Man in Dreams

Battle of Wills

The boys were having breakfast when RM spoke up, "The reporter will be out today, and Yoongi, we need to be prepared." Yoongi nodded in agreement. "Did Sejin say anything about the video? Has he gotten back to you?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," RM replied. "I'll check with him once I get to the company."

Jin, noticing the tension, asked curiously, "What's going on, guys?"

RM sighed and said, "The reporter threatened Maya with a video of Yoongi and her together."

"What the fuck?" JK exclaimed, clenching his fists in anger. "Bro, what's going on? Was the video really that serious?" Jimin's expression changed to one of concern.

"No, I was just helping her put a pin in her flowers, and that bastard made a big deal out of it," Yoongi said, becoming visibly furious.

"I don't know when people will start treating us like human beings," Taehyung said, patting Yoongi on the back. "Whatever it is, we will face it together, Yoongi," Hobi assured him.

"Yes, we are a team. We won't let one of our own suffer alone," the boys agreed, standing united.

"Thanks, guys," Yoongi said, regaining his composure. "But there's no need to worry unless he actually releases the video."

Meanwhile, Maya prepared to meet the reporter, grabbing some essential items: pepper spray, chili powder, a small knife, and a hidden camera attached to her shirt. Once she was ready, she looked at herself in the mirror and said, "You can do this." Taking a deep breath, Maya texted Joe, "I am ready. I will meet you at the location." Joe texted back, "Sure, I am waiting. Okay, he's here. I'll get back to you."

Before Joe could reach him, he saw the reporter hail a taxi and leave. "Damn it!Fuck!" Joe muttered, following the taxi while praying the reporter wouldn't release the video. He called Maya, "I missed him."

"What? Okay, don't panic. Let me know the directions. I'll come around. If he sees me, he'll come to me," Maya responded.

"Are you sure? It's risky," Joe asked, concerned.

"I'm damn sure. Share the location," Maya said with determination in her voice. Joe sent her their live location.

Maya borrowed her friend Choi's car and rushed to the location. The reporter had parked in front of his office. Maya parked a little behind and got out of the car, with Joe close by. They exchanged a nod, and Maya casually approached the reporter.

The reporter saw her and muttered to himself, "Wow, what a feast today." "Hi, beauty," he said, grabbing Maya. She clenched her fists but pretended to be scared. "You again," she said, managing to remove his hands and walked away.

"Oh, interesting," he said, following her. She walked toward Joe's car and called out, "Taxi," getting inside. "Get in and keep quiet," the reporter insisted, joining her in the car. She played dumb, and Joe started driving.

Maya took out her pepper spray and sprayed it in the reporter's face. "What the hell!" he shouted, grabbing her throat. Joe stopped the car and punched the reporter until he was unconscious. "Oh God, that was close," Maya sighed, slapping the unconscious reporter's face.

"Are you okay, Maya?" Joe asked.

"I won't be okay until we deal with him," she replied. She grabbed the reporter's phone, a small memory card, and a pen drive. She then used a scan detector to check for any hidden cameras on him.

"Smart, huh? I didn't expect this," Joe teased.

"Shut up. We need to be safe too," Maya replied with a slight smile, though her face remained furious.

Joe nodded, "Good thinking. We can't afford any mistakes."

"Let's make sure he can't do any more damage," Maya said, her resolve unwavering.

They reached their destination, a secluded area away from the city. Joe carried the unconscious reporter and tied him to a chair. While the reporter remained unconscious, Joe hacked into his devices, deleting the video and ensuring there were no backups.

As the reporter slowly regained consciousness, he was stunned to see Maya and Joe sitting in front of him. "Oh, I never imagined this beauty had a beast mode. It seems you liked my touch," the reporter smirked, his eyes lingering on Maya.

"Oh yes, that's why I brought you here," she replied with a smirk of her own.

"What's your motive?" he asked, trying to sound confident.

"I want to know why you're so determined to bring Yoongi down and for you to delete the video," Maya stated firmly.

"Oh, I see. You want me to delete the video. Sorry, that's impossible," he replied defiantly.

Maya's expression hardened. "I'm sorry then," she said, glancing at Joe. "Do it."

"What the hell? How dare you two!" the reporter shouted, clenching his fists in anger.

"Now, tell me, what's your motive?" Maya demanded.

"And what are you going to do about it?" the reporter hissed back.

"You want to bring my man down and think I'll just stand by and watch? Not a chance," Maya said, leaning in closer, her gaze intense. The reporter was taken aback for a moment.

"I'm impressed by your boldness, but you won't get anything from me," he insisted.

"This is the last time I'm asking politely. Why are you doing this? I've seen all your articles. Why is it always something negative about Suga?" Maya's gaze softened, showing a hint of a plea.

The reporter looked at her, finally speaking. "Do you know my pain? Until he entered my life, everything was smooth. I was the best at everything. Once he came in, he took all the credit. Right from college, I was the best basketball player. When he showed up, the spotlight shifted to him. We both auditioned for BigHit; he got selected, and I was left behind, just taking his interviews. Girls were interested in me until he came along. I've been waiting for a big opportunity to take him down, and you made it easier for me." He sighed deeply.

"I understand, but he doesn't even know you or remember you," Maya said calmly.

"That's the problem-I'm nothing, and he's a star. I can't accept that," the reporter spat out.

"It's up to you to see the good and the bad. Try looking at his good sides; you might find you like him too," Maya suggested.

He looked at her in disbelief. "You have guts, girl."

"I know," Maya replied. Suddenly, her anger flared, and she started punching him. "How dare you lay hands on me!"

She heard a scream from behind. "MAYA!" Yoongi and Hobi were standing there, looking furious.