Page 86 of XOXO

“No, the guys⁠—”

“I don’t care about what the guys say,” he snapped. “She could be a liability.”

“Everyone is a liability. Even people who work here,” I argued. “Hell, we’ve had intimate scenes put on social media before they even announced the show.”

“Have her sign an NDA,” he said, staring me down.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not going to ask their friend to sign⁠—”

“We don’t need a scandal just as you're coming back,” he sighed. “We have to be careful with how⁠—”

"Be careful? You act like I've been shunned from society. I completed my military duty and if people didn’t want to wait for me or are uninterested now that I’m back, what is having her sign an NDA going to do?”

“Save your ass from losing out on opportunities,” he said, exasperation dripping from his tone. “Have her sign an NDA or I’m shipping her home. You know how Americans are, give them a little money and they are glad to run away.”

“Minsu,” I snapped. “You better not be offering her money.”

“So, she isn’t just their friend,” he said, smirking.

I sighed, realizing I had played into his game. “We met in Italy.”

“So, she followed you and your friends to Greece. Did you tell her where you were going to be?” he sighed. “Ruwon, what have I told you about sharing details⁠—”

He babbled about my safety when I realized she had no way to know any of us were there. She and Levi spoke on the app, but it didn’t tell you where people were, only if they were close. So, there was no way she could have known where I was or any of us were exactly. I realized right then and there how idiotic my argument was.

“Look, no matter what, you are not making her disappear,” I snapped, interrupting him.

“If she signs the NDA, I’ll drop it.” He stared me down.

I didn’t like the thought of her having to sign it and something told me he would make her leave. The thought soured my stomach.

“Fine,” I conceded, as the stylist walked into the room.

She helped me with my jewelry, picking out a bag and shoes.

The next hour my chest grew tight with anxiety. I didn’t want to ask her to sign an NDA and I didn’t know why it was bothering me so much. The last shot of the photo shoot, Levi, Matteo and Violeta came outside with me.

“This is surreal, does this ever get old?” Violeta asked, looking around at the entire production for just for one photo.

“Sometimes, but it is usually the shoots where everything goes wrong. This one is a good one,” I said, adjusting my linen jacket and bolero.

They switched the leather jacket at the last minute, and thank god they had. It was stifling outside.

“This seems exhausting though,” she said, sipping her drink. “I can’t imagine having to deal with all of this, filming and the fans.”

“It’s not for everyone,” I said, sipping my water.

“I can see that, takes a special person to do this,” she said softly. “Makes you realize how unsympathetic the media and everyone else is with stars. All the scrutiny you have to endure and still show up with a happy face. I would have told everyone to fuck off already.”

She chuckled, and I couldn’t help but laugh too.

“Yeah, coming back to this has been hard because I don’t know if I want to do this again,” I admitted.

“I feel like this has to be something you love to do or else it would drive you mad,” she said, looking up at me. “Do you love it?”

“I used to…” I said. “I don’t know if I have fallen out of love with it or I just need time.”

She nodded her head. “Decide for you and no one else. I know that’s hard to do because sometimes we feel the world on our shoulders, but don’t spend years making other people happy. Your happiness is the most important.”