Cameras were flashing and being shoved into Jungkook’s face and reporters clamouring and shouting questions at him. His bodyguards could barely protect him.

“Is it true, you’re dating a non-celebrity?”

“Are you going to let this girl ruin your career?”

“Is this girl really worth it?”

“How long have you been dating?”

“Why did you keep this from the public?”

Questions after questions, Jungkook kept ignoring them until he got into the safe confinement of his car. After all, he had just done an exclusive interview. He really should’ve been more careful. Taehyung and Jimin had warned him consistently, but why didn’t he listen?

He wasn’t officially dating Jihyo and the repercussions of his actions were a lot more than he had expected. Or was it?

The thought had crossed his mind – the consequences, but he never really cared until it him like a ton of bricks. What was he going to do with Jihyo and their budding relationship?

His head started to hurt as he neared his house. He needed to have a word with her and stop dodging the questions Jihyo and now the public had been throwing his way.

Seeing the lights were still on, he knew Jihyo had to still be awake. He could smell food as soon as he stepped in on his house, but he wasn’t hungry. Jihyo was washing the pans and pots she used and gave Jungkook a smile as soon as she saw him.

Jungkook’s heart hurt. Either way, someone’s heart would be broken with his decision. He just wasn’t sure yet if it would be his, Jihyo’s or his fans’.

Not wanting to waste Jihyo’s beautiful food, he sat down at the dining area and waited for her to finish washing. He smiled at the sight of the beautifully made parmigiana with salad and chips on the side.

“I heard news going around,” Jihyo stated as she joined him.

Jungkook looked at her and started eating slowly. “What did you hear? Did you see the news?”

Jihyo shrugged her shoulders as she took a bite from the delightful meal. “It just said you’re dating someone before I ran to do some grocery. That’s all I heard, really.” Even with her confident tone, she was still slightly nervous about what Jungkook had to say.

Jungkook fiddled with his knife and food as his palms started getting clammy. “You didn’t see my exclusive interview, didn’t you?”

Jihyo shook her head and took in how uncomfortable Jungkook had been in his seat. “What’s really going on, Jungkook?”

He looked at her and immediately regretted doing the interview. The girl in front of her was definitely more than just someone he was seeing. But what had he done?

“Hi, everyone. The rumours spreading around are not true. I am not dating anyone as of the moment and during the past months. I’ve been busy with my packed schedule and my career and the fans comes first before anything else. I don’t plan on dating any time soon as well,” Jungkook recalled what he said during his interview. The whole world might’ve seen it, but Jihyo hadn’t.

“Jungkook?” Jihyo spoiled his sudden flashback and waited patiently for his response.

Guilt rushed through his body as he gripped the cutlery on his hand. “Jihyo, I’m sorry. We should stop seeing each other.”

Then silence.

Jihyo couldn’t believe what she was hearing. First, he was chasing her, second he told her they were exclusively seeing each other and now he was throwing her under the bus because… because of what? Why?

“But I thought –“

“I’m so ing sorry, Jihyo. You have no clue how sorry I am. I can’t risk losing my job and-“

Jihyo’s eyes were b with tears as he looked at the man in front of her who was looking elsewhere but her. “So that’s it? You’re spitting me out because I’m a threat to your career?” Jungkook didn’t answer her, afraid that he