Playing With Bullets

Chapter 17: Text Threats

The morning sunlight drifted in through the cracks of the blinds and onto my sleeping figure. The bed creaked as my body shifted to get more comfortable under the tangled blankets. A soft groan emitted from my throat as heard voices in the room over. I slowly opened my eyes. Lisa wasn't in the bed next to mine. The other members must be making breakfast.

Before I got up, I checked my phone. I rubbed my blurry eyes as I focused on the time. The screen read 7:30 AM, with a notification under it. A text message from an unknown number.

With a furrowed brow, I pressed it. I sat upright in shock when Its  contents were revealed.

On the screen before me was a picture of Taehyung and I, but not just any picture. It was photo of last night, when we were talking in front of the BTS dorm building. Our bodies were close together as Taehyung and I hugged. We were laughing. We looked happy. We looked like a couple.

I felt the exact opposite from what I felt when that picture was taken. I felt sick to my stomach, like I might throw up. That picture was the exact type of picture that could destroy both Taehyung and I's careers. If it had already been released, I was done for.

I glanced at the message attached to it. 

Anonymous: Checkmate.

I received the text at 5:30 AM, two hours ago. My thumbs typed a swift reply on the keyboard.

Jisoo: Who are you? Please delete that photo immediately.

Goosebumps appeared on my arms when they replied as soon as it was delivered.

Anonymous: Haven't you realized who sent iKon after you yet? It's Koo Yejin. The girl you got kicked out if Blackpink.

My heart dropped to my stomach. I covered my mouth and stood up from the bed. The covers fell loosely on the floor behind me, but I didn't bend to pick them up. I moved to the window, closing the curtains, and locking the door.

It took me a moment to think of a response, and even longer to press the send button, but when I did, I regretted it.

Jisoo: what do you want?

Anonymous: I want your position in Blackpink.

I didn't respond. I didn't know what to type. I hoped if I stopped replying she would just go away. A stupid hope, but I was too afraid to keep talking to her. In the past she had shown herself to be dangerous when angered.

When I ignored her, she started sending more messages. The incessant dinging of the notifications became so annoying I had to get away from. I went to the bathroom to get changed and brush my teeth. Halfway through washing my face, I heard my phone ringing. I turned off the water, and ran back to the room. If my Blackpink members heard the ringing, they'd know I was avoiding someone. I clicked ignore. But, she kept calling. Finally I could take it no more and answered the call.

"You don't want to ignore me Jisoo-ie.", Yejin's sickeningly sweet voice spoke through the phone.

"Leave me alone, Yejin. Haven't you learned your lesson? Do you want to get kicked out of YG permanently?", I sighed.

"I can't leave you alone. You ruined my life."

"So you'll ruin mine?"

She chuckled. "It won't be that hard. You've already partially ruined your career by dating Taehyung."

I stayed silent. She was right.

"You're not gonna deny it? Perhaps I should just get it over with then and release the photos-"