Chapter 6 (1/2)

A couple hours later, Sunggyu, home alone, decided to give Tae Mu a call. He was lying on the floor in the living room feeling better by the hour.

"Hello?"

"Tae Mu? It's Sunggyu."

"Sunggyu. Are you okay? How'd it go?"

"I'd rather not talk about it, but it'll be okay. Well, how to handle the public is another thing. I heard there were reporters outside the dorm awhile ago. I don't know if there still there, I'm on house arrest."

"That sucks. I had reporters outside the company too. I didn't tell them anything though."

"Good, I don't know what to do yet."

"I'd come over but I'm busy today. Have a meeting in ten minutes."

"Visiters aren't really welcome today anyway."

"I see. Did you watch the video of us outside my building?"

"Oh, I forgot about that!"

"It's not that long. But I know what people are thinking."

"Yeah, me too."

There was a silence, and then Tae Mu spoke, "Gotta go. Listen, maybe we can go out after everything gets calm? Give me a heads up if you're going to do a press conference or something?"

"K. Bye."

Sunggyu hung up and sighed. He turned on the t.v, flipping through channels. Eventually he found a channel showing the video. It showed a very sick, and panicked looking Sunggyu, accompanied by a calm looking Tae Mu, walking out of the building to his car. Sunggyu switched it off. This day was way too long.

___________

When everyone got back at lunch, Sunggyu told them what had happened. They assured him that they understood how upset he was and that they wouldn't hold a grudge. Woohyun felt a little annoyed with Tae Mu, hearing that the alcohol had come from him. Couldn't he have refused to give it to Sunggyu? He started eating his lunch, trying to hide his annoyance.

Around 7pm, their manager arrived and him and Sunggyu went to the studio. After almost three hours of practicing, Sunggyu was practicing a new song when he slipped, landing hard on his back.

"Sunggyu, are you okay?"

Sunggyu flinched as his manager pulled up his shirt to inspect his back, "I'm sure it's fine."

"Looks like a nasty bruise."

"I'll be okay trying it a couple more times."

"I'll get some ice for it."

Sunggyu continued to practice awhile more and then they left. As Sunggyu got out of the car in front of the dorm, he noticed a familiar car parked near. It was Tae Mu's car.

"I got ahold of the CEO and asked him to come over. I'd like to speak to you both about how I think this should be handled."

Sunggyu nodded slowly, "Okay."

They entered the dorm to find Tae Mu sitting, surrounded by the other members. Woohyun seeing Tae Mu smile as Sunggyu entered, narrowed his eyes.

"Sunggyu, hi."

"Hi."

Sunggyu sat down beside Dongwoo, wanting to shrink away. His manager sat down beside him and began to talk.

"Thank you for coming. I just want you both to know that I think it would be a good idea to announce your relationship to the public at the press conference for the ad you guys did."

Tae Mu nodded, "I can't believe I hadn't thought about that. It's a good idea. I'm for it if Sunggyu's okay with it."

Sunggyu nodded, "It seems okay. But I mean, wouldn't it take away from the reason for the press conference?"

"Well, for sure people will ask you if Infinite was chosen to do the ad because the CEO was interested in you. So when it comes up...," his manager answered.

"Okay, I'm fine with it then."

"So we'd just say the truth, that you weren't ready to tell everyone you were gay yet and it just came out by accident," Tae Mu said.

"Yeah."

Woohyun, sitting there in silence the whole time added, "And you, Tae Mu, would make it clear that you only made the offer to Infinite because you thought we'd be good for the company, not because of Sunggyu."

Tae Mu nodded, "Of course. It's the truth."

Woohyun nodded, leaning back and folding his arms. He looked up to find Dongwoo staring at him curiously.

Their manager stood up, "Okay, that's all I have to say. Oh wait, regarding the video-"

"Nothing happened!" Sunggyu blurted out.

His manager looked at him and nodded, "Well, just say that then if you're asked about it. Except more calmly."

Sunggyu nodded and the manager said his goodbyes, leaving the eight of them alone.

Tae Mu stood up, "I'll be leaving now. Go-"

"No! Sit! Stay awhile!" Sungyeol said. The others all shared his enthusiasm except for Woohyun, who was hoping he would leave as soon as possible. When Woohyun had opened the door to find Tae Mu there, he had almost slammed the door on him. Sunggyu, who's enthusiasm was reluctant, was embarassed by the weirdness of it all.

They began talking with Tae Mu, asking him about his job, his family, and Sunggyu.

"You got stuck in an elevator?! That's something that would happen in a drama!" L said.

"Yeah. It was kind of boring until we got talking."

Hoya smirked, "So you guys just talked?"

Woohyun, not wanting to hear it, threw some chips towards Hoya, "He doesn't want to talk about it!"

Sunggyu, embarassed beyond belief, stood up, "I'm tired, I think I'll go to sleep."

Woohyun was the first to notice Sunggyu walking weird, "Sunggyu Hyung, what's wrong?"

"Oh, I just hurt my back while I was dancing."

Woohyun stood up, "I'll get you some ice."

Woohyun rushed into the kitchen, and Sunggyu stood standing in the living room, not sure how to say goodbye to Tae Mu.

Tae Mu smiled, "Get better Sunggyu. Rest. I'll see you."

Sunggyu, relieved, answered, "See you. Night guys."

The others said good night, and Sunggyu walked into his room, Woohyun walking after him with some ice.

Sunggyu sat down, "You still don't like him?"

Woohyun sat down and Sunggyu took the ice from him, reaching around to hold it on his back.

"What makes you say that?"

"You rushed to get out of there."

"Hey like I said, I'm just looking out for you. Someone has to dislike him. Plus, you were in a rush too."

"I was embarassed."

Woohyun laughed, "I noticed. You want me to hold that?"