The Director • Seo Changbin

12

The last thing Baram expected during her much needed coffee break after countless hours of phone calls and traveling to Jeju island was for a very familiar boy to pull her novel from her small hands in a quaint little cafe.

"This book is really thick, is it any good?" He said making sure to keep the girls place with his finger as he flipped through the pages.

"Jeongin..?"

The the boy stood tall next to the surprised girl sitting alone in an almost empty cafe. He seemed to have grown a lot in the time she was gone. His face matured, he no longer had braces, his fashion sense got better, and dripped with a new confidence Baram had yet to see from him.

"Woojin texted me last night and said that you'd also be on the island for a concert. The guys are excited to see you, you've changed a lot... You're much more beautiful." He said setting the book on the table

"What's with Woojin telling everyone my information?" She muttered bitterly

"Anyways you should visit the guys, we perform 3 hours before Dean. Maybe we could all hang out by the sea.."

"Right now is my only free time today. I have to head back in a bit. But if I'm free, I'll send a message. Give me your phone I'll put my personal phone number in. The company has me using like 3 business phones I'm going crazy.." Baram says receiving Jeongin's phone and typing in her number.

"Well enjoy your latte, I don't want to take up your entire break." The younger said giving a small smile and walking up to the counter to order what he came in for.

Baram watched him walk through the entrance and out of sight. She looked down at her phone finding Woojin's contact and blocking him. She sighed to herself, so much for peace and quiet.

The next few hours of the day were hectic to say the least. She ran around the concert venue clipboard and latte in hand; making sure all the tech knew what they were doing, that Dean was ready, and staying out of Stray Kids' view.

"You're on in 2, get your mic pack, and keep good face." She said peeking her head into her secret lovers dressing room, he nodded her way letting his makeup artist finish her work. Baram sighed expecting at least a small smile or tease from the man. She quickly made her way to the control room, to relax with the lighting operators and watch the performance in a quiet place.

The final song of Dean's performance ended and the audience began chanting for an encore.

"Thank you so much for tonight I love you all, but sadly I can't perform another song." Dean said pausing to let the crowd react, "But, I have a few words to say before I leave."

Baram looked confused at her clipboard then at the stage, a goodbye speech wasn't planned...

"Firstly I'm so sorry for not writing a longer album," he laughed to himself "secondly, I also want to apologize to someone very important to me."

Baram stood from her seat and raced from the control room to the side of the stage. He couldn't do this, not now.

"I've lied for so long and I'm over it, I've been in a secret relationship with my assistant." He spoke strongly, the crowd was screaming

Baram stopped in her tracks, she hadn't gotten to the side of the stage yet and everyone back stage who knew her stared at her.

"I'm so sorry for taking so long to speak my truth, but I'm in love with her, she is the most beautiful person I've ever met and I can't tell you how much I appreciate every moment we have together. I know some of my fans won't like this news but if you are a true fan you'd wish us luck in the future." He smiled, looking to both sides of the stage hoping to see her, "I'm not sure where she is right now, but I know she can hear me. I love you Choi Baram." He finally finished bowing to the crowd letting the audience scream cheers and he walked off stage, ending the concert.

Baram continued to stand frozen in place, she suddenly felt her phone buzz in her pocket, without looking at the contact she picked up.

"I leave for a week and suddenly Twitter is blowing up videos of some crazy love confession?! I booked a flight back to Seoul for tonight, you two better get your asses back to the company as fast as possible!" Hyuk's manager yelled through the phone before hanging up

Baram felt the universe pressing down on her all at once. Her life crumbling around her for the second time.

•810 words•
•A/N: This will be the last chapter that includes or mentions Kim Woojin, he is a very awful person previous SKZ member or not, and I won't promote his name any longer.•