CHAPTER 195: SUSPENDED

After Ari finished his very detailed complaint to the overly concerned lady on the phone, he handed PD Emily her phone and stared blankly out of the window while she continued driving, the only sound in the car being her fingers tapping the steering wheel.

After a long moment of silence, she finally spoke out.

"You know I have to suspend you from the program. For the foreseeable future."

"Why? None of what she said is true." Ari asked even though he could guess the answer.

After all, what happened today was a mess.

"Don’t ask me stupid questions, you’re smarter than that. This was a public mess; you basically got arrested, your guardian made a lot of problematic accusations and also got arrested, and it ruined the performance opportunity for other contestants. And then I wasted the rest of my day following you around with cops who are wasting my tax dollars because they clearly have nothing better to do, not to mention you yelling at staff members earlier. Today was an entire shit show."

Ari remained silent, as he couldn’t really disagree, but it seemed that PD Emily wanted him to say something, as she began nagging.

"Why so quiet? You usually have something to say. At least I’m not kicking you out of the program, right?"

"I don’t know what the difference is between getting kicked out and suspended?"

"The difference is that as long as your rank is not within the elimination level, I will argue for you to stay on the program; however, you can’t be back on the show until you turn 18, and you have to clear your name yourself since we will not put out a statement. Lucky for you, we’re about to get a little break."

Ari thought over the schedule before getting to the main point.

"But my birthday is in two weeks? I’ll miss the next performance and the elimination that comes after it. And I don’t know if I can clear my name."

"Then withdraw if you don’t want to tough it out. It’ll save me the trouble of going back to argue your case so that you don’t get immediately kicked off."

"I’m not going to withdraw."

"Then pack your things, attend school, clear up your name while avoiding that legal guardian of yours, and wait to be contacted. I don’t plan on letting you go without a fight, so you’ll be back to ’suffering’ as you like to put it during your interviews sooner than you think."

"Why are you being helpful?" Ari couldn’t help but look at the PD suspiciously.

This was somebody who maliciously edited him, twisted his words, and didn’t seem to care if the public hated him, as long as it fit whatever picture she was imagining.

The fact that she was gently given advice, saying she would fight to keep him on, and even trying to comfort him, was...weird.

And unnatural.

"You think I’m being helpful?" PD Emily gave Ari a pitying glance as she pulled into the parking lot before generously giving him a detailed explanation.

"You are a very polarizing, very popular individual who makes great TV without me having to try too hard. Whether or not it was a PR stunt, from the moment you showed up with that strange makeup and mask, doing that strange dance, and even when you finally showed your face, you have constantly been the topic of conversation. There are a few die-hard supporters who love you, many who hate you, but almost all of them can’t stop mentioning you. In all the online communities, there isn’t a day when several posts aren’t being made about you. It’s gotten to a point where you’re mentioned more than the people in the top rankings. When eliminated contestants are interviewed, they’re always asked about you. Even though it hasn’t been officially revealed, people have gone to great lengths to uncover your identity and determine if the photos of your face that were circulated were genuine. They are harassing your school, plastic surgeons, and others to see if it’s real. The raw photo of your face briefly trended and is the most liked photo in all communities to date. The production staff are being bombarded with requests to update your profile picture daily, and we are being asked when your official face reveal will be. Even with today’s incident, the communities are abuzz, digging up information about you and what happened, while a few people are already trying to clear your name. I’m not being helpful; I’m looking out for the ratings of my show using the power that I have to keep one of the most talked about people here, the same way I did for Carlos. Getting rid of you now would devastate the popularity of the show because there’s nobody as controversially popular as you. Your presence alone is bringing in the eyes of those who would normally not even care because they’re curious about the drama."

Ari found himself pretty shocked at the PD’s words.

He knew his rank had risen to at least rank 50 due to him completing a mission on his mission board, but the last time he had checked anything about himself online, it had been pretty negative for the most part, so hearing PD Emily’s words that he was popular was a bit odd.

Of course, it seemed that the popularity was attached to negativity, but still.

"If I’m so popular, why are you always giving me a bad edit?"

"That’s television, baby. People claim they want to see talented kids, but they would never watch if it wasn’t entertaining. And if you didn’t say it, I wouldn’t have anything to edit and show. Besides, I clear it up each time, don’t I?"

