Ruan burst through the label CEO's office door, his hands running through his messy hair to soothe the pounding headache he had felt since the Paparazzi started chasing him. Thanks to help from someone, he had managed to escape them and make it to his label without having to be questioned or photographed.
That morning, he had woken up in his apartment, ready to stroll out for a run, when he saw the paparazzi camping out in front of his home. Shocked, he looked for his phone to see that it had calls from his bandmates and CEO, and he knew that something huge had happened. He quickly rushed online to see what was trending and saw a picture of himself in a compromising position with two men. He was half naked kissing the men, and the headline of the article was. ''Rockstar RUAN'S WILD NIGHT: one4all lead vocalist accused of participating in exclusive orgy party''
His eyes widened in horror as he read comments under the post.
Kpopstan4life: OMG, Ruan is such a disappointment! I used to be a huge fan of one4all, but now I don't know if I can support them anymore.
Ruanforever: Don't believe everything you read, guys. Ruan would never do something like that. This is just a smear campaign to ruin his reputation.
Gossip news: I knew it! I always thought Ruan was a bit too perfect. Now we know the truth.
All4oneFan: This is so sad. I hope Ruan gets the help he needs. Addiction and mental health issues are no joke.
Ruanhater: Good riddance! He has been in so many scandals. One4all is better off without him.
Ruan's phone suddenly buzzed with an incoming call from an unfamiliar number. He glanced at the screen and saw that it was his CEO, Lucas. He frowned and hesitated for a moment before declining the call. He went back to reading the comments while biting his fingers and knew that he had fucked up. Almost immediately, a text popped up on his screen. ''Ruan, we need to talk. Emergency meeting in my office. Now!''
He didn't know how the photos had been made online when it was only for a game. Someone had photographed him at his friend's birthday party and was now using it for clout. Since he is known as a scandal king, he knows no one will believe his words. His mind flashed back to the previous night's low-key celebrity party. Ruan knew that he had made the mistake of letting his guard down and doing a dare to kiss two guys.
However, the general public doesn't see it as that, as the moment captured on camera was twisted into something entirely different.
As he entered Lucas's office, he was met with the angry, disappointing look on the faces of his bandmates and CEO. His bandmates, Ethan, Thompson, and Liam, were seated in front of Lucas's desk, their eyes blazing with anger and betrayal. Before Ruan could say anything, Thompson lunged at him, his fist flying straight into Ruan's nose, sending him stumbling backward. ''You are a disappointment, Ruan!''Thompson yelled at him. ''This is how you want to ruin everything that we have worked for!'' he rushed to hit him again, but Ethan and Liam quickly held him back. ''Tae calm down,'' Ethan urged him.
''calm down?'' Thompson retorted. ''This fucking bastard has been in different scandals forever, and he doesn't even change!''
Ruan rubbed his nose, wincing as his fingers were stained with his blood. Thompson had punched unexpectedly, and it made his nose bleed. ''why the hell do you have to attack me?'' he asked, rubbing his nose again. ''I didn't do anything wrong!''
''Fuck you!'' Thompson yelled and lunged at him again, but he was pulled back. ''you didn't do anything? The pictures online say otherwise!''
Ruan fired back. ″And you, of all people, shouldn't believe that picture! We are bandmates and are supposed…'' he stopped talking as Liam, holding Thompson, slapped him on the face. ''Lixx,'' he called him by his stage name. ''you…'' Ruan couldn't finish what he had to say as Lucas slammed his hands on his table, diverting their attention towards him.
''That is enough, all of you!'' he said firmly. ''we didn't come here for violence but to discuss the future of this group.''
'The future of this group.' The words echoed in Ruan's head, and he knew the worst was yet to come.
''how could you have gotten into this big scandal at this crucial time, Ruan? You've only survived last month's scandal of drunk driving, and now, this is happening again!''
Ruan sighed and ran his hand through his curly hair. ''if you would let me explain and…''
''This is exactly why all of this is happening!'' Lucas said, drumming his fingers on the table. ''your behavior is damaging to yourself and the entire group! We've had sponsors of different brands threatening to pull out, fans demanding that you be kicked out…It is a big mess, boy! '' Lucas looked towards the rest of Ruan's bandmates. ''you have been dragging your group into so many scandals in the last few years, and we always clear you of it! Can't you steer clear of any scandal for once?'' he sighed and rubbed his forehead. ''now, care to explain what happened? Why were you involved in an orgy?''
Ruan took a deep breath wincing as he touched his sore nose. ''it wasn't an orgy, I swear. It was just a birthday party for a friend, and…someone dared me to kiss them. It was stupid, I know, but I was drunk, and I didn't think that anyone would photograph me.''
Thompson scoffed.'' save it, Ruan! You always come up with silly excuses. We have heard it all before. You always come up with some lie and lame stories to back you up!''
Ruan clenched his fists tightly and shouted at Thompson. ''I know you don't believe me, tae, but I am not lying! Someone is targeting me, and I…''
Liam cut in. ''we already spoke with Kelly, the organizer, and he did confirm that you were involved in an orgy.''
Ruan groaned at the mention of Kelly's name. He knew Kelly was a bastard but had chosen to attend his party because he was invited. Now, he was in another scandal because he trusted someone too much. ''I didn't do it.''
''That is not the point now,'' Lucas said. ''Even if that's true, Ruan, the damage is done. The public has seen the photos, and no one will buy your stupid dare excuse! What we need to do now is talk about the future of one4all.''
At the mention of the group's name, Ruan raised his head, looked into the eyes of all his bandmates, and heaved a deep sigh. ''Ruan,''Lucas continued. ''The future of one4all is at stake here. You've given the group a bad name, and the fans and general public are furious, so we came up with the decision that it would be best if you took a break from the group for a while.''
