Beneath The spotlight

Chapter 11: Six Years Later

LMAOOO TIMESKIP TIMEEEE

Six years had passed since Joong disappeared from the public eye, and the world had moved on—mostly. The whispers of his sudden disappearance had faded, and his absence became just another piece of the endless puzzle that was the entertainment industry. The once-famous actor, the one who was beloved for his charisma, looks, and charm, was now a ghost in the public's mind. But to Joong, it didn’t matter.

In those six years, he had built a life for himself far away from the spotlight. Joong had been famous—he had been adored by fans, admired by peers, and cherished by the public. He had everything anyone could wish for: money, fame, success. People adored him. Joong had been untouchable, a star on top of the world. But the pressure, the expectations, and the chaos that came with it had suffocated him.

He had longed for peace—real peace—and had found it in his retreat from the limelight. He’d built a new, quieter life, away from the cameras, the crowds, and the endless demands. A life where he didn’t have to smile for the paparazzi or attend endless events. A life where he could simply breathe.

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Joong’s New Life

Joong’s world now was humble by comparison. His mansion had been sold, and he had bought a simple, quiet house in a small neighborhood, hidden from the public eye. It was a place where no one would bother him, where no one would know who he was. It was far from the life of luxury he had once known. But it was everything he had ever wanted now.

Still, even in his solitude, Joong wasn’t entirely alone. He had a son, Kian, now five years old. Joong had kept Kian’s existence a secret from everyone—his family, the media, even Dunk. The child had been his greatest joy, a product of a past he had left behind. Joong loved Kian more than anything in the world, but he wasn’t ready to share his son with the world. He kept him hidden away, as far from the public eye as possible. The last thing he wanted was for Kian to experience the chaos that had once been his life.

He could never let anyone, especially Dunk, know about his son. The world didn’t need to know about Kian. Not yet.

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Dunk’s Life Now

Dunk had spent the last six years moving forward. He had managed to bury the confusion and hurt Joong’s sudden departure had left in its wake. The entertainment world had shifted, and Dunk’s career had only skyrocketed in Joong’s absence. He had become one of the top actors in the industry, his name synonymous with success. His life, on the surface, was everything anyone could ask for: fame, adoration, wealth.

But beneath the surface, something was missing. Despite the flashes of cameras and the constant stream of people who admired him, Dunk couldn’t shake the feeling of emptiness that clung to him. He had tried to fill it with relationships, with new projects, with luxury, but it was always there—a subtle ache. The absence of Joong.

Even though Joong had left without a word, Dunk had always carried a sense of loss. There had been no explanation, no closure. He never understood why Joong had walked away. He never knew what he had done wrong—or if it was something Joong needed to do for himself. The questions had been endless, but Dunk had eventually buried them beneath the success of his career.

Life had gone on. Dunk had gone on.

But that lingering feeling, the unanswered question of why Joong had disappeared, had never fully left him.

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The Encounter

It was on a quiet afternoon, six years after Joong’s departure, that Dunk found himself walking through the city, his mind occupied with work and the constant hum of his busy life. He was meeting some friends for a casual lunch, but as he passed a small café, something—or rather someone—caught his eye.

Joong.

Dunk’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t seen him in years, and yet, there he was, sitting at a table by the window, casually sipping coffee, completely unaware of Dunk’s gaze. Joong hadn’t changed much—he still looked as handsome as ever, the same undeniable charisma in the way he held himself. But there was something different about him. Joong didn’t seem to notice anything around him. He was absorbed in a book, his expression distant.

Dunk stood frozen for a moment, unsure of what to do. It had been so long. So many years. And yet, Joong’s presence was like a magnetic pull he couldn’t resist. He was the same Joong who had once driven Dunk crazy, the same Joong who had been an insufferable thorn in his side, but also the same Joong who had captured his attention like no one else had.

Dunk thought about walking away, pretending he hadn’t seen him. After all, what was the point? Joong had left without a word. He had made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with Dunk. So why bother now?

But there was something about Joong—something that Dunk couldn’t ignore. He found himself stepping toward the café door, then stopping just before he pushed it open.

For a long moment, Dunk just stood there, watching Joong from the outside, trying to read the man who had been a part of his life for so long—his enemy, his constant challenge, and yet... so much more.

But Joong didn’t notice him. Joong didn’t even look up from his book.

In that moment, Dunk couldn’t help but feel a wave of frustration. He had moved on—he had to have moved on, right? Joong was just a memory now, a part of his past, a chapter he’d closed long ago. But why did it still sting? Why did seeing Joong again make his heart ache in a way he hadn’t expected?

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Joong’s Silence

Inside the café, Joong remained unaware of Dunk’s presence. He didn’t turn, didn’t acknowledge the familiar weight in the air that Dunk’s presence had created. Joong’s focus remained solely on the pages of his book, his mind miles away from the bustling city outside.

For Joong, seeing Dunk—knowing Dunk was out there somewhere, so close—brought up a whirlwind of emotions he wasn’t prepared to face. He had avoided Dunk all these years. He had avoided everything about his old life. Joong had carefully constructed this quiet, peaceful existence, far away from the complications of his past.

He wasn’t ready to face Dunk. Not yet. Not when so much had changed. Not when he had so much to hide.

Joong felt a pang in his chest but dismissed it, continuing to read, pretending that Dunk wasn’t standing just outside. He couldn’t let himself get caught in that web again. Not now. Not after all these years.

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