Mikhalis Lays Down the Law

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Siana walked up to her father's apartment and rang the doorbell. She listened for a moment, hearing nothing. He must be at work, she thought, so she pulled out her key and let herself in, slipping off her bubble jacket and hanging it by the door.

She called out that she was in the house and went to the kitchen to put some honey, vegetables and eggs away in the fridge and cupboards. She put what was left for her into two bags and left them by the front door before going deeper into his flat to find him in his den, sitting in front of a couple of computer monitors with his head phones on. She tapped him on the shoulder, giving him a fright.

"Ana, for god's sake!"

"I rang and I called and you didn't hear me, so, tough." She smiled down at him.

"I brought some stuff from the market," she said, leaning on a sideboard that stored an assortment of hard disks, old records, and books.

"Oh, how are the guests?"

"They're fine, they're still there. Dad, did you know who they were before they got here?"

"No, the booking came through online as usual. Then I got a call from Mr Joon, and we went over some details, like how busy we are with tourists. I realise now why he was so concerned about their privacy. So you know of them?" Mikhalis asked.

"They're the group whose concert I told you about. That's happening back home at the end of the year."

Mikhalis nodded thoughtfully. He leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Well, lucky you. You get to spend a few weeks with them up close."

Siana looked at her dad. She could tell he was trying to gauge her reaction. Well, she wasn't about to fangirl in front of him, seeing as he already knew how disappointed she had been that she couldn't see them live - before she knew they were staying upstairs from her, that is.

Mikhalis looked back at her for a moment. Then he sat up and leaned forward.

"You know, for a band who are concerned about their privacy, they don't seem to care about keeping to themselves too much."

Siana knew what he was getting at. She was about to receive a warning about boys and boys who travelled in packs.

"They're not a band, they're an idol group," she protested weakly.

"I know what they are. They're a well-oiled machine who are playing a survival game. Half of what they do is constrained by contract rules and the other half is highly rehearsed. It's all paid for by the company or a sponsor, so none of them have much leeway, especially when it comes to their personal lives. Make no mistake, Ana mou." My Ana. "You don't know what is genuine and what is for effect."

"You just said they don't care about keeping to themselves. Maybe they really are just... relaxed about things." Siana shrugged nonchalantly. She didn't like what she thought was coming.

"I've worked with composers who have intimate knowledge of that industry. It looks like bubblegum pop, but in truth it is competitive, and cruel. Fans think they own their idols because they pay for their music, their concerts, their merchandise, and even gifts out of their own pocket. But Siana, the true exchange happens between the fans and the companies. The idols are just the face that sells the music."

"But you know there is real talent there."

"Of course there is. We're not talking about that. What I'm saying is that, you can't ever believe that any friendship that you form with them could be real or lasting. Not unless you want to expose yourself to that world."

Siana was taken aback. Much as she had fantasised about this day, and much as she had fantasised about being wonderously close to Vixx as a fangirl hankering over her posters and the videos she watched, she never once thought she would form close friendships with her famous guests. Heck, she had trouble speaking to them from sheer nerves. She was annoyed that her dad thought she had so little control over herself.

"Dad, I'm not going to be anything more than what is expected of me by you and by them as paying guests. You don't seriously believe I hope to make friends?"

Mikhalis laughed, shaking his head. She sighed, exasperated.

"I don't have any issues with you and your ability to do your job well. I'm talking about those boys."

Siana was stunned. What?

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