Flashbacks tore through her mind like an unrelenting storm the moment she spotted the idol singer.
Mark Lee.
His silhouette stood stark against the hazy light of the parking lot, every movement dragging her unwillingly back into memories she had long buried. Memories of trust, betrayal, and the pang of innocence lost.
Her breath hitched when their eyes met. His dark, familiar gaze seemed to pierce through her, a reminder of the history they shared. That boyish charm remained, the same face that once shone with youthful innocence, now marred by the sharp edge of his choices.
His steps slowed as he neared, a faint smile curling his lips.
"Miss Kwon, thank you for accepting the request," he greeted, his tone polite yet tinged with something deeper—regret, perhaps.
She kept her expression neutral, bowing her head lightly. "Happy to work with you, Mark-ssi."
The exchange was brief. Neither lingered on pleasantries as they joined the staff and producers in the meeting room. Harin forced herself to focus, drawing a line between the professional and personal.
The music they worked on was captivating—a light, airy pop melody about first love. The lyrics were simple yet endearing, a stark contrast to the tension simmering beneath the surface.
Harin applauded the effort Mark and his team had poured into it, keeping her compliments genuine but detached. The meeting concluded smoothly, with smiles and cheers exchanged. A façade of professionalism covered the cracks of their shared past.
But it didn't end there.
"Harin, wait!"
She paused mid-step, one hand resting on her motorcycle's handlebar. Mark jogged toward her, stopping just short of invading her space.
"Hey," he said, voice tentative. "Not gonna lie, I didn't think you'd agree to this project."
"I'm free, and your company's offer was compelling," she replied with a clipped tone. "It's an honor to work with your team."
"Drop the formality, Rin," he said, the use of her nickname striking a nerve.
Her smile vanished, replaced with narrowed eyes and a sharp gaze.
"You could have declined the company's request," she snapped.
Mark's shoulders sagged. "I didn't have a choice. They wanted someone competitive, someone reliable. And you... you were the best option."
"You didn't have a choice?" Her laugh was humorless. "Mark, you had every choice in the world, just like before. And every time, you chose wrong."
His face twisted with regret. "I know I messed up. What I did—"
"What you did," she interrupted, her voice rising, "was beyond a mistake. You stood by and watched Jaehyun tear me apart. Lied to my face, helped him cover up his infidelity. You were my distraction, Mark! My so-called friend. And for what?"
Her anger radiated, carried by the potent pheromones of an alpha scorned. The parking lot echoed with her fury, suffocating in its intensity.
YOU ARE READING
ALPHA UNIVERSE #5: DESIROUS
Fanfiction❝I want you, what you gonna do about it?❞ They said alphas can't date each other. If they do, it'll just be a wreck. Lee Jeno especially believes that. But one day in that raging heat when he came across a female alpha, he only wanted to shut her up...
