*One Week Later*
Inside Ember Wang's domain, a pair of idle singers can be spotted making themselves comfortable in the black L-shaped sofa. While the ember-haired woman happily makes her best friend's thighs as her pillow, Kielle can only groan as he feels the weight on him.
Scrolling through her phone, Ember stops as soon as an article catches her attention. Her golden eyes brighten upon reading the contents. It's about Kielle's new music single release, and it has been doing great in local and international charts.
She feels a swell of pride inside of her as she looks down at her best friend with a smirk on her face.
Kielle notices her gaze; and for a second, he felt scared.
Now, what is it this time?
"Congrats," Ember casually says as she positions her phone for Kielle to see.
Beaming, she is genuinely happy for her friend's achievement; but the tone of her voice sounds half-assed. Kielle gazes at the phone for a second; but upon seeing the contents of the article, he looks up at his friend. He rolls his eyes at Ember as he ignores the tone of laziness in her praise because he knows that even though she is not showing too much emotion, she is certainly happy for him.
He skims through her phone, reading the article.
Kielle feels a shift movement while Ember sits up, finally her head leaving his lap. Tilting her head to the side, Ember looks at her friend with a curious spark in her eyes. "So, when are you going to start the promotion?"
It has been three days now, but her best friend seems to have all the time in the world, chilling and even gatecrashing her house─ not that she minded; but usually, an idol would be so busy for his promotions.
"In a few days, I guess. I'd probably be too busy to call frequently, but I'll try during my free time," Kielle assures her as he leaves the article and begins to scroll down her newsfeed. He doesn't seem bothered by the delaying of his promotion activities; he's more concerned about whether he'll be able to have the time to give to her. He then leans his head on the couch.
Ember shakes her head with a smile, slightly feeling touched by his words.
"You and I both know how hectic comeback season is, so there's no need to stress out about contacting me at all."
Being a singer meant sacrifice. Acting is very constraining— but singing? The music industry is full of possessive fans that only want to have their idols for themselves. Flying from one country to another for concert tours, not eating enough to look good in their comebacks, and pretty much being a public property. Don't forget to mention how entitled some fans can quite be, rest is pretty much out of the question. So Ember, for one, wanted Kielle to use his spare time to rest rather than informing her of how he's doing.
Kielle smiles at his friend's masked concern.
It's difficult enough to find a true friend in this world, especially when you're very famous. Luckily enough, he has her. Ember Wang is not only his best friend. She also completely understands the hardship of those people who are part of the music industry. No wonder that their friendship is still going strong. Even though it has been so long, they are still treating each other in the same manner as they have been treating each other in the past.
Sadly though, Kielle is also aware of the fact that the female idols in the music industry are treated in a much more terrible manner than their male counterparts. But of course, if he ever discovers that his best friend is suffering from that kind of treatment, then he won't stay silent. He'll make them pay and, if possible, send them to jail for the rest of their lives.
Scrolling once again, Kielle suddenly laughs, causing Ember to jolt for a second.
"What is this, Ember? You sued someone?"
Ember's beautiful face is mixed with confusion; but upon realizing what he just said, her face twitches into a scowl. "Well, she dares to slander me while I'm in front of her. Then I also found out that she's a dedicated hater of mine." She nonchalantly shrugs as she recalls the scene she has with the woman while inside the Xu Company's elevator.
Did that woman really think that she'll let go of her malicious comments? What an idiot; that woman doesn't know that she's from the family of Wang. "She deserves it." Kielle cannot help but gently smile at her, nodding. Ahh, Ember─ always the vengeful type.
He returns his gaze to the phone.
Kielle's scrolling is put to a stop when he suddenly sees the face of his brother in an article regarding their company.
'Tsk!' He internally cusses and clicks his tongue. His anger from a few days prior resurfaces from within while he glares at his brother's image in disdain. He doesn't only deserve a bruise; he should have made his face go blue and black!
Noticing her friend's sudden irritation, Ember leans closer to look at her phone. Seeing that it's a business article, she gets a little more curious. Her confusion is then extinguished when a familiar face comes into view.
'It's still so early, and my morning's already ruined.' Ember's blatant disdain shows. She takes back her phone from her friend's hand with a frown. She screen-locks her phone as she sighs, giving an exasperated look to her friend. He's just glaring at the mini version of Alessio that is included in their family portrait before their eyes.
"No need for you to be angry. I'll take care of it. That woman and that no good brother of yours won't know what hit them," she swears with an evil glint in her eyes.
