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"it's one step forward and three steps back..."

•••

"Hi, Lisa. I'm really glad you decided to grant our request," Junmyeon—more widely known as Suho, said as Lisa sat on the chair across his. He turned towards their manager and gave him a quick nod before he went to the counter to order the girl a drink. "First of all I'd like to apologize for what Sehun did to you. I'm sorry about him cheating and him assaulting you."

"You don't have to apologize on his behalf, oppa," she said and smiled. "You're not to blame for Sehun being a total idiot. That's all on him."

"Still, I should've kept an eye on him closer," he sighed. "I mean, you know he's not like that. He's a good kid. I just don't know what's been up with him recently that turned him into this."

"He said I wasn't there when he needed me," Lisa supplied.

For the past three years they've been together, Sehun was great. He was understanding, funny and real gentleman. That's why she fell for him on the first place. She's not some idiot who just falls for a guy just because he's good looking and rich. She's already both of that. She wants substance. She wants personality. And Sehun had those qualities. So it was really a surprise to her when she found out he's been cheating.

"What? He said that?"

She nodded in response.

"I didn't know he's been going through something rough," the older guy wondered. "I mean, yes, we all are pretty busy but he always open up about things in our group chat. He's not really the type to hide things from his hyungs. You know how much he can be transparent. And if he did have a problem, cheating's not the right way to solve it."

"Apparently, his stylist was there for him when he wanted company," she muttered then rolled her eyes. "Or something like that. He fell for her or something."

Junmyeon heaved another sigh.

"I'm really sorry, Li. Also, sorry for bringing it up again. I just... He's like a brother to me and you're like a little sister. I love you both and I still can't believe he'd do something like that," he explained which she did understand. "And of all people, it was you. You're the sweetest girl I know. I'm angry at him for doing that to you but he's still my brother."

"I understand, oppa. You don't have to be mad on my account," she assured him. "I mean, I'm eternally traumatized by it but I've moved on. I'm a strong, independent woman and there's nothing or nobody that can break me."

"Still, I apologize. And I know the damage our maknae is currently bringing you and your group." Junmyeon then placed a sheet of paper with some writings on it and gently pushed it towards here. "Here's the statement SM had drafted. They all wanted to publish this as soon as possible but I told them that we should wait for your company's response first. But seeing as YG did not have any comments, I thought maybe I should go to you directly instead."

Lisa's forehead creased as she carefully took the paper from the table. Her mouth fell wide open as soon as she read the context.

"Hello. This is SM entertainment. Recently, the news of our artist, EXO's Sehun had been photographed entering an apartment building in Nine One Hannan where it has been reported that a fellow idol, BLACKPINK's Lisa, currently resides. It is true that our beloved maknae had been to the complex that evening to visit said female idol as they have become friends and became fond of each other for a few years now. The previous report stating that the two were seen together are true. Please watch over them in good faith."

"Oppa, what the fuck?!" she instantly blurted out.

"I know, Li. That's why I told them not to publish this until you approve of it."

"And what even made you think I would?!" she spat. Her head was about to explode and she was growing a bit dizzy.

She wasn't just mad. She was fuming. Both SM and YG released a statement about the previous news that she and Sehun had nothing to do with each other. And now they're changing their statement saying that they're actually dating? What does that make her? A fucking liar!

"You won't, I know that. But it's the only way I could do to stall things," the guy explained. "If I hadn't said that there's a probability that you'd agree, they won't let me talk to you and let you know about this. They'd drop this bomb on you and not even show any remorse."

Lisa heaved a sigh. She was too quick to blast the guy about the statement without even thinking. To be honest, he didn't even owe her anything to even protect her like that.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. Enough for him to hear. "I was just caught off guard. Who even thought about this? Was it Sehun? Because if he thinks that releasing a stupid statement like this would make me go back to him, he's gravely mistaken. I don't want to be involved in anything that's related to that cheating scum—"

A loud slap echoed inside the small cafe. Collective gasps from Junmyeon, his manager and a server was heard before Lisa felt the sting on her cheek.

"Rayeon!" Junmyeon exclaimed as he got back to his senses and immediately pulle the fuming girl away from Lisa. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"You did this!" the girl yelled at Lisa. "You did this to him! I knew it the day he said he liked you. You, Lalisa Manoban, are the reason for Sehun's downfall!"

