The Decision

"So Mia has seen the article?"

Victor pressed his nose in frustration as his eyes glanced toward Mia's room. He and Enzo, who had decided to come today, were sitting in the living room not far from Mia's room. Victor's face looked so tired because he couldn't sleep at all last night and had to finish another problem that was piling up on his desk.

"Yes. She secretly accessed her cell phone while I was sleeping. It's my fault. I was careless at that time."

Victor could hear Enzo let out a long sigh as the man finished hearing his explanation. Both of them were silent before Enzo spoke again.

"Well, sooner or later, she will find out about that. The issue has grown this big. The worst possibility... Mia might have to leave the entertainment world. Ugh, this is what I feared the most when she wanted to pursue a career as a singer."

Enzo complained as he massaged his forehead. He and Victor had tried their best to calm down the scandal. Both diverted the issue, reducing the number of journalists covering news about Mia and deleting posts circulating on social media. But no matter how hard they tried various ways, the public seemed to care so much about Mia's life that the issue did not subside even after some time had passed.

No. Instead of subsiding, Mia's issue got wider as time went by. Victor's company even started to be affected by public opinion. If only the man didn't have so many 'side' businesses, Victor might also have to deal with the possibility of going bankrupt.

Victor also has many problems. But he still prioritized Mia's problem.

"I will try my best to help her, Enzo."

Victor fell silent again after he said those words. But even though Victor was silent for a while, Enzo knew that there was still something Victor wanted to talk to him about. Victor seemed to be thinking hard as he carefully continued his words.

"But if there's even a slight chance... a slight chance that Mia wants to get things right, we can hold press conferences as people wish. I'll go with him. If we admit we are together, that should eliminate half of the problem, right?"

"I'm not sure she can handle it, Victor. You will also suffer a loss. That path is too disadvantageous."

"You don't believe in Mia's ability to solve her problems."

"Not that! Even if we try to publicize that you guys have a healthy relationship, people could hate Mia just because she has a boyfriend. That hatred won't go away just because you announce your relationship."

"Then, just let them hate. We can't please everyone, Enzo. Mia should learn about that too."

"Have you told Mia about your idea?"

There was a slight growl of annoyance when Enzo asked him after being silent for a long time. Although Enzo tried to suppress that feeling, it seemed that the man was still not ready to show Mia the cruelty of the real world. When Victor looked at Enzo's face, he could see that his expression was sour.

Enzo was always like that. He would rather leave Mia in the dark than let her live a life where she sometimes had to feel negative emotions like anger and sadness.

"Not yet. But, I've considered telling her about this idea. She's an adult and has the right to make her own choices. No more Mia, who doesn't know anything. Even if you spoil her, always making her run away from problems is not the right choice, Enzo. I've decided. If Mia is under my protection, I want her to be able to walk with me and make her own choices. I don't want Mia to only be able to follow my will without ever being able to express what she wants."

Hearing Victor's words, Enzo secretly clenched his fists tightly as he remembered what happened when he never asked Mia to choose her path and only led her to the path that Enzo thought was the best all this time. However, his decision created Mia, who didn't know what was good and bad for herself. Everything turned upside-down, just because Enzo was overly concerned about Mia's condition.

Enzo hated to admit it, but he knew Victor was right again this time. Enzo slowly relaxed his body, before he replied to Victor's words in a low voice.

"Well-"

"I will announce this matter to the public."

Enzo's words stopped in the middle of the road when they just realized that Mia had woken up and had been listening to their conversation since earlier. The girl looks more confident as she approaches Victor and Enzo. The girl sat down near them, before calmly adding her words.

"Victor is right, I can't hide behind you forever. I want to clean up the mess I've made, Enzo."

Victor smiled when he saw the confident expression on Mia's face. Victor's hand reached out so that Mia could come into his embrace. The two of them hugged, while Enzo could only stare at the two of them with furrowed brows as his face showed traces of dissatisfaction.

"I understand. We'll do it together, okay?"

Victor whispered when he was relieved by the answer chosen by his partner.