---
The golden hues of dawn painted the sky as Sophia packed her bag in her Seoul dorm room, a mix of exhaustion and anticipation pulling at her. Ji-hyun danced around the room, humming a pop song, clearly immune to the lingering stress of exams.
“Are you sure you’ve got everything?” Ji-hyun asked, tossing a sock at Sophia’s head.
Sophia caught it mid-air with a glare. “I think I can manage packing a bag, Ji.”
Ji-hyun smirked and plopped onto Sophia’s bed. “Just making sure. You’re not exactly Miss Organized when you’re distracted.”
Sophia sighed, her thoughts drifting to Lucius—Mr. Lee, she corrected herself, though her lips instinctively murmured his other name. She couldn’t stop thinking about last night under the eclipse.
His words, his touch. You’re more important than you realize, Sophia. It was maddening.
“Earth to Unnie!” Ji-hyun’s voice pulled her back. “You’re zoning out again. Are you thinking about my brother?”
“Your what?” Sophia nearly dropped her sweater.
Ji-hyun rolled her eyes dramatically. “Lucius, duh. You do that dreamy look when you think about him.”
Sophia turned beet red. “I do not!”
Ji-hyun grinned mischievously. “Suit yourself, but you’re easier to read than a kindergarten picture book.”
° Geez I think it runs in the blood°
Sophia flung a pillow at her. “Let’s just go! I don’t want to miss the flight back to the US.”
---
At the Airport
The bustle of Incheon Airport brought both relief and sadness. Sophia was glad to leave behind the tension of exams, but Seoul felt like a second home. As she stood in line to check in, her phone buzzed.
Rose: “Safe travels, Soph! I can’t wait to see you soon. We’ll catch up on everything, promise. Alex says he’ll cook for us—pray for my stomach. Love you!”
Sophia smiled. Rose. Just the thought of seeing her again warmed her heart. Their bond had survived so much—traffickers, separation, new lives—and yet here they were, still each other’s constant.
“Texting your secret boyfriend?” Ji-hyun teased, popping up beside her with a grin.
“It’s Rose,” Sophia replied, ignoring Ji-hyun’s antics.
Ji-hyun’s expression softened. “She’s really important to you, huh?”
“She’s like my sister,” Sophia murmured. “I owe her everything.”
Ji-hyun opened her mouth to respond but froze, her eyes widening. “Oh no. He’s here.”
Sophia turned and, sure enough, spotted Lucius—Mr. Lee—standing near the gate, dressed in a crisp black suit that made him look even more untouchable. His icy aura made other travelers instinctively step aside as he moved.
He spotted her instantly. A faint smile tugged at his lips, but his eyes held their usual unreadable intensity.
“Why is he here?” Sophia hissed to Ji-hyun.
Ji-hyun smirked. “My dear brother couldn’t possibly miss the chance to personally escort you back. Feel special, Unnie.”
° You could be more realistic°
Before Sophia could argue, Lucius was there, his presence overpowering. He looked between the two girls before settling his gaze on Sophia.
“Ready?” he asked simply.
YOU ARE READING
SMITTEN BY HER (unedited)
Romance"Beyond Shadows" In a world where darkness whispers secrets and power knows no bounds, a young orphan's dreams of becoming a veterinarian are crushed by the cruel betrayal of her own blood. Sold into an unforgiving fate, she finds herself in the eni...
