<OST: Orbit - Hwasa>
Jennie was sick and tired of being kept in the dark about things.
A few seconds after Yoongi had left his house, she dashed up to her house, puked a few times for good measure, washed up, put on her best clothes and rushed over to KBS as quick as she could. The whole journey, she kept thinking about what possibly could she have said that made him come here for an interview? She felt like it was somewhere in her head, but she simply couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was.
Then she finally reached KBS and was allowed to enter at once. Many people noticed her but didn't approach, since the KBS building was full of celebrities after all, and whoever was allowed to enter the building were either celebrities themselves, or had been working with celebrities their entire life.
Hopefully, none of her antis made it in to harass her, that was all Jennie hoped for. Jennie kept a low profile and took a seat at the main lobby, keeping a lookout for Yoongi to pass by.
He would probably be in his interview right now, wouldn't he?
For the entire hour-long wait, Jennie wondered how he was doing. He was probably doing fine - based on the way he spoke to her, he was rather well-read. But on the other hand, he barely went out, he probably hadn't been working for a long time due to his criminal history... he might not even get the job because of that... And that reminded Jennie of something-
Everything came back to her at once.
He was a film director before he quit. That explained the interest in cameras in that weird room at the end of the corridor. He was a film director, a film director who understood her pain, her struggles. And in turn, with her words, she had given him strength to continue pursuing his passion. Perhaps, he was here for an interview to become a production director for KBS? That sounded wonderful.
Just as Jennie finished the thought, she spotted a familiar figure from afar, chasing after a man dressed in a fancy suit whom she also recognised at once - she had worked with this particular PD before when filming one of her reality shows in the past. Park PD was the head of the production teams department. And well, they were on rather... well, alright terms. Jennie hurriedly picked up her bag and rushed towards the two of them, so that she could listen in on their conversation.
"PD-nim-" Yoongi bowed profusely, chasing after Park PD. "Please give me a chance to work for your team, I promise to put in my utmost effort, sir. I really need this opportunity to start afresh."
"I've heard of you before this, Min Yoongi-ssi-" Park PD admitted. "You were filming movies before this, weren't you?"
"I was-" Yoongi nodded as he held out his portfolio once more. "I co-directed one movie before this. But that's all."
"And why don't you tell me what happened after that?"
"I..." Yoongi swallowed hard. "I took a short break-"
"You went to jail-" Park PD said bluntly. "And that's exactly why I can't accept you into our team, Yoongi-ssi. I'm sorry."
Jennie frowned.
"No, look-" Yoongi grabbed Park PD by his arm, looking him in the eye. "Please. I was too afraid to step out of my comfort zone all this while, but now that I've finally gathered the courage, can't you please just give me a chance? I promise to work hard, I'll do well-"
"Look, I'm sorry but I'm afraid that my decision is final. Please look elsewhere."
"PD-nim, please-"
Park PD shoved Yoongi aside and coincidentally, right into Jennie's arms. Yoongi turned and spotted her, raising his eyebrows in complete confusion.
"What are you doing here-"
Jennie steadied Yoongi and flashed him a reassuring smile. "You've always helped me... now's my turn."
-•-•-
"JK-ssi!" The radio show host smiled brightly. "After a long eight month hiatus, you're finally back with your new album and title track 'Still With You'! How does that feel?"
Jungkook put on a huge smile no matter how horrible he was feeling. "It has been great, this has actually been one of my favourite eras thus far. I actually wrapped up music show promotions a week ago, and it ended successfully with no hiccups. I'm grateful and happy that my song was received so well."
"I can really tell from the glow in your face!" The show host chuckled loudly. "You're literally gleaming this comeback, JK-ssi! I still remember you looking rather gloomy and down on TV a while back, I'm just glad you're looking much better these days."
"I am doing much better indeed," Jungkook said with a smile. "A combination of better sleep and keeping a good balance of healthy food and exercise, I guess!"
"Ah, I see..." The show host grinned. "I'm glad to hear that. And of course, I'm glad that you're here with us today."
"I'm glad to be here."
"It's my honour," the show host said with a polite bow, that Jungkook reciprocated. "Now, I would just like to have a short little conversation with you, before we end off this radio segment with some of your latest tracks. Is that alright?"
"Sure, no problem."
"Alright, that's great-" The show host looked down into his notes. "First question I would like to ask you is actually... I have actual proof right over here that your total first day album sales increased by 276% this comeback, how do you feel about that?"
"Um..." Jungkook smiled a little. "Firstly, I'm very grateful towards my fans for this increase. When my manager hyung told me about this a couple of days ago, I was really surprised! I never expected this album to have such a huge increase in success from the last album."
"Ah, is that so?" The show host smiled. "Actually, I personally was expecting it. You hadn't had a comeback in such a long time, and to add on to that, you also had that dating scandal earlier this year-"
"About that-" Jungkook cut the show host off abruptly, but tried to maintain a smile and polite tone since he knew he was on live radio. "I personally don't think that was the main reason behind the growth in album sales this time."
"Is that so? I think it was, actually."
