Beyond The Stage

Gossiping

Alexis's POV

I know everyone gossips. There were always people who gossiped about looks or supposed relationships. But in this company, maybe information exchange would be a better word because this is more than just gossiping. How else would every single one of my coworkers know all of my business?

"Is it true that you speak six languages?" A woman walks up to me and asks.

I was assigned to a room with other staff for the rest of the stay in Brazil. Sejin told me that there is a specific rotation that changes who rooms with who every country, but they let everyone trade rooms if they want. I seem to have landed the one with some of the coordinators and stylists.

One of her friends comes up next to her and asks another question. "And that your soulmate is Korean. You met him at a BTS concert, right?"

A small circle of women watches our interaction a few feet away, waiting for my response. They all look fascinated by me. I don't mind them knowing, after all I want to be friends with my work mates. But I really wish they would've just learned about me from me. If they know that, then one of the managers blabbed about my interview.

Also, this means that I need to be extremely cautious about what I say. One slip up and everyone will know something's off. "Yes to both. Portuguese isn't really one of them, but I know enough for the concert," I say truthfully.

"So you don't know Spanish?" The first woman asks.

Oh my. I filter through my head every way I could explain this. You were taught this Alexis. Professor Elijah's first rule about lying, stick as close to the truth as possible. Just like the interview. "I do, but I was still getting settled in Korea. It was such an abrupt change, you know."

"Oh, because of your soulmate?" One of the women from the back pipes up.

I smile warmly, "Exactly."

I tell them about how I met my 'soulmate' at the concert in Seoul. The first one, of course. Making the date one day apart might save me later, or maybe I'm just being overly cautious. After that, is when I lie the most, telling them about our encounter and how we enjoyed the rest of the concert together before exchanging numbers and meeting up the next day.

By this time, we all are sitting down and talking with each other. They have gotten more comfortable with me, commenting and adding to the conversation. Comfortable enough to whisper about Jungkook, Taehyung, and Hoseok's bonds.

"Did you know that you met your soulmate a day before three of the members did?" A coordinator whispers. The rest of us gasp at her bringing it up. Me, because I've just entered a danger zone. "Come on, we all have NDAs, right? Besides, no one knows what happened after that."

I'm a bit wary about talking about this, but I also know that this is a great opportunity to learn what other people know about our bond. I play along, "Yeah, I saw some fan cams of the bonds, but I know about as much as anyone else. Did they find them?"

"I don't know. None of the staff knows, and I haven't seen anyone with them." A stylist explains.

"I thought they had all found their soulmates and were secretly living with them. They are getting older."

"But they've never acted any differently, and I'm almost positive that they still live together."

"They aren't that old. And you have to think, it's hard to find their soulmate when they are under strict protection and can't really go anywhere by themselves." 

"Especially when most soulmate bonds need both people to touch each other. Taehyung, Hoseok, and Jungkook were lucky enough to be able to bond without it."

"But seriously, three of them at the same exact time." They all add their own thoughts and opinions. I take in everything they say.

So the common assumption would be that they all found their soulmate, exactly what I thought before I was the soulmate. With the staff's knowledge that they all still live together and don't interact with anyone at the company romantically, it's hard to tell whether they do or don't have a soulmate. Only myself, my family, Sejin, Do-Song, and the members know.

"Anyways, it doesn't matter. Nothing would change for us if we knew. As long as the fans are just as clueless as us, the company is safe and we still have our jobs."

Her comment catches my attention. "You think something would happen to the company if it turns out they have soulmates?" I ask. They all fervently nod their heads.

"Definitely. At least a third of their fan base is holding on to the hope that any of the members will fall in love with them. Once that possibility is gone, they will leave. Nothing has happened since the bond reactions from the concert, so I don't know how the fans are reacting. Who knows how that will affect the company." An assistant describes.

"Until the company debuts more groups, BTS is our lifeline. All of us know that, but I love it here. No matter how dangerous, it really is amazing working here."

Their words set my determination. I'll help keep it a secret as long as possible. I knew the risk that everyone would be facing if I came in to the picture. That's another reason why I ran. Not only the members, but every worker at Bighit and the company itself would suffer if I became known.

The staff don't seem to notice my reactions as they move on to another topic. The uncertain sentiment may not be an easy thing to digest. It's a bit scary, honestly. I don't blame them for the sudden change in topic.

"Alexis, can I ask you for advice?"

"Of course, what do you need help with?"

"It's about Bangtan's outfit." She explains. "I already decided most of the outfit and got approval, but I can't figure out what to put for the jewelry. They said that I can use whatever, but even small accessories can make or break a style."

My phone rings and Maître Gims blasts out at full volume. I check the number and see Hoseok's name flash on the screen. I quickly answer it before the girls can see the name, "Hey."

"I really like that song." I hear someone comments in the background. Another voice hums in agreement.

"Alexis, how are you doing? Do you need anything? How are the other staff? Are they being nice to you, they're not excluding you, are they?" He asks question after question.

"No, I'm fine. They are really nice." He sighs in relief in the background.

"So what were they talking about?" A simple question. Just an inquiry to make conversation, but one that he doesn't need to worry about. I stick with Elijah's first rule.

"Accessories."