ALL TIME ZONES WILL BE IN EDT

(JK is currently in New Jersey which is 5 hours behind from Amsterdam where Lisa is in this chapter)

MAY 18, 2019

Another day, another concert. Jeongguk was more than exhausted.

Constant touring around the world requires more than your blood and sweat - it also requires your all your time, dedication, and perseverance. Jeongguk knew about this, yet the feeling of being worn out always felt so new every time he finished one of his many full schedules. He had always kept in mind that he chose to be an idol, so he would face everything that came with the package.

Today was their concert at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey. He was thrilled, of course, to perform in front of an enormous crowd. They'd sold out the entire stadium and he still couldn't believe it. They'd sold out the tickets under two hours.

Only if Lisa was there to witness it all.

The friendship that they've both developed astonished him. He never even thought that they'd be friends, let alone close friends. The bond that they've created was unlike any other. Sure, he had other female acquaintances as well, but it wasn't the same with what he had with Lisa.

He had to admit - he's gotten quite attached to her. But she doesn't need to know that, does she?

They've been fake dating for two months now and it was due to end on July, but whenever he thought about it, his mood turns sour. He didn't know why, but it did.

The other day, his members surprised him the computer that they bet on. He felt delighted, of course, that he finally got what he wanted but then again, his thought drifted towards Lisa.

After receiving the computer, now what?

It would be harsh if he'd end their relationship instantly. He figured it would be better to go on with the original plan - four months of fake dating and then finish it. Besides, she didn't mention about her bet with her members yet. So far, it seemed like she was going to win as they haven't been caught.

Then, as if on cue, his phone dinged.

7:23 am

good morning

junglebook

just finished

eating lunch

JEONGGUK

hey :)

about to eat

breakfast

are you at

the afas rn?

LALISA

not yet

but we're

on our way

JEONGGUK

take care

darling 😘

you too :)

let's talk

later

JEONGGUK

sure

As soon as he sent the text, he finally rose from bed to start his day.

▪️

To sum the evening up, entire show went well.

They ended it with Mikrokosmos, a song that never failed to make Jeongguk tear up - especially as he was singing it in front of the people whom had believed in them despite everything. If he could meet them all one by one, he would. If only.

However, after the show had ended, Jeongguk had suffered from an intense pain that he lost the ability to walk on his own and had to be carried to the car. He didn't know why it happened so suddenly... everything seemed fine a while back yet it came down to this.

He was feeling a mix of emotions: anger, for what he was experiencing, fear, for the possibility of not performing tomorrow, and disappointment, for not being careful. If he had to sit down for tomorrow's performance, he was going to lose it. The last time that it happened, he wasn't able to take just sitting there and watching his members perform. He felt useless that he cried during the performance.

"Guk, just breathe, okay? The doctor will be coming to the hotel shortly." His manager had assured him as he was lying down the van.

The other members were there with him, trying to comfort him as he grunted and groaned because of the pain.

He was having a migraine, his right leg was excruciatingly painful, he was shivering every few moments or so, and his eyes were disoriented. He couldn't walk straight without stumbling down. Fuck.

"We're almost at the hotel, Guk. Just a little more." Someone like Namjoon said from above him. He tried to speak, but failed.

He probably slept for a while because when he woke up, the familiar walls of his hotel room greeted him. Two persons were checking on his leg and his eyes, as well as Jimin and Namjoon, sitting on his right side.

The pain lessened, but it was still there.

"Be sure to give him this, make him drink it thrice a day. Constantly apply ice to his leg and he has to have more than 8 hours of sleep so his disorientation would subside." The doctor said to Namjoon, who was nodding. They exchanged a few words before the two departed, leaving them three alone.

"Hey, " He murmured, still not able to speak as loudly in fear that the pain would aggravate.

Jimin's eyes lit up, "Guk, you're awake! How are you feeling?"

"Not good." He grunted, "What happened?"

Namjoon sat down beside him, "You fainted. The doctor said that you were under so much stress and experiencing fatigue that's why your body reacted this way." He went on and on about the medications that he would need to take but Jeongguk didn't particularly care.

"Will I be able to perform tomorrow?" He interrupted. That was his main priority now because if he doesn't...

The two exchanged a look before Namjoon replied, "Guk, they said it would be better if you'd rest-"

"No."

"Guk, your health is important. We have to prio-"

"I said no."

The room fell silent and Namjoon took this as a cue to excuse himself, leaving Jimin and him alone.

"So?" Jeongguk repeated once more, "Will I perform tomorrow? I need answers now."

"Guk..." Jimin tried.

"Don't Guk me." Nobody was giving him answers. He was furious now that his right leg started throbbing once more, making him close his eyes and clench his jaw.

Jimin looked worried, "What's wrong? Is your leg hurting? Do you need anything?"

"No." He opened his eyes again, "I just want to know if I can perform tomorrow."

The other guy sighed, "You know I can't decide that for you."

Jeongguk clenched his fist in annoyance.

"However," Jimin's hand went to his pocket and pulled out his phone, "This may help." He opened it and showed Jeongguk his contacts, one of which is Lisa. "She wants to talk to you."

He stared at the phone before accepting it.

"I'll be outside."

He watched as Jimin left the room and shifted his gaze back to the phone again. He didn't even know if he was going to call her or not because he was in a bad mood right now and he tends to lash it out on someone. He didn't want Lisa to be experience the other end of the stick.

