Rewrite the Rules

Why we shouldn't date: Part 35

A beat of awkward silence stretched between us, thick with the aftershock of my confession. Then, a surprised laugh bubbled up from Namjoon's lips, shattering the tension. "Are you serious, Emma?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Despite the nervous flutter in my stomach, I held his gaze. "Completely," I replied, my voice firm despite the tremor that threatened to betray me. "Eight reasons, to be exact."

A slow grin spread across his face, crinkling the corners of his eyes. "Alright then," he conceded, leaning back in his chair with an air of playful challenge. "Hit me. Let's hear these dealbreakers of yours."

"Reason number one, Kim Namjoon, superstar idol, should absolutely not date Emma, the former It Girl," I declared, the weight of my past hanging heavy in the air.

"Think about it. We were practically caught on camera tonight. Guaranteed, tomorrow, there'll be photos plastered all over the internet – 'Mystery Girl Spotted dancing with Jungkook!' Chaos will ensue. Let me save you the trouble. I can walk out that door right now, disappear, and that's it. Poof, problem solved."

A genuine chuckle escaped Namjoon's lips, the sound warm and disarming. "That's a bold first reason. But a valid one nonetheless. What's number two on this list of downfalls?"

. "Reason number two," I continued. "Is my, shall we say, 'colorful' past. Let's face it, Namjoon, you and BTS are known for being squeaky clean – paragons of virtue. Me? My younger days were... less than stellar. Party girl extraordinaire. Not exactly the image you guys cultivate."

"Fair point," he said, nodding slowly. "The media would have a field day with that discrepancy. Alright, hit me with reason number three."

Taking a fortifying sip of my orange juice, I steeled myself for the next one. "Reason number three is a doozy," I warned, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Media attention. The constant flash of cameras, the relentless hounding by paparazzi, the insatiable gossip rags – not exactly a recipe for a relaxing date night, would you say?"

Namjoon chuckled again. "I get it," he admitted, his voice laced with amusement. "Privacy is a precious commodity, especially in our line of work. So, what's number four on your list of reasons why I shouldn't fall head over heels for you?"

"Reason number five," I began, my voice laced with a touch of self-deprecation, "is the whole 'serial celebrity dater' label the tabloids love to slap on me. Every time I was seen having a friendly conversation with someone remotely famous, it turned into a full-blown romance in the gossip rags. Believe me, it's exhausting."

A surprised laugh escaped Namjoon's lips. "People are obsessed with creating narratives, aren't they? He remarked, shaking his head slightly. "Alright, reason number six? Hit me with it."

Emboldened by his amusement, I pressed on. "This one's a doozy." "Reason number six: tabloid speculation. We all know the drill – 'Are they dating? Are they engaged? Is she pregnant with the love child of K-Pop?' The lies get wilder with each headline. Imagine, 'Is Emma actually an alien visitor?' every time we're spotted together! Talk about an invasion of privacy."

Namjoon chuckled, a deep, rich sound that sent a warmth blossoming in my chest. "True, the media can be relentless. But seriously, Emma, are you secretly an alien?"

"Of course not!" I exclaimed, the absurdity of the question momentarily breaking the tension. "Right. Moving on. Reason number seven: public perception. People might think I'm still clinging to that socialite lifestyle, you know, the champagne showers and all that. Not exactly the image you guys are going for, is it?"

"I can see the dilemma," he admitted. "A K-Pop idol dating a reformed party girl – it would certainly raise some eyebrows. Alright, what's the final reason on your list, the ultimate dealbreaker that would make dating me a disaster?"

"Reason number eight."

"Potential misunderstandings with Big Hit. You really think they wouldn't allow me to even be seen with you?" He finally turned his gaze back to me, his expression unreadable.

"It's a possibility," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "They're fiercely protective of your image, and my past..." I trailed off, unsure of how to articulate the self-doubt gnawing at me.

A beat of silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken emotions. Then, to my surprise, Namjoon threw his head back and laughed, a warm, genuine sound that washed away some of the tension.

"Emma," he began, his voice regaining its usual earnestness, "you've given this a lot of thought, haven't you?" There was a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"Well, yeah," I stammered, suddenly feeling foolish for laying out my perceived shortcomings like a grocery list.

Before I could delve deeper into my self-deprecation, Namjoon leaned forward, his gaze holding mine with an intensity that stole my breath away. "Now that you've presented me with a compelling case against our potential relationship," he said, a hint of a challenge in his voice, "let me offer a counter-argument. Let me tell you why I think we should date."

The words hung in the air, a bombshell exploding in the quiet aftermath of my confession. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drum solo echoing in my ears. This wasn't the way I'd planned this conversation. But with a spark of defiance igniting within me, I leaned forward, meeting his gaze head-on.

"Alright, Namjoon, hit me. Tell me why we should date."