A Distraction // Bangchan

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The next few weeks went by in bliss, Lauren and Chan finding a stride in their relationship. He continued to make an effort to see her as much as possible, even with his busy schedule.

One evening, they were sitting together in her apartment, enjoying a quiet evening after his long day at the studio. They'd been savoring these moments of calm whenever they could, cherishing the time they had before Chan's next big commitment took him away again.

He was scrolling through his phone, and Lauren could sense that something was on his mind. His expression shifted slightly, more focused now, and after a few moments, he set his phone down and looked at her with a mix of excitement and hesitation in his eyes.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight that immediately made her sit up and pay attention. "I've got some news."

Lauren tilted her head, watching him closely. "What's going on?"

Chan took a deep breath before continuing, his fingers gently tracing circles on her knee. "I've been invited to Milan for a Fendi fashion show. It's a huge deal, but I'll be gone for a few days."

Lauren blinked in surprise. Milan? A fashion show? She knew how important these events were, especially for someone in Chan's position. The exposure, the connections—being part of something like that was a big deal. But at the same time, the thought of him leaving, even just for a few days, tugged at her heart. She wasn't sure why, but lately, the idea of him being far away felt heavier than before.

"That's amazing," she said softly, trying to keep her voice light. "You should definitely go. It's such a huge opportunity."

Chan smiled, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes as he watched her. "Yeah, I think it'll be fun. I've never been to Milan, so it'll be an adventure." He paused, searching her face for a moment, looking for reassurance.

Lauren felt her chest tighten, but she pushed it down. She loved how thoughtful he was, how much he cared about making sure she was okay, but she didn't want him to feel guilty about taking opportunities like this. She knew how important his career was, and she didn't want to hold him back in any way.

"You don't have to worry about me," she said, reaching for his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I'll be fine. You should go and enjoy it. You deserve to be there."

Chan exhaled, his expression softening as he intertwined their fingers. "I know. I just... I'm going to miss you, that's all."

Lauren's heart swelled at his honesty. She knew how busy he was, how much he had to juggle between his career and their relationship, and hearing him say that made her feel even more connected to him. "I'm going to miss you too," she admitted, her voice soft but steady. "But we'll be okay. It's only a few days."

Chan nodded, though there was still a hint of hesitation in his eyes. "I just wish I could take you with me," he said with a small smile. "You'd look amazing in Milan."

Lauren laughed, the image of them strolling through the streets of Milan together flashing through her mind. "Maybe one day," she said, her tone playful. "But for now, I think you'll have to settle for me cheering you on from here."

Chan chuckled softly, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I'll take it," he murmured, his lips lingering against her skin for a moment before he pulled back.

As the night wore on, they talked about the details of the trip—when he'd be leaving, how long he'd be gone, and what he'd be doing while he was there. Chan was excited, that much was clear, and Lauren loved seeing that spark in him. But as he talked, she couldn't help but feel the tiniest twinge of fear creeping in—the same fear she had pushed down the other night when they'd been cuddling in bed.