Lethal Affection | Noah Sebastian x Karina Aespa | (crossover)

Part 10

With Karina's help, Yeon-hee quickly loaded her suitcases onto the trolley. Despite being ready to leave, Yeon-hee's expression betrayed her worry about leaving Karina alone in Paris, especially after her recent drunken mishap. Although Karina had promised not to get drunk again during her vacation, Yeon-hee couldn't shake her concern. She had been taking care of Karina, and the thought of leaving her alone in this city left her feeling uneasy.

"I will shave my head if you drunk again." Yeon-hee threatened desperately.

"I won't! I promise!" Karina replied with begging eyes.

Yeon-hee finally exited her room with the hotel staff pushing a trolley loaded with her luggage, which included a considerable amount of Karina's belongings—gifts and items from various brands and sponsors from her recent work. Karina had asked Yeon-hee to take them along, as she couldn't manage to keep so much stuff on her own.

"My dad will pick them up from your place. I'm sorry for the trouble."

"It's okay, I'll take care of them," Yeon-hee reassured with a smile.

Karina walked Yeon-hee to the lobby where a taxi waited. After all the luggage was loaded, Yeon-hee turned to Karina, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

"Enjoy your vacation," she said, hugging her tightly.

"I will," Karina whispered, a smile spreading across her face.

The taxi drove off leaving the hotel area and disappeared at the intersection. Karina tightened her cardigan against the cool morning air. The streets around the hotel were calm, with a few pedestrians and the inviting aroma of roasted coffee beans mingling with the scent of freshly baked pastries from the bakery across the street. Taking a deep breath, she savored the moment before heading back into the hotel lobby, knowing her breakfast was likely waiting in her room by now.

When she arrived at her room, breakfast was waiting for her, elegantly presented on a classic silver trolley reminiscent of those in European royal films. There was a cup of coffee, a glass of fresh celery and apple juice, an omelette, a piece of buttered toast, and an assortment of fruits. However, Karina noticed something unexpected on the chair, a brown paper bag.

Karina lifted the coffee cup, took a small sip, and walked over to the paper bag. Inside, she found a neatly folded hoodie that smelled of fresh linen with a hint of floral fragrance.

She recalled the last night events which ended up her and Noah saying goodbye before going back to each other's room. Dinner and their chat in the park went smoothly, but Noah became distant once they arrived at the hotel. He barely said a word as they rode the elevator up, and they parted ways in silence as soon as the doors opened.

Karina regretted sending the hoodie to the laundry, she missed his scent, now replaced by the floral fragrance of the detergent. Hugging the hoodie tightly for a moment, she then carefully placed it back into the paper bag, grabbed it, and shuffled out the door.

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'Our flight is tomorrow morning at 9. Make sure you're ready and have your breakfast early.'

He stared blankly at his phone, having just woken up, shirtless and curled up in bed. Hunger gnawed at him, but he was too lazy to get up, even though breakfast was waiting on the table. This morning, his manager had announced their last schedule in Paris at the group chat, leaving Noah feeling inexplicably empty.

Just like last night, when Karina mentioned her plan to take a solo trip to a town at coastal France, Noah was taken aback by what he considered the most reckless idea he'd ever heard. This was the same Karina who had nearly fainted when she caught him watching her fumble with her eye drops, and who had foolishly drunk herself into a stupor. Now, she felt confident enough to venture alone into unfamiliar territory? The notion was so absurd that Noah almost laughed out loud.