CHAPTER 4 — Too close
997 Words
Morning at the luxury brand photoshoot studio started with chaos.
Everyone was running around.
Staff pushed clothing racks back and forth. Makeup artists rushed to fix the models’ touch-ups. The sounds of cameras clicking and photographers giving directions filled the huge studio nonstop.
And in the middle of all that chaos...
Lana was desperately trying not to panic.
“Lana! Where’s the gray suit for the second set?”
“On the back rack!”
“Kris’ shoes still haven’t arrived!”
“Manager said the shoot starts in five minutes!”
Lana’s head already felt overloaded.
It was only her second day working close to Kris Lee, and she already wanted to run away from the entertainment industry.
Everything moved too fast.
And even worse...
she could feel people staring every time her name was mentioned.
Because now the whole staff knew one thing:
Kris Lee personally asked for Lana.
And that was weird.
Very weird.
“Hey.”
Lana turned when one of the senior makeup artists approached and whispered quietly.
“You should be careful.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t get too close to Kris Lee.”
Lana frowned in confusion.
“Why?”
The makeup artist laughed softly, but not because it was funny.
“Because every woman who gets close to him ends up crying.”
That sentence made Lana’s stomach feel uncomfortable.
Before she could respond, the manager’s voice echoed loudly.
“Kris is here!”
The atmosphere in the studio changed instantly.
People automatically fixed their positions. Some staff stood straighter. Even the famously strict photographer suddenly put on a professional smile.
Lana turned too.
And her heartbeat immediately became unstable again.
Kris Lee entered the studio wearing a long black coat and dark sunglasses. Two bodyguards walked a few steps behind him.
His presence instantly dominated the room.
Calm. Expensive. Dangerous.
Everyone was watching him.
And Kris looked completely used to it.
His gaze swept casually across the room...
then stopped right on Lana.
Instantly, her throat went dry.
Kris slowly removed his sunglasses without breaking eye contact.
Then...
he smiled slightly.
Not a friendly smile.
More like a man who had just found something interesting.
And somehow, that made Lana want to disappear.
“First outfit.”
Lana quickly grabbed the suit and followed Kris into the private fitting room.
The moment the door closed...
everything became quiet.
And smaller.
Lana focused on opening the garment bag.
“This is for the first concept.”
Kris sat casually on the sofa while watching her.
“You were avoiding me earlier.”
Lana almost choked on her own breath.
“W-what?”
“You didn’t look at me once since I got here.”
“I was working.”
“Mhm.”
His tone sounded unconvinced.
Lana decided to stay quiet.
Because honestly... it was true.
She had been avoiding eye contact on purpose ever since he arrived.
And the reason was embarrassing.
Kris was too hard to ignore.
“Lana.”
“Yes?”
“Look at me.”
The sentence was simple.
But somehow, it sounded like an order.
Slowly, Lana lifted her head.
And immediately regretted it.
Kris’ gaze was way too intense to hold for long.
He stood up and walked closer until only a few steps separated them.
“Still scared?”
“I’m not scared.”
“You’re lying.”
Lana instantly looked away.
And Kris laughed softly again.
“I’m seriously working right now, Mr. Kris.”
“You always talk to me so formally.”
“Because you’re my senior.”
“And old?”
Lana’s eyes widened in panic.
“I didn’t say that!”
Kris smiled faintly.
Damn it.
He was teasing her again.
“Then stop looking like you’re talking to your school principal.”
Lana’s face heated up.
“I’m just trying to be polite.”
“So innocent too.”
Lana bit her lip softly.
She didn’t understand why this man kept teasing her.
Especially when there were already countless beautiful, confident women chasing Kris Lee outside.
Models. Celebrities. Socialites.
And her?
She was just a regular assistant stylist.
“Come here.”
Lana reflexively stepped closer when Kris loosened the collar of his shirt slightly.
“Fix it.”
Nervously, Lana adjusted his collar and jacket.
And once again...
they were too close.
This time worse, because Kris wouldn’t stop staring at her.
Lana could feel the heat on her own face.
Focus, Lana. Just focus on work.
But it was hard.
This job was way too hard.
“Your hands are small.”
Lana froze.
“Hm?”
“But warm.”
Her heartbeat instantly became chaotic again.
This man seriously had no filter.
“I-I’m done.”
She quickly stepped back.
But suddenly, the fitting room door opened without knocking.
A tall, beautiful woman walked in while removing her expensive sunglasses.
“Baby, I heard you....”
Her sentence stopped.
The woman’s eyes immediately landed on Lana.
And the atmosphere turned cold instantly.
Lana recognized her immediately.
Min Yuri.
Famous model. Kris Lee’s ex-girlfriend. The same woman involved in reconciliation rumors with him just last week.
Yuri looked Lana up and down with a faint smile.
“Who is she?”
Before Lana could answer, Kris spoke casually.
“She’s staff.”
Two words.
But somehow, they made Lana’s chest feel strange.
Yuri walked closer and sat casually on the sofa like the place belonged to her.
“So this is your type now?”
Kris didn’t answer.
And somehow, that made the atmosphere even more uncomfortable.
Lana quickly bowed politely.
“Then I’ll excuse myself.”
She almost made it out...
until Kris’ voice stopped her.
“Lana.”
Her body instantly tensed again.
“Don’t go too far.”
Yuri immediately looked at Kris sharply.
And for the first time...
Lana realized something.
Even the smallest bit of attention from a man like Kris Lee could become a huge problem.
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