Lilac has been very relaxed and well-rested the past few days, that she feels like the lack of tasks is something quite forbidden. After the countless of times her group has been on hiatus, all they've wanted is to work on something—an album release, preferably. And her being on vacation, feels like something she shouldn't be doing.

But she has been busy with other things lately—brand deals, advertisement shoots, photoshoots and other things not every idol get the privilege to have, and that somehow comforted her. She deserves this, especially this chance to be with her family.

She went back home four days ago, and the very next day, she travelled to Phuket for a five-days-four-nights vacation with her parents and some relatives. It is currently their last night and tomorrow morning, they are bound go back to Bangkok. Only another hour later, she will fly straight to Seoul.

Yeah, she deserves this. With the hectic schedule that awaits her for the next months, she shouldn't feel guilty about this. Finally, she will do something as an idol. Though she feels a bit nervous about staying in yet another foreign country, she still feels more excited than anything else.

Who would have thought, huh? Only three years into her career and she's set to be a mentor for future idols. It felt surreal when her manager told her about the CEO's approval, because that rarely happens, knowing how strict the woman is when it comes to K4RMA's TV appearances.

She is confident she can do well. She's certain her skills and experiences are enough to guide who could possibly be the future generation of KPop. No one knew what she had been through—mentally, emotionally and physically—to conquer her insecurities and gain this high esteem for herself. 

The members and her parents helped her a great deal, but it was mostly due to her efforts. She finally reached the point where she is confident she can do anything and she owed the world nothing. She's happy and she just wants to share this happiness to the people dear to her, the people who loves her.

"Don't be out too late, we have to get ready early tomorrow," her mom reminded in Thai, before kissing her cheek. Her dad also left a peck on top of her head before the pair went to their room, and left her out the cabin's terrace.

Only the faint sounds of the waves from the beach kilometers away and the repetitive croaks of the hammock she was lying on, as it was being swayed by the wind, can be heard. She missed the peace Thailand had always given her, but she's also very thankful for the bustling excitement South Korea had brought to her life. The two places made her into who she is today—the Lilac Ayutthaya living the best of both worlds.

She smiled to herself and reached for her phone. She first replied to the usual stubborn 'how are you?,' 'what are you doing?' and 'can you buy me some of this' texts from her members, before opening another recent message from someone she just recently got close with.

From: Soonho
You're coming home tomorrow, right?

To: Soonho
Hey you, don't be too obvious on missing me LOL.

From: Soonho
Can't I?

She was a bit stunned. The guy is slowly having some guts, huh? Again, she smiled to herself. She finds Soonho adorable. Well, other than the fact that he's really cute—which is common knowledge—he's also such a softie, and incredibly caring. She knew of his little crush on her, she's not dumb and insensitive. Though his attentiveness might be because of how she is in front of him.

She tends to appear bubbly and bright off-stage, mainly because she's with the members who kept babying her, and it's the side she tends to show to the fans most of the time. Her other persona—the voguish, no-nonsense side—is more similar to her attitude on-stage, and she prefers this side when she's with her male friends. It's not like she's doing it to impress them—hell no, that's just gross. She just naturally adjusts to the mood guys bring.

Maybe she somehow intimidated Soonho once and he went all submissive and cautious of his actions when he's with her now, which she has no problem with. She became more comfortable with him because of it. He's like her little cute genie who always brings her treats and makes her laugh.

To: Soonho
Ohh Hwang Soonho, are you flirting with me?

From: Soonho
Stop teasing me :/

To: Soonho
Alright cutiepie! I bought you something ;)

From: Soonho
Really?

She could almost imagine his excited grin, making her giggle.

To: Soonho
Yup! Let's hangout with the guys once I'm back. Let me tell Gun.

Seconds after she sent the reply, her screen suddenly changed into an incoming call from the same person she was about to text.

Does this idiot have psychic powers or something?

"Wow Gun, you're actually calling me from Seoul? I thought international calls are only for your girl?" Only silence responded to her teasing, and it stretched to the point that a frown slowly masked her face. "Gun? What is it? I swear to God, if this is one of your pranks—"

"Must be a dream."

She stilled.

The person sounded nothing like her childhood friend. She knows how Gun sounded like whatever his mood is. After all the years they have been friends, she has memorized the idiot's baritone. This is not him for sure.

"Who are you? Why is my best friend's phone with you?"

"Hm? This is my phone," the guy slurred.

Is he drunk? The voice is kinda familiar though?

"No, it's not."

The guy chuckled, causing goosebumps to cover her arms. That sounded sexy as hell.

"You're probably right, my phone won't have your number unless we're in another world..."

Her frown deepened, "what? Who are you? Are you one of Gun's friends?"

