Chapter 180 - EXOTIC (XII): The Announcement

Mirae pulled KJ into a deep kiss. Cameras flashed everywhere as the couple in front of them were immersed in the liplock. KJ's eyes widened when he felt Mirae's soft lips on his. The reporters scribbled away wildly while Dongsik and Junki gaped at the two lovebirds on the stage. 

Hyun Jung suppressed a snicker. He could tell the CEO of Abyss, Mirae, had made up everything to protect KJ. But he could not help but be happy for his friend because it might be his one shot at winning Mirae's heart.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. It was Somi.

"What the hell is happening there?" Somi exclaimed. "I'm seeing it on TV! KJ and Mirae? Seriously?"

"Calm down," he whispered. "I'll explain later!"

"But-"

"Later!" Hyun Jung chuckled as he hung up. The two of them were still puckering on stage. The media was going wild with the gossip. 

Finally, Mirae let go of KJ, who was stunned to his core. Mirae faked a wide smile. "Oppa, we may have gone through a rough time," she said loudly. "But I know that you're going to make our lives even more beautiful."

"Y-yeah…" KJ managed to say. Wait, what did she just say? He thought wildly. 

"Are you saying that you two will get married?" one of the reporters gasped.

"Yes," Mirae announced. "We were supposed to register our marriage last week in a private ceremony. But due to the...incident, we had to delay it until I recovered. Hence, we will get married this week."

KJ was puzzled. Married? Again? 

"This is ridiculous!" Dongsik spoke up. He addressed the other media representatives. "The Nation's Idol is marrying a mere PA? The whole thing seems like a scam. The idol who had dated countless women in the past. He dated celebrities, models and so many women with better credentials and influence."

He turned towards the stage, glaring at the couple. It was obvious that they were faking it to hide the truth. "Why would the Nation's Idol choose a mere PA as his wife? Surely, he would have chosen someone better!"

KJ glared back. He was about to open his mouth to put Dongsik to his place but Mirae beat him to it.

"Ahhh…" Mirae realized. "All of you seem to be mistaken about my credentials and identity."

"We know who you are," Dongsik sneered. "A gold digging PA!"

"It seems you have made a dangerous mistake," KJ said coolly. "If you knew who she is, you wouldn't have made such a claim."

There was nothing to lose anyway. If this was the outcome of the new timeline, then KJ had no regrets. He glanced at Mirae's green eyes. Even if she was lying about their relationship, he knew she did it to protect him. But this time, he will not fail in protecting her. If needed, he would change timelines a million times if only he could save her from the cruel tricks of destiny. 

He glared back at Kang Dongsik. The measly reporter had messed with the wrong people and it was time to put him to his place.

"Ladies and gentlemen," KJ said. "You may have known my beloved girlfriend as our PA. But in reality, she was simply hiding her real identity in order to learn about the entertainment business. You see, Mystic Entertainment had recently been taken over by a new management board."

The reporters frowned as they checked their notes. They did hear of the secret takeover of Mystic Entertainment but had no clue which company was behind it. 

"The new management board is being led by my girlfriend," KJ announced, pointing at Mirae who looked smug. "Ms. Jung Mirae is the new CEO of Mystic Entertainment."

If the news of their fake dating caused the gossip mills to go wild, the new developments were spreading faster than wildfire. At that very moment, the social media sites were collapsing as millions of users across the world shared and posted the news. The press conference trended on every portal. 

"Are you sure you want to do this?" KJ asked her quietly. 

She looked at him with clear conviction. "If this can protect your image and destroy the Cartel, then why not?"

A silent understanding passed between them. They did not need words to communicate their next course of action. 

The reporters went wild with excitement. The Nation's Idol not only confessed his love publicly but also declared his marriage. They were so engrossed in the gossip, that they did not notice Jinhyun and Dasom heading towards the stage. They silently climbed the stage to walk towards the podium. KJ acknowledged them with a nod.

Junki, on the other hand, was almost having a heart attack. He threatened the CEO of Mystic Entertainment! Why did she not inform him? He cursed his luck for underestimating Jung Mirae. She was no ordinary gold digger. She was the Empress who came to claim her throne!

Kang Dongsik was red with fury. The bitch tricked him! Not only did she make a fool out of him but also took his money!

As if reading his mind, Mirae spoke out, "Mr. Kang Dongsik! It was so generous of you to donate almost half a million dollars to 'Smile You' foundation. I'm sure the orphans there will be very happy with your noble cause!"

The reporters were confused. "Oh you all didn't know?" Mirae asked, feigning innocence. "Mr. Dongsik here was generous enough to donate some money to an orphanage. In fact, the director of the orphanage is an old friend of mine and he told me about it. He even mentioned that Mr. Dongsik had promised that he would donate seven hundred thousand dollars more to the organization."

That bitch! Kang Dongsik cursed her. She had tricked him into giving money away to charity and now he has to give away 700,000 dollars more? He tried to smile back at her but his mind was full of venom. He now had a new target.

The reporters were excitedly posting up the new developments. It was a field day for them. KJ watched as they greedily sucked in all the news as if it was their only source of entertainment. It disgusted him to see these kinds of people but as an idol, he had to endure them everyday.

"KJ…" Jinhyun patted him on the back. KJ turned to face him. He could not run away from Jinhyun's pleading eyes. 

"Do what you think is right," Jinhyun requested with a sad smile. Dasom was standing behind him, not talking. He was instead staring at his feet, his eyes devoid of any emotions. KJ looked at his friends properly.

It felt strange that just ten years ago, these two were middle schoolers. Even if Ash was no longer with them, all four of them struggled together. KJ and Ash saved up every penny they could in order to ensure that these two could at least finish their education. They went through a lot to reach that debut stage before they finally succeeded. The two boys he had raised were now men.

KJ returned the smile before turning back to face the media.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he spoke up. "There is another news."

The reporters quieted down. They were desperate for more juicy gossip. Kang Dongsik, too, shifted in his seat while Junki frowned. What other news would they reveal now? 

"All three of us stand here today to give you all a small message," he said, indicating towards Jinhyun and Dasom. "For ten years, EXOTIC had been receiving endless love and support from the fans. Truthfully, we could not have come this far if we did not have the fans' unconditional love."

He hesitated as he tried to control his emotions. Mirae, who stood next to him, listened to his every word. She noticed his grim expression. Whatever he was about to say, will change their lives. Forever.

"Even if Ash had betrayed us," KJ went on, his voice cracking. "He may have done a lot of wrong things. But he was still a part of EXOTIC."

Mirae clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her skin. Drops of blood began to flow out but she did not care.

"We had a lot of good times, we spent many bad times," KJ continued. "But we went through all of it as one team. For the sake of those times and the promise we had made long ago, today, we are forced to make a very difficult choice. The fans will be hurt and outraged. But to us...it's either all of us or none of us. No matter what happens."

KJ stopped to collect his thoughts. The room was so silent that he felt dizzy but managed to keep himself steady. He looked straight at the cameras, unwavering. He had stayed up all night. The decision he made was painful but necessary. 

"I, Kwon Jiwon, the leader of EXOTIC hereby announce the disbandment of our group," he announced to the world. 

There was a moment of silence before the flash of the first camera blinded them.