A smirk has form on her pink lips as she knows too well that Kielle is going to side with her no matter how mean and cruel her portrayal is. In fact, she has already begun with the plan for revenge. Though that's just the beginning. Being simply mean to Alessio is nothing cruel to the plan she has in mind for that bastard and bitch.
"And what, pray do tell, are you going to do?" Kielle gazes at Ember with curiosity reflecting in his soft jade eyes. Whatever plans she has decided for his brother though; Kielle won't oppose it and even support her plan whole-heartedly.
She smirks.
"I'll break them up of course," Ember says in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Break them up? You still want him back?"
Kielle is startled by her plans, and Ember scoffs at her friend's words. Want him back? Pfft! No way. Despite still having some feelings for him, she wouldn't dare be stupid again. She slightly narrows her eyes.
"No. If he really has some feelings for that gold digger, then wouldn't it be nice if he also experiences heartbreak? Haha! And also I want to see his expression if I ever expose his bitch's true face. There's no way that peasant approached him for no intention; I'm certain that she's just using him."
He eyes her friend as she says her cruel plans with a devilish smirk. He suddenly feels pity for his older brother, but he shakes that off. Whatever she has in store for him… Alessio deserves it. Kielle sighs.
There's no room for pity here.
"Well, to be honest, I still don't have a complete plan formulated on how I'm going to do it, but when have I ever failed?" Ember laughs to herself, full of confidence, as she once more begins to ponder her various plans.
Kielle slowly smiles in amusement, shaking his head at her smile, while placing his trust in her. As long as she doesn't get herself hurt along the way and neither has she done anything overboard, then he'll support her for sure.
He pats Ember's head like she's just a child. "So I heard that you were going to audition for a drama?" Although she isn't happy being treated like a child, she still nods as she ignores his hand, shrugging off her answer.
"Well, yeah. I will in a few days."
Kielle smiles, seeing no worries from her actions.
"You're pretty confident, huh."
His amusement is obvious in his tone as he knows too well that Ember Wang always gets what she sets her eyes on. Ember doesn't say anything to that, but he can clearly see that air that she carries.
Ember has gone through many changes throughout the years. A bright and energetic kid as a young child that has grown into a princess during her teenage years. She was constantly spoiled in materialistic gifts yet tortured to hone her talents and skills. Kielle himself doesn't know when his dear friend started to turn into the empress she is today.
Strong, fierce, and resilient; the bright princess was slowly concealed within because of the hardship of the entertainment industry.
So Kielle won't blame her for the personality she has right now. She has gone through so much for her dream to be attained. And it's her dream, and who is he to stop her? And because no matter what; despite that strong facade on, she is still human.
'Even an empress has her own weakness, and maybe Alessio-ge is hers. Well, love makes everyone weak,' Kielle sadly thinks as he remembers how his confident friend broke down a few days ago because of his brother.
Falling in love can be instant or gradual, but moving on? Moving on is never instantly achieved unless you never really loved the person, at least that's what Kielle believes.
'Be sad, angry, and helpless; everyone has their weak moments. I'll be here for you until you finally stand tall again.' Kielle observes her.
Although she is smiling at him right now, he can still see those feelings of anguish in her aurous eyes. Ember is still in love, but he can wait. He will wait. The future isn't set in stone, so he'll just have to wait for everything to unfold.
Ember neatly tucks in a strand of her amber hair behind her ear. "Well, I wouldn't be Ember Wang if I wasn't confident, right? Not getting the role is the least of my worries" Ember smirks as she glows radiantly.
After all the heartache these past few days; that would have made her give up and sulk inside her bedroom. But Ember is willing to use that experience as a stepping stone to do better; to be someone better that no one will ever dare throw away or replace.
"I know you'll kill it! You wouldn't have decided to audition otherwise. You never did like giving half-assed performances." Kielle smiles, shuffling her hair, as his eyes turn into crescent moons.
The young woman laughs and playfully shoves his hands away. Their light-hearted conversation turns into a playful banter as they throw friendly insults to each other.
Ember Wang might not be in top condition right now— well, no person who has actually experienced legitimate heartbreak would be a hundred percent alright after only a few days. But time will heal her soul, maybe not completely but maybe she doesn't need it. Because only time will tell if her heart will stay broken or heal...
Though, of course, as Ember lets Time do his part, she will continue to plan for Lily Lien's and Alessio's demise along the way.
They better get ready.