Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 43

The breakfast area was quieter than I'd expected for a hotel this busy. Most of the team had likely opted for room service or were still asleep. I had just finished assembling my plate when I heard footsteps approaching. I turned, and saw Arc coming in my direction.

Dressed in a gray hoodie and joggers, with his cap pulled low over his face, he looked casual yet effortlessly striking. He gave me a small smile as he walked up to the counter, his movements relaxed despite the unmistakable tension in the air.

"Morning," he greeted softly, his voice still a little rough from sleep.

"Morning," I replied, keeping my tone light, though my pulse quickened at the sight of him.

His gaze flickered to my plate, then back to me. "You already got your breakfast?"

I nodded. "Just started"

He ran a hand through his hair, glancing around as if to make sure no one else was within earshot. "Let me grab some coffee quickly," he said, moving toward the coffee machine. "Then let's take this back to my room."

I froze, the fork in my hand hovering over my plate. Back to his room? He said it so casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world. But the implication—being alone together, in private—sent my mind spiraling. Still, I managed a hesitant nod. "Okay."

Within moments, he had poured his coffee and grabbed a small plate of food. He turned back to me, his tray balanced effortlessly in one hand. "Let's go."

When we reached his room, Arc opened the door and gestured for me to enter first. I stepped inside, only to stop abruptly. Jihoon and Jihye were already there, seated on the couch with their laptops open and papers spread out across the coffee table.

Jihoon glanced up and smiled apologetically. "Oh, good, you're here too, Lila," he said, gesturing to the stack of papers in his hand. "There are a few things I couldn't figure out. Maybe you can help?"

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard, but nodded. "Sure. What do you need help with?"

Jihoon immediately stood, offering me his seat. "Thanks. It's mostly these documents—they're in Spanish, and I'm lost."

I set my plate aside and moved to sit on the couch, taking the papers from Jihoon. They were handwritten and filled with details that were indeed in Spanish, while the laptop screen displayed a cluttered email chain in a mix of English and Korean. "Alright, let me take a look."

As I started going through the translations, Jihoon hovered nearby, asking the occasional question. Arc had set his plate down on the coffee table and sat across from me, but before I could meet his gaze, Jihye leaned in and slid a folder toward him.

"첫 공연 의상 디자인 입니다.(These are the costume designs for the first show,)" Jihye said, pointing to several illustrations. "패브릭 옵션을 확인하고 싶었습니다.(I wanted to confirm the fabric options with you.)"

Arc shifted his attention fully to Jihye, and within moments, the two of them were deep in discussion about textures and color palettes. Occasionally, I would hear Arc's low voice, serious and thoughtful, as he made suggestions.

I tried to focus on Jihoon's documents, but my mind was distracted. It felt as if Arc and I were sitting in two different worlds, separated not just by the space between us but by everything else that filled the room.

The rehearsal buzzed with activity, the sound of technicians adjusting equipment blending with the occasional hum of Arc's songs playing over the speakers. Arc stood in the center of the stage, running through his choreography while the backup dancers followed his lead. His movements were sharp and precise, his focus unwavering—except for the occasional glance in my direction. I wasn't imagining it. Every now and then, his gaze would flicker over to where I was sitting with Jihoon, going over schedules and translations. Each time, it felt like a spark leaped between us, fleeting yet unmistakable.