Yu Karina
I looked over at Aeri who have this annoyed expression the whole time.
Her eyes were glued on her phone, scrolling nonstop on the screen.
And as if she notice my stare, she lifted her head then grumbled.
"I hate these toxic fans." She announced, pointing at her phone. "I've been checking the latest teas and fuck this shitheads but some of Yeonjun's loyal dogs are seriously tweeting nasty stuffs about you-like the goddamn suicide was your fault!"
My stomach twisted.
"Yeah, I've seen some of that too..."
She scoffed, "It's so unfair! Especially when we're all just trying to deal with everything. And fuck them they don't know everydamnthing."
I stayed silent.
Looking down.
Fiddling with hands.
I am the victim.
I should feel really good by now.
Yet I can't help this bothering feeling - that maybe I'm at fault too.
"It really pisses me off. Yeonjun's gone, and blaming you isn't going to change that. They don't even know the whole story-they're just lashin' out."
Her words made me feel a bit better, knowing she had my back, but it also sucked how cruel people could be.
How they just pointed, dropping something on the internet, like they didn't even thought about what the person would feel.
They're being selfish.
They're being unreasonable.
The fact that 'we' celebrities are also just human beings.
They should really know the difference between idolizing and worshipping.
"I just want to focus on healing my mental health," I said quietly. "Not deal with all the hate."
Aeri nodded, squeezing my arm reassuringly, "Exactly. Let them talk. You do you."
I stood up from the couch, then cleared my throat, wanted to change the subject.
"What do you want for dinner?"
"I-"
Aeri's words were halted by the sound of the intercom.
She throw me a knowing look,"Are you expecting someone?"
I furrowed my brows.
I'm not expecting someone.
When I didn't answer, she stand to her feet.
"I'll get the door. Stay right there."
I nodded.
Aeri walked toward the door as I stood there,waiting.
A moment later, Aeri were back with a face I couldn't read at all.
She stood beside me then whispered,grinning at me, "Damn unnie. You have a hot visitor tonight."
"What?"
And on cue, an oh so familiar woman emerged from the hallway.
Wearing a simple black tank top, and a light blue baggy jeans.
"Pardon my intrusion...Ms. Yu, good evening," she said in a low voice, stepping fully in the room.
I stood there, jaw dropped. Awestruck.
I heard it.
I did!
But can you blame me?
Look at HER!
Aeri must've noticed my dumbfounded look so she spoke, "You're more than welcome, Minjeong-can I call you that? And you can also stop calling me by my family's name, Aeri's cool with me."
She nodded and gave a small, shy smile. "Thanks, Aeri. Oh- here, Yoona-sshi told me to gave this."
Because I was busy being a part-time statue, my good friend here took the plastic bag, and look back,
causing my gaze to avert at her.
"Unnie,breath or you might passed out." she mouthed.
I blinked.
Finally letting myself to function.
God. Oxygen almost left my system.
Minjeong shifted awkwardly, not knowing what to do or who to look at.
Cute!
Well, maybe because she was in the presence of two well-known solo artist of Korea.
"Unnie why don't you ask Minjeong to sit? We've been standing here forever." Aeri stepped back, giving us some space with a teasing grin. "I'll leave you two to catch up. Dinner can wait."
As much as I want to pull the pink haired girl back, I contained myself from not doing so.
Embarrassment starts creeping in me.
Please someone snatched this woman out, I can't stand this!
"Uh...sorry for showing up unannounced Ms. Yu," I observed how her hand flew over her nape, scratching it a little. A habit that I'm well aware that she'll do if she feels shy or irritated. "You're not responding to any of Yoona-sshi's message so...I do her a favor since I was now, temporarily, live next door."
What?
Wait, did she just mentioned 'live next door'?
My eyes widened, realization hit me faster than a bullet train.
"Live next door?" I repeated, trying to mask the bits of surprise in my voice.
Minjeong nodded, "Yeah, they arranged for me to stay in the same building- wait, didn't you check the director's message too?"
I shook my head, feeling the heat on my cheeks, " I've been avoiding to check my phone the whole day."
She heave out a soft sigh, " I know it's a lot to take in." Her eyes held mine as she continue " You can call me whenever you like, you can talk to me, I'm all ears...Ms. Yu."
I dropped my gaze on the floor.
If I don't, I might totally explode.
Heart hammering in my chest.
I can still feel her eyes on me. Like she's waiting for me to respond.
The space between us felt warm, electrifying and thick with
-one sided tension.
Yet, the weight of her words was full of meaning - sweet and delicate hanging between them. Genuinely making me feel validated.
I looked up, meeting her magnetic eyes.
"Thank you,Minjeong. That really means a lot to me."
She beamed. Shy but more than sincere.
Just then, Aeri popped back in, completely unaware of the moment.
"Yo, now that you're neighbors, don't disappear on her, okay? No ghosting! and most importantly unnie, no harsh back talks. Let's go and eat, Minjeong come, I'm famished."
Minjeong shook her head politely, "Thanks, but I'm really exhausted. Packing and unpacking took more out of me than I thought."
I felt that-moving sucks.
"I won't take no from you next time you got that?"
She chuckles.
Before leaving, she turned to look at me, "I'll see you later Ms. Yu. You should get some rest too."
Then she turned and left.
The room suddenly felt quieter.
Not until Aeri spoke.
"If staring can make someone pregnant, unnie, you and Minjeong will have dozens already."
I choked.
" I - I need water!"
~
Third Person's Point of View
"Yeonjun's down."
A chilling silence filled the room.
The first man's voice barely whispered through clenched teeth.
The second's eyes glisten under the dim light, a slow, cruel smile spreading across his face. "Finally. The bastard had it coming. How about Karina?"
The first guy's face tightened, annoyed. "She's still out there, and she's a problem. I want her gone, no questions."
"What do we do to the photographer?"
Both men froze, their expression darken.
The second leaned forward, eyes sharp, trying to look back to the person behind.
The knife on both of their throats were hanging, waiting for the skin to rip off.
"Yeah. Loose tongues, evidence... if she talks, everything falls apart." The hooded person mocked, smirking.
And within a second, both body were now on the ground.
Still warm but already dead.
"Make sure to kill me before you kill her."