Chapter 31

Third POV

The boys took turns in looking out for him. He suddenly looked like he was 40 years old. He rarely talked to them anymore. His mind seemed to be in its own world. Anyone who tried to ask about his trip, he would only look at him and smile, "It's fine," he'd answer, obviously lying.

The worst thing was he didn't cry or lock himself in his room. Every little activity that involved him or Exo, he'd attend. Something was definitely not in place. All members, even Lay who was far and understood things later than other members, noticed that.

He forces himself to eat, take a shower five times a day, and sing ballads which any member knew not to be his very first favourite genre and worse, he keeps exercising his fighting skills.

Today, like any other day, they have just come from the interviews. Their day was not that busy and everyone seemed tired from previous work and schedules in the previous days. They were currently chitchatting with each other at the park when Xiumin got in his car and left, Sehun looking at the car until it can no longer be seen.

"Does someone know what happened? Or at least guess what happened?" Sehun finally asks. It was five of them now.

"We all know something happened with that girl. It can't be anything else," D.O. looks at Sehun.

"Do you think he got rejected?" Kai crosses his arms.

"I don't think it's enough to act like this," Chan Yeol shakes his head, "Something bigger happened."

"Let's leave him. When we had problems of our own, he understood us. Now it's time for us to understand him," Suho hops on his motorbike.

"And show him we are there for him," Chen sighs. "Guys, I'm off," He hops in his car.

"Tell the princesses we said hi," Kai waves his hands, and Chen smiles at that.

"Get your own kids if you love them this much," Sehun frowns his lips.

"I wonder what kids did to you for you to be so upset and nervous around them!" Kai says in awe.

"Before any of this makes us stay here for an hour or more, let's please go. I'm off," Chan Yeol cuts Sehun who was about to make more bombs. He is probably the happiest member alive.

Xiumin's POV

Three weeks. That is exactly how much time has passed since the last time my eyes landed on her. My heart has been on the edge ever since. I keep looking at my phone. The window. Any clue that could give me an idea of where she is. A little hope that this was not just a dream. That it's something real.

I turn on the TV from my bed. I change different channels when suddenly the name that sounds too familiar,

"Carlos, one of the most successful young men in their thirties in Mexico. Thank you for attending this gathering," A TV host praises him. I sit straight from where I am, looking behind him to see if she is there. The red carpet had other couples taking their pictures, non of the women were her.

"Thank you so much," He replied. My heart ached with anger knowing this is him. The man with the full rights to own her. That he could make her happy but he feels disgusted when she needs love and care the most. My chest pounds harder and harder. The more I look at him, the more I feel like something is not okay especially when I hear, "All of us wish to see your lovely wife. You guys make a lovely couple. Probably, will be the hottest couple in town,"

"I know we would! My wife is very beautiful and despite my age, I am very handsome," He teases, "But sadly, she is not feeling well. Her health hasn't been good ever since the last tragedy. It hit her hard and I pray to God one day she will be back to normal." Anyone with sharp eyes would see what a bad actor he is.

"We are so sorry, Mr Von Skelensky. Our prayers are always with you."

"Thank you,"

I turn off the TV. It's irritating. It fucking stings right to my chest. I don't know what to do. Part of me tells me that it is over while part of me tells me this isn't. It's just the beginning of something greater.

I go to my gym. I need to think. But not without releasing my anger and pain. At least for a while. A part of me feels guilty. What about her? How is she releasing her anger? She could have been locked for goodness sake! Maybe they don't even give her anything to eat. God! My thoughts go wild at that possibility.

It can't be true right? Her mother cannot allow that, can she? She is not in that kind of situation. I calm myself, the punching bag already on the floor.

"Isn't it time you tell us what the hell is going on with you, Hyung?" Suho asks from behind, leaning against the wall.

"Since when did you start watching me? And how do you know my latest password?"

"Let's just say I am smart, now back to you," He steps closer, " You know we are all worried for you hyung," His face is now worried.

"I'm sorry for that," I really am. I know how worried and sick they must have been. I wish it was not this hard to hide it from them. It only made matters worse.

"If you are that sorry, tell us so we don't have to feel worried, aish!" Now he is scolding me, making me smile as I sit on the floor and he does the same.

"Life has mysterious ways of surprising you," I sigh, my arms hugging my folded legs. Suho looks at me, demanding more.

"I slept with a woman,"

"What?!"

"You didn't want to be worried and now you look like you've seen something worse than a nightmare,"

"Was that detail necessary? I am sure something more triggering happened after or before that,"

"Indeed something bigger happened after that," I smile, "She left," Correction, she was taken after that stupid damn hell of a fight and now I don't know if I will ever be able to see her face again.

"Hyung," Now I wish I didn't tell him. The look on his face is too delicate.

"It's okay," I smile, holding back the tears that I try so hard not to shed.

"You don't have to always be the bigger brother you know," Suho sees through my tears. They slowly fall.

"It is okay to cry if it stings too much, hyung," He leans closer and hugs me, his hands patting my back. How can I control my tears when he is doing this? How can I control how I feel anymore? His pats make me even me even more delicate. I let out tears that I have been holding for three weeks off my eyes.

"It stings worse than a bee," I sob, "I never thought those few days we spent together would mean too much for me," I hold him tight.

"I know that feeling," He says, "I know that feeling too well. So hyung, do not think you are ever alone,"

I nod in tears. I am always the one to do the therapy for my members. But today, I am the one who needs it more than ever. And what I thought I needed were those infinite exercises, when what I actually needed was my brothers.