Chapter 27 – Against All Odds

Days passed, but the police never caught the culprit who threw the bricks and broke my window. I went back to the apartment the next day after the incident and had the broken glass fixed. I also requested for window grills. However, I wasn't still safe...from threats and the press.

The dating rumor had resurfaced with stronger proofs. It had gotten out-of-hand! It was Dispatch which released the news first and every online news agencies and fan accounts followed. Pictures of me and Young Hyun kissing outside the restaurant on the day I met Marcus were posted and shared! They also learned about what happened with my window and people began to assume the two of us were living together, like WTF!

Years in this industry and I still couldn't understand why people love to feast over such things. And believe me when I say I couldn't get out of my apartment because of reporters waiting outside like hungry piranhas.

I called So Eun and told her my situation.

"Is it okay if you fetch me here and drive me to the filming location? I can't commute in this situation."

They already probably knew about the rumor. "PD-nim, JYPE requested to postpone today's shoot." I heard the urgency in her voice. "Uhm...The bosses actually wanted to see you now to talk about the issue. We'll send a vehicle to fetch you."

I felt my knees weaken. Was it the end of my career? Would they send me back to my country? What would happen to my contract? And Young Hyun?

Oh, Young Hyun...

I wanted to call him, but I knew I should not, so I remained still. I waited for anyone from their agency to call me and someone did. It was Jae.

"Jjang."

"How's Brian?"

I heard him sigh, which made me worry more. "He and Manager Kim are in meeting with the higher-ups right now."

A meeting with the higher-ups only meant two things: either there's good news or you did something bad. I always got nervous about that kind of meeting.

"But tell me now honestly," Jae asked earnestly. "Are the two of you dating or not?"

We were not dating! We agreed not to label whatever we had as such.

"Have you asked, Brian? What did he say?"

"We haven't talked to him yet. He won't tell us, so I'm actually hoping that you would tell us."

I sighed and debated with myself. "We just love each other without a label. Is that a good enough answer?"

"Okay. We'll try to help you as possible."

"I'll sort this out on my end," I told him. "I don't want to ruin your career."

"Don't think like that." There he went in older brother mode again. "I told you that what feelings you share won't ruin any of you, but it's how you hold back. Listen, okay. We won't let anything bad happen to you and Brian. We'll help you get through this. That's what friends are for."

I cheered a little because of what he said. However, the dread I felt just bolted up when I saw CJ E&M's service vehicle stopped in front of the building. Mustering enough courage, I went out of my apartment and down the building.

The reporters and raging fans (yes, there were a handful of fans, probably sasaengs) tried to crowd me, but I was quick. I immediately went in the van before they could even get near.

Waa…I never thought I would experience such. I thought people don't give much attention to us who work behind the camera, but apparently, I was wrong.

So Eun was waiting for me in the parking lot when we arrived. She immediately guided me to the conference room where the members of the management for film production were waiting.

"We were told about the rumor going around which involves you and a member of JYPE's band, DAY6." Kim Yoo Bin, the Director for Operations, said without further ado after introducing themselves. "In this country, rumors like that are proven to be lethal, especially to artists."

I wanted to tell him I was also an artist, but I held my tongue.

"So to save both of you, we are planning to pull you out from the web drama and issue a statement denying the rumors."

My eyes went wide with what I heard. Pull me out of the drama? Oh, no.

"You can't do that." I finally could no longer hold back myself. "You can't pull me out of the web drama."

They seemed shocked at me talking back at them. I knew South Koreans value positions so much and I talking back at them was a big disrespect. However, I did not care. I say what I wanted to say.

"Ms. Steins, you have to understand that it is for you and DAY6."

"And of course for your company and JYPE," I added out of spite. "I will issue a statement on my own. I will take responsibility for this matter."

I stood up and was about to leave when the door opened. Jung Ji Soo, the other girl who fetched me in the airport on my first day in Seoul, entered the room in urgency.

"JYPE-neun imi seongmyeong-eul balpyohaetda." (JYPE has already issued a statement.) She approached the table and handed Kim Yoo Bin the iPad she brought with her.

Everyone took out their phone and probably checked the news, but I wasn't ready with whatever the statement contained. That was why I went out of the room without knowing what it was and locked myself inside the ladies' toilet.

The mixed emotions I was holding finally burst into a stream of tears. I was not actually sure what I was afraid of at that moment. Was it the fact that Young Hyun might choose to save himself and deny what we had, or was it the fact that I might actually ruin his career and mine?

Gosh. What did I put myself into?

I already calmed a bit when I saw my phone screen lit. There was another call. I had been ignoring calls since I woke up that morning (except that one with So Eun, which I dialled, and Jae's). But this one, I could not ignore. It was Young Hyun.

I breathed in and out thrice before answering the call with a simple, "Hey."

"Are you okay? You don't seem fine." He must have noticed the slight tremor in my voice.

I let out a long sigh and stared at the mirror. I was a mess in and out. "I'm fine. Just…"

"Are you crying again?" I heard a car door opening and closing. He must have to go somewhere.

"Nope." I lied, but was caught when I sniffed.

"Ya, don't cry. This will be over soon. Did you read my agency's statement?"

I shook my head, but realized he could not see it. "Not yet. I'm scared."

He laughed. "Scared of what? Don't you trust me?"

This time I smiled, fully trusting everything to that amazing person. "No. I don't trust you at all."

"Waa…Jinjja…So I did that for nothing, huh?"

Did what?

"Ya, where are you?"

"I'm in CJ E&M. I was summoned too, you know."

"Okay. Wait for me there."

Wait, what?

I wanted to ask him what he meant, but he already ended the call. Did he think I was serious when I said I didn't trust him? It was only a joke! Oh, my gosh. I'm really stupid.

I tried to fix myself with the best of my ability, but it was still obvious that I was distressed. Still, I went out of the toilet and rode the elevator down. I didn't return to the conference room. They would do what they wanted, anyway, whether I protest or not.

I was planning to go directly to the company's cafeteria because I was hungry when I heard him call me. Him: Young Hyun. I turned around and saw him running towards me.

"Hey!" I met him halfway, conscious that everyone's eyes were on us. "You should—"

He shut me up with a hug as if we haven't seen each other for years.

When I got over the shock, I tried to push him away from me, but he wouldn't budge.

"Brian, everyone's looking," I told him.

Still, he just clung unto me. "I don't care. Plus they must already know."

"Know what exactly?" My heart was beating fast and loud.

"That we're dating."

What?

I tried to push him again and this time he let go of me. "What did you say?"

"I told everyone that we're dating. It should shut them up."

I couldn't believe him!

"Why would you do that?" I tried to pinch him, but he managed to dodge. He caught my hands and held them still.

"Why wouldn't I? It's the truth, anyway. With or without a label, we both know what we mean to each other. What I did is just for formality, and well…to let everyone know you're mine."

I did not know what to do or say or feel. I was feeling relieved, happy, but there was still fear and worry on the bottom of my heart. So I just laughed.

When I didn't say anything, he hugged me again. This time, I just let him…let him to finally go into my life deeper and freely whatever the consequences would be.

"Saranghae." I heard him mutter for me to hear.

I hugged him tighter and listened to the loud beating of his heart.