Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 56

I groggily wake up to the soft chime of my alarm. Six a.m. Sharp. I'd set it knowing I'd be too exhausted to wake up on my own after last night.
My fingers fumble to switch off the alarm, my movements careful to avoid waking Arc. The room is still dark, except for the faint glow of the night lamp I'd switched on before we fell asleep. It casts a gentle light over his face, enough for me to drink in every detail.

His hair is a tousled mess, falling over his forehead, and his features are relaxed, peaceful in a way that feels almost unreal. The weight of his arm draped over me is warm and heavy, his hold possessive even in sleep.

I let myself stay like that for a moment longer, soaking in the quiet intimacy of it all. The warmth. The comfort. The way everything feels so effortlessly right.

But reality waits just outside this room. I need to leave before anyone sees me.

I slowly shift, trying to free myself from his embrace, but as soon as I move, his arm tightens around me, pulling me right back against his chest. A soft groan leaves his lips, his face burying itself in the curve of my neck.

I can't help but smile, my heart swelling at the way he clings to me so stubbornly. For a few more minutes, I lie still, waiting for him to ease his grip. But he doesn't. If anything, his hold only grows more secure, his fingers curling gently around my waist.

I sigh and whisper, my voice low and soft, "Taesung, it's morning. I need to go back to my room before we get caught."

He stirs, his brows drawing together in mild annoyance at being woken up. But his eyes remain closed as he mumbles, "Just a little longer... Five minutes."

"Five minutes will turn into an hour," I reply, though I can't keep the fondness from my tone.

He shifts his head, his voice thick with sleep, "Then let it. Just stay. No one's awake this early anyway."

"Taesung..."

He finally opens his eyes, just barely, his gaze hazy but determined. "Why are you always in a rush to leave?"

"Because we'll get caught if I don't."

He grumbles something under his breath, his stubbornness shining through even in his half-asleep state. "I don't care."

But I care. I care because if anyone sees me sneaking out of his room, it'll cause trouble. And we can't afford that.

I sigh, my fingers gently tracing along his arm. "I know you don't. But I do."

He looks like he wants to argue but then just groans and loosens his grip. His hand lingers on mine for a beat longer before he reluctantly lets go.

The cold air hits me as I slip out of the bed, and I quickly gather my clothes from where they were discarded last night. My heart races, not from panic but from the lingering warmth of his touch. From the way his gaze follows me as I move.

He doesn't say anything, just watches me with his eyes half-closed, a lazy, contented expression softening his features. His dark hair is tousled against the pillow, and the faint glow of the night lamp casts gentle shadows across his face.

I try not to make any noise as I slip out of the bed, his arms reluctantly letting go of me. My dress from last night is somewhere tangled up in the sheets, but I don't bother searching for it. Instead, I grab one of Arc's black t-shirts from the chair nearby and pull it over my head. It's oversized, the fabric draping over me and carrying his warmth and scent.

I feel his gaze following me the entire time, but he doesn't move. Just watches.

I move quickly, my bare feet making the slightest sound against the carpet. My heart thuds heavily, both from the thrill of what happened and the urgency of sneaking out before anyone else wakes up.