Bobby had been pulled aside by a producer and swept into a tide of assistants, leaving her and Hikaru standing in a silence so dense it seemed to echo between them. A thousand unspoken things hovered in the air, tension building with each passing second. Her gaze drifted awkwardly, feeling the full weight of his presence in front of her. Blue eyes locked onto brown eyes, and she could still see the gleam of desire in his.
Love offered little solace. It did everything but fulfill the fairy tales she'd grown up believing. It was meant to be beautiful, a high that felt like soaring over the city's skyline, where the world below faded into nothingness. It was supposed to feel like dying in his arms—a death that wouldn't matter because it was his embrace that held her. And on those rare occasions when they weren't tangled in toxicity and jealousy, it felt just like that. But those moments never lasted, slipping away before either of them could truly savor them.
His love carved open wounds in her heart, leaving scars that never healed. She wanted to say a million things to him, but all she could do was take him all in from top to bottom. Hoping that somehow, in the silence, he could feel the tempest of emotions raging inside her. Their eyes were locked onto each other, a mix of emotions flashing in them.
She could still remember what his lips felt like on hers- And she wondered if he thought about that too. When he was alone at night- did he lay awake staring at his ceiling thinking of her, the way she did about him. Her heart raced under his gaze, her mouth going dry as memories of his touch surfaced unbidden.
His tongue in her mouth-
His hands cupping her ass-
The way his hands slowly traced her thighs to the junction in between her legs.
The way he would work his fingers in and out of her-
Tae-Yang clapped Hikaru hard on the back, a grin spreading across his face, his arrival slicing through the moment as their eyes met in a heated, electric stare.
"I wasn't actually sure you were going to show up, Hik," Tae-Yang said, his tone teasing. She could tell that he was aware that her boss would be here, and he had purposely kept that from her.
"So…" she paused gauging how she would go about asking what she wanted to ask him without making him angry.
"You knew he was coming, and you didn't say anything to me about it, baby…" she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.
Tae-Yang turned to her, a smirk creeping onto his face, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"What? Afraid I'd ruin the surprise? You know how hard it is to keep my friends away from you." She played along with him, and pressed her hand against his chest, with a hollow laugh.
"Besides, I thought you liked surprises." His tone dripped with sarcasm, and the underlying threat lingered.
"Olivia…" Hikaru's voice, low and seductive, caressed her middle name, sending a rush of heat into her core. The unexpected flame sparked within her, catching her unaware and leaving her breathless. His utterance of the name was a tantalizing whisper against the shell of her ear, an intimate secret shared only between them. It was a name that came alive on his lips, filled with warmth and desire, reserved for their most private moments.
"You know Tae-Yang's not good at keeping secrets…" His words dripped with irony, laced with a playful challenge that felt heavy in the air. Tae-Yang's gaze shifted momentarily to Hikaru, irritation flickering in his eyes.
"I'm starting not to like the way you're looking at my girlfriend." Tae-yang laughed but she could hear the seriousness in his tone.
"You know, she's mine," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
"But then I should take it as a compliment…" He brushed the pad of his thumb against her lip and in one swift motion, he pulled her in for a kiss, fully claiming her lips as his own. A show of power that left her reeling.
In that moment, she felt trapped, locked in a kiss she didn't want to return but had no say in. He was watching, absorbing every second, every touch. Tae-Yang's his grip tightening on her, forcing her to submit to the chaos swirling inside her.
"I love you," he murmured against her lips, his hands roaming over her, each caress leaving a lingering cold across her skin.
"I love you too." She could feel Hikaru's eyes on her, sending a wave of nausea through her. She forced a smile, masking the unrest inside, but internally, she was pleading for him to stop.
Tae-Yang chuckled, a snarky edge creeping into his tone. "Aww, Hik, you don't have to look so sad."
"I'm not, I promise" He replied cooly. A satisfaction etched onto Tae-Yang's face. She struggled to regain her composure. She was suffocating under the weight of his affection, her heart aching with a bitter feeling.
Tae-Yang's hand slid down to her waist, fingers brushing against her ass, holding her possessively as he rubbed his thumb into her skin, an attentive gesture that felt anything but.
Hikaru placed his champagne flute on a passing server's tray, then turned to her, an unnerving glint in his eye.
"So, when are you two planning on getting married?" She'd almost recoiled in surprise. She shuddered, the idea twisting something deep inside her. Tae-Yang laughed, a sound that sent a chill down her spine.
"We aren't-" Tae-yang cut her off quickly pinching the side of her rib hard.
"Next week." He halfheartedly joked, shaking her for emphasis.
"Really?" Hikaru asked, just as shocked as she was.
"Yeah, yeah…" Tae-Yang shrugged his shoulders looking away as if to think.
"I want seven children." Hikaru laughed and looked at her with a stare that made her want to throw up. He was waiting on her to object, but she just smiled at him and laid her head on Tae-Yang shoulder.
"Seven?" Her boss gawked incredulously.
