warnings: mentions of stress, swearing, mentions of alcohol
Summary: After the eventful encounter with Jimin, his harsh words have taken a toll on Y/N. The latter decides to take a step back from reality. Except reality hits her on the face - and innocent people are dragged along.
Author's note: Chapter 3 is finally here two millennia later. I hope it makes up for the time you had to wait for.💕
"Wait- what do you mean you're stepping down from the project?", Namjoon questions, failing to cover his shock from your words. "What I mean is that I have neither the mentality nor the necessary time to continue this project, Namjoon", you huff in defeat, "I've experienced immense stress these days and I have failed miserably to put it under control - and I hate myself for that".
"If that's the case, then you should take a few days off, perhaps it will help you find your inner peace and deal with any troubles you've been facing", he replies and you release a breath you didn't know you were holding. "I really was counting on you for that project though, Y/N", Namjoon admits. "I know, and I feel terrible and useless at the same time”, you admit too. “Okay, that’s a bit too much though... Anyways, if by any chance you feel better within the next days, please inform me as soon as possible”, he says, “I’ll definitely do so. Thank you for your understanding Namjoon, I truly appreciate it and again, I’m really sorry for letting you down”, you reply right before you end the phone call.
You plop down on your bed, feeling heavy and disappointed. Disappointed in yourself, for letting down your boss and friend. All because of a personal grudge.
“You think you’re someone on a high pedestal and that you’re always the good example, only because you've set a good image on your social media".
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Jimin's words were still ringing in your ears, making your stomach churn painfully. You hated how a few words could crush your morale, you hated how true every single word was and most of all, you hated him.
You hated Park Jimin with all your heart. But alas, you couldn't bring yourself to admit that. Why? Because everyone around you loved him, whether they were his friends or his fans. His smooth talking, his manners, his everything. You were jealous of him and you couldn't do anything to fight that hideous and toxic feeling. And that's how you ended up in this state - the state of having given up on everything.
"You weak, stupid bitch!", you yelled to yourself as you threaded your fingers in your hair, head bent between your knees. You wanted to escape from reality, even momentarily.
You needed a drink.
You dragged your feet to the kitchen and started rummaging the cupboards, in an attempt to find an alcoholic beverage. But alas, you had none. "Fuck, what now...?", you mumble while scratching your head. "Ugh, I guess the bar should do...". You lazily put on a pair of sneakers and your coat, you stuffed the keys and your phone in the pockets, grabbed your purse and left your apartment, heading to the bar.
About ten minutes later, you entered the bar, which wasn't full, surprisingly. You seated yourself on the stool . "Good evening, miss. What can I get you- Oh, Y/N", the bartender says and you give him a half-hearted smile. "Good evening to you too, Hwiyoung", you reply. "You look really tired. The usual?", Hwiyoung asks with a concerned look and you shake your head in a negative manner. "Nope. A double scotch, no ice", you announce and he looks at you with shock. "Damn Y/N, you must be going through some serious shit to ask for heavy alcohol", "Ugh, just give me the damn scotch, Hwiyoung", "Yes ma'am", he chuckles and starts filling a glass with the requested alcoholic drink.
"So, what's up?", he asks while resting against the counter. "Trouble with celebrity life?", he jokes and you roll your eyes. "Pfft, celebrity my ass", you scoff and take a sip from your scotch. "Okay, who are you and what did you do to the Y/N I know and follow on Instagram?", "She's not available at the moment, please try again later", you joke half-heartedly (again). "At least you haven't lost your sassiness", Hwiyoung laughs and pours a drink for himself as well. "Aren't you supposed to not be drinking while working?", you raise an eyebrow at his direction. "Aren't you supposed to not look like this?", and he points to your outfit. "What's wrong with my outfit?", "You look like a drunk, miserable beggar", he replies with a stone cold face. "Hey, I'm not a beggar!", you whine in defeat, "True, but you look miserable and you'll be drunk in a few minutes", Hwiyoung adds.
"Okay fine, you got me, I'm a miserable bitch who thought that being a social media star would solve all of her problems and would make her desirable to the people around her", you say in a rush and the man in front of you is left stunned. "Didn't see that coming, did you?", you ask Hwiyoung nonchalantly and he shakes his head in disagreement, "Nope, I did not. Wanna talk about it?", he asks.
"Are you willing to listen?"
"If I wasn't, why would I ask you in the first place, Y/N?"
"Good point".
After two more glasses of scotch, you had told the entire story to Hwiyoung, who was silent the whole time, carefully listening to your rant and drinking his beer. By the time you knew it, it was already midnight and the bar was empty, except for you and him, still seated on the stools. Your speech was much slower now and slightly slurred, the effects of the heavy alcohol fully kicked into your system.
