chapter one: Aftermath

Stefan Aragon stood before the mirror in the dimly lit bathroom, his reflection a stark reminder of the turmoil that churned within him. His eyes were red and swollen from the tears he had shed in the privacy of this very room, the weight of his decisions heavy on his shoulders. He ran a shaky hand through his disheveled hair, trying to compose himself as he gazed at the person staring back at him.

"It's my decision. I have to go through all of this because it is all my fault. I deserve this," Stefan muttered to himself, the words echoing in the tiled space. The silence that followed was suffocating, amplifying the ache in his chest. He took a deep breath, willing himself to stay resolute in the face of uncertainty.

As his gaze lingered on the mirror, he couldn't help but notice the pair of ceramic figurines placed delicately on the bathroom counter. They were small, intricately painted, a memento of the three years he had shared with Genevieve. Memories flooded his mind, each moment spent with her replaying like a bittersweet symphony. Genevieve had been his rock, his confidante, his everything. Her absence now left a void that seemed insurmountable.

He remembered her warm smile, the way she cooked his favorite meals with such care, her laughter that could light up even the darkest of days. Stefan felt a pang of guilt wash over him, knowing that he had hurt her by choosing this path. But he couldn't turn back now. For him, that is the best decision, he don't know why but that was his heart been telling him. He knows it's quite too late, that he even waits till the day he debuts before he decides to let her go. Maybe he's crazy but he doesn't know what else can he do to make amends on everything he put her into.

"I don't know what happened, But bro, What if balikan mo nalang si Eve? Halata naman na mahal mo pa siya, Bakit ba kasi nakipaghiwalay ka? The group doesn't like seeing you like this," Eiko's voice cut through the solitude, the Japanese member of Cascade standing in the doorway. Stefan's eyes met Eiko's, a flash of defiance flickering in his gaze.

"No, hindi pa pwede, May mga bagay na di basta basta binalikan lalo na sa ginawa ko sakanya kagabi, Iniwan ko lang naman siya mag isa sa ulan," Stefan's response was firm, unyielding. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, drawing the attention of the six other members of the group who had gathered outside the bathroom.

"Bakit hindi pa pwede? May iba naman na pwede pa bumalik lalo na pag hindi sigurado," Tanner asked innocently, the youngest of the Cascade, Stefan let out a sigh as he tries to find a right words to respond, "Well, Tan. There are things in life that we can't just go back as if we didn't break them apart. In Stefan's case, he left her under the rain without telling his reasons," Elijah spoke as he goes to the dorm's kitchen, 

The camaraderie that had once bound them together now felt strained, the unspoken tension palpable. Stefan knew that his decision had consequences, not just for himself but for those he had once considered his friends. The group dynamics had shifted, a fracture forming in their unity.

As the day unfolded, Stefan found himself navigating the unfamiliar territory of being a K-pop idol without the reassuring presence of Genevieve by his side. The spotlight felt harsh, unforgiving, casting a glaring light on his every move. The fans clamored for his attention, their adoration a double-edged sword that both comforted and suffocated him.

Amidst the chaotic whirlwind of rehearsals, interviews, and performances, Stefan felt a sense of disconnection that he couldn't shake. The music that once brought him solace now felt like a facade, a mask he wore to conceal the turmoil raging within him. In the quiet moments of solitude, when the noise of the world faded into a distant hum, Stefan found himself grappling with the ghosts of his past. Memories of Genevieve haunted him, her absence a constant ache in his heart. He missed her warmth, her unwavering support, the way she had believed in him when he couldn't believe in himself.

Stefan sat brooding in the back of the old sedan as it rumbled along the winding mountain roads as they were heading to their reality show venue. The air was thick with tension, suffocating him as he battled with the weight of his own thoughts. The soft murmur of the engine was a stark contrast to the turmoil inside his mind.

"But one thing is for sure," Stefan muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper, "She'll remember it and my time has officially ended starting yesterday." His words hung heavy in the air, a bitter acknowledgment of the reality he now faced.

Sander, sitting beside him in the cramped backseat, glanced over at Stefan with concern etched on his face. He knew there was a storm raging inside his friend, one that threatened to consume him whole. Without a word, Sander placed a reassuring hand on Stefan's shoulder, a silent gesture of solidarity.

"Lying to oneself isn't good," Stefan continued, his voice gaining a hint of desperation, "I kind of miss your little girlfriend, all smiley hanging out with us. You know telling it to us might actually help." His words were a plea, a cry for release from the burden of his own secrets.

Sander squeezed Stefan's shoulder gently, offering him a glimmer of comfort in the midst of the chaos. "But you can tell us once you're ready," he said softly, his voice a soothing balm to Stefan's frayed nerves, "We'll wait for it."

William, sitting beside the driver, cast a brief glance at the rearview mirror, his eyes filled with understanding. "They were right," he spoke, his tone gentle yet firm, "You can tell us to ease it when you're ready. We're here for you, Stefan."

Stefan felt a surge of gratitude wash over him, the weight of his secrets momentarily lifted by the unwavering support of his friends. But deep down, he knew that the truth he harbored was a heavy burden that threatened to swallow him whole.

"It's too early," Stefan admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "I'm not yet ready for Cascade to know the real reason. Why did I do it? Why did I think that breaking up with Genevieve was the only solution?" The questions echoed in his mind, taunting him with their relentless persistence.

As the car wound its way through the mist-shrouded mountains of Namsan, Stefan was lost in his thoughts, grappling with the demons that tormented him. The landscape outside was a blur of lush greenery and winding roads, a stark contrast to the turmoil within his heart. "It's still too early for those confessions," Stefan muttered to himself, his words a whisper carried away by the wind, "But really, when should be the right time? Or is there a right time waiting for me?"

The car continued its journey through the winding roads, each twist and turn a reflection of the tumultuous path that lay ahead for Stefan. The weight of his secrets bore down on him, threatening to crush him under their unbearable pressure.

As they arrived at the destination, Stefan stays at the compartment of their car.

"It will be hard on the first two to three months, but if you think that this decision will help both of you then, I believe in you," Sam, their second youngest tapped his shoulder and smile so sweetly to him, "Although, I'll miss Eve-noona, but we are still allowed to see her right?" 

Stefan couldn't help but to smile and nod to Sam, "Of course, you can visit here if you go with Eiko. I'm sure Lorelei won't leave her side," 

"Hyung, go with me. The fans will be worried if you stay in the car for too long, and don't forget today is the second day of us reaching our dream," Sam smiled as he drags Stefan out of the car, and that's the moment he realized that this is the dream he and Eve prayed for, for the whole three years yet he decided to let go of her hand.