Morning
[10:00 AM – After Breakfast | Kim Bum's Apartment]
Y/N had finished her breakfast like a little queen—warm chai in hand, soft compliments falling off her lips between bites, and absolutely no idea that she'd almost melted Kim Bum right at the table.
Afterwards, she disappeared to freshen up.
He cleared the plates, sipped the last of his tea… and waited.
Until the bedroom door creaked open.
And then he actually forgot to breathe for two seconds.
She stepped out in a light yellow Patiyala suit, the soft cotton frock reaching her knees with a matching dupatta carelessly draped over one shoulder. Her hair—neither tied nor curled—was just loosely braided over one side, with a few strands slipping out, framing her glowing face. She looked effortlessly soft. Ethereal. And way too calm for someone who had no idea how dangerous she looked.
Kim Bum blinked, then blinked again.
She picked up her bag casually and looked at him.
> "Mr. Actor~ Are you coming or not? You have to drop me at the hospital—and then don't you have a podcast to attend?"
He cleared his throat, eyes darting away.
> "Ah… yeah. Coming."
He opened the door, still trying to blink back the daze she just tossed him into.
But as she walked past him, he couldn't help it.
He tilted his head, eyes trailing again.
And finally asked—
> "Are you sure you should go out… wearing that?"
Y/N paused, brows scrunching, and turned to him with a pout.
> "Whaaat? Why? What's wrong with this dress?"
And she meant it. She looked so confused. Like she didn't know she'd just unlocked a new level of domestic beauty.
Kim Bum leaned slightly closer, lowered his voice…
> "Because the moment you step out like that, even the wind might fall in love with you."
Her eyes widened.
Then immediately looked away.
Her cheeks, previously the color of soft lemon, were now softly pink.
She mumbled something under her breath and turned away fast, clearly embarrassed.
Kim Bum bit back a laugh and quickly wore his mask and cap before she could recover.
Just as she reached for the door to escape—
> Grab!
He gently pulled her back from behind.
> "Not so fast," he whispered.
"You forgot your own disguise."
She pouted again.
> "That's not fair. These things love my face way too much."
Kim Bum chuckled, holding a cap over her head and adjusting it.
> "Maybe. But so do I."
She froze.
Before she could react, he slipped the mask gently over her mouth, pulling the strings behind her ears.
And she let him.
Like a little kid.
> "Mr. Actor," she mumbled from behind the mask, eyes still wide. "I think this mask has a crush on me."
> "Can't blame it," he smirked, finally locking the door behind them.
She grabbed his hand quickly and tugged him toward the elevator, pretending to be totally normal.
> She didn't dare look back.
And he didn't dare let go.
His ears had turned red.
But she didn't say anything.
She just acted like it was a regular Thursday.
As they both got into the car, the engine started, and the world kept turning, Kim Bum glanced sideways once…
And smiled.
> "Almost married… and no one even knows yet."
> "But she's mine."
[10:45 AM – Outside the Hospital | Still in the Car]
They finally pulled up outside the hospital.
Y/N reached for the seatbelt, ready to step out, when—
> "Are you sure you should wear this?"
She turned her head slowly, eyebrows raised.
> "Mr. Actor... again?"
He cleared his throat.
> "I just mean… you could take a leave today. Maybe rest? We can go for brunch or… literally anything that doesn't involve you walking in there like a desi heroine giving people heart attacks."
Y/N chuckled.
> "I am sure. And thank you for the offer, but—duty calls."
He sighed, not convinced.
Just as her hand touched the door handle—
> "Little fox, are you really sure?"
She looked back at him and grinned, eyes shining above the mask.
> "Mr. Actor~ Yes, I am. Best of luck for your podcast."
She stepped out gracefully, dupatta fluttering behind her, and disappeared into the hospital.
He sighed deeply.
> "What a dangerous woman…"
And then drove off.
---
[11:00 AM – Inside the Hospital]
As Y/N stepped inside, the energy changed.
The moment she entered, one of the nurses whispered—
> "Oh my God, she's here! Our favorite intern!"
A few heads turned. She waved politely and smiled.
Just then, a young intern approached her with nervous steps. He looked… way too shy to be doing what he was about to do.
> "Sunbae… I-I've been waiting to say this… I really admire you. Your intelligence, your energy, your smile… I—I think I like you."
Y/N blinked, surprised.
She was calm, composed—heart racing, but expression soft.
