Fell In Love With Kai

Chapter 16: Shadows of Doubt

As Kai ended the call with the director, little did he know that Nora had overheard the conversation. The weight of his words echoed in her mind, leaving her heart heavy with a mix of emotions. Nora, unable to process the whirlwind of feelings, stumbled upon the news articles speculating about their relationship.

Kai: (hangs up the phone, visibly distressed) "This is a disaster."

Nora: (enters the room, sensing tension) "Kai, what's happening? The director seemed upset."

Kai: (pauses, then confesses) "Nora, there's no easy way to say this. The media thinks we're dating, and it's spreading like wildfire."

Nora: (shocked) "Dating? But we're just friends, right?"

Kai: (hesitates) "There's more to it. Baekhyun, when he was drunk, let something slip. He told you the truth – that I have feelings for you."

Nora: (stares at Kai, eyes welling up) "Feelings? Why didn't you tell me, Kai?"

Kai: (regretful) "I didn't know how to, and I never expected it to blow up like this."

Nora: (voice breaking) "This is too much, Kai. I trusted you, and now everything is falling apart."

Kai: (helpless) "Nora, please listen. I care about you, and I didn't want our friendship to be ruined. But now it's all out there, and I can't control it."

Nora: (tears streaming down) "I can't handle this. Our friendship, the rumors, your feelings... It's overwhelming."

Kai: (regretful) "I never meant for you to get hurt. I'm sorry, Nora."

The revelation hit her hard. The contrast between Kai's public image and his private confession left her torn. As she scrolled through the sensationalized headlines, doubt and anxiety crept in. The realization that her quiet life had been thrust into the unforgiving spotlight overwhelmed her.

Unable to face the brewing storm, Nora decided to retreat. She left work abruptly, her car becoming a refuge as she sought solace in the confines of her home. Skippping responsibilities, she found herself in a state of confusion, grappling with her own emotions and the implications of Kai's revelation.

Meanwhile, the news of Kai's interview reached the other EXO members, who were equally concerned about the fallout from the media frenzy. Minji, witnessing Nora's distress, tried to provide comfort and support.

Minji: "Nora, we'll get through this. Kai cares about you, and we'll find a way to navigate this storm together."

Back in the public eye, Kai faced a barrage of questions during interviews meant to clarify the situation. However, instead of denying the feelings he expressed to the director, he chose a different path.

Interviewer: "Kai, can you address the dating rumors with Nora?"

Kai: "I want to be clear. Nora is someone special to me, but our relationship is private. I won't let the public dictate how I feel about someone I care about. I won't deny the truth."

This unexpected turn only fueled the media circus, intensifying the scrutiny on both Kai and Nora. The contrasting responses of private emotions and public statements added layers to the unfolding drama, leaving everyone involved in the shadows of doubt and uncertainty.