Between love and lies

The Perfect Illusion

The music pulsed through the dimly lit room, reverberating against the walls as laughter and chatter filled the air. Rei leaned against the bar, her fingers tracing the condensation on her glass. The ice had melted long ago, and the drink had gone flat, but she didn't mind. Her eyes were fixed on Mingyu, who stood across the room, surrounded by people, his laugh loud and confident .

It was easy to get lost watching him—he had that magnetism that seemed to pull everyone in. He was the life of every party, the one everyone wanted to be around. She remembered their first date, the way he'd looked at her like she was the only person in the room. For the first time in a while, she had let herself believe that someone could truly care for her that way.

But tonight, something felt different. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was a nagging discomfort she couldn't shake. Maybe it was the way Mingyu had drifted from group to group, always moving, always talking, as if he were searching for something—or someone.

Joshua appeared beside her, and Rei welcomed his familiar presence. He was Mingyu's best friend, and in some ways, her anchor in this whirlwind of a relationship. Though they rarely had deep conversations, his quiet company often felt like a balm. He nodded toward Mingyu, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"He's in his element," Joshua remarked casually, taking a sip from his own drink.

Rei forced a smile. "Yeah. He always is." Her gaze lingered on Mingyu as he chatted with a girl Rei didn't recognize. She was tall and striking, her laughter high and clear as she leaned in close. Rei bit the inside of her cheek, telling herself it was nothing. Mingyu was friendly by nature—she knew that. But tonight, that charm felt almost too effortless, too practiced.

A sudden pang of insecurity gnawed at her, and she pushed it down, hard. She had always prided herself on being strong, on not letting jealousy get the better of her. After all, Mingyu had chosen her, hadn't he? Yet, watching him now, she felt an unsettling distance between them that she couldn't ignore.

Joshua broke the silence again, shifting the conversation to lighter topics, asking her about work, about plans for the weekend. She appreciated his attempt to distract her, though her answers were clipped, her focus still on Mingyu and the girl who seemed all too comfortable in his presence.

After what felt like an eternity, Mingyu finally made his way back to her side. His arm slipped around her waist, pulling her close, his grin as warm as ever. "Sorry, babe. Got caught up talking," he said, his voice dripping with that casual charm she'd once found so intoxicating.

She smiled, but it felt forced. "No worries. You're popular tonight."

Mingyu chuckled, brushing it off as he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. He didn't seem to notice the slight tension in her body or the way her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. And maybe that was what bothered her the most—not that he was talking to other women, but that he didn't even seem to see the way it affected her.

Rei stole a glance at Joshua, who was now watching them both with a look she couldn't quite read. She wondered if he saw through the façade she was trying to maintain, if he sensed the unease she was trying to hide.

The night wore on, and the party continued, but Rei found herself feeling more and more like an outsider in her own relationship. As Mingyu drifted away once again, she let out a soft sigh, wondering if this perfect illusion she had built around them was beginning to crumble.

----------------------------------------------------------

Author's Note

Thank you for stepping into this journey with Rei, Mingyu, and Joshua—there's so much more to explore, and I'm thrilled to take you along for the ride.🥹💕