As Long// Tao Exo

Chapter VI

'Why are you following me?'

The question he asks runs through my head a million times and I still can't think of an answer I can tell him that makes sense.  And that I can tell him without using the term 'Dependant'.

"I- I- I'm on my way to work," I reply not even convincing myself.

He stares just intensifies, and I'm left speechless. Not even a month on my own and I'm already being questioned. I've lived under my mother's care for almost 20 years and have never be interrogated until now. Until I'm on my own without anyone to guide me. I'm left clueless about how to answer such questions. It's never happened before.

'How do I handle this?'

"And where do you work?"

I hesitate, trying to come up with a solution to my current dilemma.

A perfect idea arises in my mind, but I can't pull it through without help. I need Suho to pull this off.

"I'm the new manager of your dance group," I reply a tiny waver in my voice that I hope Tao doesn't notice. "I was supposed to remind you there's a practice later, but I couldn't find enough confidence to tell you," I continue strengthening my lie.

"Oh really?" Tao continues his questioning. "Why don't we just call Suho then?"

'Oh no.'

"Okay." I simply reply when inside I'm freaking out. I discreetly try to pull out my phone and text Suho.

Somehow I am able to manage a quick 'Just say yes' to Suho while Tao is steadily looking for Suho's contact.

'I will explain later but when Tao calls you act like I'm the new manager of Exo' I risk a second text and hit send right before Tao dials Suho's number.

Tao puts the phone on speaker to allow me to hear all parts of the conversation which I'm thankful for.

"Hello," Suho's voice calls out through the phone's speaker.

"Hey, it's Tao. Sorry to bother you, but is that girl Exo's manager?"

'Please. Just say yes like I asked because if not I'm dead!' I shout at him through my thought process.

"Ying Yue? Yeah; she is."

"Oh. Okay. Wait, do we have a practice later today?" Tao asks for confirmation.

'I'm definitely dead now! I didn't warn him about the chance of that question! I didn't tell him to say yes to that!'

"There is actually," he replies. When I hear that, a wave of relief washes over me. I release the breath I didn't even know I was holding.

"Okay. Just text me the time, and I'll be there."

"Will do."

'I'm definitely going to have to thank Suho later.' I make a mental note reminding me to think of someway to return his actions.

I realize; I'm not as alone as I thought. In fact, I know I'm not. I've got all of Exo. And they're more support then I'll ever need.

Tao hangs up after they exchange farewells.

"Well looks like you were telling the truth."

"Well of course! Why would I lie?" I say strangely a newborn confidence surges through my soul. But the secret looming in the back of my head still haunts me.

I had the perfect opportunity to tell him, but I chose to make up a lie that just so happened to work our for now. But all lies get uncovered by the inevitable truth. One day, he'll find out the truth of who I am, and he's going to think back to this day and realize that this was a lie.