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Nana's POV:
The news about Belladonna company made headlines across the nation. And because Devi is part of the notorious Park household that runs the global corporation, her name was dragged into the news once again.
I wonder if she can perform just fine since the next day will be our 2nd group anniversary with the fans.
Taehyung's POV:
Jin hyung dragged us all into Black Royalty's anniversary event.
He was planning on seating with the audience like what the girls did but it's too risky since there's seven of us. So the staff placed us at the sky box in the auditorium.
"Uwaa~ look at the audience... 90% of them are girls. BlackRoyalty really has a lot of fan girls than boys." RM said, based from his observation.
The girls opening performance was their legendary debut song, "Salute" which brought a lot of memories to us. Memories of when we first met them and their preparation for their sudden debut. Who would forget how tensed and stressed the girls back then, I giggled by myself, feeling a bit nostalgic.
Afterward, they had their individual performances. First was Nika, showing off her dancing skills.
Her sizzling performance got us all in awe.
"Hyung, isn't it ironic that you ended up dating a dancer when you suck at dancing yourself." Jungkook said, making fun of Jin as he usually does.
Next performer was Nana. Unlike Nika, there was a discreet silence among us due to her song choice. She was singing to Taeyeon's, "Fine".
'My hair tied up in a knot
I wake up from the mess you made
Forgetting it all
Something new~'
'Days turned to months
And the months turned to years
The scars you left will heal
You'll see~'
'They come rushing back
Painful memories we had
So I'm faking a smile
Could I ever be the same again
I gathered my pride
Set all these feelings aside
I'm not scared anymore
I'm letting you go
Our last goodbye
Looking to 'us'
Just one last time
Wherever you are
I hope you're doing fine
I know I will be fine
Won't be pretending to be alright
Not a fool to believe
You and I could stay the same
"IT'S NOT FINE."
The fans were cheering loudly at Nana, and yet we're all speechless, thinking that this is her last covered song dedicated to Jimin.
Then Devi entered the stage, singing and dancing to "Poker Face".
"Ya'll know the moment when someone meets something that was made perfectly just for them. That is the case for Devi right now. This song finally found its owner." Jin said giggly.
Devi's POV:
When we entered the waiting room, BTS was also inside which confused us for a moment. Suddenly, the door swung open, revealing Ms. Moonyoung with an intense glare.
"Mijin, you two-faced b*tch! You're the 2nd child of IVY company right?!" She exclaimed which got everyone's attention.
They all look at Mijin for answers. Not knowing what to say first, she nodded in silence.
"So Mr. Lee isn't your real father?? Now that explains why you don't look like him." Nana reacted.
"Everyone... I'm sorry for lying. We have this absolute rule to always hide our identity and Devi is well aware of that rule too." She apologized, but not sincere enough to my ears.
"So Devi is already well-aware of your identity." Nana uttered.
"Aren't you also here to keep an eye for Devi?" Ms. Moonyoung added which caused the others look at Mijin in disbelief.
"Shut up you—!"
Mijin moved quickly towards Ms. Moonyoung. Before Mijin reach to her, I stepped forward, blocking her path.
"Stop it." I told her, not letting her take another step.
"Mijin, what else do we not know about you?" J-Hope asked, pouting his lips.
She couldn't take to look at the boys' expression so she turned her back. "I'm really sorry. I'll have Devi explain the rest," she said before leaving.
Then everyone's stares shifted on me, waiting for me to say something.
'sigh~'
"The Park household is divided into two sections which is the main family and the branch family. The branch family are well-known as the Jang family and Mijin is part of them. Her name is not Lee Mijin but Jang Mijin, the 2nd daughter of the Jang family. They do not own IVY company, but they are somewhat in a close relationship with the owner there.
Park and Jang family has always been in conflict after the 'Park Scandal' which is also the caused of our division. During the economic bubble of South Korea, a faction of some members of the family led an unsavory, self-serving business practices. The news broke out about the cruel and dangerous side business of some Park family members which caused Belladonna on the verge of bankruptcy. My grandfather, the second son, chose to save the company by pointing out the 1st son, which is his brother as the main ally of those shady businesses. That's how the family feud started since the 1st son is supposed to be the next CEO but grandfather took the spot instead.
Since then, conflict escalated, ultimately resulting in casualties. And those who are under the 1st son were semi-exiled from the Park household. Those people banded together and they established the Sakurako group. Due to constant interference with Belladonna in the domestic market, they turned their attention overseas specifically in Japan, and swiftly expanded their operations internationally and are now a highly successful multinational company." I explained to them about our family's history.
"Wow~ I don't know what to say. Since they are mainly active in Japan and not in South Korea, they established a partnership with IVY company to use it as a leverage to bring Belladonna down as an act of revenge?" RM reiterated what he understood.
I nodded, pondering about something. Out of nowhere, Jin chuckled amidst the serious atmosphere.
