The Scandal Queen

Episode Ten

The rumor that Orion had blacklisted my ex, Jihyun, and by extension, the rest of his group, Voxx, was less of a rumor and more like common industry insider knowledge. Orion were visibly cold to all of Voxx backstage, and staff frequently talked about the problems it caused whenever Voxx was invited to a program because several female and male groups alike would drop out if Voxx were in the program. Earning the disapproval of Orion was like getting the plague in this business. Orion were on top and they were well respected among our peers. If Orion collectively shunned you, the rest of the idol community was almost guaranteed to follow suit. By making their disapproval clear, Orion had made my ex and his bandmates outsiders among idols. I appreciated it more than I could put into words.

Seonho nods slowly, with no hint of humor.

“It's what the industry should have done in the first place. What he did was a crime. It's as much justice as we could give you.”

“It helped,” I assure him. “More than you can know.”

His expression lightens, and I see amusement in his eyes again.

“But you still won't go on a date with me.”

“I didn't say that,” I say with a smile back.

“You didn't say yes,” he counters.

I chew on my bottom lip in indecision. I like Seonho, and I do believe his intentions are pure. Mine, however, are not. And I don't know if my conscious is alright with slipping into someone else's bed so soon after getting out of Jaewook's.

“How's this? You give me to the end of filming tonight to think about it. If I decide I want some company after, I'll come find you.”

Seonho presses his lips together in thought for a long moment and then eventually, he nods, satisfied.

“Fine. Here's hoping then.”

***

Back in the studio, the buzz of activity swirls around me, but my mind is miles away. I keep replaying my rooftop conversation with Seonho, dissecting every word and glance. His sincerity felt real, but then again, Jaewook's interest seemed genuine, too. My heart tugs in two directions, each pull stronger than the last.

As the cameras roll and I take my place for the final performance, I catch sight of Seonho backstage. He's talking animatedly with a staff member, his smile infectious even from a distance. My stomach flips. I shake my head, trying to focus on the choreography I've practiced a thousand times. But every move feels mechanical, my thoughts drifting back to those wide eyes and mischievous grin.

Jaewook's silence gnaws at me, too. He had seemed so interested, so present during our date. And then nothing. Maybe he's busy with filming, or maybe he's just not that into me. Either way, the uncertainty is driving me mad.

The performance ends in a blur of lights and applause. I bow, smiling through the noise, but my heart isn't in it. As we exit the stage, Seonho catches my eye and gives a small nod. My pulse quickens.

I make a snap decision. What the f**k, why not?

Back in the dressing room, I find a scrap of paper and scribble my hotel room number on it. My hands tremble slightly as I fold it neatly and slip it into my pocket. I glance at myself in the mirror—eyes sharp with determination but shadowed with doubt.

The awards show drags on interminably after that, each minute stretching into an eternity as I sit through speeches and performances.

Finally, it's over. The crowd begins to disperse and people start milling around backstage. I spot Seonho near the exit and take a deep breath before weaving through the throng towards him.

I make my way over, weaving discreetly between people and keeping myself hidden in the sea of idols and staff. I come close enough to hear his voice, speaking to his labelmates. I step around them, I'm at Seonho's back and as I make to move around them, I shift my hand subtly at my side, blocking sight of it with my body.

I press the piece of paper into Seonho's relaxed hand at his side. I feel him stiffen, but he doesn't turn his head, doesn't make any indication he's noticed the touch besides the slight stillness. Then his fingers close around the piece of paper and I step away.

I wait until I get to the end of the hall before I look back, searching him out over the heads of the crowd. He's still in the same spot, and though his head is turned toward his labelmates, his eyes flick in my direction.

He holds my gaze for the briefest of moments, and then I see his chin dip just slightly. That and the dark look in his eyes is enough to confirm he understands.

I turn on my heel and making my way out of the building as fast as I can without drawing attention. My heart pounds with each step towards the waiting car that will take me to the hotel.

The ride feels like an eternity, but also like no time at all. My thoughts whirl—what if this is a mistake? What if Jaewook calls tomorrow? What if Seonho isn't what he seems?

But then I remember his eyes on that rooftop—steady, kind—and decide that sometimes risks are worth taking.