Ahrin Lee | the hated member

Change?

The warm glow of the evening wrapped around Ahrin and Seunghan as they lounged by the shimmering water of the heated pool. The gentle lapping of the water provided a soothing background to their conversation, punctuated by the clinking of wine glasses. Ahrin sat comfortably in her chair, the lights reflecting off the water creating a twinkling atmosphere, but there was a shadow of frustration in her expression.

"Why do you want to keep up with them? You could easily afford a BYD... or wait, even if you're unemployed, your brother is rich enough to support you indefinitely," Seunghan remarked, his words slightly slurred from the wine.

Ahrin's lips curled into a hint of pride as she replied, "My brother actually bought a BYD, you know. But that's not what I mean. I want to be like him."

"Like what? Just to have a BYD?" Seunghan chuckled, his tone teasing yet curious.

"No, it's more than that. I want to be like him in a deeper sense—famous, loved, and respected." Ahrin's voice was firm, her eyes sparkling with determination. In that moment, she looked every bit the model the world knew her to be.

Seunghan leaned back, eyebrows raised. "You are famous, Ahrin. Your fans adore you, and you're part of the whole INFINITE ICON phenomenon. You have the respect of your fans and my agency."

But Ahrin cut him off, her voice rising slightly. "I want to be loved and respected by my own members." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, the weight of her words heavy in the air. It was a raw moment, stripped of the glitz and glamor that usually surrounded her.

Seunghan opened his mouth to respond, but the right words eluded him. He cared for Ahrin deeply, and seeing her vulnerable like this tugged at his heart. He reached out, placing a hand on her knee, but the gesture felt inadequate. How could he console her when he knew the truth behind her pain? It was the same truth they both lived with: she was surrounded by people who didn't understand her, who didn't care enough to see past the facade of her fame.

As the evening wore on, the wine flowed, and Ahrin's composure began to unravel. Her laughter came more easily, but so did her melancholy. She leaned back in her chair, the world around her starting to blur slightly. The glow of the lights, the sound of the water—it all felt dreamy and far away.

"I just want them to see me," she mumbled, her words slurring together as her eyelids began to droop. "Not just the model... but me."

Just then, Jeongin appeared, making his way toward the pool area. He paused when he caught sight of Ahrin, sprawled in her chair, clearly tipsy. His heart sank as he overheard the tail end of her emotional confession, and a wave of sympathy washed over him.

"Hey, Ahrin," he said softly, his brow furrowing with concern. "You okay?"

Ahrin blinked at him, her gaze unfocused. "Jeongin," she managed to say, her voice a little too loud for the serene atmosphere. "You're... here." A small, tipsy grin spread across her face.

"Yeah, I'm here. Let's get you up to your room," he offered, stepping forward. "You look like you need to rest."

Before he could reach her, Seunghan shot him a scowl, rising from his chair. "How can I trust that she will be safe with you?" he said, his voice low and sharp, filled with protectiveness.

Jeongin froze, surprise flashing across his face. "I just want to help her. She's clearly had too much to drink," he replied, trying to keep his tone calm.

"She can stay here until she sobers up," Seunghan insisted, crossing his arms. "I can't let her leave with someone who doesn't understand what she's going through."