| 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 |

Chapter 12: How to Walk the Red Carpet

The next morning...

Hmm... Something's not right, but I can't put my finger on it... what is it? The sun is shining, the birds are chirping... wait a minute. There hasn't been a single announcement this morning! What's going on? Is Jungkook sick? I'd better go and look for the others and find out.

Afterward, I walked out into the hallway to find Taehyung, Ishan, and Jimin discussing something while leaning on the railing.

"Hello, gentlemen."

"Hello lady" Taehyung bowed smiling

"Come on you two, stop it. I was so happy this morning when nobody 'ladies-and-gentlemen'd' me... You just had to ruin it" A look of irritation crossed Jimin's face as we high-fived

"Sorry," we whispered together, giggling.

"But now that you have mentioned it, what's up with that? It's unusual for him not to announce an event early in the morning. And it's, what... ten o'clock already?" I asked

"He might be dealing with the backlash from last night. Well, you and your friend made quite a commotion." We looked behind to find Kiara and Jennie coming toward us

Certainly, the spotlight was on Ha-eun and me last night.

"I apologize for that. We kind of hogged the spotlight."

"Don't worry, it's not like you wanted that right?" Kiara said as I nodded.

"But why would Jungkook be dealing with the backlash?"

"Because he very obviously changed the rules of this show just so you could stay. But I might be wrong. This is the first time such a controversy has hit the show. As there was no controversy last season, we are not sure if he is telling the truth that Clause 4b was removed. In addition, there was no announcement about this rule being removed."

Ishan shrugged his shoulders in response. 

"But who cares, we're glad that you're a part of this season" he added, engulfing me in a hug

"It seems like you've prepared a script," I said, eyeing them suspiciously.

"No! Not at all—" Jimin began, but I raised an eyebrow.

"Fine! You caught us," he admitted with a sigh.

"We're just concerned because we heard some contestants plotting against you," Taehyung explained.

"Let me guess, it's Iseul," I said, already anticipating the answer.

"Surprising, no. If anything, she seemed impressed you pulled this off. She stared down anyone who complained yesterday when we all were watching you on the TV."

This....took a turn

"But don't worry, you have a lot of people on your side!" Jen's jump landed softly behind me with a gentle thump.

"You have me, Ishan, Kiara, Tehyung, Jimin, Lily, and many others" she added

"Thanks, Jen" I smiled gently placing a peck on her forehead

"Look, I'm a BL drama lover, don't do this in front of me or else my mind goes somewhere it shouldn't-" 

"Shut up, she's mine.." Ishan hit Taehyung's head shutting him up, as he yanked Jennie towards him, leaving her flustered.

"Hey Jen, I was wondering if we could-

"Good Morning ladies and gentlemen" 

The sudden announcement startled us, interrupting me