perfect actors|| hyunlix ❀

Chapter 46

The silence between us was unbearable. no, it was consuming me alive.

It wasn't like our usual routine, where comfort existed even without words. No, this was different. This time it was thick with tension and heavy with unspoken things. Felix barely met my eyes these days, and when he did, there was something in them I couldn't quite figure out.

I tried to push the thoughts away as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting my tie for the third time that morning. My head was pounding. Lack of sleep, stress, and whatever the hell this was with Felix was eating away at me.

I wasn't sure when exactly things had started spiraling, but I knew it had been a week. He had built a distance between us, and I had let it happen because I thought he needed space. But now, I wasn't sure if space was what he wanted or if I was losing him without even knowing why.

He sat across from me at the breakfast table, barely touching his food, his fingers anxiously tapping against the table. I watched him closely, waiting, hoping he would say something, anything.

But he didn't.

And I was getting tired of pretending like I didn't notice.

"Felix," I started, voice steady despite the storm inside me.

His fingers stilled. He looked up, but only for a second before lowering his gaze again.

I exhaled slowly, gripping my coffee mug a little tighter. "Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

Felix visibly tensed. I saw the slight twitch of his jaw, the way his grip on the spoon tightened.

For a second, I thought he might finally say something. His lips parted slightly, hesitation evident in his eyes. But then, just as quickly, he shut down again.

"It's nothing," he muttered, stirring his untouched coffee. "You shouldn't worry about it."

I laughed, but there was no humor in it. "That's all you ever say."

He flinched.

A bitter taste settled on my tongue. I wanted to push him, to demand answers, to shake him until he let me in. But I also knew that Felix wasn't the type to talk when he wasn't ready. He was stubborn like that.

So, I stood up, grabbing my coat. "I have work."

Felix's head shot up, his eyes conflicted. He opened his mouth again, and for a brief moment, I thought 'this is it, he's finally going to tell me.'

But nothing came.

So I left.

—

The day was a blur.

I went through meetings, photoshoots, and script readings without absorbing a single word. My mind was somewhere else. With him.

I kept replaying our conversation from this morning over and over again, analyzing every shift in his expression, and every hesitation in his voice.

What was he hiding?

Why did he look so... scared?

By the time I got home, it was late. The apartment was quiet, and the lights were dimmed. A part of me was relieved; I didn't think I could handle another tense conversation with Felix tonight.

But when I stepped into the living room, I stopped in my tracks.

Felix was curled up on the couch, his laptop beside him, the screen still glowing faintly. Papers were scattered around, some with his sketches, others with business reports. His breathing was slow and even, his face relaxed in sleep.

My chest ached.

Even when he was exhausted, he worked himself to the bone.

I walked over, carefully shutting his laptop before gathering the papers into a neat pile. Then, without thinking twice, I bent down and scooped him up in my arms.

He stirred slightly, shifting against my chest, but didn't wake up.

Carrying him to our room felt natural, like something I'd done a hundred times before. I gently laid him down on the bed, pulling the covers over him.

I was about to turn away when I felt it.

A hand wrapping around my wrist.

I froze.

"I want to tell you everything," Felix whispered.

My breath caught in my throat.

His grip on my wrist was firm as if he was afraid I would leave again but then again, he has left me no choice.

I slowly turned back, meeting his eyes. There was no hesitation this time, no avoidance. Just raw, quiet desperation.

I sat down beside him, my heart hammering in my chest.

"Then tell me."