Chasm.| Seo Changbin

Thirteen.

Stella wanted to challenge herself. Ever since she started acting, she only accepted the roles of high school student, uni student, or light romantic comedy roles. She wanted to explore her talent and to get to know her limits in acting. That's why she accepted that movie.

It was a fantasy story about a secret magical land of superpowers in the depths of the mountains. She had the leading role of a girl called Daphne who was unveiling truths about herself, that land, and her powers along with her lover and their friends who were all supernatural creatures. 

And that's why they were in Jirisan.

Being the perfect location for the magical scenes, a set near the mountains was booked for the shooting. Before they left for the shooting in Jirisan, they had already completed most of the scenes in Seoul. So, once she gets her scenes done there, she would be free to take a short break before she starts her very awaited concerts tour. 

The shooting was going smoothly and in all honesty, she was having much fun, thanks to Changbin. Changbin's hometown turned out to be very close to Jirisan, and accordingly, he knew that area and mountains like the back of his hand. The mountains were his play area in his childhood and early teenage years, till he left his hometown for college. 

It was obvious that Changbin really loved his hometown from how excited he was knowing the shooting would be nearby, and how he kept Stella entertained during her breaks with stories about that land and the old myths about it. And when she had a long free time, which would be merely a few hours, he would show her around. 

Although it wasn't Stella's first time in Jirisan or in similar or even more prominent mountains, she felt excited to explore that area. From the tales Changbin told her, she felt like she would love to have the same experience as him. And with that, one time while he was telling her about one of his adventures with his friends while hiking up a nearby hill, Stella asked him to take her hiking once the shooting was done. He wasn't sure at first, but then Stella assured him she'd climbed more dangerous mountains and hills before. So, he promised her a small hike before they went back home. 

Because of Changbin's knowledge of that land, he helped in the shooting and production of the movie in many ways. The actors went to him for advice and even the directors dealt with him as if he was a guide. He gave them a heads-up about the weather, warned them about specific parts of the mountains, and educated them about some plants and trees. The staff were going crazy about him and how he was supportive and helpful in every possible way. 

Not only he was protecting his artist, giving advice, and showing the people around the place, but he was also helping in the set itself. Whenever the staff were carrying something or moving anything, you would find Changbin being the extra help. And that was how he went viral again.

Ever since the incident at the airport, people haven't stopped talking about the handsome protective well-mannered guard of Stella. They even praised the girl for selecting a good staff member by her side. But when short clips and stories from the movie set were shared, Stella's fans went crazy again saying that 'if you can't have your favorite artist, you still stand a chance with their guard'.

Secretly, Stella enjoyed watching her fans' reactions to Changbin and the edits they made for him. It was her small happiness lately. She would save all the clips she finds about him on social media so she can watch them at the end of the day before she sleeps. And God! Her fans were so good at editing and so funny with their comments. She always had to bite back her laughter so that Changbin wouldn't hear it from the room at her right, or Hajoon from the room at her left, since all the actors and staff in that movie shared a big guest house near the location.

She was enjoying the attention that Changbin was getting, but someone wasn't.

Hajoon sighed as he watched Stella tie her hiking boots' laces tightly. "Ella, I said it's not a good idea to go hiking with him. At least till we finish shooting. What if you hurt yourself or something?"

"The original plan was to go after the shooting, but my schedule was pushed and I will have no time by then." Stella looked happily at the tied shoelaces. It was a tie that Changbin taught her so they wouldn't loosen. "I'm not going to get hurt, Hajoon. Changbin would be there. You know how cautious and protective he is."

"He's a human after all and accidents can happen." Hajoon huffed.

Stella scoffed and looked at him. "Now he's a human, huh? You used to say he's a feral animal."

Hajoon rolled his eyes. "Beyond the point, Ella. You would stay with him out there in the mountains till night!"

"So?" Stella shrugged as she stood up and went to check her reflection in the mirror.

"Alone," Hajoon commented.

Stella looked at him weirdly through the mirror. "I live with him, Hajoon!" She gave him a pointed look as she turned to face him. "Almost alone."

Hajoon was about to say something but then paused for a few seconds. He huffed, ruffled his hair, and twirled around before facing her again. "If anyone spotted you two alone in the middle of nowhere, it wouldn't be good for you or him. They would talk."

"People know he's my personal guard and he goes wherever I go." She crossed her arms over her chest and then smiled sweetly. "My fans already loooove him. They are all going crazy about the man." She chuckled and then walked back to her bed to ruffle inside of her backpack. "Did you know he got a scouting offer?" She shook her head. "I really wanted him to take it. I mean, who wouldn't scout him when he's that good-looking? It would've been lovely if we acted together. But sadly, he declined the offer." She started giggling and looked at Hajoon. "You should've seen his face when that recruiter gave him his card. It was hilarious and Changbin almos-"

"What the hell, Stella?" Hajoon growled. Stella jolted and looked at his face which wasn't nice at all. A face she was seeing for the first time from her manager who had been with her for years. "What do you think you are doing now?"

"W-What?" Stella hesitated.

"Can't you hear yourself? Can't you hear how you are talking about him? Can't you see your face while you are talking right now?" Hajoon questioned and walked closer to face her. "What's wrong with you?" He uttered through his gritted teeth. "Get a grip of yourself, Stella, before I find myself obligated to deal with the situation as I should." He warned her.

"What's happening here?" Changbin's voice echoed, startling Stella.

Stella and Hajoon looked at the door to find Changbin standing there with his hiking outfit and a backpack clutching his shoulders and torso. He looked at Hajoon weirdly, more like he was inspecting him with a suspicious look.

Stella gulped and stood back from Hajoon. "Nothing." She smiled at Changbin. A fake hesitant smile that Changbin could easily figure. "Just Hajoon nagging me about going hiking on my day off instead of resting and preparing for the next shooting."

"We can postpone if you want," Changbin said.

"No, I really need a break." Stella looked at Hajoon. "Away from everything and everyone." She looked back at Changbin with a wider smile. "I'm ready. Let's go." She said, grabbed her bag, and walked away, past Hajoon and towards Changbin.

Stella left the room and Changbin was going after her but looked at Hajoon for the last time to find Hajoon looking at him with gritted teeth. He didn't look nice at all and Changbin could guess why.

And it seemed like Stella had no clue of what was happening around her.