POV: Ryu Minho
The atmosphere in the studio was tense. The recent Jeju trip had energized us, yes, but a shadow lingered over my happiness. My phone buzzed incessantly—messages from Ara, fans, and most ominously, my manager forwarding a formal letter: Assemblyman Han demands to meet.
I froze, staring at the screen. Assemblyman Han—Ara's father—was a man feared across agencies, feared for his influence, his wealth, and his unyielding control over Ara's life. He had already made his disapproval of me clear, calling me "a boy from the streets," and now he wanted a face-to-face conversation.
Hyunwoo noticed my pause. "You're tense. Spill it, Minho."
I took a deep breath. "Ara's father… he wants to meet me. Alone."
The room fell silent. Even Jisoo and Taeyang's comic relief paused, sensing the gravity in my voice.
"You can't back down," Daehyun said quietly. "Not now. Whatever he throws at you, you have to stand your ground."
I nodded, but the knot in my stomach tightened. Standing up to Ara's father was more than intimidating—it was potentially career-shattering.
---
POV: Han Ara
I paced my apartment, phone clutched tightly. Minho had told me about the meeting earlier, and my stomach twisted into knots. I hated the idea of him facing my father alone, knowing how ruthless and cunning he could be.
I remembered the night Minho and I first realized our feelings on the movie set. The laughter, the accidental touches, the way our voices had harmonized perfectly… it had been magical. That memory now fueled my determination.
I dialed his number, and when he answered, I didn't waste words. "Minho… don't let him intimidate you. Promise me you'll stay strong."
"I will," he said softly, but I could hear the tremor beneath his resolve. "For you, Ara, I'll stay strong."
I closed my eyes, sending him all the courage I could muster across the line.
---
POV: Ryu Minho
The meeting took place in a lavish office towering over Seoul, walls of glass offering a panoramic view of the city. Assemblyman Han sat behind an imposing mahogany desk, perfectly tailored suit, expression cold and calculating.
"Minho," he began, voice smooth but dripping with authority. "I understand you've become… important to my daughter. But she is not yours to play with. Not yet, not while she is under my guidance."
I stood my ground, shoulders squared. "I don't want to 'play' with Ara. I care about her. I respect her. And I'm willing to fight for her, no matter what obstacles are in our way."
His lips curved into a faint smirk. "Very noble. But you don't understand. I can offer you everything—money, opportunities, fame. Walk away from my daughter, and I ensure your career flourishes. Stay, and I… ruin you."
My heart pounded, but I refused to back down. "Money and fame mean nothing if I lose her trust, her respect, or her love. I won't give up. No threats, no bribes, nothing will change that."
He leaned back, studying me with piercing eyes. "You are very confident… perhaps foolishly so. We'll see if your resolve lasts."
---
POV: CEO Park Jun-seok
From his office across the city, Park observed the situation unfold through a discreet insider. Minho's defiance was reckless—but compelling. If Ara's father succeeded in pressuring Minho, it could fracture the Syndicate's momentum and make Park's own manipulations easier.
But Minho… Park mused, he's growing too bold, too independent. And Ara… she could tip the balance entirely in his favor. This could either be a disaster or a breakthrough—depending on how I play it.
He sipped his whiskey, plotting quietly, eyes narrowing. "Let's see how far he's willing to go for love," he muttered.
---
POV: Han Ara
That night, I waited anxiously for Minho's call. The seconds stretched like hours. When he finally dialed, I practically grabbed the phone from my trembling hands.
"I… I stood my ground," he said, voice low but resolute. "He tried to intimidate me, offer bribes, manipulate me… but I told him I will not leave you, Ara. I will not compromise my heart for anything."
Tears threatened my vision, but I smiled through them. "Minho… you're incredible."
He chuckled softly, a nervous, self-conscious sound. "I'm just… afraid sometimes. But thinking of you makes me brave."
"I think of you too," I admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "Every moment, every second. You're not alone, Minho."
Our virtual embrace via FaceTime was clumsy but heartfelt. It was a quiet rebellion, a promise that no amount of wealth, influence, or threats could break.
---
POV: Ryu Minho
Returning to the hotel with Syndicate that evening, I felt a weight lift slightly. Ara was safe, I had faced her father, and for the first time, I truly believed that love wasn't something I had to hide or compromise.
The members, sensing my relief, immediately began teasing me. Jisoo grabbed a pillow, pretending it was a sword. "So… how was the duel with the dragon father? Did you survive, brave knight?"
Taeyang added, dramatically falling to one knee, "Minho! Tell us how you tamed the mighty Assemblyman Han!"
Hyunwoo rolled his eyes but smirked. "You two are hopeless. Focus on the album, not fairy tales."
Daehyun, ever the quiet observer, chuckled softly. "You fought for her, Minho. That's all that matters. Everything else is noise."
I laughed, a genuine, unburdened sound, feeling the warmth of my brothers' support. Even Ara's absence couldn't dim the energy of this moment.
---
POV: Han Ara
That night, I stayed up, thinking of him, replaying the conversation in my mind. He had faced my father, refused bribes, refused intimidation, and—most importantly—he had done it for me. My heart swelled with pride and love.
I whispered into my phone, before we ended the call, "I'll always be by your side, Minho. No matter what."
"I know," he said, voice steady. "And I promise, I'll always fight for us."
Even from miles away, even with her father looming over him and CEO Park plotting behind the scenes, we felt united. Our love, forged through adversity, was stronger than any threat.
---
Ending Scene:
Syndicate gathered on the hotel terrace, wind from the ocean tousling hair and clothes. Minho stared at the horizon, the city lights faint in the distance, and felt a surge of determination. Ara's love, unwavering and supportive, strengthened him.
He turned to the group. "We've faced challenges before. But whatever comes next—my father, CEO Park, critics, scandals—we face it together. As a team, and as friends. And…" his voice softened, eyes glancing at the empty chair where Ara would have been, "we fight for what we love."
The members nodded in unison, laughter and teasing mixing with solemn determination. Syndicate was reborn—not just as a group, but as a family.
Ara, far away in Seoul, whispered into her phone, "We'll face it together."
Minho's lips curved into a small smile, eyes glistening. "Together."