If You

Emily finished transferring her notes into her laptop and closed it with a sigh. She got up and stretched, checking the clock hanging on the wall. Ten-thirty. And I've got to be up early tomorrow. She groaned and went to the kitchen to make some tea. The press release sat on the counter and Emily glanced at it as she got a mug down. Jiyong had his arms around her and she was looking off to one side, laughing. Did he say something funny? she wondered. Jiyong was smiling down at her, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. At least it wasn't some fashiony photoshoot in a high-end studio. She took her tea to her bedroom, sipping it carefully.

As she climbed into bed her mind returned to the sinister letters she kept getting. It was getting harder to keep it a secret, especially when it was starting to scare her. Maybe it'll stop on its own, she told herself, turning out her light.


******


Three months later


Emily was watching Gone With the Wind in her living room when there was a knock on the door. “Who is it?” she called.

“Seunghyun.”

“It's open.”

Seunghyun came in and Emily smiled at him. “Sit down,” she said, patting the cushion beside her. He settled in comfortably. “What are you watching?” he asked.

“Gone With the Wind. Wanna watch it with me? I only started it a few minutes ago.”

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Okay.” Emily paused the movie. “What's up?” she asked, setting the remote down. Seunghyun reached into his jacket and pulled out a creased envelope. He waved it at her and Emily's heart dropped. “So you know what this is?” he asked.

“Where did you get that?” Emily whispered.

“Sagowa's office. It was sticking out of a drawer and I was going to ignore it, until I saw your name on it.”

“You shouldn't have taken it,” she said accusingly.

“You shouldn't have kept it from us,” he countered. “Why did you?”

“Because…” Emily sighed. “I don't know. Maybe I wanted to handle it myself, or maybe I was just too scared.”

Seunghyun leaned toward her. “You don't have to be scared, Emily,” he said gently. “Nothing's going to happen to you.”

“Did you tell the others?” Emily asked.

“Not yet. I think you should do it.”

Emily shook her head. “Why? The letters stopped over a month ago. Whoever was sending them lost interest.”

“We can't protect you if you don't talk to us,” Seunghyun reminded her.

“I don't need protecting!” Emily snapped. “I'm a grown woman who's perfectly capable of taking care of herself!”

“Emily, sometimes fans get really crazy and even attempt to hurt idols. We've seen it happen before. I'm not saying you're helpless,” he said, forestalling her, “but you've got to trust me on this.”

Emily pursed her lips. “Fine. Talk to Sagowa if you want, but please don't say anything to the others. Jiyong's less than a month from dropping the album and I can't put anything else on him right now.”

Seunghyun shook his head. “Okay, but if you get anything else, we're telling them.”

“Deal.” They shook hands and Emily hugged her knees to her chest. “Do you want some popcorn?”

“Always,” he replied, grinning at her.


******


Jiyong collapsed on his bed, groaning loudly. “Jiyong, I think there's a dying whale in your room,” Seungri called. Jiyong rolled his eyes. “Very funny,” he yelled back. Seungri came into the room. “Wow, that's one ugly whale,” he teased. Jiyong threw a shoe at him and he dodged easily, grinning. “Go away,” Jiyong moaned, rolling onto his side.

“Long day?” Seungri asked, leaning against the door frame.

“I can't get the last track to sound right and I still have to shoot two music videos, but all I want to do is sleep for a week.”

Seungri sat on the bed. “Why don't you let Emily listen to it?” he suggested. Jiyong rolled over to look at him. “Why?” he asked

“Well, for one, you haven't seen her in almost two weeks.”

Jiyong groaned again. “I know, I know. Is she mad?”

“What? No, you need a break from the studio and a fresh pair of ears. Emily can give you both.”

Jiyong nodded. “You may have a point,” he admitted.

“Of course I do.”


******


Someone knocked on Emily's door and she went to answer it, licking pancake batter off her fingers. She opened the door and smiled hugely. “Jiyong! What a great surprise!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and for the first time in months Emily felt safe. “Come in,” she said, pulling him into the apartment.

“I brought you these,” he said, handing her a bouquet of flowers, “to apologize for ignoring you over the last two weeks.”

“They're beautiful!” Emily exclaimed, breathing in their scent. “Though you don't have anything to apologize for. I know you're busy with the album.”

“That doesn't make it okay,” Jiyong insisted. “Which is why I want to spend the entire day with you.” He sniffed the air. “I think something's burning.”

“My pancakes!” Emily screeched, dashing into the kitchen. She scooped her pancakes out of the skillet, the bottom sides blackened beyond saving. Jiyong followed her into the kitchen and chuckled. “I've never seen someone look so devastated over breakfast,” he said, shaking his head. He came over to her and kissed her on the forehead. “At least you didn't set the kitchen on fire.”

Emily whacked him with her spatula and he laughed. “Come on, I'll take you to breakfast.”

They left the apartment and drove downtown, the sun reflecting sharply off of the sleek car. Emily's mind wandered back to the letters and she frowned, chewing her lip as she stared out the window.

“Are you okay?” Jiyong asked.

“Mm-hm,” Emily replied absently. “Just thinking.”

“About what?”

Emily's mind raced frantically. “About the album,” she lied. “Did you finish the last track yet?”

“Not yet,” Jiyong sighed, turning down a side street. “I was hoping you'd give it a listen?”

“Sure,” Emily agreed, “but I doubt I'll be much help.”

