Beyond the Spotlight | Volume: 1

7

A week passed in a blur as Seonghwa and Hongjoong found themselves sitting across the CEO with a stack of papers between them.

The CEO, a stern-looking man in his early fifties, leaned back in his chair, watching the two young men with a mixture of disappointment and resignation. "Are you sure about this? Ending your contract now means the end of your musical era with us."

Seonghwa glanced at Hongjoong, who stared blankly at the table. The tension between them was palpable, a silent rift that had grown over the past week.

**Seonghwa:** (with a hard edge in his voice) "We’ve made our decision."

Hongjoong’s eyes flickered with pain, but he remained silent. The past week had been a nightmare. While Seonghwa buried himself in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood stars and fashion models, Hongjoong was drowning in his own sorrow and disillusionment.

Flashbacks in Seonghwa's room...

Seonghwa sat on his bed, his laptop open to yet another fashion show. His walls were plastered with pictures of models and actors, a stark contrast to the once vibrant posters of their musical journey. His obsession with the perfect lives of others had consumed him, driving a wedge between him and Hongjoong.

**Seonghwa:** (muttering to himself) "Look at them, living their best lives. I could do that too. I deserve that."

Flashbacks to Hongjoong's room...

Hongjoong lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The dark circles under his eyes spoke of sleepless nights. His mind was a whirlpool of doubts and regrets. He felt abandoned, not just by Seonghwa, but by the dreams they once shared.

**Hongjoong:** (whispering) "We used to be a team. What happened to us?"

In present:

Back in the CEO’s office, the silence was deafening. The CEO pushed the papers closer to them. "If you’re both certain, then sign."

Seonghwa grabbed the pen, his movements sharp and decisive. He scribbled his signature with a finality that made Hongjoong’s heart ache. Hongjoong’s hand trembled as he picked up the pen, hesitating for a moment before signing his name.

The CEO collected the papers, nodding curtly. "That’s it, then. You’re officially released from your contract."

Seonghwa stood up abruptly, not sparing a glance at Hongjoong. " Finally. About time."

Hongjoong followed him out, the corridor seeming longer and colder than ever. As they walked, the silence between them grew heavier, filled with unspoken words and unresolved pain.

**Hongjoong:** (finally breaking the silence) "Why did it have to end like this, Seonghwa? We were supposed to achieve so much together."

Seonghwa stopped, turning to face Hongjoong with a mix of anger and frustration. "We couldn’t keep going like this, Hongjoong. Our dreams, our goals—they’ve changed. You’re stuck in the past, and I need to move forward."

Hongjoong’s eyes filled with tears. "Move forward? By abandoning everything we worked for? By chasing fantasies instead of our music?"

**Seonghwa:** (coldly) "Those fantasies are my new reality. I need to be where I can express myself fully. And right now, that’s not with you."

The words cut deep, leaving Hongjoong feeling more isolated than ever. They reached the exit, the finality of their departure sinking in.

**Hongjoong:** (softly) " You really didn't hesitate or think once before signing, right? How cruel was it to kill something you once wished for. Well done, Park Seonghwa. Well done."