Love In The Spotlight~ YEONBIN FF

4. Coincidence or Fate?

Yeonjun stormed into the seventh-floor artist room, his heart racing with anticipation. Inside, he found his manager, Hajun, looking somber.

"Hyung, what did producer Hwang say?" Yeonjun asked, hope etched on his face.

Hajun's expression faltered. "I'm sorry, Yeonjun-ah. Producer Hwang rejected the lyrics. He wants new ones by this week."

Yeonjun's face crumpled. "This isn't fair!" he burst out, his usually soft voice now laced with frustration. "I poured my heart into those lyrics, and I even came for the audition, reading every script, just to get them accepted."

Meanwhile, on the ground floor, Soobin paced anxiously, waiting for Beomgyu's update on his dance audition.

"Hyung, I'm after two people, and I'm getting really nervous," Beomgyu confessed over the phone. "Can you meet me outside the audition room on the seventh floor?"

Soobin hurried to the seventh floor, searching for the dance audition room. As he turned a corner, he heard muffled shouting from a nearby room.

Just then, the door swung open, and the coffee-stained stranger from earlier emerged. Yeonjun's red-rimmed eyes locked onto Soobin, his anger reigniting.

"Follow me," Yeonjun commanded, his voice low and intense.

Soobin hesitated, sensing the emotional turmoil, but Yeonjun's determined stride left him no choice.

Soobin trailed behind Yeonjun, perplexed by the stranger's tears and urgent tone. They entered an empty room, and Yeonjun locked the door, his movements swift and decisive.

"Which media house sent you to gather information about me?" Yeonjun demanded, his eyes narrowing.

Soobin's confusion deepened. "Excuse me?" he asked, taking a step back.

Yeonjun's anger flared, his face reddening. " Do I have no right to privacy? First, at Han River, I thought you weren't interested in my fame. You casually talked and offered me that box of fried chicken. Then, today's coffee incident seemed coincidental. But now, outside my artist room? Too many coincidences to be considered mere chance."

Soobin realized the connection: the man in black near Han River and the coffee-stained stranger were one. His expression changed from confusion to understanding.

"Why would a media house care about you? Are you a celebrity?" Soobin asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.

Yeonjun laughed, a melodic sound that filled the room. " Are you seriously asking if I'm a celebrity?" His smile faltered, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability.

Soobin noticed Yeonjun's captivating smile, his eyes sparkling like diamonds.

"Are you?" Soobin asked, his tone neutral.

Yeonjun's eyes sparkled. "Are you from outside Korea?" he countered.

"No," Soobin replied.

Yeonjun's questions followed, each one probing Soobin's familiarity with Korean pop culture: "Have you never had ice cream, ridden a bus, eaten noodles, watched TV, used the internet, or walked on a road?"

Soobin affirmed doing all those, his expression unwavering.

"My face is everywhere in Korea. You must have seen me," Yeonjun stated, confidence lacing his voice.

Soobin shrugged, his shoulders barely rising. "Too busy making ends meet to notice pretty faces on packaging, TVs, or buses. I genuinely don't know who you are."

Yeonjun's eyes narrowed. "Never heard K-pop songs like '0x1=LOVESONG', 'Anti-Romantic', 'Run Away', 'Boyfriend', or 'GGUM'?"

Soobin's expression remained blank. "No, I don't really listen to music. Sorry."

Yeonjun's eyes widened; no one had ever said that before. For a moment, he looked taken aback.

"You're either the most genuine person I've met or the best actor." Yeonjun's laughter filled the room.

"Don't you want a selfie or autograph?" Yeonjun tested.

Soobin declined. "I'd rather save phone space for natural beauty."

Yeonjun chuckled, taking Soobin's phone. "Go home and show it to your friends and family."

As Yeonjun snapped a selfie and signed an autograph, Soobin asked, "What's your name?"

"Choi Yeonjun," he replied with a smile.

Yeonjun handed Soobin the phone and paper. "Now you know."

Soobin left the room, still perplexed but intrigued by Yeonjun's enigmatic smile.