Shadows Of Stardom

Chapter 63

Everything was nearly back to how it used to be, almost. The flashy chandeliers in the mansion no longer felt like they were mocking me as much. The echoing hallways seemed less eerie, and even the heavy burden I had carried during those tough weeks felt a little lighter.

My friends visited almost daily, their laughter and chatter filling the otherwise quiet rooms. Many of them made a point to stay over whenever they could, especially Mingyu and Zico. It wasn’t just for my sake; they were drawn to the mansion itself. They had a fascination with luxurious things, and I couldn’t entirely fault them for it. The sheer extravagance of the place, with its marble statues and intricately carved ceilings, was captivating, even for me.

“Kiss, Kiss, Kiss!” they chanted loudly, cheering for Hoseok and Nayeon. When did those two start dating?

I realized I had missed a lot of the drama. Weeks, even months, of my life had been taken from me, not just my own experiences but the natural evolution of friendships, relationships, and gossip. I felt like I was trying to catch up, piecing together a puzzle with many missing pieces.

“No, I won’t,” Nayeon playfully protested, glaring at everyone.

“Ooh,” Hoseok’s smile faded, and the crowd booed. Jin was the loudest, as always, his booming laughter filling the room and making me smile. It was nice to hear Jin laugh again; his laughter was infectious and comforting.

Nayeon’s smile faltered when she noticed Hoseok’s reaction. “I meant I’m not going to share our first kiss in front of everyone,” she said shyly, and I was taken aback. She was being shy! I never thought I would see or hear her act like this. Nayeon, the confident queen with a sharp tongue, was actually… bashful. It felt surreal.

Hoseok quickly stood up and left the room without a word. A moment later, Nayeon followed him, and the cheer that erupted was the loudest I had ever heard. Everyone knew what was about to happen, wherever they were headed.

“Guys, please not in my bedroom; do it in Jennie’s or San’s,” my brother Chanyeol shouted after them, his voice a mix of mock horror and genuine concern.

God, please not my room.

“Here,” a soft voice spoke behind me. Taehyung handed me a glass of water, the cool glass feeling refreshing against my clammy skin.

“I didn’t ask for it,” I replied, raising an eyebrow at him. Taehyung was always there, a quiet, watchful presence, offering support without overwhelming me.

“You didn’t have to,” he said, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. It was a sweet, tender kiss that sent a jolt through me. He lingered for a moment, his lips brushing against my skin and his warm breath tickling my ear. Then a chorus of “Awwwws” interrupted us, causing me to shyly look away.

Taehyung's closeness was both reassuring and disconcerting. He reminded me of the life I once had, the life I was trying to get back. But he also brought back memories of the hurt, the betrayal, and the things that could never be changed.

"So, here's what you missed, Jennie," Jin said, ready to fill me in on everything that had happened while I was away. He quickly recapped all the events I had missed.

"… Rosé and Jimin have been seeing each other for about a month now. Jimin and Jaehyun got into a serious fight at a club because Jaehyun caught them in bed together… Jimin ended up pretty bruised. No, Rosé and Jaehyun weren't together at that time, but it's Jaehyun, so of course, he reacted badly when he saw her."

My mind was racing. So much had occurred that I hadn't been a part of.

"Is he allowed to tell me this right now?" I asked Rosé and Jimin, who nodded, their faces a bit flushed. "In front of everyone?" I asked again, and they nodded again, though with less enthusiasm.