Jiyong dug his phone out of his pocket and Emily put his headphones on. She hit play and leaned back, closing her eyes as she listened. The song was catchy, but Emily could tell it was far from finished. She pulled the headphones down. “I like the song,” she began, “but there's… something about it.”

“I agree, but what?” Jiyong mused, pulling up in front of the restaurant.

“I think it's too busy. It sounds like you've got a lot of instruments and sounds going on at once. Maybe you just need to cut back.”

The valet opened the doors and they got out, Jiyong giving him his keys. “Maybe,” he admitted, “though I might just take it off the album altogether. I don't want to release a song I'm not happy with.” He opened the door for her and they entered the restaurant. It was fairly large and very fashionable, the open dining room filled with beautifully set tables and modern art. They were given a secluded table in a room near the back. They sat down and Emily thought for a moment. “I think you're pushing yourself too hard,” she said, opening her menu. “Sometimes you have to take a step back from things to get a fresh perspective.”

Jiyong yawned and Emily raised an eyebrow. “Are you sleeping?” she asked concernedly.

“Don't worry about me,” he said dismissively. “How's the book coming along?”

“It'd be better if someone would show up for his interviews,” Emily said meaningfully.

“After the album drops you can interview me all day long,” Jiyong promised. He glanced up at her. “Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”

“You're not getting out of this,” Emily persisted. “I'll follow you around the studio if I have to.”

“Then I'd be too distracted to work,” Jiyong countered. Emily laughed just as the waiter came to take their order. As the meal progressed Emily felt herself slowly beginning to relax. She hadn't realized how on edge she'd been, but Jiyong's quick wit and easy smile were like a balm to her tense nerves. I've been obsessing over nothing, she thought, smiling at him.

After breakfast they walked outside and waited for the valet to bring the car around. After several minutes the head valet approached him, a nervous look on his face. “Sir, I'm afraid someone has vandalized your car,” he said hesitantly.

“What?!” Jiyong said incredulously. “What do you mean, vandalized?”

“It appears that someone spray painted some sort of message on your windshield,” the valet said, mopping his forehead.

“Bring my car right now!” Jiyong demanded. The valet glanced at Emily. “Sir, allow me to call a service to take your car to be cleaned. May I call you a taxi?”

“My car,” Jiyong said flatly. “Bring my car.”

The valet sighed and disappeared around the corner. Jiyong folded his arms angrily. “How could someone break into a private parking garage and spray paint my car?!” he huffed. Emily put an arm around him and they waited for the valet’s return. Finally they saw Jiyong's Lamborghini creep around the corner and Jiyong gasped. “It's worse than I thought,” he groaned, running his hands through his hair. The car stopped in front of them and Emily's blood ran cold. Across the windshield in bright yellow paint were words she knew almost by heart: FOREIGN WITCH. It was written in Korean and English, leaving no room for misinterpretation. Across the windows TRAITOR was written in even bigger letters. Emily felt all of her fear crash down on her again, rooting her to the spot. She glanced at Jiyong. He was silent, still absorbing it as he walked around his car. He stopped at the back, reading silently. “Emily,” he called, waving her over. Emily found her feet and joined him behind the car. There was a third message painted on the back window: I'M COMING FOR YOU.

Emily covered her mouth, her fear escalating into panic as she stared at the car. She turned away quickly, trying to calm down.

“Emily,” Jiyong said. He tried to put his arms around her and she recoiled instinctively. A crowd was beginning to gather and Jiyong snapped his fingers at the valet, summoning him. “Take the car back and call a taxi,” he whispered. The valet bowed and got in the car, starting it quickly.

They got closer this time, Emily thought, trembling slightly. They were right outside. They could be watching me right now.

“Emily,” Jiyong repeated. “Come on, let's wait inside.” He put an arm around her and guided her back into the restaurant. “You're shaking,” he said, sitting beside her. “Nothing's going to happen to you,” he whispered. “Fans just get… a little crazy sometimes.”

Emily squeezed her eyes shut and tried to regulate her breathing, but she couldn't quell the panic coursing through her. The taxi arrived and Emily got up woodenly, everything swirling around her disjointedly. They got in and the taxi pulled away, honking at the curious bystanders blocking its way.

“This is more than just the car, isn't it?” Jiyong said. Emily didn't answer, her throat suddenly tight. “What's going on, Emily?” he asked.

“I… I don't know,” she replied. “I thought this had…” she stopped, pressing her fingers to her lips. “I should've told you months ago, but I didn't think it was a big deal.”

“A big deal? Has someone been threatening you?” Jiyong demanded.

“There were… several letters,” Emily admitted. “I thought it was just a disgruntled fan, and I didn't want to worry you for no reason.”

“I'm more than worried,” Jiyong growled. “How could you not tell me? Do you think I could bear it if something happened to you?”

“I'm sorry!” Emily replied. “I was just… so afraid.”

Jiyong frowned. “Afraid of me?” he asked quietly. Emily shook her head. “No,” she whispered, taking his hand. “Never.”

Jiyong sighed loudly. “Did you tell anyone?” he asked.

“Sagowa knew from the start. Seunghyun found out accidentally a few days ago. Don't be mad,” she said quickly, “He tried to convince me to tell you, but the letters had stopped weeks ago and I thought it was over.”

They arrived at the YG ENTERTAINMENT building and Jiyong paid the driver. “Emily, I'm not angry,” he said, “not with you, anyway. I just wish you hadn't gone through this alone.” They got out and entered the building, Emily holding Jiyong's hand tightly.

Notes

Hey guys!!

Sorry it's been a little while, I had some major writer's block lol. More updates coming soon!