Her Song, His Heart

A Grand Birthday

Mannon woke up to the soft rays of morning light peeking through her window, the calm of the day washing over her. Today wasn’t just any day—it was her birthday, and despite all that had happened recently, she couldn’t help but feel a small flutter of excitement. The past few months had been filled with ups and downs, moments of overwhelming joy and instances where she’d struggled to stay grounded. But today, it was just about her—no expectations, no pressures.

The morning was serene. She had the entire day to herself, but the surprise party that Chan had hinted at was still in the back of her mind. As the hours passed, she went about her morning ritual—shower, skincare, breakfast, all in quiet solitude.

By the time the afternoon rolled around, it was time for her to get ready. Her heart skipped a beat as she slipped into the floor-length dark red silk dress that had been carefully chosen for this occasion. The fabric clung to her figure in all the right ways, the silk moving like liquid with every step. The dress had a low-cut back, just daring enough to show a hint of skin, while the deep red brought out the natural warmth in her complexion. It made her feel like she was stepping into a dream, elegant, radiant, and oh-so confident.

Her hair, usually styled in effortless curls, was left loose today, cascading down her back in soft waves that shimmered in the light. Her makeup was simple, yet striking—a sweep of mascara to accentuate her eyes and a soft, rose-tinted blush to complement the rich color of her dress. A subtle layer of gloss on her lips added a final touch of allure.

When she stepped out of her room, the soft clink of her high heels against the floor was the only sound as she made her way to the living room. Chan, already dressed in a sharp black suit, was waiting for her.

His eyes softened the moment he saw her. “Mannie…” he breathed out, almost as if he couldn’t believe the beauty standing before him. His expression was a mixture of awe and something more—a protectiveness, but also a quiet admiration. “You look absolutely stunning.”

Mannon’s smile was soft and knowing. “Thanks, Channie.”

Chan’s hand instinctively reached for hers, and they left the apartment together, making their way to the venue where the surprise party was waiting.

---

The venue was breathtaking. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow across the room, while the long tables were decorated with elegant white flowers and gold accents. The group had truly outdone themselves. The air was filled with laughter and warmth as people mingled, and Mannon’s heart swelled with emotion.

She hadn’t expected anything like this—not to this scale. It was perfect.

As she entered the room, heads turned, but none more than Hyunjin’s. His gaze locked onto her, and for a moment, the world seemed to still. His smile widened, and he made his way over to her, his steps quick, but purposeful.

“Mannie!” Hyunjin greeted, his voice warm. “Happy birthday.”

She returned his smile, her heart giving a little skip. “Thank you, Hyunjin. This means so much to me.”

Then, with a surprising flourish, Hyunjin held out a bouquet of roses. But these weren’t just any roses—these were her favorite deep red roses, 300 of them, wrapped elegantly in black, gold edged paper. Mannon’s eyes widened in shock as she took the bouquet from him, her fingers trembling slightly as she held them to her chest.

“Three hundred roses,” Hyunjin said, his smile slightly shy. “For you. I hope you like them.”

Mannon was speechless. The magnitude of the gesture hit her hard, and she felt a rush of emotions flood through her—joy, disbelief, and an unspoken tenderness she wasn’t ready to face. “Hyunjin… I—thank you.” She couldn’t find the right words, but the way her heart raced told her this moment was something more than just a kind gesture.

He seemed to sense her hesitation. “I wanted to make today as special as possible for you,” he said softly, his eyes locked onto hers. “You deserve it.”

There was a brief silence, the weight of the moment hanging between them. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes met his. It was like time stood still for just a moment. The pull between them was undeniable, and it wasn’t just her imagination—it was there, clear in the way their gazes held, soft but intense.

But before either of them could speak again, Chan’s voice broke through the tension. “Mannie, Hyunjin, come on over, the others are waiting for you.” He gave them a smile, but there was a slight sharpness in his eyes, a protective instinct Mannon had grown to recognize.

Mannon forced a smile and nodded, stepping away from Hyunjin. “Thank you again, Hyunjin,” she said, her voice a little breathless. “The roses are beautiful.”

Hyunjin’s smile softened, his eyes lingering on her as she moved away. “You’re welcome.”

---

The night continued with music, laughter, and warm conversations. But amidst it all, Mannon couldn’t shake the way her heart fluttered whenever Hyunjin was near. He seemed to be everywhere she turned, his presence both comforting and electrifying at the same time. She caught him stealing glances at her every now and then, and each time, it made her pulse quicken.

The others seemed oblivious, caught up in their own conversations and enjoyment. But Mannon couldn’t deny the undeniable chemistry between her and Hyunjin that simmered just beneath the surface.

As the night wore on, it became harder to ignore the growing feelings inside her. The way he smiled at her, the way his eyes lingered just a little too long—it made her feel things she wasn’t ready to feel. There were so many layers to their relationship, so many things left unsaid, and it was clear that their bond was deepening in a way neither of them had expected.

But with the others around, and the group dynamic at play, Mannon couldn’t allow herself to dwell on the pull between them. She pushed her feelings aside, just like she always did—burying them for the sake of her friendships, for the sake of the people she cared about.

---

Later, as the party began to wind down, Mannon found herself standing by the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her skin. She needed a moment to breathe, to gather her thoughts. The events of the day, the roses, Hyunjin’s gaze—they were all swirling in her head.

“Mannie.”

She turned around to find Hyunjin standing behind her, a soft smile on his face. “Mind if I join you?”

“Not at all,” she replied, her voice steady, but inside, her heart was racing again.

He stepped closer, standing beside her. “It’s a beautiful night,” he said, his voice low and warm.

“It is,” she agreed, her eyes on the distant city skyline.

They stood in comfortable silence, the weight of the day finally catching up to them. But the quiet between them spoke volumes, and Mannon couldn’t help but feel like this was the beginning of something—something she wasn’t sure she was ready for but couldn’t ignore any longer.

“I’m glad you’re here, Mannie,” Hyunjin said softly.

Her heart fluttered. “Me too,” she whispered back.

And for a brief moment, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, Hyunjin’s gesture of 300 roses wasn’t just a gift—it was a beginning.