Kan smiled as he watched Miao busily checking his schedule.
Today was their last day at the resort.
Finally, after several exhausting days of filming, they would be able to go home and get some well-deserved rest.
"Let's go, everyone!" the director called out. "Let's finish early so we can all head home sooner!"
The staff immediately got to work.
Kan stepped in front of the camera and effortlessly struck several poses.
His final shoot for the day was a commercial video.
Watching him from the sidelines, Miao couldn't help but smile.
She still couldn't believe that the handsome man standing in front of the camera...
...was now her boyfriend.
A blush crept onto her cheeks as she giggled to herself.
Manager Song happened to notice her dreamy expression.
With a knowing smile, he walked over.
"Ahem..." he cleared his throat dramatically. "That's quite a sweet smile. Did something happen between you two?"
Miao quickly composed herself.
"W-What do you mean?" she asked, pretending to be innocent.
"Oh, come on." Manager Song chuckled. "Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"
He folded his arms.
"Ever since you two came back the other night, you've been much closer. And Kan has been smiling a lot more lately."
He grinned teasingly.
"Do you know how rare it is to see that brat smile?"
Miao scratched her head awkwardly.
Was it really that obvious?
Manager Song leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"So..."
He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Are you two dating now?"
Although embarrassed, Miao slowly nodded with a shy smile.
Manager Song's eyes widened.
"Kyaaah!!"
He squealed in excitement before immediately covering his mouth when several staff members turned to look at them.
Miao quickly hushed him.
"Shhh!"
"Oops..."
Manager Song laughed nervously before pulling her to a quiet corner.
"For real?" he whispered excitedly.
Miao nodded once again.
Manager Song clapped his hands happily. "Finally! I was starting to think that brat would stay single for the rest of his life."
He warmly held both of Miao's hands. "I support the two of you. I sincerely wish you both a lifetime of happiness," his expression suddenly became serious. "But if Kan ever makes you cry..." he cracked his knuckles dramatically. "...just tell me, and I'll smack him on the head."
Miao laughed softly. "Thank you, Manager Song."
The two shared a warm hug.
Not far away, Kan happened to glance in their direction.
His eyebrows immediately furrowed.
He watched as Miao and Manager Song embraced each other.
What are those two doing?
.
.
.
"Woo! Finally!"
Miao stretched her arms the moment they arrived back in the city.
After several days at the resort, it felt good to be home.
She grabbed her suitcase and looked around.
Beside her, Kan was dressed in a hoodie, mask, and sunglasses to avoid being recognized by fans.
"Babe," Kan whispered as they walked. "Are you going home after this?"
Miao looked at him curiously.
"Why?"
Kan glanced around before lowering his voice.
"Can you stay at my unit for a while?"
Miao's eyes widened.
Seeing her reaction, Kan quickly added,
"Don't get the wrong idea, okay? I just want to spend some time with you. We've been surrounded by people these past few days. I want us to have some time alone together."
A warm smile spread across Miao's face.
"Okay."
Kan smiled beneath his mask, and the two continued walking side by side.
.
.
.
In the Philippines...
"What's this?"
Rael's voice trembled as she shoved her phone in front of Xander.
The news had already spread across the internet.
Xander Gu Walker and Joy Min's engagement date had officially been announced.
Xander's face immediately paled.
He quickly took the phone from her trembling hands. "L-Love... let me explain..."
Tears slowly filled Rael's eyes.
"You told me you weren't going to marry her," her voice cracked. "You said you would only marry me."
More tears rolled down her cheeks. "What happened to all your promises, Xan?"
Xander's chest tightened painfully.
"I'm sorry..." he lowered his head. "I'm really sorry. Mom forced me into this."
His hands clenched into fists. "If I refuse... Grandpa will..."
The words died in his throat.
He didn't know how to explain it.
Seeing Rael cry felt like someone was tearing his heart apart.
"Liar!" Rael shouted through her tears. "You and Vlad are exactly the same!"
Xander froze.
"You're selfish! You only think about yourselves!" she continued.
With trembling fingers, she removed the ring he had given her.
The symbol of all their promises.
The symbol of their love.
"I don't need this anymore."
She thrust it into his hand.
"I don't want to see you again," her tears fell harder. "Let's break up."
The words hit Xander like a knife.
"L-Love..." he desperately reached for her. "Please..."
But Rael stepped back.
Then she turned around and ran.
"Rael!"
Xander chased after her.
Unfortunately, a taxi happened to stop nearby.
Rael quickly climbed inside and slammed the door shut.
The vehicle drove away before Xander could reach it.
"RAEL!"
His desperate shout echoed through the street.
But she was already gone.
Frustration consumed him.
He ran both hands through his hair and pulled at it.
Why was this happening?
He truly loved her.
He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.
But he couldn't go against his family.
Not this time.
Not when so much was at stake.
"Fuck!"
...
Inside the taxi, Rael wiped her tears over and over again.
Her hands shook as she unlocked her phone.
She immediately called her best friend.
Miao.
No answer.
Offline.
"Shit..."
Her voice broke.
She quickly scrolled through her contacts.
Jinjin.
No answer.
Hyun.
No answer.
Zol.
Unavailable.
It felt as though the entire world had abandoned her.
Everyone was busy.
Everyone was living their own lives.
No one knew that her heart was breaking apart at this very moment.
Rael covered her face and continued crying.
The taxi driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
"Where are we going, ma'am?" he asked gently.
Rael looked out the window.
The city lights blurred through her tears.
She slowly closed her eyes.
"A... bus station."
The driver nodded.
Rael leaned her head against the window.
She didn't know where she would go.
She only knew one thing.
She wanted to leave this place behind.
.
.
.
At D'Horizon Entertainment...
Zol stared blankly at the musical instruments in front of him.
Lately, his mind had been consumed by a single memory.
That night...
It had all been an accident.
After getting his heart broken by Saoirse, he drowned his sorrows in alcohol at a bar.
He drank far more than he should have.
By the time he left, he was too drunk to drive.
Exhausted and barely conscious, he eventually collapsed on the side of the road.
Someone found him.
He couldn't remember much after that.
When he opened his eyes the next morning, he was shocked to find himself lying in a hotel bed.
Beside him, a young woman was sleeping peacefully.
His eyes widened.
They were both undressed.
"Damn it..." he muttered under his breath.
He desperately tried to remember what had happened that night.
Fragments of memories slowly surfaced.
He remembered hearing a woman's voice calling his name, trying to wake him.
She had helped him walk into the hotel and guided him to the bed.
After that...
Everything became a blur.
He vaguely remembered reaching for her hand.
Then...
He kissed her.
That was the last thing he could remember.
Everything after that was completely blank.
When the young woman woke up, she immediately apologized and explained what had happened that night.
She insisted that what happened was an accident and asked him to forget everything.
Before he could gather his thoughts or ask any questions...
She quietly left.
He never even learned her name.
She had run away as if she was afraid to face him.
Zol let out another heavy sigh.
His gaze drifted toward the window.
"I need to find her," he whispered.