"Enough, Rayeon!" Junmyeon said as he held the girl on both shoulder. "Stop this! Who do you even think you are for doing this to Lisa?! You and Sehun are the ones who hurt her!"

Rayeon—the girl who just slapped the living daylights out of her, broke down and cried. It was only then it clicked inside her head that the girl who's currently a crying mess was the same woman who Sehun cheated on with her. She felt furious.

"It's her! She's the reason why Sehun's being criticized like this! She's even the reason why Sehun almost died while she's busy having fun in that little tour of hers! She didn't even care about him!"

Her mouth went agape at the words the girl was spitting out.

"Died?!" Junmyeon exclaimed. "What do you mean Sehun almost died?!"

Those were the exact words Lisa wanted to say as well. But the girl ignored the guys question and just went on ranting.

"She wasn't there when he couldn't sleep because of the death threats he's been receiving!" Rayeon screamed. "She wasn't there when a psycho stabbed him! She wasn't there when he was fighting death!"

Lisa was shocked at the sudden revelation. She did not know what to say or react at what the girl just said.

"But I was!" Rayeon seethed. "I was there with him through all of that shit! Shit that she caused! I loved him and finally when I thought I can finally save him from you, he still wants you and can't stop wanting you!"

•••

"Hey. How'd it go?"

Lisa heaved a sigh as she went inside Blackpink's dorm. She called her eonnies and asked if they could come because she didn't know what to do nor feel after what Rayeon just told Junmyeon and her.

After the girl screamed like a banshee, Junmyeon asked what the girl had meant about Sehun almost dying.

They were told that a sasaeng fan had sent numerous death threats to the guy for months. But Sehun being Sehun, did not take the threats seriously until he almost got hit by a car. That triggered the guy's insomnia and he became paranoid.

She wondered why Sehun did not say anything to her. She was his girlfriend that time but it was the first time she heard about it.

"The stylist said Sehun did not alert his company about it because he said they won't do anything about it anyway," she said after detailing her and Junmyeon's talk plus the sudden appearance of Rayeon.

"And then he got stabbed?" Chaeyoung gasped after she nodded. "Oh my God!"

"But why didn't he tell you about it?" Jennie wondered the same thing as her. "You're his girlfriend. Shouldn't he say those things to you?"

"Exactly why he didn't," Jisoo suddenly said. "He didn't want her to be worried. We were busy with our tour and comeback. The guy must've thought he'd just burden her or something."

"So that's why he turned to that bitch?" Jennie spat. "He's such a fucking idiot. He should've told Lisa about it because she's his girlfriend. Or if not, he should've gone to the police."

"We're idols, eonnie. It would be even more complicated if it got out," she whispered with a sigh and then closed her eyes.

Lisa felt shit. What kind of girlfriend was she for not knowing that her boyfriend had a serious problem like that? And he almost died. Where was she? And why did she not even notice that he was struggling?

"Lisa, I know what you're thinking," Jisso suddenly said. "It's his choice not to tell you. You don't have control over that."

"But I was his girlfriend!" She cupped her face and started to let her emotions run free. One by one, her tears started to roll down her cheek. "I should know those stuff. I should have been there for him. I... I... Maybe that's why he cheated--"

"Lalisa!" Jennie suddenly yelled to stop her. "Don't you fucking dare say what I think you're going to say!"

She felt Chaeyoung's hand gently brush against her shoulder that made her cry even more. The blonde girl opened her arms and she immediately leaned closer to her and hugged her back. 

"Lisa, cheating is cheating," the girl calmly said. "Nothing can ever justify that. He made his choice and you have nothing to do about it. He could have just told you about it but he chose not to. You could have been there for him in a heartbeat but he chose to still hide it."

"He did it to protect me," she said. She knew Sehun that's why she knows for a fact that the guy chose to hide his pain in order to protect her. "And I didn't even bother to ask..."

"As we've said before, Lisa. It's not your fault," Jennie explained. "But it does shed some light on things. It answered some unanswered questions in your mind."

It did. But it just made her feel worse because now she's certain that she's the worst girlfriend in the world. 

"Still, Sehun's one big asshole for choosing to open up to someone else instead of his own girlfriend," Chaeng muttered. "Protection or not, that wasn't the right thing to do. And if he did do that to protect you, then why would he say that you weren't there for him that's why he cheated, huh?"

