Jennie Kim is on a mission to assassinate the former top star of the Kpop world, Jeon Jungkook which she'll be paid for but along with this amount, comes a series of unforeseen consequences.
-
Part Two of 'Palace of Illusions'
All the idols/actors...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Jennie fiddled with the card in her hand, wondering if she should accept the offer or not. She sighed, letting it fall into her lap. Her fingers rhythmically pressed against the keyboard keys to search for the name; Jeon Jungkook. Unlike information sites that usually pop up, the screen flooded with a bunch of news articles. "The fallen K-pop star," she read, her heart sinking a little at the phrase. There were pictures of him wearing a mask and sunglasses to hide himself, as if searching for darkness in the spotlight. "In the height of fame, consumed drugs," another article read, a stark reminder of the pressures that often accompanied success in the entertainment industry. "Netizens call out Jeon Jungkook for rude behaviour towards staff," another headline flashed across the screen, the words ringing in her ears like a warning bell. All these articles were almost 3-4 months old, remnants of a once bright star now dimmed by controversy and scandal.
A recent article caught her eye: "The top star officially leaves the entertainment world." Her breath caught in her throat as she clicked on it, curiosity mingling with concern. The article detailed Jungkook's abrupt departure from the industry that had raised him to fame, painting a picture of a young man overwhelmed by the weight of expectations and the relentless scrutiny of the public eye. It spoke of his struggles with mental health, the toll that constant fame had taken on his spirit, and his desire for a normal life far removed from the glitz and glamour. This was far the most kind article she saw about him.Jennie's fingers hovered over the keyboard again, her mind racing as she thought about the implications of what this meant.
What could it possibly be like to be in his shoes? She imagined the late-night rehearsals, the screaming fans, and the never-ending pressure to maintain a perfect image. The world saw him as a flawless idol, but beneath that facade, there were layers of vulnerability that rarely caught the public's attention. Perhaps accepting the offer was a chance to connect with someone who understood the burdens of fame and the freedom that came with stepping away from it. His life was over either way. He wouldn't mind sacrificing himself for her, right?
With renewed determination, she leaned closer to the screen, diving deeper into the articles, absorbing every detail about Jungkook's life and struggles. As she read, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this story—more than just the headlines, more than the sensationalism that often accompanied celebrity news. She felt a pull, an urge to reach out to him, to understand his journey, and perhaps, to help him in a way the world hadn't.
With a decisive breath, Jennie picked up the card again, her resolve hardening. She typed the phone number on the card into her phone before hitting the dial, her heart racing in anticipation of what was to come. She breathed deeply, waiting for the call to be answered, each passing second feeling like an eternity as her mind swirled with a mix of hope and anxiety.
"Hello," the familiar voice of Hoseok spoke on the other end of the line, drawing her back into the moment.
"I'm ready to take the offer," she said, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her stomach. The weight of her decision hung heavy in the air, a mix of nervousness and fear coursing through her veins. A silence followed her words, stretching out like a taut string, before she finally heard him say, "Let's meet up."
