Her Song, His Heart

Jet-Setting Dreams

Mannon sat in her room the night before the trip, her thoughts racing. The Versace collaboration had been a dream come true, but the reality of it was beginning to hit her. Tomorrow, she and Hyunjin would be heading to Milan for a photoshoot, part of a campaign that would showcase their brand ambassador roles. The excitement of it all felt overwhelming, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was stepping into a world that wasn’t completely hers.

But what made her feel even more anxious was the fact that she’d be traveling with Hyunjin. She knew he was a professional, and they’d worked together before, but the idea of spending so much time together on a trip made her stomach flutter—something about it felt... different.

She stood up and walked over to the full-length mirror, checking her outfit one last time. She had packed meticulously, choosing a few elegant outfits for the photoshoots and a couple of casual ones for their downtime. But the thought of being in front of cameras for days on end, with Hyunjin as her partner, made her uneasy.

You’ve got this, Mannon, she told herself. You’ve been training for this, working for this... You can handle it.

A knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts.

“Mannon?” Chan’s voice drifted through the door. “You ready for tomorrow?”

She opened the door to find her older brother standing there, his usual calm demeanor taking on a hint of worry when he saw her fidgeting with her clothes.

“I’m nervous, Channie,” she admitted, stepping aside to let him in.

Chan raised an eyebrow. “Nervous about what? The shoot? Or… something else?”

Mannon bit her lip. She hadn’t shared everything with Chan, especially not her anxieties about spending so much time with Hyunjin. But somehow, it felt easier to talk to him about it now.

“It’s just... everything feels so big all of a sudden. The campaign, the photoshoots, and the fact that Hyunjin and I will be working together so closely...” Mannon paused, trying to put her feelings into words. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

Chan softened, his protective side coming through as he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Mannon, you’ve got nothing to worry about. You’re strong, talented, and you’ve worked so hard for this moment. And as for Hyunjin... he’s a professional. You’ll be fine.”

Mannon nodded, trying to take comfort in his words. But as she watched her brother leave the room, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this trip would be the beginning of something that would change everything for her.

---

The next day, the flight to Milan was long, but Mannon tried to distract herself by reviewing the details of the campaign. She kept her headphones in, lost in the music, until she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. She looked up to find Hyunjin standing there, holding two bottles of water.

“Thought you might be thirsty,” he said with a small smile, offering one of the bottles to her.

“Thanks,” Mannon replied, taking it from him. “I didn’t realize how dry the air gets on flights.”

Hyunjin nodded. “Yeah, it’s rough. But hey, we’re almost there. How are you feeling?”

Mannon hesitated. She had been feeling a little overwhelmed, but she didn’t want to admit it to him. Instead, she forced a smile and shrugged.

“I’m good,” she lied. “Just a little nervous about the shoot.”

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “You don’t look nervous. You look like you’ve got it all under control.”

Mannon blushed slightly, realizing how carefully he had observed her. “I guess I’m just trying to keep it together. A lot’s riding on this campaign.”

He smiled reassuringly. “You’ve got this, Mannon. You’ve been training for this, and you’re a natural in front of the camera. Just be yourself, and everything will fall into place.”

Her heart fluttered at his words, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she nodded, appreciating his support in her own quiet way.

As the plane touched down in Milan, the reality of the trip set in. The city was buzzing with energy, and the bright lights of the city streets made everything feel alive. They were whisked away in a sleek black car to the luxury hotel where they’d be staying, and Mannon felt a mix of excitement and anxiety wash over her.

---

The next few days passed in a whirlwind of photoshoots, fittings, and appearances. The Versace team had been nothing but professional, guiding both Mannon and Hyunjin through each step. Despite the glamour of it all, Mannon couldn’t help but feel a little out of place. She wasn’t used to the attention, the constant scrutiny of her every move. But with Hyunjin by her side, she felt a sense of calm.

One afternoon, after a particularly grueling photoshoot, the two of them found themselves sitting outside on a terrace, the city’s skyline stretching out before them. The cool breeze was refreshing, and Mannon finally felt like she could relax.

“Do you ever get tired of all this?” Mannon asked, looking over at Hyunjin.

He tilted his head, clearly pondering the question. “Sometimes, yeah. But then I remember why I’m here, and it all feels worth it.”

Mannon looked at him, her brow furrowing in curiosity. “Why are you here?”

Hyunjin grinned, his eyes twinkling. “To make a living, of course,” he teased, but there was something more in his gaze. “But also to do something I love. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

For the first time in days, Mannon felt her heart lighten. The pressure of the campaign, the uncertainty she had felt before the trip, seemed to dissipate with his words.

They spent the rest of the evening wandering the streets of Milan, enjoying the warmth of the city and each other’s company. Hyunjin had a way of making everything seem so effortless, and for the first time in a long while, Mannon allowed herself to feel carefree.

---

Back at the hotel that night, as Mannon prepared to turn in for bed, she found herself thinking about the connection she had with Hyunjin. There was something there, something unspoken, that lingered in the air whenever they were together. It wasn’t romantic—at least, not yet—but it was real, and it was different from anything she had ever experienced before.

She closed her eyes, wondering what the future would bring, and whether the trip to Milan would be the beginning of a new chapter for her—one that involved more than just her career.