Melodies Of Betrayal: The Toxic Encore ✓

Chapter 1: Dance Practice

Chapter 1: Dance Practice

MAL stood at the far end of the practice room, glancing around nervously as she stepped away from the door after shutting it quietly behind her. She sighed as she spotted her reflection in the gigantic mirror right across from her.

Making her way to the center of the room, she glanced around once again, ready to call her boyfriend's name.

"Junwon?" She called out, her voice baffled at the sight of the empty practice room. Only a few pieces of paperwork, equipment, and lazy-boy chairs were scattered around the room. "Sweetheart, where are you?"

At that moment, a familiar creaking noise filled her ears. The sound of the door to the practice room creaking open. She turned around immediately to spot who it was.

It was the familiar, tall figure she was there to meet. She stared at his clothes, the same black and white striped shirt that hugged his torso and the same black leather pants that showed off his attractive physique. She sent him a soft smile before taking in the sight of his exhausted, overworked face. His pale skin matched with his silky, jet-black hair and his chocolate-brown eyes.

She stretched her arms out to invite him in a hug once she recognized his features. He immediately ran towards her, which resulted in her engulfing him in a tight, reassuring hug.

The younger lover's body immediately curved into hers, his face sinking into her neck as he struggled to forbid his tears from streaming down his face. Mal ran her fingers through his wet, newly-washed hair, taking a mental note that he must have taken a shower before he entered the practice room once again.

"Hey, baby," she whispered, placing a clumsy, soft kiss just above his temple, "how did practice go today?"

He shook his head, already unable to continue that conversation. Mal knew that it was just another terrible day, so she tried her best not to push it any further.

"Come on, sweetheart," she whispered, gently shoving him away but keeping him closer to her by having an arm around his torso and waist. "Gather your stuff and let's go home."

He slowly nodded his head, sending her a small, reassuring smile in an unconvincing attempt to try and tell her that he was okay. Mal didn't bother to comment but made a silent observation to herself that he wasn't fine.

It was his way of telling her that he was going to be okay.

And she knew that he was strong. Strong enough to get through just another day of hell.

But for how long?

"How did it go today, Jun?" She asked as she grabbed his pens, his practice clothes, his papers, and his lip moisturizer to shove them in his bag. He glanced around the room to look for anything else that he might've missed. To his dismay, his water bottle was still lying on the wooden floor.

He sighed and walked in its direction to grab it and shove it in his bag.

"The same as u-usual." He replied, his voice cracking with heartbreak. "Today we learned another dance. It was nice."

Mal stopped trying to fit all her boyfriend's possessions inside the bag, then turned her attention to him as she sent him a glare that soon softened as he handed her the water bottle.

"You know I'm not talking about the dance..."

"I did well in it!" He replied, softly smiling to himself. Her heart softened at that, remembering how talented he was.

"I know, sweetheart."

Soon enough, she was able to zip up his bag and close it. After handing it to him, she wrapped her arm around his slim waist to lead him out of the room.