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| January 15th, Friday, 2021 |
Annie fell asleep before checking the company's statement. Therefore, she didn't know how people were responding to it. Generally, netizens were pitying her, praising Yeonjun and cursing the stalker out.
Of course, some people didn't believe it, but you could say it was a quite successful outcome.
Things weren't really "normal," though. Annie was prohibited from going anywhere that wasn't a schedule. She could visit her brother, but Yujin should know beforehand so she could take her there and pick her up.
Her place in the radio show in which she would guest with Boram next week was given to Jaein instead. Annie also couldn't do any live streams or come into the bubble community for a month.
Basically, her life should be "work, eat, sleep, repeat."
"I'm really sorry, Sky. I'll go out with you when you come back, okay?"
"It's so unfair...Hyoseop is even going to Japan with us, but I can't meet you for a few hours here in Korea."
Annie felt extremely bad towards her sister. She had agreed to show her the city and have nice food together today, but that was before the rumours blew up.
Although Yujin also felt upset for the girl, she followed the orders to not let Annie go anywhere outside the company and the dormitory today.
"I swear we'll meet again before you go back to Canada..."
"Promise?"
"Promise!"
"Okay. But please don't forget to rest, Rim."
The idol smiled upon her sister's concern.
"Hm, and don't forget to have lots of fun! I gotta go now!"
"Bye-bye!"
She took a deep breath after ending the call.
Leaving her phone inside the practice room, Annie decided to take a walk around the company.
"Yes, sir, we'll start the interviews next week. Yes, have a good day."
Yujin was in the middle of the corridor, answering what seemed to be a business call.
"Oh, Haerim, hi!"
"What was that? Are you in charge of interviews now, too?"
Annie knew of the higher-ups habit of letting all the work to the younger ones.
"Just this one. We're choosing a new manager."
The girl's eyes sparkled with happiness.
"Dongchul was fired?!"
"Can't you at least pretend to be upset?"
"Why? Dongchul never pretended to care about us."
She spoke with crossed arms, earning a sigh from the manager.
"Please don't say those things in front of others, I don't want you to get in trouble again."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Annie saluted her as usual.
"Go, I'm busy."
"See you later!"
They waved at each other.
After another two minutes of walking, Annie noticed where her feet had taken her: Changbin's studio.
Right.
I still haven't told him.
Without hesitating much, she knocked on the door – it was her best friend after all, telling him shouldn't be a big deal.
"Haerim, hey!"
He opened the door a bit more so she could enter.
"Hey! Are you busy? Can we talk?"
"Uh...kind of? But I guess I have time, what is it?"
Both of them proceeded to sit down.
"It's about the rumours. There's something I think you should know."
"Ah, right. How are you?"
He asked while moving his chair left and right.
"Fine, I guess. It would've been worse if the company hadn't said anything."
"They said something?"
Annie stared at him with a blank expression.
"What?! I'm a busy man!"
"Right. Well, they did. You should read it later."
Changbin didn't know about the stalker. It happened after he left the academy.
"Hm, I will."
There was a minute of silence.
"What would you say if I told you I'm dating Lee Know?"
"Out of nowhere? I'd say 'nice joke'."
The girl waited two seconds before speaking again.
"Well, I'm dating Lee Know."
"Are you insane?!"
Changbin yelled, nearly losing his balance.
"...you didn't say 'nice joke'."
Annie spoke quietly.
"Dude! If he hears you saying that, he'll call you names."
She stood there, blinking a few times.
"Are you stupid? I said I'm dating him."
"No, you're not."
The girl opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"Should I prove it to you?"
"That you're dating Lee Know? Of course not."
He smiled with the corner of his lips.
"Then–"
"I know you're dating Junie."
Annie facepalmed, then massaged her temples.
"You have to be playing dumb."
"Why would I? I just don't get why you're joking about Lee Know being your boyfriend."
"I'm not– You know what? I've done my part."
She got up and left the room sighing.
How did they even become friends? Was he always this senseless?
No, that's not about being senseless anymore.
He's probably doing it on purpose to annoy me, yeah.
Come on, even Chris knew!
He'll probably believe me once he reads the statement. If he doesn't... then I'm seeking help.
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