"ARE YOU SHITTING WITH ME?" THE YOUNGER FEMALE SNAPPED AT HER MANAGER WITH A COLD STARE. The company was hosting an event for a celebration of its company's success and their artists for doing such a good job in the industry. When Alana heard the news, she became very excited and even planned on going to her stylists to help her out with finding a new dress, but that excitement dropped as soon as she found out that she wasn't invited.
It definitely shouldn't be a huge surprise for her, she's used to it. It always leaves her being witty and whiny whenever she gets told that she can't do certain things as her members do. Being a Chinese member means that you don't have every right to do what you want or what you wish for. You just have to follow the rules and hold your tongue. She has never made any complaints or saying anything about the way she's treated because of the fear of being yelled at or even worse, getting kicked out of the group.
As for now, she couldn't shake the heavy feeling on her chest as she listens to her manager, Dasom, telling her that she's not allowed to come to the event. Dasom was even more heartbroken telling the younger female that she wasn't invited.
"I'm very sorry, Alana. Lee Sooman PD-min has a limit for the guest list and the staff isn't allowed to do anything with it." Dasom told her while having a hand on her shoulder, looking at her with sympathy.
Alana jerked off her hand and shook her head, "No, don't look at me like that, unnie." she said with a shaky voice, looking at her manager with teary eyes. She hates when people pity her. It makes her insecure and weak, especially in a situation where she can't fight back.
Dasom's eyes softened and gave her a small smile, "I'm sorry. I just.." she paused and sighed, "If there was anything I could do, I would. You know that right, Aia?" Alana nodded, sniffing as she kept playing with the ends of her sweater.
"I know, Dasom, and I appreciate that so much. You've always stood up for me and helping through the years. You're the only adult who actually cares and takes care of me. So I understand. It just sucks, you know?" She said, her voice cracking at the end, finally looking up at her with a sad smile.
Dasom brought her into her arms and gently rubbed her back. As her manager, she feels a big responsibility, and she deeply cares for the young female and tries her best to make her feel she's belonged and treated right, but this time she feels like she's failing her.
Alana pulled away and wiped off her tears with her sleeves. She looked down at her shoes and sighed, finally meeting her manager's gaze whose face was filled with concern.
"The others are invited, aren't they?"
Dasom avoided her gaze and looked down at her papers. Alana scoffed, pushing her chair back and stood up, "Of course they are." she muttered bitterly and walked out of the room, ignoring Dasom's pleads.
Walking out of the door, she bumped into a hard chest and fell down on her butt. She sighed and quickly got up on her feet, brushing off some dust on her pants, completely ignoring their presence.
"Today is not my day, dude," Alana said with a dry voice, looking up to be met with Lucas's amusing yet worried look.
Lucas chuckled as they walked down the corridors, "Bad day?" she glared at him which got him to put his hands up defensively.
"I'm not really in the mood, Yuk," she told him with a sigh.
Lucas frowned and grabbed her hand as he made their way to an empty dance room. Locking the door, he walked over to the female and put both of his hands on her shoulder, "What's wrong, Aia?"
Her heart skipped a beat and gave him a small smile, "I'm fine, really." she told him, giving her best friend a fake smile. Lucas didn't seem to buy it and put his hands down.
The one thing he knew for sure was that he could read Alana as an open book. He knew her better than herself sometimes which scares her. They've been close ever since his trainee days and Alana was always there taking care of him, and both being Chinese was just a bonus.
Lucas tried to think of anything that would cause her sadness and anger. His heart dropped and looked at her with a sad smile, "You also didn't get invited, huh?"
She slowly nodded her head and shrugged her shoulders, "I know, I'm moping, but it's just unfair. I mean the others are going and I have to be at the dorm and watch everyone posting pictures while having a blast and drinking champagne!" Alana rambled while pacing back and forth and Lucas had a hard time understanding since was speaking fast.
"Ai!" she stopped her rambling and looked at him with confusion, "What?"
"You're speaking very fast now, calm down," he said softly and wrapped his arms around her. Alana closed her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder, her hands tightly around his neck. He massaged her neck and kissed her forehead.
"It's okay. Screw them anyway for not inviting us, we're in this together, Aia." Lucas reassured her with a smile. Alana smiled back and nodded her head, leaning her head into his chest.
