Annyeongz One-shots

40. Event

The grand chandelier reflected off the polished marble floor, scattering light in a million directions. Yujin leaned against the edge of the VIP lounge, hands tucked in his pockets, the picture of calm as he scanned the room. A perfectly tailored suit, the HVG logo subtly embossed on his cufflinks, and that usual unreadable expression—his presence alone commanded attention. Yet inside, a storm churned that few ever saw.

He hadn’t intended to be here tonight. The collaboration dinner between his brand and Wonyoung’s agency wasn’t something he usually attended. But she had insisted, smiling in that radiant way that could make anyone forget themselves. Wonyoung. She looked like she had stepped straight out of a magazine—leather jacket perfectly fitted, sleek slack set underneath, heels that clicked on the marble with confidence. She was stunning, yes, but she was his.

And then he saw him.

A man, laughing too loud, leaning too close, trying way too hard to impress Wonyoung. Her smile flickered at him, polite but warm, and Yujin felt something twist uncomfortably tight in his chest. He wanted to walk over, grab her hand, pull her close, but instead, he stayed rooted. Nonchalant. Calm. He’d never let anyone see the way his jaw tensed, or how the muscle in his temple twitched ever so slightly.

“Excuse me, I’ll be right back,” Wonyoung said, glancing at him with a hint of mischief in her eyes as she slipped past the crowd, heading toward the washroom.

Yujin didn’t move at first. He watched her, eyes narrowing slightly, his pulse picking up despite his stoic facade. And then, without thinking, he stepped forward, cutting her off in the corridor outside the ballroom. Before she could protest, his long fingers gripped her wrists, guiding her into the nearest storage room.

The door shut behind them with a soft click.

He pressed her against it gently, but firmly—his chest close enough to feel her warmth, his eyes locked on hers. “Do you think it’s funny?” he asked, voice low, almost a growl. “That some guy could just—talk to you like that?”

Wonyoung blinked, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Talk to me like… what, Yujin?” Her voice was calm, teasing even, but there was a spark of curiosity in her eyes.

He frowned, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Like he could take you away from me.”

Her smile widened, and she leaned slightly closer, testing him. “Oh… is that what you’re feeling?”

Yujin’s chest tightened. “What I’m feeling? Don’t act innocent.” His grip on her wrists softened just slightly, but the intensity in his gaze didn’t waver. “I don’t like seeing anyone getting close to you. Not like that.”

A playful laugh escaped her, soft and light, and Yujin’s heart skipped a beat. She leaned in closer, daring him. “So… you do get jealous?”

Yujin’s lips twitched, resisting a smirk, resisting everything that would give her the satisfaction of seeing him falter. “Of course I do,” he muttered, almost too quietly for her to hear. “Does it matter?”

Her hand lifted, brushing against his chest. “It matters… because I’ve been trying to see if you even care, Yujin. You act like you don’t, like… like this whole thing doesn’t mean anything to you.”

His jaw tightened. “You think this is just an act? That I don’t care? Wonyoung, do you have any idea how hard it is for me to show—” He stopped, taking a sharp breath, shaking his head. “I care, alright? More than I can ever put into words. But I don’t… I don’t know how to… be like everyone else.”

She stepped closer, tilting her head, eyes searching his. “Like me?”

The vulnerability in his gaze was fleeting, but enough to make her heart skip. He lowered his voice, almost a whisper, “Exactly like you.”