Rewrite the Rules

The Truth: Part 31

Namjoon's brow furrowed in confusion. "A chaebol?" he repeated, the word foreign on his tongue. The weight of his confusion mirrored the churning unease in my stomach.

"Yeah," I stammered, searching for the right words. "Like Samsung, you know? A big Korean family-run business conglomerate?" His expression remained unchanged, a blank canvas offering no clues to his thoughts. Frustration bubbled up within me.

"My last name," I emphasized, enunciating each word carefully, "is Rowan. Think of it like... like the Googles, the Microsofts, the Metas of the world. Rowan Enterprises. That's me."

A flicker of recognition dawned in his eyes, a spark slowly igniting into understanding. "Oh," he breathed, the realization washing over him. "I get it now. Rowan, like a tech giant. That's..." He trailed off, searching for the right word. "Huge."

Relief flooded my system, a temporary reprieve from the storm raging inside me. But the moment was fleeting. Namjoon's next question hung heavy in the air. "But Emma," he began, his voice gentle, "that doesn't have to be a problem, does it?"

The question, laced with a quiet hope, sent a fresh wave of trepidation washing over me. "Of course, there's more," I sighed, the words catching in my throat. "How do I even explain this?"

Reaching into my purse, I retrieved my phone, the familiar weight of it a grounding force in the chaos. Sliding it across the table towards Namjoon, I met his gaze with a mixture of apprehension and a desperate plea for understanding.

"Read this," I whispered, the words barely audible over the pounding music.

The article title displayed on the screen: "The Rise and Retreat of Rowan: A Socialite's Journey." It was time for Namjoon to understand who I truly was, the good, the bad, and he complicated mess in between.

The Rise and Retreat of Rowan: A Socialite's Journey

In her heyday during the late 2010s, Rowan, of the prominent computer family, held the spotlight as a quintessential socialite and emblem of the "It Girl" culture. Renowned for her glamorous lifestyle and frequent appearances at high-profile events, she effortlessly became the focus of tabloids and media, often photographed alongside other A-list celebrities.

Rowan's prominence was not solely derived from her lineage; she carved her niche as a central figure in the celebrity nightlife scene. Exclusive parties and upscale nightclubs served as the backdrop for her striking fashion choices, and philanthropy ventures capturing the attention of both the media and the public. Her name became synonymous with the archetype of a socialite who wholeheartedly embraced the opulent party lifestyle.

Beyond her socialite persona, Rowan flexed her entrepreneurial muscles, engaging in various business ventures. An internationally acclaimed DJ and a sought-after fashion model, she demonstrated a versatility that extended beyond the glitz of the party scene. Despite occasional controversies and media scrutiny, Rowan's image became an integral part of pop culture, contributing to the shaping of societal perceptions of celebrity and fame during that era.

However, in a sudden turn of events in 2017, Rowan seemingly vanished from the public eye. The once-ubiquitous socialite retreated into relative obscurity, leaving the media and fans speculating about her whereabouts and activities. Unbeknownst to many, she quietly pursued a life away from the limelight, with rumors suggesting her involvement in the IT field following her university graduation.

The enigmatic disappearance of Rowan adds a new layer to her narrative, leaving a void in the socialite scene she once dominated. As the late 2010s era fades into memory, Rowan's legacy remains, prompting questions about the complexities of fame and the choices individuals make when transitioning from the dazzling lights of celebrity to the shadows of a more private life.