Chasm.| Seo Changbin

Fifteen.

It felt like one more wall crumbled down since that day at the top of the hill.

Changbin seemed to be more relaxed around Stella. However, he still felt uncomfortable as he was breaking his own rules and work ethic. But his worries and uncomfortableness would always wash away the moment the girl's eyes looked for him, and she would smile widely at him from afar, with obvious relief that he was there. And that smile of relief and assurance did wonders to Changbin. 

If she feels safe around him, then that's all he needs.

It was obvious to all the staff and the cast of the movie how Stella was friendly to her personal guard but no one had a problem with that since Changbin had already proved himself as a helpful gentleman and a sweetheart. So, they enjoyed his presence around and the friendly atmosphere between him and his artist.

Not all of them.

Hajoon wasn't very pleased by how they were growing closer to each other. As they proceeded with the movie and as days rolled by, Hajoon became very obvious that he didn't like Changbin anymore. He even had a silly conversation with Stella that Changbin should move out of her house once they went back home, cause his presence there wasn't needed anymore as the security system he installed was doing a good job of monitoring and keeping her house safe, so there was no need for Changbin to stick to her all day and night anymore. Stella just brushed it off, thinking Hajoon was joking around.

But now, as they were packing up to finally leave South Korea and head to Japan for the rehearsals of the first concert in the world tour, Stella found Hajoon being unreasonable as he handed Changbin an economy degree ticket instead of a VIP one. She looked at him weirdly as he glared at Changbin and Changbin glared back at him.

"Hajoon," Stella sighed. "Changbin always sits next to me."

"I will sit next to you." Hajoon smiled at her. A tight smile.

"You are not my bodyguard." She rolled her eyes. "That's beyond the point of why he should be sticking to me."

Changbin sighed. He knew what exactly Hajoon was trying but Changbin didn't want to start a fight with the narrow-minded man. "Ella," Changbin called. "It's okay. I'll make sure you are safe even i-"

"Ella?" Hajoon snapped and Changbin saw how his fists clenched and his jaw ticked. "Who allowed you to call her that?"

Changbin lifted one eyebrow. "What's it to you how I address her?"

"I'm her manager!" Hajoon almost yelled. "I have everything to do with anything she does!"

Changbin scoffed. "Last time I checked, managers were supposed to manage their artists' work, and work-related life, not their lives in general." He replied coolly, provoking Hajoon for more.

"And last time I fucking checked," Hajoon growled. "guards' job was to only fucking guard and protect their clients, not to get involved in their personal lives, call them endearment names, go hiking with them, hold hands, and spend all time together as if they were something," Hajoon yelled.

"Hajoon!" Stella shouted. "What's wrong with you? Why are you fighting with him?"

Stella was yelling but Changbin wasn't listening. His ears caught something and kept repeating it and it seemed to go unnoticed by Stella. 'Hold hands'. Changbin and Stella never did that except for one time. The only time he let her hold his hand and cling to him as she wished was when they were on top of the hill. Once they went down, they went back to their professional attitude. Yes, they were more friendly with each other, but never they initiated any unrequired contact.

So, how could Hajoon possibly know of that?

It had to be only one way.

But Changbin was smart enough not to let out what he was thinking of.

Not yet.

"You know that right now you seem to be irrational?" Changbin provoked him even more. "I mean, whoever hears how you are yelling at her now, would think you have some kind of right to yell or control her," Smirking, he added. "As if you were something." He tilted his head.

And that was when Hajoon snapped. He didn't think straight. Sure he didn't, cause no one sane would think of curling his fist and landing it on the face of someone like Changbin. That would be extremely stupid as Changbin is capable of ending the poor Hajoon with just a tiny teeny push. Nevertheless, Hajoon was stupid enough to attack him.

Changbin didn't dodge and let the boy punch him as he wished. Changbin's face just shoved a little to the side and his lips had a little split and that was it, while Hajoon was screaming out of pain, thinking he had cracked his knuckles while trying to punch Changbin's jaw.

"What the hell, Hajoon?" Stella screamed and jumped to Changbin. She held his face in her hands and inspected it. "Are you okay?" She questioned, touching his split lips lightly. "God! You are hurt." She looked back at Hajoon with firing eyes. She couldn't see his pain and the look he was giving her. "Are you out of your mind, Hajoon?" She yelled at him.

"Am I out of my mind?" He yelled back. "What about you? What the fuck do you think you are doing now?"

Stella jolted, letting go of Changbin. All of what was happening seemed unreal to her.

For the years she worked with Hajoon, she had never seen him that angry. He was always composed, lovely, supportive, and caring. The angry yelling and cursing side she was seeing was new. And violence? That was on the next level. She stepped back away from him and closer to Changbin. He didn't seem to be in his mind to stay close to him. Hajoon noticed the way she put distance between herself and him and scoffed.

"If that's what you are going to do, Stella, then let it be." Hajoon talked in a calmer voice. "But remember I told you that I'll do what I should do," He looked from Changbin to her. "As your manager." He added, turned around, and walked away.

Stella shuddered and almost fell to her knees if it weren't for Changbin who caught her. "Are you okay?" He asked her as he steadied her body.

Stella nodded and gulped. "I don't know what's gotten into him."

"You really don't know?" Changbin asked. Stella looked at him weirdly. He sighed and let go of her. Stuffing his hands in his black cargo pants' pockets, he looked at her hesitantly. "You need to look into the actions and behaviors of people who surround you, Stella."

"I don't get it, Changbin."

Changbin shook his head in disbelief. The girl was really clueless about the people who surrounded her. "I guess we'll need to take other measures in your protection plan. Obsessed people might not be only your fans. Stalkers might not be only the ones who follow you to your house, Stella." He gave her a tight assuring smile. "This might not end well, but I'll do whatever I can to keep you safe."