-"The Universe doesn't give you what you ask for with your thoughts; it gives you what you demand with your actions."
Aarvi had demanded, and the universe had delivered Or so she thought.
The Chaotic Encounter
Aarvi stood at the entrance of J COMPANY's towering glass building, adjusting her newly borrowed blazer, nerves sparking under her skin.
"I'll pick you up after your interview," Elina said, squeezing her shoulder. "You've got this."
Inside, the lobby was a swirl of people in designer suits, staff carrying garment bags, and models breezing past like they owned gravity. Aarvi glanced at her reflection in the sleek marble wall, gave herself a quick pep talk, and stepped into the elevator.
She was so caught up in mentally rehearsing Korean phrases that when the doors slid open at the wrong floor, she stepped out… and straight into disaster.
A sharp voice cut through the hallway.
"Watch it!"
Aarvi's forehead collided with someone's shoulder. Papers and a coffee cup flew into the air. Hot Americano splashed over a pristine white shirt.
"Oh my God!" she gasped, looking up.
And there he was.
Sharp jawline, cold eyes, dyed ash-brown hair slightly tousled, and an expression like she'd personally ruined his day.
Seo Jae Hyun.
Of course, Aarvi had no idea he was a celebrity guitarist. To her, he was just an impossibly grumpy man glaring at her like she'd committed a crime.
"Are you blind or just clumsy?" Jae Hyun snapped, snatching a tissue from a passing assistant.
Aarvi bristled. "Excuse me? You were the one standing in front of an elevator door like a statue!"
Their eyes locked — a spark of immediate dislike.
"I don't have time for this," he muttered, brushing past her.
Aarvi turned to yell after him but bit her tongue. "What a jerk," she grumbled under her breath.
Unseen by both, a curious pair of eyes followed them from around the corner — Lee Min Woo.
A Gentle Rescue
Min Woo, all warmth and soft laughter, approached Aarvi with a kind smile.
"Rough morning?" he asked in gentle English.
Aarvi let out a breathy laugh. "You could say that."
Min Woo handed her a handkerchief. "Jae Hyun's… difficult. Don't let him get to you. You new here?"
"I start today," she admitted, her nerves loosening under his easy charm.
"I'm Min Woo. Welcome to J COMPANY," he said, offering his hand.
"Aarvi," she smiled, taking it.
And in that moment — as her hand touched his — Min Woo felt something shift in his chest. Like a star nudging slightly out of place.
They exchanged numbers under the guise of professional courtesy, but the ease between them was instant, unforced.
A lifeline in a city of strangers.
Later That Night: Soju & Rants
Back at Elina's apartment, the girls popped open a bottle of soju to celebrate Aarvi's job.
"To new beginnings," Elina toasted.
"To rude guys with attitude problems," Aarvi added, and they both laughed.
"You're still thinking about that idiot?" Elina teased.
Aarvi groaned. "I don't even know his name! Tall, sharp-jawed, thinks he owns the hallway."
Elina nearly choked on her drink. "Wait… ash-brown hair, cold stare? Seo Jae Hyun?"
"Who?"
Elina grabbed her phone and showed Aarvi a picture of Stellar Six. Aarvi squinted.
"Oh no," she groaned. "I humiliated myself in front of a celebrity."
"And not just any celebrity — Seoul's favorite guitar-playing bad boy."
Aarvi took a long gulp of soju. "Great. Can't wait for tomorrow."
"But hey," Elina grinned. "What about Min Woo?"
Aarvi's lips curled into a soft smile. "He's… nice. Really nice. Like, a person-shaped cinnamon roll."
Elina's eyes sparkled. "I'm calling it now — you two are gonna be besties."
"I could use one of those," Aarvi murmured, staring out at the Seoul skyline.
And somewhere, high above the city lights, the stars quietly shifted into place.