Blossoms of the Night (ATEEZ Seonghwa fanfic)

Chapter 3: Shadows Closing In

Little did Seonghwa know, Hana led a life far removed from the world of flowers—she was a high-end escort, navigating a life filled with secrets and shadows. Hana's dual life became increasingly difficult to maintain. She was torn between the safety and serenity of Seonghwa's world and the demanding, dangerous realm of her profession.

One evening, as she helped Seonghwa arrange a particularly intricate bouquet, the memories of her past life surfaced, unbidden and unwelcome. Hana's thoughts drifted back to the darker days, the days before Seonghwa and "Petals and Dreams." She remembered the nights spent in luxurious penthouses and extravagant parties, where her presence was nothing more than a trophy for the wealthy men who paid for her company.

"Are you okay, Hana?" Seonghwa's gentle voice brought her back to the present. His concern was genuine, a stark contrast to the superficial attention she was used to.

She forced a smile. "Yes, just lost in thought."

---

Hana's mind wandered back to a particularly harrowing night. She was seated in a dimly lit room, the air thick with the scent of expensive cigars and the sound of low conversations. A wealthy businessman, with a sinister glint in his eye, leaned in close, his breath reeking of alcohol and lust.

"You belong to me tonight," he whispered harshly, his hand gripping her wrist painfully. "And you will do exactly as I say."

Hana had nodded, her heart pounding in her chest, knowing she had no choice. His fingers dug into her flesh as he pulled her closer, his other hand roaming her body with greedy familiarity. She had felt her dignity slipping away with every demand, every degrading touch. His lips had brushed her ear, promising more degradation to come.

"Do you understand?" he growled, his voice dripping with menace and desire.

"Yes," she had whispered, her voice barely audible, the word tasting like ash in her mouth.

The night had dragged on in a haze of humiliation and pain. She had been used, her body treated like a mere object, a plaything for his twisted desires. Every touch, every word had stripped away a piece of her soul.

"I don't know how much longer I can do this," she had confided in her only friend, a fellow escort, during a brief moment of respite. They had found a quiet corner, away from prying eyes and grasping hands.

Lila, her friend, and confidante, had always been there for her, a beacon of hope in the darkest times. "You haven't lost your dignity," Lila had insisted, her voice firm despite the exhaustion in her eyes. "We do what we have to survive."

Hana had looked at Lila, seeing the same pain and resilience reflected in her friend's eyes. "You're the only one who understands, Lila," she had whispered, her voice trembling. "You're the only reason I can keep going. I can't leave you behind."

Lila had squeezed her hand, her expression softening. "We'll find a way out, Hana. Together. We have to believe that."

Hana had nodded, but the words had provided little comfort. She had felt empty, used, a shadow of the person she once was. The bond she shared with Lila was precious, a lifeline in a world that sought to drown them both. It was the hope of escaping together that kept her going, even as the darkness threatened to consume her.

---

Now, standing in the flower shop with Seonghwa, those memories felt like a lifetime ago, yet they were never far from her mind. She cherished the kindness he showed her, the respect with which he treated her, and the space he gave her to be herself without prying into her past.