Contract Marriage With A Grumpy Idol

2 days ago... “Man, you will not believe this!” Macko came crashing through Rion's room, pushing the door quite aggressively that the latter could not help but wince in hope that it does not break and slam down the floor. The rays of sun were to be seen entering the space through gaps in the curtain and window sills. The morning was silent and refreshing. And, Rion thought, if only he did not see Macko's face right when he woke up, he would have been able to start the day pretty nicely. “What about it again?” Rion asked, clearly without any choice but to do so, or else, Macko would not leave him alone, would whine like a kid if not heard. “Make this quick, Mack.” There was a sudden uplift in the other boy's face, his smile widened at Rion's question as he made his way towards the bed then sat down its edge, excited and surprised that, at least today, Rion seemed somehow interested at whatever he was about to spill. “Do you still remember Augustus, man? Augustus Immaculata of Zero Degree? I told you about him just yesterday—” For the nth time, there they go again. Zero Degree. A currently oh-so-popular five-member boy group under Syntax-V Entertainment, one of the present leading talent agencies in the country. And Augustus Immaculata. That jerk Macko kept on talking about was one of the group's members. Maybe the most popular even, if Rion could recall it right from his memory's vault. He barely knew about them, but he sure was able to listen to their songs quite often — most likely due to his best friend, Macko Jazti Buenaventura, being a huge fan of them. “Macko, if this is one of your Zero Degree boys' rendezvous I do not care about and does not affect me at any given point, no, I do not remember,” he replied with a frown, brushing his hair back in slight frustration, “Ah, what would I even expect, of course you are going to talk about them again, and again. I should not have started listening to your fiascos, no...?” “Oh, come on now, Rion,” Macko flashed a pout. Using his charms again... Maybe that cutesy display would actually work and instantly manipulate Rion into agreeing to whatever extent he says, if onlt Macko did not look as buff as bodybuilders fleeing across the gym. Moreover, with that flaming red hair, colored too loud that he would attract every given attention in public? Rion could not take him seriously... “Maybe Onew can recall, Mack. Go and talk to him on the next room. Thank you very much—” “No, he would not want to listen,” Macko replied shortly with a frown of dismay, nearly in a sulking manner, “I only have you when it comes to these kind of stuffs, Rion. It is a shame, really. However, do I have another choice?” “Wow, thank you for the uplifting words early in the morning,” Rion scoffed sarcastically, “So, you are once again bothering me because Onew will not open his ears for any of your fanboying stories. Just great. I have a suggestion!” “What? What?” “Maybe if you get yourself an equally fanatic girlfriend, a girl who will choose Zero Degree over you at any second, then you will have someone else to share those with?” Macko's mood declined upon hearing it. “Girlfriends are a pain in the ass, man. I will never. Ah, just not now.” “Yeah, whatever.” “So, yeah, back to the main plot. It is about Augustus, Augustus Immaculata, just in case you want to take note of his whole name so I would not have to repeat it the next time. Now, would you believe this? They are currently accusing him of being a homophobic and he is getting so much hate from outside the fandom, even within since, if we're being honest, there are many members of the LGBT community around. But... a homophobic? Man, not when he wrote a song before and said it is for a guy, and made in another guy's perspective—” “Why do you care so much about that boy? People could be right and he could be different from what you guys think he is. After all, what celebrities show in front of the camera is never the same as what they truly are, at least except during rare instances when an influencer is genuine.” “Man, no, I just... do not want my idol to receive all the backlash because of a false accusation. And there is no way in hell that he will be homophobic. All the members are pushed against each other every time, could not even stay separated for two seconds. And they have a history of supporting pride rights, donating on foundations for young members of the society, giving scholarships, and more. Watching him get hated on, that is unfair!” This time, Rion could actually feel Macko's utmost frustration. This was not one of his crazy moments screaming over the group's performances, appearance, and sh*t, eh? As much as he wanted to provide comfort and all, his oblivion about the ongoing matter just would not allow. “I can only hope everything goes well for them and you, Mack,” Rion sighed and tapped the other boy's shoulder, “Anyway, I just realized I have to leave at nine and meet Afaela. So, can I?” “Ah, really. You and your heterosexual ass. If that girlfriend — oh, wait, is she your fiancé already? — but if she cheats on you—” “Oh, Afaela will never, I assure you. You have known her, too, Mack. She will not,” Rion ascended with a sly smirk, but, was he sure that Afaela really will not? And, really, meeting Afaela that day was not the best thing Rion ever did. ~ Present time... Rion's creased his forehead as consciousness slowly drifted into him, then forced him back to his unbelievable reality— rather something he just did not