(Y/N) POV:

I drag myself out of the blankets when I see Joonie oppa has drifted off to sleep again, fingers loose against me. He already knows I'm going; I've already told him. And it had been hard to drag myself out the warm haven that were my soulmates and blankets but it had to be done.

I thanked every deity, every divine force and power that Joonie oppa in his half-awake state hadn't picked up on the name that had flashed up. That he hadn't made out the word Editor lighting up my screen over and over again. That would lead to some explanations being required. Explanations that I not for one second doubt would not make pleasant nor light pillow talk.

Manoeuvring myself out off Tae's hold proves to be a challenge and a lot of twists and turns but I manage it in the end. It's a feat that leaves me slightly ruffled giving how tight his hold was. And the sun is yet to rise when I slide out of the house dressed, it's a dark inky blue that colours the sky and guides me along the streets to an elegant building. One that I know like the back of my hand, one that I've spent countless days and nights in. The small yet well-off company where life is breathed into my webtoons and they reach the public eye. One of my many homes.

Entering gives me a sense of nostalgia- I haven't been able to visit as frequently or as often as I like, it's a secret that would be hard to explain. And given how much time I spend with my soulmates now; it would be hard and difficult to suddenly push them away regularly enough that they notice a shift.

The sleek monochromatic reception is the same as always, faces light up with recognition as they see me, smiles and nods of heads when I reach the desk and slide my mask down. It's a space I've strived to make comfortable for everyone, there's no strict, cool formalities and professionalism enforced. It's a small knit of people I can proudly call family.

But today after I go through reception and up to the higher levels, the mask remains tucked under my chin, and onto my face slides on a cool look of indifference. There's a leak I'm here to deal with, and a leak means there's no more friendliness. Not for the person or people who have betrayed my trust.

I step out of the elevator, watch as the few people bustling about in a panic stop to shoot me looks of fear. But if they haven't wronged, there should be no need to fear. I stride forward, gait powerful and strong. Lesson one- always be confident and self-assured. The world is full of predators who wait for a sign of weakness.

Today my clothes don't reflect my usual relaxed self. Today- they're the clothes of the person who runs a company. Clothes can be adorned like armour- they show I'm here for a stand. I enter my office, one that I rarely ever occupy, all cool professionalism and chic tones in the layout.

I sit on the leather chair behind the glass table, drumming my fingers lightly on the surface, but in the stilted silence of the room, the sound resonates.

"Bring him in." I call out to my editor and most trusted employee. There's no warmth in my voice. There can't be. If I need to adorn this mask of detachment and hard authority, then so be it. But I am not having my life being thrown about or being made into a game for the depraved pleasure of anyone.

A tall rather beefy man enters, confidence in each stride, hair slicked back and a fake smile plastered on his face. He bows his head in greeting before straightening up to look me in the eye.

"How wonderful to see you again Ma'am." He says, words stiff with respect. Too stiff.

"I'm afraid I can't say the same Choi-ssi." I drawl, spine straight and stiff as I look at him, lazily examining his body language.

"It's come to my attention that there has been a leak. A leak regarding the identity of the creator of 'Cursed Fate'. As not many are privy to the information, not beyond this small group of employees, may I ask you to explain yourself." I state, words dripping with false politeness when all I want is the truth. And I want it now.

As I watch him, I see a small slip in his mask, the slight curve of his lips which tilt upwards before his face smooths out, concern etched into his features.

"A leak Ma'am? I assure you I have done my utmost best; I trust each and everyone of our employees here. No-one could do so." He states, words firm and confident."

I consider myself a good judge of character, his gait is too cocky, too bold for someone being questioned on a leak that could potentially upheave my life.

"Our employees? Have I misheard you? They are my employees. And whilst most were vetted by me when I set this company up, I don't recall your background check." I drawl out, even as realisation hits me. Who vetted him?

My eyes narrow at the slight slip of his face, hands which fist slightly by his sides, the flash of something cold that crosses his eyes before it disappears. My senses are on high alert. I'd never liked him and now, in such close proximity to him, my senses were revolting against his presence, an instinctual disgust and distrust of him.

