Chapter 269 - Comeback (29): Uncertainty

The stage was set for the biggest comeback of the century. The colorful spotlights lit up the entire stadium, rotating wildly. Thousands of fans had gathered around, holding bright lightsticks of different fandoms. Blue, pink, red, yellow. The whole stadium was like an ocean of colors as the fans chanted loudly at the top of their lungs. 

Not a single person was quiet. Their cries echoed through the night as they showered their favorite idols with love. There was not a single empty space left. Fans fought with each other in intense battles to show their superiority. Each fandom was shouting their slogans, trying to be the loudest one. Their animosity was visible as they cheered for their respective idols. It was surreal. It was their love.

At the backstage, the security guards were checking each and every entrant to the stadium. Highly advanced body and metal scanners were placed at each entry point. Idols, staff, fans and vendors. Every single person was being thoroughly checked. There were highly trained guards who were stopping anyone who looked suspicious.

"Hey you!" one of the guards shouted at a fan. "What's that in your bag?"

The startled fan replied, "It's a camera."

The guard snatched the bag from her and opened its contents. Inside was an orange drink in a large flask. He sniffed it only to realize it had been spiked with glue.

"Get her!" he ordered the other guards. They grabbed the fan by the hands. The fan was a maniac who was shouting "Death to Nida! Death to 7A! They dare to upstage my KJ oppa!"

For hours, the guards kept on checking the contents of various people. They were astonished to find the things some of them tried to sneak in. There were haters who brought in things like bloodied pictures of the idols, stink bombs, laser lights and even small weapons like knives. Fans were no less either. They intercepted a letter written in blood addressed to KJ. One fan even brought in a voodoo doll which shockingly resembled Mirae. It was an attempt to bewitch her.

"People are just crazy," one of the guards muttered. The Cartel really did not have to go that far to kill KJ; the anti-fans would probably do a better job than them.

The staff were not spared from inspection either.

"I'm from Mystic Entertainment!" Shelley tried to explain but the guards were not allowing her to enter.

"ID please," one guard firmly stated. "And please cooperate with the body inspection. Females are to go that way."

He pointed at a separate checkpoint for women. Shelley groaned and went towards it. The whole security was airtight just for KJ. Mystic Entertainment had somehow convinced the organizers to allow Abyss to handle the security planning because of a potential attack by the Cartel. Nothing was certain but Abyss was refusing to take any chances. 

And when Abyss says something needs to be done then it must be done without any questions.

Hyun Jung was personally assigned to be with KJ at all times. The latter was irritated at the whole security as well but he knew it was for his own protection. The uncertainty which loomed over their heads was only increasing everyone's anxiety. Hyun Jung was in KJ's makeup room, briefing him with the details.

"My men will surround you at the stage," he stated. "We'll keep an eye out for anyone who might be targeting you. They'll even be amongst the audience."

"Any news on what the Cartel is up to?" KJ asked.

"No news at all," Hyun Jung sighed. "Which is why protecting you is my priority. We can't be too sure of anything yet."

"We still have three hours left for my performance," KJ said thoughtfully. "This 7A...they're performing in a while, right?"

"Yes," Hyun Jung replied. "Which is why we're even more concerned. What if they plant something on the stage itself?"

But KJ doubted it. That was too obvious. 7A was performing on that stage for a reason. No doubt it was to get easy access to the stadium. Despite the heavy security, they would have to let them in. The guards can confiscate suspicious items but would they really risk the exposure? There were thousands of people there. Even the Cartel would not directly plan something of a big scale just to kill him. Surely, they would do it more discreetly. But how?

There was a soft knock on the door. Mirae entered the room, looking worried.

"Hyun Jung, can I have a moment with him?" she requested.

"Of course," Hyun Jung nodded. He exited the room, leaving the two alone.

Mirae sat beside KJ, feeling very nervous. He could see the worry and pain in her eyes. Even though the comeback was important, he did not want to see her so troubled. 

