Acts of Hate | Taennie

8.

"So..." Director Song started, glancing at the two who sat the farthest distance they could from each other on the office couch.

"I assume you two know why you're in here?" He started, as he looked between the pair.

"Not really."

"No."

The two spoke simultaneously, glancing amongst each other rather suspiciously.

"This you seemingly agree on.." Director Song muttered rather irritatedly.

"I have to go in a fe-" Taehyung started only to shut up at the glare thrown his way.

"Do you realise the genre of this drama?" He asked them with a deep inhale, as Jennie pursed her lips and Taehyung avoided eye contact.

"It's definitely not indefinite rivalry. So do you mind telling me why these articles are published?" He accused, throwing a couple papers on the table.

Jennie and Rowoon.

Taehyung and Hyejin.

Bad breakup amongst romance drama lead couple?

Why the hostility?

Taennie, what was supposed to be the couple of our dreams, seems to be enemies instead.

Kim Taehyung and Kim Jennie, explaining the hate.

Why the rivalry?

Taehyung looked amongst the headlines as he mentally cursed at them.

"So mind explaining? What is going on between you two!" He yelled as Jennie and Taehyung only sat quietly, not knowing what to say.

"Was it really a bad breakup? Can't you sort that through words? Did one of you murder the others parents? If not... then why can't you even sit in a room together without these articles popping up?" He started scolding the pair who only sat there and took it.

"If you can't resolve it, then we'll have to change the lead cast now, before we start filming. Otherwise, it's terrible publicity. So tell me, can you get it together or will we have to change the lead couple? I mean how can the second lead and the main lead have more chemistry?!" He muttered infuriated as Taehyung handed him some water.

"We'll sort it out." Jennie suddenly stated as both the director and Taehyung turned to look at her.

"We'll manage it, so this won't happen again." She continued as Taehyung took a deep breath and looked back at the director.

"It won't turn out like this again." He promised as the director leant back and looked between the pair.

"The hostility is far too much for some random fight. What happened between you guys?" He asked as subconsciously the pair looked at each other.

Instead of answering, they sat there in silence.

"Is it that bad that you can't even talk about it?" He asked, a softer tone to his voice as he garnered to answer.

"Alright, that's fine. But we do have to do a PR fix. You need to go out together, on a sort of date. That's what the PR team said, and that's the easiest way." He let out as the two glanced up with wide eyes.

"What?"

"No way!"

The two yelled as the director only dead panned at them.

"Your agencies agreed this is the best way to make up for the headlines. It's better than faking a dating scandal through a news reporter." He explained as the two sat there mouths agape.

"Can't we just comment on each others instagrams or something? Or post a picture together?" Taehyung exasperated as the director only shook his head.

"That'll look too fake. It'll look like an intended rebuttal to the headlines. Being caught out at least makes it look like you two are friends, or more, off camera. Also fans believe stuff that's released unintentionally more than material released intentionally. So you know, time to fake it." He explained as Jennie sighed, knowing there was no way out of this.

"When do we do this?" She asked as Taehyung let out a deep breath, also realising they were stuck.

"This weekend. Both your schedules are free that day. And the day after there's a magazine shoot, so don't miss it." He explained as the two were mentally cursing at their situation.

"Alright, that's about it. Taehyung stay back for a minute." He spoke as Jennie nodded, briefly casting a look at Taehyung and then standing up.

"Alright then. Bye Director Song, I'll see you soon." She said as she bid farewell to the director and was about to turn to leave out of habit but paused as she turned to look at Taehyung.

"Bye Taehyung-ssi." She muttered almost like a whisper before actually leaving, as Taehyung was too stunned to mouth a reply.

"Taehyung-ah." Director Song called, addressing him informally now that they were alone and the main topic of discussion had passed.

"Look. I don't know Jennie that well, and this is my first time working with her. But I know you Taehyung, we've worked together several times now. I know I was extremely insistent on having Jennie, but in the end of the day, the entire drama is more important than one lead." He began as Taehyung tuned in, not understanding completely who it where this was leading.

"You're known for getting along with your co-stars instantly. Immediate chemistry. And for you to be acting this way, makes me believe that what happened between you two isn't small. Jennie is new to acting, but this has been your profession for a while. So you tell me. It's your shot. Should I leave things how they are, or should I, will I, need to replace Jennie with someone else. I'm leaving this to you. If you think you can't work it out, or if it can't be mended, well, that's that then. But if it can, then you need to let me know." He started as Taehyung looked puzzled at the proposition, finally understanding where this went.

"This is your last chance, because we're starting filming, so you've got to tell me now." He said as Taehyung took his own time to think.

Saying remove her would mean her contract getting terminated, removing her from one of the biggest projects of her career.

But removing her would also mean he would never have to suffer in awkwardness again. Removing her would mean that he wouldn't be reminded of the past every time he worked on this. Removing her meant freedom for him.

So all that was left was,
Should he?

——————-
Chapter 8
—
Acts of hate
—
JJENINII
——————-