Chapter 14: Fake News

"God," Zen said, in reference to the headline and photo on the cover of Enquire. It was the only thing he could think of to say.

"Just take it," MC said, as the blank-looking expression on her face continued to darken. "Get one. I'm going to want to see it…" she swallowed. "Later."

"Aw, MC," Zen said, sympathetically. "You really think that's a good idea?"

Zen had experience with this sort of thing, the desire to consume all the media that was written about him, and then become too invested in what they had to say. It was like searching for health information on the internet. No matter what you found, it played into pretty much whatever fear you had. There were also about seven different versions of every story, so Zen had learned early on that the "truth" was definitely not out there. It was enough to make even the sanest person crazy. But MC didn't know that yet. She hadn't had to experience any of that kind of exposure to media scrutiny, until now.

"Just get it," MC said, in a severe, clipped tone Zen hadn't heard before. He sighed. He had to admit, he remembered what it'd been like all too clearly. He remembered the time when he'd fallen prone to the headlines suggesting that his performance in Jalapeños Topping was Pretty Spicy had been subpar. He'd clicked on the link that suggested he'd had plastic surgery (definitely not true - he didn't resort to Botox, like ever). He'd even channel-surfed through that first day of the Echo Girl scandal while downing a six pack of beer and feeling sorry for himself, sure that the whole thing would bring him to ruin. Yeah, he'd been there.

"You got it, babe," Zen said, reaching for a copy the magazine. "But, you know, I have experience with this type of thing and I think…"

"Look," MC said. "No offense, but I'm just not ready to hear your advice right now."

Fair enough, Zen thought. He tossed the magazine on the counter next to the milk. The checker at the counter pointed down at the picture.

"Hey man, is that you?" he said, jovially, and then he looked thoughtfully at MC. "And you?"

Zen was so annoyed he clearly couldn't hide it. "Shut up, man," he said.

The checker's jovial face instantly turned sour and he remained quiet as he rung up the rest of the purchase.

Zen couldn't remember the last time, if ever, he'd been rude to a fan.

When they got home, MC was completely silent as she stashed her purse in its proper place on the back of the door, took off her jacket and hung it in the closet. Then she put her small hands over her face.

"Look," MC said, rubbing her eyes. "I think I'm going to take a nap."

"Aw, babe," he said. "It's the middle of the day…" Zen felt a wave of sadness, no of anguish, wash over him, imagining what she was going through. Then there was this feeling, something like a knife in the gut, realizing it was all because of him.

"OK," he said, relenting. "I'll come with you."

"No," MC said, holding out a hand in protest. "I think I need to be alone."

Zen watched crestfallen as she tried to fabricate a smile and failed.

"Just for a bit," she said, as she backed into the bedroom and shut the door.

[Zen has entered the chatroom]

Yoosung: Really? That happened?

Yoosung: [depressed emoji]

Jaehee: Yes. It was unpleasant, to say the least.

Jaehee: Zen! ^^

Jaehee: How's MC? I expected you two would be out on a date.

Yoosung: a date?! ^^

Zen: Not exactly.

Jaehee: What do you mean?

Zen: She's taking a nap.

Zen: [depressed emoji]

Yoosung: But it's the middle of the day.

Zen: Yeah, I know.

Yoosung: And you could be on a date…

Zen: Yeah, dude, I know.

Jaehee: What happened?

Zen: There's an article in Enquire…

Yoosung: The tabloid?

Yoosung: [surprised emoji]

Zen: Yes, I haven't read it yet but the headline is unfavorable.

Jaehee: What?!

Zen: MC is really upset. I don't know what to do.

Zen: [crying emoji]

Yoosung: Give her some chocolate?

Jaehee: [sad emoji]

Jaehee: Something tells me she needs more than candy, Yoosung.

[Jumin has entered the chatroom]

Jumin: Yes, I have seen this article.

Zen: You've seen it?

Jumin: Yes, they called me for a comment.

Zen: What?!

Jaehee: Mr. Han, why haven't I been notified about this?

Jumin: You should probably know that MC was fairly inebriated that night.

Yoosung: ...Inebri…what?

Jaehee: Drunk.

Yoosung: I know she seemed that way, but she only had one drink.

Yoosung: [confused emoji]

Zen: Wait… Yo, Trust Fund Kid… what's this about a comment? What did you say… exactly?

Jumin: Just the truth. I wouldn't worry.

Zen: [angry emoji]

Zen: What are you even talking about?

Jumin: I don't see the problem, Zen. You were otherwise occupied.

