Y/N

There was a time I thought I could light Baekhyun up when things were dark for him. So he wouldn't wander around in the darkness for so long, so he wouldn't be in despair. That's why I never thought of quitting this job as his manager even after knowing how his lost turned him into, in hopes to bring his light back and make him a happy person once again. When I made him laugh for the first time, I thought I could be that person... At least I tried.

But Jian, has always been Baekhyun's light. I hate to admit that I'm utterly jealous over that fact, but I have to face the truth. The one that makes Baekhyun smile, has always been her. She brought him love and lightened up his life with everything that he liked about her. When Jian was taken away from Baekhyun, that's when everything went south for him. His life suddenly was dull and cold. It was as if only winter and darkness follows him while everyone around were experiencing different kinds of weather and colors of light.

Watching your loved one wandering in the darkness and enduring the cold alone. Someone needs to shine a light for him and warm him up. And that someone is not going to be me. When I realized that, I was indeed in despair. But with my unconditional love for Baekhyun, I'm in more despair seeing him sad and had to accept hatred just because he lost his light.

"Make sure he never meets her."

I was ready to give up my love just so I could see Baekhyun smile again, all the time. But seems like it is not what fate wants to happen.

"But Baekhyun has been in the industry for four years now. Why can't he date yet?"

Sooman looks away, sighing audibly as he thought of words to answer my question. "His dating ban will be lifted once he turns five years under this company. It's in the contract and he clearly knew about it."

No, I'll convince him till he agrees and the moment he does, I'll do my best to cover up for both Jian and Baekhyun. "Baekhyun is drowned with schedules which makes him physically tired, which also makes him feel lonely. Don't you think he need-"

"Y/n," Sooman scooted closer to his desk so he could prop his elbows on it, intertwine his hands together then rest his chin on them. I gulped down the lump on my throat while thinking of new words just to encourage him. He looks at me knowingly and spoke, "You're going to be really persistent about convincing me to allow Baekhyun to date, am I right?"

I pressed my lips for a thin line and looked down before doing a little nod. "I'm looking after him as if he's a kid that needs to be taken care of. That being said, I wanted him to be joyful all the time."

"And you think Jian really loves Baekhyun?" Sooman had that confident look on his face as his eyes stilled on my sad one. "Let me tell you something that may change your mind and that goal of yours."

----

I marched my way out of the office, huffing. As soon as the door closed I stilled and tried to get my breathing back to its normal pace before I found myself laughing in an offended way.

Ever since I took this damn job, I've been in a rollercoaster of emotions. At first I was in love with Baekhyun and then sad upon knowing what kind of person he really is offstage and mad because of how he treats me and then feeling the need to annoy and fight him back to show him that I'm not weak. When Jian came back, I was sad knowing that he likes her and jealous because she's his former manager who did her job way better than I do (according to Baekhyun himself) and few moments I felt angry that I want to split them apart and then feel sorry for their seemingly tragic love story of being parted years ago that I'm willing to give up my love for Baekhyun just to see him be genuinely good to me.

What's awaiting for me ahead this rollercoaster now that I currently feel really betrayed? What emotions will I feel for the next moments of this ride?

She played—manipulated my emotions so well that I think I'll develop an instant trust issue if she's going to be around me.

My fists clenched and I started walking away from my previous spot, glaring at who or whatever I see on my way. Sooman's voice could be heard inside my head, saying the same thing he told me awhile ago that caused my anger. Once outside SM, I stood still, taking deep breaths to calm myself down and restrain myself from screaming out of frustration.

On my way home, I dialed Chanyeol's number after doing a few researches about something. Good thing he answered almost instantly. "What's up, Y/n?"

"Hey, Channie. I was wondering if you could help me using your friendliness and connections."

Chanyeol hums from the other line. "Sure! As long as it's for a good cause and will not put me and my career into danger."

"It's for a good cause." I chuckled. "I will just send you what you have to do and that's it."