Just then one of my employees enter, a soft kind-hearted woman who flashes me a soft smile when she places the folder done before walking back out. I flick open the file, scanning quickly at Choi's application- eyes quickly noting that he hasn't stated any family, save for a deceased sister. Huh. If he was going to list himself as living alone, why the need to mention a dead family member, especially for a job at a webtoon company of all places?

Something wasn't adding up.

"What was your sister's name?" I ask, unprepared for the sudden anger that colours his face and the hate that distorts it.

"Choi Min-Cha." He spits out, each syllable hitting me in the face, with all the force of a slap.

Choi Min-Cha. My breath seizes. It can't be. It isn't. But the way his eyes fall on mine, I see his face change when I realise who his sister was.

"That's right. And guess how lucky I was to stumble right into your path. You have a cursed fate (Y/N)-ssi... or should I say Dae-Hyeon, the character you try to hide your ugly past behind?" he spits out. And I couldn't be gladder that the room is empty save for the two of us and my editor. I can hear his words ring in my ear, mocking me, taunting me.

Despite the largeness of the room, it seems tiny, crowding in on me. My past has finally caught upto me, and I don't know how much longer I can run from it.

Even though every word stabs at my heart, a cruel twist and jerk of the knife, I know this needs to be dealt with.

"Choi-ssi, for breaching the clauses in your contract and for intentionally attempting to hinder the privacy of the creator of the webtoon 'Cursed Fate' you are fired, charges will be pressed and you are blacklisted from working with any of the contacts this company is associated with." I voice firmly, even whilst inside I'm slowly breaking, crumbling to dust.

I nod to my editor, who notices and calls for security, and even though Choi is escorted from the premises, there's a cold predatory gleam in his eyes, and I feel like I've somehow lost this battle despite holding the cards close to me.

The moment the door closes, I sag- fight gone and stare blankly at my reflection in the glass, the reflection that blurs when fat tears roll down my cheeks and plop onto the surface.

The distorted reflection feels more real, more accurate. That's what the world sees.

"I'm so, so sorry (Y/N)-ah, this entire time...Dae Hyeon's story was yours?" she whispers, hand coming to rest on my shoulder.

I gently shrug it off, too hurt and shocked to want to hear apologies.

"How bad was the leak?" I ask instead, voice wavering slightly.

There's a pause. A few seconds at the most, but its enough. It's hesitant. My mind jumps to the worst scenarios. Unable to go to uni, eyes everywhere, voices, whispers.

"The most that has been leaked is that the writer is a woman. And...they know that she's someone who goes to your uni. Not if she's a student or staff member." She hastens to add but the damage has been done. Layers of protection have been stripped away. All they need is my name and it'll all be over. It'll be out for the world to see.

I push the chair back, standing up unsteadily on my heels that clatter noisily against the floor.

"Everyone signs a modified, more detailed NDA, make it clear that any more breaches will not be tolerated." I say.

I feel her eyes boring into the side of my face. Whilst I see her as an older sister figure, right now, it seems penetrative and intrusive.

"Are you going to be okay? What are you going to do now?" she asks.

"I'm going for a walk. I need to clear my head." I reply before walking back out, trying to maintain the smile that threatens to slide off any second.

The world suddenly got smaller. A whole lot constricting.

JIMIN POV:

My eyes blink open, the sound of my soulmates stirring awake rousing me from sleep. I can feel Jin hyung shifting behind me, twisting as he sits up. I tug on his shirt between my fist and pull myself up, leaning into him. I quickly scan the floor, eyes slowly taking in the sight of my awakening soulmates who are pulling themselves up, clothes rumpled and in disarray and faces relaxed and soft.

Where's (Y/N)? I note she's not where she fell asleep but the others don't look bothered, so I figure she's somewhere around the house. It's not the first time she'll have awoken before everyone else. Joon hyung is the last to wake up, eyes languidly blinking open, and he sits up, hand bunching into the gap where (Y/N) had been sleeping. It's one of the latest lie-ins we've had in a long time. No doubt influenced by the calm, relaxing energy Hobi hyung had been emoting and pushing out all night in his own sleep.

My eyes snag onto the clock hanging in front of me. It's noon. My ears can't pick up on (Y/N) bustling about in the kitchen, she must be upstairs. But then Yoongi hyung's head tilts and he looks confused, alertness pushing aside any dregs of tiredness.

