Chapter 28: CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

The atmosphere at Winner’s office was in complete chaos. Phones rang on every desk as reporters and fans called in to verify rumors, with social media ablaze, debating the appropriateness of idols dating.

“We’ll announce if there’s an official statement,” Ming replied to a caller.

“We can’t comment on anything at the moment,” Tae added, hanging up quickly. He glanced at Ming. “What are we even supposed to say online?”

“Just play dead for now. Don’t answer anything.”

Ming passed Po’s desk as he sat there with a serious expression, watching the pandemonium unfold around him. He typed a message to Thame on Line.

Po:

How’s Pepper holding up?

Thame didn’t see Po’s message. He was too busy dealing with the fallout.

Pepper had just hung up a call with Kaem.

“How’s Kaem doing?”

“She said I should focus on fixing things here first.” Pepper sighed and looked at his friends.

“Guys, I’m really sorry… I ruined everything. Instead of focusing on the charts, we’re…”

“Relax. Nothing’s ruined yet,” Nano quickly reassured him. “You two are the only ones breaking down right now. Chill, alright?”

“You should go and stay with Kaem right now,” Thame suggested.

“But how can I just leave you guys? And what about the charts—”

“We’ll handle it. Just go to her,” Jun said, trying to ease Pepper’s worry about the group.

“Be careful,” Dylan warned. “Don’t let anyone see you with her, or they’ll connect the dots. And avoid the condo, no matter what.”

“Tell Kaem not to worry,” Thame added firmly.

“The photos may show you clearly, but Kaem’s barely visible. No one will be able to pin anything on her.”

“Thanks, guys. Seriously.” That was all Pepper could say before he grabbed his mask and hurried out the door.

—

Pepper met Kaem in a quiet area behind her office. The place was under renovation, so no one was around. Kaem had sneaked away to meet him. As soon as Pepper saw her, the first thing he said was, “I’m so sorry for dragging you into this.”

“Why are you apologizing? We knew this was a possibility from the day we decided to be together.”

“Even so, I’m still worried about you. I’m fine, really.”

“Fine? This backlash could cost you the charts, and if that happens, you won’t be able to reunite your group. Has anyone started damage control yet? Has the company issued a statement or said anything to the fans?”

Kaem scrolled through comments on her phone, looking increasingly flustered.

“Seriously, they’re so quick to solve work issues, but something like this? No plan.”

Kaem turned to Pepper, hoping he might have an idea, but she found him smiling at her instead.

“And what are you smiling at? Don’t you see how stressed I am?”

“I’m just impressed. Instead of worrying about yourself, you’re more focused on how to fix things for my group. How are you this amazing?”

Kaem raised an eyebrow and retorted, “Pepper, I’m gorgeous. Not amazing.” That made Pepper chuckle softly.

Despite the situation, Kaem was probably the only person who could keep it together. She was mature enough to know she couldn’t afford to panic. If she did, Mars would fall apart completely.

“Pepper, listen to me. Even if people figure out it’s me, it’s okay. I was prepared for this from the moment we got together. Stop worrying about me. Your group is more important.”

Pepper nodded but insisted, “I won’t let this affect you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Kaem smiled faintly and touched Pepper’s cheek with affection, knowing he was just as worried about her as she was about him.

After a moment of silent understanding between them, Kaem finally asked, “But honestly, isn’t it strange that the photos leaked now? Those pictures were taken months ago, before you even went back to the group.”

Pepper paused, realizing she was right. The photos were from earlier in the year, long before Thame’s trip to Korea. If they were going to leak, why now, right when they were aiming for PAK?

Pepper quickly pulled out his phone. The first person he needed to share this with was Thame.

—

Thame’s phone vibrated. He answered while stepping out of Winner’s elevator.

“Yeah, Dylan thought it was suspicious too.

That’s why I came back to the office to talk.”

“Let me know what you find out,” Pepper replied before Thame hung up and walked toward Pemika’s office. He stopped in his tracks, though, when he saw Mick stepping out with Po.

Po… What’s he doing in Pemika’s office?

Thame froze, staring at Po, who looked equally startled to see him.

“Oh, perfect timing,” Mick said casually. “Khun Pemika was just about to call you in.”

“And what’s Po…” Thame began to ask, but Mick cut him off.

“You’ll understand soon enough,” Mick replied nonchalantly, giving Po a nudge. “Alright, let’s go.”

Thame didn’t know what was going on, but he wanted to reassure Po that everything would be fine. He didn’t want this to affect Po or their relationship with him. As they passed each other, Thame reached out, interlaced his fingers with Po’s, and gave his hand a firm squeeze. He locked eyes with Po, as if to say, We’ll be okay. We’ll get through this together.

Thame entered Pemika’s office, where the executive was calmly pouring herself tea.

“You were going to call me in anyway, weren’t you?”

“About Pepper’s scandal, yes,” she replied smoothly, taking a small sip from her cup.

“I thought we had an understanding that Mars would be allowed to prove itself. Instead, you pulled this stunt to sabotage us.”

