Gangster to Idol

But even as she defended him to others, a small, nagging voice deep down whispered a question she didn't want to answer.

What if there was something more she didn't know? Would she be ready to face that truth?

But the rest of the world had already made up their minds.

The image of C.C. as the misunderstood rebel had been shattered in an instant. Now, they were painting him as something else—something Mimi couldn't stand to read.

An oblivious womanizer.

Mimi's heart raced as she watched the episode play out, her emotions in turmoil.

And right now, the growing disparity between her and C.C. felt like an ever-widening chasm.

C.C. was destined to become an idol; Mimi was sure of it. He was rising fast, becoming someone the world would soon know.

But what about her? What was her path?

She would be a lawyer—yes, that was certain. But by the time she reached that goal, C.C. would be in a different world entirely, one filled with stardom and fame.

They would be separated by fame and fortune, living in two different universes.

How could she ever bridge the gap between them?

Mimi let out a shaky breath, trying to comfort herself.

I'll just be his lawyer someday, she reasoned.

After all, being an idol came with its own set of problems, right? Legal issues, contracts, media controversies—he'd need someone to handle all that, and she could be the one to help him. That way, she could still be by his side, even if from a distance.

It was a great idea. It gave her hope.

But then . . .

Mimi froze, her thoughts grinding to a halt as something unsettling crept into her mind. A realization so stark, it hit her like a cold wave crashing against the shore.

Was she falling in love with C.C.?

Her chest tightened as the question echoed in her mind. It was absurd, wasn't it?

How could she be falling for someone she barely knew?

She had only met him once—briefly, fleetingly—and now her connection to him was mostly through a screen.

How was that even possible?

Her hands trembled slightly as she pressed them against her knees, trying to steady herself. It's not love, she told herself. It can't be.

She was just a fan, caught up in the whirlwind of emotions that came from watching someone rise to fame.

What she was feeling—it wasn't real. It was idolization, admiration, nothing more. That had to be it.

She didn't want C.C. to be her boyfriend. That was ridiculous.

Besides, there was Sheryl—her best friend, her sister in all but blood. She couldn't let something like this come between them.

Sheryl's crush on C.C. was obvious, and if Mimi allowed herself to fall for him too, it would ruin everything. She would ruin the Girl Code.

The thought twisted inside her, making her feel guilty, like she was betraying Sheryl just by thinking about it.

"No," she repeated in her mind, more forcefully now. "It's not love. It's just admiration. I don't want him like that. I can't."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

But even as she told herself this, the truth whispered in the back of her mind—a truth she wasn't ready to face. A truth that left her heart racing and her thoughts in chaos.

Because deep down, she knew this wasn't just admiration.

This was something more.

=== 🎶 ===

Morning came, but Mimi hadn't slept a wink. She had spent the entire night replaying RRR Episode 3 in her mind, unable to shake the image of C.C. from her thoughts.

When she opened the restaurant, her body moved on autopilot, but her mind was lost somewhere else entirely.

As usual, Cain was early. He slouched into his usual spot, ordering the same meal as always. Meanwhile, Mimi, feeling more like a robot than herself, mechanically prepared his food.

When she brought the dish to his table, Cain immediately noticed something off. "What's wrong with you?" he asked, eyeing her dark circles and the exhaustion weighing down her expression.

Mimi's gaze lingered on Cain for a moment. She studied his face, her thoughts distant as she compared him to the image of C.C. in her mind.

Cain's long hair was a mess, sticking to his sweat-soaked skin. Tattoos snaked up his arms, exposed by the sleeveless shirt he always wore. His face, dry and chapped, was partially hidden beneath the tangled strands of hair, and his whole demeanor screamed trouble. He devoured his food like it was his last meal, uncaring of how he appeared. He was like a pig without class.

So different from C.C.

C.C. was refined, polished—always a gentleman. His voice was kind, warm, while Cain's words often felt like they were daring someone to pick a fight.

Without warning, Mimi sat down in front of Cain and shoved her phone toward him, showing him a scene from Episode 3. It was the moment C.C. comforted Rhea, a moment that had been playing over and over in her mind since last night.

"What do you think their relationship is?" she asked, her voice a mix of desperation and confusion. Maybe Cain's viewpoint could clear the fog in her mind.

Cain was caught off guard, blinking at the phone. Right, Episode 3 had aired last night. He glanced at the screen, then away, muttering under his breath, "W-what about it?"

"Just tell me what you think," Mimi insisted, her voice sharper now. "Do you think this guy is hitting on her?"

Cain slammed his hands on the table. "Of course not," he snapped, his voice louder than intended.

His reaction startled Mimi, and for a moment, silence hung between them like a heavy cloud. He quickly composed himself, leaning back in his chair. "He's just comforting her," he added, more calmly this time.

Mimi's face brightened instantly, her tension easing. "Right? I knew it. People on the forums are saying he's some oblivious womanizer, but C.C. is just a genuinely nice guy. He wouldn't ignore someone in need."

Cain gritted his teeth, barely containing his frustration. Is that how they see me now? he thought, a bitter taste forming in his mouth.

Fifi's voice chimed in his mind, mocking him. "I told you not to get too close to women. Your image is already in shambles."

Cain ignored her, his jaw clenched, and asked Mimi, "Why are you suddenly so interested in a show like this?"

Mimi blinked, caught off guard by the question. For a moment, she realized just how strange she must have seemed. She stood abruptly, brushing off her nervousness. "It's nothing," she said, her tone rushed. "My friends are just really into it, that's all." Your next chapter awaits on empire

But even as she walked away, her heart raced, knowing deep down there was more to it than that—much more.