The City of Seoul || Bang Chan ✓

✧.* Chapter 22 *.✧

„No," Danbi stared at the pile of pictures laid out in front of her. Her hands shook for everyone to see while she reached for them. Her chest got tighter with every passing second. Tears stung in her eyes.

This shouldn't be happening.

Her brother's manager and a few other people from his team sat next to her across from the staff members of a different entertainment company. He rubbed back to calm her a bit down.

The pictures showed a couple walking along Han River, in front of a convenience store and later on a scooter. They were only taken a few days earlier. Their features weren't visible in any of them but their wearing a mask and zip-up sweater in the now warmer month was an indication they didn't want to be recognized.

Minho had taken the call from Chan while she was showering earlier. The younger idol told him that his sister needed to meet him at the company because his management wanted her. He couldn't say what exactly was the reason but Minho immediately knew it would be best to have her accompanied by his manager.

"I'm so so sorry," Danbi whispered and looked up from their low-quality pictures. Her eyes darted to the idols across from her for a moment before returning to their manager.

"We need to you sign this," a stack of papers was slipped across the table. It was a non-disclosure agreement. While the lawyer read over it, Danbi wrung with her hands.

"You can still meet under certain rules," the older male watched her. "Take the underground entrance when coming here and always wear a mask near their dorms and also cover your tattoo as it is a clear giveaway."

Danbi nodded and bowed. "It won't happen again," she signed the NDA. "I promise."

"And please refrain from rendezvous outside."

✧･ﾟ: * ✧･ﾟ:*  *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧

"Bi." A male voice called after her momenta after she left the room. She didn't stop. The urge to leave was big. Guilt filled her chest and made her breathing harder.

"Please, stop." A hand wrapped around her wrist and gently pulled her back. Danbi didn't turn around. She knew who stopped her by his voice and the way his hand felt on her skin.

He sounded nervous, unsure.

"Please, let us talk," Guilt laced the voice of the leader. His members stood a few steps behind him.

She shook her head, still not turning. "I can't. Let me go, please." Her voice broke, tears close to spilling.

"Bi, breath," Jisung's voice reached her ears. He noticed the signs of a panic attack in her shaking hands and uneven breathing. He had experienced it many times himself. "Let her go, Chan." He put his hand on his leader's shoulder.

"Please," she whispered, looking over her shoulder with tears in her eyes.

"We can still see each other," he panicked and blurred his thoughts. "Not in public-"

Chan's words were the last straw. Danbi pulled his wrist free and took a step away from him. Tears ran down her cheeks.

"Your company just paid Dispatch to protect you from a scandal that could cost you your career if the pictures ever get leaked." her voice was shaking.

Chan opened his mouth to say something but closed it again.

"I won't risk that or another set of pictures and possibly ruin your or the other reputation," her chest hurt more. "It could be damaging to my brother as well." Tears rolled.

All eight males knew it was the truth.

"And your name will most likely be on the infamous list at the end of the year even if they legally can't reveal more," she hiccupped. "People talk, staff talks and some wouldn't say no to money for spreading a rumour and that alone can cause damage."

"Breathe," Jisung whispered.

"So please, let me leave and don't talk me into anything," she sobbed. "I know how this industry works."

A face flashed before her eyes, intensifying her pain.

"Bi," Felix walked around his leader, wanting to comfort her but stopped immediately when she took another step back.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"It's okay," Felix smiled.

She smiled back at him before taking a last look at the remaining members before Danbi turned and followed her brother's staff.

✧･ﾟ: * ✧･ﾟ:*  *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧

Danbi's head leaned her head against the cool glass of the window and watched the passing cars.

"Are you okay?" Her brother's manager asked.

She shrugged.

"I know that I can still meet them," she whispered. "But how could I be so careless and risk so much for them and Minho?" Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Giving someone moments of normality says a lot about the person you are, Danbi," he told her. "You didn't mean to cause anyone harm."

She nodded.

"Please, don't be too hard on yourself."