Chapter 32

'Felix, you've gone nuts.' I stated internally.

We all just stared at him, unable to either agree or disagree so he took it as a yes. "That's decided then, let's go". He said as if he did not know what the current situation is. I seriously can't grasp what's going on in his mind.

Of all people, he should be the one avoiding such circumstances before everything cleared up between the two. Unfortunately, he's not as sensitive as I thought he was. I inwardly shook my head at this ridiculous turn of events.

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On our way to a nearby restaurant, we are all dead silent. Who can talk at this moment right?

I looked at Dylan with a hint of sadness, and he, unfortunately, looked at me at the same time so I smiled shyly.

We actually ended up walking side by side while I tried to avoid everyone.

"Congratulations Addie," he said quietly and I thanked him. After that, there was an awkward silence between us again.

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"I'm sorry for what happened,

I know you have nothing to do with it but I ended up avoiding you too while I avoid your brother" He suddenly stated and continued by saying, "I actually just don't know how to approach you after what happened." Good thing the other 3 were quite far ahead so they didn't hear it. "I'm sorry as well, I didn't even say hi to you every time I visit my brother" I answered. "Actually,

I have something to tell you but hadn't had any chance to, will you be free after dinner?" I reluctantly asked him.

He didn't answer immediately but after some time he finally nodded. "Sure"

By that time, Felix suddenly looked back and gave us a questioning look. I just raised my brows and ignored him.

I then tried to catch up to Piper whose face looks constipated as she tries to understand what was happening. I hooked up my arms with her as we continued walking.

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This is the most awkward dinner I have ever experienced in my entire life.

I'm sitting between Piper and Aiden. Opposite me is Felix who sits beside Dylan. No one dared to talk, even Felix who initiated this dinner was just quietly eating too and would just glance at me every now and then.

As expected, I can never celebrate anything the way I want to. *sigh*

After eating, I told Aiden I have something urgent to do and will explain things after I got home, I also told Piper to spill everything when I'm done dealing with Aiden.

I looked back and saw Felix who wanted to say something but I interrupted him, "I'm sorry, I'll talk to you later. I'll just fix some things first." I said and looked at Dylan. Felix understood what I meant so he nodded and told Dylan he was off somewhere.

Finally, Dylan and I are alone. We were not in a hurry so we just silently looked for a place to discuss things and stumbled in front of an LP shop. Inside, there's a lounge to relax while listening to music and we sat there. The ambiance is nice, I took a note of this place so I could probably come back here some other time.

"So, Uhm. Long time no see?" I started and laughed awkwardly.

"Yeah, long time no see Lil sis," he said while brushing the top of my head affectionately. He used to call me Lil sis and treats me like her own sister. As he was so close to Aiden, we eventually got close too, he even reports to me when Aiden gets in trouble. We often update each other on WhatsApp before, but offcourse it all ended that day.

"I shouldn't have cut you off too but I'm sorry it turned out like that" he said apologetically. I understand though, how would we continue interacting with each other when his relationship with my brother turned sour?

"How did you know Felix by the way? Is he bullying you?" He asked jokingly to ease the air between us.

I laughed and answered, "No way, he won't be able to even if he wants" I stated smugly and we both laughed.

"Right, right. I forgot you're not that easy"

"So,

Why don't we get into business, you have something important to tell me right?" He added and suddenly the ambiance got serious again. Why is he so impatient, I'm still trying to earn some courage here.

"I, ah...

The truth is I found out something recently." I started.

"I wasn't sure actually if I'm in the position to tell you this but,

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It's really frustrating you know"

He just quietly listens so I continued. "I'm not sure as well if you know the situation in your agency at that time which leads to Aiden's decision to become a solo artist."

"What do you mean?" He asked, looking confused.

"So you see,

Aiden doesn't really want to discuss this,

even to me, that's why I only found out about it recently.

I actually got to pry him up that one time when I accidentally saw him staring at Felix from afar with a complicated look.

That time I felt like something is really wrong so I was determined to know the whole truth."

"And?" He said when I stopped talking for a few seconds.

"At that time, turns out that other trainees are badmouthing him for having special treatment despite being a foreigner. Aiden, he-

..

He felt guilty."

"Guilty on what?" He cannot quite follow what's happening.

"After hearing them talk about him and the group, he thought that he was stealing things from you guys for being both the main vocal and main visual. He thought it shouldn't be given to him and that you guys deserve better"

"Why would he even think about that, our position was based on our capabilities. Who cares about those trainees? I bet they are just jealous he gets to debut before them."

"Ah, I wish you told him that when this happened. Anyway, that's when he finally decided to give up debuting in a team"

"Stupid" he muttered, both angrily and with guilt.

After I told him what happened, the look on his face became unexplainable.

"Is everything you just said

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true?" He asked, trying hard not to admit it.

"I know you might not believe me. But I believe it's the truth. I know Aiden the most. He dreamt of being in a K-pop group, otherwise, why do you think he went there just to be a solo artist?" I answered, trying to convince him.

"But why didn't he discuss this with us?

Why did he let us misunderstand him?

Why did he let go of his members just like that?

As you said, I could've told him that, if only he told us about it" He asked continuously, frustrated after hearing my explanation.

"Dylan, I know you already know why he didn't discuss it with you but you're just denying it. Do you think you guys would have agreed if he discussed it first with you? You won't, right? That time, he must have thought it would be best for the group if he leaves, so no one would talk about you guys that way, and that you'll get what you deserve" I told him and he pondered on it.

"Addie,

Thank you for telling me this, but don't you think,

..

It's too late now? Lots of things already happened. It may be hard to fix it."

I didn't answer his question as I was unsure of myself.

"Look, it's not up to me. You guys should talk it out when all of you are ready." I said smiling.

"Let's not waste the ambiance for such a depressing topic okay, how are you?" I added, trying to change the topic. I already said what I have to and it's on them now. And I needed to catch up with this guy. I missed him. I only have a few friends and he's one of them.

"Busy I guess" he answered.

"Seems like you're very close to Felix then to the point that you even squeezed him in your schedule" I stated absentmindedly and he looked at me amused.

"Tell me, what's going on with you two?" He asked with those 2 excited eyes.