Ara stood frozen in the dim light of the corridor, her chest heaving as though the air itself had turned poisonous. Taehyun's presence was both a relief and a shock—her knees threatened to give way.
He stepped closer, slowly, cautiously, his hands slightly raised as if he were afraid of startling her.
Taehyun (gentle, steady voice):
"Ara… hey, look at me. It's just me, Taehyun. You're safe."
Ara's lips parted, but no sound came out. Her hands trembled violently, clutching at the fabric of her sleeve.
Taehyun (softer, coaxing):
"Breathe… slowly. Like this. In…" he inhales deeply, exaggerating it so she could follow "…and out."
For a moment, Ara couldn't. Her body was locked in fear, her eyes darting around the empty hallway as though the clicking sound would return any second.
But when Taehyun's gaze met hers—steady, unwavering—something inside her eased, just a little. She mirrored his breath, shaky at first, then steadier.
Ara (whispering, almost broken):
"I… I heard her… those heels… red… it was—"
Her voice cracked. She bit her lip, shaking her head as if scolding herself for speaking too much.
Taehyun (frowning, stepping a bit closer):
"Heels? Ara… what are you talking about? Who did you hear?"
Ara quickly looked away, hugging her arms tightly across her chest, shutting herself in.
Ara (murmuring, defensive):
"I… I don't know. Maybe… maybe I imagined it. It's nothing."
Taehyun (firm, but gentle):
"No. It's not nothing."
His tone made her flinch. Taehyun noticed and immediately softened his voice again, lowering himself slightly so his eyes were level with hers.
Taehyun (softer, careful):
"You don't have to tell me everything. Not now. But don't say it's nothing when you're shaking like this. Ara… something scared you."
Ara's throat tightened. She hated this—the way her fear betrayed her in front of him. She wanted to look strong, normal, untouchable. Instead, she felt small. Fragile.
Ara (whispering, eyes glassy):
"I'm… fine. Really."
Taehyun (sighing, shaking his head slightly):
"You always say that. But you're not."
The silence stretched, heavy with words unsaid. Taehyun watched her carefully, resisting the urge to reach out, remembering what Mina once mentioned about Ara hating sudden touches. Instead, he curled his hand into a fist by his side, holding himself back.
Taehyun (soft, almost pleading):
"Then at least… let me stay. Just for a while. You don't have to tell me anything. Just… don't push me away, Ara."
Ara blinked rapidly, her vision blurred by unshed tears. She pressed her trembling hand against her mouth to muffle a sound that threatened to escape—half sob, half breath.
For a long moment, she couldn't speak. But finally, she gave the faintest nod.
Ara (quietly, almost inaudible):
"…Don't leave."
Taehyun's chest tightened at her words. He gave a small, reassuring smile, though his own heart was racing.
Taehyun (soft, promising):
"I won't. Not now. Not ever when you're like this."
He leaned against the wall beside her, close enough for her to feel his presence, but not too close to cage her in. Together, they stood in silence, her breaths gradually evening out, her trembling slowing.
Ara finally closed her eyes, exhausted, whispering into the quiet:
Ara (whispering):
"Thank you… Taehyun."
And for the first time, Taehyun saw something raw and unguarded in her—a vulnerability she never showed to anyone else.
Ara's breath was still uneven, her hand pressed against her chest as if to calm the wild beating of her heart. Taehyun tilted his head, studying her with a mix of curiosity and his usual mischievous smile.
Taehyun (teasing, leaning a little closer):
"Wow… Ara, you're seriously this emotional in front of a handsome guy? Should I feel flattered or worried?"
Ara blinked, startled at his sudden words. Her brows furrowed immediately.
Ara (in her mind, clenching her jaw):
A handsome guy? Stranger, more like. Who does he think he is…
She gave him a sharp glare, clearly not amused.
Ara (snapping quietly):
"Stop joking around! You came out of nowhere, anyone would be startled."
But Taehyun wasn't done. He smirked, crossing his arms as if her annoyance only fueled his playful side.
Taehyun (grinning):
"Then maybe it's just me. Maybe my charm is finally getting through to you. I even called you Ara many times… not 'Jeon.' Doesn't it sound… closer?"
Ara's face heated instantly. Half from irritation, half from the way he said her name so casually, as if he had every right to.
She clenched her fist, then without thinking— smack! —she hit him on the back of his shoulder.
