Chapter 16:The Stalker's Ultimatum

Chapter 16: The Stalker's Ultimatum

The final week of Eclipse's tour had arrived, and the members were buzzing with excitement and nervous energy, anticipating the culmination of months of hard work. But amidst the joy, Hana couldn't shake the weight of something darker looming over her. It wasn't just the pressure of the upcoming live shows or the looming competition—there was a new, insidious threat hanging in the air.

It started with a message—a chilling, anonymous text sent to Hana in the early hours of the morning, as she scrolled through her phone, trying to ease the nerves before the final show.

"You think you can hide? You're in the spotlight now. Either Jisoo or Taehyun will have to go out with me or I'll release these pictures of you with them. Your precious Eclipse's image will be ruined, and it'll be your fault."

Hana's stomach dropped. She stared at the phone screen, rereading the message multiple times, trying to make sense of it. It didn't make sense—who would do this? Why target her?

The image she had been sent showed candid moments of her with Jisoo and Taehyun—images that, on the surface, looked like they could be taken as intimate. There was no context, no explanation for the moments in the pictures, but that didn't matter. If they were released, the public would twist them, just as the stalker threatened.

For a moment, panic washed over her. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her friends. The group she had grown so close to. Their careers were in jeopardy because of her. Could she let this happen? She couldn't. Not after everything they had been through together.

With a deep breath, she dialed the group's manager, Soyeon. Soyeon picked up after the first ring, her voice sharp as always. "Hana? What's wrong?"

"I need to talk to you," Hana said, her voice shaking. "It's important."

Later that day, they all gathered in their tour bus, the tension palpable as Hana shared the details of the message she had received. Soyeon stood in the corner, her arms crossed, her face unreadable. Jisoo and Taehyun, however, were visibly shaken, their concern for Hana written all over their faces.

"Who would do this?" Taehyun asked, his usually cold demeanor gone, replaced by genuine worry.

Hana shook her head. "I don't know. But they want one of you to date them, or they'll release these pictures to the public."

"What should we do?" Jisoo's voice was low, filled with frustration. "If we ignore it, the pictures will be out there. If we give in, it'll be like they won. Either way, the group's image is at risk."

Soyeon stepped forward, her sharp gaze never leaving Hana. "We'll figure this out. Don't worry. I'll take care of it."

Hana looked at her in surprise. "You will? But how?"

"I have… connections," Soyeon said, her eyes narrowing in determination. "I know how to find people. Let me handle it."

There was no mistaking the determination in her voice. Soyeon wasn't just offering empty promises—she was taking charge. And for once, Hana didn't feel like she was alone in this. The pressure of the threat on her shoulders lessened slightly with Soyeon's words. But there was still so much they didn't know.

The Investigation

Over the next few days, Hana, Soyeon, and the other members worked together to track down the mysterious stalker. Soyeon's expertise in hacking and tracking came in handy as she delved deep into online forums, social media accounts, and any digital footprint that might lead to the person behind the threat. Hana assisted by providing details on the pictures, recalling the moments in which they were taken.

Despite the tension, Hana found herself growing closer to Soyeon. The manager, who had always seemed distant and cold, showed a side of herself Hana had never expected. Soyeon wasn't just a strict manager—she was brilliant. Her hacking skills were a revelation, and she quickly uncovered patterns in the stalker's behavior that pointed to a specific group of people—fans who had been obsessed with Eclipse, and particularly with Jisoo and Taehyun.

"Found them," Soyeon said one night, her eyes gleaming with triumph as she pointed to her laptop screen. "They've been stalking Taehyun and Jisoo for months. This wasn't just random. They're obsessed."

Hana sat beside her, taking in the information. "How do we stop them?"

"We do it my way," Soyeon said, her tone matter-of-fact. "I'll track the person down. We'll find out who's behind this. And once we have them, we'll delete everything—every image, every post, every trace of their existence online. The only thing left will be the truth. We can clear your names and protect Eclipse."

As Soyeon spoke, Hana felt a sense of hope building in her. She had doubted herself, thinking she was the reason Eclipse might fall apart. But now, with Soyeon's skills and the support of the group, she knew they could take control of the situation.

The Confrontation

Days later, after Soyeon's relentless pursuit, they had a breakthrough. The stalker was a former fan turned obsessive—someone who had once been a part of Eclipse's fandom but had been ignored by the group. In their twisted mind, they had felt rejected and scorned, and now they were using the pictures to exact revenge.

Soyeon and Hana worked together to confront the stalker, hacking into their social media accounts, tracking their IP addresses, and eventually pinpointing their location. When they finally managed to find the person, they confronted them in person, Soyeon taking the lead.

"I know who you are," Soyeon said coldly. "I've deleted your pictures. If you release them, we'll make sure the authorities know exactly what you've done. You've gone too far."

The stalker, now visibly shaken, begged for mercy. Soyeon's presence was intimidating, and her expertise made it clear they were powerless. With their tracks covered and the images destroyed, Eclipse's reputation remained intact.

But as the situation calmed down, Soyeon's demeanor shifted. She looked at Hana, her eyes softening.

"I did this for Eclipse," Soyeon said, her voice a little quieter than usual. "And for Taehyun. Not because I like you, or anything. But… I think we make a good team, Hana."

Hana smiled, surprised by the honesty in Soyeon's words. For the first time, she saw a side of the manager that was more than just cold professionalism. Soyeon's protective instincts had kicked in, and it wasn't just for the group—it was for the people she cared about.

"I know," Hana said gently. "Thank you."

The two women shared a moment of understanding, their once-strained relationship now based on mutual respect. They had worked together, and they had succeeded. The group was safe, and they had handled the situation in a way that kept Eclipse's image intact.

Epilogue: Moving Forward

With the stalker dealt with, the pressure that had weighed on Hana and the group lifted. But the bond that had formed between her, Soyeon, and the members of Eclipse was something far more meaningful than any fleeting threat. The group was closer than ever, their trust in one another stronger.

And as Hana looked around at the members, she knew one thing: they had all found something in each other. Not just a love for music or fame, but a deep connection that no outsider could ever break.

As they prepared for the next chapter of their journey, Hana felt ready to face whatever came next—with Eclipse by her side.

End of Chapter 16