CHAPTER ONE
956 Words
Six Years Later
Seoul woke slowly, washed in pale sunrise gold.
Inside a quiet, luxurious penthouse overlooking the Han River, an alarm buzzed softly at 6:00 AM.
A hand slid out from under the blanket to hit the snooze button.
Ethan groaned.
Lilly, still half-asleep beside him, peeked at him through messy hair.
"Turn it off...," she mumbled.
"It is off," he muttered back, voice raspy with sleep.
She blinked at the ceiling. "I hate mornings."
He let out a tiny smile-exhausted but fond. "I know."
After a moment, Lilly sat up, brushing hair behind her ears.
Today she had rehearsals, meetings, a photoshoot, and a brand fitting.
Ethan had studio work, recording, a dance meeting, then a late-night choreography session.
Different worlds.
Different companies.
But both equally busy.
Lilly stretched, then leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Ethan's cheek.
"Morning," she whispered.
He closed his eyes for a second, letting the warmth sink in.
"Morning."
At kitchen.
In the kitchen, sunlight spilled over the marble counters while Lilly quietly toasted bread.
Ethan poured coffee, yawning into the cup.
"You slept at 2 again," she said without turning around.
"I had to finish the guide track," he replied.
She placed two slices of toast on his plate. "You'll burn out."
"I'm fine, lilly."
lilly paused, then looked at him-hair loose, hoodie slightly sliding off one shoulder.
"You always say that."
He didn't argue.
They sat at the breakfast table.
Ethan scrolled through schedule updates.
Lillytied her hair into a bun.
"Eth?"
"Hm?"
"Your stylist texted me. You forgot your fitting yesterday."
He sighed. "I didn't have time."
"You need to make time," she said gently.
He nodded, taking a slow sip of coffee.
Despite the calm tone of their lives, the warmth felt... thin.
Like a blanket with small holes in it - still covering, but letting a little cold air inside.
After sometime.
lilly stood before the mirror, applying a light tint.
Ethan tied his tie, glancing at her reflection.
"You look tired," he said quietly.
She shrugged. "Long week."
He moved closer, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"You should take a break."
"So should you."
They shared a small smile - one of those smiles people share when the truth is too heavy to push deeper.
Lilly turned to him, fixing the uneven collar of his shirt.
"You're hopeless."
Her voice softened.
Then she rose on her toes and kissed his forehead.
"You'll do well today."
Ethan's eyes lowered to hers.
"Same to you."
"Let's go".
At the entrance, lilly put on her jacket. Ethan wore his mask and cap.
She hugged him - warm, but hurried, distracted.
"I'll be late tonight," she said.
"Me too."
"Stay safe."
"You too."
For a moment, they held each other tighter - as if trying to remind themselves that despite the distance their careers created, they were still here.
lilly pulled back and cupped his face.
"Don't skip lunch," she warned.
He gave a tiny laugh. "Yes, ma'am."
Another soft kiss to his cheek.
Then she walked out first, her manager waiting outside.
Ethan watched her leave, then closed the door with a quiet exhale.
The studio smelled of coffee, sweat, and echoes of music.
"Eth, we need one more take," the producer called.
Ethan nodded, adjusting his headphones.
He sang, over and over, perfecting each recording until his voice felt raw.
He danced with the team, learning steps that pushed his stamina to the edge.
"Eth, break?"
"Later."
"bro, you haven't eaten-"
"I will later."
His phone buzzed.
lilly:
Did you eat?
He stared at the message.
Then typed:
Ethan:
Not yet. You?
Her reply came fast.
lilly:
No either. But you should. Promise?
He smiled faintly.
Ethan:
Promise.
But he didn't.
On the other side.
The photoshoot lights were blinding.
Cameras clicked.
Staff moved around her constantly.
"Lilly, chin up- yes, that angle."
"Perfect."
"Next outfit!"
She changed outfits again and again, smiling, posing, shifting expressions like switching masks.
Between shots, she checked her phone.
No new messages.
She swallowed disappointment.
Her manager asked, "Tired?"
"No," she lied.
Meanwhile, her mind wandered back to the penthouse.
To Ethan's tired eyes.
To the space between them that seemed to grow a little more each year.
lilly exhaled and adjusted her outfit.
"Let's continue."
Evening.
Ethan returned home first.
He dropped his bag, leaned against the wall, and closed his eyes.
Silence.
A silence that used to feel peaceful...
but now felt heavy.
He opened the fridge.
Half-eaten meals, water bottles, and a note lilly left last night:
Don't stay up too late.
x lilly.
He smiled faintly.
Hours later, Lilly arrived.
"eth?" she called.
"In the living room."
She walked in, kicking off her heels. He handed her a glass of water.
"Thank you," she breathed out.
"Long day?"
"The longest."
They sat together on the couch.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Just... there.
lilly rested her head on his shoulder.
"You okay?" she asked quietly.
He hesitated. "Yeah. Just tired."
She nodded, eyes closing.
Their fingers touched...
but didn't interlock.
Their shoulders leaned together...
but their hearts didn't meet in the middle the way they once did.
Lilly whispered, "I'm glad you're here."
ethan kissed her forehead gently.
"I'm here."
Even if something in his voice sounded like he was convincing himself.
Night.
Before sleeping, lilly wrapped her arms around him, hugging him softly.
"Eth..."
He hummed.
"Promise you won't overwork."
"I'll try."
She kissed his cheek and rested her face against his chest.
He looked at the ceiling, eyes open even as she slept.
Work stress?
Maybe.
Exhaustion?
Maybe.
Or maybe something else.
Something neither of them noticed growing quietly between them.
Something that had been waiting six years.
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- Writer