Right after the call ended, I sent a message to Chanyeol and then relaxed against the backrest of the seat, sighing. What Sooman told me earlier started invading my head, making my blood boil when I've calmed down after that little conversation I had with Chanyeol. My teeth gritted and my fists tightened, not until my phone beeped. A message from Chanyeol came and he got what I asked.

It was a phone number of someone he doesn't even know but easily acquired it because of his connections. For the first time in my life, I felt smart for making use of those that surrounds me.

I called the unknown number and took few rings before it was picked up. "Hello?"

"Is this Kang Jian's manager?" I

"Uh... Yes. How did-"

"I'd like to inform you that your artist has been going out to meet someone please do your job right to prevent scandals. Didn't her group just debuted literally weeks ago?" I threw a leg over the other and leaned against the backrest, eyes then gazing at the rearview mirror to stare at the taxi driver who looks intimidated to the way I spoke. "Good thing I reached out to you first and not straight to your CEO or he'll know you're not doing your job properly." I ended the call before he could have the chance to answer.

Incase he won't believe in my words, I sent him some pictures I got from Sooman earlier. I didn't want to see his reply so I put my phone back inside my pocket and just in time, the vehicle stopped; I reached home.

Sleep has always been my go-to whenever I'm upset. It is what helps me not to stay mad over something (petty or not) for long so I didn't have to affect whoever surrounds me. But the sun's still up so I can't—or more like I shouldn't sleep.

I went into my bedroom and threw my phone on the bed and proceed to changing my clothes. Right in the middle of putting on my shirt, my phone resounded, letting me know that a notification from some apps just came in. When I checked, it was from twitter. Baekhyun has a new tweet.

Seeing his name reminds me of my anger but was immediately washed away when it dawn into me that he's innocent and only blinded by what his heart makes him feel at the moment. I wanted to tell him everything as I still couldn't understand how keeping it from him makes things easy according to Sooman.

I clicked the notification tab and that led me to his latest tweet saying that he wanted to eat something and telling his fans to eat their meals for today. Under that post were comments that if he want to eat then he should feel free to eat, they were almost the same and he's replying to them which doesn't excite me anymore since we physically interact now unlike in the past. I just thought of checking on him while he still didn't know that Jian's not allowed to meet him anymore.

B_hundred_Hyun:
I want to eat foods that I crave but I can't. I still have to film tomorrow.

That reminded me of his upcoming schedules. He still does have to film a CF for tomorrow but I don't remember someone or myself telling him to not eat. I exited twitter and went to text him.

You:
Eat.

Barkhyun 🐶:
???

What a cold-hearted... Oh, right. I should understand him. Tomorrow or maybe later, I'd be the person he'll hate the most not knowing that what I did is all for him.

You:
You said you want to eat pizza, then go.

Barkhyun 🐶:

You:
Baekhyun, I'm your manager. I have to be updated about you whether we're together or not. I guess that explains that I have a twitter account to check on you?

Barkhyun 🐶:
😒

Now that I know everything, I just found the perfect reason to stay in this job. Not only I'd successfully play my role as his manager but I'll also be able to do what I've been dying to do as his fangirl; protect him from everything that'll break him. I have that goal from the very start and even when he's going to resent me from making that goal happen, I'd stand still and wholeheartedly protect him.

Because that's what my man deserves

----

I was helping my mom fix some packed breakfast that I'm going to drop off for Baekhyun later. I ought to leave the house early for today although the filming will be around afternoon. I'm meeting someone and since I know Baekhyun will surely eat less before the shoot, I'm dropping off some food for him which my mom gladly made.

"Thanks for these, mom." I told my mom while we're heading towards the front door.

"Anytime, love. I'd gladly make foods for Baekhyun ever since I knew he liked it." she beams at me as she handed the bag which contained the boxes of foods. "Be careful on your way." I nodded and pressed a quick kiss on her cheeks before running out of the house while giggling. Reaching the gate, I came into a halt when I heard my phone resounding. It was a text message from Baekhyun.

Barkhyun 🐶:
Can you come over?

Barkhyun 🐶:
Right now. I need to talk to you.

You:
I'm on my way to drop off some breakfast before the filming later.

