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The door bursts open and I jump back, tripping over a set of stacked chairs. When I fall one of the chairs clatters against me. I cry out when the wooden leg hits my arm.

“What the hell, Hyeri? Were you listening to us? And now look at you, you’ve hurt yourself!” His anger feels severe as he looms over me.

I spot Jongdae just inside the open door and am that much more embarrassed at having an audience.

Minseok starts to reach down, but I push his hand away and scramble up on my own. I feel embarrassed at being yelled at, and in front of Jongdae. “I’m fine. And I wasn’t listening in on purpose,” I insist, rotating my wrist carefully. My arm throbs where the chair hit, but it doesn’t seem that bad.

“Well, whatever you heard, forget it. And stop following me around.” He strides past me so fast that I almost stumble back again. I catch my balance but stub my thumb in the process. The pain makes it hard for me to hold back my frustration and I yell after him. “I wasn’t looking for you! The whole world doesn’t revolve around Moon Minseok.”

He pauses midstep. His back is tense, his fists clenching at his sides.

I think maybe he’ll come back. And I’m ready for it. I didn’t do anything wrong. He’s the one who’s acting like a raging a-hole right now.

But he continues down the hall, slamming out of the restaurant.

Idon’t really go out that much.

After the first few times random people yelled at me on the street for being a bully to Ana, I’d slowly stopped going out unless absolutely necessary. Choosing instead to order most things online, even groceries. Plus, I had Sohee, who almost willfully refused to change her routines just because of her fame. She’d always go out on random errands or to grab us late-night snacks.

And, at first, I didn’t mind staying in. I like being at home most of the time. But now, it’s not the lack of going out that gets to me. It’s the lack of options. I’d like thechoiceof going out, even if I ultimately decide to stay in.

So, I started going to the one place that I always know is safe. The company building.

It’s actually a really nice place, with multiple dining options and cafés. There’s a gym and a screening room we can watch movies in. There’s even a bowling alley and arcade in the basement. And it has a convenience store inside that only employees can access where I can use my company points.

I know I sound like a weird advertisement for the joys of the Bright Star Entertainment building, but if there’s only one place I can go to every day, at least it’s a place with a lot of things to do.

Plus, the two things I am always expected to do, even on break, are to keep up my practice and keep up my skincare. And Bright Star even has a skincare clinic in the building. (Insider hint: Celebrities will be in dozens of commercials for miracle products, but the real secret to our flawless skin is almost daily clinic visits.)

Today, I’m antsy, and Sohee is busy with the photo shoot for Kastor’s album jacket. She texted me photos of her outfits this morning. They’re going with a mermaid concept, a play on Kastor being part of the Gemini constellation, known for guiding sailors in the olden days. It’s also why there are six members, because of the six stars in the Castor constellation. I used to love how deeply complicated the concepts were for idol groups. But now, I just get confused trying to memorize all the details for all the new hoobae groups.

Yet more proof that I was probably never truly cut out for being an idol. It’s why I need to safeguard my new life as an actress with everything I have. Even if it means playing nice with Minseok for another couple of months.

“It’s fine, the show is being well-received. You’re doing well,” I whisper to myself.

“Shin Hyeri.” Someone shouts my name and I spin around in surprise.

Did they hear me talking to myself? I’m already mortified before I recognize who was calling me.

Kwak Dongha is standing by the curb wearing a protest sign about “artists ruining the image of Bright Star.” And I know it’s about me.

I take a step back, ready for anything. Food projectiles, spit, even a slap—which has happened to me once before.

He thrusts out a paper, and I skitter back, almost falling on my butt. But he shakes it at me until I finally take it.

It’s a list of my perceived crimes (I’m not explicitly named, but I know it’s about me). I try not to read it, but I spot Kim Ana’s name and the wordsstolen costume. I sigh. Of course he believes the lie. Why wouldn’t he?

I want to ask him to leave me alone, but I just know it will spur him on. So, I just walk away as fast as I can without breaking into a run.

An employee is already coming out of the lobby, having witnessed the situation, and I breathe out a sigh of relief as he ushers me inside.

“You shouldn’t be so shameless!” Dongha shouts after me. “How dare you film a show when you should be reflecting on your bad behavior!”

I can’t help the reflexive hunch of my shoulders as the Bright Star employee uses his bulky arm to shield me and the automatic doors slide shut behind us.

But I can still hear Kwak Dongha shouting outside, even if I can’t hear the words he’s saying.

“Don’t worry, Hyeri-ssi. I’ve already alerted security.”