In line comments for a double update?

"So, what you're saying is-if I I'm getting you right, that is-is that there's a dating rumor ongoing about us." Amina stated slowly, as if that will make it any less believable. "About me," she gestured to herself, and then the man seated beside her. "And you."

Aahil nodded in confirmation, seeming way too composed for her liking.

She may not show it, yet, but she was freaking internally. She just wasn't sure how to visualize it yet. She needed to wrap her head around it entirely.

Dating rumors? Really? Of her and Aahil nonetheless?

Oh, God no.

And to make matters worse, the others did nothing lessen her worries-only adding to it if possible. "It's more than just rumors actually." Chris, as always being the sensible one chirped in, a chair beside Hunter-whom is seated across her. With everyone else's attention now on him, he went on to elaborate. "Rumors mean it's baseless. This isn't."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Amina found it weird how she managed to keep her voice calm, when she was seconds away from losing it entirely. Did he just say it's baseless? On what claims? What could possibly be the grounds that will justify people believing she's in a relationship with Aahil Tafida of all people?

Him? It can't be. Ever.

"There are pictures." The man stated as a matter of fact. Chris was simply laying out what everyone had already grasped, except she. "Numerous pictures of you two together that are misleading."

"Misleading?" Can they hear themselves? Amina wanted to ask. Since when has she ever been in a position with him that's misleading? Leave that room exchange incident out of the equation-that's been proven to be a mistake from the staff of the hotel.

She can't recall a single situation between them that would lead to that conclusion.

And it seemed they read what was going on in her mind, because Aahil stepped in before the man could make things worse. "Convincing." He corrected. "Pictures that make it convincing, he means."

Amina reached a hand to massage her temples, flicking her eyes close for a moment. A second later, she peeled them open, placing both her hands on the meeting table. Blowing out a breath, to calm herself, she inquired further. "What pictures could they possibly have to make them draw such a conclusion?"

"You two at the hospital." Hunter pointed out.

Chris followed afterwards, "You were spotted at the airport in both Jeju and Seoul together, on the plane as well." He mentioned. "Said you two travelled together."

She shook her head, raising a hand to stop them before they could make her mind a fumbling mess. "That was yesterday." She stated. "How could they have processed everything so fast? Didn't they need to collect facts together before publishing such news?"

"They have." This time around, it was Aahil that answered. When she turned around to look at him, awaiting an explanation, his fingers which he was using to drum the table with halted, followed by a response that drew out the most reaction from her. "A honeymoon."

"A WHAT?!" She pushed her chair back, instantly getting on her feet. Of all the ridiculous things she'd seen and heard that day, that statement tops the list.

Did she hear him right? Or were her ears deceiving her? Or perhaps, he was the one doing just that. He's pulling her legs, right?

It didn't seem like it, because he didn't take back his words. Instead, he held her gaze, turning around to look at her completely before he repeated it yet again. "A honeymoon." He voiced out slowly, so the words would sink in. "You know, the vacation newly married couple take--"

"I know what a honeymoon is." She cut him off, before he could go on to explain things she never asked for. Now sporting a glare, she pinned it on him.

Aahil didn't bother to hide his amusement, he simply shrugged and rose his hands in the surrender motion. "You asked." He muttered not so lowly.

Amina could only scoff at the face he was pulling. How is he so calm about the whole thing? Doesn't he realize the gravity of it all?

Realizing he is a hopeless case, she sighed and shifted her gaze to the others. "How could they come up with such a conclusion?" She directed her question towards Ae Ra, whom stood at the helm. She seems to be the most rational of them all.

The woman sighed, her face sporting a look that's supposed to be of comfort to Amina. And, in a way, it really was. "It's the most rational, considering the religion and all." She pointed out. "They also had pictures of you two, which shows you both clearly living in the same building. It's either marriage, or being accused of the worst."

The worst? Them having an affair that is. Though, it wouldn't be termed that since neither of them is married but the public doesn't know that. All they know and see is two adults living in the same place, and travelling together. It's either they are married, or doing something against their religion.

Honestly, the marriage issue sounds more appealing to Amina than to be accused of doing something else. But, it doesn't mean she's okay with it.

She has no plans of caving in without explaining herself at least.

She suspired, her shoulders slumping. "He was sick, I stayed with him at the hospital for a few hours, that's all." She explained, leaving out the fact that he left after he harshly pointed out the truth to her. She now understands he's right, and though she still wasn't a fan of his straightforwardness, she'd leave that in the past where it belongs.

The others didn't seem surprised, as if already knowing that fact but it didn't stop her. She wouldn't be at ease until she tries to explain it to someone at least.

