Chapter 11: Decisions
A few days have passed and we haven't received any summons from BigHit. Jess PDnim also haven't informed us of our next move. She just assured me that things will only get better from here on. However, I am not convinced.
"Your forehead's creased again." Choonhee teased. Why is she so observant?
"It's nothing."
"So there is something. What's goin on in your head now, worrywart?" She just knows me too much. Sometimes I hate it. I just lifted my right hand to show her what's been bothering me.
"They haven't called yet?" She knew the answer to that question cause I've been updating her everyday. The long sigh I gave her was just a stamp to the obvious.
"I don't know. I guess I'm just worrying too much. It's been days and I've been feeling weaker since I got the chance to be close to him." I hate to admit it but that's the truth. I'm starting to crave for that energy rush, for that warm feeling. For him.
"Just like what you told me before. You just need to trust PDnim. I'm sure both companies are doing their best to figure out the easiest way for both of you to live." She has a point.
I mean, it wasn't an explicit agreement but I think both me and sunbae wanted to be prepared for our life bond. I know nothing can prepare anyone for such a change but the situation calls for utmost care. The world is watching BTS right now and I'm sure BigHit can't afford any detractors. I wouldn't want to cause their downfall too. The sunbaes worked so hard to become the worldwide superstars they are now.
"I just hope he's okay. I haven't been having my blackouts but I can't say the same for him." I know they would have the best physicians but if I've been feeling the drain, I can only guess the same for him.
"Don't worry too much Jungie. I'm sure he's fine but you haven't told me..." Choonhee raised her eyebrows at me and I remembered I promised her this visit so we can talk about her bias. "How was he?"
"You sound like a pervert Choonhee." And she slapped me hard on the arm.
"Yah! I mean, how was he as a person?" Her cheeks were so red I just had to laugh. "Stop it!"
"Okay! Okay! But well..."
"Well?"
"I can't say that all my observations are true. It may just be the soulmate thing so take that into consideration." She just nodded her head so fast, a crazy smile on her lips.
But I can't really be unbiased can I? If I think about it, how did that day go for us?
For one, he really noticed the smallest of things. What else would've prompted him to stop the car? He's caring and ever so gentle. His hands felt quite rough on my skin but they were like feathers on my arm and shoulder. And his voice, that deep timbre of his. Like a deep cave inviting you to explore it. If I hadn't been too distracted by my thoughts, I would've been completely mesmerized. His eyes. Those deep black orbs that give out way too much. He may have been able to control his reactions but his eyes always told me something else. I'm quite sure there's a maze inside his head. Where else would his lyrics come from?
"How are you even alive Jungie?" Choonhee said in excitement as I told her about our time at the cafe.
"Well, to be fair to me, I was almost killed by a truck. And you don't seem too concerned about that." She just laughed at me.
"You know I love you, right? I can see you whenever I want to but seeing Min Yoongi... that's rare! I'm jealous. I wish I can switch places with you." I know I shouldn't be frustrated but I am.
She clearly didn't understand the effects of having a soulmate. I can already feel it. I've had a taste of the actual transmutation and it wasn't even the full effect since we're not bonded yet. Food has started to taste bland if not unbearable. I needed alarms on my phone to remind me to eat cause I don't really feel hungry. But no matter how much I eat, it has little to no effect and it's scary. I love food and who doesn't? Add to that, I started having this want to go to BigHit or wherever he is just so I can touch him. Is this how it's going to be from now on? How much would I need him? What scares me most is me being the exact same people that I hate.
"You're thinking too much again. Things will be different Jungie." Choonhee was the only witness to my childhood. And I understand why she's trying to paint a better picture for me.
"I really hope so Hee-ah. I don't know what will happen to us if we become like them."
Just the thought of him and me being all over each other makes me want to throw up. I mean, yeah, I can be sweet but that's just for work. It took me months to be comfortable with my teammates. And that took a lot of effort from them too.
Yoongi sunbae... He's a totally different personality from the girls. In a way, we're quite the same. We'd rather be alone than be in a sea of people. We love the serenity of solitude. We both value our work over a lot of other things. He likes to sleep. I like to go to cafes or parks to write. We both don't like initiating conversations if it can be avoided. In short, I don't see how we'll connect aside from us being soulmates.
I was about to eat a piece of apple when Jin Ju eonnie got out of her room.