Lisa's hold on Chaeyoung just grew tighter. Sehun choosing to tell someone else and not her about his problems only meant one thing. He didn't trust her enough. It meant that she wasn't that good enough of a girlfriend for him.

Jisoo heaved a sigh before standing up. She headed to the kitchen and took some cans of beer. Lisa needed alcohol in her system to calm her down a bit. They all do. 

"So, what now?" the eldest asked as she placed the cans on top of the coffee table. "What are you planning on doing now?"

Lisa turned to the girl with a confused look. 

"Planning?"

"I mean, now that you know about Sehun's condition and that he still wants you back, will you go back to him?"

"Eonnie--"

"I'm asking Lisa, Chaeng."

Lisa turned to look at Jennie and then Chaeng. What will she do now? 

•••

"Hyung, is she okay?"

Namjoon chuckled at how disheveled Jungkook looked. He wore mismatched shoes and his hoodie was inside out. The kid is a comedic genius.

"Yeah. I heard her voice when Jisoo drunk called me so I called you too."

"Drunk... called?" Jungkook was confused. Lisa told him she was just heading to the dorms since they'll be shooting for a BP Diaries. "They're drunk?!--"

And just then, the door in front of them suddenly opened. 

"Oh look!" Chaeyoung--who looked really flustered, slurred. "It's Joon oppa and Kook! Come in! Come in! Join our party!"

Jungkook was not ready for the scene he was about to witness. 

"Ya! Lalisa!"

Lisa, who was busy dancing--twerking even, on top of the dining table turned to him. There were tons of paper bills on her foot and Jennie's still throwing money at her. 

"Look! It's another customer!" the dancing girl blurted out.

Namjoon laughed so hard he was already wheezing. Jisoo saw her boyfriend so she immediately stopped cheering at the "stripper" and ran towards the guy.

"I need more money!" the eldest of the four demanded and dug her hand inside his pocket. "Where's your wallet?! I need money! She's gonna give me a lap dance if I give her money!"

"Uh..."

"Ya! I paid her first! Fall in line, mister!" Jennie snapped at Jungkook who was busy telling his girlfriend to get down from the table. 

"I'm her boyfriend!" the boy spat back before turning to her girlfriend who was still dancing like a stripper. "Ya! Lisa! Stop that!" 

"Where's the manager?!" Jennie yelled. "Manager Park! Someone's taking the stripper off the stage!"

"She's not a stripper, noona! She's my girlfriend!"

"No, she's my stripper! I paid her like ten thousand won!"

"I can pay triple!" Jungkook argued like the child he is. That made Jennie stop. 

"Oh. I can't beat that." 

"Did you say triple?" Lisa hopped off the table. Good thing Jungkook was there to catch her of the drunk girl would've stumbled. 

It was chaotic. To be honest, the only sane person in that room was Namjoon. Because Jungkook looks like he was about to lose his shit again because Lisa forced him to sit on the chair and is now giving him the most insane lap dance ever. 

"I'm dizzy," Jisoo said as she sobered up a bit after he bribed her some coffee in exchange for some money. He literally had to make a trail of cash just so she'd follow him to the kitchen. "I want to go home."

"Are you sure? Who's gonna take care of your members?"

"If they fucking know how to drink like a sailor then I'm sure enough they can very much take care of themselves," she blasted. The crankiness means that she's indeed sobering up. 

"Okay," he said and helped the girl stand up. He then turned to Jungkook. "Kook! We'll head out first. Take care of them, okay?"

"What?!" Jungkook immediately turned to the retreating guy. He couldn't even move since the girls already tied the poor kid to the chair. "Hyung! Wait! Don't leave me here!"

"Sorry. Can't help you, kid," he chuckled. "I need to take care of my girlfriend right now. Good luck!"

"Hyung! Hyung! Hyuuuuung!"

As he and Jisoo stepped out of the apartment, he heard Jungkook's loud scream making him burst out laughing. Poor guy. He fished out his phone from his pocket and called for reinforcements. Jungkook's still part of Bangtan and they need him whole for their comeback.

"Hello? Yeah, it's Joon. I think Jungkook needs a little hand with the girls. "

•••

"...i'm the love of your life until I make you mad."

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06 - 08 - 2021

we're so close to the end yall :D
i'm about to cry T_T
6 more episodes and
we're finally done!

xx