"Where's (Y/N)?" Yoongi hyung asks. And it's the question which draws us up out of our lounging positions. Joonie hyung's eyes widen. Alarm colouring them.

"She's not back yet?" he voices and then my head spins around in worry.

"What do you mean, back yet?" Kookie voices from where he was resting on him, head tilted up to look at hyung.

"She left sometime ago...what was the time? Aish...it was after I fell asleep, maybe around 7-ish. I thought she'd be done by now." Now hyung is muttering to himself but from Yoongi hyung's growing frown, he's panicking. And hyung is the cool-headed one.

And that makes me panic.

There's a sickening feeling in my stomach, it's churning violently and Jin hyung presses his hand to the skin of my back, pushing out calm emotions. It makes me relax but I feel myself itching to do something.

But what? And it's not like she can't make her own decisions or do what she wishes. She is her own person. And besides, she didn't sneak off, she told someone.

She'll be fine. She is fine. So why do my thoughts not stop gnawing at me?

(Y/N) POV:

I let my feet carry me, taking me away from the company, away from the bustling streets of Seoul as the city comes to life. Blurs of vehicles and bodies, each hurried and purposeful as they begin to navigate their day. I don't know where I'm walking, feet aching slightly but they continue to guide me until I'm standing outside a familiar house- JB oppa's home.

I hesitate for a second before ringing the bell, hearing the usually flurry of footsteps before the door is flung open in its usual manner.

"(Y/N)-ah!" Jinyoung oppa calls, voice lit with joy and arms that sweep me into a hug, crushing me towards his chest in a familiar embrace. The hug brings a semblance of comfort but it feels like my body is numb, I can't manage to bring my arms around him to reciprocate it. But he doesn't seem to mind, swaying slightly with me in his hold.

"Let's go in, get some food in you." he fusses after he leans back to examine my face.

I slip into a chair at the table with ease, accustomed to the rowdy nature of these boys and it's second nature to me, to eat with them, to spend time with them. Something I haven't done often, the voice in the back of my mind niggles at me.

I pretend not to notice the slight glances, the worried silent exchanges in their eyes, the way each of them make a point to slide food onto my plate or top up my drink. The way they involve me in their chatter and silently reassure me in shows of physical comfort.

When breakfast is cleared away, I know I can't go about avoiding it any longer. I don't wait for them to ask questions, that sit unspoken on the tip of their tongues. I say it myself.

"I met Choi Min-Cha's brother. He was going to leak my identity as the webtoon artist." I say.

There's sharp intakes of breath, cursing and then the sofa shifting.

"We won't let him hurt you." Mark oppa vows from where he's now sitting next to me.

I can hear the truth in them, the sincerity. But how long will I go about dragging them into my mess?

"We decide (Y/N)-ah, we want to be there." JB oppa firmly disputes. And I realise that my thoughts have been read, probably broadcasted across their bond too. Oops.

"It's not fair oppa, why can I never have an easy life? What did I do to deserve this?" I say into the air.

And when all seven of them bombard me with their affection, layering on the cuddles and small pecks until I'm smiling and each negative thought has been banished away by their love, I selfishly push away the problem to the back of my mind. For once, I don't want to feel the hurt.

I just wonder how long I'll keep it hidden.

(EH! DON'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL, DON'T KNOW IF YOU'LL LIKE IT. BUT HERE, WE HAVE A STRONG POWERFUL BOSS! AND SHE DOESN'T TAKE RUBBISH FROM ANYONE. SHE'S GOT PRIORITIES AND SHE'S GONNA MEET THEM. HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS SIDE OF HER PERSONALITY- BET YOU WEREN'T EXPECTING OUR BABY (Y/N) TO HAVE A TOUGH COMPANY LEADER SIDE TO THIS DID YOU? LET ME KNOW AS USUAL WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS WERE MY LOVELY READERS. 116K READS AND 6K VOTES- 6 BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING THOUSAND VOTES ON MY WRITING?? YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING! IF I COULD GIVE YOU ALL HUGS I WOULD. BUT I CAN'T UNFORTUNATELY. BUT NOW WE'RE BRINGING BACK THE ANGST IN FULL FORCE, THE RIDE IS GONNA BE SO UNEVEN AND BUMPY FROM NOW! HOLD ON TIGHT LOVELIES!)

When you look at a person, what is the first thing you see?

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3