Pandora's Heart | d.cx ✓

CHAPTER 15

It had been a couple of days since Nikita's accident, and it was slowly sinking in for everyone. Although Rio was hurt as well, it seemed it took a bigger toil on Pandora, probably because she blamed herself.

The company had announced Nikita's departure from the group, and fans all over the internet were saddened by the news. There were many photos of Nikita online either wishing her all the best or crying that the entertainment industry had lost a star. Apogee had went from being a trio to a duo, and Pandora didn't know how long it would last, but she was going to try to keep the group alive for Nikita's sake.

Shooting for the show was still going on, but activities had been suspended for the days. No matter how the director tried to get Pandora to speak in front of the cameras, she just didn't say anything, and this time the manager didn't blame her. The director soon learned he had to understand the situation at hand. However, he gave her an ultimatum that she should be able to speak when the cameras are around by the following Monday.

As for Chengxin, he didn't understand why Pandora had suddenly grown so distant again. He thought they were becoming good friends ever since Nikita's accident, because they both understood each other. They both blamed themselves for the situation so it gave them some common ground. He assumed that she was probably doing this because she was emotional and decided to give her her space. He didn't understand why a girl who liked him would act this way.

Currently, Pandora was sitting in the kitchen scrolling through her cellphone. She was checking what the fans were posting about Pandora on the social media site, and it made her feel even worse whenever she read each post.

"I'm going to miss Nikita, she was the glue that held the entire group together. I can't even imagine Apogee without her. I might stop being a fan now, it's too sad"

"I don't know if it's right for me to say this but with Nikita's paralysis, I think she's as good as dead and it really hurts because she had such a future in front of her with Apogee."

"To me, Apogee was three or nothing. I'm done"

"New Apogee fans will never get to know Queen Nikita. I kind of envy them because it's much more painful knowing her and seeing her leave."

Pandora felt the familiar sensation of a lump in her throat. She had been crying a lot that week, so she wasn't even surprised any more when tears just started to come out of her eyes. Nobody on the internet was blaming her, but that was because the company obviously did not disclose what happened in its entirety, all they talked about was the road accident. Which was of course understandable.

She grabbed a glass and poured herself cold milk from the refrigerator. Somehow, milk managed to calm her down just a bit. She leaned on the wooden kitchen counter while she took a few sips time and time again. She still continued to scroll on her phone with her glass in one hand and cellphone in another.

'Hey,' Chengxin's familiar voice suddenly reached her a moment later. He was the last person she wanted to meet. He always talked too much and seemed to not understand when someone wasn't interested in hearing him. 'I've been meaning to talk to you. I know you're sad and you're really bothered but...'

'Chengxin, please not today.' She said in the calmest voice she could muster, her eyes still set on the cellphone.

'Why? All I wanted to ask is...how are you feeling?'

'Good.'

Chengxin took note of her briefness. He had noticed that her eyes were watery, and he knew for sure that she wasn't fine. She just didn't seem to want to talk about it. 'I understand if you don't wanna talk but I thought we're in this together.'

'In this together!?' Pandora chuckled as if it were a joke. 'You don't even know Nikita. I've known her for a really long time now, and she's not your bandmate, so you expect us to feel the same pain? Really Chengxin?'

Well, she wasn't saying what he wanted her to say but at least she was now talking. 'I didn't say we felt the same amount of pain. What I meant is that I feel bad just like you. Even though it's not to the same extent.'

Pandora took a deep breath. 'Okay.'

'Okay? That's all you can say? Why don't you tell me why you're mad at me anyway? Because I don't think you're mad at me because I claimed to "feel the same pain"' he put air quotes around the word.

'Oh Chengxin, I'm not mad at you, you're not that special. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not really talking to anyone. The only reason I'm getting mad at you is because you're trying to talk to me when in fact you're one of the factors that played a role in Nikita's paral...' she cut herself short. She didn't intend to say all that, but it had just ended up coming out. 'Never mind. I'm just not in the mood to talk, please understand.'

'No I get it, and I agree with you. I did play a role and I feel guilty. But now are you beginning to remove the guilt from yourself and put it on me?'

The words sounded harsh to Pandora, probably because he could have been saying the truth. Perhaps, over the days, Pandora had been trying to find someone else to blame so that she felt less guilty. In the beginning, she didn't blame anyone but herself, but now part of the blame was going to Chengxin.

'You know this is why I don't want to talk to you,' she stood up straight from her position of leaning on the counter. 'I'm going outside.' she started to walk off.

Chengxin quickly moved in front of her and blocked her way. 'I'm right aren't I?'

'You're not always right. Move it.'

'I won't until you admit it.' he gave her a playful smirk.

'I'm not in the mood for games Chengxin. Maybe find me when I'm in a better mood.' She started to walk away once again.

Chengxin then blocked her way once again. 'Just admit it...'

'If only you realized that Nikita liked you earlier, this wouldn't have happened you know that!? So yes, forgive me for thinking you're one of the reasons this happened!' Some of the milk in her glass spilled as she spoke with her hands to emphasize her thoughts.

'I must be pretty handsome if I caused all of this then. Yet someone's playing hard to get.'

Pandora felt anger rising in her chest when Chengxin had chosen to make a joke about the current situation. She felt that even though Chengxin claimed to be sad, he sure wasn't acting like it. Instead he still used the opportunity to flirt.

Chengxin backed away once he saw a terrifying look in Pandora's eyes. Out of nowhere, Pandora tossed the glass she was holding in her hand to the wall in anger, and it shattered in pieces loudly. Chengxin was surprised with his action and still didn't understand what exactly he had said wrong. He was confused as he looked at the glasses and the spilled milk on the floor.

'Whoa! What was that!?' Jiaqi asked as he ran in from outside with Rio, and TNT's manager who was also looking at them with a surprised face.

But seeing that it was Chengxin and Pandora, Jiaqi was a little less surprised. He shook his head at the situation.

'What happened?' the manager asked them, having no idea what was going on.

'It's nothing.' Chengxin answered quickly and went out of the kitchen to look for a mop. 'I'm gonna clean it up.'

'What happened though? Pandora happened again didn't she?' Rio asked in a bored tone.

'In general, manager,' Jiaqi turned to the manager. 'These two are like cat and dog, they just don't get along.'

'Oh I see, you better not show this attitude in front of the cameras.' The manager reprimanded.

Chengxin looked visibly uncomfortable as he entered the kitchen then started cleaning.

'No I'll do it, I caused it.' Pandora pulled the mop from him.

'No it's cool, I'll do it.' Chengxin pulled it back to himself.

'Yeah this is how their fights always start.' Jiaqi once again informed the manager.

Despite how Jiaqi was taking it as a regular fight, Chengxin knew that Pandora was actually very angry at him. He could see it in those eyes.