Black Rose ~ A Taemin Fic Pt. 2

Chapter 14

For the first time in awhile, I'm surrounded by everyone and no one all at once. The industry is staring me down, yet there is no one for me to reach out to for help. I've not only bothered Taemin enough, but I can't speak to him about this when the lie still sat idly waiting to surface. 'Like hell I'll let anyone's version but my own reach his ears.' I didn't send any texts. I reached out to no one, especially my managers. If there's an issue, they will come to me.

The first thing that will occur after the shock and confusion is the side-picking. The company will cover for me and dismiss it all immediately. If it's such a big deal, I would've heard it from them professionally by now.

'But this means there's not a good window to ask about advancing my career.' Plus, Baekhyun's release date is today. Yesterday, I spent most of my time wondering how to go about it all. Taemin didn't call, I didn't reciprocate the desire anyways so it was mutual. I can only assume he's heard, but knowing everything, the gesture means nothing. A hand on the thigh? I'm basically a woman in grieving with how I've been acting these past few weeks.

Taemin can only guess that leaning on Baekhyun for support will be my first option.

Tomorrow's the comeback stage. Tonight, though, is the informal party held by Baekhyun himself. I've never seen a comeback evolve so quickly. Then again, little promotion was aimed at him, seeing how he's getting older now. No, now it's Aespa and Riize's turn to steal the show.

"Jesus, I'm old," I murmur to myself from the desk in Taemin's office. The dark oak shines like a mirror, it feels wrong to set a laptop on it, let alone my fingers. It's perfectly neat ever since he left. Post-it notes and pens line the back end, followed by his own desktop and a few framed photos. Most consist of Shinee ranging from all the years they were at their prime. In the very center, closest to my hand, is a framed picture of us at our wedding. It's one that didn't make it to anyone's eyes, just ours.

It pictures him and I at the alter before anyone else even showed up. My head is bowed, eyes fluttered closed and his lips connect with my forehead in an eternal kiss. Our hands hold each other's in the center, my veil not covering my face in this one.

It's only been two years since that picture, and yet I feel as if a century has flown by. I no longer feel the youth I was once so acquainted with.

Instead of facing this fear, I try my hardest to put it to words. I've been up studying so many lyrics for the past two hours. It's only 10 PM, but my eyes are heavy. I didn't eat much, and it's catching up to me.

Even now, staring into what I've written so far, I can only feel the twinge of uncertainty. "Who am I kidding?" I whisper, rereading the lyrics over and over again. It's simple. It's stupid. It's probably been done before too. I only managed to write two "songs," if you can even call them that.

The first is called "Not Over You," the second "Deja Vu." They don't flow well, most of them consisting of just fragments of feelings, unaquainted with the past and next line.

"Shit," I whisper, blinking hard to banish my weariness. I bet the party has started already. Thank god I don't have to go; I've dealt enough of Baekhyun to last a lifetime.

Just as I'm about to write more, the dogs start barking. My senses heighten, shooting up and out of my seat in less than a second. I listen closely in between the barks.

"Hello?" I call out, rounding the desk and exiting the office. Emerging into the living area, the tial cold on my bare feet, I notice the dogs staring up at the door out of my view. Before I can do anything more, it swings open. I jump back, my heart racing as I think of a weapon I can use. Hell, I'd probably survive better if I run.