IDOL

Chapter 7: Protection

Days had passed quietly in the house, and though Zari enjoyed her alone time, she couldn't help but feel the weight of the solitude. Jaxon had noticed it too. He watched his sister carefully one evening, sensing her boredom as she sat in the living room, quietly sketching in her notebook.

"Zari," Jaxon called out, catching her attention. She looked up, her face lighting up at the sound of his voice.

"Yeah?" she asked, putting down her pencil.

He smiled, leaning against the doorframe. "I was thinking... you've been stuck at home a lot lately. How would you feel about coming with me to practice tomorrow? You can see how we train, maybe hang out with the guys for a bit."

Zari's eyes widened with excitement. "Really? Can I go?"

Jaxon chuckled at her eagerness. "Of course. I figured you might be bored, and it's been a while since you've been out. Plus, the guys would love to see you."

Zari beamed, her heart racing at the thought of watching them practice—especially Kael. She couldn't wait to see him in his element again.

The next day, Zari followed Jaxon to the studio where the group practiced. As they walked in, she was greeted with a chorus of smiles and excited greetings. The members were genuinely happy to see her, and it made her feel even more at ease. She sat in the corner of the room, watching them warm up and start their practice routine.

Her eyes kept drifting toward Kael. He was mesmerizing—his voice powerful yet effortless, his dance moves sharp and graceful. Every now and then, he'd glance her way, flashing her a small smile that made her heart skip a beat.

As the practice session went on, Zari found herself even more captivated by their dedication and talent. When they finally took a break, she jumped at the chance to do something nice for them. "I could get snacks for everyone," she offered, standing up.

Jaxon looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Are you sure? You don't have to."

Zari nodded eagerly. "I want to. You guys deserve it."

"Alright then," Jaxon agreed with a smile. "Thanks, Zari."

With that, she grabbed her bag and headed toward the hallway. The studio was large, with several practice rooms for different groups, so the corridors were filled with people—trainees, staff, and even other idols.

As she walked, she accidentally bumped into someone, nearly losing her balance. "Oh, I'm sorry!" she said quickly, looking up at the person she had run into.

The guy smiled at her, clearly not bothered by the collision. He looked like an idol himself—tall, confident, and stylish. "No problem," he said warmly. "Are you new around here? I don't think I've seen you before."

Zari blushed, feeling shy under his gaze. "I'm, um, just visiting," she stammered, trying to avoid his direct stare.

The guy tilted his head with curiosity. "Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Dae-hyun. Can I know your name?"

Zari hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Just as she opened her mouth to answer, Kael suddenly appeared out of nowhere, stepping between her and the guy.

"Back off," Kael said, his voice firm as he glared at Dae-hyun. There was an unmistakable tension in his stance, and Zari could feel the air shift between them.

Dae-hyun, however, didn't seem fazed. Instead, he grinned, clearly amused by Kael's reaction. "Kael, man, I didn't know she was with you."

Kael's expression didn't soften. "She is and we need to go."

Zari blinked, completely confused by the sudden confrontation. Before she could process what was happening, Kael grabbed her hand and gently but firmly pulled her away from Dae-hyun.

As they walked down the hallway, Zari turned to Kael, her heart still racing from the interaction. "What... what just happened? Why did you come?"

Kael's grip on her hand tightened slightly, though his voice remained calm. "What if you got lost? Or worse, what if something happened to you?"

Zari frowned, still puzzled. "But why did you get so upset with him? Dae-hyun seemed friendly..."

Kael stopped walking, looking directly at her with a seriousness she hadn't seen before. "Don't talk to him if you ever see him again," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Zari was about to ask more, but Kael quickly changed the subject. "Here," he said, handing her an ice cream he had picked up from a nearby vending machine. "Let's go get the snacks for the guys."

Zari's confusion remained, but she decided not to press him further. Instead, she allowed Kael to lead her through the building, his hand still wrapped around hers. They walked in silence, his touch gentle yet protective, and for a brief moment, Zari felt safe—despite the whirlwind of emotions she couldn't quite untangle.

By the time they returned to the studio, snacks in hand, the group was ready for their break. Zari handed out the treats with a smile, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the hallway, to the way Kael had reacted so strongly. She couldn't shake the feeling that something more was going on, something Kael wasn't telling her.

But as he sat across from her, flashing her that familiar, warm smile, Zari reminded herself that for now, she would have to be content with the little moments they shared—even if they came with secrets.