Her Song, His Heart

The Quiet Before the Storm

The Paris photoshoot was a whirlwind of flashing lights, the constant hum of the camera shutters, and a few quiet moments shared between Mannon and Hyunjin that neither of them fully acknowledged out loud. It was all so surreal for her—being in the heart of fashion, surrounded by the elite, and most of all, feeling her feelings for Hyunjin stir with every shared glance and quiet word. But when the shoot ended and night began to fall, Mannon couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to change. She wasn’t sure if it was the city or the intensity of everything that had happened recently, but something in her told her that they were on the cusp of something new.

After the photoshoot wrapped up, they were given a night off to relax before their flight back to Seoul. The hotel was luxurious, and Mannon felt a little out of place amidst all the glamour, but she couldn’t deny the beauty of the city that surrounded her. Paris at night was magical, like something straight out of a dream.

Mannon stood on the balcony of their hotel room, overlooking the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the distance. She inhaled deeply, letting the cool air fill her lungs, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

Hyunjin’s voice behind her made her jump slightly, but when she turned to face him, he was smiling, leaning against the doorframe. He was dressed casually now—loose jeans and a simple white t-shirt—but he still looked like he’d just stepped off a runway.

“You okay?” he asked, his gaze soft as he studied her.

Mannon hesitated before responding, her voice quieter than usual. “I’m not sure. This whole trip… everything’s been a lot to process. You know?”

He nodded slowly, stepping closer. “Yeah, I get it. But you’re doing amazing. You should be proud of yourself, Mannon. This is just the beginning.”

Her heart fluttered at his words, but there was an undeniable tension in the air, one that neither of them acknowledged directly. It felt like something was hanging between them, unspoken but undeniable.

“I don’t know what I’m doing anymore,” Mannon admitted softly. “I mean, I never asked for any of this. I just... I don’t know. I’m feeling lost.”

Hyunjin stepped forward, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him. “Hey, it’s okay to feel lost sometimes. We all go through it. But you don’t have to do this alone, Mannon. I’m here for you, and I mean that. Whether it’s with this career, or... anything else.”

His voice softened at the end, and Mannon found herself staring into his eyes, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her. She could feel the pull between them, the connection growing stronger, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to give in.

Before she could speak, her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking the moment. She pulled it out, her heart sinking when she saw the name on the screen.

It was from Chan.

We need to talk. It’s important.

Mannon frowned. The tone of the message immediately set her on edge. She excused herself and stepped into the room to take the call, Hyunjin giving her some space but keeping a close eye on her.

“Chan?” Mannon answered, her voice a little shaky.

“Are you alone?” Chan asked, his voice more serious than usual.

“I’m with Hyunjin. What’s going on?” she asked, her brow furrowing as she sat down on the bed, feeling a wave of unease wash over her.

“I need you to listen carefully, okay?” Chan said. “There’s something important I need to tell you. We’ve been getting messages from a... fan. Not just the usual ones, Mannon. Someone’s been watching you. And this person has made it very clear they don’t like the idea of you getting too close to anyone.”

Mannon’s blood ran cold as the words hit her. She didn’t want to believe it—she didn’t want to let the fear take over again—but the memory of the earlier note and the strange, unsettling feeling she’d had since coming to Paris flooded back.

“Who is it? Chan, what’s going on?” Mannon’s voice trembled, despite her best efforts to sound calm.

“We don’t know yet, but we’re investigating. Just... stay alert. Don’t go anywhere alone until I get there.”

Mannon’s heart pounded in her chest. “Chan, I... I don’t want to be scared. I’ve been so focused on everything else—work, the shoot—but now, I can’t shake this feeling that something’s wrong.”

“I know, Mannon. I know. Just trust me. I’ll be there as soon as I can, and I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

She swallowed hard, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. “Okay,” she whispered.

“I love you, Mannon,” Chan added, his voice softer now, filled with reassurance.

Her heart clenched at the words, and for a moment, she felt the weight of everything that had happened in her life. The pressure, the fame, the constant worry about her safety.

“I love you too, Chan. Please hurry.”

---

After the call ended, Mannon returned to the balcony where Hyunjin was waiting, his expression concerned.

“What happened?” he asked, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of distress.

“Chan… he said there’s been a stalker. Someone who’s been sending weird messages.” Mannon swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in her throat. “And... they don’t want me getting close to anyone. Not even you.”

Hyunjin’s jaw tightened at the mention of a stalker. He stepped closer to her, his protective side now coming to the surface. “Mannon, don’t worry. We’ll figure this out. I’m not going anywhere, alright?”

She met his gaze, feeling the weight of his words sink in. In that moment, it was like the rest of the world didn’t matter. She needed him, now more than ever, but the doubt still lingered in the back of her mind. Was this all a sign? Should she push him away, or should she let herself fall for him completely?

But one thing was certain. This wasn’t just about fame, or fashion, or Paris. This was about her safety, her life—and the people who cared about her. The people who would stand by her, no matter what.

And, in that moment, Hyunjin was one of them.