Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 6

As the evening deepened, Jessica guided me through the hotel floor, introducing me to various staff members along the way. Each person wore a polite smile and seemed to understand their role as part of this well-oiled machine surrounding Arc and his tour. When we reached the security team, I noticed Arc's bodyguard standing among them—a broad-shouldered man with an unreadable expression. I offered him a small smile, but he merely gave a curt nod in return.

Finally, we arrived at Arc's room, and I assumed we'd be going inside, but Jessica instead turned to the door opposite. She swiped a card, opening it and gesturing inside. "This is your room," she explained with a warm smile.

As I looked inside, it hit me that this would be my room, and right across from Arc's. I hadn't expected to be so close to him, literally just a door away. Jessica handed me the room key, adding, "Your bags should already be here. You're free to use the hotel amenities, and you can dine in the restaurant or order room service. Oh, and," she winked, "there's a mini bar if you need it."

I thanked her as she pointed to the table by the window, where a sleek laptop and phone lay waiting. "These are yours to use for work. The laptop has your email logged in, with this week's schedule. The phone has all necessary contacts and a calendar with all event times. You'll find the login details on that sticky note. During events, you're to use only this phone; your personal phone should stay out of sight. Feel free to share this number with family, but keep it private."

Jessica glanced at her watch, giving me a knowing smile as she headed to the door. "Oh, and at nine, a few of us are going to grab some drinks. You should come and meet everyone." She gave me the room number and slipped out, leaving the door slightly ajar.

I moved to close it, but before I could, I saw Arc coming down the corridor toward me. He looked... well, impossibly striking. In a pair of joggers and a tank top, with a towel draped around his neck and a water bottle in hand, he looked fresh from a workout, with a sheen of sweat glistening on his arms and forehead. The athletic look only amplified his charisma, and I found myself momentarily speechless, noting the effortless way he wore even the simplest outfit.

He stopped when he spotted me, then turned and leaned casually against his door, giving me a faint smirk. "그래서 우리와 함께하기로 결정하셨나요?(So, you decided to join us?)" he asked in Korean, his voice low and rich.

Arc's smirk didn't fade as I leaned casually against my door, mirroring his relaxed stance. "Yes, as of this evening, I am officially your translator," I declared.

"Then congratulations are in order," he replied, with that hint of mischief still in his eyes.

"Maybe, but I think a 'good luck' would be more fitting," I teased.

I gestured toward his workout clothes. "So, is there a gym on this floor? I didn't see one."

"No, I went to the hotel gym on the second floor," Arc replied.

"Oh, you went to the public gym? I figured they might've set up a private one for you on this floor with all the other special amenities," I said, surprised.

He chuckled. "You know, I hadn't thought of that. Maybe I should call the hotel and ask for my own private gym. They might just build a new wing for it," he joked, a playful glint in his eye.

Thinking I'd offended him, I quickly clarified, "I meant for your privacy! Wouldn't it be a problem if people recognized you?"

He laughed and pulled out a mask. "Don't worry; I have my 'Clark Kent' disguise," he said, holding it up.

I grinned, holding his gaze. "Guess we'll see if it works." I checked the time and shrugged casually. "Anyway, I should probably go; Jessica invited me out with some of the team for drinks."