I know why he wants me to rush over there, I've seen it coming since yesterday. On my way to his apartment, I was bracing myself and tried to foresee how he's going to approach me and what he'd say once he sees me stepping inside his place. I'm sure I was ready to face a furious Baekhyun as I punched his door password and skip my way in with a small smile gracing my lips.

Baekhyun was standing right in the middle of the living room when I walked in. Both of his hands were on the either sides of his hips, he looked obviously irritated a second after he felt my presence around him but I ignored that and turned to the direction of the kitchen without batting an eye.

"I know you aren't going to eat so I bought you some breakfast." I raised my voice so he could hear me, knowing I'm getting further away from where he was. As soon as I reached the kitchen counter, I placed the bag down and started taking out the containers. "I had to ask my mom to make these. It won't change how you'd appear for later so eat-" the moment I turned around I was cut off, gasping hard due to shock seeing him standing behind me.

One hand came up to press itself on my chest. "Gosh! I know you hate me but do you really have to give me a heart attack?" I rolled my eyes and was about to turn back to the foods on the counter when he grabs my wrist and holds it tight so I could stay still facing his direction. He never said any word but to the way his eyes stared into mine, I know he's angry. "What now?" I asked, feigning innocence.

Baekhyun breathes out an offended laugh. "So you're acting innocent now?"

As he looked into my eyes, shooting daggers through it only reminded me of how angry I am because of Jian. Sooman's words from yesterday came back into my mind.

"Jian never felt the same for Baekhyun."

The flashback of that single statement was enough to build courage to talkback to him. "Ah, I know what I did," it was followed by a smirk. "I told Jian's manager that she has been seeing you and now she is not allowed to go out of their dorm except for when complying with her group's schedules." then I grinned.

"What did I ever do to you?!" he pulls my wrist, leveling it beside my head as he stepped closer while I step back until I'm pressed against the counter. It's a miracle that I wasn't fazed by how he angrily raised his voice at me.

"You're really asking that?" the ridges on his forehead slowly dissipated. Seems like he realized what he had done to me to deserve this. "Do want me to tell you everything you did to me? It'll take until tomorrow." his grip on my wrist loosened a bit as his jaw clenched.

"This is definitely embarrassing to admit but I have never done my job properly so I thought I should make a move now and I'm starting with getting you out of any possible dating scandals. Meeting Jian isn't going to help with that so I got rid of her." I shrugged my shoulders as if it didn't matter at all. "I realized that I have been a softie kind on manager unlike those I've read in fictions about you having a really strict manager that you can't even meet someone."

"You are the worst!" he screams into my face.

"I may be but I'm doing it for you!" I screamed back and harshly pulled my wrist away from his grip. "And if I were you, instead of throwing a fit I'd be eating my breakfast to have enough energy for later."

Baekhyun huffs before turning around and stomps his way out of the kitchen. Once I'm sure he's completely gone after I heard his bedroom door closing, that's when guilt washed over my whole being; I feel bad for yelling back at him. I scrunched my face, extended out an arm to the direction where he disappeared, then twinkling my hand and whispered, "I'm so sorry, love."

I'll let you hate me for the mean time, I won't mind. At least I will be able to protect him and his heart from something he shouldn't know for now. His hatred for me will be acceptable unlike when I, too, was oblivious of the truth. Someday, he'll thank me for this.

I arrived at Han river where I'm meeting this someone I have to. The moment I've stepped out of the cab, I immediately recognized him from afar. I pulled my sunglasses down to cover my eyes as I walked to where he has been waiting for me.

"Sorry for making you wait."

He turns around to face me. "There you are." he then greets with a bow, as if he's an inferior who finally meets his boss.

I lowered my sunglasses to show a bit of my eyes and smirked at him. "So? The deal?"

"I've promised to tighten the security around Jian. Everytime she uses her phone will be monitored and I have talked to the company to give her group some activities and keep her busy to avoid any interactions with Baekhyun." he pauses to gulp the lump on his throat as he seems intimidated by my mere presence. "Are you sure you don't want any compensation? You really won't spread what you found?"

