"Okay, we're here." The sound of Hansol's voice broke the silence that had hung heavy over the 30-minute car ride. The hum of the engine, paired with the soft indie music playing in the background, had been oddly comforting to Nabi. She hadn't minded the quiet—it felt like a peaceful bubble, one where the world outside could fade away for a while. But now, as they approached their destination, that peaceful bubble was about to burst, and Nabi couldn't quite shake the somber feeling creeping in. It was almost as if both of them had been dreading the inevitable end to their quiet comfort.
She glanced out the window, her eyes widening at the sight of the venue that lay before her—a grand ballroom perched atop a hill, its elegant architecture bathed in soft golden light. How on earth could they afford this place? And yet, what caught her attention most was the club-like lighting seeping through the windows, the fusion of lavish decor and vibrant energy immediately drawing her in. It was a perfect blend of sophistication and youthful rebellion—something Nabi would undoubtedly have to make a mental note of for future projects.
Hansol continued driving up toward the entrance, eventually reaching the black metal gates. He rolled down the window, handing over his ID to the security guard standing outside. When the man scanned his ID and paused, Hansol hesitated, almost as though he wasn't entirely sure about what to say next. His fingers twitched nervously.
"And your guest?" the guard asked, his tone matter-of-fact.
There was an odd, almost imperceptible moment of hesitation from Hansol. Nabi could feel the tension in his body, and she couldn't help but look at him, her eyes silently urging him to speak up.
"Park Nabi," he muttered, clearly not thrilled about saying her name out loud. After the guard wrote her name down, the gates slowly opened, and the two of them were granted entry.
The courtyard stretched out before them, stunning in its simplicity, and for a moment, Nabi was too distracted by the beauty of the place to think about anything else. Her eyes sparkled as they took in the lush surroundings, the excitement of being here momentarily overwhelming her. She couldn't help but marvel at the atmosphere—elegant yet approachable, the kind of place she had only ever seen in magazines.
But Hansol's voice cut through the moment like a sudden breeze, his words carrying a sincerity she hadn't expected.
"Sorry, I just—I guess I want to protect you. I know you don't need it, but who knows who could get their hands on the guest list and start something, you know?"
Nabi turned to look at him, her lips curving into a smile. She hadn't been expecting that, but somehow it warmed her heart more than it probably should've.
"Why, thank you!" she said with a soft giggle. Hansol's face lit up, and his genuine smile made her feel as though the nerves that had slowly been building up inside her were beginning to dissolve. As awkward as Hansol could be, especially in group settings, something about being with her made him lighter, freer. It was like a switch had been flipped—the Hansol she was getting to know was positive, charismatic, a little like a version of himself he rarely allowed to shine.
"Woah..." she muttered, her voice tinged with awe as the venue loomed ever closer.
"Crazy, right?" Hansol chuckled, glancing at her. He'd seen this place every year, but seeing her reactions to the venue made him realize just how extraordinary it all seemed. She was clearly entranced, and it made him feel almost proud. "You guys seriously do this every year?" she asked, her tone full of wonder as they neared the ornate staircase leading up to the entrance.
"Every year," he replied. "Luckily, I'm only in charge of the guest list with the rest of the hip-hop unit, so it's light work." He turned off the car engine, but before Nabi could comment, the door opened with smooth precision by a worker, ushering them both out of the vehicle.
As they stepped out into the crisp night air, Hansol moved closer, and for the first time, Nabi's nervous jitters seemed to vanish. She couldn't explain why, but the way the warm lighting fell over his face made him look—well, perfect. He seemed almost otherworldly, like he belonged in the soft glow surrounding them.
Just before they climbed the first step of the grand staircase, Hansol leaned in closer, his voice lowering to a soft whisper. "Don't worry. I used to be nervous the first few years. I'll introduce you to someone I think you'll like, though."
Nabi's heartbeat slowed, a small sense of relief washing over her. "Thank goodness," she whispered back, her voice laced with gratitude. "But... do you think I could just linger around you until then?"
They continued their ascent up the steps, with Hansol flashing a soft nod at her request, one that made her feel even more grounded in this new, chaotic world she was about to step into. At the entrance, Hansol showed his recently attached pin to the guard, and Nabi's eyes caught the Seventeen logo stitched onto his suit jacket.
She suddenly realized the magnitude of what she was walking into. This wasn't just another celebrity party—it was an exclusive event, tightly secured, with a level of secrecy that made it feel like she was stepping into the inner circle of royalty. With so much paparazzi around, the security was understandable, but still, the atmosphere felt almost too surreal for her to wrap her head around.
The doors opened before them, revealing the chaos inside—a ballroom full of dancing, eating, and talking people, the low hum of chatter mixing with the sound of clinking glasses. Though she'd been to lavish events before, this was different. This felt like something out of a movie—a room full of the most important people in South Korea. The combined wealth, the status, the elegance... it was all too much. And for a split second, she felt small.
"Yeah, of course. Just hold on. I don't want to lose you," Hansol said, his voice warm and reassuring. Before she could even process his words, he gently grabbed her hand, leading her through the crowd. The press of bodies and the growing number of guests couldn't stop him from guiding her through the swarm like a protective force, as though he were the only thing anchoring her in this sea of unfamiliar faces.
They moved effortlessly through the crowd, the feeling of his hand holding hers grounding her in a way she hadn't expected. It wasn't long before they were interrupted by a figure who seemed to materialize out of thin air, and Nabi's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Hansol sighed, clearly not thrilled with the interruption.
The man standing in front of them was tall, with an easy confidence about him that made it clear he was someone of importance in this world. His doe-like eyes scanned Nabi, a smirk playing on his lips. His presence exuded charm, and when he spoke, it was as if his voice carried a kind of weight that made everyone listen.
"What? Be glad it's me who saw you first, not one of the others." His voice was smooth, almost too smooth, and Nabi felt a chill run down her spine.
Hansol's expression darkened slightly, and after a beat of silence, he forced a smile and gestured toward Nabi. "Josh, this is Nabi. Nabi, this is Joshua, my co-member."
Joshua's grin widened as he extended his hand to Nabi. "Nice to meet you! Has she met Yeon yet?" His enthusiasm was palpable, and the sudden shift in his focus made Nabi's eyebrow twitch.
"Yeon? You mean Jiyeon?" she blurted out, before quickly covering her mouth in embarrassment.
Joshua's eyes widened. "Yeah! So you have—"
Nabi waved her hands frantically, cutting him off. "No, no! It was everywhere in the news last year, you know, with the dating rumors..." she trailed off, her face flushing slightly as she realized how awkward the conversation had become.
Hansol's lips pressed into a tight line, a half-smile curving his mouth. "I was actually going to introduce Nabi to Yeon," he said quickly, before wrapping an arm around her waist, steering her away from the conversation. He flashed Joshua a grin, but there was something tight about it, almost as though he were in a rush to get away from the exchange.
With Joshua's chuckle echoing behind them, Hansol and Nabi swiftly moved through the crowd, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air, neither of them knowing quite what to make of what had just happened.
