EPISODE 10

Chapter 10: The Calm Before

The following days were a blur for Nabi. The world seemed to close in around her, with flashes of cameras, curious whispers from strangers, and endless notifications on her phone. But amidst the chaos, one thing remained constant: Jung Hwan.

Despite the pressures of his schedule and the mounting scrutiny from fans and the media, he never once wavered in his support for her. Late-night phone calls, quiet moments stolen in hidden corners of the city—those became their refuge.

But the strain was undeniable.

At the recording studio, Jung Hwan sat on the edge of a couch, his head buried in his hands. His bandmates watched him, concern etched on their faces.

“You can’t keep this up, Hwan,” Seo Joon said, his voice gentle but firm.

“I know,” Jung Hwan replied, his voice muffled. “But I don’t know what else to do. I can’t just walk away from her.”

Taeyang leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “No one’s asking you to. But you need to find a balance. Right now, it feels like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

Hyun Woo nodded in agreement. “You have to take care of yourself, too. Otherwise, you’ll burn out.”

Jung Hwan looked up, his eyes tired but resolute. “She’s worth it.”

Meanwhile, Nabi sat in her apartment, scrolling through her phone with a sense of growing dread. The articles and comments about her had only grown more vicious, and it felt like her every move was under a microscope.

Minji and Jisoo tried to comfort her, but even their best efforts couldn’t erase the knot of anxiety that had settled in her chest.

“Maybe they’re right,” Nabi said one evening, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Who?” Minji asked, narrowing her eyes.

“The fans. The media. Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”

Jisoo crossed her arms. “Don’t you dare start thinking like that. You’ve been through worse than this, Nabi.”

Minji nodded. “And you have people who care about you. Jung Hwan wouldn’t be fighting this hard if he didn’t think you were worth it.”

Nabi managed a weak smile. “Thanks, guys. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

That weekend, Jung Hwan surprised her with a plan to escape the city. He picked her up early in the morning, his car loaded with snacks and a carefully curated playlist.

“Where are we going?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

“You’ll see,” he said, flashing her a mischievous grin.

As the cityscape gave way to rolling hills and open skies, Nabi felt a weight lifting from her shoulders. By the time they reached their destination—a quiet lake surrounded by lush greenery—she was smiling for the first time in days.

They spent the day walking along the water’s edge, talking about everything and nothing. For a while, it felt like they were just two ordinary people, free from the burdens of their complicated lives.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, they sat on a wooden dock, their feet dangling above the water.

“This is nice,” Nabi said, her voice soft.

Jung Hwan nodded. “I thought you could use a break.”

“Thank you,” she said, turning to look at him. “For everything.”

He met her gaze, his expression serious. “I know this hasn’t been easy for you. And I know it’s my fault that your life has turned upside down.”

“Don’t say that,” she interrupted. “You didn’t ask for any of this, either. We’re both just... trying to figure it out.”

He smiled faintly. “Still, I want you to know that I’m here. No matter what.”

Her heart swelled at his words, and for the first time in weeks, she felt a sense of peace.

As the stars began to twinkle above them, Jung Hwan reached for her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. They sat in silence, the quiet hum of the lake and the rustling of leaves their only companions.

In that moment, they didn’t need words. The connection between them spoke volumes, a silent promise to face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.

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