EPISODE NINETEEN
1801 Words
A GRAND RETURN
The next morning, the entire entertainment company was buzzing.
Noah's bandmates and fellow idols had barely recovered from the shocking revelation that his former manager—Ethan Choi—was not just any man but a trillionaire. The mysterious, elusive investor who had been funding so many of their projects was actually the same Ethan they had worked with years ago.
Yet, none of that compared to what happened next.
A sleek, black Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up at the company’s private entrance. Behind it, two additional luxury cars followed—one in front, one behind, filled with bodyguards dressed in black suits, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
The car door opened.
First, a bodyguard stepped out, scanning the area. Then, Ethan emerged—dressed in an elegant dark three-piece suit, his silver watch gleaming under the sunlight. His cold, commanding aura made everyone instinctively straighten up.
And then, stepping out after him—Noah.
Gasps filled the air.
“Wait… is that Noah?”
“Ethan brought him?!”
“Holy sh*t, this is real—Ethan Choi is really that powerful?”
The moment Ethan and Noah stepped into the building, whispers spread like wildfire.
Noah’s bandmates, who had been in a meeting, rushed out. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they saw Ethan walking beside Noah, exuding wealth and dominance.
“Dude… what the hell is happening?!” one of them muttered.
Noah’s fellow idols, executives, and even the CEO’s assistants all gathered to witness the surreal moment.
The last time they had seen Ethan, he was just Noah’s quiet yet efficient manager. Now?
Now, he was walking through the company like he owned the entire industry.
Ethan remained unfazed, nodding briefly as former colleagues greeted him with hesitant respect. He acknowledged them, but his focus remained on Noah—who was both embarrassed and secretly thrilled by all the attention.
When they finally reached the CEO’s office, the executives scrambled to stand up, clearly still processing the fact that they were in the presence of the Ethan Choi.
“Ethan,” the CEO greeted with a nervous chuckle. “I… I must say, your reveal shook the entire country.”
Ethan smirked slightly. “I imagine it did.”
Noah sat beside Ethan, feeling a strange sense of pride as his lover conversed with the CEO effortlessly.
After a brief but pleasant discussion, Ethan stood up to leave. But just as he was about to go—
He leaned in, tilting Noah’s chin up.
His lips brushed softly against Noah’s before he whispered, “I’ll pick you up after work.”
Noah’s eyes widened, his face heating up.
Ethan chuckled and walked out, leaving behind a stunned CEO and an office full of people who had just witnessed something they would never forget
—
THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS NOW
The moment Ethan walked out of the CEO’s office, Noah collapsed into his chair, his face burning.
He just kissed me.
At my workplace.
In front of the damn CEO.
His bandmates and fellow idols were staring at him like he had just won the lottery—which, in a way, he had.
“Bro… what the hell was that?!” his bandmate Jisung practically shouted.
“I-I don’t know,” Noah stammered, pressing his fingers to his lips. He could still feel the warmth of Ethan’s lips against his own.
“Are you kidding me? That was the hottest, most dramatic flex I’ve ever seen in my life,” another idol, Hyun, gasped in disbelief. “Ethan freaking Choi, the trillionaire, just kissed you in the CEO’s office and said he’d pick you up after work?! What kind of fanfiction reality are we living in?!”
The CEO, who was still sitting there, rubbed his temples. “Noah… I think you should explain.”
Noah sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what to say, sir. I just—”
“You’re dating Ethan Choi?” The CEO’s voice was carefully neutral.
Noah straightened up. “Yes. And I love him.” His voice held zero hesitation.
A heavy silence filled the room.
The CEO exhaled sharply. Then, with a small smirk, he said, “Well, at least we know you weren’t lying in that interview.”
Laughter erupted in the room, and just like that, the tension melted.
Even though some executives still had their doubts, Noah didn’t care.
Because the man he loved had just shown the entire world that he was his.
—
THE INTERNET BREAKS
The moment Ethan stepped out of the company building, reporters who had been waiting outside went crazy.
“Ethan Choi, sir! Are you and Noah Lee dating?!”
“Was that a kiss we saw?!”
“Are you planning to go public with your relationship?!”
Ethan ignored them, stepping into his car as his bodyguards shielded him from the chaos.
But the damage had already been done.
Photos and videos of Ethan dropping Noah off, walking through the company like royalty, and—most importantly—kissing Noah in the CEO’s office leaked within minutes.
Social media exploded.
> [Trending #1] ETHAN CHOI & NOAH: CONFIRMED?!
[Trending #2] THE TRILLIONAIRE’S BOYFRIEND
[Trending #3] “I’ll pick you up after work” – THE LINE THAT SHOOK THE WORLD
Fans flooded Twitter, i********:, and every platform possible.
@NoahNation: “DID Y’ALL SEE THAT KISS?? I’M SCREAMINGGGG”
@EthanChoiUpdates: “Ethan Choi never does interviews. Never. And now he’s out here dropping off his man at work and kissing him goodbye? WE WON.”
