Third person's point of view
In disbelief of what just happened earlier, Seulgi was phasing back and forth inside her office. She can't quite understand why an actress would do something that would harm her image.
"No, that can't be. All celebrities value their image. Why bother saying the truth if she can just let that dating issue pass and just announced later that they broke up or something" the chief editor argued in her mind, thinking about Irene's courage to spill the truth was like a hard mathematics equation she can't solve. Due to her trauma from her mother's deeds in the past, Seulgi assumed that everyone was the same.
A knock on her door startled Seulgi from her thoughts which she shifted her attention to. Unexpectedly, Actress Bae Irene revealed herself upon stepping inside and stood still staring seriously at Seulgi. For a moment, they stood there silently, locking at each other's eyes.
"What brings you here, Irene?" Not being able to read what the actress was thinking, Seulgi decided to break the silence.
"Help me" the actress answered confidently but with a lower tone.
"What can I help you with?" the chief editor asked, stunned at how the cold princess asked for help.
"Don't edit out the part where I stated the truth." The actress was fully aware that the production would definitely edit it out but the actress took the chance because Seulgi was the chief editor.
"Isn't it enough?" a sudden questioned made Irene raised her eyebrows.
"If I did do that. It will take a very serious effect on your image. People hating you dating the actor will definitely doubled once the episode comes out. His fans will definitely hate you more for not playing along and staining Jeric's image. They will think you're selfish." Seulgi added leaning on her table with arms crossed trying to give thoughts to the actress.
"That's how toxic fans will always be. You forgot that there are still fans that will support me and believe in me, will even find me cool for standing out for the truth." Irene defended maturely.
"The thing is... people take notice of the negative than the positive." Seulgi said, thinking of what to do.
"I know I'm being selfish putting you into this. I know you will lose your job if you followed my request. Whatever your decision will be, it will always be your call. I will understand" Irene expressed but the chief editor didn't fail to see the glisten eyes of the actress.
The actress was ready to walk away but stopped her tracks and turned back to approach the now in trance chief editor. Staring blankly at the floor while leaning her back on her table, a sudden warmth feeling enveloped her body. Seulgi was shaken up as she sees the actress hugging her.
"In case you choose not to help me, I'm getting this in advance." Almost a whisper, Irene was pertaining to the hug she was stealing from Seulgi but soon the actress felt shivers when the latter hugged her back tightly. At first she was flattered but came to realize a sad truth.
She broke the hug, letting out a bitter smile. "Looks like you already made your choice" taking her leave after.
Seulgi's point of view
I find it funny to even think of not following my company. I never swayed any of the upper's commands and doing an actress a favour was the least I would do for I hate them but then again, it was hard to believe that for a moment, I was contemplating. A part of me that I thought was impossible to have, wanted to help the actress.
"Are you crazy, Seulgi?! You promised to never be like your father. To never risk everything for a celebrity because in the end, it will not be worth it" I argued to myself, shaking my head, trying to wake myself up from my stupid thoughts.
A ring from my phone diverted my attention. Pulling it from my pocket, a familiar name flashed the screen which I immediately picked up.
"Hello?" a smile plastered on my face hearing the never failing sweet voice.
"Are you free this lunch? How about we go together?" I didn't think twice and accepted the offer. I thought that maybe I needed a breather on this situation I'm in.
"Sure! See you, Jimin-oppa" I heard the man who's dear to me giggled on the other side of the line which made me smile along.
Jimin and I are going out. My mother introduced him to me. She was worried that at my age, I still don't have a lover. So she asked me a favour of trying on going out with this guy. At first, it was a bit awkward but Jimin was always this sweet and kind guy that I've come to like his company.
He's someone that people will like and be lucky to have but then again, not for me. He feels like a close friend and I think that's all. Never did I felt that I wanted more of him nor did get jealous even once with the people and strangers trying to circle around him. I tried to convince myself to like him more but it always ended up a friendship feeling and nothing else.
At a nearby restaurant, me and Jimin decided to meet up for lunch. "Hey" a voice called out. I smiled seeing the guy as he take his seat across me.
"So, how's everything? You sounded a bit stress on the phone." Jimin questioned. "Work again?" he added.
"Hmm.. You could say that." Not wanting to be specific on the matter, I answered.
"You know, Seulgi. You can always tell me anything. I will always be here to listen." Holding my hand with both hands, he said dearly while looking to my eyes.
I'm always thankful for Jimin's existence in my life. He and Moonbyul were always there for me but both have a different way of reaching in and making me feel that they're always here for me.
Maybe.
Maybe one day...
I'll be able to fall in love with you...
Jimin-oppa~
Third person's point of view
Busy being in their world, Jimin and Seulgi didn't notice the presence of two familiar people at the corner of the restaurant, eyeing them since they entered the establishment
"Hey! Can you at least blink?" Mimi complained to her best friend who's sitting like a statue while eyeing the couple, hiding her face from the menu.
"Are you a stalker or wha---" Mimi's words were cut off when Yooa shove a piece of bread in her mouth which Mimi forcefully chewed.
"Can you see I'm spying?" Yooa whispered. "Oh. So when did you become a spy? For the last time I remember, you're a dancer Yooa" Continuing to be annoying, Yooa ignored Mimi because she was perfectly used to this side of her best friend.
Sighing, all Mimi could do was feed Yooa while she was concentrating on spying the couple which Yooa complied not letting her eyes slip from the two.
"You sure love her, huh?" A feeling of a broken heart was evidently mixed along her words but her best friend wasn't able to hear it.
Before the couple appeared in the same restaurant, Yooa was upset and down to the fact that Seulgi was already taken. She was ranting and grieving for her broken heart and Mimi swore that Yooa was ready to give up. The dancing prodigy may be aggressive on getting Seulgi but Yooa will never destroy a relationship but when the couple appeared,she, again was getting her hopes up.
"Just by seeing that person lightens you up and make you hope again" not realizing it, Mimi blurted her analysis.
"Mimi..." Mimi jerked off with Yooa's sudden call. With seriousness written on her face, Yooa remained steady, looking at the couple.
Feeling a bit nervous, Mimi asked. "wh-what is it?" scared that she will be questioned by Yooa. Mimi was still not ready to confess anything to her so-called-best friend.
"Where's my food?! You stopped feeding me!" Yooa managed to hiss on a whisper. The latter let out a big sigh of relief hearing her childish best friend.
The next day, even though still baffled on Irene's request, she felt better after having Jimin's company and the next thing she wanted to do was to meet her two dear friends after work, Moonbyul and Eunae who she haven't seen in a whole week now. The chief editor thought that maybe she'll be able to decide after hearing her closest friends' thoughts.
But along a good day, there comes an unexpected thing to ruin it. Within the silent editing room where the editor in chief was reviewing the edited clips, a sudden sound of her notification came ringing.
At first, Seulgi shrugged it and thought that the message or what can wait but then notification tone came consecutively which fully caught her attention.
"Is Moonbyul spamming me?" she mumbled to herself upon reaching her phone.
Being shocked, they were pictures of a man on what seems to be in a club, sitting between ladies wearing sexy outfits with cocktails in their hands and were being intimate with one another. As Seulgi zoomed in, her eyes widen seeing the labelled 'sweet and kind' guy of hers.
"P-Park JIMIN?!!!"
--End of Chapter 19--
Hey! To all JENLISA readers out there, I just want to recommend this amazing story entitled "INVISIBLE" by @mandeuk 💕
I just read this recently and it was amazing, really 💕