In the chaos of the most happening after-party, there stood a woman in a red gown. Her hair was tied into a bun, ears adorned with small black opal tops. Her slender neck was decorated with a simple chain and a pendant that matched her earrings. The backless gown revealed her toned back, accentuated by a black ribbon around her waist. Her thin but muscular arms were draped in pearls running from her shoulders to her elbows. Her beautiful, big blue eyes showed discomfort, while the smile on her plum-pink lips conveyed the opposite.
"Ms. Roohi," someone called out.
She turned around and saw a man in his early thirties smiling at her.
troked—even when they weren't that good. They continued talking until a man in a white suit approached her.
"Roohi," he called.
It was her co-worker, Kim Sunho.
"Roohi, it's our turn next. Come on," he said.
Roohi excused herself and left with him. Mr. Park stared at her back, lust filling his eyes.
He turned to his assistant. "Is it wrong if I want her for myself?"
The assistant smiled. "No, sir. In fact, you can have anyone in this world."
The man smirked in response. "For now, I want her."
The lights in the hall dimmed, and Roohi stepped onto the stage with a mic in her hand. As the music started to play softly, her band members joined her one by one. Her sweet voice was like a morning breeze, soothing the soul. Under the soft lighting, she looked even more elegant.
Her bandmates—Kim Sunho (the leader), Lee Yeon (the eldest), Park Hyunsung (the second eldest), Kim Taehun, and Jung Jeha (the youngest)—together formed VORTEX, symbolizing strength, dynamism, and captivating force. These four men, along with Roohi, had become world-famous artists, breaking records and sweeping awards since their debut. Each member had a distinct charm and character that captivated their fandom, the Swirlies.
The Swirlies adored their idols, making them the number one fandom. VORTEX was not only known for their music but also for their stunning members:
Kim Taehun — The Most Handsome Man
Park Hyunsung — The Best Rapper
Jung Jeha — The Best Vocalist
Lee Yeon — The Multi-Octave Vocalist
Kim Sunho — The Best Leader & Lyricist
Roohi — The Most Beautiful Woman in the World
This band had everything it needed to be a global success.
Their performance ended with a closing song, and they exited the stage. After greeting a few more guests, Roohi quietly made her way to a corner near the bar and sat on a stool, exhausted. Performing in such a huge dress was draining. Her secretary, Soobin, who had been following her since she came off stage, knew she needed rest.
After a while, Mr. Park joined her.
"That was a great performance," he said, taking a seat beside her.
Roohi smiled and looked around for her bandmates. When she couldn't find them, she asked Soobin to look for them.
Overhearing, Mr. Park decided to act. He glanced at his assistant, who slipped a pill into a glass
, Soobin, who had been following her since she came off stage, knew she needed rest.
After a while, Mr. Park joined her.
"That was a great performance," he said, taking a seat beside her.
Roohi smiled and looked around for her bandmates. When she couldn't find them, she asked Soobin to look for them.
Overhearing, Mr. Park decided to act. He glanced at his assistant, who slipped a pill into a glass of wine and passed it to him.
"Why don't you have a drink, Ms. Roohi?" he offered, handing her the glass.
Roohi looked at him, then at the glass. Shaking her head, she declined politely.
"I don't drink, Mr. Park."
"Oh, then let me get you some juice." Before Roohi could protest, he turned to his assistant who was immediately on his feet and was back with a glass of juice.
"I can see you want to leave. Just have one drink with me before you go," he insisted.
Roohi looked at the glass, then accepted, taking a sip. She finished the entire glass as she waited for her secretary—who was nowhere in sight.
When he didn't come back even after a while, Roohi decided to look for them herself. Trying to stand, she suddenly felt dizzy.
Mr. Park grinned, then quickly masked his reaction and reached out to support her.
"What's wrong, Ms. Roohi?"
She didn't answer but pulled her hand away and turned toward the main hall. Before she could take a step, Mr. Park grabbed her by the waist and turned her toward the exit.
"I think you need to rest, Ms. Roohi. You don't seem fine. Why don't I take you back to the room?" he said, steering her away from the crowd.
Roohi felt his filthy touch and tried to resist, but her limbs were too weak. Mr. Park dragged her toward the parking lot. As he tried to place her in the back seat of his car, he was suddenly shoved away—thrown to the ground.