@KpopTea: “Sources confirm that Ethan Choi was Noah’s former manager. So they’ve known each other for YEARS?! The love story writes itself.”
Some fans were still conflicted, but Noah had already expected that.
The only thing that mattered now was—he wasn’t hiding anymore.
—
AFTER WORK
True to his words, Ethan picked Noah up after work.
But he didn’t just arrive quietly.
The moment Noah stepped out of the company, Ethan was already there—standing next to his Rolls-Royce, waiting.
Dressed in another sleek black suit, his presence was enough to command attention.
Noah’s heart skipped a beat.
Ethan smirked at his reaction. “Ready to go?”
Noah nodded dumbly. He could feel hundreds of eyes watching them from the building.
As Ethan led him into the car, he whispered against Noah’s ear, “You look good today.”
Noah almost tripped. This man was going to kill him.
As the car pulled away, leaving behind a company still in shock, Noah turned to Ethan with a teasing smile. “So… what now?”
Ethan’s gaze darkened slightly, filled with undeniable hunger and affection.
“Now,” Ethan said smoothly, “we make up for lost time.”
—
And for the first time in a long time, Noah knew…
He had finally gotten his man back.
THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The ride home was quiet, but the air between them crackled with tension. Noah kept stealing glances at Ethan, still unable to believe that this was real. That after all these years, after all the heartbreak, after all the longing—Ethan was here. With him.
And he wasn’t leaving.
Ethan, on the other hand, was calm. Too calm. His fingers tapped against the leather seat, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. But Noah knew better—he could see it in the way Ethan’s jaw clenched, the way his breathing was slightly deeper than usual.
Ethan was holding himself back.
And Noah? Noah was done waiting.
As soon as they reached Ethan’s grand mansion, the doors were barely closed before Noah grabbed Ethan by his tie and crashed their lips together.
Ethan stiffened for a brief second—then he snapped.
A low, deep groan escaped him as he pushed Noah against the wall, pinning him there. His hands slid around Noah’s waist, pressing their bodies flush together.
“You drive me insane,” Ethan murmured between kisses, his voice rough with emotion.
Noah shuddered. He had missed this. Missed him.
“Then don’t hold back,” Noah whispered.
Ethan didn’t.
—
THE MORNING AFTER
Noah woke up completely tangled in Ethan’s arms.
The sunlight filtered through the massive windows, casting a golden glow over the room. The scent of fresh linen and Ethan’s expensive cologne clung to the sheets, and Noah felt a warmth settle in his chest.
Ethan was still asleep, his face buried in Noah’s hair. His breathing was slow, peaceful.
Noah carefully traced his fingers along Ethan’s jawline, his heart swelling. This is real.
Just then, Ethan stirred, his arms tightening around Noah’s waist.
“Mmm… morning,” he murmured, voice deep and husky from sleep.
Noah felt a shiver run down his spine. “Morning.”
Ethan’s eyes cracked open, a lazy smirk forming on his lips. “You’re staring.”
Noah scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Maybe I just like looking at my boyfriend.”
Ethan hummed, his grip tightening. “Say that again.”
Noah flushed. “What?”
“My boyfriend.” Ethan’s smirk grew. “I like the sound of that.”
Noah groaned, burying his face in the pillows. “You’re impossible.”
Ethan chuckled, placing a soft kiss on Noah’s forehead. “And you love it.”
He wasn’t wrong.
—
THE SCANDAL THAT SHOOK THE NATION
Later that morning, while Noah was getting dressed, Ethan’s phone buzzed nonstop.
He ignored it at first—until his assistant called.
Ethan frowned, answering. “What is it?”
The voice on the other end sounded urgent.
“Sir, you and Noah… you’re trending again.”
Ethan sighed. “That’s not new.”
“No. This time, it’s different.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Explain.”
The assistant hesitated. “Someone leaked… private photos. From years ago. When you were Noah’s manager.”
Ethan’s blood ran cold.
“What?”
Noah, who had just walked into the room, noticed Ethan’s expression and immediately knew something was wrong.
“What happened?” Noah asked, worry creeping into his voice.
Ethan slowly lowered the phone, his jaw clenched. “Someone leaked our past.”
Noah’s eyes widened. “What do you mean—”
Before Ethan could answer, Noah’s own phone started blowing up.
He clicked on the trending topic—only to freeze.
Leaked Photos: Ethan Choi & Noah’s Secret Past Relationship?!
Scandal Uncovered: Was Noah in Love With His Manager?!
And worst of all—a video.
A video from years ago.
A video of Noah crying—confessing his feelings for Ethan.
Noah felt the world tilt beneath his feet.
Someone was trying to ruin them.
And this time…
Ethan wasn’t going to let it happen.
- Writer
