STOLEN GLANCES

EPISODE SIXTEEN

THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION

---

Noah Lee stood in front of the mirror in his lavish penthouse, his gaze locked onto his reflection as the early morning light filtered through the curtains. His mind raced. Months had passed, and now here he was—standing at the pinnacle of success. He had done it. He had made it to the top. His accomplishments was worth billions, his Album prices through the roof, and his reputation in the entertainment world was untouchable. He had followed every rule, worked tirelessly, and earned every accolade.

But in the midst of it all, one thing lingered in his heart like a shadow—Ethan.

He had spent the last few months pushing himself to new heights, believing that if he became successful enough, if he could match Ethan’s level in some way, he could win him back. Every award, every deal, every handshake, and every partnership had been one more step closer to what he believed was the key to earning Ethan’s forgiveness and love again. He wasn’t just becoming a billionaire—he was becoming the man Ethan deserved. He had convinced himself that when they crossed paths again, he wouldn’t just be another rich businessman trying to impress Ethan. He would be on the same level, in control of his life and his destiny.

Yet, Noah had no idea that Ethan, the very person he was desperately working for, was still following him. Ethan had been there in the shadows, in the crowd of Noah’s concerts, at his shows, even in private meetings that only the most elite investors knew about. Ethan had been there, silently supporting Noah, despite everything that had happened between them. Ethan cared.

But Noah didn’t know that yet.

---

THE NIGHT OF UNSPOKEN WORDS

It was late one evening when Noah found himself at a high-end bar, drowning his thoughts in expensive whiskey. His mind was heavy with the weight of his own success. He was a billionaire now. A success story. But it didn’t matter. He had achieved everything he thought would bring him happiness, and yet… it still felt empty without Ethan.

The luxurious bar was filled with the hum of laughter, clinking glasses, and the soothing sounds of a live band playing in the background. But Noah couldn’t escape the storm raging inside him. He drank, and he drank deeply, hoping it would drown out the guilt, the regret, and the emptiness that had settled deep in his chest.

He wanted to forget everything for just a moment. He wanted to stop thinking about the fact that Ethan had walked away from him—and that Noah had pushed him away first. But the harder he tried to forget, the clearer Ethan’s face became in his mind. He’d hurt Ethan. He had hurt him so deeply, and nothing he had done since then felt like enough to atone for it.

Suddenly, through the haze of alcohol and blurred thoughts, he heard a voice—a voice that sent a chill down his spine.

“Noah?”

He turned, blinking, his vision swimming as he tried to focus on the figure standing before him. His breath hitched when his gaze met Ethan’s.

Ethan was standing there, his face serious yet unreadable, his eyes holding an intensity that caused Noah’s heart to skip a beat. But before Noah could even process the emotions swirling in his chest, Ethan’s voice broke through.

“You’re drunk,” Ethan said, his tone a mixture of concern and frustration. “You shouldn’t be like this.”

Noah’s lips parted as he tried to speak, but his words were slurred, tangled in the haze of his drunken stupor. “I… I’m sorry, Ethan. I’ve always been sorry. I’ve been such a fool. I didn’t know how to fix it. I didn’t know how to fix us.”

Ethan’s gaze softened for a split second, but it quickly hardened again. He stepped forward, his hand gripping Noah’s arm gently but firmly. “Come with me,” he said, his voice low and commanding.

Noah’s head swam as he tried to process what was happening. He wanted to fight it, wanted to pull away, but something inside him urged him to follow. Ethan’s presence, even now, felt like the only thing that could pull him out of the mess he had made of his life.

---

A NIGHT IN ETHAN'S WORLD

The ride to the hotel was a blur, a disjointed mixture of silence and fleeting glances. Ethan didn’t speak much, his focus on getting Noah to safety, while Noah, still lost in his drunken stupor, tried to form coherent thoughts. His mind was spinning, and all he could feel was Ethan’s presence, the heat of his touch on his arm, the strength in the way he held him.

Ethan led him to a luxury suite, the kind of room only the richest people could afford. But Noah didn’t care about the opulence. All he could focus on was Ethan, who had been there, even when Noah had been too blind to see it.

