stars × cnblue kangminhyuk

5 : Caught in the Headlines

"Kang Minhyuk Abused Girlfriend"

Ooh, interesting.

I clicked on the article, and there it was—a picture of Minhyuk holding me in his arms. My hair was a tangled disaster, makeup smeared all over my face. Honestly, I looked like I'd just escaped a horror movie. No wonder the media jumped to the conclusion that he'd abused his girlfriend. And by girlfriend, they clearly meant me.

Minhyuk didn't exactly look innocent either. His shirt was half unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his hair looked like he had just been thrown into a tornado. Not the hot messy idol look—just messy.

I thought no one had taken pictures of us last night? Guess I was wrong. Farewell, entertainment industry. Farewell, my dream job as a makeup artist and stylist. See you never again.

The meeting upstairs had started an hour ago. Of course, they didn't let me in. Who was I to join the decision-making? I was no one—just a lowly intern makeup artist and stylist, sitting alone in the lobby with a splitting hangover headache, waiting for fate to smack me across the face.

Oh crap. This must be why Hoseok had blown up at me earlier. He wasn't just being annoying—he was actually worried. Normal brother behavior, right? Especially when the entire country was now spreading rumors and pictures about his sister.

Whew, I better text him before he explodes again.

[Oppa, I'll explain later. I'm at the agency right now, emergency meeting. Sorry. I love you oppa xx]

Text sent. I smirked to myself. He'd never be able to resist my "I love you" card. That brother of mine... always warm, always hopeful, always there.

I thought back to the time Hoseok told me about his first love—the one he gave up for his co-member. My blood still boiled at the memory. They'd all gone on vacation in Malaysia, and he came back devastated. The girl he liked was crazy about another member, and the guys ended up fighting over her. Hoseok, being the selfless idiot he was, stepped back.

I'd wanted to scream at him for being so stupid. He should've fought for her, or at least moved on with one of his millions of loyal fangirls who'd never betray him. Instead, he chose heartbreak. Typical Hoseok.

I was lost in those thoughts when suddenly Minhyuk appeared, grabbed my hand, and pulled me toward the main door.

"Let's go."

I nearly stumbled, and he had to catch me before I fell. His face was carved with disappointment, his eyes dark and unreadable. I yanked my hand back and asked, "What did they say?"

"Later." His tone was clipped, his gaze fixed anywhere but on me. He reached for my wrist again, but I dodged. This time he rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed, before snatching my wrist more firmly.

"Let me go!" I struggled, making us look like we were acting out some cheap K-drama scene.

And then—BAM.

Minhyuk collapsed to the floor, blood trickling from the corner of his lips.

I gasped. Standing right in front of me was Hoseok, fists clenched, chest heaving. My sweet, kind brother had just punched Minhyuk in the face.

"Oppa, what have you done?" I stuttered, staring at him in shock.

Minhyuk sat up slowly, wiping the blood with his sleeve, saying nothing.

"You." Hoseok's voice was low but deadly. "I know you're a senior, but that doesn't mean you can toy with my sister's pride. What kind of man are you?" He grabbed Minhyuk by the collar, hauling him up to his level. They were the same height, though Hoseok's frame was leaner against Minhyuk's muscular build.