Decoy Girlfriend

7: Manipulated Media

Ji-eun's desperation had driven her to take drastic measures. Determined to reclaim Sky and undermine Yuna, she devised a plan to manipulate the media. She called a few trusted paparazzi, tipping them off about her secret meeting with Sky. She knew that if the right photos were taken, she could twist the narrative to her advantage.

Sky met Ji-eun in a secluded park, as agreed. He hoped to have a civil conversation and make her understand the need for space and time. As they sat on a bench, Ji-eun's demeanor was more relaxed, her tone soft and persuasive.

"Sky, I've been thinking about us," Ji-eun began, her voice trembling slightly. "I know things have been tough, but I believe we can work through this. We just need to be together."

Sky sighed, rubbing his temples. "Ji-eun, it's not that simple. I think... We need time apart to figure out what we really want."

Ji-eun leaned closer, placing her hand on his arm, her eyes pleading. "Please, Sky. Don't push me away," she said, and then, to his surprise, she planted a kiss on his lips.

Sky felt a pang of guilt seeing her distress, pulling her away. "Ji-eun, this isn't easy for me either. But we have to be realistic about our situation."

Unbeknownst to Sky, hidden cameras were capturing their every move. The paparazzi, hidden among the trees and bushes, snapped photos that would soon be plastered all over the media.

After their conversation, Sky walked away, hoping that Ji-eun would understand his need for distance. He headed back to Yuna's apartment, ready to unwind and put the stressful day behind him.

Back at Yuna's apartment, they settled in to watch some TV. Yuna had been scrolling through social media, catching up on the latest news. Suddenly, her expression changed, her eyes widening in shock.

"Sky, you need to see this," she said, her voice trembling.

Sky looked over and saw the headline: "Caught in the Act: Sky and Ji-eun's Secret Rendezvous." The article was accompanied by photos of their meeting, taken from angles that suggested something far more intimate than the truth.

Sky's heart sank. "What is this?" he exclaimed, grabbing the phone from Yuna's hand. As he scrolled through the article, his disbelief turned to anger. "I had no idea there were paparazzi there. This was a setup."

Yuna's eyes filled with tears. "Sky, what's going on? Why are they saying you're cheating on me with Ji-eun? Were you using me as a cover up all along?"

Sky took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. "Yuna, I swear I didn't know. Ji-eun must have called them. She's trying to manipulate the media to make it look like I'm cheating on you."

Yuna's voice shook with hurt and confusion. "How can I believe you, Sky? This is so much to take in."

Sky reached out, taking her hands in his. "Yuna, please. You have to believe me. I didn't want this to happen. I care about you, more than I ever thought possible."

Yuna looked into his eyes, searching for the truth. "I need some time, Sky. This is all too overwhelming. I just need to be alone for a while."

Sky felt a stab of panic but nodded, understanding her need for space. "I understand, Yuna. Take all the time you need. But please, believe that I care about you deeply."

Yuna gathered her things and left the apartment, leaving Sky standing alone, his heart heavy with worry and regret. As the door closed behind her, Sky realized just how much Yuna meant to him. The thought of losing her was unbearable, and he knew he had to find a way to make things right.

Over the next few days, Sky was consumed with thoughts of Yuna. He missed her presence, her strength, and her unwavering support. He realized that his feelings for her were deeper than he had ever acknowledged. He didn't just care for her—he loved her.

Meanwhile, Yuna spent time alone, processing the whirlwind of emotions. She walked through the city, visited her favorite spots, and thought about her journey with Sky. Despite the pain and confusion, she couldn't deny the sincerity in his eyes and the genuine bond they had formed.

One evening, as the sun set over the city, Yuna found herself at the park where she and Sky had first met. The memories of their time together flooded back, and she realized how much she missed him. She knew she needed to hear his side of the story again, to give him a chance to explain and to trust her instincts.

Sky was at his apartment, staring out the window, when his phone buzzed. It was a message from Yuna: "Can we talk?"

His heart leaped with hope. "Of course. Where are you?"

"At the park," she replied.

Sky wasted no time, grabbing his jacket and heading out the door. When he arrived at the park, he saw Yuna sitting on a bench, looking thoughtful but determined. He approached her cautiously, his heart pounding.

"Yuna," he began, his voice filled with emotion. "Thank you for meeting me."

Yuna looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. "Sky, I needed time to think. This whole situation has been so overwhelming. But I realized that I need to hear your side."

Sky sat down beside her, taking a deep breath. "Yuna, I swear to you, I didn't know about the paparazzi. Ji-eun set this up to manipulate the media and make it look like I was cheating. But I'm not. I'm falling in love with you, Yuna."

Yuna's eyes softened, tears welling up. "I believe you, Sky."

Sky reached out, taking her hands in his. "I like you, Yuna. More than I ever thought possible. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prove that to you."

Yuna smiled through her tears, squeezing his hands. "I like you too, Sky."

As they embraced, the chaos of the outside world seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth and comfort of their growing love. Despite the obstacles they had faced and the challenges that lay ahead, they knew they could face anything together.

In her apartment, Ji-eun watched the news coverage of the press conference, her heart filled with a mix of anger and despair. Her attempts to manipulate the situation had backfired, pushing Sky further away and strengthening his bond with Yuna.

As Ji-eun plotted her next move, Sky and Yuna remained resolute, their love and commitment to each other stronger than ever. They knew the road ahead would not be easy, but they were ready to face it together, united by a love that had grown and flourished amid the chaos.