She didn't want to hurt him.
> "Thank you. That's really kind of you… but I'm sorry. I don't feel the same way."
The boy nodded quickly, embarrassed, and scurried off.
Y/N exhaled deeply and sat in the nearest chair.
> What was happening today?!
She stared into space for a second before taking out her phone and dialing him.
> Ring… Ring…
He picked up instantly.
> "Hey. Where are you? Did you reach?" she asked calmly, although her mind was still spinning.
> "On my way, little fox," he replied, clearly stuck in traffic.
Y/N took a soft breath, her tone cool and even.
> "Mr. Actor… you were right."
> "…About what?" he asked, already suspicious.
She leaned back with a tiny huff.
> "I just got confessed to by one boy."
Silence.
> "You what?"
His voice dropped.
> "Just now," she added casually, trying to keep her tone light.
Before he could respond—
> "Y/N-sunbae!"
Another intern approached her. This one? Holding flowers.
> "Uh-oh," she muttered under her breath.
> "Y/N-sunbae… please accept these! You're amazing, and I—I really like you! Will you go out with me?"
Her eyes widened.
And she completely forgot she was still on call.
Kim Bum, still listening on the other side, heard everything.
> "Yah—" he started, just as she stood up to reject the flowers politely.
> "I'm really flattered, but no, I'm sorry. I'm not available."
She bowed gently.
Back in the car…
> SCOFF.
> Sudden U-turn.
> Tires screeched.*
> "Did you reach yet, Mr. Actor?" she asked after the awkward flower moment was over.
> "I'm on my way," he replied flatly, voice tight.
Y/N blinked.
> "Wait… weren't you at the podcast studio?"
> "Not anymore."
> "...What?!"
> Call ended.
Y/N stared at her phone.
> "Oh no."
She slowly turned to look at the hospital entrance.
> He was coming.
[11:30 AM – Hospital Hallway]
Y/N stood in the hallway like she was trapped in a K-drama reverse harem plotline. Again.
Three confessions. Three. And all within thirty minutes.
> "Sunbae, you're beautiful and strong. Please, just one date—"
> "Sunbae, I'll wait for you!"
> "You're my inspiration! I couldn't sleep until I told you—!"
She politely rejected each one with gentle apologies, managing to stay calm on the outside even though her brain was going—
> "Why is this happening TODAY of all days?!"
And just then—she felt something. Like a shift in the air.
Turning slightly, she saw him.
Mr. Actor. Mask on, cap low, standing at the hospital entrance like a storm cloud in human form.
And his eyes? Focused only on her.
Just then—ping
He got a message from the director:
> Director-nim: "Change of plans. Pick up Y/N from hospital. You both will do the podcast together. Fans are requesting the full cast dynamic. Let's give them what they want."
He stared at the screen and smirked.
> "Perfect timing."
Then he started walking.
Y/N saw him and hurriedly stepped away from the last confession attempt.
> "Sorry! I have to go—Thank you for understanding!" she said to her junior, already walking quickly toward Kim Bum.
He met her halfway, still in mask and cap—no words yet, but his eyes scanned her face like he was trying to memorize it.
Y/N leaned in slightly.
> "Let's go—Director messaged me too. Fans requested us both… for the podcast," she explained quietly.
He didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he leaned close—too close—and tilted his head just enough that only she could hear as he whispered:
> "Should I start confessing too…? But mine won't be innocent. Mine will start with stealing your breath… and end with you under me saying my name."
Y/N's brain crashed.
Eyes wide.
Mouth slightly open.
Face going crimson red in 0.3 seconds.
> "W-what?!" her voice cracked as her brain officially stopped working.
Smirking under his mask, he placed his hand firmly on her shoulder—possessively—and began walking with her.
> "Let's go, little fox. You're mine, remember?" he said calmly, like he hadn't just whispered something that should've come with a PG-21 warning.
Y/N followed him in stunned silence.
Everyone else in the hallway? Staring.
The interns? Speechless.
And one brave nurse whispered to her colleague:
> "...Was that her boyfriend?"
The other replied:
> "If he's not, then God help the real one."
Y/N didn't look back. Her heart was already doing backflips, and her cheeks were on fire.
> "Why is he like this—" she whispered to herself.
> "WHY IS HE LIKE THIS?!"
And beside her?
He was humming under his breath, still holding her like a stolen treasure.