Layla was still sitting in the dark corner of the backstage, the dimly lit phone screen reflected in her deep eyes. The noise outside was still echoing, but in her head, everything seemed silent.
She pursed her lips slightly, whispering as if talking to herself:
"Why… What do you want… What are you really thinking, Damien…?"
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the edge of the phone, each beat of her heart pounding hard against her chest. Memories of the evening by the lake behind the DYG Entertainment building flooded back, the way Damien brought her there, saying words of apology as if both comforting and conveying something… but never saying it clearly. And now, his eyes were like a cold knife, cutting through every distance between them.
Layla took a deep breath, trying to dispel the feeling of choking in her throat.
The sound of footsteps and bustling voices pulled her back to reality.
"Laylaaa! We brought back bubble tea," Sara called cheerfully, holding up a bag full of cups.
"Have you been sitting here? We were just discussing the plan to 'tease' Sofia, it was so much fun." Serena smiled, plopping down beside her, while Lilia carefully placed a cup in front of Layla.
The ASTRIX boys also walked in shortly after, looking energetic. Rayden laughed and teased,
"If BABYQUEEN is sad, who will be the 'queen' of the fans?"
"That's right. Tonight is a big show, no one can be sad." Elio smiled gently, and Lucas quickly added, "We're going to rock the stage, right?"
Layla smiled softly, trying to blend into the atmosphere. "Yeah… of course. I'm fine." Her voice was soft, as if she was reassuring everyone… but inside her heart, a series of unanswered questions rang out.
Damien stood behind, silent. He didn't say anything, just looked at her for a few seconds, then turned to chat with Julian about the schedule. The coldness in his eyes made Layla feel like she had just been left in the middle of a dark stage.
Sara gently nudged Layla's shoulder: "Tonight, let's do our best. Not just for the fans, but for each other."
Layla nodded, forcing her lips into a smile. "Yeah, for each other..."
In her heart, a whisper still echoed, even though her lips were still smiling:
"In the end... what am I to you, Damien?"
Layla sat alone in the corner of the sofa, her eyes slightly lowered. She took a deep breath, trying to push away the tangled thoughts, but her heart was still beating faster than usual.
A moment later, BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX returned to the dormitory together, carrying bags of food and milk tea in their hands. The atmosphere quickly became bustling.
Serena sat down next to Layla and whispered,
"Hey... you know what? That milk tea was chosen by Damien for you. It's your favorite flavor too."
Layla was startled and turned to look at Serena:
"Huh? How did you know?"
Serena smiled mysteriously:
"I also know that he paid for the whole meal for both groups."
Layla was confused, her hand unconsciously tightening the milk tea cup. She didn't know how to react, only feeling warm and confused inside: What is this feeling...? Love, friendship... or just concern between colleagues?
While everyone was chatting, Layla secretly glanced at Damien. He was discussing the schedule with Julian, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, but his eyes were still focused. Suddenly, Damien looked up and caught her gaze.
Layla was startled, quickly turned away, her face red. Serena immediately giggled:
"See, I got caught red-handed."
As the group started eating noodles, Serena whispered:
"You don't know... everyone was talking about you just now, even Damien."
Layla had just taken a sip of milk tea when she choked slightly:
"Cough... cough... What did he say about me?"
Sara, Lilia and Jennifer saw Layla and Serena whispering and curiously approached:
"What's going on? Why so secretive?" Sara asked.
With just a few words of coaxing, Serena revealed the truth, causing the entire BABYQUEEN group to say "Oh" in unison and huddle together to whisper to each other.
This scene attracted ASTRIX's attention. Julian raised his eyebrows:
"Are our girls plotting something?"
30 minutes ago, when both groups, except Layla, walked out of the preparation room, Julian said:
"There's a really good Korean spicy noodle shop in front of the stadium gate, with lots of toppings and reasonable prices. Want to stop by later?"
Sara exclaimed:
"Let's buy ten bowls for Layla to eat with the group!"
Damien immediately shook his head:
"No need to buy for Layla. She can't eat spicy food."
Elio whistled teasingly:
"Wow, you know Layla better than BABYQUEEN?"
Jennifer smiled and interjected:
"Actually, Layla can eat a little spicy food, but usually only eats very little. Sometimes when we go to eat spicy noodles, we order... spicy noodles without adding any spicy food."
The whole group burst into laughter. Only Damien smiled lightly, his eyes shining with something that he didn't say.
At the spicy noodle shop, when BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX had just ordered, two female fans approached. They were happy but still kept their distance, afraid of disturbing her.
"Where is Layla?" a fan asked.
Damien, without looking up from the menu, replied softly:
"She's resting. But I'll bring her some food."
The short sentence, deep and warm voice made the two fans melt right there.
"Oh my god, so cute..." a fan covered her mouth and laughed.
"Can we take a photo together?"
The two groups happily took photos, then the fans said goodbye, leaving a warm and comfortable space.
