In The Shadows

42

CHAY

"What are you smiling about?" Wrath asked, narrowing his eyes and leaning in closer. "I thought you didn't want to make it known publicly that you're seeing the Artist of the Year, WIC?" Wrath continued, his voice laden with curiosity and a hint of disbelief as if searching for a reason behind this unexpected display of cheerfulness.

"I didn't, but lately, it feels like I can only be one person or the other," Chay confesses, a hint of weariness in his voice. "And yeah, when people find out, they're going to accuse me of using Kim to gain wealth and boost my career. But with my life as it is right now, I'll be pouring most of my energy into this whole Mafia, gang thing. I just can't envision myself becoming an idol. How could I? I have all these people relying on my leadership, and balancing everything seems impossible."

"Chay, that is precisely why I am here for you," Wrath said, his voice tinged with a palpable sense of hurt. "If you would just adhere to the plans I've painstakingly mapped out for you, everything would become much simpler." He paused, his eyes reflecting the depth of the effort he'd invested, all in an attempt to soothe Chay's turbulent storms.

"I'm sorry, Wrath. You're right," Chay said, his voice heavy with remorse. "But at least this way, you won't have to work so hard." Chay felt a deep sense of guilt for not following Wrath's carefully laid plans. He also felt utterly defeated, weighed down by the choices he had made.

"Give it a try for now. I understand it will take some time to get used to, but I assure you it will be immensely beneficial. Just follow along, and everything will work out. Remember, you don't have to do it all alone. Don't give up on something you've dreamed about your whole life," Wrath tried to encourage.

"If I were to pursue a career as an idol, I would have to keep my relationship with Kim a secret. On the other hand, if I abandoned that dream, I could be with Kim openly and without fear. Given these choices, following the path of the mafia seems like the simplest solution," Chay muses, his thoughts clouded by the potential downsides of each option.

"You may have a point, Chay, but this is your dream. Not only will you come to regret abandoning it, but it would also sadden your brother, and Kim will end up blaming himself for obstructing your aspirations," Wrath explained with a steady tone. "You can do both—lead this gang and pursue a career as an idol. Kim manages it, and there are a few other artists who navigate this dual path successfully."

Chay stood there, momentarily taken aback. How many artists are out there with ties to the mafia? He wondered silently. With a weary sigh, he could not muster a response. 'Kim did say we could take it slow...maybe I should just give this a try for a while longer,' he thought to himself, a mixture of hope and doubt swirling in his mind.

"What do you have for me then, Wrath? I'll give your way a shot," Chay says, despite his lingering doubts. He knew he couldn't abandon this endeavor without first putting in the necessary effort.

"Certainly, I will get into detail and ensure it flows seamlessly for your pop idol's/Mafia-related matter schedule so pay attention:" Wrath said before he began, Chay stood up and listened as Wrath pulled out his phone and clicked on the planner Kim had installed.

"Today, you expressed a desire to go out while Kim is away at his studio, so that's exactly what we'll do. You will be followed by me, Tong, and Chong. Since you haven't adhered to the usual schedule, I haven't planned anything specific for today, but we'll make the most of it. Now, let's talk about tomorrow - where we will dive back into your routine with a well-structured plan.

We'll start bright and early at 5 AM. You'll wake up and begin with a warm-up routine followed by your favorite jog. It's crucial to get your blood pumping first thing in the morning. By 6 AM, you'll be back home to enjoy a refreshing shower and a nutritious breakfast prepared by your personnel Chef Watt.