It was difficult having minimal contact with the guys for the rest of the week. Only a few words or glances were exchanged and I could physically feel a stabbing pain in my chest when I had to pull back and keep my distance. Luckily, it was all for show, and all this pain had a purpose. After a long night of talking and explanations we came up with a plan because when they said "If you go, we all go", they really meant it.

Before the plan could be executed though, I had to play the waiting game. So here I am, waiting in a back room at Starship, waiting for the CEO's assistant to come and get me and bring me to the main room for the press conference. As I waited, nervously pacing back and forth across the room, I prayed that things would end up okay and the plan would go smoothly.

The plan was made up of two important components, redirection and cutting the newsfeed. Hyungwon, Shownu, Minhyuk, and Wonho all worked on messing around with signs and redirecting reporters to a different room with a fake set up. Jooheon and I.M. Were going to cut the cords to the cameras, thus cutting off any outgoing broadcasts of the press conference that had been planned. Kihyun was their lookout while breaking into the control room.

I continued to hope that everything would end up going smoothly.

Soon enough, the assistant came and got me, bringing me into a room that was filled with people.

Yes. Filled with people. You heard me correctly. And the moment I saw the room full of strange faces, and a large camera at the back of the room with a big red, blinking light...my heart sank into my stomach.

• • •

The conference began with a small introduction from Starship's CEO before it was my turn to speak. I had been given a letter of apology to memorize that had been written by Starship's PR team. I disagreed with 99% of the statements within the letter, but I had no other choice.

My legs were a bit shaky as I stood, clearly showing how nervous I was. "H-hello-"

I took a deep breath before continuing. "My name is Lee and I'm here to apologize for my actions. Recently, Starship entertainment and their new up and coming, soon to debut idol group, Monsta X have been having a lot of scandals due to many of my actions-".

"Stop-" A voice from the crowd called out.

Everyone in the room turned to see a tall figure, standing in the middle of the room.