Jungkook tried his best to hide his evident discomfort with a painful-looking smile. "That's your opinion, DJ Yoo. I'm curious to know what my fans and the casual listeners of my music think. Please comment why you bought my album under my latest tweet! I'm really curious, but I sincerely hope you bought the album for my music, as I put a lot of thought into writing it. Thank you."
"Oh-" DJ Yoo let out an awkward laugh as he looked down at his cue card. "JK-ssi, we actually have time for one more question. Is that okay with you?"
Jungkook was really struggling to keep his cool. "Sure... of course."
"Have you noticed any difference whenever you go out recently as compared to in the past?"
Jungkook frowned. "I'm not too sure what this is supposed to mean..."
"Like-" DJ Yoo cleared his throat loudly. "I don't know, a surge in popularity? More people recognising you on the streets? Something like that? Perhaps, especially so when you go on dates with your girlfriend? I'm sure your popularity has risen because of the dating news with her, am I right-"
"No, everything is the same, I just feel more love lately-" Jungkook said, pissed that every single sentence that came out of that stupid show host's mouth. "Looks like the time is up, DJ Yoo. Thank you for your time."
"No, thank you, JK!" DJ Yoo sensed Jungkook's clear displeasure and quickly wrapped it up. "Let's give it up once again for rising solo artist, Jeon Jungkook! Known more popularly as... JK! The next song we're gonna play today is... 'Decalcomania' from his latest album... 'JJK1'."
As 'Decalcomania' filled his ears, Jungkook forced himself to get up from his seat and put on a smile as he thanked DJ Yoo. The cameras were still rolling, the show was not over.
"Thank you so much for having me-" Jungkook swallowed the words that he so desperately wanted to spit into his face. "I had a good time."
"I hope my questions didn't make you feel too uncomfortable, JK-ssi..." DJ Yoo said with a frown. "I just wanted to ask the questions that burned on the listeners' minds, you know what I mean?"
"Of course, of course-" Jungkook literally had to choke the words out from his lips. "You did a great job. Hope to guest on your show again in the future."
"That would be my pleasure, JK-ssi. Please head home safely."
Jungkook felt like his facial muscles were about to cramp up as he kept on the smile, while DJ Yoo took his leave. He managed to thank the staff profusely, before finally dragging himself out of that horrid room, while still trying to add a spring in his step. It was pure torture.
"JK!" Seokjin approached Jungkook with a worried frown the moment he emerged from the room. "I... I told him not to ask such questions... I didn't expect him to-"
"It's okay, hyung-" Jungkook sighed as the smile disappeared from his face. "Where's the car? Let's go home."
"Wait, we need to wait for Jieun-ie first-" Seokjin looked around, but Jieun was nowhere in sight. "She was just around here a moment ago, I wonder where she went..."
"It's okay-" Jungkook groaned. "I need to go to the toilet, anyway. Hyung, wait for me in the car - I'll go look for Lee Jieun and bring her back."
"Okay, JK-" Seokjin pouted as he gave Jungkook a small pat on his back. "Take things easy, alright?"
"Mm, don't worry."
-•-•-
"PD-nim!" Jennie smiled as she grabbed Yoongi by his arm and approached Park PD quickly before he could take his leave. "Hi! Do you remember me?"
"Oh-?" Park PD adjusted his glasses as he spotted Jennie. "Jennie Kim-ssi! Of course I remember you, we filmed together just last year."
"Oh, so you do remember me-" Jennie chuckled. "That's a relief. Yeah, we worked together last year, and we'll be working together again soon, am I right?"
"Oh, right!" Park PD's eyes lit up. "Love House, am I right? Kim PD told me that he wanted to scout you and I told him there's no way you'd agree, but I'm glad you accepted our offer."
"It's my pleasure that you still believe in me after my recent false rumours," Jennie said sweetly, trying to get on Park PD's good side. "I'm happy to work with people as perceptive and sensible like you and Kim PD-nim, Park PD."
"Oh, perceptive and sensible?" Park PD laughed, clearly flattered. "Wow, Jennie-ssi, you're still as good at talking as before. You really know how to flatter me. Don't worry about the programme, I'll make sure Kim PD does a good job showing the best sides of you, as well as JK-ssi, to the public. People will forget about your groundless rumours in no time, Jennie-ssi. We believe in you, so please believe in us as well."
Yoongi coughed softly next to Jennie.
"Mm... PD-nim!" Jennie exclaimed abruptly, suddenly reminded of Yoongi's presence. "I'll believe in you, but to show me that you are worthy of my trust, I hope that you can help me with one thing. It's just a really small thing, and this favour is definitely something that someone as capable as you will have no problem fulfilling. I hope you can agree."
"Sure, if it is within my control, of course-" Park PD chuckled, clearly bought in by Jennie's intense boot-licking skills. "Go ahead, Jennie-ssi."
"Um-" Jennie pursed her lips as she pulled Yoongi forward, trying her best to package her words in the best way possible. "Well... you see..."
"Wait-" Park PD frowned as he glanced at Yoongi, then back at Jennie once more. "I noticed that he had been standing here for a while. You know him?"