Ruan's eyes narrowed as he looked into everyone's eyes. ''Are you kicking me out?''
Liam spoke up. ''You should be grateful that we are still talking to you after everything that you have done!''
Ruan chuckled and pointed to all of them. '' This group wouldn't exist without me! I am the backbone of this group! Without me, one4all wouldn't even exist,'' There was a hint of arrogance in his tone, but he didn't care. Now that the group was successful, they were all planning on how to get rid of him, and he hated it.
''Bastard!''Thompson muttered. ''This is exactly why the group is still together, Ruan. If not for the bond between all of us and the fact that you are a talented performer, we should have disbanded a long time ago!''
''And you think kicking me out is the best thing to do?''
Lucas cleared his throat and hit his hand gently on the table. ''no one is kicking you out of the group, but this is the time for you to take a break from group activities. You need to apologize to the general public and announce that you are taking a break to go to rehab.''
Ruan scoffed and then laughed. ''you can't be serious! I have a solo album coming, a solo concert, and the group comeback! We have the endorsement, variety shows, everything… you can't just cancel all of that because of a scandal.''
''well,'' Lucas sighed. ''This isn't just a small scandal, Ruan! Your fans are not even on your side now, and the solo album concert will not sell as you think! No one wants to listen to you after what happened. You have no say in this unless you want to disband the group and leave! If you do that, it will leave a negative image on the group, and your reputation will be ruined forever.''
''I don't need to go to a fucking rehab,'' he shouted and slammed his hand on the wall. ''There is nothing wrong with me!'' he screamed again. ''why can't anyone believe me?'' he looked into the eyes of his bandmates. '' I am telling the truth and…''
''Listen, Ruan,'' Ethan walked up to him and touched his shoulder. ''we believe and trust you, but that is not enough! The general public doesn't!''
Ruan pushed his hand from his shoulder away. ''This isn't fair! I shouldn't be punished like this. i…''
''oh, shut up and calm down!''Thompson said to him. ''You brought this on yourself. Face the fucking fact that you have a problem. You need rehab, Ruan, for the scandal and your well-being. I am saying this as a friend trying not to give up on you! Go to the fucking rehab.''
''I said that I am not going to a fucking rehab!'' Ruan yelled at him and scratched his hair. No one was going to send him to rehab. He was fine and believed that everyone was acting like that because of the scandal. Like the other times, he thought they would resolve it, and the general public would forget about it.
Lucas sighed. "Don't worry; you are not going alone. A personal manager will be assigned to work with you. He will be with you on the rehab island for Six months until everything is over and the general public has moved on.″
Ruan's eyes widened in anger. He couldn't believe that the CEO had made the preparations behind his back. ''you can't be serious.''
''oh I am serious,'' Lucas's expression turned stern. ''I am afraid, Ruan, but whether you like it or not, you are going to the rehab, apologizing to the public, and getting your life back on track.''
Ruan's face fell as he looked into his bandmates' eyes, and no one supported him—not this time.
''We have five candidates for the position of manager! Pick the best,'' Lucas told him as he placed some folders on his desk containing profiles of several managers. ''choose one,'' he instructed. ''Don't worry, it is going to be a discreet job.''
Ruan clenched his fists tighter and moved towards the table. He knew he couldn't do anything unless he wanted the band to break and make them hate forever. He began to look through the profiles, hissing with every folder he touched. ''I don't like any of these people,'' he said as he flipped through the pages.
''This one looks like he would kill me!''
''This one doesn't look like a good manager!'' he complained about all the profiles as he glanced through the pictures.
After over ten minutes of looking through the profiles and wanting to give up, one finally caught his eye. He raised it and studied the photo and bio.
His eyes widened when he recognized the name and face. ''Jax Christobal Torres'' He read the name and remembered the man who had saved him from the paparazzi. Those big brown eyes—he would never forget them. ″So he was a manager, ″Ruan wondered as he continued staring at his profile. He had never expected a man with such innocent looks to be a manager.
Just as Ruan was able to speak up concerning the name, Lucas interrupted him. ''That profile was a mistake,'' Lucas stretched forth his hand to collect the profile. ''That person is not available to be your manager and…''
''I don't care if he is available,'' Ruan responded. ''I will only go to the rehab if he is my manager.''
Liam scoffed and raised an eyebrow. ''is he one of your flings? You think the rehab is a joke?''
Ruan frowned at him. ''no, Lixx, this man…'' he paused as he thought of what to come up with. ''he saved my life, and I owe him everything. Lucas, I will only accept the rehab if he is my manager. Otherwise, I am not going!''
The room fell silent, with no one opposing his decision but waiting on what Lucas had to say. After a moment, Lucas nodded in response. ''I will make the arrangement, but you need to prepare yourself for the rehab.''
Ruan agreed with a nod, feeling a sense of relief. He knew that rehab was not what he wanted, but Lucas's decisions were always right, and maybe, just maybe, he could come back as a better person. He turned towards his bandmates and lowered his head. "And I am sorry, guys, for acting this way. Tae, Echo, and Lixx, I apologize for putting this group in this situation."
Ethan nodded at him. ''we will get through this, run. We are a team.''
Thompson scoffed as if he didn't believe Ruan but nodded in response.
''This is your last chance, Ruan,'' Liam told him.
''Thank you all,'' Ruan said, looking at the profile again. He didn't know who this Jax was except that he helped him, but something awoke inside him when he saw his name. It was the urge to become a better person for his group and himself and to become loved by the general public again.