STOLEN GLANCES

EPISODE THREE

The next morning, things only got more complicated. As they made their way to the company’s building, the usual buzz of the paparazzi was a little louder than usual. Noah’s fake dating scandal with Ha-Na Kim was making headlines, and Ethan couldn’t escape the growing sense of unease.

“Are you okay?” Noah asked as they walked down the hallway, his voice quieter than usual.

Ethan nodded. “I’m fine.”

But the truth was, he wasn’t fine. Not after hearing how quickly the story had spread, especially among the fans. There were even fans of Noah who were getting behind the idea, calling the relationship “cute” and “perfect.” Some even speculated that Ha-Na was the perfect match for Noah. But to Ethan? It felt like he was being slowly edged out of the picture, his own feelings and place in Noah’s life ignored in the face of the new scandal.

The day was long, filled with interviews, photo ops, and fans, but Ethan couldn’t shake the feeling that Noah was watching him—watching for something. It wasn’t long before he figured out what Noah was waiting for.

That afternoon, as they were leaving a meeting, Ethan saw a familiar face in the lobby. A face that made his stomach drop.

It was Jin Woo—Ethan’s ex.

Ethan’s heart clenched at the sight of him, though he quickly masked his reaction. The breakup with Jin Woo had been messy—full of lies, misunderstandings, and eventual silence. Ethan had tried to move on, to put it all behind him, but seeing him now... it all came rushing back.

Jin Woo’s gaze shifted from the receptionist to Ethan, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Well, well, if it isn’t Ethan. Long time no see.”

Noah, who had been standing beside Ethan, froze. The warmth in his eyes darkened just a fraction, and Ethan couldn’t help but notice the subtle shift in his demeanor. Noah knew about Jin Woo—about their history. And seeing him here, after all this time, didn’t sit well with Noah.

Ethan forced a smile, taking a step forward. “What are you doing here, Jin Woo?”

“I was just visiting a few old friends,” Jin Woo replied casually, his eyes lingering on Ethan for a moment too long. “And it looks like you’ve been busy. I heard you’re managing Noah now.”

Ethan nodded, his throat tight. “Yeah. Busy as usual.”

Jin Woo’s gaze flicked toward Noah, and there was an almost imperceptible pause in the air. Noah didn’t say anything, but the tension was thick. Ethan could feel Noah’s irritation radiating from him, though Noah remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Jin Woo chuckled softly, not noticing the rising tension. “Well, I’ll let you get back to work, Ethan. Good to see you again. And Noah...” He trailed off, giving Noah a respectful nod before turning to leave.

But before he walked away, Jin Woo shot Ethan one last glance, one that felt more intimate than it should have been. Ethan’s stomach twisted, but he kept his expression neutral, not allowing any trace of discomfort to show.

---

Once they were alone, Noah’s voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. “Do you really want him back?”

Ethan blinked, surprised by the question. “What?”

“Jin Woo,” Noah said, his eyes narrowing. “Do you want him back? Because it sure seems like you two have some unfinished business.”

Ethan’s mind raced. He hadn’t expected Noah to react this way—hadn’t expected the jealousy in his voice. But Noah wasn’t done. “I know what happened between you two,” he continued, his words laced with something colder than usual. “The way he left you. The way you were when it ended.”

Ethan swallowed hard, shaking his head. “It’s not like that anymore, Noah.”

But Noah wasn’t listening. “If you really want him back, just say it. I’ll step aside.”

Ethan’s pulse quickened. What was happening? Was this about Jin Woo, or was it about something else?

Before Ethan could respond, Noah turned and walked away, his back stiff with anger.

---

That night, as the news of Ethan’s attraction to men spread like wildfire, things got even more complicated. Fans were buzzing about the possibility of Ethan dating someone—someone who wasn’t Noah. It wasn’t just a fan fantasy anymore; it was real. Some idols who had secretly crushed on Ethan were ecstatic, thinking this could be their chance to make a move. But Ethan wasn’t sure what he wanted anymore—not when Noah seemed to be pulling him in every direction.

Noah had played his game, and now, Ethan wasn’t sure what the stakes were. But one thing was clear—Noah was no longer just his best friend. And this fake dating scandal? It was just the beginning.

----

THE TIGHTROPE OF DESIRE

The morning after the encounter with Ha-Na Kim, the air between Noah and Ethan was charged with unspoken tension.

Ethan, his mind replaying the moments from the previous day, sat at his desk, eyes fixed on the schedule for the week. There was nothing on paper that could explain the weight of the situation, but it lingered. Noah’s increasing proximity to Ha-Na was starting to bother him more than he was willing to admit. Noah, ever the professional, played his role in the media, but it was clear to Ethan that there was something more to it—something unspoken between them that neither of them could ignore.

---

FAKE DATING ESCALATES

Later that afternoon, Noah was scheduled for a joint photoshoot with Ha-Na. The media had already latched onto the idea of them as a couple, and the photographers were eager to play up the narrative. Noah, dressed in a sharp suit, flashed his signature smile for the cameras, but his eyes—those calculating eyes—kept darting toward Ethan, who stood off to the side, overseeing the shoot with a professional calm.

Despite the flirtatious energy between him and Ha-Na, Noah’s attention seemed divided. As Ha-Na leaned in for a playful pose, he could feel Ethan’s gaze, cool and unwavering, from across the room. It wasn’t jealousy—Noah had been around long enough to recognize the nuances of their dynamic. It was something else. Maybe it was the knowledge that Ethan was not just his manager, but his closest ally.

The photo session dragged on longer than expected, with the press pushing Ha-Na and Noah into increasingly intimate poses, feeding the public’s hunger for confirmation of the supposed romance. Noah felt the pressure building, but each time he looked over at Ethan, the lingering tension in the air became more palpable. Ethan wasn’t saying anything, but Noah knew him well enough to read between the lines. The awkwardness between them wasn’t lost on anyone—especially not the photographers, who were growing more insistent with their directions.

---

THE FANS REACT

As the fake dating scandal continued to spread, more eyes were turning to Ethan—eyes that had never paid him much attention before. The fans had started noticing him in a new light, especially after the rumors about his personal preferences circulated. Ethan was a quiet, confident presence within the company, but now his attractiveness was becoming undeniable.

Noah had never really thought about Ethan’s appeal in that way before, but it was impossible to ignore how other idols started to view him. Some had seen him as just the reliable manager, but now there was a new sense of intrigue surrounding him. Whispers among the younger idols, and even some of Noah's own fans, revealed their growing admiration for Ethan’s well-built figure, his quiet confidence, and his air of mystery.

It wasn’t long before other idols began to throw compliments his way, and it irritated Noah more than he expected. The attention Ethan was receiving—intended or not—made Noah feel an unfamiliar, possessive stir inside him. He had always known that Ethan was attractive, but the fact that he was suddenly seen as “available” was unsettling. It was almost like they were treating Ethan as some sort of prize.

During a break between schedules, Noah overheard one of the younger idols making casual comments about how they hadn’t realized Ethan was “that kind of guy.” There was a clear fascination in their voice. Noah’s jaw tightened at the mention. He wasn’t sure why it bothered him so much, but it did.