EXO's Manager (EXO Xiumin fanfic) (COMPLETED)

23 // "We're in this together"

I hung up with Lay, and began to walk away to my room. It was just a lot to handle. For weeks Tao had been gone, but I always thought he would be back. Like Lay - Lay would return soon. But Tao wouldn't. Tao's career with EXO was over.

I heard footsteps behind me, but I disregarded it until I heard a voice. "Hey!"

I ignored it, knowing the voice belonged to Xiumin.

"Hey!" He said again, closer to me, and he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to a stop. The force whipped me around to look at him, even though I didn't want to. His eyes were big with concern. "What was that in there?"

"What?" I asked, noticing that Xiumin kept his grip on my wrist, probably so I wouldn't walk away.

"Why did you tell everyone Tao left? That wasn't your job. Managers don't normally do that."

"Normally, they tell you themselves," I said. "Tao couldn't do that this time."

Xiumin shook his head, re-adjusting the weight on his feet, but still holding onto my wrist. "That's bullshit, Amy. Tell me the truth. Kim J made you tell them. But why?"

Xiumin sounded genuinely pissed, so I decided I would be completely honest with him. "Kim J knows about us. I mean, not that we're a real thing-" I am so awkward. "-but that I have violated stuff...being your manager. Being unprofessional."

"So?"

"Minseok, I tried to quit."

Xiumin looked away from me, finally letting go of my wrist. I glanced at it, seeing my skin had turned white from him holding on so tight. "I wish I had the guts to quit like that."

"No... I didn't mean.."

"Do you know how bad I want to be out of this band? Do you even know how hard life is for me? Do you realize that I hate seeing EXO keep growing in popularity internationally? Seeing that you're a fan from America doesn't give me hope! It makes me dread the future, and it will only result in a freaking world tour. I'm trying to think of the fans, but a world tour might just end me."

I looked at him. "I am so sorry," I said. "I didn't quit. I tried, but I failed. Kim J said that if I quit, he would have the media release that I was an abusive manager, and that's why Tao quit."

"No, that wouldn't be good," Xiumin said. "I hate watching you being blackmailed all the time. I never know what you do is really you."

"I know," I said quietly.

"I'm sorry, okay? For blowing up at you. You didn't need that."

"I understand why you blew up at me," I said. "But it looks like getting out of here won't be easy for either of us."

"I really don't think Kim J is going to fire you. You're a great asset for blackmailing. Could we just now decide that we both are in this together?"

Xiumin's eyes were kind again. "Yeah," I said. I stepped closer hesitantly to hug him, and he recognized it and pulled me into a tight hug.

Hugging him...made everything seem like it was okay. Even though everything was a mess.

"We have a two week break coming up," Xiumin said, finally letting go of the hug.

"Yeah," I said. I didn't know why he said it, because I'm his manager: I know these things. "After the comeback shows end, you finish recording songs for the repackage album, and learn the choreography to Love Me Right. It will be a hell week for sure."

"Yeah, but then it's a break. We're all talking about what we're doing."

"Yeah?"

"Chanyeol and Sehun are going to Japan, and Kai is going to LA."

"LA?" I repeated. "Like-"

"Yes," Xiumin laughed. "That LA."

"Wow."

"What are you doing?" Xiumin asked.

"I might go home. It will be nice to see the family and friends. Get out of the city and breathe fresh air again," I said.

"Do you think I could go with you?" Xiumin asked.

"What?"

Xiumin smiled. "I want to experience America the way you experience it."

"Minseok, I'm from Missouri. I bet you don't even know where that is."

"I don't. Is it close to LA?"

"Not even close."

"How about New York City?"

"No. The Midwest. There's nothing."

"Great, so no one will recognize me and it will be a true vacation," Xiumin said, smiling.

"You're serious?"

"Yeah. But we're probably going to have to fly to LA with Kai. Just so Kai won't be rude to you, I'll be rude to you for him. Nothing I say will mean anything."

"Okay," I said, laughing. "I'll let my family know you're coming home with me." Wow, that sounded so weird. That sounded like we were a serious couple. And we weren't..right?

"Good," Xiumin said. "I should go. I'm going to be late to dance practice. Gotta learn the choreo for Love Me Right."

"Yeah, don't make me schedule you more hours of practice," I joked. Xiumin laughed as he walked away, but I couldn't help but hate myself.