Through my eyes||Dino

-5-

The following week, Dino walked into the makeup room with the same feeling he had the day he first met Sara. That spark of curiosity, the quiet pull in his chest he couldn't quite explain. He hadn't stop thinking about her since that first encounter.

She was sitting at the counter, sorting through brushes and palettes, looking completely absorbed in her work. Her eyes focused and brows furrowed in concentration, Sara didn't notice his entrance. It was clear to Dino that she was in her element.

'Morning,' he greeted with his usual grin, leaning against the door frame. They were the only ones in the room. Sara glanced up at him briefly, offering a polite nod. 'Morning.' Her voice was flat, professional, as if she'd been speaking to a client, not one of the biggest Kpop stars in South Korea.

Dino chuckled, stepping further into the room. 'Not much of a talker are you?' She shot him a quick apologetic look, then went back to sifting through her kit. 'Not unless I have to be.'

He raised an eyebrow. 'You're not shy, are you?'
Sara hesitated for a moment before shaking her head, though she didn't offer much else in the way of a response. He wasn't sure if she was genuinely disinterested or just... reserved. Either way, she was intriguing.

He had noticed it that first day, how she didn't act like all the other people around him, fawning and fidgeting just because they were at the presence of a celebrity. It wasn't that Sara was rude-- she was just unaffected. And for some reason, that kept him on his toes.

'So... what's your story Sara?' He asked casually, trying to sound like he was just making small talk. But something about--her energy--made him want to know more. Sara looked up at him briefly, her lips pursed. 'My story?' I'm just here to do my job.'

He smiled, amused. 'Straight to the point, I like that.' He shifted in his seat. 'But I'm guessing there's a lot more about you than just brushes and foundation.' She didn't meet his gaze this time, busying herself with mixing a concealer. 'Not really. I'm just doing what I'm good at. I've been doing makeup for a while now, and I love it.'  She paused, looking at him again but avoiding his eyes.'That's it,really.'

Dino couldn't help but press a little more. He found her oddly refreshing. And that was saying something coming from a guy whose life had always been nothing but quiet. 'So, no interesting stories? No crazy adventures?' He prodded, tilting his head. Sara let out a soft, almost imperceptible laugh, her eyes flicking to the mirror in front of her. ' I mean, I guess I've traveled a bit for work... but mostly it's just airports, hotels, and makeup chairs. Not much excitement there.'

'That sounds like a dream life.' Dino smirked, though he could tell she wasn't trying to sound jaded--just a matter-of-fact. She was clearly someone who valued work over personal stories.
'Maybe for you,' she replied dryly, but there was no hint of malice in her tone. It was just... Sara.

'Fair enough,' He said, leaning back in the chair. 'I guess I can't argue with that.' There was a lull in the conversation as she started working on his face, smoothing his jawline with a sponge. The silence between them felt natural, but it was starting to become comfortable in a way that Dino wasn't used to.

'So, how's the group doing lately?' She asked, her hands steady as she applied makeup with expert precision. Dino laughed, grateful for the shift in the conversation. 'Same as usual. We're busy, you know? Always rehearsing, always traveling, it gets a little monotonous at times.'

She nodded, and for a moment, it felt like they were just two normal people talking. No fame. No pop star, no makeup artist--just two people sharing an honest exchange. 'So, what do you do... to break the monotony?' She asked, her hands paused waiting for his answer. Her eyes were curious now, and for the first time, she seemed to be engaged.

Dino thought about it for a second, then shrugged. 'I'm not sure yet. Still figuring that out. Maybe... I need someone to show me how.'
Sara's eyes flickered briefly to his, and for a second, he thought he saw a spark of something--surprise, confusion, maybe even slight embarrassment. But it was gone in a second, and she went back to her work, not missing a beat.

'Well,' she said, 'finding something you enjoy usually helps. Or you just need a good routine. Keeps you sane.' Dino nodded. His grin not fading. 'Maybe you're right.' Her fingers brushed lightly against his skin and she finished with the concealer, and though it was a simple touch, Dino's heart gave an unexpected jolt. He noticed everything now--how she moved, how she spoke, how she never lingered too long. There was something about her calm presence that felt like an oasis in the storm of his chaotic life.

'Anyway,' Sara continued, her tone returning to its professional air, 'I should finish up here. We don't want you getting late for soundcheck.' He stood, feeling the weight of her coolness like a challenge he wasn't sure he wanted to win. 'Right, of course. But hey... I'll be around. We should talk more sometime.' Sara didn't look up at him handed him the mirror, though she did smile, genuinely. 'That would be fun Dino.' She finally looked at him while smiling. Dino couldn't help but smile back, it was the first time he saw her smile, and it made him feel things he hadn't felt before. 'Lee Chan, thats my real name but call me Chan.'

'Sure Chan. see you around.' As he left the makeup room, his thought lingered on her. She wasn't like the others, the ones who smiled at him for the attention, who fed off his every word. Sara didn't need him to validate her, and that made her different in a strange way, even more captivating. It was almost like she wasn't aware of how incredible she actually was. But what really stood out to him was how easy it felt to be around her. There was no pressure, no pretense--just an effortless connection that made him want to get to know her more, to figure out what made her tick. And for once, he wasn't in a rush.