“I’m sorry,” Noah mumbled again as Ethan helped him into the room, his voice thick with emotion. “I never should’ve let you go.”

Ethan didn’t respond immediately. He didn’t have to. His actions spoke louder than words. He laid Noah down on the bed, pulling the blanket over him, and sat beside him for a moment, just watching him. Noah closed his eyes, but the memories of what they had shared—what he had lost—kept him awake.

When he finally drifted into a fitful sleep, he felt Ethan’s arms around him. Ethan held him close, his warmth a strange comfort that Noah hadn’t realized he needed. They slept like that for hours, tangled together in the stillness of the night.

But before the sun could rise, Ethan gently pulled away, his face hardening as he stood up. Ethan looked down at him, his eyes full of sorrow and something else but then, without another word, he left.

---

THE PLAN TO WIN ETHAN BACK

The next morning, Noah woke up in the luxurious suite, the remnants of his drunken stupor lingering. He rubbed his eyes, his mind struggling to piece together the events of the previous night. But one thing was clear: Ethan had been there. And he had held him. He had cared enough to take him away from the bar, to protect him, and to make sure he was safe.

But now Ethan was gone.

Noah stood, feeling a mix of frustration and desperation. He couldn’t let this be the end. He had to find a way to reach Ethan, to let him know how much he meant to him. He couldn’t just sit back and wait.

He picked up his phone and dialed Jay Kang’s number, waiting impatiently as the line rang.

“Jay,” Noah said as soon as the line connected. “I need your help.”

Jay’s voice came through the phone, smooth and unwavering. “What’s the problem?”

“I saw Ethan last night,” Noah said, his voice raw with emotion. “He took care of me, Jay. He was there. But then he left, and I don’t know what to do now. I need to reach him. I need to make things right.”

Jay was silent for a moment, then spoke. “So what’s your plan? You want to keep hiding your feelings? You think the money will impress him enough to bring him back?”

Noah paused, taking a deep breath. “I don’t care about the money, Jay. I just want him back.”

Jay exhaled slowly, almost as if he had expected this. “Then you need to be real, Noah. You need to tell the world who you are, who you love. If the interviewer asks about your personal life, that’s your chance. Don’t hold back. Apologize to Ethan without saying his name. Let him know that you still care, but don’t drag him into the spotlight. It’s the only way.”

---

THE INTERVIEW: A PUBLIC APOLOGY

The day of the interview arrived. Noah sat before the cameras, his heart racing in his chest as he prepared for what he knew he had to do. The interviewer, a woman with a sharp gaze, smiled at him as she asked the question he had been dreading.

“Noah,” she began, “You’ve achieved so much in your career. But fans have been curious about your personal life. Are you seeing anyone? Do you have a partner?”

Noah’s heart thundered in his chest. This was it. He had to do it.

He took a deep breath, his voice steady despite the emotions bubbling beneath the surface. “i do not usually talk about my personal or private life but today I need too cuz there's someone out I want to get to. It funny to say this but, I’m not into men. I am just into one man,” Noah said, his voice quivering with raw emotion. “And that man is someone who has my heart. It’s been a long time, but I can’t keep pretending. I hurt him, and I’m sorry. I’ll always be sorry. But I want him to know—if he’s listening, wherever he is—that I still love him. I hope one day, I can show him the man I’ve become.”

A tear slid down his cheek as he spoke, and he quickly wiped it away. The crowd was silent, but Noah could feel the rawness of the moment. “I’m sorry,” he continued, his voice breaking slightly. “I made a mistake. I’m sorry for not being brave enough to admit it before. But I’m ready now. I’m ready to fix it.”

The room fell into stunned silence as Noah’s words echoed in their ears. He had just confessed his feelings, but not in a way that would allow people to dig deeper into Ethan’s identity. He had chosen to remain anonymous—Ethan’s identity protected, but his apology clear.

For Noah, this was just the beginning. He had nothing left to hide, nothing left to lose. And he would do whatever it took to prove his love for Ethan, even if it meant facing the world’s judgment. He was ready to fight for him, no matter the cost.