Our Long Ending Story

Chapter 17: Take Over

Lisa sighed as she sank into the couch, tucking her feet underneath her. The tension between them was palpable. The media frenzy that had surrounded them lately was hard to escape. Jungkook was sitting across from her, his eyes thoughtful.

"We can't keep hiding, you know," Jungkook said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, but there was a fire in his eyes. "Maybe it's time we take control of the situation."

Lisa looked at him, her eyebrows raised. "What do you mean?"

"I mean..." He sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees. "What if we use all this attention to our advantage? Instead of running from it, we could embrace it."

She tilted her head, intrigued but cautious. "You think that'll work? The media's been brutal. They'll twist anything we say."

Jungkook smiled, that determined glint still in his eyes. "Not if we control the narrative. We do interviews, talk shows, everything. We show people who we really are—not just the versions they make up in headlines."

Lisa chewed on her lip, considering. "You mean, like, do the whole media circuit?"

"Exactly. We tell our story, on our terms."

After a long pause, Lisa sighed again, this time with a hint of a smile. "It's risky... but maybe you're right. We can't hide forever."

Jungkook's face lit up. "Then it's settled. We take control."

A few days later, they found themselves in the sleek studio of a popular talk show, the lights shining down on them as they sat side by side on a plush sofa. The host, a lively woman with bright eyes, was clearly excited.

"So, Jungkook, Lisa," the host began, leaning in with a grin, "you've been in the spotlight a lot lately. How are you handling all that attention?"

Lisa glanced at Jungkook before speaking, her voice steady. "It's been overwhelming, honestly. But we've decided to embrace it. We want people to see the real us—not just the rumors."

Jungkook nodded, adding, "We're using this as a chance to connect with our fans on a deeper level. We want to share our story, our struggles, our joys... and hopefully, people will understand us better."

The host smiled warmly. "It sounds like you two are really taking control of your story. That's inspiring."

Lisa smiled back, feeling more at ease. "We realized we had a choice—we could either let the media control the narrative, or we could do it ourselves."

As the days passed, their schedule became packed with interviews, appearances, and guest spots on various reality shows. Everywhere they went, their goal was the same: to show their true selves.

On one particular reality show, they were asked to redecorate a room together. From the moment the challenge started, their playful bickering began.

"Babe, we are not painting the walls black," Lisa said, crossing her arms, trying to keep a straight face.

"Why not?" Jungkook teased, holding up a paint swatch. "Black is cool."

"Cool?" Lisa laughed. "This is supposed to be a relaxing space, not a cave."

Jungkook grinned. "Okay, okay. What color do you want, then?"

"I'm thinking a nice soft gray. Something calming."

"Gray? Really?" He pretended to groan. "You're too sensible sometimes."

The host, watching the exchange, chuckled. "You two have such great chemistry! It's clear you're more than just a power couple—you're best friends."

Lisa looked at Jungkook, her smile softening. "Well, we've been through enough together to know how to work as a team. Even when he has terrible taste in paint colors."

Jungkook laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Hey, I've got great taste. Just... maybe not in colors."

As their media appearances continued, they began to use their growing platform to promote causes that mattered to them—mental health awareness, charity work, and more. Each appearance further solidified their public image as not just celebrities, but people who cared about making a difference.

During one live interview, a reporter asked Lisa, "You've faced a lot of criticism online. How do you deal with it?"

Lisa didn't miss a beat. With a playful smirk, she replied, "Honestly? It's like water off a duck's back. I know who I am, and I'm not going to let a few negative comments change that. They couldn't get to me before, and they certainly won't now."

The audience erupted into applause, clearly impressed by her confidence. Jungkook watched proudly from beside her, squeezing her hand under the table.

Despite the whirlwind of media attention, Lisa and Jungkook made sure to carve out moments just for themselves. Late one evening, after the lights of their home dimmed and the city outside began to quiet, they sat together on their sofa, sipping tea.

Lisa leaned her head against Jungkook's shoulder, a contented sigh escaping her. "Who would've thought all this chaos would turn out like this?"

Jungkook turned to her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Honestly? I always had a feeling we'd figure it out."

She smiled up at him, her heart full. "I'm really proud of us, you know."

Jungkook's eyes softened as he kissed the top of her head. "Me too. We can handle anything."