Chapter 2:

"His what-" Chanri said almost choking on her words. She glanced beside her once more to Hyungbin's gentle looking figure moving slightly with each breath. Before, Chanri could turn away, her eyes were met with the ravishing, glittering eyes of a prince. Hyungbin slowly sat up, holding his head in pain, then turning his head slowly towards Chanri.

"You're safe." He said in a husky, cold voice, but his eyes seemed to soften, paired with a sigh of relief.

Chanri replied with a nod, in a lost for words.

"Good you're awake." Hyuna said while signaling her maids to bring her a drink.

Hyuna gracefully moved her hair out of her face and took a sip of her wine before finally turning her attention towards Hyungbin.

"Hyungbin, I already know you won't tell me about what the hell happened. However, this has become my burden now. Since you were born I'd always have to clean after you!" Hyuna snarled as her stare pierced through Hyungbin.

Hyungbin cleared his throat and loosened his collar, swiftly avoiding his devilish sister's death stare.

"This lady, Chanri, will be your girlfriend starting today." Hyuna demanded. "We need to cover anymore rumors before things get worse!"

Chanri's eyes widened as she took a deep breath. Trying to control her breathing, Chanri became nervous while the tension exponentially increased.

"Actually I-" Chanri tried to speak, but a deep voice overlapped hers.

"You're crazy if you think I'd agree! If that's the case, I'd rather just lay here dead!" Hyungbin protested, raising his eyebrow at his sister.

He let out a small laugh or disbelief before turning to Chanri. It felt like the temperature dropped to below zero as he gave an intimidating gaze. The gentle eyes Chanri saw became a distant memory.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I didn't save you because I was interested in you. I'll never snoop as low as to date the likes of you." Hyungbin angrily said while slowly ruffling his hair in annoyance.

Chanri gripped her hand into a fist full of all the built up anger.

Hyungbin faced Chanri with the glare that seemed to be glued to his face causing Chanri to match his with one of her own deadly glares.

"I never agreed to any of this either." Chanri gained the confidence to finally say.

She had never been in such a pressuring situation. Her mind was an overflowing tank of thoughts, ready to burst any minute. All she cared about was to protect her relationships. She did not want her parents to be in any bigger trouble because of this scandal.

Hyuna quickly finished her wine before looking up at Chanri exhausted. She picked up her phone, her eyes scanning.

"Kim Chanri, blood type AB, graduated from YK High School," Hyuna looked up before grimly speaking, "I can find out everything about you with one snap. Don't underestimate me. I know your situation. Your father-"

Chanri swiftly stood up, facing her head down. Every inch of her body was trembling in chills. Her eyes widened with mixed emotions as her body tensed. Her eyes slowly raised to meet Hyuna's.

"Don't you dare." Chanri raised her voice, feeling her body start to tremble.

Her childhood was never a fairy tale. Ever since her father gambled, when her mother became ill, it became impossible to pay. Since then, she had to bear the debt of hospital bills and living expenses. While other girls her age would play in dresses, she would have to help around the house and take care of her mother. The only other person who made her feel like royalty was her boyfriend, but she knew he no longer saw her as anything more than a toy.

Hyuna closed her eyes in pain knowing she went too far. However, she was too desperate.

"I won't go any further since we are on the same page. I'll give you anything you need." Chanri stayed silent, hesitating before quietly sitting down in defeat.

Hyuna looked at her brother with eyes of pure pain.

"You have changed. You aren't the Hyungbin I grew up with. I know how much acting means to you."

Hyungbin matched the silence in the room while analyzing the situation to himself. He lifted his head up lazily to stare at the ceiling.

"I have to save my career no matter what." Hyungbin determinedly whispered with his voice full of scarred burden and repulse.

"Chanri," Hyuna gently looked at her with conciliatory eyes, "Stay here for the meanwhile. It is much safer here than your college dorm. I'll contact my team to release the news of your relationship now before those bastards take action. Who knows who might come after you. You can stay in the guest room for now."

Chanri felt the anger leave her as she understood what she was doing was a way to help her mother. She simply nodded.

"Sebastian, If you would..." Hyuna beckoned while a sophisticated older man walked towards them. His jolly face was soft on the eyes, as he guided Chanri upstairs towards her room.

"Just down this hall to your right." Sebastian smiled, showing the creases of his withering youth. Chanri matched his smile with a halfhearted one of her own. As Sebastian turned around, Youngbin carefully made his way up the staircase. As Chanri and Youngbin locked eyes, for a split second, she could see his eyes soften. However, that slowly changed back into a glare when he walked towards her.

"Just so we make things clear, I'll set a few rules." Hyungbin said in a low tone. "You are not allowed to make any contact with me unless we are in public, you can't talk to me unless necessary, and you can't develop any personal feelings."

Chanri tsked in frustration.

"Who are you to call the shots?" Chanri groaned in disbelief.

Hyungbin chuckled indifferently while making gradual steps closing the gap between them. He reached his slender hands towards Chanri's chin and tilted her head to face him. The tensity between them increased as the distance drew closer. Chanri's heart was beating so loud that she worried that Hyungbin could hear it too.

"You wouldn't want to get close to someone like me." Hyungbin whispered, filled with a cold sorrow.

He smoothly pulled away, walking past Chanri towards his bedroom. Stunned in shock, Chanri could only watch his body as it grew distant. Chanri sighed, letting all the pressure off her chest as she gently placed her hand on her heart.

His presence was trapped in a cold winter, isolated from the warmth of affection. Hidden between a wall of fabricated deceit was a different Hyungbin.

Chanri wondered to herself how could an idol to many wear a fake, warm smile of lies.

Why would he lie to himself?