want to believe. Ah, hangovers. Severe headache, nearly unbearable. Growling stomach, whether if it was because of the amount of alcohol he has drank, or because of hunger, he could not tell. Plus everything weird boiling within his existence. It almost felt like dying right then and there, and getting buried six feet below the ground would be a much better option than endure it all. It was the exact reason why he barely chooses to drink to oblivion, until he was wasted. He reminded himself, this was why he always refuses to go to bars and parties, whether the occasion was important or just to unwind. And most importantly, this was why he liked to remain a homebody, than choose to be a party monster like his red-haired friend, Macko. But, he could not deny it either, because despite feeling like stabbing his throat with a knife to ease himself off the nausea, he surely did enjoy losing his mind and, even just for a while, forgetting what crap and f*cked up sh*t just occured and changed the trajectory of his early twenty's in an instant. A satisfied sigh and a wide smile escaped his lips. He silently and slowly started rolling off the duvet, cautious and careful not to fall. His vision was still spinning. His head was hurting. For all he could summarize and remember, last night was a blast! The burning sensation from all the liquor he drank was there to help him forget for a while, all those that he needed to face and take care of now that he was slowly getting driven to soberness. Still, f*ck that girl, Afaela. Afaela who— Ah, never mind. And f*ck that company. F*ck his employer. F*ck that boy last night, whoever that was who pulled him out of the bar before he lost control of himself, of the memory of what was taking place before his eyes. And f*ck everything. However, before Rion could even successfully get rid of the comforter wrapped around his skin, his attention has been put in a trance at a mere sight of his hand on the thick white fabric he was supposedly discarding, but stopped. A ring? On his finger? Right when his engagement ring with Afaela was placed before? But did he not throw it away when Macko and Onew came to pick him up after he got dumped by his first love? Oh. Rion's jaw slacked. His chest started to pound hard. His stomach grumbled once more as the memories from last night came crashing through his still dazed state. Oh... Right.... There was... this boy who pulled him outside the bar— rather asked him to come with him, and he did comply without asking no further questions. And then, the next thing he knew, he was standing in an open space with yet another boy he could not quite remember the face of. And then... Holy hell. Did he… really just… let someone drag him elsewhere... and then, accepted a stranger's proposal, took and wore a ring from somebody he did not even know? Well, was he not f*cked? Drinking liquor has not really done him any good ever since. It was for a fact. And if he was sure about only one thing despite all the aftermath of his carelessness; he was not in his right mind when drunk, never was, and was not the nigh prior. Now, as a consequence, there he was. He did not know where he was. It was not his room at their house, nor his room at Macko's. He was sitting in a complete stranger's bed, and not just a simple stranger at that, but an unknown guy he played wedding last night. ‘F*ck, f*ck, f*ck! This can not be happening to me. No. No freaking way. I refuse to believe this is real. I am not yet awake. No, I am still fully asleep. Yeah, that is right, Rion, this is just a dream and everything is going to be fine when you wake up from this nightmare...’ Godd*mn it. Albeit forcing himself to believe that things really were not occuring, he knew for a fact that it was. Actually, he did not really care about the ring. The proposal was bullsh*t. The childish wedding was not and will never be a big deal. However, the situation he found himself in was his last straw. Waking up in somebody's bed would be more than embarrassing that he was afraid he could die in shame. Plus, the fact that the stranger he ‘married’ was beside him... oh, he would rather get eaten alive by he ground than need to converse and get himself seen and exposed. Rion stayed frozen on his spot by the edge of the quilt, sweating and internally panicking. He started to silently plot a way he could get out of the situation without needing to speak any word. If he could run away, then he would. As if on cue, the moment his rational thoughts has just kicked off, it was immediately blown away. He heard the stranger beside him yawn deeply. The bed's other side sank and he felt throes and shuffles. The figure lying beside Rion, under the thick covers, moved to seek a more comfortable position. Rion knew beforehand that there was no way he could have slept with Macko and Onew in that unfamiliar room. But, oh, you would not guess how shocked he still felt upon realizing that it really was not one of his friends he was with. The deep voice was not as deep as Onew's, but was not much bigger than Macko's, too. It lied in the middle of the both's resonance. The scent this body was eliciting was manly, seeping through Rion's nostrils without him needing to lean forward for a sniff. Macko hated those kind of strong perfumes. And Onew barely sprays perfume. ‘God, if you are real, please let this just be in my dreams. For goodness's sake. I just went through a breakup, I can not bear getting ridiculed because of my own fault just a day after. Please, get me out of here.’ But, no. Even the heaven was deep asleep, just as the man beside him. Rion slapped himself, left and right. He pinched both of his cheeks. He started punching his legs and hitting his arms. All in entire hopes to feel nothing, no pain, then realize that this was not the reality. But the place remained real. The self assault attempt hurt, it stung. And he could only groan at his obvious misfortune, the realization of this irritating realm. He just f*cked up. Because of that, he was now in an embarrassing situation. He was in the brink of making a fool of himself, of facing the man he played wedding with. Really, godd*mn. How unlucky could he be? Where the hell were Macko and Onew when he needed his best friends the most? They were supposed to keep him tact. They were supposed make sure he goes home safe and secured. They promised him that, incorporated with their own idea to take him to that bar to unwind. Ah, those motherf*ckers. Why did they leave him alone and unattended, while knowing he would lose consciousness and sanity once the liquor hits deep? And only God could tell and explain the relief he felt when he looked down at his body. He was still fully clothed. He looked just how he remembered himself while he stood in front of the mirror in his room at Macko's residence. Thank goodness. He was untouched. He still looked clean. Meaning, nothing uncanny happened to him. To them. No, not a thing to make him more embarrassed in the situation he was in— as if the remorse he was currently feeling still was not too much to make him feel dizzy. Now, all he has to do is leave. Find an escape route. Disappear. Make sure he would not wake this stranger up. Then, walk out without getting seen— and without any intention to be seen again. That is right. It will only take him a few steps toward the room's exit. From then on, he would easily find his way out. He will be free from all the possible upcoming awkwardness if ever this man beside him wakes up— The heaven sent him back an aggressive, ‘NO!’. Right before he could successfully manage to hop down and stand on both his feet, Rion was silenced by the door suddenly pushing open and wide. All his hopes crumbled. And then, he was back to wishing the ground could just eat him alive. Rion chuckled behind his throat. Sarcastically. And then, miserably. Before he groaned in frustration. He let himself fall down the bed. Well, f*ck. How unfortunate of him. Four silhouette of boys barged inside the dim room. They were tall figures. Large and Rion knew he could not compare. Maybe Macko would. One of them moved forth. A click of a switch was heard. Then, the lights fluttered open. Rion finally caught sight of their faces. Tussled hairs and tired faces. It was like they just woke up, not so different from Rion's current state. And wait, why did they look somehow.... familiar...? “Augustus. Wake the hell up. What did you do now, bro?” The voice echoed in the almost deafening silent room. Yet, it did not startle the figure near Rion one bit. ‘Augustus’ did not budge an inch. He remained asleep, unfazed and unbothered. What a heavy sleeper. But wait... Augustus...? Did that guy just call him Augustus? Augustus... why did that name sound familiar— very familiar, even... Augustus.... Where and when did Rion hear of that name before?— And… why did these newly arrived guys look familiar, too? “Augustus Immaculata!” The guy, not having it, screamed this time. His voice striking like a loud bolt during a thunderstorm. Luckily for Rion — rather not, as he realized how they were not bothered by his existence, when they were supposed to actually be freaking out — the loud and bossy stranger turned to look at him. With an apologetic expression in his soft features upon remembering that there was someone else in the room who heard his volume, he said, “I apologize for that, dude.” Nodding awkwardly and hating the way he has jinxed his fortune, Rion forced out a smile and waved ‘no problem’. But of course, it was a problem. Oh, for goodness' sake. It was still too early in the morning. All the neighbors were probably still asleep. And Rion just woke up! Can he just... tone down his voice and maybe calm down a little? A little would do. “Augustus, man, wake the f*ck up, please?” He said again, begging. Only this time, he started to shake the sleeping frame under the blankets, wrapped like a newborn baby. “You are always like this during every crucial time. It does not help to neglect being accountable. God d*mn it, Augustus.” Finally. The voice and his words did not truly help. Probably, it was his aggressive trials to shake him — the man they call Augustus — awake. Augustus stirred in his sleep. He shift in confusion, groaning in annoyance. His deep voice echoing. Slowly, he rolled to face the four boys, discarding the fabric that was covering his face in the process. The movement revealed a guy with his forehead scrunched, eyebrows lips frowning in irritation. “WHAT NOW, SHAWN?!” He hissed as soon as his eyes were open. With that occuring, Rion finally saw sight of the other boy's face. With his thick eyebrows and long eyelashes, he was attractive as hell. Rion felt so small beside him, somehow insecure. His eyes were keen, too, piercing through the man he just mentioned, Shawn. Those stares could probably kill. His lips were pursed in a straight line, not so thin but not so thick. His jawline was also perfectly angled, protruding and sharp that he did not have to try to mew so it would be highlighted. Rion felt his breath