Women in Love | A Winrina Romance

Backstage Intrigue

The bass from the music pulsed through the walls of the exclusive nightclub, vibrating with the energy of Seoul's elite. It was well past midnight, and the after-party for Winter's fashion show was in full swing. The dimly lit space was crowded with fashion designers, models, celebrities, and influential figures from the media. The air was thick with the mingling scents of expensive perfume, the clinking of glasses, and laughter.

Karina stepped into the venue, the invitation card tucked in her small clutch. Her appearance immediately caught the attention of the room. Dressed in a sleek black cocktail dress that hugged her figure, her long dark hair cascading over her shoulders, she moved with the confidence of someone accustomed to the spotlight. Yet, her eyes darted around the room, searching for one person in particular.

"Karina, over here!" a familiar voice called out.

Turning, Karina saw Sejin, her manager, waving at her from a plush, semi-private booth. The booth was filled with a mix of Karina's entourage and other high-profile guests, but Sejin quickly made space for her to sit. Karina slid into the booth, exchanging polite nods and smiles with those around her.

Sejin leaned in close, her voice barely audible over the music. "You look stunning, as always. Have you seen Winter yet?"

Karina shook her head. "Not yet. I'm guessing she's making her rounds." Her eyes continued to scan the crowd, catching glimpses of faces she recognized—fellow K-pop idols, actors, socialites. Yet, there was no sign of Winter.

"Winter has this way of showing up just when you least expect it," Sejin said, taking a sip of her drink. "She'll be here. In the meantime, you should enjoy yourself. Everyone is talking about you and the possibility of you being the new face of Winter's Design. It's creating a lot of buzz."

Karina nodded absently, her thoughts still focused elsewhere. Despite the flashing lights and the glamorous setting, she found it hard to concentrate on the party's energy. Her mind kept drifting back to the brief interaction she'd had with Winter earlier that night—the intensity of Winter's gaze, the firmness of her handshake, the way her name had sounded coming from Winter's lips.

As if on cue, a ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd. Karina turned her head just in time to see Winter entering the room. Dressed in a tailored white suit that contrasted sharply with her dark hair, Winter moved with a poise that seemed to draw the very light towards her. She was flanked by a few members of her team, but her presence dominated the space. Conversations quieted momentarily as people turned to watch her glide through the crowd.

Winter's eyes scanned the room, and then, as if pulled by some invisible force, they found Karina. A small smile tugged at the corners of Winter's lips, and she began to make her way toward the booth. Karina's heart quickened, a rush of nerves and excitement bubbling inside her. She stood, smoothing down her dress, trying to appear composed.

"Good evening, Karina," Winter greeted as she reached the booth, her voice calm and clear, carrying easily over the noise. "I'm glad you made it."

"Thank you for inviting me," Karina replied, a smile breaking through her usually reserved demeanor. "The show was incredible. I'm still in awe of your designs."

Winter nodded gracefully. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. And thank you for attending—it's always a pleasure to have someone appreciate the art behind the fashion."

Winter's eyes flickered toward the others in the booth. "Would you mind if I borrowed Karina for a moment?" she asked, her tone polite but leaving little room for refusal.

Sejin waved her hand. "Of course, go ahead," she said with a knowing smile.

Winter extended her hand toward Karina, who took it, feeling a jolt of electricity at the contact. Together, they moved away from the booth, cutting through the crowd until they found a quieter corner of the club, near a balcony that overlooked the city's glittering skyline.

Karina turned to face Winter, her heart pounding. "It's beautiful up here," she said, gesturing towards the view.

Winter nodded, leaning against the balcony rail. "It is. The city never seems to sleep, does it?" She glanced sideways at Karina. "I've always felt more at ease above it all, where things seem a bit more... detached. Do you ever feel like that?"

Karina smiled softly. "All the time. It's hard to find peace when you're constantly in the spotlight. Sometimes it feels like you're just a character in someone else's story."

Winter studied her for a moment. "And what would your story be if you could write it?"

Karina blinked, caught off guard by the question. "I... I don't know. I guess I'd want it to be about something real. Not just fame or success, but... connection. Something meaningful."

Winter's gaze softened. "Connection. I understand that. It's rare to find, especially in our worlds."

Karina nodded, feeling a warmth spreading through her chest. "What about you? What's your story?"

Winter looked out over the city, her expression thoughtful. "My story has always been about control. Controlling my career, my image, my emotions. It's how I built my brand, how I've kept it at the top. But lately, I've been wondering if that control has cost me something. Maybe... maybe I've been missing out on something real because I've been too focused on maintaining control."

There was a vulnerability in Winter's voice that Karina hadn't expected. She stepped closer, the space between them narrowing. "Sometimes, letting go of control can lead to the best things," Karina said softly. "It's scary, but... maybe it's worth it."

Winter turned to face her fully, their bodies only inches apart. "Maybe," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

They stood there for a moment, the sounds of the party fading away, leaving only the beating of their hearts. The air between them was charged, heavy with unspoken words and possibilities. Karina felt as if she were standing on the edge of something monumental, a place from which there would be no turning back.

Just then, the door to the balcony swung open, and a group of partygoers spilled out, laughing loudly. The moment shattered, and both women took a small step back, the spell broken.

Winter straightened, her professional mask slipping back into place. "I should get back inside," she said, her tone more formal now. "There are a lot of people I need to speak with. But I'm glad we had this moment."

Karina nodded, masking her disappointment. "Me too. Thank you, Winter."

Winter's eyes lingered on Karina's for a heartbeat longer before she turned and walked back into the crowd, her presence swallowed up by the throng of people. Karina stood by the balcony, looking out over the city lights, her heart still beating fast.

As she took a deep breath, a small smile crept onto her lips. Tonight, she had caught a glimpse behind Winter's carefully constructed facade, a hint of the person beneath the designer's impeccable exterior. And she wanted more. More moments, more conversation, more connection.

For the first time in a long while, Karina felt a spark of excitement about where her story might lead.