Flashing lights dance in my vision, drowning out the evening sky. I don't have a chance to gather my bearings. The moment we step out of the car, fans from beyond the flimsy rope barriers scream and shout to octaves that don't seem possible.

According to Mr. Oh they've been here since mid afternoon, some even camped out in the morning, wanting to stand in the front row. I remember the crowd outside the medical centre being madness, this doesn't feel any less different. 

A line of photographers and news reporters crowd by the front. Their video camera's mirroring my every step. 

"Jina! Jina! How does it feel to be here today at your friend's exclusive suite? Have you been here before?"

"Jina! Look here. You're so pretty, just like Dalia!"

"Do you miss your best friend? Jina! Do you miss her?" 

I walk ahead, keeping my eyes trained on the apartment building's entrance as previously instructed. I was warned by Mr. Oh several times to keep my face sombre the entire time. The most important thing is to not react especially since paparazzi are known for trying to create a scene where celebrities are concerned. 

Except I am not a celebrity, so I try to be more careful than anyone else here. Every step I take is threading on a thin line that leads to my future. Toe the line and I may just make it. Screw up and I don't even want to think of the consequences.

"Jina! When will you be debuting?" 

"Did you know about Dalia's love life? You must have known about her affair."

That one statement throws me off and my head turns before I can stop myself. I look at the skinny woman wearing a suit who is standing next to a camera lens. Her smile widens when she realises she got a reaction out of me. 

Shit. 

"So it's true," She concludes, her voice as delusional as the expression on her face. "I knew it."

Mr Oh steps between us and gestures for me to walk ahead. A silent warning for me to shut the hell up and I oblige, happy to escape the absurd theory that she threw at me. 

There is no way Dalia was seeing someone. She was the most followed person of 2018. No one would have been able to miss a hidden affair. 

I think. 

"What the hell was that? I told you to ignore them," Mr Oh's voice is barely a whisper but the venom in it is enough to send shivers down my spine.

"I'm so sorry. It won't happen again," I try to placate him with a calm smile but my nerves are still buzzing after being under so much attention. I don't think I will ever get used to that feeling.

"It better not," He replies. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he looks just as nervous. I don't blame him. Tonight is a big night for the both of us and Firefly. I still can't believe my name was on the guest list, even our CEO Mr Yang wasn't included. 

The only people invited are close friends and family. 

The roar of voices outside multiplies to thunder and I just know that someone famous has arrived, maybe Dalia's group mates Summer, Maria or Loona. 

The thought fills me with unease. While Firefly sent me here to gain publicity, I have a secret, personal mission of my own. I have to observe them, maybe even mingle with them like Hyeon suggested. 

I can't even imagine the scenario in my head. How the hell am I supposed to get superstars like them to talk to me of all people?

We are guided by the staff here and my heels dig into the plush carpet lining the foyer while we walk towards the set of lifts ahead. Herve Suites is one of the most expensive places to live in the city. 

It has the most extravagant facilities and they have staff ready to wait on their guests 24/7. The place is mostly occupied by very wealthy expats or celebrities. An attendant wearing a deep red and black suit with gold trimmings leads us into the lifts. 

I tap my feet on the smooth marble floor and stare at the warm brown walls making the lift look like it's made of an oak tree. The gold lights above illuminate my reflection in the mirrors around us and it's easy to see how nervous I look. 

The lift door is about to shut when another similarly dressed attendant rushes to stop it. "Is there room for one more?" 

We nod in unison and I hear the sound of heels clanking on the tiled floors. I suck in a breath when none other than Sweet Poison's Summer walks in to join us.

"Thanks, I didn't want to wait for another lift," She smiles at us and we all bow to each other in greeting. 

The male attendant, Mr Oh and I, take turns to stare at her with wide eyes but she barely reacts to our gawking, probably used to it. 

Summer is the leader of Sweet Poison and the centre of the group, meaning her face was deemed the most worthy of publicity from the beginning. And it's easy to see why. Aside from flawless porcelain skin, her features are classically beautiful for a Korean - small face, V-shaped jaw, straight eyebrows framing large doe eyes. 

Her long hair has been died platinum blonde and it reaches her waist line, falling against her back like silk. She isn't as tall as me but she currently stands the tallest here in those six inch platform heels of hers. 

"Pleasure to meet you," Mr Oh says excitedly, his face as pink as a baby pig. 

"Mine as well," She replies in a practiced way that makes me think she's said those exact words a million times before. "How do you know, Dalia?"

Mr. Oh turns to me and my chest constricts when her gaze falls on me. 

"We grew up together," I answer quickly.

