Chapter 9: The Search Begins
The YMY conference room was unusually quiet as Minho stood before his team, gripping a printed copy of Lili's viral story. He looked tired, not from sleepless nights filming—but from the weight of regret.
"I want to meet her," he finally said.
"Sir, the fans are still talking about the photo. If we fly you to the Philippines now, it might cause chaos," his manager warned.
"I don't care about chaos," Linho replied. "She lost her job… her peace… because of a moment that I should've protected."
The team fell silent. They had never seen him like this before—soft, determined, personal.
"We can try to contact her directly," one staff member offered. "Through the site where she uploads her stories."
Linho's eyes lit up slightly. "Do it. Tell her I want to meet. No cameras. No press. Just… me and her."
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Back in Baguio, Lili sat by the market waiting for taho, her laptop on her lap as she drafted Chapter 10. Her heart was lighter each day she wrote, but the wound still throbbed whenever she reread old comments—both hate and love.
Then her inbox blinked.
A private message.
From an official YMY account.
"Lili Marquez, this is Kang Linho's team. He would like to meet you."
She stared at the screen. Her hands went cold.
Was this a joke?
Or… could it be real?
Before she could even respond, her phone buzzed. A call from an international number.
She hesitated… then answered.
"Hello?"
A voice she'd only heard through dramas and interviews spoke gently.
"Lili… it's me. Linho."