Her Song, His Heart

The Sound of Silence

The next few days after Mannon’s birthday were a blur. The roses from Hyunjin were placed in a beautiful vase at the center of the living room, and every time Mannon walked by, they reminded her of the quiet yet intense moment they’d shared. The party had been full of excitement, but it was those small, intimate gestures that stayed with her the longest.

She had received countless messages from fans, friends, and family wishing her well, but amid the celebrations and the attention, there was a quiet pressure looming over her. Her phone buzzed again, and this time it was an email from her manager with a subject line that made her stomach tighten: Meeting about your music career.

Mannon had been trying to ignore the inevitable for as long as she could—the topic of her music career was something that weighed heavily on her heart. She had been so afraid of what it might mean for her life, for her image. Her singing—something she had always kept to herself—was too personal, too raw to share with the world.

But the email was there. And Chan had been pushing her for months to make a decision.

She picked up her phone and replied, setting a meeting with her manager for later that afternoon. With everything going on—Amara’s pregnancy, the Versace photoshoots, and her relationship with Hyunjin—Mannon had been avoiding the one thing that always seemed to pull her in a different direction. The one thing that always brought out the real her: music.

---

Later that day, Mannon found herself sitting across from her manager, Tina, in a quiet cafe. Tina was the only person who had known about Mannon’s music potential for a long time, and she had been pushing her to step into the spotlight for ages.

"Okay," Tina began, pulling out her tablet and scrolling through some notes. "We’ve got everything lined up for your debut. The label is ready to push your single, and we’re already talking about your first album."

Mannon’s heart was beating faster now. She had never heard the words “album” or “debut” used in reference to her music. She had never truly allowed herself to dream this big, and yet here it was.

"I don’t know," Mannon whispered, looking down at her hands. "I don’t know if I’m ready for this. I’ve never even performed in front of anyone besides Chan. This... this is too much."

Tina’s gaze softened. "You’ve been ready for a long time, Mannon. You have the voice of an angel. Everyone who has heard you sing says the same thing. It’s time to share that with the world."

"But what if they don’t like it?" Mannon’s voice trembled slightly. "What if they hate me? Or what if they find out the truth—about me being adopted, about my mental health..."

Tina placed a hand on hers, gently squeezing. "Mannon, people will love you for you. Your music, your heart. And as for your story—everyone has one. Don’t let fear hold you back. You are powerful, and your voice deserves to be heard."

Mannon exhaled slowly. The doubt, the worry, the constant anxiety that followed her everywhere—it was all part of who she was. But hearing Tina’s words made her feel something new: hope. Could she really do this? Could she take the plunge?

Before she could answer, her phone buzzed, pulling her back to reality. It was a message from Hyunjin. "Hey, are you free later? I’ve got something to show you."

She couldn’t help but smile. She hadn’t talked to him much that day—she’d been so wrapped up in the business side of things—but her heart always seemed to flutter when she saw his name.

Mannon quickly typed back. "I’m free. What’s up?"

His reply was almost immediate. "I’ll pick you up in an hour."

---

Later that evening, Mannon met Hyunjin in the lobby, where he was waiting with his usual warm smile. As they stepped into his car, the tension that had been hanging in the air for the past few days seemed to dissipate. She felt a strange sense of comfort with him, something that made her feel safe but also left her questioning her feelings.

"Where are we going?" Mannon asked, as Hyunjin pulled out of the parking lot.

"You’ll see," he replied, his voice light with mystery.

The drive was smooth and quick, and soon enough, they pulled up in front of a small recording studio, the kind Mannon had only ever seen in movies. She raised an eyebrow. "Hyunjin, what is this? Are we going to record something?"

He smiled mischievously. "Kind of. I wanted you to hear something first."

They walked inside, and Mannon immediately noticed the small, intimate vibe of the place—low lights, cushioned chairs, and a soundproof booth in the corner. The studio felt different, like it was built for something personal.

Hyunjin walked her toward the booth, where a man was setting up equipment. "This is Joon," he said, introducing the producer. "He’s been working with me on some tracks. I thought you might want to hear them."

Mannon’s heart skipped a beat. "Wait... you’ve been working on music?"

Hyunjin nodded. "I have. And I think you should be a part of it. This isn’t just about me—this is about us, Mannie. We could make something amazing together."

Her heart raced. Could he really be suggesting that? She had always been so focused on her own fears, her doubts, but Hyunjin... he had a way of making everything seem so possible.

Joon handed her a pair of headphones, and Hyunjin smiled gently. "Don’t think about anything. Just listen."

As the first notes filled her ears, Mannon felt the weight of the world lift, if only for a moment. The music was soft, but powerful, each note pulling her in deeper. The melody swelled, and soon enough, she was lost in it. Hyunjin’s voice came in softly, but with so much emotion, and her heart swelled with a feeling she hadn’t known she could have.

When the song ended, Mannon felt like she had been on a journey. Her eyes were wide, and she looked over at Hyunjin, her voice barely above a whisper. "That was... beautiful. I didn’t know you could do this."

Hyunjin grinned. "I’ve always wanted to make something with you. I just didn’t know how to ask."

Her chest tightened. She couldn’t ignore the way her heart fluttered when she looked at him, when she felt the warmth of his presence next to her. This, right here, was what she had been avoiding all along. The potential of something more.

"Hyunjin, I…" Her voice faltered as she struggled to find the words. This was bigger than anything she had ever felt before. It was more than just music. It was them.

And in that moment, she realized that the next step—whether it was in music or in her heart—was something she wasn’t ready to back away from anymore.