𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃

TWELVE.

—

PAST

(Seven Years Old)

"You nailed that part," Xin Hui told Y/n, "I mean it. You only came because we needed a substitute and you happened to be there; but you're talented. Really talented. My mother couldn't keep her eyes off you."

Y/n fidgeted.

"Is that...bad or good?" He said cautiously, "admiration from your mother...isn't something I think I would want."

Xin Hui laughed, smiling at him fondly. Y/n was starting to notice the differences in treatment he got. In school, Xin Hui was usually cold and...dare Y/n say, manipulative? He got his way around easily. He had everyone wrapped around his finger. He was a liar. A very good liar. Even Y/n was acutely aware of the fact kids at seven, were in fact not supposed to lie that well.

First, kids struggled to find a believable lie. Second, they struggled to form the words. And third, they over exaggerated the facts and delivered it all wrong. If not for the fact Y/n had seen him loitering in the corridor, obviously intending to skip class, he would have believed Xin Hui's lie about getting into a car accident and having to wait.

"Thankfully, I was unharmed," Xin had smiled charmingly at the teacher.

But in front of Y/n...Xin Hui dropped the pretenses. He was especially kind to Y/n, but he was also extra..crazy to him. He could say the most baffling things.

Acting was like breathing to him, wasn't it?

—

PRESENT

"None of you guys told me anything about this," Y/n stood by numbly, "none. None—do I even have a say in this matter?"

He caught Xin Hui's eye.

"You said you were going to tell Y/n in advance," Xin Hui murmured silkily to Damian, "you haven't?" Malicious intent dripped off every word.

Y/n had never seen the CEO look so terrified before.

But this...

"W-Well," He coughed, clearing his throat, "clearly there's been a misunderstanding. You see, Y/n—Han Namwoon dropped from the drama. He was originally the second male lead; the 'master' of the first male lead, Kim Taeyang — played by Xin Hui," He forced a laugh, "so—"

"I didn't know you weren't told," Xin Hui interrupted—"so if you don't want to, then.."

"Ah! That's not what I meant," Damian fumbled with his words, "I meant—"

"I'll see if I can convince him," Xin Hui sighed, "but if he's not comfortable, then no. We aren't doing it. I'll drop from the drama if that's the case."

"You can't just—"

"Oh, I can." Xin Hui narrowed his eyes into slits, "you clearly breached the contract. First you record him without permission. And second you rope him into this without knowing. Eumin," He called the female actress Y/n was just talking to, "I have things to settle with the director. Bring Y/n to the set, first."

"I..."

"Let's go, Y/n," Eumin said in a hushed voice, "before the fireworks start."

Y/n cringed at the choice of words.

As they made it outside, Eumin gave a breath of relief.

"Phew! Xin Hui's a scary one," She shuddered, "now, you know, Hana actually has to act before him. Like, she's so genuinely terrified of him she sees him as a prop when she's acting a scene. She calls it—"