Clearing the air

(Dear DestroyJessica, I admire your dedication to taking down a villain who-)

Iris deleted what she'd typed in the dm and began again.

(I have a grudge against Jessica. We can sabotage her performance at the concert. Are you willing to join hands?)

_______

Ji-ho could not have a moment's break to catch her breath. She had to cook and clean, practise, and keep up her appearances on social media and her live sessions, while also fighting off the anti-fans who were slandering her online. In this respect, S.S. had come to her aid under Tae-Hyun's instructions. Wherever waves of attack would rise, the PR team's water army went on a cleaning duty. Ji-ho worked in tandem with the team thus the worst of the attacks were proven to be doctored 'proofs' of the anti-fans.

Seung-ho hadn't communicated with her since the last time they'd exchanged messages. The actor was taking a short break in France where his parents had been vacationing. They were in a small charming town that featured beautiful countrysides, good food and wine, and a luxury experience in some fancy chateaux that Aera had mentioned to her. Ji-ho could only imagine how amazing it was to be so rich and privileged.

Her imagination went off to France but she was quickly brought back to the stressful present when her phone began buzzing incessantly. It was an alarm reminding her that she had an hour to prepare before going live. Ji-ho had a complicated relationship with these live sessions. While it expanded her fanbase and brought her money from the gifts that her golden thighs kept sending, she was also in a way tied to them. Ji-ho didn't have a problem with the seung-ho fan who gifted her lavishly whenever he was online and watching her performance, but there were unsavoury characters like Blue who were taking the opportunity to push their agendas. Ji-ho hated taking money from him but the time wasn't ripe. She wasn't big enough to oppose the annoying man.

Blue had missed her performances because of his hospital stay but the fly was back and Ji-ho was once again in a bind.

'Did you enjoy our romantic walk at the beach, Young-mi? I would sneak away with you again if the opportunity arose.'

This was the message on the screen that came with the golden dragon gift. Ji-ho was too professional to cuss him out live. She had the sound engineer lower the background music so she could clear the air with her fans.

"Everyone, please, stop bringing that up," she told the audience. Her live sessions were always cheerful and relaxed. Not so right now. Ji-ho spoke sounded calm but disappointed by what was happening.

"Whether you're a fan of Blue or just trolling for the sake of it, you might end up ruining his reputation. He's dating someone really beautiful and talented. If you respect Iris and their relationship, then stop bringing up the lie that he and I were sneaking off somewhere."

~ :I

~ What's the truth?!

~ Who are you seeing?

~ Tell us what happened that night, Jessica.

"The truth?" She raised her brows as she read the comments. "I'm trying to grow as an artist. If I was in a relationship with any of these men, do you think I would still be working so hard to gain an audience? Blue is a household name. If he and I were in anyway romantically linked, I wouldn't be dumb enough to not use that to my advantage. The same goes for Seung-ho. I'm not even a B lister, and it's not as if I am prettier than the other gorgeous women in the industry so why would he waste time with me? Use your common sense ah."

~ But you were dancing with him!

~ Why did he dance with you then? It was Dan-bi's party so he should have danced with her!

~ You're right. You can never compete with Dan-bi's face. At least you know yourself well.

Ji-ho smiled serenely at the camera because the anti-fans were trying so hard to derail her momentum with their insults and name-calling. She wasn't bothered at all by what the haters thought of her.

"Yes, I danced with him. It's because he lost a bet with Aera. You guys should know by now that she and I are good friends, right?"

~ You're using her to get close to Seung-ho Oppa!

~ Close friends? Stop lying.

"Your Seung-ho oppa is safe from my evil clutches," she said with a laugh. "But you know who isn't safe? That Seung-ho fan who keeps sending me gifts. I really really want to meet this person. Benefactor, you're not online now but if you see this later, I want to thank you for your generosity! Words aren't enough so I'm sending you my flying kisses!" Ji-ho waved her palms in the air after touching her lips.

~ Caught one kiss!

~ Send me kisses too!

~ Lucky bastard!

Ji-ho sent a few more kisses toward the camera for good measure before she announced the next song.

_______

(Sun Young-mi, what are you doing?)

Ji-ho was brushing her teeth when she saw the message from Seung-ho.

(Wishing I was rich enough to vacation abroad like you.)

The reply took a minute but when it came, she was caught off-guard by what it said.

(I'm rich enough to send us both on vacation.)

What did he mean?! Ji-ho spat out the foam in her mouth and typed out a reply.

(Are you... Showing off?)

(Yes. Are you impressed?)

She could tell he was joking.

(No. But I'll be if you become the richest person on the planet.)

(That sounds like too much work.)

(Just say you don't have the ability. No need to be embarrassed.)

(I don't have the ability.)

(Good.)

(Does that make you happy?)

(It doesn't.)

The conversation was so stupid but she liked it. She followed up the message with another.

(Did you know? Some guy with the same name as yours keeps sending me lavish gifts when I go live.)

(Is that so? He must be rich.)

(Obviously. He's probably wealthier than you.)

(Doubt.)

(At least that Seung-ho is spending his money helping a poor singer. So charitable <3 I bet he's more good looking than you are.)

Ji-ho quickly sent another message before he could reply.

(I was kidding! You're very handsome, Seung-ho. No one better.)

(That's more like it. Do you think that this wealthy fan of yours might, in the future, want to collect on his investments?)

(How?)

(For starters, he might want to meet you, maybe go on a date with you.)

(Then I'll go on one date.)

(And endanger yourself like you did with Blue?)

(I am perfectly capable of defending myself!)

(Yes, you are. But if he brings a weapon, you'll find yourself at a great disadvantage.)

(Then are you telling me to take a knife along?)

(I'm telling you that avoiding physical confrontation is always the wisest choice. Even a highly trained fighter would avoid a knife-wielding opponent. Remember this the next time you decide to meet an enemy unarmed.)

Ji-ho could tell that he was harbouring some concerns from the incident of that night.

(Thank you for the advice. I won't meet him alone again.)

(Again?)

Ji-ho was typing out a reply but another message beeped.

(Avoid him completely. Do not contact him, do not meet up with him.)

(Bossy much?)

(For good reason. I have somewhere to be now. Sleep well, Young-mi.)