Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 39

I took a deep breath, steadying myself before meeting her gaze directly. My voice was calm but firm, each word chosen with precision. "When I see these pictures, I see two things. First, Arc's love and dedication to his fans. He knows how much his fans cherish these opportunities to see him up close. If he wanted, he could avoid such situations entirely, but he chooses not to, because he doesn't want to deprive his fans of these moments."

I let the words hang for a moment, ensuring the audience absorbed their weight before continuing. "The second thing I see is the care and protectiveness Arc has for everyone around him, including his staff. Arc ensures the safety of his team is always a top priority. On that day, for example, there was a pregnant staff member traveling with us. Arc instructed his security team to prioritize her safety, making sure she left the airport ahead of him, with full protection. Only after confirming her safety did he leave the airport."

I allowed a small, composed smile to surface. "A lot of what happens isn't captured in a photograph. Pictures can freeze a moment, but they don't tell the whole story. To understand the reality, you'd have to be there."

The host likely hadn't anticipated such a composed and detailed response. The audience murmured in agreement, and I could feel the tension in the air dissipate slightly. The host's smile widened, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes as she countered, "You know, there's a saying that a picture speaks a thousand words. And this picture," she gestured to the photo of Arc steadying me outside the van, "seems to say more than just care for a staff member—it gives off a sense of romance in the air."

I maintained a polite, composed demeanor, offering a small, knowing smile. "That's an interesting perspective," I said. "A picture may indeed speak a thousand words, but those words are formed by our minds. If someone has already decided on a narrative, the picture will reflect that to them. It's not the image but the interpretation that creates the story."

The audience chuckled softly, sensing the subtle rebuttal. The host's expression faltered briefly before she recovered, leaning forward with feigned innocence. "I'm not sure I follow—what are you suggesting?" she asked.

I tilted my head slightly, meeting her gaze. "What I'm suggesting," I said calmly, "is that we stop beating around the bush. I know you want to ask the question that's been circulating in fans' minds. I believe the company has already addressed this publicly, but I'll reiterate for clarity: there is no romantic relationship between me and my client, the K-pop idol Arc."

The audience grew quiet, sensing a shift in the tone. I turned slightly toward them, my voice steady but filled with purpose. "That said, I'd like to take a moment to address the Novas—Arc's devoted fans. Apart from these rumors, I think it's important to remind everyone that Arc is, first and foremost, a person. In the future, there may come a time when he finds someone he chooses to build a relationship with, and that decision will be entirely his. So, too, will be the choice to share that with his fans."

I paused, ensuring my words landed before continuing. "As Arc's fans, I believe we owe him the respect of privacy when it comes to matters of his personal life. The truth is, Arc has always been someone who values transparency with his fans. He wouldn't hide something so important from you. In fact," I added with a gentle smile, "he'd probably let you all know before anyone even started speculating."

A wave of applause rippled through the audience, and I caught a glimpse of Arc's subtle nod of approval. The host, clearly taken aback by my directness, hesitated for a moment before shifting gears, her demeanor now slightly more cautious. The narrative she had tried to steer had been firmly redirected, leaving no room for further insinuation.

We were sitting in Arc's living room, watching the broadcast of the show. The interview had just ended, and the room was buzzing with a mixture of pride and relief. As soon as the credits rolled, Ji-hye turned to me with a grin. "정말 멋졌어, 라일라. 당신은 당신의 말로 호스트를 종료합니다.(That was awesome, Lila. You shut the host up with your words.)"