BEHIND THE SCENES

chapter 126: damage control

"I... I had the exact same thoughts," Jennie said with a little grin. "Except... in addition to that, I'd like to tell everyone all about our relationship contract. I think the media would totally eat that news up."

Now, Jimin and Seokjin were on the same page. "What?!"

"Ooh... I didn't even think of that part-" Jungkook thought for a while, and a small smirk played at his lips. "But I like the sound of it. That's definitely an option we can toy with."

"Daebak, this is such a relief-" Jennie burst into laughter as she finally leaned back in her seat. "I didn't think that you had the same opinion as me... this is really the best case scenario right now."

"Yeah, you're right-" Jungkook smiled as he ruffled his hair. "This makes things like... a hundred times easier."

"The two of you are kidding right?" Seokjin's eyes darted rapidly between Jungkook and Jennie. "There's no way you two can be serious about this. Telling everyone you're not dating is not ideal... but still forcibly acceptable. But telling the whole world about your fake dating contract? How is that even in the picture right now! All of us need to take that secret with us to the grave... this might involve the two of your jobs, are you aware of it?"

"Jennie Kim!" Jimin stared daggers at Jennie, his arms crossed, his eyebrows furrowed angrily. "You didn't even tell me about this!"

"You didn't ask...?" Jennie stated simply. "In the car, you just told me we were coming here to discuss our arrangements with the two of them... but you didn't ask me what exactly my plan was."

"Because I thought our plan of action is pretty obvious...?" Jimin exclaimed. "I thought you were sensible enough to know what's best for your career! I thought you knew that our only option right now is to-"

"Is to... what?" Jennie sighed loudly. "Hide this lie with yet another lie? And lie again and again? When exactly are the lies going to stop, oppa? It feels like most of my career has been founded on a whole web of lies."

"So... you're serious then?" Jimin scoffed. "You're gonna tell everyone the truth?"

"Yeah."

"And watch your career fall to pieces before your very eyes? Sounds like a great plan."

"Can you not sound so cynical?" Jennie clucked her tongue agitatedly. "I know what I'm in for, oppa. I'm just saying... that this is what I've decided on after deliberating on it all morning."

"Jennie Kim-"

"Well, I'm in," Jungkook said simply. "A 100 percent."

"You're in..." Jennie thought for a while. "But what did Jieun-unnie say about this? Is she in too?"

"She..." Jungkook hesitated. "She trusts me."

"She'll possibly become the one bearing the brunt of all this..." Jennie reflected. "I may say I want to tell the truth, but this isn't just my decision - it concerns other people's lives too. I don't just need you to be for it a 100 percent... I also need Jieun-unnie to be for it a 100 percent too."

"You're right..." Jungkook pursed his lips. "She's still thinking about it, so I guess I'll have to persuade her."

"Ya-" Seokjin nudged Jungkook. "I haven't approved of this yet, Jeon Jungkook- Don't forget, I may just be your manager but I do have a say in this too-"

"But what about your boy?" Jungkook completely ignored Seokjin, directing his next question to Jennie once more. "Did he agree too?"

"What boy?" Jimin's eyes darted from Jungkook to Jennie quickly. "Jennie, what boy-"