There were sounds of hiccups at first—gosh he's really drunk! She tried remembering Gun's friends, and the only ones she met were his group's members and their mutual circle. She's certain this voice doesn't belong to those who she had already interacted with.

"No, I don't want to go back there," the person in the other line suddenly added.

Lilac's eyes widened, there was so much pain as he said those words. How she felt it, she doesn't have any idea.

"—won't be there."

She failed to hear the first word, but clearly heard the crack in his voice.

"Did... you lose someone?"

Come on Li, why are you still talking to him?! He's a stranger, for God's sake! Someone could've gotten ahold of Gun's phone and is now toying with you! This is dangerous.

But how can this person be dangerous when he sounds so vulnerable? She felt his pain with just the handful of words he uttered. He is thousands of miles away from her and she was able to feel his longing. She never encountered someone who sounded so broken, as if his pain was too much for one person to bear.

"I did," he finally answered.

"I'm so sorry."

She heard him sob, "why are you apologizing? It's not your fault, it's mine."

"Come on, it's probably not yours as well."

"No, it's my fault. I should be there that night, instead. I'm so sorry... I'm sorry, my love." His painful sobs made her heart ache and brought unshed tears in her eyes. The stranger's effect on her is truly shocking, she had this urge to actually comfort him.

My love?

"She must have been lovely," she instantly assumed. A girlfriend perhaps? Was he rejected, or did they break up?

"She is, and so much more."

"Well, she seems like a great person so I'm sure she's going to forgive you. Maybe, she is not even blaming you."

"Really?"

Lilac pouted, feeling sympathetic of the boy. He's so heartbroken that he even needs assurance.

"And you sound like you loved her so much, too. I'm sure you made her happy," she said, her voice dripping with sincerity. He grew silent again, and it worried her. "Hello? Are you still there?"

"Y-yeah," he choked out.

"Are you still crying? Will you be okay?"

"I miss you so much." Her eyes widened, but she didn't dare to speak. Maybe he's thinking she is the girl? If she can help him this way then so be it. "Baby, I saw you the other day and you were smiling. I was so happy to finally see you again."

The tears finally slid down her cheeks as she covered her mouth with her other hand to prevent herself from sobbing. Oh no, can love really be this painful?

"Why did you leave me so soon? I regret everything I've done, and I'm ready to face the consequences but not like this. Not like this, please. This is too much, how can I live without you?" A sob escaped her and she immediately bit her lip. "No, please don't cry," he begged. "You said we'll meet again, if fate permits. And we did, I saw you again, but I don't know if I can still—" he took an audible breath. "How can I show myself in front of you again, when all I did back then was hurt you?"

She swallowed, "y-you sound like you're regretting what you've done, maybe you can prove to her that you've changed? That way, she may give you another chance. Can you tell me what you've done? But it's okay if you—"

"I cheated."

Her lips parted.

Oh.

Well, if it's the naïve rookie idol Lilac, she might have cursed this guy to hell and back in no time. But as she grew up and matured with the career she currently have and the kind of environment she's in, she also learned to open her mind to a lot of things. 

She had friends who have been cheated on, and one who even cheated. She is a part of many circles, and this thing is not new to her anymore. She has seen couples reconcile but wasn't able to last long, and also those whose love grew even stronger.

In this kind of situation, time will be the only judge.

"You know, it's all up to you now," she started. "At this very moment, we can't really say you won't do it again but everyone deserves a second chance, and that's how we will find out if you've really changed. Time will tell."

"Will you give me a second chance?"

She contemplated for a while and eventually chuckled, "I probably won't let my boyfriend cheat. Once I felt like he's drifting away, I'd either pull him back or just let him go right away. I'm worth more than just a past time, I believe. If I chose you, you better focus on me." There was no answer from the other line so she decided to continue her monologue;

"But if I was on her position, I will give you a damn hard time at first and listening to you like this, crying and begging, you sure suffered so much already. I would've taken you back after this."

Another deep exhale came from the other line, "you would?"

She smiled a bit and shrugged, "if I were her."

"You're—"

"Hey! Isn't that my phone? What the fuck, man?!"

That one's surely Gun, but before she could mention his name, the call was already hung up. She froze on her seat for a few seconds, trying to comprehend what just happened. Did she just have a heart-to-heart talk with a stranger? What in the world?

She wondered who the guy might be as she brought her phone down her lap. The screen went back to her conversation with Soonho and there, she instantly got her answer.

From: Soonho
Just tell him tomorrow. I heard he's with Kio right now, getting drunk as usual.

What the fuck? She refused to believe that that was Ahn Ki-Ryeong. No way! How can that playboy be heartbroken? Does he even know what love is? Is this some kind of a sick joke?

That night, she didn't even sleep a wink. Kio's tormented voice echoed inside her mind and she hated herself for feeling curious.

You hate that judgmental asshole, remember? You better stop thinking about him Lilac!