our crossed paths | jww.

twenty one.

Jiwoo woke up to the soft light of morning filtering through her curtains, her head pounding with the unmistakable ache of a hangover.

She groaned, trying to sit up, but the moment she moved, flashes of last night came rushing back—Wonwoo, the wine, the kiss.

Her heart raced, and she sat up abruptly, eyes wide as she pieced together what had happened.

Oh my god, she thought, pressing her hand to her forehead.

She remembered everything—every heated kiss, every touch, and how her jealousy had spilled out after the premiere.

But now the real question was: where was Wonwoo?

Before she could even process that, the door to her bedroom creaked open, and there he was—Wonwoo, leaning casually against the doorframe, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Morning," he said softly, his voice teasing. "How are you feeling?"

Jiwoo blinked at him, completely startled. "What are you doing here?" she stammered, her voice hoarse from the alcohol and sleep.

Her heart pounded as she quickly realized she was still in bed, while Wonwoo stood there, looking far too relaxed for someone who had kissed her senseless just hours ago.

"I stayed over," Wonwoo replied, stepping into the room with ease. He held out a glass of water and a couple of painkillers. "Thought you might need these."

Jiwoo hesitated, her mind still reeling from the events of the previous night. She took the glass from him and the pills, swallowing them quickly, before she could manage a response. "You stayed over...?" she echoed, her voice trailing off in disbelief. "I—"

"Relax," Wonwoo chuckled, sitting down on the edge of her bed, far too comfortable for her liking. "You don't need to panic. We just kissed, Jiwoo. Although technically it's not just one kiss, but atleast it's not like I stayed here to—" he paused, his lips curving into a teasing grin as Jiwoo's eyes widened in shock.

"Wonwoo!" Jiwoo's face flushed instantly, heat spreading from her cheeks down to her neck. "That's not—"

"Don't say you don't remember, huh?" Wonwoo's expression softened, but there was still amusement in his gaze. "I mean, after the wine, you were pretty tipsy... but you didn't seem to mind when we—"

"Stop!" Jiwoo covered her face with her hands, too embarrassed to look at him. Her memory might have been hazy, but the feeling of his lips against hers last night was all too clear.

"I remember," she muttered through her fingers. "I just—"

Wonwoo chuckled again and gently pulled her hands away from her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Then why are you acting so shy now?" His eyes softened, and Jiwoo could see a hint of something more sincere beneath the teasing. "I wasn't kidding last night, you know."

Jiwoo's breath caught in her throat. "Kidding about what?"

"Everything," he said quietly, his tone now serious, though his smile remained. "I meant it. I... I want you to be part of my life, Jiwoo. Ahrin's too."

Jiwoo stared at him, her heart hammering in her chest.

Wonwoo's usual playfulness was still there, but beneath it was something raw and genuine.

The weight of his words sank into her slowly, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond.

"You're serious," she whispered, more to herself than to him.

"Of course I am," Wonwoo said, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Last night wasn't just because we were drinking. You know that I've been feeling this way for a while. And now I'm sure it's not one sided."

Jiwoo swallowed, her mind racing. She had been flustered and unsure, especially after seeing him in such intimate scenes during the premiere, but now, with him right here in front of her, all that tension felt distant.