Chapter 4: The person always there
681 Words
Kai Vale was exhausted.
The makeup artist pressed another layer of concealer beneath his eyes while staff members moved frantically around the dressing room preparing for tonight's showcase.
Schedules overlapped.
Managers shouted.
Stylists complained.
Everything felt unbearably loud.
Kai sat silently in front of the mirror while fluorescent lights burned against his vision. Someone adjusted the microphone pack beneath his shirt too roughly, fingers brushing his waist in a way that made his stomach twist uncomfortably.
"Hold still," the stylist snapped.
Kai immediately apologized.
Even though he hadn't moved.
Again.
Always apologizing.
The stylist finally stepped away with visible annoyance while Kai lowered his gaze toward the floor.
His phone vibrated quietly in his lap.
A message from his manager.
Don't embarrass the company tonight.
Investors are attending.
Kai stared at the screen blankly before locking it again.
His chest felt tight.
He suddenly remembered cold rain and convenience store ramen.
Strange.
That night had happened nearly two weeks ago, yet the memory still lingered inside his head unexpectedly.
Especially the boy.
Eli.
Kai frowned slightly.
He wondered if Eli was okay now.
The thought surprised him.
People crossed Kai's life constantly. Fans, staff, celebrities, interviewers-faces blurred together eventually after years in the industry.
But somehow he still remembered Eli clearly.
Maybe because of those eyes.
Empty eyes were hard to forget.
"Kai."
He looked up immediately.
His manager stood near the doorway now.
Smile fake.
Eyes sharp.
"They're waiting."
Kai stood quietly.
Showtime.
-
The crowd screamed loud enough to shake the stage.
Kai smiled automatically beneath blinding lights while cameras captured every angle of his face.
Left side.
Turn slightly.
Wave.
Smile wider.
Years of experience made it effortless.
His body performed automatically even when his mind drifted somewhere else entirely.
Fans held glowing signs high above their heads while security struggled controlling the barricades.
Kai bowed politely toward the audience.
Then paused.
A familiar figure stood near the far left side of the crowd.
Black hoodie.
Dark mask.
Watching silently while everyone else screamed around him.
Eli.
Kai blinked in surprise.
For some reason, warmth flickered briefly through his exhaustion.
He came.
The realization felt oddly comforting.
Their eyes met briefly before staff rushed Kai toward the backstage area again.
Still...
Kai found himself glancing back once more before disappearing behind the curtains.
-
"You looked distracted."
Kai stiffened instantly.
His manager shut the dressing room door behind them with a soft click.
Dangerous.
That soft tone was always dangerous.
Kai lowered his eyes carefully. "Sorry."
"You should be."
The manager approached slowly before stopping behind Kai's chair.
A hand rested against his shoulder.
Too tight.
"You think pretty faces are enough to survive in this industry?"
Kai stayed silent.
The grip tightened further.
Pain shot down his arm.
"You're replaceable, Kai."
Smile.
Always smile.
Even now.
"I understand."
The manager leaned closer.
"You understand because I taught you to."
Kai's stomach twisted violently.
Then suddenly-
knock knock.
The manager clicked his tongue irritably before stepping away.
A staff member entered nervously.
"Sir, investors are asking for you."
The tension shifted immediately.
The manager sighed before smoothing his suit casually like nothing happened.
"We'll continue this later."
Kai kept smiling until the door closed behind him.
Only then did the expression collapse from his face completely.
Silence filled the dressing room.
His hands trembled faintly.
Pathetic.
He hated this version of himself most.
Weak.
Tired.
Unable to fight back.
Kai leaned forward slowly, covering his eyes.
Then his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
Kai frowned.
For a second he considered ignoring it.
Instead, he opened the message.
Be careful around Manager Lee.
Kai froze.
Another message appeared immediately after.
He touches you when cameras aren't looking.
The color drained from Kai's face.
His heartbeat quickened painfully.
How-
A third message arrived.
You looked uncomfortable tonight.
Kai stood abruptly from his chair.
Fear crawled slowly beneath his skin.
Nobody knew about that.
Nobody should know.
His eyes darted toward the dressing room door instinctively.
Then another message appeared.
Don't worry.
I'm watching.
Kai stared at the screen in stunned silence.
- Writer
