Her Song, His Heart

Secrets in the Desert

The week after the red carpet had been a whirlwind for Mannon. Between glowing reviews from fashion critics and a slew of offers pouring in, she was finally beginning to feel like her career was gaining traction. Still, amidst the glitz and glamor, there was an ache in her heart—a reminder of the one dream she hadn’t yet achieved.

Singing.

It was a part of her she tried to bury, but moments like the quiet car rides back from events or the late nights spent staring at the city skyline made her think of it constantly. She wanted to try again, to see if maybe, just maybe, she could prove the agencies wrong.

So when an opportunity to attend an open audition in Dubai coincided with a photoshoot Versace had scheduled for her, she knew she couldn’t let it slip by. She kept the audition quiet, only telling Chan, who was, as expected, hesitant but supportive.

“Are you sure about this?” he’d asked as they sat in her room the night before her flight.

Mannon had nodded firmly, though her hands trembled slightly. “I have to try, Channie. I won’t know unless I do.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Alright. But be careful, okay? And let me know how it goes. You’ll kill it, I know you will.”

---

The next day, she left for Dubai.

Mannon arrived at the luxury hotel arranged by Versace, the sprawling cityscape and shimmering waters outside her window making her feel like she’d stepped into a dream. The photoshoot was set for the next morning, leaving her the evening to herself.

She spent the night rehearsing in her room, her voice carrying softly through the air as she worked through the song she’d chosen for the audition. It was one of her favorites—a ballad that felt like it had been written just for her. Her fingers trembled slightly as she held the lyrics, but her determination never wavered.

---

Back in Seoul, the members of Stray Kids were going about their usual schedule when Felix finally asked the question that had been on everyone’s mind.

“Where’s Mannon?”

Chan, who was sitting at the dining table scrolling through his phone, barely glanced up. “She’s in Dubai for a photoshoot.”

“That’s fancy,” Seungmin said, raising an eyebrow. “How long’s she gone for?”

“Couple of days.”

“Why does it feel like there’s more to the story?” Minho asked, his tone suspicious.

Chan paused, his fingers hovering over the screen. He looked up, his expression neutral. “Because you’re all nosy?”

“That’s not a denial,” Hyunjin pointed out, his voice calm but curious. He’d been unusually quiet since the red carpet, his mind still replaying moments from that night, especially the one by the balcony.

“It’s nothing, really,” Chan said, but his tone wasn’t convincing.

Hyunjin frowned, glancing at the others before speaking again. “Is she okay? She didn’t seem… herself the other night.”

Chan’s eyes softened at that, but he quickly masked it. “She’s fine. Just doing her thing.”

Though the group didn’t press further, the lingering questions hung in the air.

---

Meanwhile, Mannon stood outside the audition venue, her heart pounding in her chest. It was a sleek, modern building tucked away in a quieter part of Dubai, and as she stepped inside, she felt the weight of her nerves pressing down on her.

The room was filled with other hopefuls, each radiating confidence that Mannon wished she had. She clutched her registration form tightly, her palms damp as she waited for her turn.

When her number was finally called, she stepped into the audition room. The judges sat at a long table, their expressions unreadable.

“Your name?” one of them asked.

“Mannon Bhang,” she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside her.

“And what will you be performing?”

She named the ballad, her fingers gripping the edges of the mic stand as she prepared herself.

Then, she began to sing.

Her voice filled the room, rich and haunting, carrying every ounce of emotion she had bottled up over the years. It was vulnerable and raw, yet powerful, leaving the judges visibly moved. When she finished, there was a long silence, and Mannon’s heart sank, fearing the worst.

But then, one of them smiled. “You have something special.”

---

Later that evening, she called Chan from her hotel room.

“How’d it go?” he asked immediately, his tone a mix of excitement and nerves.

“I think it went well,” Mannon said, her voice tinged with disbelief. “They said I have something special.”

Chan let out a soft laugh. “Of course you do. I’ve been telling you that for years.”

Mannon smiled, her chest feeling lighter than it had in a long time. “Thanks, Channie. For everything.”

“Just promise me you’ll keep me in the loop. And take care of yourself, alright?”

“Always.”

---

When Mannon returned to Seoul a few days later, she was met with a barrage of questions from the group.

“How was Dubai?” Felix asked, practically bouncing with curiosity.

“Was the photoshoot amazing?” I.N. added.

“Yeah, it was great,” Mannon said, keeping her tone casual.

But Hyunjin, who had been watching her closely, noticed something different. There was a glow about her—a quiet confidence that hadn’t been there before.

“Did anything else happen?” he asked, his tone light but probing.

Mannon hesitated for a fraction of a second before shaking her head. “Just work stuff.”

Hyunjin didn’t press, but the flicker of curiosity in his eyes didn’t fade.

Chan, who was watching the exchange from the corner of the room, crossed his arms and let out a small sigh. He knew it was only a matter of time before the truth came out, but for now, he was content to let Mannon have her secret.

Little did they know, this was just the beginning of something much bigger.