"Well, that's some real ass celeb drama you got in your hands, missy", Hwiyoung states as he starts cleaning the counter and turning off the lights of the bar. "Mmhm, c-celeb dr-rama it is...", you mumble drunkenly and you sluggishly reach out over the counter, as in wanting more alcohol. "Oh no no no no, no more of that for you", he swats your hand away and you whine. "Heyyyyy, I paid for thaaaat~", you pout and he rolls his eyes at you. "You paid shit, but that's not something to discuss right now. Come on, let's get you home", he comes next to you and helps you stand on your feet. "Do you remember your address? Or should I take you to my place?", he nudges you to get your attention. "Sleepyyy...Wanna go homeeee...", you slur again, "My place it is, then", he announces and he closes the bar, right before calling a taxi.
You feel yourself being lifted into a pair of strong arms, as Hwiyoung lays you on the bed and you squirm around, trying to get comfortable in your drunken state. "I'm cooold", you complain and he chuckles, "Yes ma'am", and he drapes a blanket on top of your body, the warmth wrapping you instantly and putting you in fast sleep. He watches you finally settle and he releases a breath he didn't know he was holding. He opens his closet and takes off his clothes, changing into a t-shirt and a pair of sweats. He approaches you one last time and pulls a strand of your hair away from your face. "Sleep well, missy", he whispers and leaves the bedroom, heading to the living room and sleep on the couch.
You wake up the next morning with a terrible headache, everything around you is still blurry due to the hangover. You still struggle with your vision, but you're able to understand that you're not in your bedroom and definitely not in your house. You start panicking and remove the blanket from your body, trying to stand up but failing miserably, ending up on the floor with a thump. "Owww...", you wince in pain and try to get up again, but this time, you're helped by a pair of strong arms, the same pair of arms that carried you here last night. "Whoa there, not so fast, missy", Hwiyoung says, as he pulls you up, your legs still wobbly.
"Hwiyoung? What the fuck? Where am I?", you ask, still confused. "You're in my house, Y/N. You came in the bar last night in a very bad psychological state, poured your heart out and drunk - a lot. You weren't able to tell me your address, so I brought you here to sleep. Sorry for that", he rubs his neck awkwardly and he gives you a glass of water and some painkillers. "Jesus Christ, I must have been a huge pain in the ass. I'm the one who should apologize, Hwiyoung", you admit as you swallow the pills and drink water.
"Don't worry, it's all good. Besides, there was no way I would leave you in that state", he smiles and you can't help but smile back. Suddenly, you are hit with a realization and search for your purse. "What are you looking for, Y/N?", Hwiyoung asks and you put a handful of bills on his hand. "Uh- what is that?", "The money I owe you for last night's drinks, you idiot", you chide and he laughs. Your conversation is cut short by your phone ringing repeatedly, the incoming notifications flooding your screen non-stop. "Does that thing ever stop ringing?", he jokes and you brush him off, while opening your phone.
Lia: 12 missed calls, 3 unread messages
Minnie: 10 missed calls, 2 unread messages
"Sheesh, were they that worried?", you mumble, albeitly surprised at the notifications your friends left. However, the content of the messages makes you freeze in your tracks and you feel your energy being drained from your body in a instant.
Lia has shared a link.
Lia: BITCH WTF??? WHERE ARE YOU??? EVERYONE IS GOING HAYWIRE
You open the link Lia sent you and you try to get a hold from something sturdy, as you feel like fainting. "Y/N? What's wrong? Y/N, please talk to me!", Hwiyoung yells as he tries to shake you from your trance. You mindlessly give him your phone and he plucks it out of your hands to read the one thing that made you lose your shit in the first place.
Lia: Y/N PLEASE ANSWER MY MESSAGES I'M FUCKING DYING HERE
Minnie: Y/N, PLEASE PICK UP THE DAMN PHONE, I'M FREAKING OUT
Minnie: Dammit Y/N, don't leave us hanging...
"Breaking Gossip: Fashion Blogger Y/N caught in a drunk state - Exclusive Photos!"
"Last night, fashion blogger and celebrity Y/N was seen in a drunken state, exiting one of the most notorious bars of the city at late hours. She's pictured being helped by a young unknown man, who appears to be an employee at the aforementioned bar. Who is that man and most importantly, what is happening with the celebrity?"
"What the fuck? Y/N, what is that shit?!", Hwiyoung yells again, but you are unable to answer. "Y/N, look at me, what is going on?", he asks you again, as he is looking into your eyes, which are full of salty tears. "Hwi, I'm so sorry, I have no idea what's going on...", you whisper with a broken voice, still not being able to understand the situation.
Your phone rings again abruptly and an unknown number is flashing on the screen. You open the screen again, trying to shake off some part of your panic and read the message.