“Do you really think I leaked those photos of Pepper?”

“Didn’t you?”

“Well, yes. But not to sabotage the charts.”

“Then why?”

“To control the damage.”

Pemika set her cup down, opened a drawer, and pulled out a stack of photos. She slid them across the table to Thame. They showed him and Po together at the supermarket, and later entering Po’s condo.

Thame’s face paled as he stared at the photos. Pemika studied his reaction.

“Leak It sent these to me, saying they planned to publish a story about you and Po. I didn’t have many options. I could either trade someone else’s story to protect you, or pay them off. Either way, I couldn’t let this harm you.”

“So you chose to sacrifice Pepper instead?”

“Well, your value is higher, Thame,” Pemika said matter-of-factly. “You’re my business plan.

Pepper isn’t. And to be honest, both of you broke the rules. Out of the four people involved here—Pepper, Kaem, Po, and you—I only needed to save you.”

“And what did you do to Po?” Thame asked, his anger rising.

Pemika didn’t answer immediately. Thame let out a bitter laugh and pressed further. “The mole you were after wasn’t Jun, was it? It was Po.”

Pemika’s silence said everything.

“What did you do to him?” Thame demanded.

“What do you think I should do with someone who’s damaged the company’s reputation?”

Pemika leaned forward, clasping her hands on the table.

Thame’s heart sank as he realized why Po had been walking out of Pemika’s office earlier.

“Did you fire him?” Thame asked, his voice shaking.

“Thame, this industry doesn’t revolve around fairness or right and wrong,” Pemika said coldly, her gaze unflinching. “This industry runs on who sells more and who the market wants. That person must always appear spotless.

No matter what you do, the company will protect you at all costs. If I had to choose between you and Ice, the company would still choose you.”

“You’re not choosing me. You’re choosing your business plan.”

“Exactly,” Pemika admitted. “But if you want to follow your own plan, figure it out yourself.

Because this is all the company can offer you.”

—

Thame burst out of the elevator, dialing Po’s number, but it didn’t go through. No matter how many times he called, it wouldn’t connect.

Frustrated, he called Mick instead.

“Mick!”

“What’s up, troublemaker?”

“Did you take Po somewhere? Did you fire him?”

“Yep.”

“You fired him? Mick, he’s ten times better at his job than you!”

“Hey, watch it! Nobody works as effortlessly as I do. Without me, there’d be no role models for ‘easy work, high pay.’ Don’t worry. Think about it carefully. Why would I get him fired when it’s easier for me if he stays?”

“Then why’d you say ‘yep’ just now?”

“I meant, yep, he’s not with you guys anymore.

He’s with Ice now,” Mick clarified before hanging up.

Thame quickly texted Ice while stepping into the elevator.

—

At a photo studio, Ice was doing a fashion shoot for a high-end clothing brand. Po stood nearby, unsure of what he was supposed to do.

“Hey, you.” Ice pointed at Po. “Yeah, you. Grab my bag from the dressing room, will you?”

“Uh, sure,” Po replied, heading toward the dressing room. On the way there, someone grabbed him and pulled him into a quiet corner.

“What the—” “Shh.” A familiar voice whispered in his ear. It was Thame.

Po turned to face him, their eyes locking.

“Are you okay?” Thame cupped Po’s face and pulled him into a tight hug.

“You’re okay, right?”

“Thame, calm down. I’m fine.”

“I’m so sorry. I’m really sorry.”

“Hey, it’s okay,” Po said, trying to reassure him.

“Thank you for coming to check on me, even though you’re swamped.”

“I needed to make sure you’re really okay.”

“I’m fine,” Po repeated, over and over.

“And I’ll do everything to make sure you know that no matter what happens, we’ll be okay too.”

Po smiled. “Yeah… now go. Things must be insane out there.”

Instead of leaving, Thame rested his head on Po’s shoulder.

“Just one more minute.”

In a world that constantly pressured idols to perform and conform—always cheerful, polite, perfect—Thame found solace in Po. Po was the one person who let him be himself, who made the fight worth it. For Thame, Po represented possibility and hope. He wanted to stay in this moment for as long as he could, to reassure Po that he wasn’t going anywhere.

Thame’s phone vibrated incessantly, a constant reminder that the world was calling him back to face its demands. But for now, he just wanted five quiet minutes with Po.

“Thame,” Po said gently, meeting his eyes. “I’ll be okay. And so will you.”

Thame nodded. “Yeah… I really have to go.” He handed Po a box of snacks. “For Ice. A bribe.”

Po chuckled. Thame started to leave but stopped to pull Po into a kiss before finally answering his phone.

It was Jun.

“Hey, get back here now. It’s serious.”

“What’s wrong?”

“The fanbase’s main account just announced they’re shutting down.”

That meant the Mars fanbase was withdrawing its support for the group. Po overheard Jun’s words through the call as Thame ran out. He instantly knew where the problem stemmed from.

Baifern.

TO BE CONTINUED.