Your Lover

During their performance at the Golden Disc Awards, the final pose of their routine brought them face to face, their breaths mingling as the crowd roared. In that moment, Aris realized something unexpected: the feelings she had tried to bury were real.
            As the music faded and the lights dimmed, Jungkook whispered, “This might have started as a lie, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.”
            For the first time in months, she felt a spark of hope.

“Y/n,” Jennie whispered, wrapping her arms around her beloved friend who has always been a sister. Tears streamed silently down Aris’s face, though she didn’t sob. Jungkook stepped closer, his voice trembling as he said, “I’m so sorry.” “It’s not your fault” she tenderly said.
            The collaboration released weeks later, the music video for Me and You shattering records with its haunting visuals and electric chemistry. The world was captivated, but she felt hollow. Every award, every headline about their “love story” felt like a chain tightening around her.
            Yet, amid the facade, something began to shift. Late-night rehearsals turned into quiet conversations. Jungkook’s jokes made her smile, and his unwavering support eased the sting of their circumstances. They found solace in each other, their bond growing in the shadows of their manufactured romance.

She hesitated, torn between her frustration and the warmth in his eyes. Before she could answer, the door opened, and in walked Lee Jae-sang, CEO of Big Hit. His presence instantly silenced the room. Behind him stood YG himself, a stoic figure whose mere gaze demanded compliance.
            “Everyone out,” Lee Jae-sang ordered, his voice cold. The cameras were turned off, and the room emptied save for Aris, Jungkook, and the two CEOs.
            Lee Jae-sang’s gaze settled on her. “You will complete this collaboration without anyone further complaints,” he said, his tone brooking no argument. “And to silence the rumors, you and Jungkook will sign a dating contract. For the next three years, you will hint at a relationship, to gain more popularity. Do you understand?”
            Her heart plummeted. Her voice caught in her throat as she felt a stinging slap across her cheek. The shock rendered her motionless as the CEO turned and left without another word. YG approached her, his expression unreadable, and enveloped her in an uncharacteristic hug before following Lee Jae-sang out.
            The silence in the room was deafening. Jungkook stood frozen, his fists clenched in anger. The members of Blackpink and BTS rushed back in, their faces pale with worry.