Music Unites Us | Haely

Chapter Fifteen: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Since the unintended intimacy at Lily's apartment, it was undeniable that the relationship between Haewon and Lily had grown stronger. They both knew they were serious about their relationship. However, Lily hadn't yet found the right time or opportunity to inform the higher-ups at JYP Entertainment. She had discussed it several times with her manager, Sullyoon.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Before Lily could discuss her relationship with the company's executives, the media had already spread rumors about her relationship with Haewon. Although the media didn't explicitly reveal Haewon's identity, it was enough to stir up a controversy in South Korea. The headlines were somewhat sensational, and there were several pictures of Lily getting into a car with Haewon and walking with him, taken secretly by the gossip media. Haewon's face wasn't visible, but the interaction between Lily and Haewon looked intimate.

Lily read the comments on social media about her relationship with someone whose identity was still unknown spread. Some of her fans respected her decision, but many of them left negative comments,, various negative comments began to surface on social media. Fans and netizens were quick to react.

"Why isn't Lily honest with her fans? We have the right to know who she is dating!"

"Lily should focus on her career. This relationship will only distract her."

"Is Lily making a foolish decision by sacrificing her career for a person we don't even know?"

"I'm so disappointed in Lily. I thought she was smarter than this."

"Why would Lily risk her career and reputation for a relationship that might not even last?"

"This is all just drama created by Lily to get attention. I think she's seeking cheap publicity."
 
Reading these comments made Lily feel sad and stressed. She felt that the fans who once supported her were now questioning her decisions and criticizing her every move. This pressure not only affected her emotionally but also added to the burden of handling the situation well.

**Now**

Lily was with Sullyoon in the office of the CEO of JYP Entertainment. Lily had been summoned after the rumors about her relationship spread. The atmosphere in the room was tense, and Lily could feel her heart pounding as she prepared to explain herself.

Lily sat nervously in the CEO's office, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Sullyoon sat beside her, offering silent support. Across from them, the CEO of JYP Entertainment, Mr. Park, leaned back in his chair, his expression serious.

"Lily," Mr. Park began, his voice calm but firm, "I called this meeting because of the recent rumors circulating about your relationship. The media has been relentless, and we need to address this situation immediately."

Lily took a deep breath, glancing briefly at Sullyoon before speaking. "I understand, sir. First, I want to apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. It was never my intention for things to unfold this way."

Mr. Park nodded, indicating for her to continue. "Please, explain how this all started. We need to understand the full context."

Lily began recounting the story of how she met Haewon. "We met while working on my latest album. Haewon is a talented composer, you probably already know her and we spent a lot of time together in the studio while preparing for my album. Over time, we became close, and our relationship developed naturally."

Sullyoon chimed in, backing up Lily's account. "I can confirm that, sir. Their relationship grew from mutual respect and admiration for each other's work. They've always been professional."

Mr. Park listened, his face unreadable. "And how long has this been going on?"

Lily hesitated for a moment before answering, "It's been a few months. We've been careful to keep it private, but somehow, the media found out."