"She's not going anywhere. I'm making sure of that." he declared, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I've got to get her off the market, she's like prime meat." The noise of the crowd faded into a dull roar as anxiety washed over her. She couldn't believe what Tae-Yang had just said. Seven children? Being barefoot and pregnant? The thought made her stomach turn. But she couldn't show any sign of discomfort, not with Hikaru watching her every move.
She forced a smile, trying to brush off Tae-Yang's words as a joke. But it was clear that he was serious.
Hikaru raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting between the two of them.
"I didn't know you wanted kids," he said, studying Tae-Yang intently.
Tae-Yang shrugged nonchalantly, but she could feel his grip on her tighten, almost possessively.
"I want a big family," he replied smoothly.
She swallowed hard, struggling to keep her composure. She knew this whole charade was for show, but it still made her uncomfortable to play along with Tae-Yang's lies.
"That's…Interesting" Hikaru smiled scratching the side of his face.
"Let me know so I can send a wedding gift." She wasn't sure if he could see how uncomfortable she was or if he just wanted to change the subject due to his own un-comfortability he quickly pivoted.
She was grateful for it, her and Tae-Yang didn't plan on getting married. Or at least she had never thought about marrying him.
"I thought you were going to lose your fight last week." Hikaru said.
"Really, why would you think that?" Tae-Yang asked biting his lip.
"Well, that guy knocked you the fuck out," Hikaru added, a hint of mockery lacing his words.
"I bet 50,000 yen on that match. I assumed that Kenji, was going to win."
"Am I only worth 300 American dollars to you?" Tae-Yang replied, feigning offense, though the playful tone in his voice suggested otherwise.
Hikaru chuckled, a smirk dancing on his lips. "Honestly? I wish I would have made it 50 yen."
Tae-Yang smirked, shaking his head.
"It was a lucky cheap fucking shot," he replied, the playful tone quickly fading into something more sinister. "But all I ever need to think about is the person I hate the most."
Hikaru laughed, tilting his head in feigned surprise. "Really?"
"Yeah," Tae-Yang affirmed, a glint of menace in his eyes. "I would kill that guy if I could …
"Kowai to omou na." The playful glint in his eyes contrasted with the narrowing gaze of Tae-Yang.
"Iie, iie, Hikaru-sama." For the first time ever, she wished she understood what they were saying, feeling the tension between the two men thicken like a fog in the air. She could feel the weight of their gazes pressing down on each other, their energies swirling in a chaotic dance.
Hikaru shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips "Omae wa hontō ni baka na gaki da na, Te-Yang."
Tae-Yang just laughed, and in one swift motion, he ran his hand up her sides, squeezing her right breast possessively.
"Hik says I should fight harder," he said, looking her directly in the eyes. She could only take Tae-Yang's words at face value, the deeper meaning slipping through her fingers like sand.
She glanced around the room looking for Bobby and his lilac suit. Hikaru watched her closely, concern etched on his face.
"Can I go to the bathroom…" she asked, the words escaping her lips as if they were a plea for freedom. It made her feel like a prisoner, but she had to escape, even if just for a moment. She felt a momentary release as Tae-Yang loosened his grip, allowing her to slip free.
With a flicker of hesitation, she handed her champagne to Tae-Yang, who drank it without a word.
"Don't take too long, babe," Tae-Yang called after her, and she felt the weight of his gaze on her back as she made her way through the crowd. The music faded into the background, but the tension lingered, wrapping around her like a shroud.
Spotting Bobby, she seized his arm, pulling him with her toward the women's bathroom. She yanked the door shut behind them, grateful to find it empty, and locked it with a click, shutting out the chaos of the venue.
She went to sit on the countertop of the bathroom, burying her face in her hands as a primal scream erupted from her lips. The sound echoed off the tiled walls, a raw release from all the pent-up frustration and despair that had been choking her. Bobby watched, his expression shifting from concern to urgency.
"Kay O…" Bobby attempted to call to her but all she could do was stare into her hands. With a sigh
"Bitch, I'm not stupid," he said, crossing his arms. "I've known you for three years, and I saw the way your man was eyeing you."
"Those rumors better not be true, girl."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied, pretending ignorance, but deep down, she knew. Bobby popped his lips, placing his hands on either side of her thighs. "Look at me."
She reluctantly lifted her gaze to meet his, the weight of the moment hanging between them. "Bobby, please, okay?" She quickly looked away; her voice shaky.
"Not right now," he said, shocked, her dismissal hitting him harder than he expected. "Oh shit—it's true…"
With a sigh, she laid her head on her arm, turning away as a wave of shame washed over her.
"Your pregnant!?"
She snapped her head up, eyes wide in disbelief. "Hell no! What!"
"Look, I have a good five minutes before I have to go back out there, so please." She leaned back against the glass mirror, taking a moment to gather herself.
"Just give me those pills, because I know you got em."
Bobby hesitated for a second, then pulled out the golden case, handing it to her with a serious expression.
"Madison is pissed, by the way. She's planning on talking about you on her show tomorrow morning."
