Chapter 246 - Comeback (6): Reevaluate

Immediately, the reporters began to speak up, trying to get more scoop. 

"How long have you known this?" 

"Ms. Dami aren't you ashamed of saying such a big lie?" 

"Have been stalking him?" 

"Why didn't you protest Kwon Jiwon?" 

"Who took the video?" 

They were bombarding the Nation's Couple with thousands of questions. The bodyguards came forward, trying to control the crowd. The reporters kept on pushing forward, trying to get answers. 

Mirae looked at Somi, who immediately understood. She stepped towards the podium, taking the mic. Mirae handed her a file, detailing everything Somi needed to know in order to handle the media. 

KJ stood up and rushed over to Mirae's side. He held her by the arm and said, "Mirae I-" 

"Later," she said in a cool tone. "For now just smile and look relieved." 

She turned to the media, flashing a fake smile while holding KJ's arm. But there was a cold distance between them. After a few pictures, Mirae let go and headed for the exit. Psycho followed his boss. 

Dami was enraged. As Mirae was walking away, she tried to attack her but the guards grabbed her. 

"I'll kill you!" she screamed like a maniac. Mirae stopped briefly and turned around. She was glaring at Dami without any pity. 

"Have her blacklisted from the industry," she ordered Psycho. "Make sure no other channels promote her. Any agency who hires her will face the blacklist. And squeeze her so dry that she doesn't have a dime left." 

"I will madam," Psycho replied with scorn. How dare she try to ruin his oppa! 

Mirae nodded and left. Dami dropped to her knees crying. Her life was over. 

…. 

"Dami is finished: Her web of lies exposed" 

"Kwon Jiwon proven innocent" 

"Wife come to the rescue: Nation's Couple stronger than ever" 

The headlines of the newspapers changed dramatically over the next few days. Media which vilified KJ, suddenly portrayed him as the victim of an obsessed lover. Dami's stint had shocked all the public and people were boycotting her. The video from the press conference went viral and fans were demanding for harsher punishments. #JusticeforKJ trended on all social media platforms. 

"KJ should have slapped her with a lawsuit #JusticeforKJ" 

"My poor oppa suffered so much because of the b****h #JusticeforKJ" 

"His wife saved his a**. True love wins #JusticeforKJ" 

"Is it weird that I find his wife insanely hot? #JusticeforKJ" 

"I feel so bad for the rest of Six X #JusticeforKJ" 

Moreover, the news of KJ's comeback also took the nation by storm. With the false scandal and the subsequent apologies from all corners, his upcoming album was garnering a lot of interest. KJ was receiving hundreds of endors.e.m.e.nts and drama offers. His popularity soared to a new level. 

For the past few weeks, he was swamped by his busy schedule. He was working on the clock everyday. From photoshoots to commercials, his bankability was high. His photo albums sold for millions of dollars. A product he had endorsed was sold out. 

"Pack up!" the director finally said. It was almost 1 am in the morning and KJ had been shooting for almost twenty hours nonstop. 

KJ slumped on his chair, tired from the activities. Even though he had been an idol for over a decade, he was still not used to the packed schedules. Psycho, who was assigned to him, brought him a bottle of water. 

"Oppa, you worked hard!" he cheered. 

But KJ only shrugged. "When is my next schedule?" he asked. 

"Tomorrow at eleven am," Psycho informed him. KJ wanted to ask one more thing but hesitated. 

"The CEO will be at an investor's meeting tomorrow from eight am," Psycho said, reading his mind. "Is she still not talking to you?" 

KJ threw him a glare which made Psycho cower. 

"I-I'll be waiting in the car," he said, quickly running away. KJ's already cranky mood was soured upon the mention of the cold treatment he was receiving from Mirae. Even though he was innocent of his scandal, Mirae's anger was making him feel more miserable. 

That night after the press conference was over, he went home, hoping that Mirae would listen him out and they could forget about the whole incident. His mind kept on replaying the last conversation they had… 

He found her in their bedroom, sitting on the couch. There was a glazed look in her eyes. Her thoughts were elsewhere, tangled into a messy web. 

"Mirae." 

Upon hearing his voice, she looked up but did not move from her place. KJ got down on his knees, holding her hands. 

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I should have told you about what happened that night. But you were sleeping when I came and then you left early in the morning. I didn't get the chance to tell you-" 

Mirae removed her hands from his. 

"You should freshen up," she said in a hollow tone. She was robotic and unfeeling. There was no anger in her nor was she reacting. She was disappointed and it made KJ feel even worse. 

She stood up to leave but KJ held her hand. 

"Mirae, I swear I didn't know she would do something like this!" he claimed. "She was my friend and we were close but-" 

Mirae spun around, a burning anger visible in her. 

"See, that's the problem there!" she exclaimed. "You knew she was harboring feelings for you! And yet, you overlooked all those signs coz you're just so clueless!" 

"But I didn't -" 

"KJ, she confessed to you multiple times!" Mirae retorted. "And yet you kept on giving her the clean chit! All those late nights. Her proximity towards you. The way she leans too close to you. I'm not blind!" 

She looked straight at him, unwavering in her stance. He could see the redness in her eyes. It was as if she had been crying for hours. 

"I know you'd do anything for a friend," she went on. "You'd give your life for your loved ones. I've seen it many times. That's very noble and the people close to you are grateful. But then there are people who will take advantage of your hero complex! Dami knew that you'd forget all sense of reason and logic once you see a friend in trouble!"

"I thought she was hurt," KJ debated.

"You could have called her building's guard!" Mirae shot back. "Or a doctor to treat her. You didn't have to carry her all the way to her apartment. And she had her own car, didn't she? The artists were given a transport van for their use. She could have asked her manager to arrange one. Why would she ask you? That too so late at night? Have you ever thought of that? Both of you are public figures! Did you even stop to think about the repercussions?"

KJ could not reply to her words. He had not thought of all those things. He was so used to helping his close friends that he never stopped to think about the consequences. 

His silence was the answer for her. 

"You don't put boundaries in your friendsh.i.p.s," she stated helplessly. "That Dami was all over you at the office. And your past interactions with her. It's still out there in public. So no KJ. It's not about that night. It's about you." 

"Mirae please, let's work this out," he pleaded. "Together." 

"No, you have to do this on your own," she said with a finality. "If you want us to make any progress, then work on balancing your life." 

"What do I do?" he asked, feeling helpless. 

After a short silence, Mirae simply said, "I don't know. You'll have to figure this out on your own." 

She was determined. This was not only for his sake but for hers too. He must pause and reevaluate his priorities if he wanted their relationship to have a future. With that, she left the room, leaving him to his thoughts. 

KJ was frustrated at himself. He was hurting her all over again. It was as if the past was repeating itself. No matter how hard he tried, he always ended up making the same mistakes. 

Once again, he was gripped by the fear of losing her forever.