𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥

𝗑𝗑𝗑𝗏𝗂𝗂𝗂.

"Those were some incredible shots, Jade," the photographer remarked, swiping through the images on his camera screen to showcase the results of their session. Jiwon beamed at him, her attire a stark contrast to the elaborate costumes she had worn earlier; she was now comfortably clad in a soft hoodie and loose-fitting pants. Adjusting the cap perched atop her head, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. "I'm really glad they turned out well," she replied, her enthusiasm palpable.

The photographer nodded in agreement, his eyes sparkling with approval. "With just a bit of editing, these will be even better," he assured her. Jiwon nodded appreciatively, her heart light at the prospect of sharing these photos with her fans. "Anyway, I should be heading out. Bye!" she chirped, waving as she walked towards the exit.

As she stepped into the corridor of HYBE, Jiwon's gaze fell upon a familiar figure leaning casually against the wall. He wore a black cap and glasses, his outfit a relaxed blend of beige flannel, brown trousers, and classic Converse shoes paired with a simple white shirt. A smile spread across her face, and her heart fluttered. Even after a month and a half of dating, the sight of Joshua never failed to brighten her day.

The moment Joshua spotted her, his face lit up, and he opened his arms wide, ready to envelop her in a warm embrace. "Hello, darling," he greeted softly, his voice a comforting melody in the bustling atmosphere of the corridor. Thankfully, it was empty, though the presence of CCTV cameras lingered in the back of their minds. Jiwon stepped into his embrace, her smile widening as she felt the warmth of his body against hers. "How was the photoshoot?" he asked, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes.

Jiwon let out a sigh, a mix of fatigue and satisfaction. "It was tiring, but the photos came out beautifully," she replied as they began to walk down the corridor together. Joshua hummed in response, a playful grin forming on his lips. "So, Netflix and chill tonight?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. Jiwon nudged him playfully with her shoulder, laughter bubbling up. "Sure, that sounds perfect."

As they navigated through the increasingly busy hallways, the reality of their situation settled in. They had to maintain a distance, keeping their relationship under wraps for now. The public remained blissfully unaware, often speculating about Jiwon's potential relationship with Jeonghan, much to Joshua's dismay.

Jiwon contemplated addressing the swirling rumours but decided against it for the time being, waiting for a clear signal from the company. Their silence on the matter was unsettling, especially since she and Jeonghan shared nothing more than a deep friendship. They still enjoyed dinners together and confided in one another without any romantic undertones.

"Joshua, you take the Maserati and meet me at the apartment around quarter to eight. I'll take my own car," she instructed, her tone business-like yet affectionate. Joshua agreed reluctantly, knowing the precautions they had to take to keep their relationship a secret. It was a burden he bore without complaint, though it sometimes irked him.

Seungcheol had begun to grow suspicious. Over the past two months, Joshua had been spending an inordinate amount of time at Jiwon's apartment, whether lounging on the couch, working in her studio, or tangled together in her bed, reminiscent of their teenage days. When questioned, Joshua merely said he was meeting friends, but Seungcheol remained unconvinced.

Among the other members, opinions varied. Jeonghan knew the truth but had kept it under wraps, while Seungcheol, Wonwoo, Mingyu, and Vernon suspected something was brewing but had no inkling it was with Jiwon. The rest of the group believed the whispers about Jiwon and Jeonghan, leading to Jeonghan firmly warning them to keep quiet around her. No one dared to cross him; his reputation ensured compliance.

Now, with the group having moved to Yeosang Heights, conveniently located below Jiwon's penthouse, Joshua enjoyed the advantage of sneaking up to her place at night. It was a small victory in their clandestine relationship.

"Alright, see you later," Joshua said, taking a detour towards the parking lot while Jiwon headed through the cafeteria. Just as he disappeared from view, her phone began to ring. It was Soonyoung, who had become like an older brother to her. Rather than text, he rarely called, so Jiwon answered without hesitation. "Hello?" she greeted.

"Jiwon? Are you free at the moment?" Soonyoung's voice held an edge of urgency that piqued her interest. "Yes, I am. Is everything alright?" she asked, concern creeping into her tone. Soonyoung let out a heavy sigh. "Can you meet me at HYBE's cafeteria? I need to talk to you," he said, his voice low and serious. "Actually, I'm just outside the cafeteria right now. Where are you?" Jiwon replied, her curiosity growing.

"I'm at the back. I'll be waiting for you," he said before ending the call. Jiwon quickly texted Joshua, letting him know she would be late and that something had come up. His response was swift, reassuring her that it was perfectly fine.

Finding Soonyoung at the rear of the cafeteria, Jiwon noted the sparse crowd—most employees had already left for the day. Dressed in grey sweatpants and a black hoodie, he sat staring at two cups of iced Americano. As she approached, she waved to catch his attention. "What happened?" Jiwon asked as she settled into the seat opposite him. Soonyoung usually greeted her with warmth and laughter, but today, he seemed unusually subdued. He managed a small, sincere smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I didn't bother you, did I?" he questioned a hint of worry lacing his voice. "No, not at all. Please, tell me what's on your mind," she urged gently. Lowering his gaze, Soonyoung took a sip from his drink and sighed deeply, as if preparing himself for what he was about to reveal. "Jiwon, promise me you won't be angry after I tell you this," he said, his tone serious.

Jiwon's expression softened as she reached across the table, grasping his hand gently. "I promise I won't be mad. Just go on," she encouraged, her voice soothing. Soonyoung cleared his throat, visibly struggling with his words. "Well, Jiwon, I..." he hesitated, glancing at their joined hands. "I know something," he finally confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.