Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 5

I sat down, my gaze fixed on the thick stack of papers in front of me—the employment contract. Taking a deep breath, I started leafing through the pages, feeling overwhelmed by the dense legal language. Some of it seemed straightforward, but other clauses made my stomach twist: the confidentiality terms, the travel requirements, and what felt like an endless list of restrictions. A few phrases sent a chill down my spine, hinting at the sacrifices this job might demand of my personal life and freedom. As my finger traced down each line, I found myself stacking up the pros and cons in my mind.

My thoughts drifted back to Arc. He'd surprised me, honestly. I'd unconsciously attached this aloof, demanding image to him, like he'd be another untouchable star. But he'd shown himself to be easygoing and unexpectedly thoughtful. He hadn't even flinched about the elevator incident. If he'd wanted to, he could have had me removed from the building over it—especially since I'd mocked his name, not knowing who he was. Instead, he'd taken the time, in the middle of a packed schedule, to meet with me, clear the air, and even reassure me about this daunting role.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I thought about it, realizing just how surreal it was to have met a celebrity in person—someone adored by so many fans. I imagined Evelyn's face if she knew where I was and who I'd just met. My fingers itched to grab my phone and share every detail with her, hear her squeals and endless questions. But then I remembered the NDA I'd just signed. If I took this job, it would mean keeping secrets from the people I cared about most, hiding parts of my daily life from them.

I let out a quiet sigh, running my fingers over the edges of the contract as doubt crept in. Was I really the right person for this job? The responsibilities spelled out in the contract went far beyond what I'd expected. I'd signed up as a translator, not realizing that the role would plunge me into the high-paced, unpredictable life of a celebrity. The terms around constant travel, image management, and being on-call felt like something out of my comfort zone as a teacher.

In the classroom, I thrived. I could prepare, adapt, and guide my students without the pressure of public scrutiny. Here, though, the rules were different, and they felt miles away from the safe, familiar life I knew. I barely knew anything about the K-pop industry or the demands it placed on those who lived within it. The thought that every word I translated could impact someone's career—even the livelihood of someone like Arc—filled me with a quiet unease.

Taking this job would mean stepping into a world I barely understood, in a role that felt a thousand miles outside my comfort zone. The question echoed in my mind—was I really the right person for this?

I was still swimming in questions, trying to steady my thoughts, when Jessica poked her head back in.

"Have you decided?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, as if she already knew my answer.

I managed a small smile. "Could I have just a little more time?"

Jessica chuckled, then stepped fully into the room, holding the door open wider. "I had a feeling you'd say that," she replied, and there was a mischievous glint in her eye. "So I brought in someone who might be able to help."

I looked up, and my jaw nearly dropped. Standing in the doorway, wearing her usual bright grin, was Evelyn.

"Evelyn?" I said, blinking. "What—"

"Surprise!" she laughed, stepping inside.

Jessica grinned. "Evelyn here told me she was your best friend, and since she's working with us, I thought you two might want to talk. You can go over everything we discussed, no need to hold back."

For a moment, all I could do was stare at Evelyn, relief and a bit of confusion swirling together. Of course, I knew Evelyn loved K-pop, but the thought that she'd been working with Arc's team—right here, right now—hadn't even crossed my mind.