"-We are neighbors, hence living in the same building. But, it was a complete coincidence. He was there even before I was, and it was the company that rented it for me. You know that." She directed towards Ae Ra whom nodded solemnly.

Of course she knows. She knows more than Amina does about how she ended up with such an apartment as part of her 'work'. Amina doesn't need to know that fact, at least not at that moment though.

"-we ended up meeting in Jeju because of Benazir. That's a coincidence as well. We just came back together, and what's the big deal about that?"

"It's not a big deal," Hunter agreed, "but when Dispatch steps in, it is."

Amina huffed out a frustrated breath. "Well, can't we sue them for slander or something?" She would do anything it takes to get rid of that information. "We can deny it as well. It should be possible, right?"

"It's Dispatch." Chris stated slowly, as if that's supposed to answer all her questions. "The most legit celebrity source outlet in Korea. Their posts are facts here. And besides, if suing works, they wouldn't be where they are now." He explained further, and in case she hadn't grabbed the main point, he laid it out for her. "There's no such thing as suing or refuting them."

She slipped back into her chair with slumped shoulders, her lips slanted into a deep frown. "Well, what do we then?"

"Nothing." Aahil answered, looking as composed as ever. He wasn't exactly like that when he got the news the night before. That's the reason why he set out to find her, so he can inform her before the news get out of hand. However, after what happened, there was no room for that. Took him the whole night to gather his thoughts and figure out the best response. "We do nothing."

Amina whipped her head to the side to look at him in disbelief. "Nothing?" Can he hear himself? This may not be a big deal for him, but it is for her.

He nodded, despite the piercing gaze of hers on him, "Nothing." He confirmed.

He had the bigger picture to look at. Amina wasn't aware, but the whole thing goes beyond a mere dating, slash marriage, scandal. Something led to it, and truth be told, the scandal works in his favor. Rather than denying it and landing back in the same position he was forced into, he'd rather leave this matter as it is. If it grows, it'll work in his favor even more.

"-rumors disappear as fast as they come. In a week max, the public will forget about this matter."

Amina stared at him with slightly parted lips before she scoffed at his words, before looking away for a brief second. "Easy for you to say." She mumbled. This may not bother him greatly but it does to her. If the people back in her home hear about it, her work there will be the last thing she worries about.

Forget that she has travelled away from home in a quest for freedom, she's well aware it's simply because her father allowed it. He couldn't entirely be oblivious of how she's been living, and if need comes for him to step in, he would.

This is the kind of situation that will have him stepping in. She wouldn't be surprised if she sees him on her doorsteps the very next day, dragging her back with him if need arises.

She's honestly surprised she hasn't heard from him yet. He may be slack on most things-but this isn't one of it.

How could she not be worried?

"Your identity wasn't disclosed." Aahil stated upon seeing the distressed look masking her features. It doesn't take a genius to see that she was slowly freaking out.

His words though, they had the nerves slowly calming down. Whipping her head around, she stared at him with questioning eyes. "What?"

Aahil sighed, deciding to stop pulling her legs. He enjoyed teasing her while it was still fun, but it was about time he disclosed the important detail they had left out. "They can't disclose the identity of a normal individual just like that. Your face was blurred in all the pictures, so no can tell who you are."

Amina found herself gaping like a fish. When she finally gathered her thoughts, she found herself asking. "Well, why the hell didn't you tell me that earlier?" This makes things better for her.

If no one can tell it's her in the pictures, and nothing about her identity has been disclosed, she could feign ignorance and continue with her life, right? She'd put as much space between them as possible. If she was rich enough, she would've moved to another place entirely but since she can't afford that, she'll stick to avoiding him instead.

"Seeing you freak out is an amusing sight." That statement came from the last person Amina expected to hear from, he hadn't said a thing throughout since the little help from the beginning.

Did Kim Bae Hyun crack a joke?

Nothing about his expression held any amusement, but judging from how the others cracked up, agreeing with him-he truly did.

At that point, Amina was certain she will soon start seeing things.

Shaking her head, she came to a conclusion that the guys will soon give her a heart attack. Their jokes aren't so amusing when you're at the receiving end of it.

Luckily, Aahil's voice came yet again, eliminating the shreds of doubt she has left. "And in case another outlet would think of doing that, I have Kimura handling it as of the moment. She'd take care of everything." There's no one more capable of handling this issue like Kimura is.

Amina knew that as well. Though she's only spent a day with the woman, she could tell she's capable, and reliable. Kimura is good at doing her job, no one can deny that. If Aahil says Kimura will make sure her identity doesn't get disclosed, she would believe him-and the woman as well.

