HIATUS

Chapter 1 - Change of Lifestyle - Part 5

The car was hot. She didn't miss the weather in Thailand, completely unbearable; even with the window down.

"Best to keep the window up, just in case anyone spots you." Park Moo flicked the switch and up went the window. One of the things that made idol life that bit less enjoyable was not being able to have the window down. It was just a window, but imagine not being able to have the window down in your car for the last 6 years.

"Can you at least turn the A/C up? I'm melting back here." With that, the cold air was starting to seep through.

"OK, let's go over the schedule. First, you-"

"Yeah, yeah, first we enter the building from the back but only when given the go ahead. Take the elevator to the 4th floor where the room will already be set up with reporters and media. Stand at the left of the door and only enter once the door has been opened-"

"You know, you could lessen the sarcasm in your tone just a little." Moo eyed her in the front mirror. She sighed. He knew how hard it was for her being the leader, main vocalist and trilingual, meaning she did more talking on top of that. He was the only one, apart from the group, she didn't have to pretend around. There were so many expectations of her.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be taking it out on you. The heat must be getting to me. It's just... why haven't we been given some security? They expect us to fend for ourselves, like I'm sorry Moo but you're no security guard." He scoffed, pretending to be offended. Even he knew it was true, he did try his best to stay fit in case anything happened but he was just a manager. There were times when he wasn't able to protect Jen, sometimes fans would go crazy and jump barriers or scurry their way past security. One time a fan threw herself over a guard and landed on top of Jisoo, he had to stop Jen from attacking the fan never mind protecting her from them.

"Well, welcome to your new hiatus life. This must be managements way of saying f-you for taking a break." Jen put a hand to her chest, pretending to be shocked at his choice of words.

The car pulled up to the back door of the building, Jen stayed in the car as planned until Moo came back to give the go ahead. The room was packed full of reporters, chosen specifically for the event. It was simple, all Jen had to do was answer some simple questions about the break and what she planned to do with her time now that she was back in Thailand. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, the noise level in the room rose. Cameras started flashing and reporters stood up trying to get a view of her. It was nothing out of the ordinary, after 6 years Jen had grown used to the fan fair and flashing of cameras. Numb to it, Jen thought.

"If everyone could take their seats, please. I'd just like to start off by saying thank you all for being here. We will only be taking questions already proof read so please do not ask questions that weren't previously permitted, thank you." Moo spoke into the microphone sitting atop the table. After motioning for the door to be opened, in walked Yi-Jen.

The cameras went wild, the reporters began screaming her name as she took to her seat. Jen put her best smile on, warming up the room. Yi-Jen, Yi-Jen, Yi-Jen.

"First question, please." Moo bellowed. One of the reporters from the front stood with her pen and paper, almost trembling.

"Yi-Jen, how does it feel to be back in Thailand?" She stood awaiting the response.

"First of all, I love your dress." The room awed. "And to answer your question, I've already been greeted with such love by the fans, I'm definitely very happy to be back. I've missed the sunshine, of course." This gained a slight chuckle, everyone scribbling. Another reported stuck his hand up.

"How do you think you'll cope yourself after being with your members for 6 long years?"

"It'll be very different," another chuckle. "I'll miss my band members a lot however we've all promised to stay in contact and see each other regularly. As you say it's been a long 6 years so we're all very excited for some well earned rest, in my opinion." A low murmur emanated around the crowd; oh definitely, of course, totally.

"We know that there's a company in Thailand that you used to work for before debut and that you are still affiliated with them?"

"There have been some small events planned with this company because my contract never fully ended with them before debut, however they are small events such as photoshoots and appearances-"

"How will this affect the hiatus?" The reporter interrupted.

"No unpermitted questions, please." Moo interjected. Jen gave him a reassuring look.

"Hiatus will not be affected by this, I've been reassured that these events will take place over the course of three weeks therefore my hiatus will just start later than everyone else's." There was a quiet buzz around the room. Jen lowered both eyebrows, confused.

"Does this mean the statement released this morning was done without your consent?" The buzz grew louder; reporters writing furiously as everything unfolded. Moo tried to calm the crowd but the camera flashes drowned him out. Reporters began to stand, each shouting different questions. Jen sat unsteady, swallowing the saliva crowding in her mouth.

"I- I don't know what you mean." She tried to stay composed.

"In a statement released this morning, YiCon stated that they were glad to have you back on board for the entire duration of your hiatus." A reporter shouted from the back. Jen's cheeks flushed, her face a picture. She struggled for the words that were caught in her throat. The entire duration of your hiatus, the words echoed in her head.

"Ok no further questions, please. This will conclude the press conference." Moo took Jen by the arm and almost lifted her from the room, reporters and cameras following them out. They ran for the closest elevator which had just opened, Moo smashed the button to close the doors.

"Moo what's going on?" He was already on his phone trying to get some information for what had just happened. "Moo? Moo!" Jen was struggling for air.

"YICON RELEASED TODAY THAT THEY WERE GLAD TO WELCOME YI-JEN BACK INTO THE COMPANY, NOW WITH THE HIATUS WELL UNDER WAY. EVENTS HAVE BEEN PLANNED RIGHT UP UNTIL THE END OF THE HIATUS, NOT MUCH OF A BREAK, EH?"

A clip from Moo's phone explained.

"This can't be happening! Why weren't we told?" Jen began to panic. "3 weeks! We were told 3 weeks and then I would get my break..." The doors pinged open and they both stalked out. "I won't do it! They can't make me!" Her voice rose.

...

Moo turned away to start the car but just at that moment a young boy spotted them and screamed, giving away their identity. A crowd formed almost immediately. The elevator doors pinged open and they threw themselves in.