10 일만 내놔 : Give me 10 days (MICHAENG)

CHAPTER 30

[Chaeyoung's POV: Two days ago – Day 8]

"Ajjushi, I have a proposal for you." I clenched my fist as I looked at the reporter who's busy wiping his camera lens.

He looked up to me with a puzzled look in his face, "I'm listening."

Dahyun grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to the side. Tzuyu followed, using her body to block my view of the guy. Folding her arms and looking at me angrily.

"Wae?"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Dahyun glared at me. I've never seen her this angry.

Tzuyu furrowed her eyebrows "Chaeyoung-a, just go back inside. We'll handle this guy by ourselves."

I sighed, "I appreciate your help, girls. But I have to handle this on my own. I created this mess. I need to fix it by myself."

"Not true." Dahyun's grip on my arm tightened. "We're a family, remember? We're here to protect you, no matter what."

"Even if it means we have to kill someone for you." Tzuyu's voice suddenly became louder. I can see the guy flinch behind her.

I chuckled weakly, "that's not necessary, Tzuyu-ah. Just let me handle this. Jebal."

"SON CHAEYOUNG! I'M YOUR UNNIE AND I FORBID YOU FROM DOING THIS!!!" Dahyun's usually pasty white skin suddenly started turning bright red. I can see that she's fuming from frustration.

I grabbed her hand that is gripping my arm and carefully pushed it down. She slowly let go but her face is still all red.

I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. "Mianhamnida, unnie. But not this time." I can feel her tensed shoulders drop.

I looked at Tzuyu who's staring at me with the saddest eyes I've seen. I pursed my lips and tried smiling at her.

I gently pushed Dahyun to the side and faced the reporter again.

"Ten minutes." I said as I held up all my fingers. "I'll give you a ten minutes tell-all interview."

His face lit up.

"In two conditions." I closed all fingers except two.

He squinted his eyes. I got his full attention. "Carry on..."

"Conceal the other girl's identity. No questions about who she is or where she's from. She'll remain as an unknown girl from Seoul, arraseo?"

He's intrigued. I gulped, praying he'll take the bait.

It feels like forever waiting for his response. He smirked, shaking his head. "It's times like this that I seriously hate my job."

He looked up to me. "Are you sure about this? This might take a toll in your career. You know... you don't really have to do that."

"I know. But that would mean you'll keep on following us and I don't like you bothering her at any means. She's been through a lot and this would be the last thing she'll want." Picturing Mina's smiling face gave me a lot of courage, I don't want her to lose that smile.

He scratched his head, "You're really protecting her. That's really charming. Arraseo." He stood up, "what's the second condition?"

"Release the article after three days." After our 10th day.

"jeosonghamnida, I don't think I could do that. They'll be releasing the first article tomorrow. That's why I have until your departure to take pictures of you. Usually idols take their SOs on dates before leaving the country."