Shadows Of Stardom

Chapter 1

I squinted against the fading light in my bedroom as the morning sun poured through the worn curtains. It jolted my senses awake, a stark reminder that the day was starting whether my throbbing head was prepared for it or not. A dull ache pulsed behind my eyes, and with each heartbeat, a wave of pain reverberated through my skull. I let out a soft groan, pulling the warm comforter over my face like a shield, desperately wishing for just five more minutes of blissful sleep.

I closed my eyes again, determined to drift back into the soothing embrace of slumber. But then, like clockwork, it happened. The sharp, persistent ring of my phone sliced through the haze like a siren. I fumbled for it, squinting at the screen, my heart sinking as my manager's name lit up.

“Seriously?” I muttered to myself, a mix of annoyance and resignation washing over me. The last thing I wanted was to face the demands of reality today. But the urgency in his voice left no room for argument. "Jennie, you need to get to the office for a meeting."

“Okay,” I replied, even though I felt far from ready to plunge into the whirlwind of my life as a member of BLACKPINK. Dragging myself out of bed, I braced for the day ahead, knowing there was no way to slip through the streets unnoticed.

"I'll be at the entrance in 30 minutes," he said before the call ended abruptly, leaving me no chance to respond.

With each step to the bathroom, the weight of my responsibilities pressed down harder on my shoulders. I shuffled to the mirror and splashed cold water on my face, hoping it might wash away the remnants of a restless night. The reflection staring back at me looked ghostly, my hair a chaotic mess and dark circles under my eyes stark against my pale skin. A quick shower followed, the steam wrapping around me, providing a brief escape from the chaos outside my walls.

I felt slightly more human but still groggy. Rummaging through my wardrobe, I grabbed a soft oversized sweatshirt and a pair of leggings—my go-to outfit for days when I had to face the world without a trace of my glamorous idol persona. I looked at my reflection again, running a hand through my damp hair, trying to… what? Transform into someone else? Or perhaps just hide from the expectations that clung to me like an invisible shroud?

As I stepped outside, I silently thanked the heavens for sparing me from the eager paparazzi and overzealous fans. The gentle breeze brushed against my skin, Yet, as I walked toward the parking lot, the sensation of being watched crept back into my bones.

True to schedule, my manager arrived half an hour later to take me to the company.

Fortunately, my apartment—thanks to the CEO—was just a short distance away. As I approached my car, I couldn’t help but glance around, unconsciously scanning the area.

Was anyone watching? Were there cameras hidden in the bushes? I shook my head slightly. Some days, I felt like a wild animal under scrutiny, and today was one of those days. I yanked the car door open and slid into the driver’s seat, wincing at the engine's reluctant grumble as it started. My mind still felt foggy, and I hated having to force myself to focus when all I wanted was a few more hours of sleep.

The drive to the office was a blur. The familiar streets of Seoul flashed by in a swirl of colors; the bright neon lights of cafes, the stylish boutiques beckoning to me, and the enticing aroma of street food filling the air. Each turn felt like a tug-of-war between the ordinary rhythm of daily life and the thrill of being part of BLACKPINK.

Before long, I arrived at the office—a towering gray building that felt more like a fortress than a workplace, bustling with creativity, chaos, and the ups and downs of our lives as idols. I parked and took a deep breath, gathering whatever energy I had left. As I stepped out, I took the elevator from the parking lot to the floor I needed to reach, my manager following closely behind.