Dating an Idol

Twenty-Six: THE FAKE NEWS

I was waiting for my instant ramen to get ready when my phone suddenly rang. I was at the condo having my dinner alone.

It was Gianna.

"Hello," I answered her call.

"How are you?" she asked.

"I'm good, don't worry."

"No more fangirl attack incidents?"

"Fortunately, no. I mean, there were some fangirls outside the coffee shop today but they didn't hurt me."

"They know where you work?" She sounded surprised. "But how?"

"I really don't know," I replied. "The next thing I knew, they were already outside the coffee shop, probably waiting for me."

"OMG. Those fangirls are crazy."

I just chuckled.

"I'm glad you didnt get in trouble with your job though," she added.

"Uhmmm, actually… my manager told me not to go to work yet until the issue dies down."

"What? Really? Well, that's disappointing! Those rascals actually cost you your job!" Gianna basically yelled on the other line that I had to put the phone away from my ear for a moment.

"I found a new part-time job though so that's okay," I said after.

"Really? Where?"

"In a voice and dance studio for kids. I'll be teaching little kids how to sing and dance."

"Wow, that's cool!"

"I know, right? So the incident today turned out to be a blessing in disguise after all. It made me land another part-time job. And it's something that I enjoy doing, so it's a win-win!" I said.

"Yeah, you're right. It's amazing how life gives us little surprises from time to time," she said.

"How about you? How are you?" I asked.

"A little pressured because they are choosing the top candidates for the debut line in a couple of weeks."

"Really? That's exciting."

"But nerver wracking at the same time," she said. "The pressure is real."

"But I know that you can do it. You're one of the best trainees I know so I am confident that you can do it with flying colors."

"Thanks for cheering me up, girl, but I'm really nervous. The other trainees here were also good so I don't wanna be complacent. I wanna give it my best shot."

"That's good. I'm glad to know that you are always giving your best in the training," I said. "How's Mael, anyway? Did you hear anything from him?"

"Actually, no. I haven't seen him. I haven't heard from him, either. The idol survival reality show's gonna be launched next week so they must be so busy already."

"I hope he gets to focus on the competition after what happened."

"He will, don't worry."

"I couldn't help but get worried. Especially now that I don't hear anything from him."

"How was Eun anyway? I haven't heard from the agency yet."

"I know, right? It's been two days already but the agency hasn't released an official statement with regards to the dating scandal yet. So I'm also kind of worried about him. I hope he's not getting in trouble with the agency."

"How about Skye? Did you ask him about Eun?"

"Arghhh! Don't even ask. That guy frustrates me!" I said.

"Skye? Why? What did he do wrong?"

"I found him here in the condo yesterday when I came back from Busan. Like he was here waiting for me."

"So? Isn't it a good thing that he checks on you?"

"Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that. Really. But he suddenly got mad at me and left. I didn't even know what I did wrong so it frustrates me!" I whined as I started eating my ramen.

"Ohhhh, really? What did you say to him before he got mad?"

"Nothing, really. I just asked how Eun was."

"And?"

"And oh, remember you called me yesterday morning and we briefly talked about Mael? Skye was here at that time; he was listening during our convo. Then he gets mad and zoomed out of here without telling me the reason why he's getting pissed off. It frustrates me."

"Wait, wait, let me just get this straight," Gianna said. "Skye went there to check on you?"

"Yes."

"Then you asked about Eun and he got mad?"

"Yup."

"And when we talked about Mael on the phone and you told me that you're worried about him, Skye was with you. He was basically listening to our convo. And he gets madder after?"

"Yup, exactly."

"Girl, that's easy. It doesn't need a genius to figure that out."

"What?"

"He was jealous!"

"What?" I chuckled. "That's nonsense!"

Sometimes I really hate how Gianna's brain works.

"Isn't it obvious? Skye checked on you because he's worried about you. Yet you worry about someone else so he gets mad. That's loud and clear! Girl, he was jealous!"

"You're crazy," I said chuckling.

"Girl, I know you're pretty smart but why are you so dumb when it comes to these things? You frustrate me big time," she scowled.

"Stop feeding nonsense thoughts to my brain. You're driving me crazy."

"I can smell a love triangle in the air. This is getting interesting."

"Shut up!"

"I'm telling you! Mael was serious when he said that he likes you. And that childhood best friend of yours… I'm telling you, he likes you, too."

"You and your wild imagination."

"How lucky can you get? Arghhhh."

"Shut up."

"Shucks! Can I trade places with you?"

I chuckled. "Shut up!"

"Oh, wait. Check Twitter right now!" she said.

"Why?" I put my phone on speaker mode before I opened my Twitter account.

"CBX has released a statement already."

"Really?" I said as I waited for the app to load.

"Yes! Just now. Go check it out now!"

And true enough, the agency had released an official statement about Eun and I's dating scandal and it's taking Twitter by storm.

The topic was trending worldwide.

First, the agency, of course, denied the dating scandal. But what shocked me was the part where the agency said that I am Skye's cousin! That I was with them at Busan to celebrate Skye's mom's birthday because we are cousins.

"So when did you become cousins with Skye?" I heard Gianna ask.

I moaned in frustration. "Gosh, this is getting crazy. Why would they tell such a lie?"

"Do you think Skye told them that you are cousins?"

"I dunno. I really don't know. Oh, gosh. This is really frustrating."

There was an incoming call. It was Skye.

"Wait, I need to go. Skye's on the line," I said.

"Oh, go ahead. Go ahead. Call me back after you talk to him, okay?" Gianna said.

"I'll try," I said before I ended the call so I could answer Skye.

"Have you read the news?" he asked even before I could say hello.

"What the hell was that? Did you actually tell them that we're cousins?" I snapped at him.

"Of course, I did not. It was some kind of a misunderstanding?"

"And you didn't even bother to correct them?"

"I didn't get the chance to."

"You didn't get the chance to correct them or you don't really have the plan to do so?"

"Okay, okay. I thought it was better that way. I think it's safer for you if people think that we're cousins."

"So you're lying to protect me?"

"I didn't lie. It was a misunderstanding."

"But you didn't correct them so it was still basically lying."

"But I just wanted to protect you! What's wrong with that?"

"But havent you thought of the possibility that things could boomerang to you? Like what would've happened if people found out that you were lying the whole time?"

"I dunno and honestly, I don't care anymore! I just don't want to see you again soaked in eggs and flour like you're getting deep fried!" He was basically shouting.

"Hey, hey, relax. Why are you shouting? Lower down your voice. Where are you right now? People might hear you," I said, worried.

"You really frustrate me," he said instead.

"Don't worry, the feeling's mutual. You frustrate me, too," I replied.

I heard him snarled in frustration.

"I need to go," he said. "Don't leave the house. Stop making me worried and do as I say."

And he cut the line even before I could say anything, leaving me so mad.

Our conversation got me frustrated that I basically flipped my phone on the table after the call.

I noticed that my ramen had gotten soggy, too, that I ended up throwing it in the sink.

Gosh, I feel so frustrated right now. Skye's really getting into my nerves these days and I hate it!

I was about to go to the bedroom when someone rang the doorbell. I checked who it was and was surprised to know that it was a pizza delivery for me.

Skye must've ordered it for me. Who else would do it?

I am still mad at him but the pizza looked delicious, not to mention that I was really hungry, so I ended up devouring it.

Thank you for the pizza, I messaged him after.

I didn't get any reply from him. He must still be mad at me. Or busy.

Or both.