"I didn't want my artist to be in a scandal so why would I spread what I know?" he gasped and his lips parted on that. Needless to say, I continued, "Yes, I'm Baekhyun's manager and not a sasaeng. That's why I reported what Jian has been doing for I don't want her to ruin my boy's image."

"Thank you for reaching out to me and not to the management."

I pushed my sunglasses up. "I need to go." and before he could respond, I twisted myself and started walking away from his still-amused figure.

I needed assurance that Jian will be having a hard time trying to reach out to Baekhyun and that's what that meeting's purpose is. Jian's manager actually wanted to pay me for telling him his artist's whereabouts but I don't need to be paid for that, I just wanted him to do his job properly. I may hate Jian and what her true motives are but I also wanted the best for her and her career as an idol—which will probably help her stop sticking around Baekhyun.

With my arms crossed and back leaning against the wall, that's how I was while watching Baekhyun film the commercial for this one cosmetic brand he's an ambassador at. His eyes caught a glimpse of me intently watching him and his joyful expression (for the commercial) altered into displeasure. Not wanting to ruin his mood, I exited the site and went back into the dressing room to check what schedule he still have for today.

It was a meeting with Kyungsoo! Excitement filled my veins as I quickly searched for the mirror to see if I look presentable—though the meeting is in two hours. A moment after checking my notes a message came in, notifying me that tomorrow is my pay day!

I finally got rid of Jian, then I'm going to see Kyungoo, and now I'm going to be paid for doing a job well done (of dealing with Baekhyun). Today surely is my day that no one could make it bad, not even an angry Baekhyun. Is the world already repaying me for saving Baekhyun from getting his heart broken?

I guess it was the excitement in me when time seems to pass by so quickly. Next thing I knew is that Baekhyun was already done filming. He goes into the dressing room and plops himself down on the first chair he saw.

"One last schedule for today is first meeting with Kyungsoo to discuss about upcoming collaboration." I informed without casting an eye at him. "If you're done taking your makeup off, we can leave so we don't have to make Kyungsoo wait." I stood up from my seat and strides to the door.

Before I could even get out, Baekhyun spoke, "You could just say you wanted to see him."

"Okay, I wanted to see him, so what?" I looked back at him and lifted up an eyebrow in arrogance.

He stared back at me through the mirror, then letting out a breathy laugh. "You deprive me of my happiness then I will do the same to you." he turns his chair to face me, only to show me a confident look. "I'm gonna tell Sooman you're a fan."

"A fan of Kyungsoo." I clarified. "At least I'm not your fan—which was the requirement to be accepted in this job. What would Sooman do to me if I'm a Dandanie? Fire me?"

"We'll see about that." he sends me a smirk before spinning around

Ooh, very interesting! So are we going to have a fight now? Like we fight to see who gets to have what makes us happy taken away from us? Even without declaring the fight, Baekhyun already lost as he's my happiness himself. If he no longer exist, then that's when I'm going to be really sad.

Ew, that was cheesy but that's also the truth.

That also is the reason why I'm confident of winning this; if ever it's really a war between us.

We travelled back to SM where the meeting is going to happen. I couldn't deny the excitement of personally seeing Kyungsoo, skipping my way towards the conference room and trailing behind Baekhyun who's obviously done with my antics but hates me too much to give a damn about it.

Once we reached the conference room, Baekhyun immediately went in while I stayed outside for awhile. I took deep breaths to brace myself before walking in.

There he was, greeting me with his famous 'heart smile' as soon as his eyes found mine. I took the seat across him without taking my eyes of his handsome face. Now I'm wondering why is Kyungsoo not my first love when he's way better that this man sitting beside me at the moment. It was already late when I found out what kind of person he really is anyway so it's no one's fault.

"You came, Y/n-ssi. I've been looking forward to meeting you." Kyungsoo says. That was enough to make me feel shy as I pushed some hair strands behind my ear.

"Me too." I replied shortly, not knowing what to say anymore. Who wouldn't be speechless after someone as perfect as Kyungsoo talked to you? Overwhelmed is an