Zen: What are you suggesting?

Yoosung: I think he means…

Jaehee: Mr. Han, please reconsider what you are suggesting.

Zen: That I was doing my JOB?

Jumin: If it's your job to leave your girlfriend unattended at a party, then I guess you were doing your job.

Yoosung: Uh-oh.

Zen: Just what are you getting at, you jerk?

Jaehee: I am keeping out of this.

Jaehee: [sad emoji]

Jumin: A lady should never be left unattended at a party.

Zen: [angry emoji]

Zen: What did you do, Jumin?

Jumin: Have you considered the possibility that maybe you aren't fit to properly care for a lady?

Zen: And I suppose you are, cat freak?

Jumin: I do have more class and more means available to me than any low-tier actor like yourself can possibly provide

Zen: Yeah, you're a trust fund jerk, that may be true…but maybe that's not what's important.

Jumin: Maybe you should let MC decide...

[Zen has left the chatroom]

Zen was so angry he nearly threw his phone across the room. That jerk, he thought. He picked up the copy of Enquire he purchased at the market and quickly shuffled through the pages. What did that rich fuck say?

Zen flipped the pages angrily until he found what he was looking for: Zen's Other Woman Is A LUSH. There was a bigger version of the photo from the front cover and a close-up of MC's face. Her mouth was twisted into a crooked line. Her cheeks were pale, devoid of the usual rosy color. She definitely looked like she was about to get sick.

Oh man, Zen thought. He, no doubt, had some bad and questionable press in the media, but at least all the photos he'd ever seen published of himself were good. He was so flawlessly handsome it was damn near impossible to get an unflattering photo of him.

Zen traced the outline of MC's jawline in the photo gently with his fingertip and sighed. Yeah, this was pretty bad. She looked pretty darn awful. It was about to get worse as he read the text:

The rising star actor Zen was spotted at Prince Edward Su out for an evening of karaoke fun. The actor was seen performing the title song "Rewrite The Stars" from last year's award winning best new television series "More Than Friends" with co-star and pop icon Echo Girl.

Fans lucky enough to be present at the impromptu event claim the energy between Zen and Echo Girl was undeniable. A source said: "The way they were looking at and touching each other throughout the performance… it was obvious how much they truly love each other."

Echo Girl and Zen sang two songs together at the nightclub with the adoring look of love in their eyes. Then the actor Zen surprised everyone by leaving the establishment with another woman. A source present at the scene said she was "very confused" because she had witnessed Zen's mysterious mistress sitting with a younger blond gentleman throughout the entire performance. "I was so sure that they were a couple… he had his arm around her and everything."

The "other woman" has since been identified as MC, who recently moved back to the area after spending a year abroad in the United States. A source from Whittier College in California claims that MC dropped out of all of her courses suddenly mid-year. The source speculates that the former student of literature may have been very unstable. "It could have certainly been a drug or alcohol problem," the source said. "Addiction is definitely one of the reasons students withdraw from school."

"It is true that she was drinking at the event," C&R International's next CEO in line, Jumin Han stated when called for comment. C&R International is bankrolling the much anticipated second season of "More Than Friends", which is slated to start filming in less than two weeks. The show will begin airing weekly episodes on the Korea Now Network starting in three weeks time.

When called for comment, Echo Girl did not confirm nor deny that she harbors true feelings for her co-star Zen. When pressed with more questions regarding their relationship, the attractive pop star continued to blush and demure. Echo Girl said: "I'm sure our love will endure, especially with the whole country cheering for us."

Zen's face was so hot with anger when he had finished reading the article he had to remove his sweatshirt. Damn, he thought. This crap was just so untrue. Zen knew full well why MC had dropped out of school. Yeah, she was having a hard time, but not because of a drinking problem. No, she'd had her heart stomped on and broken by her boyfriend and best friend.

Print that, mother fuckers, he thought.

Zen looked up to stare at the closed bedroom door. He thought about MC alone inside, likely curled up into a little ball on his bed. His heart swelled with sadness and love. How could he feel those two things at the same time? He didn't know how it was possible but his heart both ached and felt filled with warmth.

Zen inevitably felt his thoughts drift back the photo and article in Enquire. God, he thought. He'd do anything to protect her.

Realizing that it was doing no one any good sitting here and being anxious, Zen decided he should go for a run. In order to that, he needed to change into running clothes, which meant he needed to slip into his bedroom without a sound, where MC was sleeping. Cautiously he approached the closed the door and lightly tapped.

"MC?" he said, softly. When he didn't hear any answer, he carefully opened the door.

