As midnight approached, the crowd in the hotel lounge thinned out. The celebration party was coming to an end, with only a few lingering guests left. The music had softened, leaving behind a relaxed yet satisfied atmosphere.
Eunwoo sat in a corner with his group members, a faint smile on his lips. Tonight, NOVA had made history. Yet, the strange unease in his chest refused to fade.
Meanwhile, Hwan watched from the shadows, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light. For him, tonight wasn't just about celebration—it was the night his plan would unfold.
One of his men discreetly approached and whispered in his ear.
"Everything is set, sir."
Hwan nodded slightly, his smirk deepening.
"Perfect. Now for the final move."
He strolled over to the bar, grabbed two glasses, and walked toward Eunwoo.
"To our shining star… Congratulations."
Eunwoo glanced at Hwan briefly. He knew the man wasn't sincere, but he wasn't in the mood to argue.
"Thanks." He accepted the drink and took a sip.
And then, a sudden warmth spread through his body.
First, a slight dizziness… then, an overwhelming heat rising within him.
"I feel… strange," he murmured.
Hwan's gaze darkened with satisfaction. His plan was working perfectly.
Eunwoo's body grew hotter, his breath unsteady. The unease inside him intensified, but he couldn't quite understand why.
His group members were exhausted, slowly retreating to their designated hotel rooms.
Eunwoo followed suit, but with each step he took, the fire burning inside him grew stronger.
---
Eunwoo unlocked his hotel room door.
He loosened his tie, shrugged off his jacket.
Just as he reached for his shirt buttons…
A pair of arms wrapped around him from behind.
A warm breath ghosted over his ear.
His hazy mind played tricks on him—he saw Yuna.
"Yuna…" he whispered.
The fire inside him was unbearable. He pulled her close, parting his lips, ready to kiss her…
But something was wrong.
Eunwoo blinked, his vision clearing slightly. No. This wasn't Yuna.
Reality crashed down on him.
He abruptly pulled away, rubbing his eyes. Finally, he saw the woman in front of him for who she truly was.
"You're… not Yuna."
His body turned ice cold.
The woman tried to move closer, but Eunwoo stepped back sharply.
"Get out!" he commanded.
She hesitated. This wasn't part of the plan. But the fire in Eunwoo's gaze made her retreat, rushing out of the room.
Eunwoo slammed the door shut, his chest rising and falling rapidly. "Hwan… you bastard."
But just then, Hwan's plan took its next step.
---
Yuna had tried calling Eunwoo multiple times that night, but he never picked up. Anxiety gnawed at her.
Then, her phone rang.
The caller was Hwan.
She hesitated before answering. "What do you want?"
Hwan's voice was calm, but there was a knowing edge to it.
"I just wanted to tell you the truth, Yuna."
Yuna frowned. "What truth?"
Hwan sighed. "Eunwoo… is not alone right now."
Yuna's heart clenched. "What are you talking about?"
Hwan spoke without hesitation. "He's in his hotel room… with someone else."
Yuna's breath caught. "That's… impossible."
Hwan's voice remained steady. "Is it? Then why don't you come see for yourself?"
Doubt crept into her mind. Eunwoo would never… right?
But what if… what if Hwan was telling the truth?
The thought tormented her. She couldn't sit still any longer—she had to see it with her own eyes.
---
Yuna arrived at the hotel, finding the room number Hwan had given her.
Her hand trembled as she lifted it to knock.
There was movement inside.
When the door finally opened… Eunwoo stood there, looking as if he were burning alive.
His face was flushed, his breaths ragged.
But the moment he saw Yuna—
He pulled her inside, shutting the door behind them.
Yuna's eyes widened. "Eunwoo, what are you doing?!"
His gaze was ablaze.
The fire within him was unbearable.
"Yuna…" he whispered.
She had never seen him like this before. It was completely different.
Without hesitation, he pulled her close, capturing her lips with his.
Yuna froze. She tried to push him back, but his grip was firm.
"Eunwoo… wait…!"
But he didn't let go. His arms tightened, his breath trailing down her neck.
"Hwan did this… He's playing us, Yuna."
Yuna narrowed her eyes. "Hwan told me there was a girl here."
Eunwoo clenched his jaw. "There was. But I sent her away. Even like this… I would never betray you, Yuna."
She glanced around the room. There was no one else.
Just as she was about to respond, Eunwoo's patience snapped.
Once again, he pulled her against him.
Lifting her into his arms, he carried her to the bed.
Yuna gasped. "Eunwoo, wait! You're not yourself!"
But Eunwoo silenced her with a whisper—
"Tonight… I only want you."
And that night, all the boundaries between them disappeared.