"Roohi!!" Jung Jeha pulled her out of the car, but she collapsed onto the pavement.
Mr. Park stepped forward to get her, but her secretary blocked him.
"Don't you dare."
Kim Taehun came running, followed by Soobin. He glanced at Mr. Park and his assistant, who were quietly trying to leave.
"What happened?" he asked, looking at Roohi, who was weakly resisting Jeha's hold.
"Roohi, stop pushing me. I'm Jeha, look at me," Jeha pleaded, trying to keep her steady.
Finally, Taehun stepped in, holding her by the shoulders restraining her movements. He felt her skin was burning.
"I think her drink was spiked, her temperature is raising," he said. "I'm taking her home."
"I'll come with you," Jeha offered.
Taehun placed Roohi in the passenger seat and turned to him.
"You inform the others. I'll take care of her."
"Soobin," he added, "go with him. If all three of us leave together, it'll look suspicious."
With final instructions, " and a call for the doctor," Taehun left via the back gate—it was closest to Roohi's home.
It took them twenty minutes to reach her house. During the ride, Taehun watched her temperature climb and sweat soak her body. He turned on the AC and opened the windows, but nothing worked.
As soon as they arrived, Roohi stumbled out and walked straight into her room, then into the bathroom. Taehun hurried after her. She turned on the cold shower and stood under it, her head bowed, hands on the wall for support. Just as Taehun stepped in, his phone rang—Soobin.
"Mr. Kim," came the worried voice on the other end.
"We've reached. When will the doctor be here?"
"Dr. Rohan is out of town. He can send a colleague, but he wanted to let us know that the level of confidentiality won't be the same."
Taehun paused. "Let me speak to him."
He hung up and immediately called Dr. Rohan, Roohi's longtime friend and trusted physician.
All this time, Taehun never took his eyes off her. He could see her body shook under the cold water, yet the effects of the drug showed no sign of fading.
"Hello, Dr. Rohan. It's Kim Taehun."
"I've heard what happened. But mind you she won't like it if I send someone else."
"I know. How long until you can get here?"
"I'm already on the way, but it'll take at least an hour. Maybe more."
Taehun hesitated. "Isn't there any other way? The cold shower isn't working, she has been standing under it for a while now."
"There's only one way, Mr. Kim."
Taehun waited, but Rohan said nothing more.
"And what's that, Doctor?"
After a pause, Rohan answered cautiously, "Give her whatever her body needs right now."
Taehun was stunned. When Rohan didn't hear any response, he continued.
"The drug's effects have just begun. It will get unbearable soon. Trying to suppress it will only exhaust her. The only way is to let her surrender to it."
Taehun could see it, he could see that it was becoming difficult for Roohi to stand on her feet. He could see her struggling to breathe. He turned away from her and asked again, "Isn't there any other way?"
He barely finished his question when a loud crash echoed behind him. He spun around—Roohi had collapsed to her knees. He dropped the phone and rushed to her, kneeling beside her on the floor.
Roohi looked up at him, and the first thing she noticed were his almond-shaped eyes, which were now filled with worry. Then her eyes fell on his bridged nose connecting his eyes to his beautiful heart-shaped lips. 'No wonder he is the most handsome man.' she thought.
Maybe it was the drug, but to her, he looked way more ethereal.
While she admired him, Taehun saw the shattered mirror nearby. Blood dripped from Roohi's clenched fists.
"Roohi, what are you doing?" he said, his voice cold but trembling with concern.
He reached for her hand, trying to pry it open. But Roohi jerked away.
"Leave me alone," she said, trying to move away.
Taehun tried to get hold of her hand, but Roohi struggled, pushing him away, and also the water from the shower was making it hard for him stop her.
"Roohi, you're bleeding. Stop this. You're hurting yourself." His tone sharpened.
But she didn't listen. She clenched tighter.
Taehun grabbed her hand again, locking eyes with her.
"Stop. This won't help."
Still, she didn't budge. Roohi needed a distraction and this was the only way she could think of.
"This is the only way to maintain my sanity," she whispered, her red eyes locked on his.
Taehun stared at her, heart aching.
"I'll help you," he said softly. "Let me help you."
Roohi tightened her fist again and asked the one question she'd been holding inside—
"Do you love me?"