Onyx
I walked up to Sarit and Abyss. They were sitting there; Sarit was examining his nails between dance practice and Abyss was explaining something about a pre-debut dance showcase they had. I wasn't sure how to approach them, especially in the company.
A lady I recognized as one of the staff approached them, enthusiastically hugging Abyss. "Gosh, you've been a lifesaver. In the month you've been here you both have improved so much! Thank you for watching my artist."
I paused, unsure what to do. I am the boss, and yet the two of them seemed unsure how to act around me. Abyss glanced my direction and then looked away. He's been doing this the last several weeks. I wasn't particularly sure why.
Hip hop played in the background and I did quite love it, but I felt melancholy. Staring at the boy in front of me, I thought him more suited to classical. He was one of those pieces with many tunes.
A small laugh escaped my stony face. Suddenly everyone in the room turned toward me, Abyss locking his eyes on mine. I blushed in shame a bit before saying some random nonsense about why I was there and telling them to work hard.
I got a call right then and exited the room to answer it. "Pixie is here to see you, sir," said one of my men. I wondered what would bring her to the company; her school should still be in session.
I walked up to the little sprite jumping out of the limo, scooping her up in my arms and twirling her around. "Pixie!" I said, my energy instantly brightening. "Papa!" she exclaimed.
"What brings you here?" I asked. "Pa, the school finished early and I didn't want to wait at home... I tried to play with friends at school but they don't know me well enough yet," she pouted. Who wouldn't love my sweetest little one? I looked at her a bit worried and patted her head. "Well, it's not always safe for a kid here, but just this once, okay? If you promise to stay in my sight?" I said, and she nodded enthusiastically.
I walked back in to continue my work when, as we passed one of the practice rooms, she begged to go in to watch. "Just five minutes, okay?" I said as she excitedly dragged my hand, pulling me in that direction.
I tried to sit in the corner and continue looking at paperwork. She looked around excitedly, eyes sparkling, her energy as high as ever. "I want to learn how to do this too!" she said. The room looked at her quietly before looking at me, expecting my dissent. It seems everyone had many rumors about me and Pixie. "Someone said she's the child of a mistress he had back in South America," one whispered, still within my hearing range.
Such rumors didn't faze me, but I looked up and saw Abyss listening in attentively. For a brief moment an idea flashed in my mind: maybe I should make Abyss watch Pixie for now. Almost as if by perfect coincidence, Pixie ran over to Abyss, who was just helping Sarit, and started asking questions about things. "I wonder what family trait this is, to be drawn to Abyss," I thought with a smile.
"Phi Sarit, I like your voice! I want to be JUST like you," she said enthusiastically. Sarit looked a little unsure how to respond, awkwardly saying thank you, but Abyss leaned down. "Oh? You want to be like us boring adults? It's hard work," he said. "Yes yes! Father is always telling me about all this but doesn't bring me here." She pouted. "The kids at school love T-pop. I want to be included too."
Abyss looked a bit sad for her, glancing at me to see how I reacted. I just nodded, indicating he was fine, and pretended to return to my work. "Well, Pixie, how about we show you some cool things and you can try it out? I bet you'll do better than Sarit here," he said, teasing his friend. Sarit just said, "Be careful not to get hurt, kiddo. We wouldn't want that, okay? So keep far enough away that no one accidentally kicks or steps on you." She nodded again enthusiastically.
I got up, gathering my files. "I need to continue working, but Pixie, do you want to stay with them for a while and play?" I asked. "Yes yes, Pa, I'm going to become a superstar!" I patted her head again. "You most certainly are."
"Abyss, am I troubling you? You don't have to; this is beyond your job prescription," I said. Abyss just turned to me, smiling for the first time I've seen him do so brightly, saying, "It's no trouble at all, I love children! They're a blessing." I smiled, feeling his authenticity. "That they are," I said, heading out of the room.
I tried to finish all my work early so I could sneak some time to watch Pixie and Abyss play. Checking my schedule, I realized it was a blood lunar eclipse. I wished to see that badly, as I hadn't ever truly gotten the chance. I walked out of my office, ignoring the calls from my aunt; that could wait for another time.
I approached the rooms the teams were working in and observed without yet making my presence known. There Pixie was, playing with the groups and soloists. She was actually doing pretty well. She was now showing something on someone's phone to Abyss and Sarit, who stared in wonder. They were happy and giggling as Abyss picked her up in his arms so she could reach something.
As they did so, they spotted me. "Oh, Papa!" she said, running to me. "Look, look, we made this!" She handed me a beautiful drawing she had made of everyone in the room. Was it Picasso? No, but it was heartwarming.
"Alright, little chica, shall we get going? There's a festival we can head to before home where you can see the lunar eclipse." She nodded back at me. "Can I bring Abyss?" I looked at her, thinking the idea sweet. "I'm not sure that would be appropriate though," I replied.
"Please?" she said with those big eyes. I am not sure why she took to him so quickly; however Abyss looked a bit nervous, turning to her to say, "It's alright, Pixie. Go with your parent; I am sure it's better as fun bonding with just the two of you." He hesitated, then added, "But if you'd like me to come for a little while, I won't say no."
She grinned at him delighted. "Yes, very!" As she now turned and skipped toward the door, she called, "Hurry up slowpokes! Last one to the car is a chicken!"
We looked at each other and grinned, then headed after her.