But, as if on cue, Jimin's phone rang.

LISA IS CALLING

He accepted it anyway.

"Hello? Jimin? Is he fine?" Lisa's voice said from the other line, worry evident in her tone. Immediately, hearing it made his mood ease a little bit. "What did the doctor say?"

"I'm fine, darling." He finally spoke after being bombarded with questions. The other line quieted.

"Guk?" She asked, not quite believing that it was him, "Guk, how are you? Jimin told me everything. What happened?"

"The doctor said it was because of stress and fatigue." His lips thinned, "I don't know if I'll be able to perform tomorrow, though."

"It would be better if you won't."

Jeongguk's eyebrows drew together in shock. Even her? "What do you mean? Why?"

"Guk, it's just that you're under a lot of stress right now that's why you're experiencing these things. You need to rest your ass so you'll be in a good condition for your next schedule."

"But Lisa, the people paid for the concert just so they could see the seven of us together. If I'm not there, then what's the point? It's a stadium, for God's sake. Do you even know how many our audiences are?"

"They'd understand, Guk. You can't force yourself to perform or else you'd injure yourself even more. You need to sacrifice one day just so you could get yourself back on track as soon as possible."

"For me it's just one day but for them, for those watching tomorrow, the concert would be everything. Some don't eat just so they could save money, some don't sleep just so they could wait for the tickets. Some work overtime just so they could afford these." He pinched the bridge of his nose, "If I don't perform tomorrow, then their money would go to waste. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them and I'm just going to ruin it because of some stupid injury."

Lisa sighed, "I understand. I know that." He thought she wouldn't say anything else when she added, "But you're not a robot, Jeon. You're not perfect. You need rest. There can always be another concert, prioritize yourself first."

He laughed humourlessly, "Do you even know what you're saying?" She didn't get his point. They all didn't. "There can always be another concert but not everyone can afford to buy tickets." He scoffed, "That's easy for you to say, since you've been spoon-fed by YG for your entire trainee life. Everything you wanted was given in a snap of a finger. You don't know the struggles we've experienced in a company that had nothing."

The other line fell silent.

"You're a fucking ass, Jeongguk." She spoke a few moments later. "I was just trying to help, but it turns out that I was in the wrong." He didn't say anything, "Fine. You want to perform? Go. No one's stopping you."

Call ended.

MAY 19, 2019

Jeongguk performed that day.

He was quite pleased when they didn't make him sit during the entirety of the show, yet he couldn't help but wince and feel dizzy during performing.

As usual, Lisa had been right. The pain worsened.

At the thought of her, his mood turned glum. She hadn't texted him or called him ever since he snapped at her last night.

And now... he regretted it.

Slowly, he reached for his phone om his bedside table and dialled her number. He sent her countless texts already but he knew a simple text won't be enough. He needed to say it to her.

DIALLING...

RINGING...

RINGING...

RINGING...

CALL ENDED.

She... she just rejected the call.

He tried again.

DIALLING...

RINGING...

CALL ENDED.

Hoseok must've notice his frustration as he perked up from the couch and asked him, "What is it?"

Jeongguk sighed, "Lisa's not answering my calls."

"She's probably busy. They're on tour right now, right?" He shrugged, "Try later."

"No. It's not that." He sighed, "I snapped at her last night."

"What did you say?"

"She told me last night to rest for today's concert. I told her that it's easy for her to say since she's privileged." He licked his lips, "I don't know what's gotten to my head."

Hoseok looked disappointed, "That's a dick move, Jeongguk." He came closer, "They may be from YG but we don't know what really happens behind the scene."

Jeongguk pursed his lips, "I know, hyung. I know."

"So, what will you do?"

He shook his head, "I don't know. I've sent her countless messages yet she doesn't reply. What do I do, hyung?"

His hyung tsked, "I knew you'd ask me."

MAY 20, 2019

"Who gave this?" was the first thing Lalisa uttered as Chaeyoung handed her a rolled up piece of paper and a single rose.

The girl had entered their shared hotel room a moment ago, holding the said things. From whom? Lisa didn't know.

"Just open it." Chaeyoung insisted.

And she did.

Once she saw whom the letter was from, her mouth fell open.

It was from the devil himself - Jeon Jeongguk.

She wasn't speaking to him for more than a day now as he snapped at her the other night. She was shocked of what he had said that she couldn't accept his words even now. Privileged. He thought of her as privileged.

That fact hurt her.

Biting the inside of her cheek, she read the letter.

Lalisa,

You haven't been responding to my texts and calls lately, and I know the reason why. I am deeply sorry for what I have said the other night as I was mad and frustrated and I lashed it out on you. I tend to do that sometimes and I don't even know why... I'm really really sorry for what I've done and I regret my words. I know you only cared for me and my well being yet I misunderstood it. I have no excuse and I hope I can make it up to you.

I'll give you the time and space that you need. I really am sorry and I hope you'd accept my apology. Be safe always and don't overwork yourself.

Message me if you need anything.

Love, JK

Lalisa rolled her eyes. What a dick... but at least he was a cute dick.

"Where did you get this?" She asked Chaeyoung who was now sitting on her bed.

"Oh, he sent it to me and I printed it." She replied, shrugging, "The guy loves you too much, Lis. It's pretty obvious. I was surprised by his effort. That's one rare thing in this industry."

She scoffed. Love? They weren't even together.

Sighing, she closed the letter and put it in her bag.

Jeongguk can wait.