"Girls! Get ready!" She shouted sleepily.
"Why?" Came Yuri's voice from their room.
"Oppa just called. He'll pick us up in about an hour he said." Choonhee squealed in joy.
"What's the matter with you?" And she just snorted at me.
"Haven't you realized it yet? That was the call you were waiting for!" I don't know what to feel as it dawned on me. It will happen today.
I am happy. Happy that I won't die. That I would still be able to do the things I love. But, does that hold true? Will I really be as free as I think?
I am scared out of my wits. Terrified of the new life I will have. I will be dependent on another person from now on. Would that mean that I would be living with him? And what about my training? His status? I'm sure that ARMYs would lose their minds once they find out he's bonded. Not all idols who bonded were lucky. A good number of them lost their fans and ended up retiring early. I don't want that to happen to Yoongi sunbae. He, all of them went through a lot of hardships to gain the status they have now. And how about the girls?
I hate to think that the company would replace me but looking at the situation, that's the most practical decision. How else will the girls continue their career? I won't be able to stay in the company anymore since I would need to sustain a worldwide superstar. I am now responsible for his health, as he is with mine. But, would the company really keep them? The thought of relieving the members made my stomach turn.
I will be the cause of my sisters' downfall. They will lose precious years spent on training because of me. And what about Sooyoung eonnie and Yuri's sponsorship? Their parents were barely able to send them to Seoul to join the company. What will be left of them now? And Hyunju, I know she wouldn't have a hard time since she also came from a well off family who supports her. However, no matter how sturdy she looks she's actually a softie and she easily gets upset when she doesn't reach her goals. There were already several times she got terribly depressed and I don't want to watch that again. Jin Jun eonnie too. She would be able to find another company, that's for sure. She got hell of a talent inside that little body of hers but with her loyalty, I'm sure she'd decide to stay and who knows when she'll be able to debut.
"Eunjung" I heard from a distance. "Eunjung-ah." There it goes again. "Hey!"
"Huh? Wh-what?"
"Are you okay? Do you hurt somewhere? Are you feeling whoozy?" Came the barrage of questions from our leader.
"Oh no, no, eonnie. I... I'm fine." Am I really fine?
"Are you sure? We can tell oppa. I'm sure they'll be able to wait for us." Wait for us huh? Will they really? A superstar waiting for a trainee. That never happens. But hey, maybe they really will. I am Min Yoongi's mate anyway, right? He will die without me.
"I'm scared." Shitless.
"I won't know the feeling to be honest. For me it might suck having a soulmate. I mean, who would like to be fully dependent on another person to simply live? And to think that people actually find it romantic nowadays because of those trash movies." To say that she was irritated is a total understatement. Eonnie seemed disgusted by the whole soulmate idea. Goes the same for me. I've watched the effects of it all my life.
"I get what you mean but the dependency is not what I'm afraid of."
"Then what?"
"The future eonnie. I had my whole life planned out then this happens."
"The future is always uncertain Jungie." She messed up my hair as she chucked softly. "We both don't know what will happen tomorrow or even a minute from now. So why worry?"
"But...."
"But it hasn't happened yet. I know all this is new. Just take things one day at a time, okay?" She gave me a strong squeeze on my shoulder and smiled.
************
"Thank you all for being here." Bang PDnim's voice echoed through the room. "I appreciate you coming on such short notice."
"It's our pleasure." Jess PDnim politely answered.
"I know it's not an easy subject to talk about but we're here because of Yoongi-ssi and Eunjung-ssi." Everyone was listening intently, awaiting the news. "It has recently come to my attention that they are mates and as we all know that means that they need to share a life bond for both of them to survive."
"I know the kids may have been worried for the past few days but rest assured that we have created a plan to ensure everyone's health and safety." It was Jess PDnim who talked this time. "I'm not really sure if my girls will be thrilled with the results but I do hope they understand what needed to be done."
My groupmates wore different expressions but nome of them painted happiness.
"I also hope that Eunjung-ssi will be amenable to the preparations we've done for both her and Yoongi-ssi." Bang PD smiled at me warmly and I'm not sure if I should be pacified or scared.
"Preparations?" I would know that deep timbre wherever I hear it.
"Yes Hyung. The management has been working overtime for both of you." Namjoon sunbae's voice was also deep like the ocean but more sultry than Yoongi sunbae's and since he's my ultimate bias, I knew it was him the moment he talked.
