"A Love Beyond Spotlight" | Taekook ✨💜

10. Make It Right

Returning to his apartment, Taehyung dropped his things and headed straight for the shower, letting the hot water cascade over him, hoping it would clear his mind. He tried to shake off the lingering tension from the past few days, reminding himself to stay focused on his work and what mattered most. As he dried off and dressed for the studio, he made a quick call to his manager, Mr. Lee.

"Mr. Lee," Taehyung said as soon as he picked up. "Can you put together the schedule for the next two weeks? I need everything set up so I can keep busy."

"I'll have it ready for you by this evening, Taehyung," Mr. Lee replied, his tone reassuring. Taehyung thanked him, then hung up, feeling a bit more grounded.

On impulse, he texted Jungkook, asking if he'd had his meal and taken his medication. To his relief, Jungkook replied almost immediately, with a soft, affectionate message that made Taehyung smile despite the stress. But just as he was putting his phone away, he noticed a series of missed calls and messages from Jennie. Sighing, he realized he couldn't keep avoiding her.

He dialed her number, and Jennie picked up after just one ring, her voice bright and enthusiastic.

"Tae! Finally! I was starting to think you were ghosting me," she laughed, though there was an edge to her tone.

"Sorry, Jennie," he replied, keeping his tone polite but distant. "I missed your calls. What's up?"

"Oh, nothing really," she said breezily. "I just wanted to see if you were free to hang out. I've been feeling a bit down and thought we could chill, you know, just us."

Taehyung clenched his jaw slightly, sensing the lack of sincerity in her words. He could tell there was more she wasn't saying. "Well, I'm busy today, but we can meet tomorrow evening if you'd like. I actually have something important I'd like to discuss with you."

"Tomorrow?" she repeated, her tone softening, almost flirtatious. "Sure. I'd love that. Just text me the place."

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow," he said, his tone firm, hoping she'd pick up on his detached manner.

He ended the call, releasing a slow breath, feeling the frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. But his phone buzzed again—it was Mr. Lee.

"Mr. Lee, what's up?" Taehyung asked, sensing something urgent in the manager's voice.

"I have some news," Mr. Lee began, his tone low and serious. "It turns out the photographer who captured those pictures of you and Jennie in Paris has ties to a Korean company. We have reasons to believe the photos may have been staged. There's a strong possibility this was planned... perhaps by Jennie or her team."

Taehyung felt his chest tighten, the realization hitting him hard. "You're saying she might have set this up?"

"It's likely. And Taehyung, this situation is starting to affect your image—and by extension, the group's. We need to be careful," Mr. Lee continued. "I advise you to have a straightforward conversation with her about this, preferably tomorrow when you meet her. Let her know that using your name and posting about you on social media needs to stop. It's already causing rumors to spiral, and we need to avoid further damage."

Taehyung's hand clenched around his phone, anger flaring up. "I'll handle it. I was planning to talk to her about this, anyway."

"Good. Also, I think it's important to inform the other members about this. I'd like to meet with you all this evening at the studio."

"Alright," Taehyung agreed, his voice steady. "We'll be there."

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Later that evening, as Taehyung arrived at the studio, he found the other members already gathering. Yoongi and Jimin were standing near the entrance, waiting for Jungkook, who was arriving with them.