Together As One

In the eyes of Manager

[Manager unnie's POV]

The girls were having a week off from their schedules this week. Yong San and Byul were going to a theme park to record a video for Solarsido. Wheein said she had plans with some hometown friends and would be moving around Korea to chill with them. Then for Hyejin... well, she said she wanted to just sleep at home and watch some movies. This was a normal thing for them and I got used to it. All of them were homebodies except for Byul but the older ones were work addicts who always went around to do something. Wheein liked to spend time with her non-celebrity friends while on the other hand, Hyejin was a true breed introvert. The youngest liked to lock herself at home and not go out, citing reasons such as crowds and being too tired to go out. It concerned me a little especially in the beginning because of her extremely small social circle. I noticed that she was close to very few people, such as Sujung and the other members.

Fortunately for me, I had a week off too since the girls were on their mini break. I drove around the city trying to find some good spots to order food from in the future for the girls and the rest of us staff. The girls were sweethearts really and having been their manager from the beginning, it made me even prouder to see them all popular and successful now. I remember how it broke my heart when Wheein was first diagnosed with anxiety and then Hyejin's depression. I hated those antis who caused the 4 of them so much pain and hurt.

Suddenly, I heard my phone ringing. I glanced quickly and pressed the handsfree button when I saw the caller id.

"Yes Yongsun ah? Why did you call?"

"Unnie, can you drive over to our apartment now, with Hyejin's spare key please." The leader's tone being both calm yet hurried.

"Is something wrong?" I asked worriedly.

"Just come over here first please unnie. I'll explain when you are here. I'm sorry if it's so rushed."

"Eh it's okay, I'm in the car already anyways, coming over now. Give me 10mins."

I hang up and quickly make my way to their apartment, fortunately it was close by. Soon I reached the building and zoomed up via the lift. I reach Hyejin's floor and see the 2 older girls waiting outside her apartment already.

"Sorry unnie just unlock the door first please."

I unlock the door and the house is pitch dark. Didn't Hyejinnie say she was going to be at home? Worry and confusion flooded my mind.

"Sniff sniff..." We heard sniffling and sobbing come from the bedroom that was close.

"Unnies... that should be Hyejin right? She said she's at home and not going out..." Byul remarks as we walk into her house. Yongsun places the bags of items they bought on the table and hurries to the room that the sniffling was coming from while I locked the main door properly first.

When I speedily walk over to the room they were in, I could hear the 2 older ones' hushed voices.

"Hey it's okay... we're here. You're safe. No one is here to hurt you. We're protecting you okay Hyejinnie, you're safe with us now."

My heart broke a little seeing the leader and 2nd oldest wrap their arms around the poor girl who was in a corner of the room. I walked over with caution and saw a broken glass on the floor together with her car keys. I signalled to Yongsun who looked up that I was going to clear the glass first and keep the car keys with me.

After I finished clearing the broken glass on the floor, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I turn around and was greeted with Byul's concerned eyes.

"Unnie... could we trouble you to call Wheein to come down now while we stay with Hyejin first? Sorry to disturb you during your break too..." Byul asks apologetically.

"Hey it's okay. Don't worry about it. I was just driving around the area anyways, had nothing planned. I'll call Wheein now. Go to Hyejin first." I pat her on the shoulder and sat on the sofa in the living room to call the 2nd maknae.

"Wheein? It's Manager unnie here. Sorry, Byul asked me to call you. Yong and her suddenly called me to help them unlock Hyejin's apartment and when we entered Hyejin was crying and there was broken glass and car keys on the floor. Could you come over now?" I explain the situation to Wheepup.

"Okay. I'm flying over now. I'm still at home anyways, haven't left yet so I'll just call off my plans for today." Wheein replied and hung up.

I took a sneak peek at the 3 in the room. Hyejin was sitting on the floor facing the wall, back facing her unnies who were sitting there staring at her. Her head was buried in her knees, arms tightly wrapped around herself.

I tip-toed quietly to the front door as I heard footsteps approaching.

"Unnie! Where is she?" Wheein swings open the door before I could even get to it. I point at the room without a word and she throws her bag to the floor dashing in.

I follow after her but stay at the door entrance to give them space.

"Hyejinnie... hyejinnie... can you please tell me what happened? Are you hurt anywhere?" I hear Wheein ask gently.

The girl doesn't raise her head and just shakes it.

Wheein moves closer to the small figure and buries her head in her chest, enveloping her in a warm hug, rubbing her back softly, pressing small kisses onto the youngest's head.