It'll Always Be You

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN
KHAEL

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Khael couldn't keep it a secret any longer. It was becoming a problem and he needed solutions fast - although he hadn't meant for everyone in the house to find out, he couldn't keep it away from the person involved, Ash.

They sat in the living room, surrounding his phone that revealed pictures that were sent in his messages. Each of the pictures had a common theme - Ash and Khael together. Khael would hate to admit it but the pictures looked beautiful, capturing the perfect angle so that people could see how happy and good they looked together. But that was his problem. He couldn't.

As much as his feelings for her wanted for them to always be together, he wasn't so sure this would last, not when it would only last two more weeks. Looking back on everything, things happened so quickly and even then, they had hit it off.

Faith had been silent ever since he started to explain. The crease on her eyebrow intensified as he finished talking. Seth and Caleb had sat down, their expressions neutral. Ash had sat away from them, feeling guilt and shame.

Seth broke the silence first. "So, what's the plan?"

"The plan?" Faith repeated, anger laced in her words. Khael felt small when her eyes darted to him - clearly disappointed but not surprised. After all, he had never been caught before.

"This is clearly a huge problem. Especially when you are on break, rumors had probably started without us knowing." She continued. "The company must be furious about this and would have ordered Ash to be out of the picture - fired I mean." Faith rambled on. Explaining once again the strict rules their company had given them since they'd started.

Seth chimed in. His opinions do nothing to soothe Faith's worry. "What if it's just a fan telling him to be careful?"

"Be careful of what?" Faith's gaze had now shifted to Seth, seemingly hiding behind Caleb's large frame for defense. "There are no considerate fans in this industry." Khael's eyes shifted to Ash. She lowered her head, refusing to look at any of them. He knew that she was a fan and the most considerate of them but he couldn't say anything to protect her.

"Everyone wants the same person knowing only one will they love back. Their petty jealousy will ruin your careers and I will not have it. Not when I could protect it."

Faith finished her talk. Now seemingly refreshed from the pent-up stress. "Let's have breakfast for now then I'll tell you guys the plan."

Caleb seemed to hold Seth's hands, comforting the smaller guy who was on the verge of tears. They all knew Seth hated the loud voices but they also knew that Faith just wanted what was best for them. They all nodded and started to the kitchen.

"Ash, can you stay for a while?" Khael glanced at Ash, her eyes were nothing like the lively look they had the day before. The comfort and happiness she always radiated were nowhere to be found - she was anxious.

Khael walked and hid behind the wall, listening in to what they were going to talk about. But it was futile. Their voices were hushed, whispering to each other.

He could only sneak glances. Ash's face looked sad. The sight of her mouth quivering made Khael want to go and reach out to her, but he held himself in place, knowing better than to interrupt - despite eavesdropping on them.

He could see that Faith passed something to her - a picture with writings on the back. The appalled and alarmed expression on Ash's face was concerning. Khael could feel his restraint loosening - every inch of him wishing to run to her and wrap her under his arms.

They concluded their talk and Khael had not heard a single word. He could see that they stood up and would be making their way to the kitchen so he got out of there before he get caught. He sat down beside Seth and Caleb, both looking curious to as what he'd heard. Khael gave a shrug.

Faith reached her seat, Ash plating up the food she had cooked before getting called in by Faith. Breakfast was silent. The occasional giggle from Seth when he saw something funny on his phone that he'd share with Caleb who'd give just a scoff. Faith had eaten silently, browsing through her phone, searching for any posts about his situation Khael would guess. Ash just played with her food, and he mirrored it. 

His appetite had long gone the moment he told Faith that they needed to talk seriously. Khael sighed, feeling defeated. There really was nothing he could do. Not when it be a big impact on his life. The risks were too high for him to take, and he'd have to sacrifice Seth and Caleb's careers too.

Breakfast finally finished when most of their plates were either empty or half-eaten. Ash quickly washed the dishes, making it a mission to ignore all his efforts into talking with her.

Faith then asked her to buy some coffee - the drink was gone in just a few days when Faith drank. Ash nodded and accepted the money she had given her. Khael offered to drive her to the store but was stopped.

"Things will go bad if you do go and another photo is sent," Faith reasoned and Khael conceded. Ash quickly grabbed her phone and walked out of the house. Khael could see Faith sighing. He was about to comfort her - if he could - before shouting and screaming could be heard outside.

They all hurried out, trying to make sense of the commotion. And it did but not in the way Khael had expected.

Fans had gathered behind the gate, where Ash stood, surrounded by raging and angry fans. The guards did their best into pushing them back but they were pushed back by the crowd who seemed to focus on Ash.

"How dare you hold hands with Khael?!" A loud yell could be heard from the door. The situation was bad. Khael needed to help her.

They ran and reached the gate where fans noticed them and were now squealing. When the guards opened the gate and Khael reached to hold Ash, the crowd didn't like it. There were jeers and slurs all around, focusing mainly on Ash, who looked terrified. 

She looked close to tears and the sight of it made Khael's stomach churn. He wanted to comfort her, hug her, and whisper sweet things to her just so the tears in her eyes would disappear, but Seth pulled him and shook his head. He was in distress. Khael reluctantly let go of her arm, seeing her run inside the house and slam the door on her back.

Looking back, he could see Faith trying to diffuse the situation, not making it any worse than what he was doing.

"There is nothing going on between Khael and our housemaid, they are merely communicating when needed. Now, please leave. The band is disappointed that you have come and bothered them on their break."

There were a few shouts of disagreement but soon the crowd dispersed and they all left. Faith signaled them to go back inside but Ash was nowhere to be seen. Having a bad feeling about this, Khael ran inside hoping to see her in the kitchen, but she wasn't there.

They all sat back down, relieving themselves of the stressful event that just happened. Khael hated how powerless he was when he could've helped Ash. But the lingering image of the consequence he would in if he did show a single amount of help to her, would bring him tremendous amounts of guilt and regret. But what he did just now made him feel like the biggest asshole there is.

He was torn between love and career - his relationship and his friend's careers. This was why he hated catching feelings. It made you do dumb things, but dumb things that could make you smile, enjoy life and even have someone supporting you no matter what. And he had that, with his fans, but the one he wanted the most was the one he couldn't have.

The sound of clacking caught all their attention on the stairs leading to the second floor. It was Ash. Holding her bags and with a neutral expression she says, "I will be quitting."

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