EPISODE 13

Chapter 13: Shadows in the Spotlight

The morning after their rooftop conversation, Nabi woke up feeling lighter, as though the weight of her doubts had been lifted. Jung Hwan’s unwavering commitment had given her strength, but the challenges ahead still loomed. She knew the media frenzy wasn’t going to disappear overnight, and the judgmental stares she received on the streets served as a constant reminder of the battle she was fighting.

Determined not to let fear dictate her life, Nabi decided to take control. She reached out to Minji and Jisoo, hoping to distract herself with their company and advice.

At Café Blossom, Minji set down her steaming latte with a sharp look. “You’ve been keeping a lot to yourself lately, Nabi. Spill everything. What’s going on with you and Jung Hwan?”

Nabi hesitated, glancing at Jisoo, who leaned forward eagerly. “Don’t hold back now,” Jisoo said. “We’re already invested in this drama.”

With a small laugh, Nabi recounted the events of the past few days, from the manager’s warning to Jung Hwan’s reassuring words on the rooftop. By the time she finished, both Minji and Jisoo were staring at her with a mixture of disbelief and admiration.

“I can’t believe his manager would say something like that,” Minji said, her voice brimming with indignation. “The audacity!”

“But Jung Hwan sounds like a keeper,” Jisoo added with a grin. “You’ve got a real-life fairy tale brewing here, Nabi.”

“It doesn’t feel like a fairy tale,” Nabi admitted. “More like a storm I can’t escape.”

“Then we’ll help you weather it,” Minji said firmly. “You’re not in this alone.”

Nabi smiled, grateful for their unwavering support.

Later that day, Nabi returned to her apartment to find a note slipped under her door. She picked it up and unfolded it, her brow furrowing as she read the brief message:

“Stay away from him, or you’ll regret it.”

Her heart pounded in her chest as she reread the words. The neat handwriting didn’t betray any clues, but the intent was clear. Someone was warning her off Jung Hwan, and they weren’t being subtle about it.

Nabi clenched the note tightly, anger and fear swirling inside her. She thought about calling Jung Hwan, but she didn’t want to burden him with more problems. Instead, she slipped the note into her drawer and resolved to stay alert.

The next evening, Jung Hwan invited Nabi to attend a charity gala with him. Though she hesitated at first, worried about the attention it might bring, he insisted.

“I want you there,” he said, his voice steady. “You’re part of my life, Nabi. It’s time the world knows that.”

His words filled her with both pride and trepidation. After hours of agonizing over what to wear, Nabi finally settled on a sleek black gown that Minji had designed for her. When Jung Hwan arrived to pick her up, his breath caught as he saw her.

“You look stunning,” he said, offering his arm.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” she teased, taking his arm.

The gala was held at a grand hotel, its ballroom glittering with crystal chandeliers and elegant decorations. Celebrities, socialites, and journalists filled the room, their chatter and laughter creating a buzz of excitement. Nabi felt out of place among the glamorous crowd, but Jung Hwan stayed by her side, his presence a calming anchor.

As they made their way through the crowd, they encountered Seo Joon, Taeyang, and Hyun Woo. Taeyang whistled playfully when he saw Nabi. “Wow, Nabi. You clean up nice.”

Seo Joon gave her a small nod of approval, while Hyun Woo offered a kind smile. “You’ll do fine tonight,” he said reassuringly.

But not everyone was welcoming. Nabi noticed the way some of the women in the room glared at her, their whispers cutting through the hum of conversation.

“Is that her?”

“She doesn’t look like much.”

“What does he see in her?”

Nabi’s cheeks burned, but she kept her head high, determined not to let their words affect her.

Later in the evening, as Jung Hwan and his bandmates took the stage to thank the attendees, Nabi stood at the edge of the room, watching him with pride. His confidence and charisma were undeniable, and she felt a surge of gratitude that someone like him had chosen to stand by her.

As the applause died down, a woman approached her. She was tall and elegant, with a sharp gaze that made Nabi feel instantly defensive.

“You must be Yo Nabi,” the woman said, her tone cool. “I’m Eun Soo.”

The name struck a chord. Eun Soo was a famous actress—and one of Jung Hwan’s rumored exes.

“Yes,” Nabi said, trying to keep her voice steady. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Eun Soo’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Jung Hwan seems… very fond of you.”

Nabi nodded, unsure of what to say.

“Be careful,” Eun Soo continued, her tone dropping slightly. “Dating someone like Jung Hwan comes with a price. Not everyone can handle it.”

Before Nabi could respond, Eun Soo walked away, leaving her feeling unsettled.

When the gala ended, Jung Hwan drove Nabi home. As they stood outside her door, he noticed the tension in her expression.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his brows knitting together.

Nabi hesitated before finally telling him about the note and her encounter with Eun Soo.

Jung Hwan’s jaw tightened. “You should’ve told me about the note earlier.”

“I didn’t want to worry you,” she admitted.

He cupped her face gently, his eyes serious. “Nabi, you’re part of my world now. That means we face things together—good and bad. Promise me you’ll tell me if something like this happens again.”

“I promise,” she said softly.

As he pulled her into a protective embrace, Nabi realized just how much she meant to him. Despite the challenges ahead, she knew she wasn’t alone. Whatever storms came their way, they would face them together.

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