In a world where dreams and fame collide, Naeun is a hardworking freelance model trying to balance her studies while secretly in love with Taemin, the rising star of SHINee. Their romance began when he was just a trainee and grew stronger as he prep...
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☾ ⋆･ﾟ:⋆･ﾟ:✧⋆.:･ﾟ✧.: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆ ☾
Taemin's POV,
I had sent countless messages to Naeun throughout the morning, my worry growing with each passing minute of silence. I tried to focus on my practice, but the unease was gnawing at me. The studio, usually a place of focus and preparation, now felt like a cage—trapping me in my own thoughts.
I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. My hands were trembling as I paused during rehearsal, trying to shake off the mounting dread. My phone sat next to me, a persistent reminder of the unanswered texts. Then, Jihoon's message popped up in the group chat, and my heart sank.
'Can someone check on Naeun? She still hasn't come into work.'
My breath caught in my throat as I read the message. If Jihoon was worried, then this wasn't just my overthinking. Something had to be seriously wrong.
As if on cue, Jihoon's name flashed across my screen, an incoming call that sent my heart pounding.
"Taemin, did you see the group message?" Jihoon's voice was thick with worry. "Naeun hasn't shown up to her shoot, and no one can reach her. She's not responding to any of our calls or texts."
I tried to keep my voice steady. "She didn't respond to you either? Have you asked Bomi or Chorong?"
"I asked Bomi, but she's not in Seoul right now. Chorong and I are both stuck in Los Angeles, and Namjoo's on urgent leave." His frustration was palpable, the distance making the situation feel even more helpless.
I knew what Jihoon wasn't saying. He needed someone in Seoul to check on Naeun, and there was no one left.
"Don't worry," I said, my voice firmer than I felt. "I'll try calling her again. If she doesn't pick up, I'll head over."
Jihoon's sigh of relief was audible. "Thank you, Taemin."
As soon as I hung up, the panic surged again. I dialed her number repeatedly, each ring tightening the knot in my chest. Why wasn't she answering?
When she finally did, her voice was barely more than a whisper.
"Naeun..." I breathed her name, relief flooding in for a moment before the worry crept back in. "Are you okay? Where are you right now?"
Her voice was so faint, I had to strain to hear. "I'm home," she rasped. "I don't... feel well."
The panic that had been simmering exploded into full-blown fear. "Naeun, stay with me. I'm coming over right now."
But before I could get any more words out, the line went dead. "Naeun?" I called out again, but all I heard was the faint sound of her breathing, and then—nothing. Silence.
