Our Old Manager.

Daniela Avanzini.

The apartment was quiet when Y/N got back. The kind that made the sound of her keys feel too loud against the lock. She stepped inside slowly, shutting the door behind her with more care than usual.

No TV.
No music.

Just the soft hum of the kitchen light still left on. For a second, she stood there without moving. Her chest still felt tight.

That room with the way they looked at her. The way none of them tried to stop her from leaving, but somehow still made it feel impossible to breathe. Y/N closed her eyes briefly.

"Y/N?" Daniela's voice.

Soft.
Immediate.

Y/N opened her eyes. Daniela was already walking out from the kitchen, concern settling onto her face the second she saw her properly. "Oh my god," she said quietly. "What happened?" Y/N shook her head automatically. "Nothing."

Daniela gave her a look instantly. One of those looks that said: don't even try that with me

Y/N let out a weak breath. "Long day."

"That's not a long day face." Daniela moved closer now, slower this time. Careful. Like she was approaching something fragile.

"You look pale," She murmured. Y/N tried to shrug it off. But Daniela's eyes kept scanning her face like she was trying to piece something together. "Did they say something to you?"

That made Y/N pause. Too long.

Daniela noticed immediately. "Yes, they did," she said softly. Y/N looked away. Her jacket suddenly felt too warm. Too heavy. She slipped it off quickly, tossing it over the couch before running a hand through her hair. "I don't know," she muttered. Daniela stayed quiet.

Waiting.

Y/N paced once across the living room before stopping again. Then laughed quietly. Except it didn't sound amused. "They kept saying they were handling things," she said. "Like I didn't have a choice."

Daniela frowned slightly. "What things?"

"I don't even know anymore." The words came out sharper than expected. Y/N exhaled immediately after, guilt flashing across her face. "Sorry." Daniela shook her head right away. "No. Don't apologize."

Her voice stayed gentle.
Grounding.

That somehow made Y/N feel worse. Because the second she looked at Daniela, everything inside her started feeling too loud again.

The messages.
The lies.
That hidden room.

The way Jennie looked at her after she said she didn't want their help anymore. Y/N swallowed hard. "Something is wrong," she admitted quietly.

The room fell still. Daniela didn't react immediately. Didn't bombard her with questions. She just watched her carefully. Y/N laughed again under her breath, more tired this time.

"I sound insane."
"You don't."

The answer came instantly. Firm enough to make Y/N finally look at her. Daniela stepped closer. "Hey," she said softly. "Look at me." Y/N did. And immediately wished she hadn't. Because Daniela's expression wasn't doubtful. Or confused. It was worried. Real worried.

"What happened there?" Daniela asked quietly. Y/N opened her mouth then closed it again.

How was she even supposed to explain this?

That the members of the famous girl group who were also her exes, knew things they shouldn't?

That every conversation now felt calculated?