┊ ┊ ┊. ➶ ˚
𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜'𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙖 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙮, 𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚, 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙚
┊ ┊ ┊. ➶ ˚
DECEMBER 4, 2021
(2 Years Ago..)
HAECHAN was suddenly called into the CEO's office during practice. Considering how rare it is for an idol to enter the CEO's office, it could only mean one thing, something bad happened. Being called inside his office always screams bad news and it almost always never ends well inside that office.
When the 21-year-old entered the office, he noticed the CEO with a disappointed look on his face before he took a sip of his coffee. Haechan immediately knew that this wasn't good, he had no clue whatever happened that caused him to have that face but he knew that since he was the one called, it probably had something to do with him.
"Take a seat," the CEO said in his bitter voice as the idol sat on the chair in front of his desk.
Before talking, Mr. CEO took a deep breath, he looked stressed and it was evident that he was thinking about something deeply. Then, he started speaking, this time in a cold tone.
"Haechan, be honest. Did you go on a date last night?"
"Oh God, don't tell me...," Haechan thought as many things appeared in his mind, he couldn't believe this. He was already thinking of the worst-case scenario that shouldn't even be named. He tried to get words out of his mouth but he couldn't, all he could just answer on the CEO's question was a simple nod.
It was true that he went out with his girlfriend last night but considering how secretive they were throughout the entire date, he immediately knew where this was heading and was prepared for the worst.
"Well, news flash, you made it to the tabloids! They took photos of you and your girlfriend when the both of you were out, it's a good thing that the both of you were just holding hands in the pictures and not something more intimate but you know the public, just a single touch on the opposite gender and it's over. But don't worry, the girl's face is not seen in any of them but your face was in every photo so there's no getting out of this one."
Haechan was speechless, he thought he got away with it, he was secretive and even covered himself and his girlfriend but no, it seemed it wasn't enough. He didn't even notice anybody following him. So that was why Eunsook felt uncomfortable that night. Why couldn't she just tell him?
"No getting out of this one? Can't you just put out a statement or something saying we're not dating and get this over with?" Haechan replied knowing that he was already on thin ice but was willing to do anything to protect his career and the love of his life.
"Look, Haechan, there's no convincing the press. As I said, the both of you were holding hands, what lie would we come up with for them to be convinced with those photos, huh? That you guys are just friends? I'm pretty sure friends of the opposite gender don't hold hands, do they? They 100% won't believe that."
"Then, what am I supposed to do? I can't just stand here and watch the fans eat me and Eunsook alive just because we're in a relationship!" the idol said looking like he was about to tear up at any second now. He didn't care if the fans would throw hate at him but he knew that his girlfriend would be involved in the hate train as well and he couldn't let that happen.
The CEO sighed before he took another sip from his coffee. Knowing how adamant Haechan is when it comes to stuff like this, he said in a tired voice, "Ok, you have two options,"
"Either the both of you start publicly dating or you break up with her. The choice is yours."
What? That's like choosing whether to eat uncooked noodles with peanut butter spread or a clam chowder ice pop!! But... I need to make up my mind here... There's no choice for neither and I couldn't find any loopholes here. My career is at stake here and I need to choose wisely.
I can't choose the first option, considering how stressful the industry is, Eunsook won't be able to handle the amount of stress it carries, and one thing to note, she hates attention so that's a big no-no. But, I can't go for the second option, there's no way I'm breaking up with her, she's helped me through tough times and was there for me during the lowest point in my life.
However, I need to choose, I'm definitely not going to sacrifice her privacy for the sake of my career so that leaves me with one choice...
"Fine, I'm breaking up with her but on one condition, give me one week to spend time with her," Haechan said finally making up his mind.
"Hm, I see, I suppose I'll accept that offer. I'll put you on a one-week hiatus but, if you don't break up with her after the one week, I'm terminating your contract, are we clear?"
"Yes, crystal clear."
"Good, you may leave now."
Haechan finally stood up from his chair and quickly left the office. When he was finally out, tears started flowing down his cheeks, his sniffles were silent but audible enough for him to hear. He couldn't believe he was going to sacrifice his girlfriend of one year and three months for the sake of his career.
I'm sorry, Eunsook
He couldn't do anything about it, but this was his life. The more he spends time with Eunsook, the more those vultures will target her soon. He couldn't let that happen, he didn't want her to suffer from the media because of him.
This is going to be my life forever, Eun but I don't want you to suffer from this scrutiny as well just because you're with me, you deserve a normal life like a human being should so...
I have to let you go...
┊ ┊ ┊. ➶ ˚