"Yoongi, Eun-ha, Bang PD, I apologize," Ji-hoon sincerely expressed his sorrow for the news that was spreading like wildfire. Upon Eun-ha's request, or demand, they agreed to meet at Big Hit.
Eun-ha informed Bang PD of the situation and they set to meet in one of their conference rooms. Yoongi hadn't spoken throughout the proceedings. He sat back and watched Eun-ha make her calls. She issued orders and arranged that PR and any other important figures appear for the meeting. He was impressed with how professional she was. Not once did she hesitate or falter when speaking with anyone. Occasionally, she would check to see if he was ok with a slight nod, or offer of a drink or food.
Regardless of his feelings for her, he recognized her management skills as superior beyond her age. She hadn't provided a solution for the situation. She informed him that the issue would be handled at the meeting. PR for both Yoongi and Lovee would had equal say. The plan was to make sure both sides were on the same track to avoid any more complications.
"No need to apologize, Manager Ji-hoon," Eun-ha reassured the flustered man. Lovee sat unbothered by the situation. Eun-ha felt sorry for Ji-hoon. The younger woman wasn't malicious, but her disregard for the matter and her manager, made Eun-ha appreciate working with Yoongi.
"Like Hell!" Mr. Yoo, the PR on this issue stated, "If he had better control of his idol, this wouldn't have happened!"
"Mr. Yoo," Eun-ha beseeched.
"As a manager, you are obligated to prevent these sort of circumstances. Ms. Song should be well aware of how to conduct herself when in public, regardless if the event was considered private. Throwing herself at a man does not fit her 'angelic' image, nor does it look good for Yoongi."
"We get it, Yoo" Bang PD cut into his lecture. No one could dispute his argument, but now wasn't the time to get into a debate. "Eun-ha, please explain to Mr. Yoo what occurred that night as the third party in attendance."
Eun-ha filled in the members at the table of what transpired that night. The others listened to what was an infatuated woman throwing a fit over not getting her way. Everyone approved of how Eun-ha handled the situation, and said so.
"Whoever took the picture angled it where Eun-ha was not in view. If others knew that they were in the presence of Yoongi's manager, the issue wouldn't be such a big deal. Why not just let it be known that she was there?" Lovee said with a pout. "Or we could always let it be known that we're friends. There's no crime against idols being friends."
"Miss Song, it's not as easy as you're making out to be. Even with Eun-ha's presences, we still have to explain your behavior," a frustrated Mr. Yoo barked.
Lovee bit her lip in defeat, and crossed her arms. If she had her way, they would announce that they were in a relationship, and await the praise. She read the comments, and a large portion were for the pairing. She was overjoyed to see that they were given the couple name Yoonra (Yoongi + Aera). Of course there were the few that were upset, but she knew that came with the price of dating.
"Yoongi?" Mr. Yoo called out, "You haven't spoken a word on the matter. What do you think?"
"I agree with what you've stated Mr. Yoo. Miss Song should be aware of her status. She's still young so she has a long way to go."
"We should consider pulling from the album collaboration," Mr. Yoo said.
"No," Eun-ha protested, "If we do that, then the press will suspect that there really is something to the picture. Yoongi and Lovee need to finish the album. Yoongi is no longer an idol, so he won't be as affected by this news as she will be."
"Eun-ha's right," Ji-hoon interjected. He had been quiet, but an idea struck him. "The fact that they're both single, attractive, talented stars is cause for gossip. Even with the age difference, the media and fans will ship them."
"What's your point, Ji-hoon?" an impatient Aera said.
"Let's eliminate one of the issues. Aera cannot date as a young idol, but Yoongi isn't held to that standard anymore. He's free to date and marry. He's steered away from performing, and has chosen to produce."
"Are you suggesting we claim he's in a relationship?" Bang PD questioned. The idea wasn't a bad one, but Bang PD wasn't sure it was one Yoongi would be willing to participate in.
"That's exactly what I'm suggesting," Ji-hoon clarified, "Yoongi having a girlfriend would eliminate speculation that he is interested in Aera."
"How would that stop speculation? The press could spin it that they're having an affair," Mr. Yoo pointed out.
"Not if she's friends with Miss Song," Yoongi surprised them all by joining in the conversation.
"How would that matter?" Bang PD asked in interest.
"We'd have a press conference to show the close friendship, and reassure that the picture was nothing to obsess over."
"That's great and all, Yoongi, but who did you have in mind?" Mr. Yoo requested.
