The crowd squealed as Min Jee entered the building. She held Youngjae's arms as they walked on the red carpet towards the stage. There were stunning posters of 'Captivated' on the walls. Dong Joon, Eun Ae, and Hong Jii have some standees displayed in every corner. Fans held some adorable merchandise to show their massive support.
The host shook their hands and let Min Jee sit on the chair. She had pink-colored hair with a headband that displayed Dong Joon's face. Her dress glittered as the light touched it.
"What a surprise. Prosecutor Seo is here," the host said.
"Of course. I'm her number one fan," he replied with a smile.
The host turned to the turbulent audience.
"This is a historical event when Black Sunshine comes to accept our dying wish. Today, she is unfiltered, brave, and fabulous. Please help me welcome our beloved creator, Ms. Seo Min jee!"
The people screamed their lungs out. Some were holding banners and others were raising their lightsticks with Black Sunshine written on it. Min Jee stiffened as the crowd called out her name. Her muscles tensed, but she tried to appear unbothered. Min Jee glowed under the spotlight.
"Black Sunshine, how are you feeling right now?" the host asked.
"I'm good," she replied.
Youngjae caressed her back to calm her down. It's a risk to show up alone, and Youngjae never lets his guard down in case she collapses. His arms would be the best place to be at ease. She ought to prove to herself that she could conquer her fear.
"Alright. We selected a few questions from your fans. There are five questions inside this bowl. Are you ready?"
The host held a huge circular bowl in her hands. Min Jee nodded.
"I'm going to pick them one by one and ask you the questions which you have to answer honestly. Get it?"
The host picked the first question.
"Why do you write and illustrate?"
Min Jee glanced at the crowd before she replied, "Because they are heard when I'm voiceless and they are seen when I am hidden."
"Wow, that's so deep. It must be difficult for you to face all of us but you managed."
The host picked the second question.
"Who's your favorite among all of your creations?"
"I like Dong Joon because he's my ideal guy."
The audience shrieked. Most of them shared the same sentiments about Dong Joon.
"While I was creating him, I envisioned him as my boyfriend. He's kind, caring, honest, skilled, and I feel safe with him. Just by looking at his lovely face, my inhibitions disappear."
"I think your readers feel the same way. Eun Ae is the luckiest girl!"
"She died anyway," Min Jee added.
"So it was intentional. You were jealous of her," she teased.
"Anyone would be jealous. I wanted to be in her shoes but killing her was part of my objectives."
"And some readers hate you for that."
The host chuckled. She picked the third question.
"What's the reason behind your pseudonym?"
"I want to induce the readers to the dark side of sunshine. Sunshine is not always bright, like how love stories are not always happy."
"Oh, that's why they think you're bitter."
"But amidst the dark, relationships strive to find the light. Hope is always there till they meet the dead end. The one where you can't find a path for the both of you, so one person must suffer the pain of being left behind," she said in a low tone.
"Don't you think people who walk away share the same pain with the ones they left behind?"
"The pain of leaving and staying is different."
The host picked the fourth question.
"What's your message to your haters who have physically and verbally abused you?"
"See you in court," she said with a grin.
"That's intense. They should back off."
The host picked the last question.
"Why do you write tragic stories? Does it have something to do with your past?"
Min Jee gulped while hyperventilating.
"My creations are reflections of my beliefs. Like how my relationship ended. Everything is tragic, and that's reality. That doesn't make me bitter. It makes me humane, capable of hurting."
The host nodded.
"Your ex must have left you a huge scar. Your feelings are valid. Thank you for your honest answers."
After the extreme question and answer portion, the book signing began. The readers lined up and took a photo with Min Jee. The joy of seeing her made one of her readers cry, and she panicked for a moment. She's clueless about how to handle them.
A tall man who wore a black facemask, and a cap stood in front of her. His scent made her fingers tremble.
"I'm a huge fan," he whispered.
With hands shaking, she signed the book. He went beside her and bent his knees to take a photo with her. To everyone's surprise, he removed his mask and revealed Daewon's face. He even held her shoulder to pull her closer. Min Jee froze as her heart thumped in a rapid velocity.
"Daewon?" Youngjae said.
Daewon stood up and approached him with a hug.
"Hyung! What's up?"
The host turned to him with wide eyes.
"Look who's here. It's the charismatic author, Do Daewon! Unbelievable," she said.
Daewon bowed his head and smiled at them.
"Hello, I can't miss this rare opportunity. I'm also a fan," he said.
"I saw your interview. You want to work with her. How is it going?"
"Hmm. She hasn't decided yet, I'm still waiting."
"You seem pretty close to Prosecutor Seo."
"We knew each other for a long time. That's all I can say. Anyway, I'm glad to be here. I'll be going now before I steal the show," he said with a playful smile.
Sweat formed on Min Jee's forehead. She's suffocated and needs to run away, but she's glued to her position, signing nonstop. Min Jee lifted her gaze to Youngjae.
"What's the problem?" he asked.
"I need a break," she muttered.
Youngjae talked to the host and announced the break time. When he shifted his eyes to Min Jee, she was gone.
Min Jee rushed out of the building with a heavy heart. She used the wall to keep from falling over. Her chest was in pain as an overwhelming panic surged within her. Droplets of tears mizzled down her cheeks. She went inside Youngjae's car and buried her face in the steering wheel.
She couldn't breathe like she's drowning in a bottomless pit. Everything was dark and horrible forces were tugging her down. She reached out her hands, hoping that someone would save her. But there was no one.
Youngjae searched in his clothes but couldn't grasp the car key. He explored every corner of the building to find Min Jee until he went out. He cussed when his car vanished. It was Min Jee's doing. Youngjae dialed her number, but she couldn't be reached.