Her Song, His Heart

The Unspoken Attraction

It had been a few days since the “gift” had arrived, and Mannon couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at her. Every sound, every movement in the apartment felt amplified, as if she was being watched—if not by the stalker, then by someone else. And to make matters worse, she could sense that Hyunjin’s behavior around her had shifted, though he tried his best to keep it subtle.

Maybe it was her mind playing tricks on her, but the way he lingered around her more often, the way his gaze seemed to follow her when she wasn’t looking, told her something was different. She couldn’t deny it. There was a spark between them, an undeniable pull. But now, with the added stress of the stalker, it felt more complicated than ever.

---

On one particularly quiet afternoon, Mannon found herself at the living room window, looking out over the city. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, the stalker still lurking in her mind. She had made a habit of checking every package and message with scrutiny, knowing that anything could be a potential threat. It wasn’t the life she had imagined when she first stepped into the world of fame, but she’d made peace with it. She’d learned to ignore the small things, like the stares and whispers from strangers.

But this? This was different. This was personal.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and saw it was a message from Hyunjin.

“Are you free to talk for a bit? I think we need to discuss something.”

Her heart skipped a beat at the message, a mix of curiosity and apprehension flooding her senses. It wasn’t unusual for Hyunjin to reach out, but something about this felt different. After a moment’s hesitation, she typed back.

“Sure. I’ll be in the living room.”

Minutes later, he appeared at the door, his usual calm demeanor now tinged with a hint of something unspoken. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than usual, and it didn’t take long for her to notice the slight flush in his cheeks.

“Hey,” he greeted her softly, his voice low and steady.

Mannon offered him a small smile, trying to ignore the nervous energy that seemed to hang in the air between them. She gestured to the couch. “Come sit. What’s going on?”

Hyunjin hesitated before sitting next to her, the space between them feeling both too close and too far at the same time. “I just wanted to check in on you,” he began, his voice gentle. “I know things have been… rough, with the stalker and all. And I just want you to know I’m here if you need anything.”

Mannon nodded, grateful for his concern, though she couldn’t help but feel like there was something more to his words. “Thanks, Hyunjin. I really appreciate it.”

There was a pause, the air thick with unspoken words. Hyunjin shifted in his seat, clearly gathering his thoughts. Then, as if he couldn’t hold it in any longer, he blurted out, “I just— I don’t want you to feel alone in this.”

Mannon blinked, surprised by the intensity in his voice. “You don’t have to worry about that. I’m fine. Really.” She tried to brush it off with a soft laugh, but she knew deep down that she wasn’t fine. She’d never been more scared in her life, but she couldn’t bring herself to admit it.

Hyunjin didn’t seem convinced. He leaned in slightly, his eyes searching hers with a determination that made her heart race. “Mannon,” he said quietly, his tone serious, “I’m not just talking about the stalker.”

She furrowed her brows, confused. “What do you mean?”

He paused, his gaze drifting to her lips for a fraction of a second before returning to her eyes. “I’ve been… noticing things. About you. About us.”

Mannon’s heart skipped a beat, her mind immediately spinning. “What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to stay composed.

“I don’t know how to say this, but I think I’ve been falling for you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mannon’s breath caught in her throat. She stared at him, her mind struggling to process the words he’d just said. Hyunjin was looking at her like she was the only thing in the room, his usual playful smile now replaced with something deeper, more vulnerable.

She didn’t know how to respond, her emotions crashing over her like a wave. She had always known that there was something between them, something unspoken, but she hadn’t expected him to confess it, not like this. Not when everything was already so complicated.

Before she could respond, Hyunjin’s face softened, and he placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “I didn’t mean to make things awkward,” he said quickly, his voice apologetic. “I just… I had to tell you.”

Mannon couldn’t help but feel the intensity of his words reverberating in her chest. She had always known he cared for her—he had shown it in little ways, in the way he’d been there for her when things got rough. But hearing it out loud was different. It changed everything.

“I didn’t expect that,” she said, her voice quiet. “But... I’m not sure what to do with it right now.”

Hyunjin smiled softly, his eyes filled with understanding. “I get it. And I’m not asking for anything. I just wanted you to know. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

Mannon nodded, her heart racing as the weight of his words sank in. She could feel the connection between them deepening, but at the same time, she was overwhelmed. This wasn’t just about a crush or a fleeting attraction. This was real. And it scared her.

As they sat there in silence, Mannon couldn’t help but think about how different everything felt now. The way Hyunjin looked at her, the way his words made her feel like she mattered—it was everything she had been afraid of and more.

And maybe, just maybe, it was exactly what she needed.

---

Later that evening, as she looked at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t ignore the changes she was feeling inside. Hyunjin’s confession had stirred something in her, something she wasn’t sure she was ready to confront. She wasn’t just a girl with a beautiful face and killer curves—she was someone with dreams, with flaws, with fears.

But maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t as alone as she thought.

And maybe, just maybe, Hyunjin wasn’t just another guy falling for her. Maybe he was the one who would help her see that, despite everything she had gone through, she could still be loved.

As she walked back into the living room, her eyes met Hyunjin’s again. This time, the look between them was different—deeper, more knowing.

And for the first time in a long while, Mannon allowed herself to believe that she wasn’t just a pretty face in a crowd. She was someone worth loving, someone worth fighting for.