The Contract // Ricky X OC // ZB1 ✔️

8. Friendship Revealed?

When we got back to the dorm from recording music bank. That's when I saw it. The one thing that could make my heart stop for a few seconds. I saw that Soren had sent me a link to a video on TikTok. I recognized the handle instantly. "Are you okay? You look stressed. Let's get you sat down." Nemy said as she forced me to sit down in the chair in our room.

"I think I might screwed Nemy. Soren, he sent me this video. It's about me and I can't watch it alone. What if it reveals everything?" I asked her. I was stressed and it was probably over nothing. My world had stopped.

"I'll watch it with you and if it's anything bad we will get over it together. As a team." She said to me and she looked at the video. "Have you mentioned this guy before or is it a different Gerry?" She asked me. It was the same. He wanted to ruin me all over a crush that was never received back from me. This was how I lose everything I've worked for.

"It's the same guy. No doubt he wants to bring me down. Not only me but Ricky as well. He was always jealous of us. Nemy, this could really be it." I said to her and she took my phone from me.

"Then let's watch this together. If needed to we can talk to our manager and see what they can do to help us out." She said and I knew what she wanted to but she wouldn't be able to. In this circumstance stance legal action wouldn't be able to be taken. Not unless this was all about if lies and someone trying to make accusations up.

"Let's just watch this and get it over with." I said to her and that's when I tapped on the link. There Gerry was. With his yearbook in hand. He'd probably marked the page that he needed.

"I went to school with Aella Cheung from Startrix and Ricky from Zerobaseone. And what I'm going to say might shock you both. Most people won't know but they knew each other. They got on really well. And we're really close in more ways than one." Gerry said and I didn't want to watch anymore. He then turned to a page in the yearbook. I knew which one it was. "In this picture it was taken at one of Aella's friends party and this is Ricky and Aella hugging each other on the couch. Make of that what you will. But everyone here in California knows the truth about what they were really like. If anyone wants any storytimes give me a follow and when we reach 10K I'll start sharing some." Gerry said and I shook my head this wasn't as bad as what it was for now. But surely none of our fans would be stupid enough to follow him. Especially someone like that.

"That wasn't that bad was it? At least now you and Ricky can act like friends." Nemy said to me and I was glad that someone could have some positivity over this. Aree then walked into the room.

"Aella, I saw the articles. They're already coming out. You did not tell me that you knew Ricky and were childhood best friends." Aree said and I looked at her. There were already articles. I mean in this industry everything travels like wildfire. If your hiding something. People will do all they can to find out what it is.

"There's already articles?" I asked her and she nodded. We then walked into the main area and I poured myself a glass of water and sat down.

"I don't know what this stories are or what the truth is about you and him. But I'm glad that you have a friend that you can talk when you don't want to see us. Or even can't talk to us about whatever it is." Geuroo said to me and I saw that Katsuki was trying to examine me. Like she knew something.

"Whatever it is. It doesn't bother me. I know that you love your work more than anything." She said to me and that was the truth. I'd always prioritize my career.

"And your right to believe that." I said to them and that's when I heard a gasp from Aree.

"You ok?" Dalrae asked him with concern in her tone.

"Yes, it's just that the company has arranged for me to do the Near Miss challenge with my sister." She said and I smiled. Aree's sister was a fellow idol. She was in the group Pretty Rebels. She'd always looked up to her. Her name was Malai and she was one of the best vocalists that I'd heard. I then checked my phone.

"Nemy. You and me will need to be over at JYPE at some point this week. They went us to film a video with Lily and Sullyoon for Roller Coaster." I said to her. The song had barely been out. But I was glad. She then hugged me.

"We can see our old friends. I've missed them so much." She said to me whilst hugging me. I'd completely forgotten what we were even talking about earlier because of this distraction. I then saw another message.

"The company wants to me to film a challenge with my brothers. I'll need to call them." I said and I looked at everyone.

"That'll be good. I look forward to watching them." Azumi said and I smiled at her. I would look forward to it as well.

"Well I'm going to give them a call. Wish me luck." I said to them and I then went into my shared room. I did a group call with them.

"Whatever you're selling sign it first." Aziel said making me laugh.

"But I already signed your album and the PC you pulled of me." I said to them and that's when Zion looked at me.

"What's going on? Are you okay?" Her asked me. He was already concerned about me. Probably because he saw me as a friend not his sister.

"I'm fine. But I hope you three know the Near Miss choreography." I said to them and I saw them all look worried.

"The chorus, why?" Soren asked me and I smiled at him.

"Because all of you need to head over to MOD entertainment building. Because your are all filming a challenge with me." I said to them and they smiled at me.

"When do you need us?" Zion asked me with a smile.

"Like now." I said to them and they understood that. Hanging up straight away. I then got taken to the studio. That's when I saw my surprise my grandpa. He was doing the challenge as well his own little version. The simplified version. I taught them all the routine and we filmed it together. I smiled as we did it and at the end I hugged them all. This was what I needed. This was the life I wanted to live and this. If anyone tried to stop me. Well let's face it. I wouldn't let them win.