hitch, he nearly halted in surprise. Augustus... Now, he knew why that name sounded familiar. Why the four other boys looked familiar. Augustus. Augustus Immaculata. That popular singer, Augustus Immaculata. A guy from Zero Degree. The band Macko kept on telling him about. The group Macko kept on blasting in his speakers while he sang along every morning. That same Augustus Immaculata of Zero Degree was.... currently in front of him. Not just Augustus, BUT EVERYONE ELSE ASSOCIATED WITH AUGUSTUS IMMACULATA— IN FRONT OF FREAKING ZERO DEGREE! With the amount of times Macko had introduced him to every member of the group, and asked— scratch that, he forced him to look at Zero Degree, it was no doubt that Rion could recognize their faces. And even if he denies it, he knew to himself that he could even tell who was who. The loud one who kept on speaking was Shawn. While the other three who remained standing behind Shawn's frame like hiding children were; Janvick, Hans, and the youngest boy in their circle, Calyx— the only one who was looking down the ground in shame to avoid Rion's gaze while Janvick and Hans were obviously checking him out. And oh that d*mn Calyx Brexter Serial— the whole name courtesy of Macko. That youngest boy in the room was directly involved in this sh*tty mess. He was with him and Augustus last night, the only person around. Rion felt an urge to pull Calyx by the collar of his shirt, pin the latter on the nearest wall out of rage, and partially blame the boy for putting him in that situation. Luckily, Rion has managed to refrain himself from doing a dumb thing he would soon regret. If anything, he had a bigger problem. And it seemed to him that it would get even huger as it progresses. He just... slept in the same bed as Augustus Immaculata. He just woke up in the same room as Augustus. He just... stayed in the same unit as Augustus. Now, if this was not the biggest plot twist Rion has ever expected to happen in this lifetime. And it hit him. It struck him. He was not just ‘hallucinating’ at that moment. It was indeed Augustus Immaculata he sat on the bed they slept together in the night prior. And it was Zero Degree they were now with. But....— No way. Just no. This could not be true, can it? This has to be a terrifying nightmare. A horrible dream. He wanted it to be as he thought it was. Rion wanted to refuse to believed what was already paid in his front. Maybe when he wakes up for real, they would be just in his head. This could not be real, like, REAL! ‘I am gaslighting myself into thinking that everything is not real and I am just stuck in a dream so realistic but does not really exist in my own timeline.’ “Just... quit pretending like nothing happened, Augustus,” the loud guy retaliated with a straight face. The look in his face was terrifying, to say the least. It would probably be enough to make him sink down a couch and never speak in the scolding's entirety. If anyone would not even flinch and shake in fear of this guy, of Shawn, then that person would be an annoying piece of sh*t, disobedient and do not care about their lives. And wow, Augustus was exactly just that as he remained stoic, even yawning out of boredom. “Yeah, sure,” Augustus said, rolling his eyes. He waved a hand in front of his face, wanting to dismiss Shawn. “Whatever you say, I guess. Let me go back to sleep no—” “Augustus, please, bro,” Shawn mumbled once more. Only this time, his words sounded like a... beg. Just for Augustus to hear him out and take their bothered expressions seriously. Almost all the boys groaned in frustration when Augustus only shifted to a much better position so he could go back to sleep. It almost made Rion voice out his dissatisfaction, too. What an arse Augustus was. Shawn scratched his nape irritably, “Augustus, we are on such a big mess and should hurry. Our manager and the management want us in the office as immediate as possible. At least comply. After all, this is all your fault.” “Five minutes, Shawn...” Augustus whispered sleepily, pulling the blanket up so his head was covered, too. “Bro, the time is running. It will not wait for your lazy ass. A minute would worsen this crap. Get the hell up, just please...” “All right. Fine…” Augustus groaned. He yawned once more and ruffled his already messy hair, further tussling it into a curly poodle. He got rid of his blanket. He slowly rose from the dead with his eyes still closed. Rion did not expect it— wait, maybe he did because definitely, it would also be his impulse if ever he wakes up lying in a bed with a random stranger he barely knew about. As soon as Augustus opened his eyes, the pop star's face instantly flashed. In his eyes was a terrified look upon spotting Rion just beside him. “Shawn? Who he hell is this guy?” The singer asked with widening eyes, then pointed a finger at Rion's face, as if accusing the latter of a tedious crime, “And what the f*ck is he doing inside my room? Did you bring him? Who—” “I believe I am your husband? Good morning to you, too, Mr. Augustus Immaculata," Rion answered for Shawn. He was frowning, responding rather sarcastically. He was so close to running away. Augustus, however, as if it was one of his forgotten reflexes, turned pale and immediately looked down to look at his hand in complete horror. “What—” “And yes, I know how you feel. Believe me when I say the feeling is mutual, maybe I am even feeling a bit over yours. I am not very delighted to see you in this situation, too, Mr. Immaculata. I do not like this situation at all....”