EPISODE 12

Chapter 12: The Storm Breaks

The next few days passed in a haze of tension for Nabi. Though she had resolved to stay strong, the world around her didn’t make it easy. Her face appeared in more tabloids and social media posts, fueling speculation about her relationship with Jung Hwan. Each article carried a new twist, and the relentless pressure began to chip away at her confidence.

She found herself retreating more and more into the confines of her apartment, avoiding public spaces and even limiting her outings with Minji and Jisoo. Jung Hwan called her every night, his voice soothing, but even he couldn’t shield her from the storm brewing outside.

One afternoon, Nabi received a call from Jung Hwan’s manager, Mr. Kim, a stern man she’d met only briefly before. His tone was polite but clipped.

“Nabi-ssi, I need to speak with you about the current situation,” he began, wasting no time.

She tensed. “What situation?”

“The media frenzy surrounding you and Jung Hwan. It’s becoming a serious issue. His agency is concerned about the impact on his image and career.”

Nabi swallowed hard, her heart sinking. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

“I understand, but you need to consider the bigger picture. Jung Hwan has worked hard to reach this level of success. This relationship is putting everything at risk.”

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. She could barely muster a response before he continued.

“I’m not saying you should end things,” he said, though his tone suggested otherwise. “But perhaps some distance would be wise for now.”

When the call ended, Nabi sat frozen on her couch, staring at the phone in her hands. The weight of the situation pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe.

That evening, when Jung Hwan called, Nabi tried to sound normal, but he immediately picked up on the change in her voice.

“Nabi, what’s wrong?” he asked, concern lacing his tone.

“Nothing,” she said quickly, forcing a smile that he couldn’t see. “Just tired.”

He didn’t believe her. “Did something happen? Did someone say something to you?”

She hesitated, debating whether to tell him about the call with his manager. But she didn’t want to burden him further.

“It’s nothing, really,” she insisted. “I’m fine.”

Jung Hwan sighed, clearly unconvinced. “You don’t have to carry this alone, you know. Whatever it is, I’m here.”

The sincerity in his voice made her heart ache. She wanted to believe that they could weather this storm together, but the doubts planted by his manager refused to be silenced.

The next morning, Nabi decided to take a break from her apartment and clear her head. She wandered aimlessly through the city, her thoughts swirling. Without realizing it, she ended up at a quiet park tucked away in a residential area.

As she sat on a bench, trying to calm her racing mind, she heard a familiar voice.

“Skipping town without telling anyone?”

She looked up to see Taeyang grinning down at her, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, surprised.

“I live nearby,” he said, sitting down beside her. “More importantly, what are you doing here? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Nabi hesitated before finally opening up about her conversation with Mr. Kim. Taeyang listened intently, his playful demeanor replaced by an unusual seriousness.

“Let me get this straight,” he said when she finished. “They want you to back off because they think you’re bad for Jung Hwan’s career?”

She nodded, her eyes downcast. “I don’t want to hurt him. Maybe they’re right. Maybe I’m just a distraction.”

Taeyang scoffed. “That’s ridiculous. Do you think Jung Hwan would let anyone dictate his life like that? He cares about you, Nabi. If you walk away now, you’ll hurt him more than any scandal ever could.”

“But what if—”

“No ‘what ifs,’” he interrupted firmly. “This isn’t about them. It’s about you and him. The rest of the world can deal with it.”

His words struck a chord, and for the first time in days, Nabi felt a spark of hope.

That evening, Nabi made a decision. She called Jung Hwan and asked him to meet her on the rooftop of their building.

When he arrived, his expression was a mix of worry and relief. “You had me worried,” he said, stepping closer.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I’ve been… struggling.”

He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You don’t have to apologize. I know this hasn’t been easy for you.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at him. “Your manager called me. He said I should keep my distance—for your sake.”

Jung Hwan’s jaw tightened. “He had no right to say that.”

“I know he’s just trying to protect you,” she said quickly. “And I don’t want to make things harder for you. But… I don’t want to give up on us, either.”

His expression softened, and he took her hands in his. “Nabi, listen to me. You’re not making my life harder. You’re making it better. I don’t care what anyone else says—I’m not letting you go.”

Her breath hitched at his words, and for a moment, all the fear and doubt melted away.

As the city lights sparkled around them, Jung Hwan pulled her into a gentle embrace. “We’ll face this together,” he murmured. “No matter what.”

And for the first time in weeks, Nabi believed him.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***