Hey guys don't forget to chase your goals, protect your peace, and create beautiful memories. đź’–
We've got this! 💪🏼💫
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
"Let's end the rehearsal here," Noeul said quietly, addressing the manager and the rest of the staff. "Boss hasn't had proper rest. Honestly... neither have I."
The manager gave a nod of understanding, signaling for the rest of the team to begin packing up.
Noeul sat still for a moment, debating with himself. A part of him wanted to go after Boss-go to the bathroom and check on him, talk to him, fix whatever that breakdown was. But another part of him, the part overwhelmed and tired of spiraling, knew he wasn't in the right frame of mind.
Not now. Not when I'm just as messed up.
So he waited.
When Boss eventually emerged, quiet and composed, Noeul approached him like nothing had happened.
"Let's go home," he said casually, masking his unease. "I already told them we're done for today."
Boss nodded slightly.
"You brought my bag, right?"
"Yeah. It's in the car."
"Come give it to me," Noeul said, holding out a hand. "So you can head home."
Boss hesitated. "Aren't I dropping you off at your condo?"
"No need," Noeul replied quickly. "I don't want to stress you. I'll let our manager take me instead."
He didn't meet Boss's eyes.
"And... you look like you need rest."
Boss didn't push. He just handed over the bag-one Noeul had left back at the hotel room they'd shared the night before-and gave a small nod before turning and walking away.
Noeul watched him leave. A silent ache burned in his chest, but he said nothing.
Boss didn't look back.
---
Boss gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove, the sky outside dimming into dusk. He didn't even realize where he was going until he glanced out the window-and saw Noeul's condo building blur past.
He exhaled sharply.
This wasn't sustainable. Not anymore.
He needed to talk to Noeul
Soon.
Because if they didn't figure this out-whatever this was-
it was going to destroy them both.
The car door shut with a quiet thud as Noeul slid into the back seat of their manager's car. The silence hung for a few seconds before she glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
"What's going on with you two?" she asked calmly, her voice even but heavy with concern.
Noeul blinked, pretending to check his phone. "What do you mean?" he said, feigning confusion, his voice just a little too casual.
"You know what I mean." Her tone didn't change. "I might not know the details, but I don't need to. Whatever it is, you guys should fix it. Please."
Noeul didn't respond. He couldn't.
"There's this tension between you two. Others might not see it, or maybe they're just pretending not to-but I feel it," she continued. "And it's starting to affect the energy around rehearsals."
Noeul stared out the window.
The buildings passed in a blur, but the lump in his throat stayed sharp and unmoving. He didn't want to admit it-to her, to Boss, to himself-but she was right.
There was tension. Thick, suffocating tension. And it wasn't just sexual anymore. It was emotional. Heavy. And it was cracking into everything: the work, the friendship, the silence between them that was becoming unbearable.
Still, he said nothing.
Because what could he say?
That he wanted Boss too much?
That he couldn't control himself when he was near him?
That every time they got close, it broke him a little more inside?
So he sat there, still and silent.
And his manager didn't press further.
She just drove.
But the weight of her words stayed with him the entire ride.
â—Źâ—Źâ—Ź
Boss lay on his bed, one arm thrown over his forehead, staring at the ceiling like it held the answers he couldn't find inside his own head.
The room was quiet, but his thoughts were loud.
How do I even begin this conversation?
What if Noeul didn't feel the same way?
What if talking- only made things worse?
He picked up his phone for the fifth time that hour, thumb hovering over Noeul's contact. Typing. Deleting. Typing again.
And then-a vibration.
A message.
From Noeul.
> Let's talk about us after rehearsals tomorrow.
Boss sat up instantly, eyes fixed on the screen. He read it again. And again.
The message was short-no emojis, no nervous filler. Just raw, quiet honesty. The kind that said: I'm scared, but I'm done running.
Boss felt his chest tighten, but for the first time in days, something in him eased.
He replied:
> Okay. After rehearsals.
Then he set his phone down gently, heart pounding in his chest.
Tomorrow, everything could change.
___________________________
And that's a wrap for Episode 3! 🧡
What did you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments-I love reading them!
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