Chapter 272 - Comeback (32): Being a Star

Nida was watching through the curtains backstage while another group performed on the stage. She was giddy yet excited. It was her moment to shine. She had endured all the torture and abuse for this moment. The other members of her group were nothing but mere pawns. As soon as she attains popularity, she would dump them anyway.

She turned to the other girls, who were looking at her sullenly. They did not care about her because she was haughty. They also knew that the rumors about her were true but their contracts prevented them from revealing it.

"You guys better not mess up," Nida threatened. "It's my spotlight. And don't even dare to ruin it."

The other girls glared at her but were helpless to say anything. Their company would throw them out if they dared to mess with her. Instead, they just nodded and mumbled a weak "Yes".

Nida turned back to face the stage. The other group was done performing and the host was calling for them. It's showtime, she thought as she walked ahead.

7A walked onto the stage to a loud applause. Nida took the center stage as the other members took their positions. Suddenly the music began to play and Nida's sultry voice echoed through the stadium.

"The cold nights were lonely

My heart ached for your touch

Your love was what I wanted

But do you see me?"

They broke into a s.e.xy hip groove, grinding their waist against the air in a provocative pose. The fans went wild as Nida winked at them. Her tight fitting blue leather bodice was enhancing her curves, sending everyone into a frenzy. The other members were wearing plain white bodices but even they knew who the real star of 7A was as they lazily grooved to the music. They did not even bother to sing and were merely lip synching.

Nida was the only one who was putting effort as they fell into a 180 degree pose on the ground, slamming their pelvis against it. The dance moves were very bold but the fans were more concerned by the lack of chemistry between the members. Their performance looked disjointed and messy to the audience.

"I talk about you so much

But your eyes are distant

Why do you play coy?

I know you want me…"

A discontented murmuring was spreading through the stadium as they watched the one woman show. Why was one member hogging all the limelight? Were the others merely showpieces?

Their performance was also being streamed live, raising some serious backlash. The online users were frantically posting comments and videos.

"Why is Nida the only one singing?" one of the fans asked loudly.

"The other members are just ornaments!" Another one claimed.

"The group should just be renamed to Nida!" A female fan shouted, earning a lot of snickers from the people surrounding her.

"It's so obvious that the members don't want to be there."

"I've heard Nida is an attention seeker!"

"Isn't she a h** of some bigshot?"

"I heard one of her staff members is trying to kill KJ!"

"Oh my god she's so cheap!"

"They can't sing!"

The negative backlash was coming from all the fandoms. Even 7A's own fans were taken aback by the lack of chemistry and coordination amongst the group as they witnessed the awkward show. Was this really an idol group? Unlike other groups who at least tried to maintain a level of professionalism on stage, this group was not even trying. They were letting one member shine while the others were wasted.

Nida was still singing but instead of the applause she had expected, people were looking at her in shock and disgust. They were aghast at her solo show and were not impressed by her debut performance.

Slowly, the lightsticks began to turn off. First it was only a few of them but soon, almost all the fans followed suit. Instead of the colorful ocean which had filled the stadium moments ago, it was now utter darkness. Her voice was faltering as she felt the love of her fans slip away.

"I wait...wait…" 

The lyrics would not come to her. Her mind was blank as she tried to recall what was next. She froze on the spot, unable to move. One of her members swayed towards her and pushed her to move but instead, she fell on the stage. A paranoia was creeping up in her heart, as the fans gasped. She could not move an inch.

Dimly, she saw the stage organizers rushing towards her. The fans were judging her with silent eyes until they burst out in anger.

"You suck!" a few shouted.

"That was terrible!"

"How greedy can you get?"

They booed her out of the stage. Despite the good response to their music video, their performance was just plain bad even for a rookie group.

"Didn't she train for ten years?" one user wrote.

"If she had spent more time on her legs than on her back, she could've at least been able to dance."

"What a bad performance. I feel bad for the other members."

"She's just talentless."

"Looks aren't everything."

Nida was rushed back into her makeup room. She was shaken up by the whole experience, her mind traumatized by the fans' hatred. The other members did not even bother to console her. There really was no love lost between them as Nida had claimed her superiority over them ever since she joined the team. That, coupled with the nasty rumors about her, only made the members distance themselves from her. She wanted to be a star but really had no idea of how to behave like one.

The reality of fame hit her hard. Looks and talents were not everything for an idol. She was not strong enough nor did she possess the charsima to become the star she desired to be. The glits and glamor she wanted were mere shams. The years of abuse and horrific experiences she went through crashed into her mind, making her go almost mad in grief. She endured all that but for what? The fame she sought turned into humiliation and shame. There was no more hope left for her.

From the corner of her eye, she saw an old man sitting there in a chauffeur's uniform. He was giving her a hard glare but did not say anything. Instead, he got up and left the room. It was time for him to see the death of his biggest enemy. And he would be seeing that from the front row

As for Nida...he was going to turn that night into a living hell for her.

….

The hitman was in position, holding his rifle. He had been waiting patiently for hours and within a few minutes, his target would lay dead. 

A jittery excitement ran through him as he thought about the task ahead. He loved to kill people and it did not matter to him who he had to eliminate as long as his bloodl.u.s.t was satisfied.

"Come out come out little bird," he muttered. 

….

The clock was moving way too fast for Mirae's liking. She wanted to slow down the time as she felt KJ's hand leaving hers.

"It's time," he declared. There was not an ounce of fear in his words. He had complete faith in his fans that they would protect him. But Mirae was scared. She was very scared.

"KJ…" she begged. He turned around and brought his forehead against hers.

���Now listen to me Jung Mirae," he said firmly. "I will be safe. I will perform on that stage and I will return to you. Safe and unscathed. I've had faith in you all this time. So now, it's your turn to have faith in me. Alright?"

The burning passion in his eyes was choking her. He meant his word. He will return to her safely.

"Go break a leg," she breathed out. He smiled and kissed her briefly before heading off towards the stage.