So, her should slumped in relief as she held his gaze, her gaze softening as she nodded. She had no other words for the situation, not that anyone pressured her to speak on the matter again.

Considering it a handled issue, Ae Ra clapped her hands together, gaining the attention of them all. "Now that we have that out of the way, let's discuss work." She slanted her gaze in Amina's direction. "The person I had been chasing, trying to get to cooperate with us is seated right beside you." She gestured to Aahil.

If possible, Amina's brows drew in close. Blinking repeatedly, she turned her head around, and gave him a onceover as if seeking a reason why he would be that important. After the issue they just handled, she gets it even more that he's truly a big deal.

But, really? He's the one Ae Ra had been having a tough time over? And she's been seeing him all around just like that?

If she had known, she would've tried to convince himself herself even if she wasn't sure it would work. She hadn't gotten it before, but after working in the place for a while, she understood how big the project is-especially since Veronica was in charge of it which means, it was her sweat and tears that laid the foundation of the project.

Veronica made her life hell because of it. She might as well so to it that it came to fruition.

"You?" She inquired, as if seeking for more confirmation.

His lips slanted into a smile that she knew wasn't genuine. "Yes, me."

"What changed your mind then?" She doubts he simply made Ae Ra suffer that much when he originally had plans of agreeing. He's an asshole sometimes, but he wasn't that bad.

Aahil pretended to ponder over it, his fingers drumming the table, despite having his answer at the tip of his tongue already. He had no plans of agreeing, up until the night before when he decided to become someone's shield. That's what changed his mind.

He shrugged, his gaze never leaving hers. "Who do you think did?"

Amina held her breath for a moment, the intensity of his gaze drawing her in. He seems to be fond of doing that a lot recently, and she wasn't sure if it's a good thing. Remembering that they weren't alone there, she cleared her throat and looked away.

The little exchange didn't go unnoticed by the three others there though. They all exchanged knowing looks before they decided to drop the topic.

"Anyways," Ae Ra continued, holding back her amusement at the sight of the two. "Amina, with Veronica away, it's come to my knowledge that you know more about this project than anyone else here. And though I know it's not within your scope, I want you to handle it."

"I--" She shook her head, "I really can't do that." It's one thing to contribute to it. It's another to handle it.

"It's one of his conditions though," Ae Ra has confidence in the lady, but they have no other choice since Aahil was adamant on not working with anyone aside from her. The thought of having another female companion aside from her doesn't sit right with him. "it has to be you."

Amina drew her bottom lip between her teeth, releasing a deep breath. It seems there's no arguing with the two over this. She then gestured to the three guys seated opposite them. "What about them?"

"Your support system, of course." Hunter grinned, wiggling his brows. "The Jeju squad has your back. No one can dare think of bullying you with us around."

"Of course," Chris added in confirmation. "before one gets to our sister-in-law, he or she has to go through us. We've got your back."

Even Bae Hyun, whom Amina wasn't expecting anything from nodded to support their statements. It was a silent promise; they were all there for her. They didn't need to elaborate on Aahil recruiting them, not that they came against their wills.

They meant it when they said they consider her family.

No one messes with their family.

Choi Ae Ra stared at them with a soft smile, wondering when they all matured like that. Shifting her gaze to Amina, she added. "They would help with the project as well. With them as well, it's going to be possibly the biggest collaboration we would have all year." She stated earnestly.

She was just expecting one key football player. Having the others join as well is a huge bonus for them all. The project will indeed be the biggest they'll have all year.

"-so, you in?"

Amina blew out a shaky breath, shifting her gaze around the room, letting it linger on each one of them. She suddenly felt protected, and among. Like she was part of this big family that will always have each other's back.

She wasn't sure why, but she found herself suddenly emotional because of it. Her heart felt complete, it was whole and soothing. Blinking her teary eyes, she met Ae Ra's awaiting gaze and then nodded.

Of course she's in. 

*****

The Jeju Squad are back in action, baby!!!

Forget, this is the softest book I've ever written. My A2 couple are just... Muah!

Dating rumors... We all saw that coming, didn't we?

You see what I did there? If you follow k updates then you'll know of Dispatch😂 Had to bring them here to add to the Korean flavor and stuff.

So, my tests went well, Alhamdullilah. Thanks to yall for the prayers. I really appreciate it. Let's hope I pass it. Jazakumullah khair 💞

I'm down to four chapters to finish this book, I need one mad motivation to slap me tonight so I can at least write half a chapter. Fingers crossed I'll pull it off.

After this book I think I'll be done for the year but who knows? I don't have any plan of releasing another book this year gaskiya but time will tell.

Have a good night.

Stay safe.

Love, Jannah Mia ❤️