Chapter 3

Synn's POV

"Synn, how did it went?" I heard Snow asked as I arrived inside our dorm after my manager dropped me off.

We even had a hard time going out of the building because there were a lot of fans camping outside of the office.

Elisse and Arika were standing behind Snow, eager to hear my answer, their dogs circling around them.

Slowly, I walked straight to the couch and let out a long sigh.

"Is it that bad?" Arika asked.

Elisse sat beside me, her hands on top of mine.

"It wasn't your fault, okay," she mouthed and I smiled at her encouraging words. But the truth is, it was partly my fault.

I should have checked too. It was supposed to be my outfit after all.

The meeting with our company's CEO didn't go quite well. Our makeup artists, stylists and managers were all scolded. And even though he did not indirectly call me out, I feel so apologetic for being careless too.

Additionally, the press going wild about this news made everything even more complicated.

"Stop checking the articles Synn. It won't do you any good," Arika told me as I continue to scan my phone. The messages that I received was even more than the usual messages I get for the whole month.

Being an international singer is not an easy job. Everything that we do is being watched, every wrong word, every wrong post, every wrong move, all of them creates an issue that affects not only me but a lot of people. And the world that I am in, fans are possessive.

My Mom and Dad did not message me though partly because they know I would tell them if I'm dating someone. My parents, they won't meddle with anything about my life unless they have too - that, I am so thankful for.

That's right. I'm practically rumored to be dating PERSONA's youngest member now after I performed on the crowd wearing his jacket, a jacket that I never even knew he owns.

After both of our companies had talked, we realized that our jacket was switched unintentionally when we transferred rooms. The color and design were apparently the same and it was accidentally exchanged. It was folded initially and maybe because it was extra chaotic that we have to switch places and all, the mishap happened which I can't even put the blame to someone specifically.

Since PERSONA will be performing last, they didn't notice that the jacket has been switched too not until I appeared on the stage. I heard Gold doesn't usually wear his jacket inside their dressing room because he works out, according to what one of our managers heard.

My members can't tell me to remove the jacket on stage because I was only wearing a glittery tube inside. I mean, I can probably pull it off but it will be a little uncomfortable and nobody would want to have a wardrobe malfunction with that.

It was only four letters and everything was a mess. GOLD, that's all it has at the back. But the fact that his members have the same jacket in different colors gave everything away.

Apparently, Eros and Chase were already seen by the fans wearing their jackets so even though PERSONA changed their performance outfits the last minute to do damage control, it was pointless.

In the end, both our faces were plastered across all social media sites with fans demanding an explanation.

Shippers were celebrating but above all, I get most of the hate. In our industry, the girl always gets most of the hate so it’s something that is not new to me now.

More importantly, I have upset both of our fans and our members. Imagine dragging their names with mine?

To add to that, our fandom isn't as intact in particular. We can't persuade our fans to like us all. As unfortunate as it sounds, almost every fandom has this problem and we the saddest thing is, we can't do anything about it. Regardless of what we do and didn't do, some people will love us and some won't. That's one of the downsides of being an idol.

What I am scared now is that my members would be affected. We're supposed to have a schedule tomorrow but I heard there are some arrangements that they will need to discuss so it has been postponed. And I knew it was because of last night's incident.

"Synncinati!" I was startled when I heard Snow, my eyes leaving my phone. And that's when I realized that my members were all looking at me intently.

They looked at me in worry, a sincere expression showing in their face.

My members, they are the closest thing I have to family. Actually, scratch that. They are my family.

A long sigh escaped my lips.

"I'm sorry, it's just," my shoulder dropped in frustration, "I know this will affect you guys too. It's just so annoying I have to deal with this issue. The last thing I wanted is to be associated with that person and it just has to be him?"

Elisse raised her eyebrow and I noticed how Arika's lips is twitching upwards.

Shit. I probably shouldn't have said that, right? Now my members will think that something is going on.

"Synncinati Richards..." Snow called for my name. And her calling me in my full name isn't always a good thing.

I gulped.

Before they can even ask me a question, the sound of my phone ringing broke the silence.

Fumbling with my phone, I immediately answered the call. It was my manager.

"Manager!" I answered, glad to be saved from the impending doom I was about to experience with my members.

"Synn..."

The smile showing on my face immediately getting erased at the sound of her heavy voice.

"What's the problem?" my voice shaking a little, the beating of my heart increasing too.

I heard her sigh from the other line and my heart clenched in pain.

Please, no.

"I just want to bid you a farewell. We won't be seeing each other anytime soon..." she stated and I knew just what it meant.

"Manager Yana what happened?" I asked in worry. I knew something was wrong. She won’t be acting like this if there isn’t.

And then she started crying. I saw my members moving forward in worry too.

"Both companies agreed to let the ones involve be held responsible. I'm sorry we made this mess Synn. I hope we can see each other soon. Take care for me, okay?" she whispered before dropping the call.

"I- Yana... " my voice hangs midway, unable to continue what I want to say.

She's my personal manager and she's been with me for like three years now. She's not usually shown to people because we also have a guy manager but I'm close to her the most.

"Synn..." Elisse called for my name in worry but I was just there, sitting confused.

"Why?" I asked, my voice shaking. "Why do they have to take sole responsibility for something that is my fault too?" I asked. Arika moves forward and engulfed me for a hug and then the rest also did.

We were like that for some minute until I excuse myself and headed straight to my room.

Lying flat on my bed, my eyes focused on the ceiling.

"It's unfair..." I whispered.

Gold, why do I have to suffer because of you?

Without second thoughts, I reached for my phone and dialed a number. Each ring made my heart pound in nervousness too.

"Yow, Synn!" I heard Alex's voice on the other line, his cheerful demeanor not getting past my ears.

"Lex, your turn!" I heard someone speaking but Alex didn't respond.

"Sorry, did I catch you at a bad time?" I asked and he chuckled, like always, everything seems always fun for him. Sometimes I envy how happy-go-lucky he can get.

"Don't mind them. What's up? You don't normally call me," he asked and it's my turn to laugh. It took me by surprise a bit and felt a little embarrassed too. Do I really just call him whenever I needed something?

My cheeks were probably red but it doesn’t matter. He cannot see me anyways. Besides, this is Alex. I shouldn’t feel shy with my childhood friend.

"Well, I need a little favor. You think you can give your friend's number?" I gulped. I know Alex wouldn't question what I was doing but I still feel kind of embarrassed.

"Who, Gold?" he asked chuckling and my cheeks turned red even though he can't see me.

Of course, he heard about it too. In fact, he was also at the same venue last night.

"Well today is your lucky day my friend," he answered and my brows furrowed.

Don't tell me...

"Coz I got him right here,"

"Wha-" before I can even finish, I heard the sound of grumbling from the other line.

After a few minutes, my breath hitches at the sound of that familiar voice, the rapid increase of my heart beating almost deafening my ears.

"So....what does the sneaky Synncinati need from me?" his voice raspy and I feel like he's drunk a little. I don't know why but his voice sends shivers down my spine.

"Fuc-" my eyes widened, stopping midway.

Shit! Shit! Synn. I covered my mouth in shock at what I was about to say.

He was silent for a minute until I heard him speak, this time, amusement can be heard in his voice.

"Tell me the time and place, cupcake. That can be arranged,"

Holy shit.