"...we will release a statement that you two are currently dating."
Hanbin who was calm and collected is now perplexed and bewildered to hear his manager's last statement.
"I don't mean to disrespect Yunhyuk-Hyung and Bokyung-hyung but did I hear it correctly? You're going to release a statement that we're currently dating?"
"Yes, if the picture will spread and news will arise."
"I don't get it. Why would we do that?" Hanbin looks at Jennie who is currently in shock. Her mouth is wide open and seems to forget how to respond.
"As we said earlier, we currently don't have the information we needed to create a comprehensive plan. We don't know if it's Jennie or Kai saesang. That information is vital." Bokyung said.
"Releasing that statement is the last resort if ever we can't stop the saesang from spreading the images of you together. If it's Jennie's saesang were good since he or she wouldn't dare to expose her like that. But if it's Kai's saesang, we're pretty sure the person will do everything to tear them apart." He added.
"But Yunhyuk-hyung, it doesn't make sense that we're going to release that statement. First of all, it's unfair to Jennie and Kai sunbaenim's relationship. Second, I explained to you last night that I was wearing a disguise and a guard was with me."Hanbin said to his manager.
"I recognized you from the footage. Upon checking the CCTV footage you were seen putting your hand on Jennie-ssi's head while walking. That is enough for them to create thousands of articles that you two are together. Even if the guard is with you, do you think it's easy to deny your skinship?" Hanbin was caught off-guard.
"I understand your concern about Jennie-shi relationship. But let me be honest with you. It will benefit us more to say that you two are dating than to explain and tell the truth about Jennie-shi and Kai-shi relationship." Yunyuk said.
"I'm sorry, but it will benefit us? I can't seem to recall a dating scandal to be beneficial?" Hanbin said.
"The executive producer is planning on giving you two a collaboration this year. If there's news of you two being together it will attract more attention. It will create news nationwide. We will take that opportunity. That's already free advertising. Good or bad, that's still publicity."
"We're going to lie to our fans for charts and popularity huh?" Hanbin hissed. He doesn't like the idea of him being controlled by his company.
"I don't mean to offend you BI-shi. This is the reality that you signed up for. You've been in the industry for how long yet you still don't know how it works?" Hanbin wants to retort but doesnt know how to respond with disrespecting his manager.
"What do you think Jennie-shi?" Jennie sigh and massage her temple. A lie to cover the truth. She doesn't want to lie to her fans but she doesn't want her relationship to be exposed either.
"A lie to cover the truth." Jennie starts to speak her mind.
"I understand how you want to use the dating statement for our collaboration but I beg to disagree. If I'm collaborating with the nation's popular producer we don't need dating news. His name alone is enough to make the headlines." Hanbin smiles sheepishly. The way Jennie talk right now takes him back when they were still trainees.
"Frankly, I detest the dating statement idea. I have no intention of dragging Hanbin and iKON into my own shit."
The people inside the room is appalled to hear her cursing. But Jennie's manager, Bokyung, who has been working with her for years just nod and agree with her statement. He knows how vulnerable Jennie is at the moment. But he also knows how Jennie works. She's not the yes-type girl. When she's involved, she doesn't care who she's talking to. She's not afraid to voice out her opinion.
"Since there's no rumor surfacing yet, it's best to gather information about the saesang plan and if necessary put a stop to it." Jennie owns and controls the flow of conversation in the room. She's speaking precisely and concisely but more importantly, she's speaking with confidence. Everyone is listening to her.
"But if news broke out today or tomorrow. I'll accept whatever your decision is. Like what you said, this is the reality that we signed up for. I have no right to demand or to complain. But if someone decides to play with fire and release the statement for their own benefit?" Jennie stops midway on her statement and looks directly at the managers in front of her.
"...my lawyer will hear about this." Jennie continues. Hanbin's manager finally let out a deep sigh. He wasn't able to breathe properly while Jennie is speaking. It's apparent how Jennie controlled the conversation to be in her favor. She acknowledged my statement, agrees to disagree and proved valid reasoning. He thought to himself. She even inserted a threat on her last statement. This girl is scary alright.
She's pretty popular within the managers. She's known to be a girl who's responsible, respectful and sweet towards others. But she's infamously known to be scary like BI. Even when she was still a trainee they heard about her. She's not a doll you can control.
"I heard you. I agree with you Jennie-shi. So Hanbin, what do you think?" Bokyung asks.
"I agree with Jennie, we don't need dating news. I'm more than ready to work with her. Please, don't go behind our back and release dating news even if the saesang didn't spread the photo. Don't take advantage of this so-called 'opportunity'."
"What do you mean? We will not do that. Just like what I have told you. We will release them after the photos resurfaced." Hanbin's manager reassured them but Jennie and Hanbin know their company so well. They're bad at managing their artist but they're worse at fulfilling their promise. Hence the reason for a delayed comeback and lack of releasing of the full album.
"We will take consideration of your thought. We will make sure your opinions will be heard in our next meeting with the upper management." Bokyung added.
Hanbin manager arranges his things since the meeting is almost done. He checks Hanbin and Jennie's reaction. They look skeptical. He gulps seeing them suspicious. "Damn these two was pretty quick to catch on." He thought to himself.
They ended the meeting. Hanbin and Jennie left the room. The two managers are still inside the board room.
"It's pretty nerve-wracking talking to those two. Your child is scary." Yunhyuk said to Bokyung.
"She's not scary. You're only saying that because you haven't work with her yet. You're only scared because she's a girl who knows how to speak for herself. If you have BI in charge in the frontline of defense for iKON, we have Jennie who's a wall of defense and warrior in charge for BLACKPINK."
x x Author's note x x
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Fairy tale ( What happened to us? )
FanfictionThis story is inspired by Hanbin's unreleased song called "Fairy tale." He uploaded the song on January 16, 2019, on Jennie's birthday. It is known that Hanbin rarely posts something on his Instagram unless it's someone's birthday or he just feels l...
