String to my heart ♪ Mark Lee

♪ 46

When you feel down
When you feel all alone
When you need someone to lean on
I’ll be there for you

♪

"So Mark, Hannah tells us that she composes music for your band too." Hannah's father began, curiosity evident in his eyes.
"How's that going for you?"

Mark took a deep breath, his thoughts momentarily drifting to the chaotic world of K-pop industry.

"It's been a long journey" he said, keeping his tone light.
"We are having a tour right now and it is fun but also really intense, today we had our 8th anniversary celebration before Hannah picked me up."

Mason looked up from his phone.
"I heard you guys had some wild performances. Do you ever get nervous?"

Mark chuckled, shaking his head.
"All the time. But once the music starts, it all fades away." He could feel the attention shift to him, his heart racing a bit faster.

Parker entered the room, with a glass of water he took a sip from.
"Did you ever faint on stage?" he asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
"That would be crazy, the crowd will go wild."

Mark felt a sudden heaviness at the mention of fainting, but he managed to smile.
"I've had my moments backstage but thankfully, it hasn't happened during a performance." he replied, trying to downplay the concerned look Hannah gave.

Hannah's parents exchanged a knowing glance, perhaps sensing the underlying tension in Mark's response.

"You must take care of yourself, especially with such a demanding schedule." her mother advised, her tone gentle yet firm.
"I will" Mark promised, grateful for their concern.

He glanced at Hannah, who was watching him with a mixture of sympathy and worry.

As the evening progressed, the lighthearted banter continued, but Mark could sense a shift in the atmosphere.

Hannah's dad leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

"Mark," he said, his tone becoming more serious
"if you don't mind me asking, how do you see your relationship with Hannah?"

Mark's heart raced, the casual chatter suddenly feeling distant as he processed the question.

He took a moment to collect himself, willing his nerves to settle.
"Um... that's a great question," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady despite the slight tremor in it.

"I think we both really enjoy spending time together. We have a lot of fun and she's... she's someone I genuinely admire and I look forward to our relationship."

Hannah's dad nodded, his gaze steady.
"That's good to hear. But what do you see as the next step? You know, in a relationship it's important to think about the future."

Mark glanced at Hannah, who was laughing at something her mom had said, her eyes sparkling with joy.

The sight made his heart swell.
"I definitely care about her a lot," he said, feeling more confident. "I want to be there for her, especially with everything she's pursuing in her career but I think our relationship needs the right time to be official and we don't think it's the right time now."

"What do you think about her career?"
Hannah's dad inquired, tilting his head slightly, clearly interested in Mark's perspective.

"I think it's amazing," Mark responded.
"She's incredibly talented and dedicated, it's inspiring to watch especially when I'm in the same field as her."