Shadows Of Stardom

Chapter 38

It had been a week since our unforgettable performance, and the overwhelming response to our collaboration, "Obsession," far surpassed our expectations. I found myself constantly replaying the live reaction videos in my head—the dazzling lights from thousands of fans and the ecstatic cheers that filled the air as we took the stage together. It felt surreal.

The charts were breaking records, and streaming numbers were skyrocketing—“Obsession” was taking over, and I was half-convinced I would wake up at any moment from this beautiful dream. The song had spread like wildfire across the USA and around the globe, winning hearts everywhere, and it all felt so unbelievable. Since the day after that dreadful dinner, my schedule had been packed with interviews alongside my girls and EXO.

My sultry duet with Kai, "I'm Sorry, I Love You," was holding strong in second place, occasionally even reaching the top spot.

Then the rumors began. Oh, the rumors. With each passing moment, the whispers about Kai and me grew louder and more persistent, swirling around like chatter in a crowded room. I despised it—I hated how our friendship was being distorted. Rumors about Kai and me were swirling everywhere, especially online. With each passing moment, I felt their weight pressing down on me, intensifying with every intimate photo of us that surfaced. What worried me the most was the possibility of Taehyung questioning my feelings for him. I wanted to avoid that at all costs; the last thing I wanted was to hurt him or make him think my heart was torn.

Fans were buzzing with excitement, creating edits that combined our faces and spun elaborate tales of love and longing. Some stories were intricate romances, while others were completely absurd. I found myself scrolling through my feed, both fascinated and horrified by the creative frenzy, until the anxiety became too much to handle. Meanwhile, Kai remained his usual supportive self, cracking jokes and sending reassuring texts. He was amazing, always managing to bring a smile to my face even when everything around us felt chaotic. I couldn’t help but wonder how he felt about the gossip surrounding us or if he simply brushed it off, as the talented and charming person he was.

As I sat in front of the large mirror, my heart raced under the warm glow of the bright lights above. The soft sound of makeup brushes gliding across the palette filled the room, creating an atmosphere charged with nervous energy. Today was the day of the interview—my first solo appearance since the collaboration that shook the music industry. Who could have predicted that we would create music together with "I'm Sorry I Love You"?

At last, I caught a glimpse of my reflection—my makeup perfectly done, my hair cascading in soft waves—but the butterflies in my stomach still fluttered nervously. I felt a pang of fear about being in the spotlight alone, without my BLACKPINK sisters by my side. There was no Jisoo to deflect questions or Lisa to brighten the moment with her infectious smile. Would I have to face the questions all on my own? I couldn’t rely on Jisoo’s witty comebacks or Rosé's calming presence this time. What if I tripped over my words? What if I accidentally disclosed more than I intended? That could only fuel more rumors about the nature of our collaboration. Would I be able to convey the truth behind the song without sparking further speculation? Just the thought sent a shiver down my spine.

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage and stepped onto the set. As I got closer, the bright colors in the background began to blur a bit, but my eyes quickly locked onto Kai. He was laughing with the interviewer, and I couldn't help but smile as we managed to connect a little before the interview started.

Once we settled into our seats beneath the bright studio lights, a wave of excitement washed over me—this was it. I looked at Kai, and he met my gaze with a reassuring smile, sparking a familiar sense of bravery within me. It was time to share our story—the story behind "I'm Sorry I Love You"—and I felt prepared.