"What would I do without you?"
"You'll die without me, like literally, bro." she laughed and pulled away from his arms, playfully hitting him.
"There's that smile!"
Alana's cheeks reddened and giggled, "I love you!" she said and kissed his cheeks. Lucas's stomach fluttered and grinned, "Love you too, my dude!" he ruffled her hair as they walked out of the room.
"I'm taking you out tomorrow, how about that?" Lucas said in a flirtatious way and winked at her as they walked over to her dorm. Alana rolled her eyes and chuckled, "Sure thing. I have nothing to do after practice, so I'm all yours." he fist-pumped and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Yes! We're going out! It's been 200 years since we've last seen each other," she laughed at his comment. The pair made their goodbyes and Alana walked over to the front door, turning around to see that he still was standing there, making sure she's inside. With a chuckle, she waved at him with a big smile on her face.
"I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Does this dress look good on me, Aia?" Wendy asked the younger member while twirling around. Looking up from her phone, she moved her gaze to her. She wore a short length black dress with white diamonds at the ends. Alana nodded with a smile, "You look stunning, unnie!"
Wendy grinned at her and walked back to the bathroom to fix her makeup. She sighed and made her way to the living room to see the others were fixing each other's hair, except for Irene, who was watching the girls with amusement.
Joy locked eyes with Alana and her face lit up, "Aila, Look!" the tall female posed in front of her with a happy grin. "How do I look?" she asked her. Alana gave her thumbs up, "You look hot!"
Joy blushed and thanked her and made her way to Yeri who applied mascara on her lashes. Alana walked over her leader and crossed her arms.
"You sure you don't want to come, Ai?" Seulgi asked her while putting on her heels. It was better for them to not know about her not getting an invitation because if they did they would turn down the offer and spend time with her, and Alana didn't want that. She wanted them to have fun and spend the night without worrying about anything.
"Yeah, uh, I'm not feeling well," she answered with a cough, hoping they would fall for it. Irene turned her head to Alana and looked at her, eyebrows furrowed.
"If you say so, Aia." Seulgi sighed, putting on her jacket.
Feeling Irene's burning gaze, she turned her head to her confusely. The looks she was giving her made her uncomfortable and she wondered if she heard the conversation she had with Dasom, since Irene was at the practice room dancing.
"Irene, why aren't you dressed? We're gonna be late!" Yeri cautioned, breaking the girls' eye contact and looked at the maknae.
"Actually, I think I'll pass. I'm not feeling well either, guys." Irene lied, clearing her throat. Wendy frowned at the pair, "You too? I swear it was that damn takeout we ate last night. Do you want us all to be home and eat ice cream instead?" Alana shook her head, walking over to the table and put up a bracelet and went over to Wendy and put it on her.
"No, you guys are gonna have fun and make the best of it." Alana clasped the bracelet and looked at her with a soft smile.
"Ai's right, have a fun night. We're gonna binge watch Grey's Anatomy and order lots of pizza. We'll be fine, Wen!" The older member assured them with grin and winked at Alana.
"Okay then, enjoy Grey's Anatomy and save some pizza for us later!" Seulgi told them as she pushed the girls out the door, Alana trailing behind them with a chuckle. Closing the door she went back to the living room and saw Irene already making the couch look cosy.
"You didn't have to do that, you know," Alana told her leader, picking up a blanket and folding it together. Irene rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Please, you know I prefer staying home and watching Netflix all day than socializing and besides, I love spending time with you." she explained to the younger with a shrug.
Alana hummed and sat down on the couch, picking up her phone to call for pizza delivery. Irene watched her as she ordered and sat down next to her.
Without Alana knowing, Irene is well aware of her mistreatment in the company, and she happened to eavesdrop on Alana and Dasom's conversation. She became furious and spoke to PD-nim about her mistreatment behind her back. Deciding against whether she should bring up the topic or not, she shook her head, wanting to talk to her later. She held the controller in her hands and turned the tv on.
"Good news, pizza will be coming in a few minutes!" Alana told her with a smirk and taking the controller of her hands, putting Grey's Anatomy on.
"Oh yes! I've been wanting to watch that show for ages."
Alana gave her a smile, "You'll love it, Baechu!"