The BABYQUEEN and ASTRIX groups sat together at a long table in the spicy noodle shop, the noise outside could not overpower the bustling atmosphere inside the table.
While waiting for the food, Sara rested her chin on her hand and said:
"It's strange, normally when we invite her to eat, Layla goes with us right away. Now that she's gone... I suddenly miss her so much."
Elio sneered:
"Maybe it's because Damien is with her that she's shy?"
Serena nodded:
"Layla is naturally shy. When she first started training, I always saw her sitting in a corner."
Lilia added:
"Not only is she shy, but she's also extremely shy of guys."
Lucas curled his lips:
"Besides, Damien is Layla's type."
The whole table burst into laughter.
Rayden crossed his arms, curious:
"So after being with Layla for more than 4 years, do you know when she will open up and stop being shy?"
Jennifer replied immediately:
"It took us girls 3 months to get to know each other and 7 months to get close. Let alone boys. He's very shy with guys, and the more he likes them, the more shy he is."
Julian raised his head, glanced at Damien:
"Eh... I haven't seen anyone open their mouth yet."
Lucas chimed in:
"That's right, they're hinting at the relationship between Layla and you, but you don't plan to approach her directly?"
Damien then put down his chopsticks, his voice low and cold:
"You like to light fireworks for the whole world to see. I like to keep the fire in my heart, to let it burn longer. It's not always necessary to approach directly. The important thing is to go at the most victorious moment."
The whole table said "Oh" in unison, then teased Damien, but he still calmly ate his noodles as if he was not affected at all.
At the corner of the table, Layla's face was as red as a tomato, her head bowed.
Amidst the bustling atmosphere, Jennifer suddenly said:
"But hey… to be honest, I still don't like Sofia."
The atmosphere was clearly gloomy. Everyone understood that not many people in the group liked Sofia because of her inappropriate statements, sometimes as if she intentionally ruined the group's image.
Serena narrowed her eyes:
"Or… should we secretly retaliate?"
Lilia and Sara began to suggest how to do it. But Layla interrupted:
"Doing that… is a bit too much? After all, Sofia is only 15 years old."
The statement made the whole BABYQUEEN group pause, silent for a few seconds as if they were thinking.
Suddenly, Lilia glanced at Layla, smiling meaningfully:
"But... doesn't Sofia like Damien? Layla, hurry up and mark your territory."
Layla stammered:
"Uh... well... well..."
Before she could finish her sentence, a soft but clear cough suddenly sounded from behind her.
BABYQUEEN stiffened at the same time. Everyone knew who this cough belonged to.
Turn around, Astrix was in front of them, and Damien was standing close behind, his face cold, his eyes like a knife locked on Layla. He leaned down close to her face, making her feel hot.
Layla panicked and covered her face:
"I... I don't know anything!"
Serena unconsciously looked towards Julian, meeting his cold gaze. She laughed awkwardly, blinking continuously, pretending to be innocent:
"No one knows anything..." then covered her face, red as a tomato.
Sara lowered her head, stole a glance at Elio, saw him looking, quickly smiled shyly, and slowly covered her face.
Lilia glanced at Lucas, smiled "confidently but shyly" and blinked continuously.
Jennifer pursed her lips, said in a clear voice:
"I don't know anything... the baby is innocent."
The atmosphere was both tense and humorous, making the group want to laugh and hide at the same time.
The room became so quiet that one could hear their heartbeats. No one in BABYQUEEN dared to raise their heads, especially after realizing that ASTRIX had heard the whole conversation. Layla felt like Damien's eyes were still like daggers piercing through every strand of her hair, burning hot at the back of her neck.
Knock, knock!
The knock on the door suddenly sounded.
"Layla, open the door. We have to get off stage now." DYG's manager's voice rang out from outside.
As if she had just been saved from the electric chair, Layla shot up like a bullet, almost tripping over the chair leg as she ran towards the door. "Yes! I'll be right out!"
She pulled the handle hard, opened the door with a clatter, and then… without looking back at anyone, slipped out at record speed.
Sara immediately stood up, mumbled softly: "Uh… wait for me!" and ran after them, leaving ASTRIX looking at each other.
Serena, who rarely showed her embarrassment, also hurriedly collected her phone, bowed quickly: "We… uh… have plans." Then, along with Lilia and Jennifer, they exited like a team that had just lost a battle.
The door closed.
The space was left with only ASTRIX and a few seconds of silence. Lucas whistled softly, leaned back in his chair, and looked at Damien mischievously:
"You know, it's strange to keep hinting at Layla but never dare to come straight out... it's strange."
Damien still looked towards the door that had just closed, the corner of his lips slightly raised, his voice low but cold:
"It's not always necessary to approach directly. The important chess piece must be played at the most victorious moment."
Lucas sneered, intending to reply, but Rayden interrupted:
"If so... I hope when it's your turn, Layla is still standing in that chess piece."
Damien glanced at Rayden, his eyes seemed to say he should mind his own business, but he didn't say another word.