In a world where dreams and reality collide, Chronicles of the Unseen delves into the lives of Ren, Era, Al, and the members of the K-pop sensation SEVENTEEN. As they navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and self-discovery, their lives int...
Ren and Conrad finally arrived in Seoul after an arduous journey that seemed to stretch across eternity. Exhaustion clung to them like a second skin as they made their way through the bustling city streets, weaving through the bright lights and tall buildings that illuminated the night sky. Without exchanging more than a few weary words, they reached their pre-booked hotel, a luxurious high-rise with panoramic views that glistened against the midnight skyline. Ren felt the weight of the journey pulling her toward her room, each step a reminder of the need for rest. Dinner on the plane had been their last meal, and now, with nothing left to tend to, she embraced the solitude of her room and the solace of sleep.
The Next Morning
The city had barely begun to stir when Ren awoke, her mind sharp and alert despite the fatigue lingering in her bones. She prepared meticulously, choosing a sleek, form-fitting suit that exuded both authority and grace. Her makeup was understated yet elegant, a subtle touch that highlighted her natural beauty and reinforced the confidence she carried like armor.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Standing in the underground parking garage, she waited with a quiet patience, glancing at her watch every so often. Conrad, ever efficient, soon pulled up in the car, the gentle hum of the engine a familiar and comforting sound.
"Connie, did you double-check all the files?" Ren’s voice held a calm but undeniable command as she strode toward the car, her heels clicking against the polished concrete.
"Yes, boss. Everything’s ready and accounted for," Conrad replied, his tone respectful yet relaxed, a mark of the trust they shared.
------
They arrived at an exclusive, high-end restaurant nestled in the heart of the city—a venue chosen to match the importance of the meeting. Every detail had been arranged to perfection, from the ambiance of the VIP room to the carefully curated lunch that awaited them. As they entered, Mr. Lee rose to greet them, his warm smile a blend of respect and admiration.
The meeting commenced, an intricate exchange of business strategies, future ventures, and meticulous projections that filled the next hour with the buzz of anticipation. Ren's mind was a calculated chessboard, analyzing every point and counterpoint, mapping out the possibilities for growth and collaboration. Finally, as they closed the meeting with mutual satisfaction, they settled into a relaxed atmosphere, awaiting the arrival of lunch.
"Excuse me for a moment," Ren said politely, stepping away to freshen up. As she emerged from the restroom, her mind drifted back to the details of the meeting, her fingers absently scrolling through emails on her phone. She was so absorbed that she didn’t notice her surroundings—until she collided with someone.
The impact jolted her, and she instinctively glanced up, an apology forming on her lips. But when her gaze settled on the figure before her, the words vanished. She felt her heart stutter, her breath catching in her throat.
"Ren?" came a voice, rich and soft, yet tinged with shock. It was as if he barely dared to believe what he saw.
It was Wonwoo!
For a heartbeat, everything else faded—the busy restaurant, the bustling waitstaff, even the thoughts buzzing in her mind. She stood frozen, unable to comprehend that, after all these years, she was standing face-to-face with him here, in this very place, in this very moment. He looked strikingly familiar yet changed, his presence now refined, more mature, but still unmistakably the same man who had once held a place so close to her heart. His new glasses framed his eyes with an elegance that hinted at the quiet wisdom he had gained, and the aura he carried was both familiar and painfully distant.
Ren felt her pulse quicken, a rush of memories and buried emotions flooding her senses. She hadn’t expected this—hadn’t even considered the possibility of seeing him here. Seoul felt vast enough to bury her past, but here he was, a chapter she thought she’d closed forever. She fought to maintain her composure, to quell the surge of emotions threatening to break free. Her lips parted as if to speak, yet no words came.
Just then, Conrad approached, his presence jolting her back to reality.
"Ren..." he began, sensing the tension in the air. He stopped short, his gaze flickering between her and the man she was staring at.
Ren blinked, snapping out of her reverie. "Yes?" she replied softly, casting one last, fleeting look at Wonwoo before turning her attention to Conrad.
"Mr. Lee is waiting for you," Conrad reminded her, his voice professional, though he could feel something unusual in her demeanor.
In that brief moment, tears threatened to surface, shimmering in her eyes. But she quickly blinked them away, her expression hardening with the resolve that had carried her through so much. She refused to show any vulnerability here—not now, not in front of him.
"Excuse me," she whispered, her voice barely a breath. Without a backward glance, she strode past Wonwoo, each step measured and deliberate, though her heart felt as though it might shatter. She couldn’t let him see her pain, couldn’t let him witness the turmoil churning within her. The guiltiness.....
Wonwoo stood still, watching her retreating figure, feeling the weight of unsaid words, of unresolved pasts pressing down on him. In her silence, he could feel the echoes of the hurt she had made him keep—the vow that he would never come before her again. A part of him ached, yearning to know how she had been, what life had held for her since that day. But he knew he couldn’t ask—knew he didn’t have the right. She never gave him the right-! Her parting words echoed in his mind, a ghostly whisper of heartbreak and finality that stung as deeply now as they had back then.
Maybe it was both of their 'EGO' or something else!!!
------
After the meeting concluded, Ren and Conrad strolled toward the exit, their voices low, yet carrying the quiet triumph of a negotiation sealed to perfection. Ren, ever forward-focused, had already begun to untangle her thoughts, her mind drifting to the next task that awaited her. The world outside felt within reach, and her gaze was fixed ahead, sharp with purpose.
Yet, just as they neared the exit, a door opened nearby, slipping into the background of her awareness as her focus tightened on her plans.
Then, a voice, rich with recognition and curiosity, called out from behind.
"Ren…? Is that really you? I’d recognize that face anywhere—surely, you must be Ren!"
The voice was unmistakable, resonating with familiarity. Ren’s steps faltered, her heart hammering in her chest as she turned, slowly, to face the person behind her.....