Ara (furious, eyes narrowing):
"Yah! Who told you to call me like that? And who allowed you to joke around like we're friends?!"
Taehyun winced dramatically, rubbing his shoulder as though she had actually hurt him. His grin, however, never faded.
Taehyun (mock pain, chuckling):
"Ow—see? Emotional and violent. This side of you, Ara… I think I like it better."
Ara glared harder, folding her arms, her lips pressed into a thin line. But Taehyun only leaned a little closer, lowering his voice with a mischievous tilt of his head.
Taehyun (softly teasing):
"Don't look at me like that, or I might think you're falling for me already."
Ara's eyes widened in disbelief. She almost choked on her own words, utterly flustered.
Ara (scolding, pointing at him):
"Falling—?! You… you're unbelievable! Stop spouting nonsense!"
But the corner of Taehyun's lips curved higher, his laughter echoing down the quiet corridor. Ara forgot the sound of those red heels and the fear clawing inside her chest. Instead, she found herself battling the ridiculousness of this infuriating man standing in front of her.
Ara and Taehyun stood toe-to-toe, voices raised just enough to sound like children arguing over something petty.
Ara (huffing, glaring):
"Why are you even here? Don't you have anywhere else to go?"
Taehyun (mock gasp, smirking):
"Me? I came here for the festival. But look who I ran into—an easily flustered Ara Jeon. How lucky am I?"
Ara (furious, stomping her foot lightly):
"Yah! Stop saying my name like that! We're not close!"
Taehyun (grinning wider, leaning closer):
"Not close? Then why does it roll off my tongue so easily? Ara, Ara, Ara—"
Before Ara could smack him again, a voice interrupted from behind.
Yoonseok (calm, warm tone):
"Ara."
Ara froze. That voice. She turned, and there he was—Yoonseok, walking toward her with a small smile tugging at his lips. Relief washed through her features instantly.
But Taehyun's playful smirk faltered. His eyes narrowed slightly as he saw Yoonseok approaching… and calling her name so casually. Ara.
Yoonseok stopped in front of them, his gaze flickering briefly to Taehyun before settling gently on Ara.
Yoonseok (smiling):
"Are you okay? After… yesterday? You looked really pale when you fainted."
Ara's lips parted slightly. She wasn't used to someone asking with such genuine concern. Slowly, she nodded.
Ara (softly, smiling faintly):
"Yes… I'm fine now. Thank you. Really. For everything yesterday… if you hadn't been there…"
Her voice trailed off, but her eyes glimmered with quiet gratitude.
Taehyun, however, stiffened at every word. Yesterday? Fainted? Saved her? His jaw tightened, though he kept his face outwardly calm, a faint smile plastered across it.
Taehyun (thinking, bitterly):
So this guy… he's already close enough to call her Ara. And she's… thanking him?
Yoonseok chuckled lightly, waving a hand as though it wasn't a big deal, though his gaze on Ara stayed steady.
Yoonseok:
"You don't have to thank me. Just… take better care of yourself, okay? Don't scare people like that again."
Ara smiled again, softer this time.
Ara:
"I'll try."
Taehyun couldn't take it anymore. He stepped forward, slipping effortlessly between them, his signature confident smirk back in place.
Taehyun (smoothly, to Yoonseok):
"You must be… Yoonseok, right? I've heard of you."
Yoonseok's smile didn't falter, though his eyes sharpened just slightly.
Yoonseok (calmly, extending his hand):
"Yeah. And you're Taehyun. Nice to meet you."
But Taehyun didn't take his hand. Instead, he simply smiled, his posture screaming cheabol heir arrogance.
Taehyun (light chuckle):
"Mm. Likewise."
The air between them grew heavy. Ara blinked, sensing the unspoken tension pressing in. Yoonseok glanced at Taehyun again, then looked back at Ara—his expression softening the moment his eyes met hers.
Yoonseok:
"Well… I just wanted to make sure you're okay. That's all. I'll see you around, Ara."
He said her name one last time before stepping away, leaving behind a silence that felt sharper than words.
Ara bit her lip, her heart unsettled for reasons she couldn't name. Taehyun, meanwhile, stood rigid, hands in his pockets, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Taehyun (thinking, quietly, bitter):
He calls her Ara so easily… and she lets him. Why… does that bother me so much?