Chasm.| Seo Changbin

Thirty-Five.

'I'm not sure whom I should be jealous of. Stella for having a man like him as her boyfriend, or him for dating Stella?'

'OH MY GOSH! Isn't he the sweetest thing ever?'

'What the HELL? Do they live together? Like, LIVE together?'

'I guess her fans should be happy for her since she seems happy and more comfortable now. It's obvious she loves him.'

'Do you all believe it? Am I the only one seeing this as some kind of a show for attention? She is now almost twenty-six and I guess she's afraid she would be losing her spark soon so she fabricated all of this to keep herself in the spotlight. That's my opinion!'

'I need the location of the fitness club he goes to!'

'Can anyone drop the personal accounts of that friend of Changbin who looks a little nerdy with glasses? I swear he's my type.'

'Get yourself a man who panics and gets scared when he doesn't find you INSIDE the house. Lmao.'

'So, you wanna tell me that show of him walking into the live wasn't planned? Why doesn't anyone talk about this shit?'

'Since the photos, I said they were in love. It's very obvious. Like, look at their faces when they look at each other?'

'He's setting our standards high and that's not good, dude! Stella said you are one of a kind. How would I find a man like you?'

'I'm not even her fan but I came across those videos of her boyfriend and HOLLY MOLLY! Good for you, girl.'

'Did she really open a random live to answer her fans' questions about her boyfriend then he appeared by coincidence? Nah! That looks fishy.'

'She doesn't look stable lately. What she's doing is out of her character, really.'

'Am I the only one falling in love with his voice when called her name?'

'Can't they film a show together or something? Like 'I live alone', although she obviously doesn't live alone.'

'It's funny how people are saying she's weird and needs help when she got out there and told everyone she was finally bringing her true self to the surface! You all fell in love with the fake facade they created for her for all of those years, and now you think she's sick in the head because she's being herself?'

'Those scars break my heart. How did the little her survive a tragic accident like that?'

'Those who mentioned her parents in the live are really sick! Did you all need to step that low?'

'I've never understood the K-pop fans! You are making a big deal out of someone's personal life. You guys are obsessed! Get yourself a life or something.'

Those were the comments Stella was reading while getting her makeup done. It was an hour before she centers that stage. An hour before facing her fans, not knowing if they would cheer for her or just give her a black ocean. Whatever the reaction would be, she was determined to give her all and make an unforgettable stage.

Lifting her head and looking at her reflection, she smiled. She knew she looked beautiful with that makeup and styled hair. She was wearing a short golden dress that would be her first stage costume. Behind her, there were many other outfits that she would be changing into throughout the night. There were the long baggy ones, the very short revealing, the girly, and the boyish.

"Are you sure this is okay?" The makeup artist asked, referring to the scars that Stella objected to hiding with makeup as always.

"Yes, they had already seen them all." She nodded.

"As you wish." She shrugged helplessly.

Right then, the door opened to reveal Changbin. He was in his work attire. All black tight shirt and baggy pants with combat boots. His in-ear was in its place and his small mic attached the hem of his shirt, connecting him to Minho. A leather jacket was on top and Stella was sure there would be a weapon underneath it, just like the one she saw hanging off Chan's waist earlier.

Once the makeup artist spotted him, she excused herself and left the room, closing the door behind.

"You look just fine." Stella said while looking at his reflection in the mirror.

"Shouldn't it be the other way around?" Changbin chuckled. "I mean, I came with the intention of flirting a little with you."

Stella turned in her seat to face him. "Try." She smirked.

He stepped closer to her while smiling. "Who in the world wouldn't try to flirt with you when you look that breathtaking?" He reached out for her exposed arms to rub them. "You make me want nothing but to take you away from here."

Stella stood to her feet and moved towards him. She pushed herself against his body till they were flush. Her hands moved to rest on his chest as she arched her back a little to look at him. "Where will you take me?"

"Wherever you want." He almost whispered.

"Even if it is far away?" She tilted her head.

"Even if it is in the depth of the farthest mountains ever." He replied back and she chuckled.

"Can I ask for something?"

"Anything for you, pretty."

"I need to say something at the end of the concert." She breathed in. "The staff will try to stop me for sure. They might even cut my mic or turn off the lights. I want to make sure my speech is delivered to the end."

"Consider it done." He caressed her cheek. "I will be there. Chan will be there and Minho will ensure you stay connected and live."

She sighed in relief. "Thank you." Stella rested her head on his chest and hugged him tightly.

"What are you going to say?" Changbin questioned as he wrapped her tighter.

"Something that would make everyone hate me."

"But I will never." He kissed the top of her head. "Whatever it is, I will be there and I will support you."

"I love you." She mumbled.

"I love you even more." He whispered.