26. Naeun (1/2)
(OST- Be Alright by Justin Beiber)The moment the company rang with the news I felt as though my world had come crashing down. The news stations had blown up. Friends from work were calling me in a rush, demanding to know what was happening and the company even called.“Son Naeun,” the mood was serious. “This is a big problem. Did you know about the photographs?”
I denied knowing anything about it. “I had no idea sir honestly.” But that wouldn’t be the end of it.“SM Entertainment has contacted us regarding our position. We are not sure whether we will confirm or deny—“
“—Please don’t,” I stopped after realising how rushed I was sounding. Did I want my reputation to possibly be tarnished by confirming? Or was I ready to make a terrible mistake and deny everything?
He… Would he even forgive me if I did?They continued to speak. “Since SM Entertainment has more power than we do we’ve decided we’ll follow with whatever they decide. A representative will reveal the verdict to the public this afternoon.”
Why had they even bothered to ask me for my opinion in the first place?My calm expression was starting to fade. The implications of the news becoming true would come to pass in less than twenty four hours. As the phone call came to an end I buried my face in my hands.God why did this have to happen?Sitting on the edge of the chair I almost didn’t notice my own phone ringing away. When I saw the caller ID I knew that the conversation would be a hard one to discuss.“Hello oppa,” I said weakly.“Naeun are you free?” He sounded just as shaken. It made me ache to hear him struggling. I wonder how the response had been from his end.“I have a schedule that ends at eleven tonight. Could we meet after that?” I knew I had to jump to the chase.“That is fine, I know a place we can meet in I’ll call you later.”
I wondered if he had any schedules to attend or if they had been cancelled. Checking the time I gathered my things together to head off to mine.
Ω
The moment I sat down on the couch for the filming I felt the atmosphere in the room change. The MC’s greeted us after we arrived while the audience started to settle. In the corner of my eye I saw people glaring back at me.Bomi unnie whispered in my ear to pay no attention to them but that was easier said than done. How could I just ignore them when I felt like their looks would thrust knives into me?The MC’s managed to go through with the show until, “Son Naeun-sshi how do you feel about those idols who debut at such a young age?”
Before I could even speak there was a sound of jeering from one corner and the MC’s made rather fake smiles at me, hoping it would end soon.“Naeun wouldn’t know but her boyfriend does. He debuted at the age of sixteen!”
“She was eighteen when Apink came to light.”
The MC’s had to interrupt and continue on with the next question. Eunji’s unnie’s gaze was not a pleasant one and I felt myself sticking to the leather couch. The show had to go on regardless of what anyone said or did.But the comments kept coming and every time they did the filming had to be postponed until the director decided enough was enough.“Stop, we’ll quit filming for today.” He decided and then the staff started to escort the audience out of the building.The MC’s stood up and went to their rooms; we bowed to them in apology. As soon as we went into our waiting rooms to get changed there was serious sparks flying, not the sweet lovely kind.“Unnie you really did it this time!” Hayoung exclaimed as I was getting changed out of my dress. “How could you get caught; how could you let yourself be seen!?”
Eunji stepped in between us. “Do you think she planned this?!” Her voice was raised and I couldn’t believe how angry she appeared. “Is she really that stupid Oh Hayoung?!”