Cheng-Worthless?

'HOW DARE YOU DATE OPPA?' Re-on screamed and lunged at Mia. I moved forward to stop her but Mia was faster. She tackled Re-on against the wall, covering the latter's mouth.

'I don't know what happened in there,' Mia said quietly (her Korean was good, I thought). 'But girl, you better calm down. There are people outside this area. If you don't stay shut, they will see their so-called idol acting like a dog. You don't want that on your rep.'

I was impressed. The girl was smart. Re-on stopped struggling. Mia released her. She seemed to have realized what she had done. She started to weep.

I sighed.

'Re-on ah,' I said quietly. 'Acting like this isn't gonna help. We were never in a relationship. You knew that from the beginning. We were just-'

'Sir,' Mia interrupted. 'Let me handle this.'

She touched Re-on's shoulder. 'Re-on? Can I call you Re-on without honorifics?' she asked. Re-on looked at her and nodded.

'Re-on,' Mia said. 'As your unnie, I will give you some advice. This is the beginning of your life. You have an amazing career, fans and so much love from people all around the world. Millions of girls would kill to stand where you are standing today. You and your members worked hard to reach this stage. And now you wanna throw all your work away for a worthless guy who doesn't even love you?'

'Hey!' I exclaimed. Worthless?

Mia shot me a do-not-say-anything look. I stayed mum.

'No Re-on,' Mia continued gently wiping Re-on's tears. 'You are better than that. You're not some dumb girl in search of the love of her life. You are a strong woman who is the love of millions of people. So don't be like this.'

Mia's kind gesture seemed to have worked a bit. Re-on was coming to her senses. She fell to her knees, crying.

'Unnie...I am so tired of being an idol,' she rambled. 'I can't take the pressure anymore. I can't eat what I want. Can't go where I want nor can I sleep. I can't even date openly. What's the use of being an idol then?'

It was deja vu. Years back, I said the same words to Soo-Yon hyung. I understood how Re-on felt. She wasn't being a nagging girlfriend; she was letting go of the rage in her. Mia gently picked her up.

'Honestly, I don't know,' Mia consoled her. 'I'll never know. All I know is that, you will get better things. Life is gonna get worse. It's gonna suck. It will throw you into an abyss and you'll not know how to get out of it. But you'll figure it out. We all did. All I know is one thing. Good things happen. They stay for a short while. But those fleeting moments are enough to motivate you into taking one more step. So live for those little bundles of joy. Don't be hung up on the bad things.'

Mia patted Re-on's head. Re-on gave a small smile, despite herself.

'I'm sorry unnie,' she said, bowing down. 'I shouldn't have done that.'

'That's okay,' Mia said. 'Now go home and take a long, hot shower. It'll help.'

Re-on smiled. Then she realized that Mia was still dripping from the wine thrown at her.

'Unnie,' Re-on said. 'Your clothes are still wet.'

'Don't worry,' Mia said. 'I'll change later.'

'But-'

'Don't worry about me,' Mia said. 'You should go home and rest all you can.'

Re-on gave a small nod and turned to leave.

'You were good,' I commented as Re-on left. 'Nice way to handle the situation.'

'You weren't helping, Sir,' Mia said sourly. 'Your words would have hurt her more.'

'I'm not good with consoling and stuff,' I said. 'I'm definitely bringing you the next time I break up with someone.'

'I pray that day will never come,' Mia said with a hint of sarcasm.

'By the way,' I said, looking at her wet appearance. 'You do realize that we have a staff dinner tonight. Are you really gonna go in those wine stained clothes.'