CHAPTER 7 — Crossing the line
1262 Words
The rumors about Lana and Kris got even crazier over the next two days.
And honestly, the internet was terrifying.
Once the first article came out, other media outlets immediately started digging into everything:
who Lana was,
where she came from,
even creating theories that Kris Lee had finally “fallen in love” with an ordinary girl.
Even though things hadn’t gone that far yet.
At least… that’s what Lana kept telling herself.
“There she is again.”
“Wow, now she’s always sitting near Kris.”
“I heard she even went to a private dinner with him.”
The staff whispers followed Lana again as she walked through backstage carrying a shooting schedule tablet.
She pretended not to hear them.
Even though her head already felt like exploding.
Because the worst part was…
Kris really wasn’t helping the situation at all.
The man was way too calm about all the rumors.
As if the media attention didn’t bother him in the slightest.
And somehow Lana ended up being the only one stressed about it.
“Lana.”
Her body stopped on reflex.
Kris stood a few meters away from her, half dressed in his shooting outfit. His black hair was still slightly messy after makeup touch-ups.
Still handsome.
Annoyingly handsome.
“My room.”
“Huh?”
“There’s something I want to talk about.”
His tone was calm.
But several staff members immediately looked over again.
Oh God.
Lana wanted to resign.
……
Kris’ private waiting room was much quieter than the noisy studio outside.
The moment the door closed, Lana turned to him anxiously.
“We can’t keep doing this.”
Kris, who was unbuttoning his cufflinks, raised an eyebrow.
“Doing what?”
“Everyone keeps talking about us.”
“Let them.”
The answer came way too easily.
Lana felt frustrated.
“How can you stay this calm with all these rumors?”
Kris sat down casually on the sofa, then looked at her for a long moment before answering.
“Because I’ve lived with rumors for years.”
His voice sounded flat.
Almost cold.
And strangely…
for the first time, Lana felt like there was something heavy hidden behind those words.
“I’m not used to it,” Lana mumbled quietly.
Kris’ expression softened slightly.
Just slightly.
“Still reading the nasty comments?”
Lana didn’t need to answer.
Her tired face after reading all the rumors already answered for her.
And honestly, some of the comments were cruel.
Gold digger. Attention seeker. Cheap woman.
Even though she hadn’t actually done anything.
Kris let out a quiet sigh and stood up.
Before Lana could react…
he was already standing right in front of her.
Too close again.
“You care too much about what people think.”
“I’m just a normal person.”
“But you’re close to me now.”
That sentence made her heartbeat feel strange again.
There was something dangerous about the way Kris said it.
Like he was slowly pulling her into a world she wouldn’t be able to leave anymore.
“Your world is exhausting.”
“That’s why I rarely let people into it.”
Their eyes met.
And once again…
Lana felt like she couldn’t breathe properly whenever Kris looked at her like that.
Intense. Calm. Like they were the only two people in the room.
“Kris hyung!”
The door suddenly opened.
Lana immediately stepped back.
A tall man walked in carrying coffee, then suddenly stopped.
“Oh.”
He looked at Lana. Then Kris. Then back at Lana again.
His expression instantly turned interested.
“Am I interrupting something?”
“Get out,” Kris answered flatly.
The man just laughed.
“Wow. So the internet rumors are true?”
“Jiwon.”
“Okay, okay.”
The man named Jiwon casually walked inside and handed the coffee to Kris.
Lana recognized him immediately.
Han Jiwon. Famous actor. And Kris’ close friend.
Jiwon glanced at Lana with a teasing grin.
“You’re Lana, right?”
Lana quickly bowed politely.
“Yes.”
“I like you.”
“Huh?”
“You’re the only girl who’s managed to make my hyung look human.”
“Do you want to die?” Kris asked coldly.
Jiwon laughed even harder.
“I’m serious. Usually he looks at women like they’re spam ads.”
“GET OUT.”
“Okay, scary.”
Jiwon raised his hands dramatically while backing toward the door.
But before leaving, he looked at Lana again.
“Good luck.”
The door closed.
The room became quiet again.
And Lana immediately looked away, completely embarrassed.
“Is he always like that?”
“He’s usually worse.”
Lana couldn’t help laughing softly.
And Kris quietly watched her for a few seconds.
“What?”
“You finally look comfortable.”
Lana’s heart immediately started acting weird again.
“I’m still not comfortable.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m just getting used to this.”
Kris smiled faintly.
A small smile. Barely visible.
But enough to change the atmosphere again.
Then his phone suddenly vibrated on the table.
The name on the screen instantly made Kris’ expression turn cold.
LEE CHAIRMAN.
His father.
And for the first time…
Lana saw another side of Kris Lee.
Not the confident playboy actor.
But someone who suddenly looked exhausted just because of one incoming call.
The room suddenly felt quieter.
Kris stared at his phone screen for a few seconds without moving.
The phone kept ringing.
And somehow…
his expression turned incredibly cold.
Not the usual cold expression he used when teasing people.
This was different.
Like someone putting up walls instantly.
Lana stood there awkwardly.
“I can leave first if you—”
“No need.”
Kris answered too quickly.
Way too quickly.
Finally, he picked up the call while walking toward the large window.
“Yes.”
His voice turned flat.
Formal.
Lana couldn’t hear the person on the other end, but judging from Kris’ expression… the conversation clearly wasn’t pleasant.
“I told you I’m not interested.”
Silence.
Kris’ gaze became even sharper.
“I don’t care about stocks or board meetings.”
His voice was lower now.
Dangerous.
Lana immediately understood.
This was about his family company.
About the heir position.
“…If that’s the reason Father called, then I’m busy.”
Click.
Kris ended the call without hesitation.
The room fell silent again.
And for a few seconds, he just stood there with his back facing Lana.
His jaw looked tense.
His hand gripped the phone too tightly.
Lana hesitated for a moment before finally speaking softly.
“Are you okay?”
Kris let out a short laugh.
But it didn’t sound amused.
“Do I look okay to you?”
Lana instantly felt like she said the wrong thing.
“I just…”
She didn’t know what else to say.
Because someone like Kris looked like the type of person who never showed weakness.
But now…
for the first time…
he looked tired.
And lonely.
Kris closed his eyes for a moment before finally looking at her again.
This time, his gaze was different.
Not teasing. Not playful.
Just… exhausted.
“Strange.”
“Hm?”
“I usually hate people seeing my bad side.”
Lana’s heartbeat slowed slightly.
“But now…”
Kris’ eyes briefly lowered to her face.
“I don’t really mind if it’s you.”
And damn…
that sentence felt way more intimate than all his teasing before.
- Writer
