Chapter 5 Breaking the rules

The K-pop world was not kind to those who broke its unspoken rules. For Atticus, that had always been one of the hardest parts about being in the spotlight-the constant scrutiny, the expectations to live up to an image that wasn't truly him. His label, Titan Entertainment, was especially strict about one thing: no dating. It was an ironclad rule, and any breach of it could mean the end of his career, no matter how big of a star he was.

Atticus had played by the rules for years, letting himself get swept up in the chaos of fame, parties, and superficial relationships. But now, things were different. Now, there was Ivan.

After their brief, tension-filled encounter at the lounge, Atticus couldn't stop thinking about him. He knew the risks-getting close to Ivan could destroy everything he had built. The press would eat it up, and the fans... They wouldn't just be angry, they'd be devastated. Atticus's image had been crafted to perfection: the rebellious heartthrob who belonged to no one but his music.

But with Ivan, things weren't so simple.

Atticus sat in the recording studio the next day, staring at the soundboard as the beat of his new track played in the background. His mind was elsewhere, lost in the memory of Ivan's intense gaze, the way he seemed so unaffected by the fame that surrounded Atticus's world. There was a magnetism between them that Atticus couldn't ignore, and it was becoming harder to stay away.

"Yo, Atti," Jaxon's voice cut through the music. "You've been zoning out for the last hour. What's up, man?"

Atticus blinked, glancing at his friend and fellow artist. Jaxon had been with him since the beginning of his career, and if there was anyone who could read him like a book, it was him.

"Just thinking," Atticus replied, his voice distant.

Jaxon leaned against the soundboard, raising an eyebrow. "Thinking about a certain billionaire, maybe?"

Atticus chuckled, shaking his head. "Am I that obvious?"

"Dude, you've been distracted ever since you met him. And I get it, the guy's hot as hell, but you know how it is. You can't afford to get caught up in something like this. The label would lose their minds."

Atticus sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, I know. No dating. Keep the fans happy, maintain the illusion, blah blah blah. I've heard it all before."

"But you've never actually been tempted to break the rules until now," Jaxon pointed out, crossing his arms. "What is it about this guy?"

Atticus didn't answer immediately. He wasn't sure he could even explain it. Ivan was everything he shouldn't want-cold, controlled, untouchable. But maybe that was exactly why Atticus was drawn to him. Ivan wasn't like anyone else in his life. He didn't care about Atticus's fame, his fans, or his persona. Ivan saw through all of it, and that terrified Atticus as much as it thrilled him.

"He's different," Atticus said finally, his voice quieter than usual. "He doesn't care about any of this."

Jaxon's expression softened, and he sat down next to Atticus, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "I get it, man. But you gotta be careful. This industry chews people up and spits them out, especially when you break the rules. And you know Titan is hardcore about this stuff."

"I know," Atticus muttered, running a hand through his hair. "But I can't stop thinking about him."

Jaxon sighed, shaking his head. "Then you've got a decision to make. Either you cut it off before it gets messy, or you dive in and deal with the consequences."

---

Meanwhile, Ivan sat in his office, surrounded by contracts and business deals, but his mind wasn't focused on the numbers in front of him. Ever since that night at the lounge, he had felt a shift in his usual control. Atticus had a way of getting under his skin, making him question the rigid lines he had drawn in his life.

Ivan was a man who operated in absolutes. He didn't like complications, and relationships were always transactional-until Atticus. The pop star was a walking contradiction, a chaos that Ivan couldn't quite resist.

His phone buzzed on his desk, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was a message from Aiden, his business partner.

Aiden:

You still seeing that K-pop guy? Be careful. He's got the whole entertainment world watching him. One wrong move, and it'll blow up in your face.

Ivan clenched his jaw. He had known this would come up eventually. Dating someone as high-profile as Atticus was a risk, and Ivan hated risks. But something about Atticus made him willing to take one.

Ivan's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at his office door. His assistant, Ethan, stepped in, holding a tablet. "Mr. Laurent, you have a meeting with the marketing team in ten minutes."

Ivan nodded, standing up and adjusting his tie. "I'll be there."

As Ethan turned to leave, Ivan's phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Atticus.

Atticus:

Got time for coffee? Or are you too busy being all serious and billionaire-y?

Ivan couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. He quickly typed a response.

Ivan:

I think I can fit you into my schedule.

---

Later that afternoon, Atticus sat in a secluded café, hidden from the prying eyes of fans and paparazzi. He wore a baseball cap and sunglasses, though he knew it wouldn't fool anyone if they got too close. Still, this was one of the few places in the city where he could feel somewhat normal.

When Ivan walked in, the contrast between them was stark. Ivan was dressed in his usual sharp, tailored suit, his expression calm and unreadable. He moved through the café with a quiet confidence, like he owned the place-like he owned every place he walked into.

"Didn't think you'd actually show up," Atticus said as Ivan sat down across from him.

"I'm not one for games," Ivan replied smoothly. "If I say I'm going to be somewhere, I'll be there."

Atticus smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Good to know."

For a moment, there was a charged silence between them. Atticus could feel the weight of the decision he was about to make. Being here with Ivan was a risk. It went against everything his label expected of him. But for the first time in a long time, he didn't care.

"So," Ivan said, breaking the silence. "Why me?"

Atticus raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"You could have anyone you want," Ivan said, his voice steady and calm. "Why me? You know the risks, the consequences. So why are you here?"

Atticus looked at him, really looked at him. Ivan's eyes were dark, calculating, but there was something else there too-something that made Atticus feel like he wasn't the only one taking a risk.

"Because you're not like anyone else," Atticus replied honestly. "And I'm tired of playing it safe."

Ivan didn't respond right away. He simply stared at Atticus, as if weighing the risks himself. Then, finally, he leaned forward, his voice low. "This won't be easy."

Atticus grinned, the spark of mischief returning to his eyes. "Since when do I do easy?"

Ivan's lips quirked into a faint smile, but his eyes remained serious. "Then let's see where this goes."

As they sat there, the world outside the café moved on, unaware of the dangerous game the two of them had just begun to play. But inside, both Ivan and Atticus knew that whatever happened next, there was no turning back.