The room grew still with anticipation. Eun-ha had been relieved that Yoongi was pitching ideas rather than tearing them down. Professionally, she was knew that this may be the best plan. Personally, her heart fell to the pit of her stomach.
"Eun-ha."
The room erupted with the sounds of Eun-ha's laughter. Everyone stared in bafflement at her reaction. Lovee silently fumed in her seat. Ji-hoon and Bang PD exchanged looks of shock, while Mr. Yoo processed the plan.
"Eun-ha?" Bang PD called, "What's so funny?"
"Yoongi's sense of humor is as dry as ever," she hiccuped. "Now isn't the time for jokes."
"I'm not joking," he firmly stated. His eyes never wavered from hers. The others didn't speak, allowing him the floor. "Everyone at the wedding, and here at Big Hit, have heard Miss Song refer to Eun-ha as 'unnie' on more than one occasion. To everyone, they're as close as sisters. Lovee made sure of that."
Aera internally groaned. She couldn't believe her attempts to befriend Eun-ha were betraying her now. Every action she'd made was now bringing Yoongi closer to the one person she wanted distanced from him. The night of the wedding, she had witnessed Yoongi's every move. He watched her throughout the night, even though he tried to make it obvious. As they dance the last song, she took notice of how close he had pulled her, and how they blushed at the touch. Meeting him in the parking lot had been Aera's desperate attempt to show the other woman that she wouldn't give up Yoongi without a fight. Now she listened as battle now steered in Eun-ha's favor.
"Eun-ha was out in the parking lot with us. It would be said that the only Aera acted as she did was because we shared the news of our relationship with her. She was so overcome with excitement that she hugged my arm, and then hugged Eun-ha, but the action was missed by the secret photographer. Who could blame her for being consumed with love for her new 'brother?'"
"You're crazy. How? Why?" Eun-ha stammered. "Yoongi, I'm your manager. What would this do for my career?"
"No, no," Bang PD said, "It's a great plan. You two have been friends for about three or four years because of Jin and Seo-yeon. Everyone here know about your history. We could say that you fell in love over the course of managing him. You kept it a secret because you didn't want to damage your career along with his. However, Big Hit will make sure to state that we support this relationship as you two were long time friends before, and Yoongi is now a producer and allowed to openly date."
Yoongi grinned knowing that Bang PD wasn't far off on how they became interested in each other. It wouldn't be a complete lie.
"Mr. Bang, it would be inappropriate for a manager to date the person they're managing," Eun-ha almost whined.
"In the statement, we will explain that we were informed of the relationship before the wedding, and were in the process of switching management. Manager Sejin will work with Yoongi, and you will go manage Jungkook."
Eun-ha sat quietly. She had originally planned to make that switch, but to put distance. Now she was to be his girlfriend. The opposite of what she wanted was happening. She would keep her job, Yoongi would escape a scandal, and the collaboration would continue. She wasn't sure if she was willing to protect his career at the expense of hers.
"We'll leave you two to discuss this further. Mr. Yoo and I will work on the statement by Big Hit. Yoongi and Eun-ha, will work on their part. Manager Ji-hoon will write Miss Song's part. Miss Song, only say what is written."
With the given instructions from Bang PD, each party set out to complete their tasks. Eun-ha sat in a daze at the turn of events. She wasn't aware of Yoongi's presence until he pulled her seat closer to him.
She stared wide eyed at him. "What were you thinking? Where in your mind did you think this was a good idea?"
"It was the best solution." He pulled her hands into his. "Our careers are intact. There won't be any scandal. Everyone leaves happy."
"Except, now we're stuck in a fake relationship. To the world, we're dating. How is everyone leaving this situation happy?"
He gently squeezed her hands. He selfishly wished she would take this opportunity to get closer, but she was right. To the outside world, they were in a blissful relationship. However, to everyone they knew, it would all be fake. It was just a strategic tactic that she would follow as a manager. He sighed bitterly. His plan was great, but she would only follow it as an obligation. While he would go in with his heart on his sleeve, she was only able to see things from a business perspective.
"Eun-ha, even if it is fake, you're the only person I would trust, or want to do this with," he gave a lopsided grin to ease her worries, "I'm happy as long as it's you."
She smiled at his kind words. On a business level, this was a well planned out strategy. Her feelings for him were making it difficult for her to see a safe exit. She was concerned someone would get hurt.
"We should prepare for what we're going to say to the press," she said. Yoongi nodded helplessly. He knew to her it was fake, but he made a vow to himself. He would do everything in his power to keep her unharmed during this process. His feeling for her were real, even if everyone they knew believed it was fake.