Sofia leaned over, her voice low enough for only ASTRIX and BABYQUEEN to hear:
"Don't forget, I'm not just a new member… but also the leader. In the script, I'm Damien's fiancée. As for Layla… she's really not worthy."
The atmosphere froze. The members of the two groups were silent, but their eyes had already promised to speak clearly when they got backstage. Layla, sitting right next to them, heard every word.
Damien didn't turn to Sofia, nor did he refute. He just tilted his head to look at Layla, his voice warm but mixed with a hint of coldness:
"Be professional. Don't cry."
The words didn't contain a word of comfort, but it was that calmness that made Layla's heart ache more than any wound. She didn't shed tears, but inside, the pain was spreading. Instead of showing it, she forced herself to smile, trying to act as if nothing had happened.
The show continued. The MCs read out questions from fans to each member of both groups. Jennifer received a thank you message from an international fan, Serena received a public confession from a fanboy, Sara was asked about the song she wanted to sing the most. Damien received a handwritten letter, Rayden received a handkerchief embroidered with her name from a female fan…
As for Layla, there was no sign, no question, no card calling her name. She sat there, smiling and clapping for her teammates, but her heart was empty as if she had been forgotten.
In the stands, a group of anti-fans started shouting attacks. They aimed at BABYQUEEN, saying that the group did not deserve the title of "the most talented and famous girl group", even spreading rumors about internal conflicts. Layla and Sofia became the focus of vicious comparisons: one was criticized for being untalented, the other was accused of stealing the spotlight.
Layla still sat upright, her hands placed neatly on her lap, her eyes on the stage. But in the bright lights, no one noticed that her hands were clenched so tightly that her knuckles were white…
The MC smiled, pointing to the last row of audience seats:
The MC: "Ah, it seems like we still have another fan waiting to ask Layla a question!"
It turned out that she was not forgotten. Her fan was placed last in the order of the program schedule.
A young girl stood up, her voice trembling but determined:
Female fan: "Unnie… I just want to say that, no matter what happens, you should always keep that innocent, carefree smile like before. I hope you will always try your best and be happy."
That sentence seemed to touch the deepest corner of Layla's heart. It turned out… she also realized that smile had disappeared. She nodded slightly, smiling a warm and sad smile.
Immediately after, a fan boy suddenly raised the microphone:
Fan boy: "Layla, noona… I like you! Can you be my girlfriend?"
The audience roared. Layla laughed, then suddenly raised her left hand, using her index finger to tap her ring finger to indicate a wedding ring.
The screams were louder than ever. The MC laughed, and the fans were in an uproar. But in the ASTRIX seats, Damien frowned, his eyes unhappy, mixed with a hint of obvious jealousy.
The next questions all revolved around wishes for health and spirit.
Fan: "Layla, get well soon!"
Fan: "We will always be here, we will be your fans forever!"
Fan: "Don't give up, unnie!"
Layla held the microphone tightly, trying to hold back her tears, but her voice trembled slightly:
Layla: "Thank you everyone… I… I'm so happy…"
A tear fell, but this time it was because of happiness. Her heart was warmed, amidst all the noise, there were still people who believed in her and waited for her
The backstage of SkyGarden Arena was brightly lit in preparation for tonight's show. The sounds of staff running back and forth, the sound of microphone testing, the sound of the MC practicing the introduction, all blended into a chaotic sound. But amidst that busyness, a tense atmosphere was enveloping the corner of the table where BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX sat together.
Sofia was sitting cross-legged, playing with a cup of cold coffee, her mouth half-smiling as if she didn't care about everyone's constant reminders.
Serena: "I'm telling you the truth Sofia, when you're on stage, stop teasing your fans too much. Last time you made the whole forum explode."
Sara: "That's right, keep your image. Everyone has tried to suppress the scandal."
Lucas crossed his arms, staring: "You can't just do things your way."
Sofia shrugged, taking a sip of coffee:
Sofia: "Oh come on, you guys are too serious. Fans like my surprises."
Jennifer tilted her head slightly, her voice cold:
Jennifer: "Whether fans like it or not is not important. What's important is that it affects the group."
While everyone was arguing, Layla sat in the dark corner of the room, her back against the wall, the light from her phone screen shining on her face. No one noticed that she hadn't said a word since then. Her fingers gently scrolled the screen, but her mind was actually stuck on Damien's cold words a few days ago: "Be professional, don't cry."
Those words repeated in her head like a cut.
Suddenly, Sofia's phone vibrated. She opened it, her eyes slightly narrowed. Everyone looked at her curiously.
Sofia: "President Lee's email."
She read it quickly, then slightly curled her lips this time in a forced smile.
Sofia: "The president told me to lose control of public opinion... and to 'quickly make peace with the group', especially 'sincerely apologize to Layla'."
Serena (looking at Lucas): "At least he knows who is most affected."
Rayden: "Then do it."
Sofia did not argue. On the spot, she opened the SNS app, quickly typed a post: "Apologize to BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX for their recent careless statements. Hope everyone continues to support."
