[COMPLETED] Four Pillars of GMM: Krist-Singto, Off-Gun, Tay-New, Bright-Win on their 2-weeks LOL workshop. Little did they know the supposedly tiring-but-fun getaway would turn into one hell of catastrophe. (Chiang Mai, early 2021)
"You might think...
"That concludes our first day, guys." Eed said, followed by a round of applause. "P'Tha, please take it from here."
Tha got up and walked to the front of the room. He waited until the last crew exited and closed the door from outside, leaving him with only the eight artists. Then, he said, "So we'll be playing a game at each end of a day's session. The rule is simple: it's a cooperative game where the eight of you needs to gain ten points to end the game. Here's how: a secret will be revealed each day, unnamed. You claim it, you gain one point, and you get the chance to explain to your colleagues. You stay quiet, you won't gain any points, and another secret will need to be claimed in place of yours. The first two points will be somehow-light ones, but be warned that it'll be a lot more intense afterwards."
"With all due respect—what the hell, P'Tha?" Off's quick to protest. "You starting a war between us or what?"
"It's just like any other bonding game, Off. I'm sure you'll understand. To make sure of the concert's an endgame, we need our thoughts aligned."
"We can have ice-breakers instead, like we usually do." Gun suggested an alternative.
"Not this time, we can't. It's called Love Out Loud, not Fantopia, for a reason. We focus on love instead of the fans."
"Psst, Hin. Is it within the contract?" Tay whispered to the already-scrolling-through-the-contract New beside him.
"Hmm. Kind of, sadly. 'So long as it doesn't damage either side's reputation', it's written here." New said, eyes never leaving the contract in his phone.
Tay grimaced and shook his head at Krist and Bright in silence.
"Don't worry. What's discussed in the game, stays in the game. The NDA will be sent to your emails shortly after this." Tha added.
"Ah what the heck, let's just get this over with. The first secret, please, P'Tha." New spoke up, which gained supporting nods from the others.
"Good call." Tha smiled calmly. "Now, please collect your phones and other communication devices in this box. Just a precaution to information leakage."
"Alaiwa ...." Off said in dejection, but put his phone in the box anyway. Tay patted his shoulder with a reassuring smile.
"Well, here goes." Tha exhaled. "He's an alcohol rehab clinic's regular for two full years." said him as he looked around to gag the eight artists' reactions. As expected, most of them didn't look too surprised.
Tay raised his hand. "Can we point the secret to the one it belongs if we know the answer?"
"Yes, but you won't get any points until the person himself claims it."
Off swore again under his breath.
Gun looked at him and sighed. "It's me. Nothing to explain, really. I've just been stressed a lot, what with my mom's death and all. I lost control of my alcohol intake. I'm already getting better, though."
"Susu na, my pet." Tay hugged him tightly. New and Krist quickly followed suit.
"First point for you guys." Tha smiled. "Not too difficult, after all, huh?"
"What's said in the game stays in the game, huh?" Off spoke up. "Then fuck you, P'Tha."
"Whoa, Peng. Calm down! Come on, come here, you." Tay turned to hug him, which was immediately dodged.
"Well, nongs, don't just clam up. P'Gun chooses to open up to you. If you have any questions, it's the right time to ask." Tha encouraged Bright and Win since they're the only ones having no idea about it. After all, the so-called 'Holy Trinity' had been working together for years before the newcomers joined the group.
"Somehow I can't tell if it's sarcasm or not ...." New murmured under his breath.
Beside him, Singto and Krist just grimaced in response.
Bright just shook his head as Win started gingerly, "Um ... susu na, Phi. It can happen to anybody."
"You mean, my mom's death or alcohol addiction?"
The room went perfectly still at Gun's bitter remark.
The tension was almost unbearable when Gun finally spoke up again, this time minus his bitter tone, "I'm sorry, Win. You see, I have a lot of issues. I know you mean well but I just can't stand pity. But really though, I'm sorry, yeah?"
Win just nodded in dejection. And stayed unusually silent for the rest of the day.
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On the way to their respective bedrooms, Bright nodded at Off and whispered, "Fuck you, P'Tha, indeed."
