Stained Glass

Amy and Jim thanked the sweets lady at the flower shop before heading out.

"I think you should wear a mask. " Manager Wang instructed Jim, and he followed as told.

Amy noticed the tense air between Jim, Manager Wang, and Jake. 'Were they caught?' Amy sighed. 'Being caught in a relationship if you're an idol can create too much havoc.'

"Don't overthink it," Jim assured Amy as they headed towards the street.

Not far from the flower shop was an old parish church. Amy was taken aback by its ancient, chipped yet elegant facade. Next to it is a state historical marker indicating that this beauty has stood firm for 300 years and is recognized as one of the oldest Roman Catholic parishes up North.

Inside was a grand tall ceiling filled with murals. The church's tall glass windows are stained from centuries passed. The Grand Greek Corinthian tall columns held the church's arch, and its chairs were beautifully preserved in their history.

But what caught their attention was the pulpit. It was sealed with a rope indicating that tourists like them are not allowed to go any farther.

It has a massive sculpture of Mary the Virgin on the right and Joseph and baby Jesus on the left. At the center was a colossal baldachin twice the size of Mary the Virgin. In its center was a golden cross that seemed to be pointing at the mural of Jesus Christ. On top of the exquisite altar were chalices and a holy bible.

"Are you religious?" Jim asked Amy. Both of them standing at the center of the aisle.

"My upbringing was very conservative. My parents were very religious when we were kids and would bring us to church. As I turned into an adult, I considered myself spiritual rather than religious." Amy said as she scanned the beautiful, pristine church.

"It's so peaceful here."

With the bouquet, on the other hand, Jim intertwined his fingers against Amy's. Hand in hand, the two stood there, near the altar, quietly. "I wish I could go to more places like this with you," Jim said. "Me, too," Amy responded.

Their peace was interrupted when Manager Wang rushed toward them and spoke, "we need to go. Jake spotted some paparazzi just now. I think they just got here; if we leave now, we might be able to escape them and their cameras." Manager Wang was frantic.

Jim started to march outside the church when Manager Wang stopped him.

"You and Jake go back to the hotel first while Amy and I stay for a little while. I don't want chances of you two getting photographed together."

Amy understood the situation but couldn't help but feel a little disappointed; they were just holding hands a while ago, and now they must not be seen together. Amy took her hands off Jim's and gave him a little nod. Amy tried telling Jim she was fine, but Jim knew better. Amy was hurt, and there was nothing Jim could do about it.

Manager Wang and Amy sat quietly at the far corner of the church's pew for some time now. The plan was that Jake would call Manager Wang when they returned safely to their hotel. And after that, Amy and Manager Wang will follow.

"This is what dating a celebrity will be like," Manger Wang told Amy while looking at the beautiful pulpit in front of them.

"I don't have anything against you, Amy. As a matter of fact, I support you and Jim together. It's been so long since I saw him relax and enjoy himself. Jim and the members don't say it, but the team knows they're exhausted and almost at their breaking point. They've worked hard since they were teens and never once got a break. They wanted to be able to live normally, too. They're normal humans just like us, after all." Manager Wang paused, trying to find the perfect words.

"But it's hard, especially the last few years when their career skyrocketed. The higher they fly, the more distant normalcy had become." Manager Wang explained.

This time, Manager Wang looked at Amy pleadingly, "Imagine growing up under tight scrutiny. They have to act a certain way because others might misinterpret their intention. There was one time when Seo Jun smiled and waved at this fan at the airport. He merely thanked her for supporting the group; a little while later, Seo Jun received aggressive phone calls on his personal number, weird gifts in his house, and even deliveries when he was abroad. Upon investigation, it was the girl by the airport; she thinks Seo Jun and her had an intimate relationship base on that simple wave."

Manager Wang then lifted both hands, indicating that he did not mean that Amy was a stalker-type.

Amy laughed at Manager Wang's reaction. "none taken," Amy smiled.

Manager Wang continued, "I think a better example would be with J. He has this long-time friend who runs a gallery in their hometown. And J, being an art enthusiast, would contact his lady friend to buy art from time to time. The friend was really grateful to J. She was able to help her dad, who was in the hospital at that time, through commissions. Wanting to pay her gratitude forward, she invited J to a private dinner with a local artist J adores so much. The artist was 10 minutes late that dinner, but not 24 hours after, there were photographs of J and her lady friend- just the two of them. Tabloids then began making a story out of it. 'Secret lover' 'gold digger dating a superstar, you name it. Her lady friend received harsh comments and was advised to quit her job at the gallery for bringing bad publicity".

"I understand what you mean," Amy said sadly, having experienced the harshness of social media herself.

"All I ask of you is to be cautious when you are in public. And keep your relationship with Jim private. Tell as few people as possible. And plan dates to areas where there are not a lot of people. I mean, look at us; we are here on this island; despite the small number of residents, paparazzi were still able to find us." Manager Wang further explained.

"Dating a superstar is hard. You're not just dating Jim. You also got to think of his career, his members, their families, and his loyal fans. I hope that's not too much for you".

Amy nodded. She knew that Manager Wang's intentions were pure. But despite that, Amy couldn't help but shiver from the thought of being caught up in another scandal.