Xiumin's POV

"Hello, Minseok." He spat at me.

I took a step back subconsciously and bowed at him.

"H-hyung" I didn't dare look up at him, to be fair, I'm surprised he hasn't leaped over the counter and slapped me.

"Minseok, what are you doing?" He continued in the same manner. "Do you know how many schedules we had to cancel because if you?"

I bowed even lower. "Sorry, I'm really sorry."

"Ha! Doesn't seem like it." He slapped the counter, instantly silencing the whole shop.

Ling came running out from the back room.

"What's happening?" Her confused voice was firm and confident.

She looked at me, then at my manager and pulled me behind her. Her grip was hard and her hand was cold from fright.

"If you want to talk, let's go to the back room." She said with no hesitation, but her hands were shaking.

We moved into the backroom where Ling pulled us all a chair to sit on.

"Here's your flight for tonight." He threw a booklet at me. "We're going back to Korea."

I opened my mouth to object, but Ling cut in.

"He can't, not tonight." She blurted out.

My manager tilted his head at her. "Oh? And why not young lady? Do you know who he is?"

Ling nodded. "Xiumin is suppose to sing live for a charity event tonight."

I stared at her. What?

"He has to he there, it'll ruin his image if he doesn't go."

Ling's hand had begun to figit violently. She pushed her hand between her legs and smiled at my manager.

"And what charity is this?" My manager smiled in amusement, crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.

Ling stared at him blankly for a brief second before smiling again. "A surprise event at an old orphanage."

My manager did not look convinced and glanced at me which I avoided eye contact with. "Right, okay. Tomorrow morning, you'll go back. That ticket will still be valid."

I stood up and bowed 90 degrees. "Thank you hyung-nim."

Ling sighed a breath of relief joined me in bowing at my manager.

"I'm counting on you to get on that plane tomorrow morning Minseok." My manager stood up and pointed a finger at me. "I have to go back now, I spent way to much time here looking for you."

"Yes hyung-nim." I said head still down.

He stopped mid way to the door and turned. "By any chance, did you come to China to meet up with Luhan?"

My heart stopped in its tracks. We EXO members were forbidden from having any form of contact with ex-members. If he found out-

"He was here to visit me." Ling blurted out. "We're old friends."

My manager said nothing and left the back room leaving Ling and I to stand in the heavy atmosphere that followed after.

I looked up at her to see her face as pale as a sheet of paper and with no hesitation, I pulled her into a hug and ran my fingers through her brown medium length hair.

-----♡
Ling's POV

To be honest, Xiumin's manager wasn't that scary. What was scary was that Xiumin completely cowered before him. After he had left I felt relief run through my body, but my hands were still cold and shaking.

Did I do alright? Was that lie too bold?

Xiumin walked over and pulled me into his arms and once again I found my face in his shoulder.

"Thank you." He whispered in my ear.

I nodded and said nothing. I felt his breathing next to my ear and blushed violently. My heart sped up to the point of suffocation. I bit my lip and tried to remind myself of Luhan, the one I loved.

Or did I?

We didn't pull apart from the hug in what felt like forever. Xiumin had buried his face in my hair and I was starting to worry if he had fallen asleep.

"You smell nice." We pulled apart.

I blushed. "Y-you too?" I mentally kicked myself for the stupid response.

He smiled, showing his teeth and puffy cheeks. "So about that charity event."

"Oh, that, my family helps out at an orphanage every week, so that's where I got the idea from."

He nodded. "Should I actually go then?"

"Haha, you could, but none of them would know who you are." I smiled at him.

He pouted and nodded sadly.

"How's this," I put on hand on his shoulder. "You can come and visit the orphanage then I'll take you around the city tonight. A gift for your departure"

I watched his face light up in excitement and smiled. Xiumin was like a child, so easy to please and so caring. Yet I couldn't help but wonder what my heart felt during the hug. Something that made me doubt my feelings for Luhan. I shook my head and resumed work with Xiumin at my side.

That night we agreed to meet at the entrance of the shop as it was the middle of my apartment and the hotel he was staying at. I showed up early as I always do for any arrangements. The streets were lit up by roadside markets selling groceries to pedestrians. My phone pinged in my jacket and I checked it.

What are you up to right now?
-Lu

As expected my heart skipped a beat.

I'm going to show Xiumin around the city.
-Ling

Xiumin? Why now, it's late.
-Lu

He has to go back to Korea tomorrow morning.
-Ling

I waited for a reply, but it didn't come.

Should I not have told him?

"Ling! Did you wait long?"

Xiumin jogged towards me dressed in a sleeveless hoody, shorts and a snap back. Need I mention his face was displayed out in the open?

Naturally, I freaked out and quickly rotated his hat forward and pulled on his hood.

He kept his hands in his pocket and just looked at me smiling. His face was now inches away from mine in my attempt to reach for his hood and pull it over his head. Xiumin wasn't as tall as Luhan, but he was still taller than me.

I blushed and recoiled 2 steps back making him howl in laughter. Just then, I received a call from Luhan.

"Lu-ge?" I spoke into the phone.

-----♡
Xiumin's POV

I blinked at Ling as she answered the phone. What could be so urgent that she answers the phone now? I let my mind wonder about all the things we could do toget her tonight.

"Lu-ge?"

I jerked my attention on her and swiftly took the phone from her.

"Lu-ge?" I repeated in the mic.

"Minseok? Are you leaving China tomorrow morning? Why didn't you tell me?"

I frowned. "You haven't been coming to the shop lately with your busy schedule, I didn't want to burden you."

"Where are you now, I will postpone the shoot. Ling and I can both show you all the fun places."

I smiled. "Really Lu-ge, I really don't want to bother you, Ling can show me around, it's no problem."

"It's not a bother, I want to be able to see you off."

I glanced at Ling who had started to look at nearby groceries, chatting excitedly with the shop owners.

"No it's alright," I persisted. "This isn't good bye, you have that concert in Korea coming up don't you?"

"Yeah but-"

"Really Luhan, its alright." I felt slightly irritated at Luhan's persistence to wanting to come show me around the city and in the back of my mind I knew exactly why.

I wanted to be alone with Ling.

Notes

//Author's Note:
Ah! Xiumin's reality has finally caught up with him! His manager has found him! What is he going to do? How is he going to leave Luhan, and more importantly what's going to happen to the new relationship between Ling and him?
Haha exciting :D
Thank you for continuous reading!
Enjoy the story.