Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 30

As it turned out, we'd underestimated the power of Arc's fans.

Within hours of the live stream ending, clips were already circulating online. Somehow, fans had spotted the barely visible figure—me—who'd slipped into the frame for just a fraction of a second. The community buzzed with theories and speculations, with some insisting they'd glimpsed someone new in Arc's background and others sharing blurry, zoomed-in screenshots, dissecting every detail. What we thought would go unnoticed had instead fueled curiosity and excitement, with fans eagerly piecing together whatever they could from that tiny hint. It was a reminder of just how closely Arc's fans followed him and how even the smallest moment didn't escape their notice.

After explaining how the video had gone viral, Jin brought his iPad with a serious expression. He glanced between Arc and me, then set the device on the table, showing us a headline that left me speechless. "그 영상이 입소문이 난 후 일부 파파라치가 좀 더 자세히 파헤쳤습니다.(After that clip went viral, some paparazzi dug a little deeper)," Jihoon said, sighing as he swiped through the photos.

My heart sank as I saw the pictures: the first was of me stumbling slightly as I stepped out of the van, with Arc's hand at my waist, guiding me forward. Another showed him holding me close, his arm wrapped protectively around me as we walked through the airport. The photos continued, showing us sitting together in the lounge, talking, and finally, a shot of me in Chicago wearing Arc's jacket. Luckily, my face wasn't entirely visible in any of them, obscured by the sunglasses and mask that Arc had insisted I wear.

Jihoon continued, "팬들은 당신이 그의 여자친구라고 추측하기 시작했습니다. 그들은 그가 얼마나 보호적인 것처럼 보이는지, 그가 어떻게 당신의 허리에 손을 얹고 있는지 지적하고 있습니다...(Fans are starting to speculate that you're his girlfriend. They're pointing out how he seems so protective, how he kept his hand on your waist...)" He trailed off, looking at me sympathetically as the weight of this sank in.

Looking at the pictures, I could understand why they'd think that. In every frame, Arc looked attentive, his every gesture subtly caring. It was like a series of intimate moments captured at angles that only magnified the closeness.

Arc's gaze shifted to Jihoon, his tone steady as he asked, "회사에서는 뭐라고 말했나요?(What did the company say?)"

Jihoon paused, then took a deep breath. "그 말을 하기 전에 두 분 모두에게 질문이 있습니다.(Before I tell you that, I have a question for both of you)." He glanced between us, his expression serious. "혹시... 둘 사이에 무슨 일이라도 있는 걸까요?(Is there... anything going on between you two?)"

The question hit me like a shockwave, and I struggled to compose myself. Memories surfaced unbidden—the warmth of his hand steadying me in the airport, the quiet moments spent talking late into the night, the walks through Seattle. Those little moments, those gestures of care—they suddenly took on a different weight.

While I was lost in my thoughts, Arc answered firmly. ""아니요, 우리 사이에는 오해할 만한 것이 하나도 없습니다. 네, 친해요. 하지만 마치... 친구 같아요. 우리는 어떤 경계도 넘은 적이 없습니다.(No, there's nothing between us that can be misinterpreted. Yes, we're close, but it's like... friends. We've never crossed any boundaries.)"

His words brought me back to an earlier conversation in New York, where he'd told me the same thing—he didn't want to cross any line. It was a reality check, a reminder that I might be the only one searching for something deeper in our connection. Arc seemed certain about where he stood, so certain that it felt like a quiet rejection of any idea I might be entertaining.

Yet, despite his clarity, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something between us, something that went beyond friendship or mere professional courtesy. I was realizing now that the closeness I'd cherished, the small gestures that warmed me, might all mean less to him than they did to me.