She shrugged, unfazed.
"I don't care." She took the pill dry. "I'm over it. I'm only here because I'm getting something." she said plainly.
"I'm done with Hollywood and the game." Bobby stared at her, incredulous.
"You're crazy. You've accomplished too much to let one bad year fuck you up."
'It's deeper than that.' She thought to herself.
She took a deep breath, leaning back into the mirror, trying to steady her racing heart. Then she looked at Bobby, her gaze intense and serious, yet tinged with sadness.
"I'm so over it. I don't care. Fuck Madison, fuck Cindy, fuck the industry, fuck the headlines—fuck them, fuck them, fuck them." Bobby shook his head, clearly troubled by her despair.
"I want to get my award," her voice heavy with exhaustion. "Then I'm getting in my car, and I'm going my black ass home."
Bobby backed away, processing her words.
"And I'm going to crawl back under my sheets," she continued, her tone pitching into a bravado, "and I'm going to go to sleep and stay there forever."
"That sounds like depression," Bobby said softly, concern etched on his features.
She simply shrugged; her gaze distant as the reality of his words settled in.
"Yeah, maybe it is," she admitted, leaning back against the mirror, breathing deeply.
Then, with a suddenness that shattered the fragile moment, Bobby dropped the bombshell. "Your boss is thinking about dropping you."
That snapped her into attention, and she let the words wash over her, though Bobby could see the disbelief creeping into her expression.
"Right... I thought that would wake your stupid ass up," he replied, his tone a mix of frustration and concern.
"How do you know that?" she asked, her voice tinged with panic as she struggled to grasp the reality of what he was saying.
"I heard it from a friend," Bobby said, trying to keep his tone casual, but she wasn't having it.
"What friend?" she pressed, her heart racing as she leaned closer, desperate for answers.
Bobby sighed, backing away slightly as if anticipating her reaction. "I'm backing up because I know you're about to spaz out."
"Just tell me!" she insisted, crossing her arms defensively. "I promise, I won't do anything crazy."
"Starisha told me," He admitted reluctantly. "But she heard it from Cindy."
Her stomach dropped. "Cindy?"
"Yeah, and apparently, Cindy and Hikaru had a meeting a few weeks ago. He wants to drop you because you aren't making money."
"No way," she whispered, shaking her head as if willing the news to vanish. She slid off the counter and began pacing, her mind racing.
'How could this be happening?' she thought as she walked, memories of her boss's gaze flashed through her mind—those lingering looks that had once felt electrifying now felt heavy with pity. The thought made her stomach churn.
"Don't shoot the messenger," Bobby cautioned, watching her every move.
"You need to get your ass to work or at least speak to your boss," he urged, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice.
She stopped in her tracks, her heart thudding painfully in her chest.
"What if he really does want to drop me?" she muttered, a storm of anxiety swirling within her.
"I mean that's just a rumor… So. Uh…" Bobby sucked his teeth before he placed his hands at his hips.
"Just take it with a grain of salt…" Her frustration boiled over as she began spewing every curse word she could think of.
"That fucking!" she gasped looking around the room. "That fucking…" She could barely get the words out her mouth, before the realization really hit her. It felt like she had gotten hit by a bus, or a train, or a bullet.
"That fucking evil bastard thinks he can just fuck me, dump me, and drop me!" she screamed.
Bobby's eyes widened in shock. "Girl, what?"
"Yeah." She snapped.
"Yeah, okay!" she roared point at him, all Bobby could do was stare at her in shock.
"I was fucking my boss," she spat, the words rolling off her tongue with a mixture of anger and betrayal.
"Wait!" he said in disbelief "wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!? What!" he looked around the room as if he was looking for someone.
"What about Tae-Yang?" Bobby asked, confusion evident on his face.
"Fuck Tae-Yang," she snapped, her voice laced with vitriol as she marched toward the door.
Bobby lunged forward, grabbing her arm. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I'm going to find Starisha or Cindy, which ever one I see first." she declared, her fists clenched at her sides. "And I'm going to beat one of their asses!"
"Kay, just calm down!" Bobby urged, his voice rising slightly as he attempted to reason with her.
She paused, her adrenaline waning as she considered his words.
"Fine…" she took a breath and smiled but she could feel the twitch of her eye.
"Your right-" her eyes roamed to the ceiling as if she was searching for some kind of sanity.
"I need to find my boss first," she decided, her gaze fierce. "I'm going to hit him with this heel right upside his head."
Bobby stepped in front of her, blocking the door with his body. "No, no, you can't do this!"
"Move, Bobby!" she insisted, irritation bubbling to the surface again. But he stood his ground, concern etched on his face.
Then, without warning, she just cracked. The weight of the past year, the betrayal, and the confusion crashed down on her, and she felt the tears streaming down her cheeks.
Bobby's expression softened as he stepped closer. "Hey, it's okay."
She just crouched down until she was sitting on the cold bathroom floor, her sobs echoing off the tiles.