"Jung Mirae, what's on your mind?" he asked.

She took his palm, massaging it gently while trying to collect her thoughts.

"I'm scared," she admitted. "I don't know why I can't help but feel that something is going to go terribly wrong. The Cartel won't stay quiet. Now that Ash has been exposed, they won't hesitate to attack you on that stage. I don't know what will happen there but I can feel that something is amiss. I just know it."

She tried to assure herself all day that it was a happy occasion. KJ was safe and they would protect him when he would perform. But even the high class protection service could not assuage her heart. She was anxious about what was going to happen because it was so uncertain. The Cartel's silence was only increasing her anxiety. They were being too secretive and stealthy this time.

KJ let his wife pour her heart out to him. He was silent, not attempting to comfort her nor agree with her. He was simply waiting.

….

A long limo stood in front of the stadium. There were thousands of fans gathered on two sides of the limo as a red carpet stretched from the car to the entrance. The media was there too, eagerly clicking away their cameras as four stunning ladies came out of the car. They were all wearing black miniskirts with leather jackets and a pair of fluffy boots. Upon seeing the dark haired beauties, the fans screamed wildly. However, they were more fixated on the tall girl with hazel eyes.

"Nida! Nida! Nida!" they chanted. The other three girls were merely background people. Nida was the real star. She was followed by their staff members, who were carrying their clothes and instruments. Her chauffeur was marching ahead with Nida's guitar case. His pale face was matted with sweat as he struggled to carry the heavy thing.

"Ahjusshi, you have to give that to us for checking," one of the guards told him.

"Son, this is only a guitar," the chauffeur said. "You can take a look."

The guard opened the case. Indeed there was only a guitar inside. There were more instruments like drums and keyboards. Those were also checked thoroughly.

"Alright," the guard said after checking the ID's with the list they received. "You can go in."

Nida went in first followed by the rest of 7A and their staff. A guard was assigned to them who was escorting them to their changing room. 

Once they reached their room, Nida turned and asked the guard, "Can we get some privacy? Or will you be guarding us inside as well?"

"No, but a lady guard will watch over you inside," the guard stated. Nida scoffed haughtily and went inside.

A stern looking woman was there, waiting for them. She was their guard. Nida rolled her eyes and they began to change into their performance clothes. 

Suddenly, there was a crash. She turned around to see the chauffeur had dropped the guitar case.

"You stupid old man!" she yelled at him. "What the f.u.c.k did you just do?"

"I'm sorry madame," the chauffeur apologized profusely. "I didn't mean to-"

"Check it!" she snapped. The chauffeur opened the case only to find that the guitar's string had come off.

"Well don't just stand there!" Nida ordered. "Go and get it fixed by the organizers! What'll we do if we can't fix this? This was from a sponsor and we have to return it!"

"I'm sorry madame!" the chauffeur apologized again. He picked up the guitar and went outside.

"Excuse me young man," he called the guard outside. "Could you please be kind and show me the way to the organizer's office? I have to get this fixed quickly and we have very less time!" 

"Alright ahjusshi," the guard said. "Follow me. The guard was about to lead him when there was a commotion from afar.

"What the hell?" the guard frowned as he headed towards that way.

"Nida is a bitch!" one fan yelled, pushing another girl to the floor.

"Don't talk about Nida like that!" the other girl threatened and pounced on her attacker. Both girls began to fight, screaming curses at each other. They were tearing at each other's clothes. The guards leapt forward to stop them.

"Cut it out!" one of the guards shouted. 

Unbeknownst to them, the chauffeur had quietly slipped away from the scene. He calmly carried the case and walked towards the instruments' room. No one suspected him as he entered. Everyone was busy with setting up the stage or making last minute preparations.

Another figure crept up to the old man. The latter turned to see a tall man with thick brown hair, carrying a guitar.

"I see you're here yourself," the assassin muttered as he fixed the strings. "President. Is that a new mask?"