Jennie bit her lower lip nervously. "Yeah, in actual fact, I do... which brings me to my main point-"
Park PD knew what Jennie was getting at even before she spoke. "I'm sorry, Jennie-ssi, but this is out of the question-"
"PD-nim!" Jennie frowned. "I just called you a perceptive and sensible person earlier, do you really have to make me take back my words so fast?"
Park PD's jaws dropped, and so did Yoongi's.
"Don't mind me being a little direct, PD-nim," Jennie said as she pointed at Yoongi who was still standing right next to her. "This guy is one of the most genuine guys I've met. I think that judging him just based on your first meeting with him is not sufficient for you determine whether he is or isn't fit for this job. You're just using your own preconceived idea of him simply because of his past and... I think that's not right, PD-nim."
He narrowed his eyes. "What are you suggesting...?"
Jennie glanced at Yoongi nervously, before gathering up her courage and trying her luck. "Mm... about the Love House filming... I heard that it will be filmed for two days in the outskirts of Seoul...? Perhaps-"
"No."
"Park PD!" Jennie pouted as she folded her arms. "I'm not even asking you to let him stay - I'm asking you to give him an opportunity to prove himself."
Park PD sighed loudly. "I can't just do that-"
"Ah..." Jennie's acting switch was flipped as she turned to Yoongi and let out a dramatic sob, even surprising Yoongi himself. "Oppa, I'm so sorry, even I can't change his mind... We literally grew up together, I know you best and I know that you absolutely don't deserve this form of treatment. Why don't you scold me? I've let you down, oppa... I'm so sorry..."
Yoongi stared blankly at Jennie as he mouthed the three ridiculous words she had just spouted. "Grew up together...?"
Jennie shook her head at Yoongi subtly, before secretly glancing behind her to check on Park PD's response. Park PD paced back and forth and let out an uncomfortable cough as he looked away, but he still refused to barge.
"PD-nim..." Jennie sniffled as she turned to Park PD. "I really wished that I could join Love House and show my good side to the public, but I'm afraid that now, I might have to back out of it. Thank you for selecting me as your first choice though. Let's work together again some other time."
"Wait, what?" Park PD gasped. "Jennie-ssi, this is not fair. Are you really backing out of this simply because I didn't help your friend?"
"Of course not," Jennie lied. "Do I seem like that kind of person to you?"
Park PD eyed her suspiciously.
"You will never know what I go through on a daily basis, Park PD... I actually have anxiety." Jennie fake sobbed, but she wasn't lying... she really was diagnosed with anxiety. "I need someone I trust to be there to calm me down."
"You have anxiety?" Park PD softened a little. "Why didn't you tell me? But don't you have JK-ssi and your manager there? Why would you need someone else? You trust this guy more than your own boyfriend...?"
"To a certain extent... yes-" Jennie glanced at Yoongi and nodded. "I trust him fully."
Yoongi stared at her.
Jennie pursed her lips as she stared back at him. "I need him by my side."
"So what you're saying is..." Park PD narrowed his eyes. "You want me to put Yoongi-ssi under Kim PD's team for Love House for monitoring... and decide after that whether to keep him?"
Jennie's face lit up as she nodded excitedly. "Mmhmm-"
"Also, at the same time, you want him to be there to calm you down while you film, is that what you're saying?"
Jennie nodded again. "Yes, exactly-"
"And on what grounds should I agree?" Park PD folded his arms, his facial expression unreadable. "Jennie-ssi, do you know that I've already received the contract with your signature? By breaking the contract, do you know what the penalty fee is?"
The smile on Jennie's face faded slowly. "I-"
"Hey-" Yoongi prodded Jennie in the shoulder. "Forget it, let's go."
"Oppa!" Jennie frowned. "How can I just-"
"I don't like begging people-" Yoongi shook his head as he grabbed Jennie by the arm. "I appreciate what you're doing, but I can't let you suffer the consequences for my sake. Let's go."
"Stop-" Jennie struggled to get her hand out of Yoongi's grip as he pulled her away slowly. "Ya-"
"Hold on a minute."
Jennie immediately pulled Yoongi back and spun around expectantly. "Yes, PD-nim?"
"I didn't say I disagreed," Park PD said quietly as he glanced at Yoongi. "I'll give you a chance, Yoongi-ssi. But remember, the ball still lies in your court - you either prove yourself or lose the chance completely. There's no in between, you understand?"
Yoongi's face lit up. "Wait, what?"
Jennie squealed excitedly as she nudged Yoongi in the ribcage. "You got it! You got it!"
Park PD pursed his lips, holding in a smile. "Anything you wanna say to me?"
Yoongi glanced at Jennie, completely disoriented. "I- well- I-"
"Say thank you, oppa!" Jennie beamed as she forced Yoongi's head down into a bow, before grabbing Park PD's hand and shaking it profusely. "Thank you, Park PD-nim! You're the best! I knew I was right about you! Good people will definitely be rewarded one day! Thank you!"
Park PD finally smiled as he shook his head in defeat. He glanced at Yoongi, before pointing at Jennie. "You have her to thank, Yoongi-ssi."
Yoongi smiled fondly as he watched Jennie jumping up and down excitedly from behind.
"I know."