She pressed post, closed the phone, and smiled lightly:
Sofia: "Done."
Jennifer frowned: "Just apologize to the group? No Layla?"
Sara: "Are you kidding?"
Julian crossed his arms, his voice cold: "That's just an apology for show."
Sofia just shrugged, stood up, pretending that no one was upset. But when BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX walked towards Layla who was still looking down at her phone, Sofia spoke softly enough for everyone to hear:
Sofia (whispering): "The plan has begun. Tonight. On the big show."
The group paused, exchanging wary and puzzled looks.
Sara sat down next to Layla, touching her shoulder lightly:
Sara: "Are you okay?"
Layla (looking up, smiling faintly): "I'm fine."
Serena also sat across from him, her voice softening:
Serena: "If anything happens, tell us. Don't keep it to yourself."
Lucas put his hand on Layla's shoulder:
Lucas: "We're here."
Damien stood a few steps away, arms crossed. His eyes stopped on Layla, deep and cold as a knife. Not a word of comfort.
Layla pursed her lips, turned to him, her voice small but clear:
Layla: "It's okay... I'm fine, I'm fine."
But in her heart, pieces of memories flooded back, the evening Damien took her to the lake behind the DYG building, the way he held her hand and whispered "I love you", the times he stood in front of the overzealous fans to protect her... and the warm words of comfort before.
Now, that gaze was distant as if nothing had ever happened between them. Layla didn't know, was Damien trying to conquer her heart again, or... did he really love her but couldn't tell her why.
The backstage staff's voice echoed over the sound of the stage rehearsal music. A technician ran over, raised his hand and called:
Technician: "BABYQUEEN, come here for a moment, I need to remind you of a few things about the stage set."
BABYQUEEN all stood up, pulled their chairs back. Sofia was nowhere to be seen, no one noticed. Layla was still sitting in the corner, looking up at her sisters.
Serena turned back and smiled:
Serena: "Sit down, we'll be there in a bit."
Layla: "Um, it's okay."
A few minutes later, when the reminder was over, Rayden had an idea:
Rayden: "Hey, we're still half an hour away from the stage. Want to go eat spicy Korean noodles?"
Lucas laughed out loud:
Lucas: "Good idea, I'm starving."
All the Astrix and BABYQUEEN members nodded in agreement. Only Layla shook her head slightly.
Layla: "Everyone go ahead, I'm not hungry. Besides, I want to stay here for a while."
Sara frowned slightly:
Sara: "Let's go eat together, it's boring to sit alone."
Layla: "Really, everyone go ahead. I'll stay here and take some behind-the-scenes photos for the fans."
Seeing Layla's determination, the group had to comply. Serena bent down and whispered:
Serena: "Then we'll eat quickly and go home."
When they left, everyone turned around to wave or promise to "come back soon", all except Damien. He walked straight, not once looking back.
Layla smiled faintly, her eyes following his back until he was out of sight. Why... could he turn his back so easily?
The backstage room suddenly became strangely quiet. Layla sat down, hugging her knees. Memories flooded back to her mind, the first live stream with Astrix, the fans teasing about BABYQUEEN's "secret couple", Damien's hearty laughter when he was paired up.
Then that evening...
The lake behind the DYG building, there was no one, only her and Damien. He stood there, his hands hidden behind his back. When Layla approached, Damien held out a bouquet of roses, her favorite flower.
Damien: "I love you."
Just three words, but enough to melt her heart. He sat next to her, listening to her talk about the pressure and fear, gently reassuring her:
Damien: "I'm here, don't worry about anything."
Layla clearly remembered the times they were like a real couple:
When he picked her up to reach the snack bag on the high shelf.
When he laughed and said she was "childish" for holding a bunch of teddy bears.
When he used one hand to catch her when she fell, then blew on her scratch as if it could make the pain go away.
When he secretly paid for the meal she wanted to treat the group to.
When he secretly bought a wound healing machine just because he knew she hurt her hand because she was afraid of love.
She kept all those moments like treasures.
And from that day on, every free night, I went to that lake… hoping he would appear again, would sit down and listen to me. But no…
As the months passed, Damien's coldness became more and more obvious. The messages became less frequent. The warm gaze from before disappeared, replaced by an unpredictable look and a long silence.
Layla bit her lip. Why? Did I do something wrong?
The pressure from public opinion, the busy schedule, homesickness, anti-fans — all were suffocating her. She needed a place to lean on, a hand to hold tightly. But… there was no more warmth from the person she loved.
Her eyes drooped. I was jealous of the girls in the group… Everyone had a lover in Astrix. They were cared for, encouraged, protected… And me?
Then she laughed sadly to herself. But… from the beginning, she had told herself not to get involved in love. If she didn't allow herself to love, how could she receive love in return?
The noise from afar was probably the other group ordering food. Layla was still sitting there, her hand clutching the phone, her heart heavy. The beautiful memories were both the only source of warmth and the knife that pierced her heart.