10 일만 내놔 : Give me 10 days (MICHAENG)

CHAPTER 31

[Mina's POV]

I slammed the table hard with both my palms.

"What do you mean you can't sue them for defamation?"

Everyone is staring at me. I can see that even Jihyo looks taken aback with what I just said. It was dead silent in the room.

He blinked, still keeping his eye contact with me. Both his arms on top of the table and his hands clasped under his chin. His pursed lips parted and he let out a sigh. Our CEO fixed his glasses before speaking. "Look, Mina..."

JYP was standing behind him. Leaning on the wall. He walked closer and tapped CEO Wook on his shoulder. Silently saying I'll handle this.

He looked at me and took the seat beside me. "Please sit down."

I obliged, I slowly sat down.

"CEO Wook and the rest of our legal team are looking for grounds we can use against them, even our PR team are working their best to take-down and stop the malicious rumours that are already spreading from further incurring more damage to Twice and specially Chaeyoung." He paused, tilting his chair more to face me. "Unfortunately, Chaeyoung made that decision. She conducted the interview without consulting any of us and there's a limit to what we can do for her. But I can assure you that everyone here is doing their best. We'll make things work out. Arraseo?"

It wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear but I think it really is the best they could offer. Everyone's face look tired. I relaxed my shoulders a little bit.

"Have you found her already?" I asked PD-nim.

He shook his head.

"Her mom told us she hasn't even contacted them yet. She told them that she'll be alright and just needed time and her family agreed to respect her decision."

"Has she told them for how long? How much time does she need?" my shoulders started to tense up again.

He sighed. "I wish I could tell you, but I also don't have the answers. We can't force Chaeyoung back, Mina. We'll have to wait for her to return. Then we'll deal with everything accordingly."

"But it's been two days..."

Ani. I have to find her.

---

I'm two blocks away from Chaeyoung's house, but I couldn't step out of the car. I can see reporters everywhere, a handful of them look familiar. They're surrounding the vicinity like vultures, waiting for any of her family members to come out. I suddenly felt sick in the stomach.

"Gwenchanha?" Nayeon unnie grabbed my hand from the passenger seat. I nodded even though I'm not feeling well.

Jeongyeon, on the other hand, also has her eyes locked on the house. "I don't think anyone is in there."

"What do you mean?" I leaned forward from the backseat. My face just a few inches away from both of them. I squinted my eyes to see the house better.

"I don't think anyone has been there for days." She pointed at the gate. I don't see what she's trying to make me see. Is it because the gate is locked?

"Look at the mail box. There's a envelope sticking out a little. Which means no one's inside to take it. And check that at the left side." She pointed at the garbage dumpster beside Chaeyoung's house.

"It's empty."

"Maybe the garbage collector has already taken it." I reasoned out.

"Ani. Garbage pick-up schedule is every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 7pm until 12 midnight. It's Tuesday now, and it's already six." She took out her phone to double check.