Notice Me - Choi Beomgyu

Twenty Two

Beomgyu's worries immediately disappeared as the cameras started rolling, with the quintet proceeding to have tons of genuine fun during the shoot -- TO DO was always a therapeutic moment for the five busy idols. 

It was only after the five returned to their dormitory, that Soobin decided to suddenly excuse himself, dragged poor Beomgyu into his bedroom. 

"I do not want anyone to overhear our conversation whatsoever. I'll update you as soon as we come to an understanding." Soobin said, his eyes glaring at Yeonjun, Taehyun and Kai. "Meanwhile, I would like the three of you," he continued, "to leave the dormitory until I send you a message."

As soon as the door clicked shut, he turned to Beomgyu, crossing his arms with a sly grin. Beomgyu could see the mischief dancing in his eyes, and he knew this wasn't going to be just a casual chat.

"So, spill it," Soobin began, leaning against the door with his full attention on Beomgyu. "Is it true? Were you texting someone special, or is this all just one big misunderstanding? I swear if so, I'll have Yeonjun make up for what he did."

Beomgyu felt his heart race, his mind immediately going into overdrive. Soobin had a knack for reading him too well, and in their tight-knit group, the leader's playful prying could often feel like a magnifying glass zeroing in on things Beomgyu didn't even realise he was trying to hide.

But this was different. This wasn't just a joke or a casual tease. This was about something real, something that had the potential to stir up things he, Choi Beomgyu, wasn't ready to face.

"Look, man..." Beomgyu began, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, trying to gather his thoughts. His brain was firing off warning signals, but at the same time, this was Soobin —the one person in the group who had always been like a reliable older brother, someone he could trust, especially given the fact he was in a relationship too...

Soobin raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying into the stalling. "You know you can trust me, right? Whatever it is, it stays between us. Not even Yeonjunnie will know about what we've discussed today, except if you want him to. You don't have to worry about it going anywhere. I'm not gonna judge you, Beomgyu."

Beomgyu shifted his weight, feeling torn. He could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on him — whether to let him in on the truth or to protect both his and her  privacy. On one hand, he knew that if anyone could keep a secret, it would be his leader, Choi Soobin. But on the other hand, the stakes were high.

There were two sides to the dilemma that kept Beomgyu silent. First, he didn't want to infringe on her  privacy. If he told Soobin the truth — that he was in a relationship with Lee Jian — it felt like betraying her trust without her permission. Their relationship, still fresh and private, wasn't something they had openly discussed with anyone, let alone Beomgyu's close-knit group of friends. How would she feel about him sharing something so personal without her knowing?

Then, there was the question of his own reputation. As a public figure, every move he made was scrutinised, and dating was a whole different level of exposure. Rumours could spiral out of control. If word ever leaked, even from a trusted friend like Soobin, it could damage not just his career, but hers as well. The press wouldn't leave them alone. It wouldn't just be his privacy at risk — it would be hers, too. She would lose her job at HYBE, other companies may not be willing to take her in as a behind-the-scenes staff member in risk of her 'seducing' their artists — he would have destroyed her career too.

He took a deep breath, looking Soobin in the eye, his voice soft but firm. "It's... complicated."

Soobin tilted his head, clearly intrigued but patient, waiting for him to continue. "I'm here to listen, Gyu. Take your time."