Shadows Of Stardom

Chapter 21

"You were so brave, Jennie," Lisa said unexpectedly, pulling me into a hug in her cozy apartment. I melted into her warmth.

"I mean, surviving a potential scandal, facing a tidal wave of hate for dating the nation's heartthrob, being labeled a homewrecker, a slut, and a gold digger," she listed, recounting the accusations that had been thrown my way.

"You are the strongest, even more than Wonder Woman!" she declared, and I couldn't help but grin, fully aware that she was embellishing the truth, yet somehow, I found myself believing her.

My friends—the girls, my brothers, and my closest allies in the industry—had endured so much because of the swirling rumors, yet they never wavered in their support for me. I would always cherish their unwavering loyalty.

Moments later, the girls came barreling down the stairs, likely having caught wind of the latest news. Before they could utter a word, I nodded and said, "Yes, I heard the news" In an instant, Rose leaped onto the couch beside me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. I could hear her sniffling, and knowing her, she was probably trying to hold back tears—she was always so sensitive and emotional.

"Jennie, it’s finally over," she said, her voice trembling with sobs. In that moment, I found myself comforting her, a role reversal that felt strange yet necessary.

"I thought BLACKPINK was done for," she cried, pulling back to compose herself on the couch, while Jisoo settled into the seat opposite us.

"Don't even entertain that thought again—BLACKPINK is here to stay!" I declared, clasping her hands in mine.

"BLACKPINK will continue to shine as the greatest and most iconic girl group the world has ever known," I asserted, and she nodded in agreement.

"No matter how many scandals we face or how many brands pull their support, with our devoted fans standing by us, we will always be BLACKPINK," I said with unwavering conviction, every word resonating with sincerity.

"Absolutely, Rosé! Even without grand stages or extravagant costumes, and regardless of the lack of a major music label behind us, as long as we are four—Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo, and Rosé—singing together in a bathroom or any humble spot, we will forever embody BLACKPINK," Jisoo added, her voice brimming with heartfelt emotion that I could feel even from a distance.

"There’s no BLACKPINK without you," Lisa affirmed, her tone resolute.

"I’m truly sorry you all had to go through these tough times because of me" I replied, my heart heavy but they just brush me off

"We were never going to leave you alone in a time like this" Jisoo said coming over for a hug

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I was still at Jisoo's home even after everything had calmed down. Although the doubts about my relationship with V still lingered, the negativity had diminished, though it remained, especially from his fandom. I now understood why Blinks couldn't stand them

My brother had finished the renovations on our house, and we all agreed it would be better to stay there together rather than in the apartment complex. I thought it was a fantastic idea; while memories of the past would inevitably resurface, we would also have the opportunity to cherish the happy moments we experienced as a family in that house.

We were scheduled to leave this evening, but San still hadn’t shown me how the house turned out. I begged Chan to satisfy my curiosity, but both of them remained resolute. Chan even resisted my pleading puppy-dog eyes, which usually melted his resolve.

“Come on, Chan! Please, just give me a hint about my room!” I exclaimed, bouncing around him in excitement. 

“Nope, that’s not how surprises work,” he teased, heading upstairs, probably to fetch my luggage from my room.