Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 17

The drive back to the hotel was quiet, almost suffocating in its stillness. The car felt smaller than usual, the space between us stretching far too wide. Since the moment Arc had caught me, the air between us had shifted, thickening with an unspoken tension. I could feel it lingering, his presence next to me, but neither of us spoke. It was as if the comfortable familiarity we once had was replaced with something fragile, something I wasn't sure how to handle.

The sound of the engine hummed in the background, but it felt like a void filled the air. I could see his reflection in the rearview mirror now and then, his jaw tense, his eyes focused somewhere outside the window. He didn't look at me, and I didn't look at him either. Every time I caught a glimpse of his profile, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed, that maybe we weren't the same after what had happened.

When we reached the hotel, the silence remained. Arc gave a brief wave towards me, his eyes not quite meeting mine, before he turned and walked toward his room. I stood still for a moment, watching him go, feeling an odd weight in my chest. I wanted to say something, but the words felt inadequate, out of place. So, I did nothing.

I finally entered my own room, letting out a long breath I hadn't realized I was holding. The door clicked shut behind me, and I leaned against it for a moment, trying to steady myself. The whole day had been a whirlwind, and now, the uncertainty hanging in the air felt heavier than ever.

I quickly went to the bathroom, eager to wash off the day's exhaustion. The hot water poured over me, and as the steam filled the room, I let my mind wander. I had just stepped out of the shower and was about to put on my jumpsuit when there was a knock at the door.

I paused, blinking, still wrapped in a towel. Who could it be at this hour? I quickly grabbed a robe and went to the door.

Opening it, I was greeted by two young women standing outside. I recognized them immediately—they were makeup artists from Lee Ji-hye's team, part of the support crew for the event.

"How can I help you?" I asked, unsure of what to expect.

One of them smiled politely. "We've been sent by Arc to help you get ready for the event," she explained.

I blinked in surprise but felt a wave of relief wash over me. Arc had thought ahead to make sure I was prepared. I hadn't planned on having any elaborate makeup for the fashion show—my usual routine consisted of just lipstick and mascara, but this was different.

I gave a grateful nod. "I really appreciate it. I'm not exactly great at this kind of thing."

The makeup artists smiled and nodded, ushering me into the room. "Don't worry, we'll make sure you look perfect."

Although I'd insisted on simple makeup, the girls had other ideas, going the extra mile to create a stunning look. They gave me a beautiful smoky eye that made my gaze feel intense yet refined, with a natural yet polished foundation and a dark red lipstick that added an elegant boldness. As for my hair, usually a bit too wavy and unruly for my taste, they managed to work a small miracle. They smoothed the top, leaving it straight and shiny, and styled the ends into soft, bouncy curls that framed my face beautifully.

With the finishing touches, I took in the whole look: the makeup brought an intensity I rarely saw in myself, like someone completely different from the teacher in practical clothes at school events. Completing the look were the simple silver hoop earrings and two delicate chains, one long and the other short, both chosen by Arc, adding a bit of understated elegance. I slipped on a pair of sleek black pumps with a three-inch heel, which added just the right amount of height without overdoing it.

Taking one last look in the mirror, I saw someone who looked like she belonged at an industry event, polished and poised—a world apart from my usual everyday self. Thanking the makeup artists warmly, I watched them leave, then gave myself one more appraising look, mustering my confidence before heading out.