BLOSSOMS IN THE SPOLIGHT | HEESEUNG

1: New Beginnings

Jia took a deep breath as she stepped out of Incheon International Airport, the cool breeze of Seoul brushing against her skin. The city felt alive, its bustling energy pulling her in. She clutched her carry-on tighter, reminding herself that this was it—her fresh start, her chance to build a life of her own. She had left behind the comfort of Sydney, the place she had called home for 22 years, to pursue her dream of becoming a florist and to live with her brother, Jake.

"Hey, over here!"

Jia's eyes lit up when she spotted Jake waving enthusiastically near the arrivals area. With his blond hair and boyish smile, he looked like he had just stepped off the stage—which wasn't far from the truth. Jake was part of the globally renowned boyband, Enhypen, and his face was a constant presence on billboards and magazines. Despite his fame, he was still the same caring older brother who had always been her biggest supporter.

"Jake!" Jia called, her voice barely audible amidst the noise of the airport.

He rushed over, pulling her into a tight hug. "It's so good to see you, Ji. Welcome to Seoul!"

"It's good to see you too," she mumbled into his shoulder, feeling the comfort of his familiar warmth. "I've missed you."

Jake pulled back, grinning. "Missed you too, kiddo. How was the flight?"

"Long but okay," Jia replied, adjusting her bag. "I still can't believe I'm actually here."

"Well, believe it," Jake laughed. "Because you're stuck with me now."

As they made their way to the car, Jia took in the sights of the city. The towering skyscrapers, neon signs, and constant flow of people felt both overwhelming and exhilarating. It was so different from the laid-back atmosphere of Sydney, but she welcomed the change. She had spent too long playing it safe, and it was time to chase her dreams, even if it meant stepping outside her comfort zone.

"So, how's everything with the band?" she asked, sliding into the passenger seat.

Jake shrugged as he started the engine. "Busy, as usual. We're gearing up for a new comeback, so things are a bit crazy. But I'm glad you're here now—it makes everything better."

Jia smiled, feeling a pang of guilt. She knew Jake's schedule was relentless, and she hated that he had to balance his hectic life with looking after her. "You know you didn't have to offer me a place. I could've found my own apartment."

Jake waved her off. "Nonsense. You're my little sister, and I want you close. Besides, the dorm's big enough for all of us."

Jia hesitated. "Speaking of which, are you sure your bandmates are okay with this? I don't want to impose."

"Of course, they're fine with it," Jake assured her. "The guys are excited to meet you. They've heard a lot about you."

She raised an eyebrow. "Good things, I hope."

Jake laughed. "Of course. You're going to love them. They're like my second family, and I know they'll welcome you with open arms."

Despite his reassuring words, Jia felt a knot of nerves forming in her stomach. She knew how close Jake was to his bandmates, and the last thing she wanted was to disrupt that dynamic. But she had already committed to living with them, and there was no turning back now.

The drive to the dorm felt shorter than she expected. Before long, they pulled up to a sleek, modern building that looked more like a luxury hotel than a dormitory. Jake helped her with her luggage, and they made their way up to the apartment.

"Here we are," Jake announced as they stepped inside. The place was spacious and impeccably clean, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a stunning view of the city skyline. "Home sweet home."

Jia couldn't help but admire the space. "Wow, this is amazing."

"I know, right?" Jake said proudly. "The company really takes care of us."

As they set her bags down, the sound of laughter and voices filled the apartment. Jia turned to see a group of boys lounging in the living area. She recognized them immediately—they were the rest of Enhypen.

"Guys, this is my sister, Jia," Jake said, introducing her.

Sunghoon, the tall one with sharp features, was the first to stand up. "Hey, welcome! We've heard so much about you."

"Yeah, Jake never shuts up about you," another boy, Jay, added with a grin.

Jia felt herself relax a little as she exchanged greetings with the members. They were friendly and warm, making her feel at ease. But her attention shifted when one last figure stood up from the couch. He had been sitting quietly, observing her with an unreadable expression. When their eyes met, Jia felt a jolt.

Lee Heeseung. She had seen countless pictures of him before, but none of them did justice to how stunning he was in person. With his tall, lean frame, perfect jawline, and dark eyes that seemed to hold a hint of mischief, he was every bit the heartthrob the fans raved about. Jia felt her cheeks heat up as he approached.

"So, you're Jake's sister," Heeseung said, his voice smooth and deep. His gaze was intense, and his lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."

Jia forced herself to maintain her composure, reminding herself that this was her brother's best friend and bandmate. "Nice to meet you too, Heeseung."

Heeseung's smile widened, and she could see the amusement in his eyes. "Call me Hee. No need to be formal. We're practically family now, right?"

Jia felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something in the way he spoke, the way he looked at her, that felt both inviting and dangerous. She had heard about his flirtatious reputation, and now she understood why so many girls fell for him. But she wasn't going to be one of them. She was here for a fresh start, and getting involved with someone like Heeseung was the last thing she needed.

"I'll stick with Heeseung for now," she replied coolly, offering a polite smile.

Jake, oblivious to the tension, clapped his hands. "Alright, enough introductions. Let's get Jia settled in."

Heeseung raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by her resistance, but he stepped back, allowing Jake to lead her to her room. Jia felt her pulse quicken as she followed her brother, trying to shake off the strange feeling Heeseung's gaze had left behind.

As she unpacked, Jia couldn't help but replay the encounter in her mind. She reminded herself that this was Jake's world, and she was just a guest. She needed to stay focused on her own goals—opening her flower shop, building her life in Seoul, and staying out of the limelight that surrounded her brother and his bandmates.

After all, she wasn't here to get caught up in anyone's charm, especially not Heeseung's. She had left behind everything familiar to create her own path, and she wasn't about to let a flirtatious idol derail her plans. But as she unpacked her belongings and settled into her new room, Jia couldn't help but wonder if resisting Heeseung's charm would be as simple as she hoped.

Because in those few moments they had shared, she had seen something in his eyes—something that hinted he wasn't going to let her go so easily.