A Star For A Star (Fan Fiction) (Chapter 18)

 

CHAPTER 18

The next day . . . . . the DBSK boys had just arrived at their studio when their manager suddenly told them a good news . . . .

"Boys . . . . I know you will all be excited by what I am going to tell you," their manager said with a big smile on his face.

"What? Come on tell us, hyung," Max said with a smile as well.

"Well . . . . Sony Music has invited you boys to be guest performers in Moniqa and Se7en's concert," their manager had announced with a big smile on his lips.

"What?" Micky, Jaejoong, Max and U-Know all said in unison. They were all shocked with what they learned.

Xiah just stared at their manager with an expressionless face. He was totally unable to think straight. He didn't want to see Moniqa and especially Se7en of all people.

He sighed heavily. He had been successful in avoiding Moniqa for the past week and now it seems even fate is against him. Now he was going to be forced to face her and Se7en because of the concert.

Xiah could feel that he didn't have the strength to confront Moniqa and Se7en. He was still very hurt and he wasn't ready to listen to any of their excuses. All he could think about was the fact that Moniqa had cheated him.

"Hyung . . . . Why are we suddenly being put into their concert?" Max asked surprisingly.

"I don't know either . . . . but it is a request from Sony Music so basically Avex Trax and SM Entertainment just accepted. So you guys will be very preoccupied this coming two weeks for the preparations and the rehearsals for their concert," their manager said again.

"What are we supposed to do in their concert?" U-Know asked suddenly.

"You will be performing at least five songs for the concert," their manager answered.

"When is their concert scheduled anyway?" Micky asked.

"Their concert will be in two weeks," the older man answered.

"So where are we going to rehearse?" U-Know asked.

"You will be rehearsing together with Moniqa and Se7en in their own studio. It is better that way so you will be familiarized with the way their concert is to be done. And so you will also have the chance to get acquainted with one another, since you will all be working with one another. Well . . . . I know it isn't needed anymore since all of you are already friends with one another. But the company presidents have insisted that all of you try to work with each other during the preparation period," their manager said again.

"So when is our rehearsal with them going to start?" Jaejoong asked.

"As a matter of fact . . . . It is supposed to start today . . . .You will all be brought to their studio now . . . ." the older man said again.

"What?" Micky asked again with the surprised look on his face.

"Why is it you're like rushing us into that concert all of a sudden . . . . You only tell us about it today and now we are supposed to go to their rehearsal all of a sudden?" U-Know asked with a confused look on his face.

"Come on guys . . . . Be good. This is a big opportunity for you. Sony Music is a very big company. You should feel very proud that they are requesting you guys to perform in one of their concerts. What's the problem? Why are you guys opposing it so much?" their manager curiously asked.

"Nothing . . ." Jaejoong quickly answered.

"Yeah . . . . Nothing . . . ." Max also answered.

"Well . . . . better prepare yourselves. We are going now in a few minutes," the older man said with a smile.

The other DBSK members all looked at Xiah. He didn't even say a single word.

He was just listening and was staring blankly into open space.

The boys' manager suddenly noticed Xiah. "What's wrong with him?' he asked the other DBSK boys.

Micky and Max just shrugged their shoulders. They didn't want their manager to know what Xiah's real problem was.

It was already afternoon when the DBSK boys with their manager arrived at Sony Music's Studio.

"So this is the place . . . ." the boys' manager exclaimed as they arrived.

The DBSK boys just looked at the place and vaguely smiled. Max, Micky, Jaejoong and Micky were all thinking about Xiah. They were very concerned with how he was going to react once he saw Moniqa and Se7en again.

The DBSK boys quietly entered the studio. As Xiah entered . . . . his heart was pounding very hard. He wanted to turn back and just walk out of the studio. But he knew he couldn't do it. He had to face his fears. He had to face Moniqa and Se7en . . . . he constantly told himself as he went inside.

As soon as Xiah and the other DBSK boys entered the studio . . . . all the people immediately turned to look at them.

Moniqa and Se7en were in a corner, resting. They didn't notice the boys as they entered the room.

Se7en was sitting comfortably on the floor while Moniqa was resting her head on his lap. He was gently caressing Moniqa's hair as they sweetly talked with one another. Xiah's heart suddenly stopped beating the moment he saw Moniqa and Se7en together in such an intimate position.

The other DBSK boys stared at Xiah. He was looking at Iqa and Se7en. It was very obvious that he was hurting because of what he was seeing. The boys wanted to just drag Xiah away. They wanted to protect him from the pain . . . . that Moniqa and Se7en were giving him.

"Hyung . . . . are you all right?" Max asked Xiah as he gently tapped him on the shoulder. Xiah had been staring at Se7en and Moniqa for the past five minutes.

Everyone in the room were already conscious of what was happening.

"Se7en . . . . Moniqa . . . .DBSK is here . . . ." one of the staff called out.

Se7en and Moniqa both looked at the DBSK boys. It was only then that they noticed the boys. They immediately approached the boys to greet them.

"Hello . . . ." Se7en said coldly.

"Hi . . . . ." Moniqa said with sadness in her eyes. Then she slowly looked at Xiah who was staring at another direction. He was obviously avoiding to look at her.

Moniqa smiled bitterly. She had expected Xiah to avoid her. But it was still breaking her heart. Se7en saw the hurt look in Iqa's eyes. He was angry with Xiah that he was treating Moniqa in such a cruel way.

"Come on Iqa . . . . Time for practice . . . . " Se7en said as he gently placed his arm around Moniqa's waist and pulled her away.

Moniqa just let herself be pulled away by Se7en. She was feeling very lost and totally lifeless. It was like her body was there but her entire being was somewhere else.

"Please . . . . . don't let him see that you're very affected. Have some pride, Iqa" Se7en softly whispered in Moniqa's ear as they walked away.

She knew Se7en was right. But she couldn't do anything. She was truly feeling hopeless . . . . At that moment, she wanted to cry. She wanted to release the sadness she was feeling.

Se7en saw the tears that were forming in her eyes. He immediately wiped them away. Then he asked one of the staff members to start the music that they were going to dance.

As the slow music started . . . . everyone's eyes were focused on Se7en and Moniqa. Xiah didn't want to look but he couldn't resist. He wanted to see how Moniqa and Se7en danced. He wanted to see if they were really perfect for one another. He wanted to see if she truly belonged to Se7en now. He wanted to see the truth . . . . even if hurt him.

As Se7en gently held Moniqa in his arms and they started to dance intimately, Xiah couldn't help but feel pity for himself and sad as well. Now he can see that Se7en really fitted well with Moniqa. He fitted her more than he will ever do in this lifetime. He slowly turned away. It was already hurting him so much. He couldn't take it anymore. He had already admitted defeat. He no longer believed in the word 'love'.

"I'll make you forget him," Se7en softly whispered to Moniqa as they danced.

Moniqa just stared deep into Se7en's eyes. And even though she was looking at him . . . . all she could see was Xiah's face.