As if sensing my stare, Lee Ye turns and meets my eyes. Something shifts between us in that crowded station, something quiet but powerful, born from chaos and fear and the way he ran after me without hesitation. My heart flutters before I can stop it. But the noise of the station quickly crashes back in, officers talking over each other, cameras clicking, Kara's perfume lingering in the air, and reality drags me under again.
When everything finally settles, and people begin to leave, I slip out unnoticed. I hail a taxi and head home. The sky is painted in streaks of orange and pink, the kind of sunset people take photos of, but I do not even glance at it. My mind is too loud, replaying every second of the day on a relentless loop.
By the time I step into the apartment, exhaustion hits me all at once. I head straight to the bathroom and turn on the shower as hot as I can stand it. Steam fills the space, wrapping around me, but it does not quiet my thoughts. If anything, it makes them louder.
The tears come before I can fight them.
I cry for the humiliation of being dragged into a van like some helpless side character in my own life. I cry because Lee Ye saw everything... my debts, my mess, the parts of me I work so hard to keep hidden. I cry because he did not need to know how broken my family's situation is. I cry because no matter how hard I try, life keeps screwing me over.
The water runs down my face, mixing with my tears as sobs shake through me. It feels like something inside me has cracked open, spilling out every pain I have tried to suppress. I am tired of being strong. I am tired of pretending I can handle everything alone.
Eventually, the tears slow. I step out of the shower feeling drained but lighter, as if the storm has at least emptied itself for now. I change into warm clothes and sit at my desk to update my novel. Writing has always been my escape. In each chapter, I control the plot. I decide who gets hurt and who gets saved.
When I finish uploading the chapter, the exhaustion takes over. I crawl into bed, pull the blanket up to my chin, and let the weight of everything press down on me until sleep finally wins.
The next few days blur together. I do not return to work. I tell myself it is because I need time, but the truth is far uglier. I am embarrassed. I am jealous. Every time I picture Kara touching his arm at the station, smiling at him as if she belongs there beside him, it makes my chest tighten painfully.
For a week, my life shrinks to my bedroom. I cry. I write. I sleep. I repeat. The world outside continues moving, but mine feels frozen.
One afternoon, Hye Ri knocks softly before entering. "Seo Yeon," she says, her voice gentle but firm. "please come out and eat something. You have been hiding in here for days."
"I'm fine." I mumble, though even I do not believe it.
She sits beside me and places a warm hand on my shoulder. "No, you are not. You barely eat. You barely talk. I hope you know what happened was not your fault."
I stare at my blanket, unable to find the energy to argue.
"Are you going back to work?" she asks carefully.
"I don't know." I whisper, because I truly do not.
She sighs but squeezes my shoulder. "You are not alone, okay? Stop carrying everything by yourself."
After she leaves, I lie back down and stare at the ceiling. The thought of facing Lee Ye again makes my stomach twist. What would I even say to him? Thank you for saving my life? Sorry you had to see how pathetic it is?
The next day, I woke up close to noon. The apartment is quiet. Hye Ri is at her restaurant, and Ha Eun is at school. I drag myself to the kitchen, only to discover that the fridge is nearly empty.
"Of course." I mutter.
I throw on grey sweatpants and an oversized white T-shirt, not bothering to do more than run my fingers through my hair. The small grocery store near the bus station is only a short walk away. I keep my head down as I grab eggs, bread, and whatever else looks easy to cook.
On impulse, I take a cup of noodles and sit on a bench inside the store while it cooks. The smell of artificial broth rises with the steam. I wrap my fingers around the warm container and lift my chopsticks.
The bell above the door jingles loudly.
A group of high school girls rushes in, still wearing their uniforms. One of them is glued to her phone while the others crowd around her.
"Do you have Orion Choco?" one of them calls to the elderly man at the counter.
As he shuffles away to get it, they burst into giggles.
"Lee Ye oppa is so dreamy." one of them sighs dramatically.
My hand freezes midair. The chopsticks slip from my fingers and clatter against the cup.
Another girl squeals, "Did you see the photos from the police station? He totally looked like a hero."
"Turns out he was not arrested for driving under influence." someone adds quickly. "Kara said on her live that he saved one of his employees."
Saved one of his employees.
That is me.
But they do not know that. To them, I am just a nameless extra in his story.
"She said their relationship is getting stronger," another girl whispers excitedly." and even posted the flowers he sent her."
"They are so cute together! Ah, we are really seeing new sides of oppa lately. Remember when stalker fans invaded his privacy?"
"Of course. There are pictures all over the internet. Oppa is just too nice. He should have gotten them arrested but he even let them into his home and ordered rides to take them home."
"Couldn't have been one celebrity we know, all of them would end up behind bars."
Their laughter feels like needles under my skin. My stomach churns, jealousy bubbling up so suddenly it takes my breath away. I tell myself it should not matter. I am nothing to him. I am just someone he happens to employ.
But the image of Kara smiling beside him refuses to leave my mind.
I stand up abruptly, abandoning the noodles untouched. The girls barely notice as I walk out, the cool air outside hitting my flushed face.
By the time I get home, my thoughts are spiraling. I drop the groceries onto the kitchen table without caring if the eggs crack. My chest feels tight, like I am about to explode.
I march into my room, grab my phone from the charger, and dial Agent Baek before I can talk myself out of it.
He answers in his usual calm, professional tone. "Hello?"
"This is Seo Yeon." I say, my voice shaking despite my attempt to sound steady.
"I will not be continuing my work with Mr. Lee Ye anymore."