I hesitated for a moment, curiosity and a hint of nervousness bubbling inside me. Why was I being singled out? My mind raced with possibilities as I trailed behind the staff member. We weaved through the departing crowd, moving towards a more secluded area of the venue.
As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the lingering excitement in the air. Fans were still buzzing about the concert, their faces glowing with happiness. The perfect weather had made the day even more enjoyable, and the vibrant energy seemed to cling to everything, like a lingering melody.
We reached a backstage entrance. The staff member led me through a series of corridors, each turn taking us deeper into the heart of the venue. The distant sound of post-concert activity echoed around us, creating a surreal backdrop to my growing anticipation.
After a few more turns, we reached a small alcove where Jake was waiting. His face lit up when he saw me. "Chloe!" he called out, his voice warm and inviting. He approached me with a wide smile, his eyes twinkling with genuine happiness.
"Hi, Jake," I replied, my earlier nervousness melting away in his presence.
"I'm so glad you could make it," he said, gesturing toward a nearby door. "Come on, we wanted to thank you properly."
With Jake by my side, we walked into the room together. As soon as we entered, I noticed all the members were there, their expressions lighting up as they saw us. The room was filled with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, contrasting sharply with my earlier confusion.
Sunghoon and Ni-ki greeted me with cheerful smiles, while the others nodded and waved, their faces showing appreciation for my presence. The camaraderie among the group was palpable, and it made me feel like I was part of something special.
Heeseung, however, caught my attention immediately. He stood a bit apart from the others, his expression carefully controlled. His eyes flicked between Jake and me, a flash of something unreadable crossing his face before he masked it with a neutral expression.
"Chloe, it's great to see you," Ni-ki said, pulling me into a friendly hug.
"Yeah, thanks for coming backstage," Sunghoon added, his grin wide and infectious.
Jake guided me further into the room, making sure I felt included in the conversation. "We wanted to personally thank you for all your support. It means a lot to us."
As the group continued chatting, I couldn't help but notice Heeseung's subtle reactions. Whenever Jake spoke to me, Heeseung's gaze would linger, his jaw tightening ever so slightly. He tried to mask it with a smile, but the tension in his posture was evident.
Despite his efforts to appear unaffected, it was clear that Heeseung was feeling a pang of jealousy. His attempts to control it were commendable, but the occasional flicker of his eyes toward Jake and me revealed his true feelings.
Jake, seemingly oblivious to Heeseung's inner turmoil, continued to engage me in conversation, his friendly demeanor putting me at ease. "We hope you enjoyed the concert," he said, his smile genuine. "It was a special night for us and having you here made it even better."
"It was amazing," I replied, my enthusiasm evident. "You all were incredible on stage."
Heeseung stepped forward, his expression softening slightly as he addressed me. "We're glad you enjoyed it, Chloe. Your support means a lot."
His voice was calm and composed, but there was an underlying intensity in his gaze that made my heart skip a beat. The atmosphere in the room was a mix of warmth and tension, a delicate balance between camaraderie and unspoken emotions.
As the evening progressed, the members shared stories and laughed together, creating a relaxed and friendly environment. I made an effort to be friendly and engaged with everyone, but with Jake, I maintained a slight distance. I appreciated his friendliness and the special attention he gave me, but I was cautious not to encourage any feelings that might hurt him later. I liked Jake, but I didn't want to mislead him.
-
Let me know if you like the story and vote! <3
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.