The music pulsed in the air, filling the room with an infectious energy. The party was in full swing, laughter echoing off the walls, drinks clinking, and voices blending into a symphony of celebration. Choen stood near the center of the room, the warm glow of the chandeliers casting a soft light on her features. She looked radiant—her dress hugging her frame just enough to make her presence undeniable.
Dokkaebi stood a few feet away, his eyes scanning the room, seemingly indifferent to the guests around him. But Choen noticed the subtle way his gaze kept drifting toward her, as if he was trying to gauge her every move. There was a tension in the air between them, one she couldn't fully understand. It was as though he was torn between wanting to protect her and keeping a distance, as if his emotions were a dangerous thing he was trying to contain.
Her attention was pulled away when Choel, the K-pop idol, approached her with a smile that could light up the entire room. His charisma was undeniable, and even though Choen had seen countless idols on TV, his presence was different—electrifying, magnetic.
"Would you care for a dance?" he asked, his voice smooth and inviting. His eyes glinted mischievously, as if he knew the power he held.
Choen hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Dokkaebi, who had turned his attention to something else, but she could feel his eyes lingering on her even from across the room. With a quick breath, Choen nodded, offering Choel a smile in return.
"Sure," she said, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of excitement.
As the music shifted into a slower, more sensual rhythm, Choel led her to the center of the dance floor. The crowd parted slightly, watching the two as they began to move in sync, effortlessly gliding across the floor. Choel's hand was warm on her waist, his other hand guiding hers with the precision of someone who had danced countless times before.
Choen felt her heartbeat quicken—not just from the closeness to the idol, but from the subtle thrill of the attention, the way everyone seemed to watch. But what really caught her off guard was the sudden surge of tension she felt from across the room.
Dokkaebi's gaze was fixed on her, his usually composed features tight with something unreadable. His hands were clenched at his sides, and his jaw was set in that familiar way he did when he was trying to mask his emotions. Choen's stomach fluttered, a mix of curiosity and something deeper tugging at her.
Choel twirled her, and for a brief moment, Choen was lost in the motion, letting herself be carried away by the music and the moment. But when she glanced over at Dokkaebi again, she saw it—his eyes narrowing, his body stiffening. The look in his eyes was not one of indifference, but something more raw—something that hinted at jealousy.
Her heart skipped a beat. She turned her attention back to Choel, trying to shake off the strange feeling, but the knot in her chest tightened.
Choel leaned in closer, his voice a soft whisper near her ear. "You look stunning tonight, Choen. I have to say, I'm glad you agreed to this dance."
Her breath caught for a moment. "Thank you," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "You're a great dancer."
"Only because I have the perfect partner," he teased, his grin widening.
But Choen's focus was no longer fully on him. The tension in the air—Dokkaebi's unspoken emotions—made it hard to fully enjoy the moment. She couldn't ignore the subtle way he seemed to watch her every move, like he was just waiting for something. She had never seen him like this before.
The song ended, and Choel bowed with a flourish, his smile still charming. "I hope to have another dance with you soon," he said before stepping away.
Choen nodded politely, but her mind was elsewhere. She turned to look at Dokkaebi, only to find that he had already moved to another part of the room, his posture stiff, his gaze distant.
She wasn't sure what to make of the moment. She had felt a spark, a connection with Choel, but the lingering thoughts of Dokkaebi were impossible to ignore.
The party was far from over, but Choen couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting between her and Dokkaebi. Whether it was jealousy, protective instincts, or something deeper, she wasn't sure yet. But one thing was for certain—the dance had changed something between them, even if neither of them were ready to admit it.
The atmosphere in the room buzzed with excitement, as laughter and chatter filled the air, but in the quieter corner, the mothers of Choen, Dokkaebi, and Choel were having a conversation of their own.
Choen's mother, always warm and gracious, sat comfortably with a cup of tea in hand. Dokkaebi's mother, usually cold and distant, was surprisingly open this evening, her gaze softer than usual. Sitting opposite them was Choel's mother, a woman of poise and elegance, with a smile that lit up her face, though it never fully reached her eyes. They made a striking trio, each one strong in their own way, yet they shared an unspoken bond—a connection forged through their children.
Dokkaebi's mother cleared her throat softly, catching Choen's mother's attention.
"Choen's grown into such a fine young woman," she began, her voice a mixture of admiration and something more calculative. "You've done well."
Choen's mother smiled warmly. "Thank you. She's been a blessing."
There was a brief pause as Dokkaebi's mother glanced toward Choel, who was across the room, laughing with a group of guests. She then looked back at Choen's mother, her expression shifting slightly, as though she was considering something.
"You know," she said slowly, as if weighing her words, "I was talking with Choel's mother earlier, and we were discussing Glitter's upcoming world tour."
Choen's mother raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A world tour? That's a big step for Choel and his group."
"Yes," Choel's mother chimed in, her voice smooth but firm, "and we've been considering a special opportunity for someone who's... already a part of their world. Someone like Choen."
Both Choen's mother and Dokkaebi's mother exchanged curious glances.
"Special appearance?" Choen's mother asked, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"
Dokkaebi's mother leaned in slightly, her tone becoming more insistent. "What I mean is this: We would love for Choen to make a special appearance in Glitter's world tour. It would be an excellent opportunity for her, not just for the exposure, but for the experience. She has the charisma, and frankly, the fans would love her."
Choen's mother blinked in surprise. "A special appearance? That's quite the offer."
"Think about it," Choel's mother added, her smile never fading. "The world tour will take Choel across multiple countries, and he'd be able to take care of Choen during the trip. It's a chance for Choen to see the world, experience something new, and maybe even grow in ways she hasn't yet."
Choen's mother was silent for a moment, processing the offer. It was tempting, to say the least. The idea of Choen stepping into the spotlight, experiencing life on a global stage, was not something she'd ever considered. But as she looked at Choen, she could see the potential.
"How long would this last?" she asked, still cautious but intrigued by the possibilities.
"The tour is about six months," Dokkaebi's mother answered smoothly. "Plenty of time for Choen to learn, experience, and maybe even find something new about herself. Plus, Choel would be there to keep an eye on her, make sure she's well taken care of."
Choen's mother glanced over at Choel, who was talking animatedly with some of the other guests. He was charming, confident, and he seemed genuinely fond of Choen. She had no doubt he would take good care of her daughter.
"I think..." Choen's mother hesitated for just a moment. "I think she'd enjoy that. But I'll need to discuss it with her first."
Dokkaebi's mother gave a small nod, her face unreadable. "Of course, take your time. But know that this is a rare opportunity. One that could change Choen's life."
Choen's mother smiled, the weight of the decision settling in her mind. She glanced over at Choen, who was still talking to Choel on the dance floor, unaware of the conversation happening in the corner.
"Alright," she said finally, her voice soft but resolute. "I'll talk to her about it. But I'm sure she'll agree. She deserves something like this."
Choel's mother smiled, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "I'm sure she will. And when she does, we'll make sure it's a journey she'll never forget."