IDOL

Chapter 6: Painting

It had been a week since Zari and Kael's secret outing to the park, and the memory of it still lingered in her mind. She couldn't forget the warmth in his eyes or the way he had listened so intently to her. But since then, Jaxon and the other members had been consumed by their hectic schedules. Long hours of training and endless meetings kept them busy, leaving Zari alone in the house for most of the days.

Zari's days had fallen into a quiet routine—calls with her new friend Akemi, painting on a new canvas, and occasionally watching the sunset from the backyard. Despite the solitude, she found a sense of peace in these moments, though the memory of her secret day with Kael kept stirring her emotions.

On a particularly quiet afternoon, she decided to focus on her art. A blank canvas sat in front of her, waiting for inspiration. As she picked up her brush, her thoughts drifted to the park, to the secret smiles Kael had shared with her, and to the feelings she had tried so hard to hide.

Her hands moved almost automatically, creating a picture of a girl standing in a field of flowers, her face filled with longing as she looked toward something—or someone—just out of reach. Each brushstroke seemed to capture the very essence of what Zari felt inside: a deep love for someone she couldn't have.

In the morning, when Jaxon and the others finally had a break in their schedule, they all gathered for breakfast. Zari had taken it upon herself to cook, preparing a meal that was simple but filled with care. As they sat around the table, chatting and laughing, Zari felt a rare sense of belonging. The food was a hit—everyone praised her cooking like she was a master chef, and her shy smile said more than words ever could. Jaxon ruffled her hair proudly, while hyunwoo chimed in with a teasing, "You could open a restaurant, Zari!"

But as the conversation flowed, her heart remained quiet, her thoughts still caught in the whirlwind of emotions she had tried to set aside.

The afternoon passed quietly after dinner, with the members relaxing in their own spaces. Zari retreated to the backyard once more, painting away her thoughts. She had nearly finished the piece when she sensed someone nearby. Startled, she turned to see Kael standing behind her, a curious look on his face.

"Hey," Kael greeted softly, his gaze drifting from her to the painting. "I didn't mean to sneak up on you. I was just walking around and saw you out here."

Zari swallowed, her heart racing at his presence. "It's fine," she managed to say, though the surprise hadn't quite worn off.

Kael stepped closer, his eyes taking in the details of her work. "This is beautiful," he said, his voice sincere. "What's the story behind it?"

Zari hesitated, glancing at the painting—a girl with a longing expression, surrounded by flowers, reaching out to someone unseen. It felt too close to the truth. "It's just... a girl in love with someone she can't be with," she said softly, her words laced with the emotion she couldn't express aloud.

Kael tilted his head, studying her face as much as the painting. "Who's the inspiration?" he asked, his tone light but with a hint of curiosity.

Zari froze, her mind racing. The real answer was sitting right in front of her, but she couldn't say it. She couldn't tell Kael that the girl in the painting was her, and the person she couldn't reach... was him. She forced a smile and gave a little shrug. "It's just something I read in a novel once. The story stuck with me."

Kael smiled softly, as if accepting her answer, though Zari couldn't tell if he believed it. "Well, you have an amazing talent," he said, his eyes lingering on the painting before meeting hers again. "It feels real."

Zari's heart squeezed painfully at his words. She returned his smile, though it was weak. "Thanks."

But inside, her thoughts were a storm of emotions. She was falling for him, even though she had promised herself she wouldn't. And now, standing here with him, with the painting that was her secret, Zari realized just how deep her feelings ran.

As Kael complimented her work, Zari's mind was in turmoil, silently reminding herself of the truth: she was just a secret fan.