12. Choices

(Y/N's POV)

  I was watching TV that day, when I heard a loud thud and a cry of pain. "Omma?" I called, lowering the volume of the TV. 

  "(Y/N) could you come here? I think I sprained my ankle," she said. I hurried to the living room and found omma seated on the stairs, a basket of laundry fallen at her feet. "Omma! Gwenchanha? What happened??"

 "I tripped coming down the stairs," she said, moving her foot with a wince "I think it's sprained"

  "Are you sure it's not broken?" I asked, pressing her ankle lightly. Omma swatted my hands away. "It's not broken. It'll be alright after I apply something and bandage it up," She said holding the railing and getting up. "Could you get the bandages for me?"

 I went to the drawer that had medicine and rummaged trough it. There were band aids, gauze pads, antiseptic and other stuff. But no bandages. "Omma! There's no bandages" I called out.

  "Oh. I thought we had some" she said "Never mind. I'll be alright,"  She tried to put weight on her foot and winced.

  "Aniyo. I'll pop down to the store and buy some," I grabbed my coat and some money. "You're not supposed to be seen remember?" Omma asked sternly "I'm fine. Really."

  "It's been three days already. Don't worry, I'll be careful," I insisted and headed outside.

  Ahh it's so nice to be out of the house! I breathed in the cool air (or as much as I could through my mask). There was hardly anyone on the roads on the lazy Sunday afternoon. Looking around to see if the the coast was clear I removed my mask. Ugh. How do idols where this every time they go out?

  My shoelace had come undone and I looked down at it, trying to walk without stepping on the lace because I was too lazy to bend down and retie it. I was so focused on it that I bumped hard into someone and hood of my coat fell back.

  "Mianhamnida" I apologized to the girl with a bow of my head. I was about to turn  away when the girl suddenly caught hold of me. "Wait a minute...I think I've seen you somewhere..." she said looking puzzled.

 Aish why did you remove your mask you pabo?! I cursed at myself. "I think you are mistaken. We have never met before" I said lowering my head and desperately trying to hide behind a sheet of hair.

  The girl gripped me harder. "Aniyo. I know who you are!" her eyes widen with recognition and then hostility. "Your the girlfriend of Exo Chanyeol!"

  "Ahni, Ahni! You are mistaken" I said desperately, struggling to get away. I managed to pry her fingers off my arm but before I could escape, she caught me by my hair and pulled me back. My back hit the wall behind me.

  "Yah! What did you do to seduce our Chanyeol oppa?" the girl snarled. "He would never fall for someone like you. "

  I struggled with all my might but the girl only pulled my hair harder. "I don't know what you're talking about" I said.

 "Don't you dare deny it. How dare you steel oppa away from us you b**!" she ranted "You think you're so special just because you managed to weasel your way into his life."

 "If only closed minds came with closed mouths," I retorted angrily "I could get on your level but I don't like being on my knees as much as you do. Besides, you don't own him."

  "If you don't shut your mouth, the next thing going to come out of it is your teeth," she said shoving me and my head knocked on the wall with a bang. I wasn't someone who picked fights, but just then I was enraged beyond words. I pushed back and the girl momentarily let go of me. But with a growl of rage, she came at me again, raking her nails across my face. I lashed out and pushed her away from me with such a force that she crashed onto the rough ground. 

  Before she could get back up and I started running and didn't stop till I got to the store. I had been unconsciously crying, the salty tears stinging the scratch on my cheek. I leaned my head against the glass window of the shop, trying to slow my racing heart and the helpless thoughts crowding in my mind. When will this end?

(Chanyeol's POV)

  "EXO Chanyeol's alleged girlfriend lashes out when confronted by a fan, leaving the fandom enraged"

  I couldn't believe my eyes. This article was making (Y/N) look like a monster when I was sure there was a understandable reason behind it. I was positive that the fan must have hurt her because she would never lash out at anyone. "I have to go to her," I informed my members and strode over to the door . My manager put an arm across it, preventing me from leaving.

  "I don't think that's a good idea," he said "You'll only make things worse if you're seen"

  Before I could protest the manager's phone rang. He answered it, listened for a few minutes and then said "I understand sir".

  "You're wanted at the director's office," he said to me. I gulped. The members gave me encouraging looks as I left the room and made my way to the director's office.

 "Come in," said the director when I knocked on the door. I went in. "I believe you know why I called you here," he said. "This recent controversy of yours has brought us quite a lot of trouble"

  "Mianhamnida Director-nim" I hung my head.

  "We cannot ignore this matter anymore and we will have to issue a statement regarding it. You will have to write a statement personally too"

   "Does that mean that I can tell everyone that we are actually dating?" I asked eagerly.

 "You can, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should," the director said gravely.

 "What do you mean?" I frowned.

  "I know we cannot interfere with your personal life. But as we are responsible of our artists' success, I think it would be the best if you deny it," he said "You and EXO are all extremely talented and I would hate to see anything hinder your success."

  "So you are making me lie about (Y/N)?" I asked incredulously.

  "We are giving you a choice. You can either accept the rumours or deny them. Both will have their consequences."

  "What if I accept the rumours and admit they're true?"  I asked.

  The director sighed. "You will lose a lot of fans and leave a black mark on EXO's reputation. I know it's unfair but that's how this industry works. All 12 of you are young and talented and you can go a long way if you make the right decisions- including in love."

  "You want me to break up with her don't you?" I narrowed my eyes.

 "You are still young. I know what it's like to be your age. You may think you've found your dream girl but it might turn out to be nothing but a passing feeling," he said "You are still at the start of what you can accomplish with your talent. Don't throw it away for a fleeting romance"

  "I love her!" I cried, getting up angrily "It's not some holiday fling! And-" The director held up his hands.

  "All I can do is advice. I hope you think about it and make the correct decision," he said showing me to the door. "We need your answer by morning. Good evening."

  I stumbled through the long corridors feeling dizzy and trapped. I need to get away. I need to think.

  I somehow found myself on the building rooftop, gripping the railing that ran around it tightly. One jump from here and all my problems will disappear. The fierce clarity of this thought startled me and I jerked back from the edge. Committing suicide won't help anything. In despair I sank to the ground trying to sort through the chaos in my head.

   I didn't want to end things with (Y/N). We hadn't even gone on a 1st date. I can't. I won't. I thought angrily. But... I didn't want to sabotage the success of the EXO members either. I knew how hard each of them had worked to get to where they were. Sleepless nights, endless training, and for the Chinese members, homesickness. Was I going to be the one to ruin it all? But (Y/N)...

   AISH! I pulled at my hair in frustration, hoping the pain would clear my head. Why was life so complicated? I did everything with a smile on my face but I end up getting hurt. I showered my fans with love, but was it that hard for them to love me in return? Ahni...they love me, that's why they're mad. I sighed and put my head between my knees.

  .   .  .

    The sun was peeking over the treetops in the East when I got up, finally coming to a decision.

(A/N) What do you think Chanyeol's decision is? Who will he choose? Feel free to drop your guesses in the comments! Thanks for reading <3  And stream Chanyeol's Minimal Warm!  Him and his honey voice😍