Pandora's Heart | d.cx ✓

CHAPTER 19

'Okay, just so you know, you guys still have a ton of activities coming up. So whatever this is, please resolve your disagreements quickly.' The director stated, not wanting to be involved in the boys' personal issues. Honestly, he didn't care. All he wanted was to get some good footage.

'Calm down dude,' Jiaqi said as he placed an arm over Chengxin's shoulder. 'I know you're mad.'

Everyone could tell Chengxin was extremely mad, his chest was heaving with the anger he felt.

Jiaqi turned to Pandora. 'What's going on?'

'What do you mean what's going on?' Pandora asked in surprise. She still had tears falling out of her eyes and was biting her lips to keep her tears from falling out.

'You know what's going on and you're not telling us. Because how you reacted to Haoxiang's statement is not how you would usually react. And Haoxiang is being super annoying to you and Chengxin, and he doesn't usually act that way. What is it?'

Everyone's attention now turned to Pandora. She squeezed the fabric of her dress tensely, feeling like she had been put on the spot.

'I need a moment to calm down.' Pandora walked out without waiting for a response.

'Why do you have to do this to Pandora? Haoxiang attacked her and now you're doing the same?' Chengxin asked Jiaqi, ready to leave the room and follow Pandora.

'No, listen,' Jiaqi held him back. 'There's something going on that maybe you don't know either. Even her reaction right here was so weird. Don't you believe me?'

Chengxin nodded in understanding. 'Okay.'

'Rio, you don't know anything that's going on? I mean...girls tell each other stuff don't they?' Yaowen turned to her.

'Yeah but not Pandora, she never really says anything. I have no idea.' Rio shrugged.

'I think you should ask her.' Jiaqi said next. 'She seems very vulnerable right now. So usually when we're vulnerable, we can easily open up to people.'

'Yeah that's true.' Chengxin agreed, now much calmer than before. 'Please find out for us.'

'Okay. Fine.' Rio shrugged. She was also curious anyway, so it wasn't only for the boys' sakes.

Rio opened the door and left the dining room. She found Haoxiang sitting in the living room watching TV calmly. He acted as if he hadn't just caused trouble in the dining room and almost got punched by his bandmate.

'Sorry to ask but where did Pandora go? Is she upstairs?' Rio hoped he wouldn't get angry or annoyed with her statement.

He didn't reply, he simply pointed at the door that led outside the building.

'Thanks.' Rio answered and walked over to the door.

She opened it and found Pandora sitting at the edge of a porch. She was looking at her hands as her tears fell on them. Rio had never seen Pandora this visibly upset, well maybe because they didn't really spend much private time together.

'Pandora,' Rio said as she walked over then sat down next to her. 'Are you okay girl?'

Pandora forced a smile with tears. 'I'm fine.'

'I know I'm the youngest but telling me you're fine when you look like this is just blatant unbelievable lie.' Rio used her thumb to wipe Pandora's tears. 'It's not all about Nikita is it?'

'It is.'

'No. You think I haven't noticed that you act so small to Haoxiang? The first time when he denied you as a partner and said you don't have the idol behavior, you didn't say anything. The second time was when he called you out for flirting with Chengxin and you didn't say anything to him but to the rest of the people. Now this? What's going on?'

Pandora didn't reply. Instead, more tears started to fall out of her eyes. Rio pulled Pandora close and let her lean on her shoulder. She stroked Pandora's hair in attempted comfort. She never thought she would do this to one of the members, especially not Pandora.

'It's really nothing...' Pandora insisted.

'If you don't say it, it's gonna eat you up.'

Pandora removed her head from Rio's shoulder and looked at her with a sad face. 'Haoxiang he...'

'He's your ex right?'

Pandora was surprised that Rio figured it out before she told her exactly. But nevertheless, she nodded her head. It felt weird admitting it for the first time, something she never thought she'd ever say to anyone. Only her family knew, her mother to be specific, so this felt quite embarrassing.

Rio nodded. 'So why are you acting like this? Why can't you guys act mature and just bury whatever happened? You were probably young anyway.'

'I'm not talking about this.' Pandora's demeanor suddenly became guarded once more.

'But what's going on is really childish. How old were you? It was obviously before you joined Blue Moon Company and you were 13 that time. Now you're 18. Let it go.'

Pandora frowned and got up from where she was sitting. She didn't say anything to Rio, rather she walked back into the building. Her eyes met with Haoxiang's, but she immediately diverted them and walked up the stairs to get into her room.

Rio sighed and got up from the porch as well. She also walked into the building and found that Haoxiang still sitting in front of the TV. However, he didn't look as emotionless as he did before. He turned his attention to Rio.

'Did she tell you?' Haoxiang asked Rio.

She nodded her head and watched Haoxiang. He looked visibly saddened or annoyed, she wasn't sure which was which. But quickly, Haoxiang got up from the couch and walked out of the living room, making his way into his room as well.

Rio made her way into the dining room where the boys were now sitting and conversing about other issues other than the one currently at hand. Chengxin wasn't commenting much because he was still distracted in his mind, so when Rio walked in, he couldn't hide his excitement.

Rio felt slight pleasure to be the one to talk about Pandora's admission in front of Chengxin. That would probably remove all chances of them being together, and she didn't like the couple one bit. She didn't want it to happen.

'Did she tell you?' Chengxin was the first to ask, rising up from his chair.

'Yeah she did,' Rio folded her arms confidently. 'You guys won't believe it.'

'What?' Yaxuan asked as all of them got up from their seats and got closer to Rio to hear the explanation very clearly. Chengxin's heart was beating fast with nervousness.

'Apparently, Haoxiang and Pandora were a thing. She admitted it to me.' Rio said in a hushed tone.

'What? Haoxiang had a girlfriend?' Jiaqi put a hand on his mouth with a surprised expression. 'I can't believe this. No way.'

Chengxin went completely mute. He felt like he had zoned out after hearing the sentence. He didn't know if he was angry, jealous or overwhelmed. But whatever it was, it didn't feel good. But his expression was blank.

'Well that's cool, let's get them back together!' Yaxuan announced with a laugh.

Everyone except Rio and Chengxin glared at him. At first he didn't understand, but then it dawned on him. They were glaring at him because Chengxin liked Pandora, and here he was talking about getting Haoxiang and Pandora together in front of him. He gave an apologetic smile to the members.

'Anyway it's probably old flames,' Jiaqi tried to minimize the situation.

'I guess that's why he was mad at me.' Chengxin finally spoke. 'If he's mad at me, he still has feelings for her. Oh my goodness.' Chengxin faced the wall and covered his face.

'Come on, that's not always the case. Maybe he's just temporarily jealous you know, doesn't always mean he still loves her.' Jiaqi placed a hand on Chengxin's shoulder.

'But he can't date her. First of all, Nikita likes him. Second of all, it's just weird to date your bandmate's ex when he still has feelings for her. Come on.' Rio advised.

'Well...Chengxin is old enough to make his own decisions. He knows what to do.' Jiaqi patted his shoulder once more.

But the problem was, Chengxin didn't know what to do.