Ari: ಠ_ಠ

Not enough!

You’re not clearing it up enough!

Or use someone else as your television drama. Please!

"There’s that judgmental expression of yours again. You said your birthday is April 21st? I’ve never been a person who fits the Aries-Taurus traits perfectly. Such an angry, stubborn personality. Tsk tsk."

At the PD’s mocking words, Ari decided to change the subject.

"Since we’re being generous with me, do you think I’ll be eliminated?"

"If this had been before you removed your mask, I would say you’re absolutely getting eliminated. But now..." PD Emily paused to critically examine the curious face of the boy staring, which was, without a doubt, one of the best-looking faces she had seen in the entertainment industry.

"Your rank will drop, especially because the international audience in Asia hates issues like this, but... you’ll probably survive. Even if you’re not religious, say a prayer of thanks to your parents for giving you an exceptionally beautiful face and charming appearance that people like. And you’re still young, which means that unless something egregious happens, you’ll only get more handsome. I’m actually surprised you haven’t been scouted by now. People pay money for a face like that."

"Ah, I used to get scouted when I was younger, so I usually have my hair covering my face or wear a mask and hat whenever I can. And when I lived in France, nobody really cared, which was nice."

"France, huh. You did say you were a dual citizen. Is that why you have a French accent? You used to live there?" PD Emily asked curiously.

While there were a lot of foreign kids in the program who had an accent, especially from South Korea and Japan, a good number of them tried to speak English with an American accent.

Since day one, Ari had spoken with a very apparent French accent that he never bothered to change.

"Basically. I partially attended school and spent holidays in France, and I learned that people try to bully and treat you badly in France if you have an American accent, but are nicer to you in America if you have a French accent. So, I just stuck to the French one. I can take it off, though." Ari explained, switching to a more neutral accent, "I just don’t bother."

"Huh. Well, keep the French one. It’s part of the reason people like you."

"I know." Ari gave her a cheeky smile, to which the PD just sighed as she rubbed her head, as it began throbbing again.

"Get out of my car. Go get your stuff and get out. Keep an eye on your email and refrain from sharing any information about the situation with anyone. Don’t tell your friends, not your pillow, no one. Got it?"

"Okay." Ari was silent for a moment as he considered holding his tongue, but since they were having an open conversation, he decided to ask what he wanted to anyway.

"You’re not going to ask why what happened today happened?"

"In Hollywood, you have to be careful what kind of questions you ask and who you offend. My interest in you only goes as far as making a good show to satisfy the audience and myself. Anything else is none of my business."

"Okay. After I pack, mind giving me a ride back? I can’t drive, and my ride will still be here." Since he was already pushing his luck, Ari thought he might as well ask.

"Don’t push your luck, contestant Ari. Grab your stuff, don’t say anything to anyone, and call a ride home. We’ll contact you if your suspension is permanent or if anything changes. But please, for the love of god, stay out of trouble and make sure your face heals without a scar!" PD Emily glared at him before intentionally unlocking the car door once more.

It was a sign for him to get out.

"Sure. Sure. Thanks again, PD."

Laughing to himself, Ari entered the surprisingly empty dormitory, packed his small duffel bag, and used the computer room one last time to order a very expensive ride back to the Choi family restaurant.

Ari stood in front of the store for a minute, wondering if he should go in or go somewhere else(not that he had anywhere to go), but before he could move, Grace ran through the door and began speaking as fast as she could without taking a breath.

"Ari! Are you okayArrestedDidyougotojailorgetkickedoutHave youseentheheadlines?"

"I-"

"Icantbelievethathappenedandwhattheheckiswrongwiththatwomanweshouldsuebutareyouofftheprog-"

Thud!

"Ahhhh!"

Before Grace could continue harassing him, a wooden spoon smacked the back of her head, making her squat down and groan with pain.

The culprit of the act of violence slowly walked forward, tucking her wooden spoon into her yellow apron while looking him over and staring at his face once more.

"Stop standing outside like a stranger. Are you hungry?"

As Ari’s stomach rumbled loudly, Ari couldn’t help but laugh.

"I could eat."

"Come take a seat."