The Scandal | VSOO

thirty-seven | moving on

Third Person POV

eight months later

Jisoo's life didn't slow down after the drama production ended.

If it wasn't another photoshoot, it was another runway show. And if it wasn't either of those, it was another overseas trip she had been invited to as a brand ambassador.

Still, Jisoo declined every new television role offered to her. She wanted to wait until Echoes of Us aired before deciding whether she wanted to continue acting.

She hated to admit it, but she was afraid of how the public would receive her performance. If people didn't welcome her acting, this project might very well be her last.

Jisoo wasn't a quitter, but after everything she had been through, she decided it was better to walk away from anything that would only add more stress and worry to her life.

Jisoo sat in her makeup chair inside the very same salon where she had last seen Taehyung nearly a year ago.

Exactly eight months had passed since filming ended, eight months since the last time she saw him.

Some people say that once two people finish the journey they were meant to share, their paths will never cross again, no matter how many mutual friends they have or how often they exist in the same city.

Jisoo should've felt relieved. This was exactly what she wanted.

And yet, she still chose to visit the same salon Taehyung visited. The same gym they both attended. But just her luck, they never crossed paths.

"You look stunning, Jisoo," Irene interrupted her thoughts.

"Duh. When do I not?" Jisoo smirked in response.

"We're leaving in five minutes. I printed out the pre-made interview questions so you can prepare your answers."

It wasn't that Jisoo expected anything to happen, but she couldn't stop the nervousness creeping in regarding their K-drama press conference.

The event was meant to officially announce and promote their new drama, which was set to air later that week.

Ever since the final day of filming, she hadn't heard a single thing from Taehyung. Even though cutting him off had been her decision, a small part of her still hoped he would continue pursuing her.

But the past was the past.

Jisoo liked to believe she had finally moved on from that chapter of her life.

She could now talk about the past without feeling that familiar ache in her chest. She could hear updates about Taehyung from Rosé without feeling irritated. And for the first time in years, she had become open to the idea of dating again.

After all, it had already been almost four years since her last relationship.

Jisoo was finally ready to open her heart again.

☯︎☯︎☯︎

Fans swarmed outside the MBC building in Sangam-dong, anticipation buzzing through the crowd as paparazzi and reporters flooded the entrance, all waiting for the cast to arrive.

Jisoo stepped out of her van calmly, greeting the flashing cameras with a graceful smile as countless lenses turned toward her.

One by one, the rest of the main cast members began arriving, each greeted by the deafening cheers of fans and the relentless flashes of cameras outside the building.