"We would have no objections to the plans already made. I'm sure our company has come up with the best decision for us. Eunjung is family to us and we will do everything to make sure she's okay." Spoken like a true leader. I'm sure PDnim is proud of Jin Ju eonnie.
"I see now why Jess PD chose you as the leader of your group Jin Ju-ssi. And I'm sure your group members are also thankful for you. Sejin, if you may." The manager stood up in front. I've never seen him standing outside of the pictures that captured him but man, he's really tall!
He handed folders to each CEO and to me and Yoongi sunbae.
"Please read thru the arrangements prepared and the agreement before signing. I will discuss the most important details. If you have questions or objections, feel free to ask."
The moment my eyes landed in the agreement section, my eyes started to water. Is this true? I wasn't able to stop myself from reaching out to PDnim.
"PDnim, am I reading this correctly? An acquisition?"
She smiled at me and with all calmness, nodded. "Yes, Eunjung, I have decided it's best for everyone if a merger happens."
As if Sejin-nim was listening, "If I may start. As of this writing, JG entertainment will now be a part of BigHit. A communication will be drafted for the acquisition. Please do be aware that the acquisition will just be on paper and both companies will still operate as usual. However, in cases where Eunjung and Yoongi are involved, both companies will work together for their management."
Oh, that surely clarified things. That's why PDnim was calm about it. It doesn't paint a good picture for my company given that we are the one being acquired but it's also not bad to be associated with BigHit now. Gauging by all the album sales and advertisement contracts, BigHit may just take the top spot among entertainment companies with BTS' income alone.
"The next parts will be for Eunjung and Yoongi. Details that will affect both companies will be discussed in detail, separately, by our CEO's." Everyone just nodded. "As previously agreed, the management of Eunjung's group will now be shared by BigHit and JG entertainment."
"Shared?!" It was expected for Hyunju not to be able to keep her cool since it mean we will be working more closely with BTS.
"Yes, Hyunju-ssi. Your management will now be a shared responsibility of JG entertainment and BigHit. It was made such so we can be in line with the acquisition and allow Eunjung and Yoongi-ssi to... bond." PDnim explained.
"Does that mean we will continue our contracts and retain our sponsorships?" Though quite timid, Sooyoung eonnie took courage to ask.
"We have already drafted new contracts for you to review later. I believe you're Sooyoung-ssi?" To which she politely nodded when Sejin-nim asked. "You will continue uni. As for Yuri-ssi, we may need to transfer you to a school that's closer to BigHit." With that Yuri's eyes sparkled like the stars. She knew what that meant.
"Given the change in management, the girls may also be required to move into a new dorm, if deemed necessary. If such move is needed, all preparations will be handled by the companies. Since such move will most likely benefit BigHit, we will handle the expenses. The arrangement for the mentoring program will continue as planned as it will allow more freedom for Eunjung-ssi and Yoongi-ssi to move together. As such, it is only natural to assign Eunjung into Yoongi's care." Yoongi's care... that resonated in my head and lingered longer than it should.
"Those will be the general details for now. I will be giving out individual contracts for everyone present. Do review and ask questions if there's anything you don't understand. Raise your objections so we can address them properly." Sejin-nim ended.
The meeting went on for I don't know how long but I'm sure everyone was quite exhausted. It was very apparent how professional BTS is when it comes to work. They all politely asked questions about their contracts and raised objections. Yes, even Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook who I always thought would be quiet in such events. I was quite worried that Yoongi almost had no questions about his contract. He only raised the issue for the curfew which I understand. He was never the person to be chained by such restriction.
On our end, it was Sooyoung and Jin Ju eonnie who raised the most questions which were largely about the schedule arrangements and sponsorship. I really had no question about mine since I know the future effects of being bonded. And I trust that PDnim did the best she could to create the best environment for us, for me.
"Eunjung-ah, don't you have questions?" It's a given that Sooyoung would be worried.
"No, I don't." That came out colder than intended.
"You didn't even read the contract. Let me." Jin Ju took the liberty of reviewing my contract for me and raised objections for me as she deemed fit. She did the same for Hyunju and Yuri since they both looked baffled and overwhelmed. I honestly just want everything to be done so we can all move on.
Me and my mate found each other. All of this is just for business, for formality. In the end, it will just be me and him. Besides, my hands have been quite ticklish since we arrived.
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