitely one hell of a project for the company and they are required, if not forced, to be as perfect as they could.

A little after 6pm, the head stylist came in and huddled them up together. Jun has been with SM Entertainment for ten years and EXO was his biggest assignment to date. He is the one responsible for how they look on every single TV appearance, music video, even on commercials and behind the scenes takes. He knew he'd definitely lose everything had he made even just one mistake.

"How are you, boys?" He asked, knowing how unnecessary the question was.

"Who is she?" Kris bluntly asked, pointing at the wide eyed woman standing next to Jun.

"Okay... thank you for asking that Kris," Jun did his best to put up with the attitude, "She is the new person in charge of your wardrobe. Introduce yourself, dear."

He pushed her slightly forward and she instantly bowed at them, the curls of her shoulder length hair covering her face. She stood back up and smiled at them, not minding the fact that some of them are already judging her hard.

"I'm Mirae. Nice to meet you all. I'm a huge fan."

"Oh great! A fan." Baekhyun blurted out, making his partner in crime Chanyeol burst laughing.

"Won't she freak when she sees us naked?" Chen asked, amused at his own question.

"She won't." Jun chuckled, "Will you, dear?"

"My past boss was a monster but I put up with her for five years without batting an eyelash." She answered smartly. "I'd like to see you all naked but I can handle it."

She winked at no one in particular. She knew they hated her so much by now but she isn't gonna lose her job again. She's going to show her former boss what she has lost.

"Good. Well then, I'll see you all tomorrow for your awards night wardrobe fitting. Stay away from carbs. Ciao!"

Jun and Mirae went out of the practice room and EXO immediately dispersed, everybody getting ready to leave. Since they have shared an apartment with Andrea, almost half of them were always excited to go home. All of them opted to go except for one.

"Yah. Troll. Waiting for Christmas?" Luhan called after Chen who was reading a text message from his cell.

"Go ahead. Tell the driver to come back for me." He said.

"Are you sure?"

"Don't miss me that much." He teased, smirking at him.

Luhan rolled his eyes at him and left. Chen has always been satisfied in annoying Luhan and on an ordinary day, he'd continue making fun of him until he cried but tonight, he has more important things to do.

Unknown number:I've got what you need. Wanna know more?

Of course he wanted to know more. Don't we all? He went to where he was instructed to go to, without any questions because he wanted to know more badly. Everything that has happened so far the moment they moved into the new dorm was extremely bizarre and so far, he's the only one who's realized it.

The EXO members are back in Andrea's place, realizing she wasn't home the moment they got there. Some dropped dead on the sofa and on the mattress still laid out on the floor. Suho and Lay decided to make some food for the kids while waiting.

At 11, Andrea arrived home, finding some of the boys still awake watching some movie on TV. She smiled at them and proceeded to her room where she took off her shoes and laid in bed. She closed her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair. It has been a long night for her and some time in the tub would really help.

In the morning, Luhan woke everyone up with an evident worry written all over his cute little face. They all groggily tried to calm him down. But he just went on panicking.

"Chen is missing." He said.

The members laughed at him and waved him off.

"Making fun of you again?" Kris went back to sleep.

"He didn't come home last night!" Luhan insisted.

"Maybe he just fell asleep in a club or ran away." Xiumin told him, completely uninterested.

They all went through the fitting and finished but no troll came. If he was kidding, he pushed it a little too far now don't you think?