There she was, just as he'd pictured, curled up into a cute ball on his bed, her long hair fanned out on the pillow. There was music playing softly in the background.

He didn't want to wake her, but he couldn't help himself either. She looked so precious lying there all asleep and he just needed to kiss her cheek. He needed to softly whisper in her ear that he loved her, so that she might hear it in her dreams.

When he bent down to kiss her, some of his silver hair fell and brushed her cheek. The movement stirred her, and she sighed. She lifted up a small hand to brush the hair away, and Zen froze, not wanting to wake her.

When she quickly settled, Zen touched his lips lightly to her cheek. "I love you, MC," he said, filled with emotion. "So, so, so much."

Without a sound, he gathered the items he needed - the shorts, the shirt, socks and shoes - and then dressed in the fading late afternoon light. He realized, while pulling on his socks, that he could sit there, watch her and feel perfectly happy, maybe forever.

Before leaving for his run, Zen went to the kitchen to mix a powdered energy drink. As he poured the orange powder into the glass and watched the crystals start to fall to the bottom, his eyes went wide with a thought - a horrible thought.

[Zen has entered the chatroom]

[Zen]: OK, where is that arrogant jerk?

[Jaehee]: He left the chatroom shortly after you did.

[Yoosung]: Where did you go without saying good-bye?

[Yoosung]: [crying emoji]

[Zen]: I need to talk to him NOW.

[Jaehee]: Zen, calm down… why are you so upset?

[Zen]: Yoosung, you said MC only had one drink that night, right?

[Yoosung]: Yeah, uh, that's right… ^^

[Yoosung]: What a lightweight, lolololol

[Zen]: This is no time for jokes.

[Jaehee]: Zen, what are you getting at?

[Zen]: Yoosung, you said MC couldn't stand, right?

[Yoosung]: Yeah, that's right… she kind of almost fell over.

[Zen]: After one drink…

[Jaehee]: Zen, stop. Think about what you're thinking.

[Zen]: Then why are you thinking it, too, Jaehee?

[Jaehee]: I'm just saying, there has to be a reliable explanation.

[Zen]: You think? That jerk...

[Zen]: [angry emoji]

[Yoosung]: Um, excuse me… what is going on?

[Yoosung]: [confused emoji]

[Jaehee]: Zen, I'm begging you…don't jump to conclusions.

[Zen]: Jaehee, why are you defending him?

[Jaehee]: I don't know. I just know he isn't capable of doing what you're thinking.

[Yoosung]: Hello?

[Yoosung]: Zen, what are you thinking?

[Zen]: I don't know… Jumin, if you're reading this I need to talk to you RIGHT NOW.

[Zen]: Sorry I've got to go.

[Jaehee]: Zen, wait…

[Zen has left the chatroom]

For the second time today, Zen pulled his motorcycle gear on over his workout clothes. He scrawled a quick note to MC, in case she woke up while he was gone. What could he say?

CHOICE #1: Babe, I think Jumin had something to do with the Enquire article… I'm off to find out!

CHOICE #2: Princess, I'll be back... I need to find out why Jumin slipped you something during Karaoke night…

CHOICE #3: Sweetie, There's something I need to take care of… I love you. I'll be back… soon.

In the end, Zen went with "choice three" because, hell, he didn't know what was going on, and as much as he hated Jumin, he was part of the RFA and he didn't want to believe that Jumin was capable of such a thing as spiking someone's drink with some kind of, he didn't know, drug?

In his heart, if he was listening, he knew that Jaehee was right, that there was some kind of semi-logical explanation for whatever Jumin had done. Zen recalled those first five days in the chatroom, when MC first appeared. During that time, it was anyone's game. Zen had sensed that all of them, even Jaehee, were almost hypnotically attracted to MC. She was so gorgeous - even though most of them, apart from Seven, had never set eyes upon her, they knew. She had the power to set any of them right, with her unselfish motives and seemingly endless selfless sea of goodwill. Yes, she was that amazing.

Zen thought of his own complicated life, and then he thought about what he would've done, had MC not chosen him in the end.

I might be that crazy, he thought. I might be that bold.

Zen tried to keep these more empathetic thoughts in mind as he sped towards Jumin's penthouse.

Author's note: ...so MC is hitting the dark night of the soul here... realize it's getting intense, especially for the people who love Jumin - all I can say is I appreciate him, too, and I have faith that it's going to turn out all right... stay tuned... Thanks (always) for reading! Comments, suggestions, always appreciated... :-)