Bothered by an ex

"Sky, look at this," Yu-ri held up her phone so the other girl could see what was on the screen.

@LeeTaeHyun A little bird told me that you're signing a new artist under S.S. Could it be the person we saw you leaving Silver Fir with? What's burning?

The picture underneath the caption was an image of Ji-ho talking to Tae-Hyun. The duo looked relaxed as they walked toward his car.

"Disgusting," Sky replied. "How can anyone be interested in Jessica knowing that her body has been seen by the entire world? She'll get used by Lee Tae-Hyun and then tossed away like her ex-boyfriend did."

"You're just jealous, aren't you?" Yu-ri asked. "There's no need to pretend otherwise. We're all a little jealous of her luck."

"I'm not! Why would I get jealous of someone being used by men?! I have a career I've built with my own hard work and not from having illicit relationships with rich and powerful people!"

Though sky was ranting about Jessica, Yu-ri was her real target. She knew that it was Yu-ri in the picture that Jessica had taken the blame for. It was also Yu-ri that had leaked the rumour about Jessica getting caught with alcohol because she had wanted Jessica to take the blame for having an affair with a married man.

"Shut up!" Yu-ri retorted in anger. "What do you know about working hard?! You're the least hardworking person we had in the group, and the only reason you made it was because you flirted with the dance teacher. At least Jessica worked hard and she was passionate about what she did!"

Life at the company was depressing. Yu-ri and sky hatefully glared at each other, wishing they could exchange their lives with Jessica's. Despite the scandals that followed her, she had emerged unscathed and brimming with new talent they didn't know she had. Ji-ho didn't even have to lift a hand against them. Sun Young-mi's success was poison to the enemies. This poison lingered in their hearts as jealousy and hatred, unable to be given vent of no matter how hard they tried.

___

In a penthouse at one of the most beautiful locations of the city, a man wearing a towel around his waist was stretched out on his bed, his phone in hand.

"Sun Young-mi," Blue said to the image of the pretty and happy looking teenager who was smiling at Lee Tae-Hyun. "You can't block me out of your life forever."

It was almost time for her live, and this time, Blue had made sure that he was as far away as he could get from Iris. There would be no disruptions while he watched his nightingale and muse perform for him.

On the dot, Sun Young-mi's youthful face appeared smiling at the camera. This was only her third live session but it was already heavily trending on the video platform. The numerous gifts that she received from her fans shot her straight up with the high ranking content creators.

Blue clicked on the gift tab and sent her a gold dragon. He wasn't going to let some other person be her highest paying patron when he could fill that spot.

"Eh? Already?" Young-mi responded with surprise and that made him happy.

"Blue?" She sounded even more surprised when his name was displayed on the screen.

"Yes, Young-mi. It's me. I had no idea just how much satisfaction I would get from hearing you say my name."

Sun Young-mi's smile was restrained. She thanked the gift giver and quickly moved on to talking about how her day had panned out.

Blue pressed the gift tab again but this time he left her a message.

*I'd love for you to sing 'Be Alright' by Blue*

It was a song from his latest album. Blue watched Sun Young-mi read his message and make a confused expression.

"I'm sorry but I haven't heard this song before," she told the audience.

~ Lol really?

~ Blue is famous.

~ I smell a lie

~ A Blue fan eh? Or could it Blue himself? Could it be? \(°•°)/

~ Where's the wealthy Seung-ho today?

Ji-ho played off her lie by shrugging innocently. "I've been getting messages from fans asking me to sing Wildflower again so let's start with that. I even got permission from producer Lee to sing it as many times as I want without legal repercussions."

Blue wasn't happy with Sun Young-mi's snub but there was nothing he could do about it. The irritation he was beginning to feel melted away when Young-mi's angelic voice began humming.

____

Ji-ho ended her live session earlier than she'd planned to. This was a consequence of Blue's presence amongst the viewers, and his repeated intrusions to let Young-mi know that he was watching and enjoying the live. How had Jessica dated and fallen for such a creep?

Just as she stepped out of the studio, Ji-ho found a basket of roses and chocolates left at the entrance. Her name was visible on the blue coloured calling card that was tied to the basket with a blue Ribbon. The sender's name was absent but it was obvious who had sent it. She removed the card with her name on it and left the basket as it was. Blue was acting like a stalker now and it unnerved her.

For the sake of documentation, Ji-ho took a picture of the goodie basket. Just as she clicked the picture, her phone began to ring. It was a call from Aera.

"Young-mi~," she heard Aera sing when she received the call. "Are you free right now?"

"Maybe. Do you have plans?"

"I do! There's a birthday party tonight and I need you to go with me as my plus one."

"Whose birthday?"

"Choi Dan-bi."

She was a very popular actress who became even more popular after acting beside Seung-ho in the period drama. They were both currently very hot commodities in the entertainment industry.

"Say you'll come with me."

Ji-ho smelled a good opportunity to get rid of Blue and get the revenge that Jessica wanted. That is if he would also be attending. She decided to throw in a bait and see if the creep would bite.

"That sounds lovely, Aera. Count me in. I'll need your help picking out a dress though," Ji-ho replied.

If she was going to attend such a high profile party, she had to wear something expensive and beautiful. Nothing of that sort was hanging in her closet so a shopping trip was imminent. Ji-ho sighed as she saw all her gift money disappearing into a capitalist hole of shoes and dresses.