Chasm.| Seo Changbin

Thirty-Six.

Stella was looking at her reflection. She was in her black bra and shorts. All the makeup was removed. Her sweaty hair was almost back to its natural brim. She was bare. That's how she really looked like and only she and her very few close people knew how her vulnerable self looked.

She grabbed the golden silk robe and wrapped her body with it. She looked at her reflection one last time. She had no regrets.

She made a very successful concert. For almost three hours she danced, sang, hyped, and jumped around. She was very happy and gave her all. The other artists who collaborated with her had their fun too. The crowd was screaming her name, jumping and dancing along. She made that final stage worth it.

Breathing in, she nodded to herself and turned around to walk to the door of her waiting room. Barefooted, she exited the room and walked down the corridor.

"Stella!" A voice echoed, stopping Stella momentarily. "What happened?" Her manager screamed, panicking and feeling rushed. "You removed all your makeup? And what's with the robe? Why didn't you get dressed in the encore costume yet?"

Stella looked at her blankly, not knowing what to say to her manager.

"What's happening here?" Another voice echoed. "What's with your hair?" That came from the stage coordinator.

Stella didn't reply and just started to move forward and towards the stage.

"Hey, where are you going like that?" Her manager screamed again. She ran towards her and yanked her arm forcefully. A commotion started in the hallway. The staff members were gathering up, looking at Stella up and down with confusion. She was late. She's supposed to be on stage doing her final ment but there she was in a robe and barefooted with no single spot of makeup on her face and her hair almost undone.

Right then and before Stella could ever reply, her arm was yanked again but softer than before. A body got between her and her manager. A broad back that she was familiar with.

"Go!" Chan's voice echoed calmly. "Changbin is waiting for you backstage. I'll have it under control here. Go!" He gently pushed her away as he stood solid to his ground, using his body as a barrier between her and the hands of her manager and assistants who were trying to reach out for her.

"Thank you." She mumbled, turned her heels, and then started running towards where Changbin would be waiting for her, ignoring the yells that roared in that hallway.

Spotting Changbin, she ran straight and directly into his arms, which were open for her. "Are you okay?" He whispered once he caught her. Gently pushing her back a little, he looked at her disturbed face, caressing it.

"Y-Yes. Just a little nervous." She gulped.

"Here." He handed her a mic. "It's connected and Minho has full control over the sound and the light systems. I'm here, okay? I'm here and no one can stop you."

Stella nodded, received the mic, and gave him a tight smile. He didn't ask. He didn't question her deeds which surely seemed odd. He just trusted her and gave her the support she needed. She wasn't sure if it would turn out as she wished, but she was sure whatever the outcome would be, Changbin would be there for her. 

Bracing herself, she started to walk away and up the stage from the side entrance. Just before she gets on stage, she heard Changbin calling for her.

"Ella," He called and she looked over her shoulder to find him giving her an assuring smile. "Whatever it is and whatever you are going to say, I'm here."

Stella breathed in and smiled back at him.

He was there for her and she knew that.

Taking a few more steps, she came to the middle of the still pitch-dark stage.