[POV. Kilin]
It was supposed to be just another normal day. But the moment I stepped into the practice room, I could tell something was off. The usual hum of music, the rush of dancers rehearsing, was missing. There was a strange tension in the air, a quiet undercurrent of unease that made me feel… exposed.
My manager, Joon, approached me with a serious look on his face. His normally calm demeanor was now replaced by an unmistakable urgency.
Joon: Kilin, we need to talk.
I raised an eyebrow, my stomach tightening. What was this about? I followed him into a small, empty office in the back of the studio, away from prying eyes.
Kilin: What's going on?
Joon closed the door behind him, his gaze hardening as he stared at me.
Joon: We've been keeping an eye on you. You've been leaving the dorm more often than usual. And recently, there's been chatter about you being seen with someone—someone who isn't supposed to be in your life.
I froze. I could feel my pulse quicken, a cold sweat forming on the back of my neck. This wasn't good.
Kilin: What do you mean?
Joon: We're not blind, Kilin. We've noticed that you've been sneaking around. Going places without permission, meeting people without clearance. You think no one's watching?
I wanted to argue, to defend myself, but the words wouldn't come. What could I say? It wasn't like I could tell him the truth—that I was seeing Naina, that I had been sneaking out to spend time with her, to find some sense of normalcy in a life that was anything but. It wasn't just about us being caught; it was about everything I stood to lose.
Joon's eyes narrowed as he saw the shift in my expression, the flicker of hesitation.
Joon: This can't go on, Kilin. Your reputation—your image—it's too important. If the fans find out about this… about her… they'll tear you apart. The company will suffer. We can't afford this distraction.
I felt a pang in my chest, but I pushed it down, trying to mask it. He was right—my image was everything. But Naina wasn't just a distraction. She was someone I cared about. Someone who made me feel real for the first time in ages.
Kilin: I understand, Joon. But I don't know what you want me to do. I can't just stop seeing her.
Joon's expression softened slightly, but the firmness in his voice remained.
Joon: I'm not asking you to stop, Kilin. But you need to be smart about this. We're already getting questions. The rumors are starting to build. If we can't keep this under control, it'll end badly for both of you.
He let the words hang in the air for a moment before continuing.
Joon: The agency has already started an investigation into your whereabouts. They're looking into your schedules, your meetings. If they find any irregularities—any proof that you're seeing someone without approval—they'll intervene. They'll shut it down before it even has a chance to grow.
My heart sank. An investigation. They had people watching me. Watching Naina. Watching everything.
Kilin: What do you want me to do?
Joon's tone became more serious, and I knew he was trying to look out for me, but it didn't make this any easier.
Joon: We can't afford mistakes. You need to be careful, Kilin. No more slipping out for secret meetings. No more public sightings. If you want to keep this up, it has to stay hidden. Understand?
I nodded, my stomach twisting into knots. I had no choice but to follow his orders. It was either that or risk losing everything—the agency, my career, the life I had worked so hard to build.
But Naina… I couldn't just stop seeing her. I couldn't pretend that what we had meant nothing.
Kilin: I'll be careful. I promise.
Joon gave me a sharp look, as if he wasn't sure he believed me. But I could see he was worried too. The pressure was mounting on both of us, and I couldn't help but wonder how long this could last.
As I left the office, I felt the weight of the conversation settle on my shoulders. The agency was watching. I couldn't make any mistakes. I had to stay in the shadows, just a little longer.
[POV. Naina]
I was sitting in my room, scrolling through my phone, when I saw the message from Kilin. My heart skipped a beat as I opened it.
Kilin: I need to talk to you. Can you meet me later?
I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the screen. I wanted to say yes, to see him again, to feel that sense of normalcy I had come to rely on. But something in the back of my mind made me pause. I had a bad feeling. The kind of feeling that made you question everything.
I waited for a moment before typing back.
Naina: Of course. Is everything okay?
Kilin: It's just… we need to be careful. The agency is getting suspicious. They're investigating me. I can't let anyone know about us.
The weight of his words hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but hearing it out loud, in black and white, made it all feel so real. We had already been walking a thin line, but now it felt like the ground beneath us was crumbling.
Naina: Kilin, I don't want you to get into trouble because of me.
Kilin: It's not your fault. I just… I want to see you, but we have to be careful. No one can know. Not yet.
I felt a lump in my throat as I read his message. I hated this. I hated that our moments together were being dictated by secrecy, by fear of getting caught.
Naina: I understand. But just promise me, we won't lose touch.
Kilin: I promise.
I closed my phone, my heart heavy with uncertainty. Kilin was right; we had to be careful. But how long could we keep sneaking around before it all came crashing down?
---