Chasm.| Seo Changbin

Twenty-Four.

The CEO, the managing staff, and the lawyers of the company didn't expect they would be facing four gawking eagles whose eyes pierced through all of those who attended that meeting.

It's been two weeks since the incident and Stella was still staying at Changbin's house. Felix was coming back soon and till then, she would be sticking to Changbin. She hoped she could stick to him even after her brother came back, though. It was calm and peaceful with him being by her side and she loved how simple his life seemed to be. She wanted to be part of that simple yet very busy life. She wanted to be a permanent part of his life.

It's been two weeks and Stella's company spared no efforts in trying to contact her since they were going south. Their statements angered her fans and they started to lose trust. Even the fans of other artists under the company were doubting the company and demanding a better place for their artists. For two weeks, they were under fire. And in all honesty, Stella didn't want to go back. Not only go back to the company, but to the whole industry. She wanted a long break or even... a way out.

But even if she wanted either of the two options, she would have to confront. She can't be hiding at Changbin's for the rest of her life, although she wished, and Changbin didn't seem to be irritated by her presence in his house. By then, he was already used to the female's presence around him.

Stella decided to be the big girl she was and face her company. She won't be hiding anymore! That's why she answered the calls and went to the meeting. With the four men. Her four knights.

At the head of the meeting table, sat the CEO of the company, Mr. Baek, who was a man in his late forties. By his sides, there were other board members including his wife who was a shareholder. Two lawyers attended along with Hajoon who was in the far corner. On the other side of the table, Stella sat comfortably with three men standing behind her solidly.

Changbin, Chan, and Minho. Her now official security team.

Right by her side, her lawyer was seated. When Stella thought the lawyer, Jisung, Minho suggested was an old man with thick-rimmed glasses, she found herself facing a young handsome man with a goofy smile. But that man's brain worked differently. He was as sly as a fox when it came to his job. And that's why he was present at such a meeting to discuss the conditions of Stella returning back to work according to an official agreement they were setting.

Jisung whispered some words to Stella as he pointed at a few lines in the document in his hand. Stella was nodding at him, preparing for her requests. Jisung didn't talk much and was satisfied with only guiding her. He wanted her to be the one speaking for herself. He wanted her to be the one with the upper hand. 

Behind Stella, Changbin and Chan were glaring at whoever looked Stella's way, while Minho was lazily chewing a piece of gum and throwing smiles at the same people his friends were glaring at, terrifying them more than they should.

Stella rested back and faced them with a fake smile. "I have some points I need to add to the agreement."

"Enlighten us," The CEO scoffed, apparently not tolerating that meeting anymore. Stella wouldn't say the man had ever been bad to her, but he also never been good. 

Stella tilted her head and lifted an eyebrow. "I need a break."

"You were on a break for more than two months! You need to carry on with the discontinued tour!" He snapped. 

"I need a break!" She repeated. "A longer one. Excuse you, but I'm not ready to face anyone right now. I had a freaking pervert and stalker following me for years and stayed in my house for a month. In the same house I was in, while I was in!" She glared at them. "I still can't go home 'cause I'm scared to think of all the dirty things he did in my house while-" She paused and took a breath. "I need a break or we can proceed with the lawsuit."

"Okay, fine!" The head of the division she belonged to said, jumping in before the CEO uttered a word. Stella noticed the look they shared. It was as if he was reminding the CEO that they needed her. "Take the break you want. We'll arrange that for you."

"Great!" Stella gave them a fake smile. "Then, the second point to be added is, the company can't publish any statement on my behalf by any means without me agreeing to it. All of it."

"There is something called damage control! Sometimes we need quick actions t-" The division head started. 

"You can control the damage all you want but I will make sure to release my own statements and expose you." She shrugged, cutting his words.

Through gritted teeth, he replied. "Fine. What else?"

"Those people here," She pointed with her open hand at the men behind her. "are my security team. They will be responsible for my safety, whether here or abroad. And They'll bring their own people. No security related to the company would be involved with me. The same goes for my contracts. My lawyer here will be revising all of them and there will be a fellow accountant who will completely handle my profits and accounts."

"Anything else?" The CEO questioned with controlled rage.

"Yes," Her fake smile dropped. "My personal life is as it is called. 'Personal'. No one has a say in what I do with it. If I date, get married, hook up, befriend someone, or whatever the hell I want, it is my personal life. As long as I don't inflict any 'valid' damage on the company, you have no right to interfere." She said and ignored the muffled chuckle from behind that came from Minho and the sound of a slap that landed on his back from Chan. Stella pushed the document towards them. "If that's understandable, kindly adjust the agreement and resend it to my lawyer."

Stella stood up and pulled her black sunglasses back down on her face. She turned around to leave. She stopped in her tracks and faced them again. "One more thing."

"What now?" The CEO growled.

Stella looked over at Hajoon from behind her glasses. "I want a new manager."

Hajoon jolted but didn't utter a word.

"What?" The division head was taken aback. "But you've been always working was Hajoon!"

"I want someone new. Find a new one or I will just walk away and never come back. Also, when you find a new one, send their info to Chan. Any new staff member will be interviewed by him first from now on." She uttered, spun around, and walked away.

That was how she decided to lead her life from now on.

That was how things were supposed to be from the beginning!