𝗛𝗢𝗧 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗵𝘆𝘂𝗰𝗸 || 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗪

𝙄𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙙

Two weeks had passed since the intense night of the charity concert. Despite the heightened security, Hope's confidence was slowly rebuilding, thanks in no small part to the support of Mark and Haechan. The memory of the kiss with Mark lingered in the back of her mind, complicating her emotions further, especially with Haechan's increasing presence.

Hope had a day off, a rare luxury she intended to enjoy to its fullest. She decided to spend the afternoon at a quiet cafe downtown, hoping for a moment of normalcy. To her surprise, Mark and Haechan both insisted on accompanying her, albeit for different reasons.

"Ready to relax?" Haechan asked as they settled into a cozy corner of the cafe, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.

"Definitely," Hope replied, taking a sip of her latte. "I needed this."

Mark sat across from them, his gaze flicking between the two. "It's good to see you smiling again."

Hope smiled, but she couldn't ignore the tension between her two companions. She knew she had to address the kiss with Mark, but she didn't want to hurt Haechan either.

As they chatted, Hope noticed a group of fans starting to gather outside the cafe. She sighed, knowing her peaceful afternoon was about to be interrupted.

"Looks like we've been spotted," Mark said, his tone light but his eyes watchful.

Haechan chuckled. "Guess we're too famous for our own good."

Hope smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Let's finish up and head out before it gets too crazy."

They quickly finished their drinks and headed for the back exit. As they walked down the alley, Hope felt a sense of déjà vu. The narrow street reminded her of the times she'd had to dodge paparazzi or overenthusiastic fans.

Suddenly, Mark's phone buzzed. He checked it and frowned. "We've got a problem."

Hope's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"

"Security just reported a suspicious person near your house," Mark said, his expression grim. "We need to get you somewhere safe."

Hope's mind raced. "My house? Are they sure it's not just a fan?"

"They're sure," Mark replied. "We're not taking any chances."

Haechan's expression darkened. "Let's go. We'll figure out a plan on the way."

They hurried to Mark's car and sped off, the tension in the car thick. Hope felt a surge of gratitude for the two men by her side, even as her mind swirled with fear.

When they arrived at a safe house—an inconspicuous apartment owned by Ms. Kim—they quickly settled in. Mark ensured all the security measures were in place before turning to Hope.

"You're safe here," he said softly. "We'll figure out the rest."

Hope nodded, trying to calm her racing heart. "Thank you."

Haechan put a comforting arm around her. "We'll get through this, Hope."

Mark watched the interaction, his jaw tight. "I'm going to make some calls. Stay here and keep the doors locked."

As Mark stepped out to make his calls, Hope and Haechan sat on the couch, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.

"I'm sorry you have to deal with this," Haechan said, his voice filled with concern.

"It's not your fault," Hope replied, leaning into his embrace. "I'm just glad you're here."

Haechan kissed her forehead, his touch gentle. "Always."

Just then, Mark returned, his expression unreadable. "Security is doubling up. We're going to get to the bottom of this."

Hope nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. "Thank you, Mark."

As the night wore on, the three of them settled into an uneasy routine, their bond tested but unbroken. They knew that whatever came next, they would face it together—each step of the way.

A month later, the stalker's presence had faded into the background, but the fear lingered. Hope's career continued to soar, and with it, her public appearances increased. Mark remained vigilant, his protective nature never wavering, while Haechan's affection provided a welcome respite from the tension.

One evening, Hope found herself alone with Mark in her dressing room after a particularly exhausting rehearsal. Haechan had gone to fetch them some dinner, leaving them in a rare moment of solitude.

"Mark," Hope began, breaking the comfortable silence. "Can we talk about...us?"

Mark looked up from his phone, his eyes locking onto hers. "Of course."

She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "That kiss...it meant a lot to me. But I'm also really close to Haechan. I don't want to hurt anyone."

Mark nodded, his expression serious. "I understand. I care about you, Hope, and I respect whatever decision you make."

Hope reached out, taking his hand. "I just don't know what to do. I don't want to lose either of you."

Mark squeezed her hand gently. "You won't lose us. We'll figure it out together."

Just then, Haechan walked in, holding a bag of takeout. He paused, sensing the tension in the room. "Everything okay?"

Hope smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, just talking."

Haechan set the food down and joined them on the couch. "Well, let's eat and take a break from all the drama."

As they dug into their meal, the atmosphere gradually lightened. They laughed, shared stories, and for a moment, everything felt normal.

After dinner, Hope excused herself to change. Mark and Haechan cleaned up, the silence between them comfortable but charged with unspoken words.

"You really care about her, don't you?" Haechan said quietly, breaking the silence.

Mark paused, looking at him. "Yeah, I do. More than I probably should."

Haechan nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Me too. Let's just make sure we don't let this come between us."

Mark extended his hand, and Haechan shook it firmly. "Agreed."

As Hope returned, she saw the two of them standing together, a sense of unity in their posture. She smiled, feeling a surge of affection for both of them.

"Ready to head out?" she asked, grabbing her bag.

Mark and Haechan nodded, falling into step beside her.