𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽! 彡 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧

11 | don't let me love you

୨⎯ "CHAPTER 11" ⎯୧
don't let me love you
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You are happy you and Chan are working professionally during the whole shoot so far.

It is hard sometimes with him looking like a snack, but you're managing it well. It helps to think about your vacation that you have planned with your friends the upcoming weeks. No guys, only girls. You are going to have so much fun with them and you can't wait to go!

But first you have to get through this photoshoot.

Chris and Minho are both killing it. Minho is a model, so it is no doubt to you that he's doing a good job. And you have always know Chan is handsome but... Damn. He's even more handsome than you had known.

He's the hottest person you have ever seen and this photoshoot might be the end of you.

"Alright guys," the stylist walks in again and takes Chan and Minho away for a second. This is your change to relax a little and for Hajoon to check the lightning and sound.

He comes back quickly with a thumbs up and sighs, "Riles... What was my dad thinking? There's two hot men in front of me doing a photoshoot! He must know better than that!"

You chuckle at him. "Maybe he was being nice for once?" you offer, but Hajoon shakes his head.

"He's never nice to me."

"That's not true!"

"Name one time that he was nice to me?" You think, but there's no answer to that question.

"That's what I'm saying," Hajoon says with a sigh. "It's fine. But girl, he likes you more than he likes me."

"You're his son..."

"And you are his best employee. Riles, the company has never made this much profit! You're getting us jobs everywhere. It's a huge plus that you are so good with anything Stray Kids related. Why do you think my dad wanted you to teach the other guys your tricks?"

You think back, "Hm, okay. You have a point there. But you are still his son and I am sure he loves you Hajoon."

"He doesn't really show it then."

You are about to reply back when the stylist walks in with Chan and Minho following behind. But now both aren't wearing an under shirt anymore.

Hajoon his eyes widen and his brain almost malfunctions. "Riles... I'm going to pass out. Minho looks so hot!"

He grabs your arm to hold himself in place. "Do you think he'll give me a chance if I confess to him?"

You regain your posture back when you look away from Chan and punch Hajoon on his shoulder. "Stop that. Minho's finally getting some movement with his soulmate. That guy is not into guys, sadly for you."

Hajoon sighs and lets go of you. "You're right... But a man can dream!"

You quickly get a hold of your camera and walk closer to the two men. You try not to look as much to them, but damn... They look hot as hell.

You point your camera to them and watch as they do their shoot. You're trying to be as professional as you can be. But with these two men looking like that... And with Chan being your soulmate? It's hard to be professional.

Things seem to go well. You think the shoot will be over sooner or later. You can be proud for managing yourself so well.

But as Chan turns around and shows his back to the photographer for a few last shots, you get flashbacks in your head from that night.

You feel tears well up in the corner of your eyes but try to suppress them, thinking about various other things but that night. It should have never happened. It was a mistake and you both know it.

But seeing Chan without a shirt, seeing his muscles and most importantly seeing his back and even knowing how it feels like to run your hands over it makes you sad.

That night was something that was supposed to be special, but it only made things worse for you and him.

It should have never happened.

Images of him above you, or feelings of his hands over your body take over your mind. You thought you were over it, you thought you forgot it ever happened. But it seems like you were wrong.

You bite your lip and look away from the camera, not caring if the shots are good or not. You'll work around it, it's fine. You're an excellent editor after all.

Hajoon sees your posture and walks towards you quickly.

"Riley, are you alright?"

You nod slowly, swallowing the lump in your throat. "I'm fine."

Hajoon frowns. He doesn't trust you one bit, but he'll let it go.

"Okay. If you're not, just tell me."

Seconds later, the photographer says he's done and got every photo that he needed. He thanks the two models and walks away with his camera. This is your queue to stop filming as well and to get your things so you can go home.

Hajoon notices your behavior and starts packing the sound and lightning things you need to take back to the office.

You're cleaning up, when someone walks towards you. And not someone that you'd like to speak with.

"Riley," Chan says, unsure if he should even start a conversation with you or not.

You look up, your face showing little to no emotion. Which is hard since this man is standing in front of you without a shirt on. Damn it, Christopher.

"Chris," you answer, placing your hands on your hips. "What can I help you with?"

Oh, how Chan hates this kind of talk. So professional and so... not you. You're never this professional. And that's what makes you unique in this industry. Everyone loves working with you, but not if you'd talk like this.

But Chris knows it's just because of him.

"I was tasked to ask you to send the final files towards our management directly," he says. "Can you do that?"

"If you give me an email," you say, grabbing a piece of paper. "Please write it down here. Then I can send the files directly towards you. I'll ask my boss if that's okay."

"Thank you," Chris answers, writing down the email of his management. He looks you up and down when he's done writing it down and handing you the paper.

You look good. Correction, you look fantastic. Aside from the fact you're not showing much emotion, he thinks you look incredible. You seem to be sleeping better. Or, at least, your bags are showing less than they used to. So maybe having no contact with him was better after all. Maybe you and him are better left seperated than together, how much he'd love to be with you. He just can't.

It's better that you don't love him. And it's better that he doesn't love you either, even if it's hard to ignore the feelings between you and him. It seems to be better for your health and your well being overall. So maybe it was good that you took your distance from him, and that he can't be around you anymore.

At least you don't have pain like this.

Yeah... Maybe it's a good thing you don't let him love you.

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୨⎯ "riley speaks :)" ⎯୧

oop, name drop, kinda🫨 seems like chan has it wrong about riles. she's not better without him. when will they learn that they belong together?? that they just need to talk, just need to communicate! it's not that hard, chan and riles...