"Ahh, you are the childhood friend in the news," She murmurs knowingly. I'm surprised she even remembered. "Nice to meet someone from Dalia's past." 

It might just be me imagining things but I could have sworn her tone turned sour after mentioning Dalia's name. 

She is about to turn around, seemingly done with the conversation but Mr. Oh isn't ready to lose her attention. 

"Jina's going to debut soon. Probably in the fall," He gestures to me again and she eyes us, looking bored. 

"That's nice," She murmurs. She's staring at us but her mind is obviously  elsewhere. 

Mr. Oh can't seem to get the hint and this lift ride feels like it's taking forever. "Do you have any advice? It would be an honour, coming from such a successful singer." 

Her eyes narrow at him. To be honest she doesn't look as friendly anymore, especially after realising who I am. 

"All I can say is enjoy it while it lasts. This industry is very unpredictable." 

Mr. Oh is at a loss for words and he looks confused but her words only remind me of the contracts Hyeon showed me the other day. Could she be talking about herself?

Thankfully, the lift chimes once we have reached the top floor penthouse suite. The attendant has to key in a separate passcode to access this floor and we hear a soft chime before the lift doors slide open. 

Summer walks out first, seemingly at ease like she has been here before. I'm much more careful and I wait for Mr. Oh to exit the lift ahead of me. A line of camera's greet us first and there are already a few reporters waiting here. 

They attack Summer immediately with their questions and no one pays much attention to us because of it. Thankfully, this allows me to take in my surroundings instead. 

I've never been to Dalia's private suite. We barely met after she catapulted into stardom, our only interactions were scarce phone conversations.

A chill crawls down my spine when I look around the dark grey accent walls. Every wall is a different shade of grey fading to black, giving this entire apartment a macabre feel. It doesn't help that it's owner died in this very place only weeks ago. 

Large paintings line the walls, most of them remind me of those Rorschach inkblot tests psychiatrists use. It's no secret Dalia loved everything morbid. She was obsessed with serial killer documentaries and she picked a stage name after a famous murder victim. She wrote dark sometimes disturbing lyrics but her genius made them highly addictive. 

Even this place feels like a mystery. I want to study every painting, every unique piece of furniture to figure out how her brain worked. 

We walk into the living room and I immediately remember the images of the area cordoned off by yellow tape when the investigation had been carried out. Dalia's case had been closed within a week. 

The police had been under a lot of pressure to give answers due to the mass hysteria created by her death and her suicide note had sealed the case almost immediately. 

I can't believe I am starting to think more like Hyeon but I can't help but feel like they rushed the entire investigation due to pressure from the public and the higher ups who wanted to put a lid on something drawing so much attention.

We join the few guests in the living room and I see Dalia's parents by the refreshment table. Mr and Mr's Yang smile at their guests but their eyes are empty and lifeless. They look like they haven't slept in days. 

"Jina, nice to see a familiar face." Mrs Yang smiles politely when I approach her. "Dalia, would be happy to see you here." 

My heart clenches when she says that because I will never really know now. Would she have been happy to see me? 

I've always envisioned becoming an idol, going to events and then meeting Dalia as a fellow idol on an equal playing field. She would smile and wave at me proudly and maybe that moment would be caught on camera, for me to cherish forever. 

We would be idol friends who hung out together and we would visit our hometown often, both making our community proud with our achievements. 

The realisation that none of this will ever happen makes me feel strangely empty. 

Mrs Yang squeezes my hand, noticing my distress and I try to recollect myself. "Thank you for having me. I wish I were here under different circumstances," I say honestly. 

The pain in her eyes twists my gut and I just have to get away from here. 

"Please help yourselves with refreshments. We will pay our last respects once everyone else has arrived." Mr Yang gestures to the long table by the wall, piled with an assortment of finger foods. 

Just then, Mr. Oh spots someone he knows and he rushes off to talk to them. 

Not knowing what to do, I walk to the table of refreshments and pour myself a cup of coffee. I look around at all the people dressed in black, mostly celebrities and socialites who stand around making small talk. 

I don't what it is but being here has weighed me down with sadness. It feels like a physical weight on my chest. I need to distract myself. 

My finger taps the edge of my styrofoam cup as I look around, observing everyone here. My eyes immediately fall on Maria when she enters the room, her long straight black hair covering half of her face. Her eyes lock with Summer's and they share a look which peaks my curiosity. 

She greets Dalia's parents but then I notice she leaves the living room immediately. And then I notice Summer walking in the same direction. 

I turn to Mr Oh and he's too busy conversing with a tall man who looks like a politician I've seen in the news. 

I then take this opportunity to weave through the crowd and follow them.