distant love | baekyeon (on-going)

Prologue

(THIS IS PURE FICTION.)

The CEO's office was stifled by an oppressive silence, the atmosphere pregnant with unsaid words. Byun Baekhyun and Kim Taeyeon, a couple, had been called in unexpectedly, their usual routines interrupted to confront a proclamation that threatened to shatter the fragile balance they had carefully maintained.

"You need to end whatever relationship you're in. Your partnership didn't meet my expectations, and it's only getting worse. We can't allow this to escalate to the worst-case scenario."

The CEO's words hung in the air, leaving Baekhyun visibly shocked. His hands clenched into tight fists beneath the cover of his lap, his knuckles turning white as he struggled to contain his inner turmoil. Fortunately, the CEO couldn't witness the physical manifestation of his distress.

Sitting across from him, his partner maintained an outward appearance of composed stillness. Her gaze seemed to be fixed on her jeans, the façade of indifference masking the maelstrom of emotions churning within her. Though she appeared detached, a storm of feelings raged beneath her cool demeanor. Every word from the CEO reverberated in her mind, a bitter truth she had foreseen long before it was spoken aloud. Despite the emotional whirlwind inside her, she skillfully concealed it, presenting a front of control.

This outcome, no matter how heartless, was something she had been preparing herself for. She patiently awaited the inevitable moment, the instant when the CEO would summon the resolve to voice the irrevocable verdict.

The CEO bore a heavy burden on his shoulders, navigating the intricate balance between leading one of the industry's giants and fulfilling his responsibility toward the artists under his care. What was once celebrated as a union of hearts had transformed into an obstacle, a thorn that hindered the company's progress. The revelation of their relationship, seemingly innocent for most, had proven catastrophic for the organization. Lost opportunities, a spiral of controversy, and the tarnishing of both major groups' reputations were the harsh consequences of their love.

In the end, the verdict was clear, albeit painful. The CEO's decision wasn't cruel but rather a necessity to resurrect the company's stature. To salvage the success that had been undermined by their romance, the painful remedy was to sever the tie that had been both the source of their shared joys and challenges.

As their relationship chapter closed, it marked a poignant segment in the narrative of these two artists. Their journey wasn't erased or forgotten, but instead placed in the archives of memory. The CEO's words lingered long after the meeting ended, casting a shadow that mirrored the weight in their hearts.

Silence draped the room, a heavy shroud that held sway for a few moments. Breaking the hush was a young idol, a mere twenty-three, his voice slicing through the stifling air with unexpected words. "Could we possibly talk about this?" His words carried a fragile hope, a wish suspended in the air, seeking the CEO's favor. Perhaps he clung to the belief that his girlfriend felt coerced as well, pressured into a decision she didn't truly support.

Kim Taeyeon, positioned across from him, cast a quick sidelong glance his way. In that fleeting moment, her gaze assessed his sincerity against the backdrop of potential naivety. It must have been a grating idea, considering Baekhyun himself had advocated retracting the meticulously planned dating news. He had cited concern for the fans and a sense of powerlessness.

The CEO's patience frayed like an old rope as he retorted, "Why bother? What's the point of discussing this?" Even the highest levels of power could succumb to impatience, especially when faced with a request that seemed to waste precious time, a commodity in his role as the leader of SM Entertainment.