"Sorry, I just find it funny that the name Belladonna sounded more dangerous than the name Sakurako. I mean if you compare Belladonna which means 'beautiful lady' but also known as 'deadly nightshade' and Sakurako means 'Cherry blossom child', doesn't Sakurako sounds more innocent...?" He explained, trying hard to hold his laughter.
"Hey, this isn't the time for you to joke." Nika slapped his shoulder.
For some reason, what these boys are saying made me think of something. But I just couldn't grasp the idea of it.
"Ain't Belladonna a formidable company? How come it went down in ranks??" J-Hope raised a question.
Listening to what he said, I broke off from my thoughts and stared at him before speaking out. "Well... Belladonna's overall revenue started to decrease after I left the company while IVY began to expand with the help of Sakurako group. But I don't think that me, alone, leaving the company is the sole reason. There's gotta be a deeper cau—"
Manager Lee entered the room without warning. Beside him was a young, tall and slim man.
It was—
"Cha Eun Woo?!!"
Nana reacted, automatically standing up from her seat.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, glaring at him.
"Woah~ it's not what you think. I'm just here for the recording of an OST of the drama I'm working with. Apparently you're my partner for the song." He said, lowering his head to avoid looking into my eyes.
"Wait, you actually know him?" Nana reacted, looking at me.
"Uhh anyway, let's welcome Cha Eun Woo." Mr. Lee changed the topic, smiling awkwardly.
I pretended I didn't hear Nana's question while sitting back to the couch, feeling a bit anxious. I did receive the lyrics but Mr. Lee didn't inform me about my partner. Did he forget?
"Hi~ I'm Cha Eun Woo of Astro, nice to meet you guys.
It's a privileged for me to meet the legendary boy group and girl group in the K-pop industry." He greeted and bowed at us.
"Isn't your real name is Lee Dong Min?" Nana asked without showing any hesitation.
Hangyul quickly glared at her. Even Jin seem to be affected since Nika is staring deeply at Eun Woo, smiling.
After that, Eun Woo and I went to the recording studio, leaving everyone else behind.
Nana's POV:
I bid farewell to them, waving my hand as they leave when all of a sudden, Hangyul stood in front, blocking my sight of them.
"Nana there hasn't been a week since we started dating and you're acting like that?" He said, raising his voice.
"Come on don't be too sensitive. It's not like I cheated. I just asked his real name." I uttered, acting sweetly to him by doing an aegyo.
Nika that was beside me burst into laughter. But Jin confronted her also, so I laughed back at her, louder than she did.
"Is my handsome face not enough for you?" Jin said, showing off his face.
"Ugh come on, they were called attractive people because they have the power to attract. It didn't affect my feelings for you." Nika stated but still isn't enough to convince Jin.
"Wow~ Just with Cha Eun Woo's face alone made these couples argue with each other. This is so fun to watch." J-Hope said, sneaking a grin.
Devi's POV:
After the recording, I left the studio without bidding farewell to Eun Woo. My mind became a mess after because of what's been happening. Everything is going out of my control... again.
Why are these misfortunes coming back? I thought while entering the waiting room, only to find Mijin sitting on the couch.
"You know, I've been watching you for a couple of days now. You lost your expression. You lost your aura. You become soft when spending time with all these people. You're not as sharp as you once were. Perhaps you became addicted to the peaceful life now that you have you're so-called friends." She uttered as soon as I stepped inside the room.
I looked at her for a few moments then ignored her. She was just busted and shamed from her real objectives and still chose to stay here. The audacity she has is incredible. I continued to check our group's schedule, disregarding Mijin's presence inside the room.
"Do you still like Jungkook?" She bluntly asked.
"Heh why you're asking me that?" I smirked at her. "Are you afraid that if I say yes, we would go back to the way it was?"
She flinched at my bold statement.
"Hmph don't worry, what I feel for him is just a residue of a past relationship that gone by. I'm also on the process of moving on. You can have him, I wouldn't care less." I told her.
"Tch I'm not really spying on you but to someone else." She said out of anger.
I turned my head right away when she said that. Mijin pursed her lips, realizing that she said something that she shouldn't.
Nana's POV:
I was on my way to our waiting room with Taehyung and Jungkook since I asked them to help me with something. Nika isn't with us since her Mom came to visit. I paused in front the door when I heard Devi talking to Mijin.
And we just overheard something crazy!
Nika's POV:
Mom suddenly came to visit without informing me.
"Nika... it's time for you to know about the truth." She said in a serious tone.
"It's about your father." She continued without letting me say a word.
Why is Mom suddenly bringing up that man? I thought while surprised at how blunt my mother's words are.
"Your father is the current CEO of Sakurako company. The current head of Jang family." Mom confessed right away.
Devi's POV:
"Have you ever wonder why I'm called as a 2nd daughter when I'm the only female child in our family? It's because there is a hidden daughter aside from me. And I'm here to look after her." She said.
"What do you mean by that??" I asked further.
After thinking about it for a moment, she continued. "It's Tamiya Nika. She's my long-lost half sister."
"What?!!!!!" Nana exclaimed, barging inside the room.