**Lian's POV**
"You really have a thing for sneaking out, don't you?" I teased as I approached Naomi, who was leaning casually against the small gate, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
She grinned, looking mischievous. "You could say that. I'm getting pretty good at it."
I laughed softly, feeling her excitement rub off on me. "So, what's the plan this time, Miss Rebel?"
Naomi glanced around to make sure we were alone. "I just wanted to get out for a bit, away from everything. Maybe we could just walk? Talk?"
It was amazing to see Naomi like this—just a girl looking for something more, away from all the expectations. I was more than happy to be part of her escape.
"Lead the way," I said, gesturing down the alley. "But let's not get caught this time."
She giggled, her voice light and carefree. "Don't worry, I've got it all figured out. Jung Soo won't even know I'm gone."
We walked in silence for a while, enjoying the quiet night air. It was so different from the city or the guarded estate—just us, with no one watching us.
"So," Naomi said, breaking the silence, "do you ever think about running away? Leaving everything behind and starting fresh somewhere new?"
The question surprised me. It wasn't what I expected, but then again, Naomi was full of surprises. "Sometimes. But it's more about finding a place where you can truly be yourself."
Naomi nodded, looking thoughtful. "I've been thinking about that a lot. About who I am outside of my father's shadow."
I stopped and faced her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're more than just your father's daughter, Naomi. You're kind, smart, adventurous… and stubborn."
She looked up at me, smiling. "You're not so bad yourself, Lian Zhang. You've helped me see things differently. I've never felt this free."
Her words made me feel warm inside. It was one thing to be drawn to Naomi, but it was another to know I was helping her discover her true self.
"Maybe that's because you're finally letting yourself be free," I said gently.
We continued walking until we reached a small park. It was a quiet spot, with tall trees and a bench where we could sit. Naomi led the way, sitting down and patting the spot next to her.
I joined her, and we just listened to the night—rustling leaves, distant traffic, and crickets. It was peaceful, a nice break from our usual worlds.
Naomi leaned back, looking up at the stars. "Do you ever wonder what it'd be like to live a completely different life?"
"All the time," I admitted. "But what matters is making the most of the life we have, even if it means sneaking out once in a while."
She chuckled, her laugh soft and intimate. "I wish I could do this more often. Just be myself, without all the expectations."
"You can," I said, nudging her playfully. "But you might have to keep coming up with creative ways to ditch Jung Soo."
Naomi laughed, clearly enjoying the moment. "He's going to be so mad when he finds out I'm gone again. I'm going to have to bribe him with something big to keep him quiet."
"Good luck with that," I said with a grin. "But if you ever need a partner in crime, you know where to find me."
Naomi turned to me, her eyes serious but her smile still there. "I might just take you up on that, Lian. You've become a big part of my life in such a short time, and I'm not sure what I'd do without you."
Her words surprised me, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond. It wasn't easy to hear such honesty, especially from someone like Naomi. But here she was, breaking down walls I didn't know existed.
"I'm glad I met you, Naomi," I said softly. "You've changed my world in the best way."
She smiled, and I saw gratitude and something deeper in her eyes. "Same here, Lian."
We sat there quietly, just enjoying each other's company. It was enough for now.
Eventually, I knew we'd have to return to reality. But for now, I was content to stay with Naomi under the stars, with the promise of something new and exciting between us.
**Naomi's POV**
I'd never felt like this before. It was like I was finally coming alive, experiencing things I hadn't before. And Lian—she was a huge part of that. She made me feel things I didn't know I was capable of.
But with these feelings came new fears. What would happen when everything came crashing down? When reality hit us hard? I didn't want to think about it, didn't want to ruin the moment, but it was always there, in the back of my mind.
"I should probably get back," I said reluctantly, breaking the silence. "Jung Soo is going to have a heart attack if I'm gone too long."
Lian nodded, though she looked disappointed. "Yeah, you're probably right. But remember—this isn't the end. It's just the beginning."
I smiled, feeling warmth in my chest at her words. "You're right. It's just the beginning."
We stood up, and as we walked back to the estate, I felt like something had changed between us. It was subtle, but it was there—a deeper connection that was growing stronger with every moment.
When we reached the gate, I turned to Lian, not wanting to say goodbye just yet. "Thank you for tonight. I needed this."
"Anytime," she replied, her smile warm and reassuring. "And I mean that, Naomi. Anytime."
With one last smile, I slipped through the gate and back into the estate, my heart still racing from the night. As I headed back to my room, I couldn't stop thinking about Lian—how she made me feel so free and alive.
As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I knew I was in deep. Whatever was happening between us, it was real, and it was only going to get more intense.
But I was ready. For the first time, I was ready to take control of my own destiny, to fight for what I wanted, and to break free from the chains that had held me back for so long.
And with Lian by my side, I knew I could do it.