Chapter 174 - EXOTIC (VI): Honor the Promise

The scandal shook the entire nation. Not only were the social media accounts bombarded with hate mails for Ash, but the other members were also being targeted.

"Are all of the EXOTIC members involved in flesh trade?"

"How come they did not know what was going on?"

"Why are the members quiet?"

"I heard Dasom was also involved…"

Dasom was reading the newspapers in disgust. He crumpled up the paper and threw it aside with great force.

"Damn the media!" he shouted. Jinhyun, who was with him at his apartment, raised an eyebrow.

"You know they are always barking nonsense," Jinhyun said warily. "And after the news about Ash got leaked, speculations are bound to rise."

"I wanna beat him up so bad!" Dasom exclaimed in frustration.

They were at Dasom's apartment. Jinhyun's house was bombarded with reporters and it was difficult to escape their clutches. Dasom, being from a wealthy family himself, lived in a highly secured apartment with top notch protective measures. When reporters and fans infiltrated Jinhyun's apartment, he had to get away and somehow managed to contact Dasom to pick him up.

"Don't work yourself up," Jinhyu advised. "Besides, look at the bright side. We got to know of his intentions before he could harm KJ. However…"

"However, what?" Dasom raised his eyebrows.

"However, I still believe there's something fishy about all this," the latter said thoughtfully. "Dasom…"

He crossed his legs as he repositioned himself on the couch. "Dasom, do you really believe that Ash had really betrayed us? What if there's more to this?"

"He tried to kill KJ," Dasom reminded him. "He caused the death of his own child! How can you even think that he wasn't doing any of this on purpose?"

"I still want to believe in our friendship," Jinhyun said firmly.

"Believe all you want but I can't forgive him," Dasom said flatly. "He betrayed all of us. You've always been naive and trusting, Jinhyun! Why can't you see the truth? Why are you hesitant in believing Ash over KJ?"

"I believe in both my friends," Jinhyun stated. "I believe both of them are fighting for a cause they care about. However, I still cannot believe that Ash would do something like this."

Dasom shook his head. Jinhyun was the type of person who would probably even look for the best in someone who would stab him. He was always the optimistic one albeit very naive. 

"Your naive outlook of life might get you killed someday," Dasom said. "Why are you so hell bent on seeing the good in people? Humans can be evil, Jinhyun. You gotta look at facts."

"I want to," Jinhyun smiled. "But I can't ignore the moments we shared. After going through the struggles we faced together, don't you think that he might actually have felt some kind of bond with us? Ten years is a long time!"

"He was pretending, Jinhyun," Dasom stressed. "Just acting. He was always a good actor! Have you seen all the accolades he won from his dramas? Even if he wasn't the Nation's Idol like KJ, he was still as popular as him because of his looks and acting skills. It's second nature to him!"

"I know," Jinhyun said. "It's just...There's something wrong going on. What if he was pressured to do this and he can't tell us directly? The Cartel might be threatening him."

Dasom was getting more frustrated by Jinhyun's words. 

"Think what you want!" he snapped. "I'm not gonna support the monster who backstabbed his own friend! That too a friend who took a f.u.c.k.i.n.g bullet for him and nearly died!"

His outburst was followed by a short silence during which they looked at each other straight in the eye. Jinhyun saw how hurt and angry Dasom was. If he was honest with himself, he too felt like demanding answers from Ash. But their last meeting only made him more confused. What was the truth?

"I…" he started. "I can't help it. I guess...I'm afraid of blaming someone wrongly."

"Wrongly?" Dasom questioned. "Even after all the evidence you saw?"

Jinhyun gave him a sad smile. "Someone has to believe in the friendship we shared."

Dasom gave up. "Do whatever the f.u.c.k you want!" he exclaimed, slamming his hands on the table and stood up. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."

Jinhyun gave him a small nod as he went to his bedroom. It was late at night but Jinhyun did not feel sleepy. He picked up the crumpled paper and opened it, reading the article. The whole article portrayed Ash as a disgraced person who brought shame to the entire nation. A fox in sheep's clothing.

Maybe they are right about you, Ash, Jinhyun thought. Ash was probably the monster everyone claimed him to be. Even the thought of him shooting KJ made Jinhyun's blood boil too.

But he still could not forget those ten years. Were all of it a lie? But Dasom was right too. What if he really was just pretending? If the Cartel could stay in hiding and plot to kill KJ for years, then surely their next heir is more dangerous and secretive than them. 

"Are you really a monster?" Jinhyun muttered. To be honest, he felt that hating Ash was easier. Blaming him for KJ and the Abyss' CEO's ordeals was the right path. It made everything so less complicated. No grey shades but rather a black and white case. 

But Jinhyun had to keep believing. Which is why, it was time for him to honor the vow they had made so many years ago. Even if circ.u.mstances were like this, as a member of EXOTIC, he must fulfill the promise. It was the least he could do for the ten long years they spent together.

He picked up his backpack and rummaged through the contents till he found what he was looking for. It was a brochure for a University in Lancaster. It was time to talk to KJ.

….

KJ was with Mirae at the hospital. He was trying to coax her into drinking some homemade soup.

"You really need to finish this!" KJ exclaimed.

"I don't feel like having it," Mirae protested softly. "I'm not hungry."

"You haven't been eating properly!" KJ scolded her. "The doctors said you need your strength. Just drink it all up."

Mirae slightly scrunched her nose before gulping down the soup in one go. Even though she did not want to admit it, she was ravenous but her mind was too preoccupied with the events of the past few days. Every bit of food felt tasteless to her.

"Good," KJ said, putting the bowl away. "Now you gotta lie down and-"

There was a knock on the door. 

"Who is it?" KJ asked. 

"It's me, Jinhyun."

KJ frowned. Why was Jinhyun there?

Mirae quickly picked up a mask from the bedside drawer and put it on her face. "Please come in," she said.

Jinhyun entered the room. He smiled and bowed at Mirae. "How are you feeling now, CEO?" he asked, taking a seat next to KJ.

"I'm better," she lied. "Thank you."

Even though Jinhyun caught the lie, he smiled widely. "I hope you get well soon," he said sincerely. 

"Thank you, Jinhyun," Mirae said. "Are you here for some work?"

"Actually…"

He turned to face KJ.

"I want to tell you something," Jinhyun said. He took out the brochure and handed it to KJ, who frowned.

"What's this?" he asked.

"It's a brochure for a music school in Lancaster," Jinhyun said.

"What am I supposed to do with it?"

"Nothing. It's just that...I want to go and study music there."

KJ shifted in his seat. "Okay," he said. "For how long?"

Jinhyun was silent. "For how long will you be gone, Jinhyun?" KJ repeated his question.

"I don't know…" Jinhyun replied.

Mirae looked from KJ to Jinhyung. KJ was at a loss for words while Jinhyun was trying to collect his words. 

"EXOTIC's activities will be delayed indefinitely then," KJ went on. "It can affect our business!"

"KJ," Jinhyun sighed. "Don't you think that we should uphold our promise?"

"What promise?" KJ frowned. 

"Ten years ago, when we were living together?" Jinhyun asked. "On the day we debuted?"

KJ could feel his inside go cold. That promise?

"Yes," he said curtly.

"We should honor it, KJ," Jinhyun said. "It's time to disband EXOTIC."