[11:46 AM – Inside the Car | En Route to the Podcast Studio]
Y/N let out a dramatic sigh as she settled into the passenger seat. She clicked her seatbelt and leaned slightly against the door.
> "I didn't know this dress was this dangerous," she muttered under her breath, arms crossed with a little huff.
Kim Bum glanced sideways at her, hand already on the steering wheel, eyes half-lidded under his cap.
> "I warned you not to wear it," he said coolly. "You knew my expression would be dangerous."
Y/N narrowed her eyes. "Your expression? Your whole existence is dangerous."
> "Hmm," he hummed. "Then don't look at me."
He began driving, lips hidden behind the black mask, but the teasing tilt of his head said enough.
She turned her gaze to the road, ignoring how her heart still hadn't calmed down from the hallway whisper.
Silence for a few seconds.
Then—
His voice dropped low. Calm. Smooth. Casual.
> "Also… I've been thinking…"
Y/N tensed slightly. "…What now?"
> "If one more flower boy dares to flirt with you…"
He trailed off.
Y/N raised a brow, glancing at him. "…Yeah?"
He smiled behind the mask.
> "I won't stop at words next time. I'll find a quiet room… lock the door…"
"And show you who you belong to — one kiss at a time."
.
.
.
Her whole body froze.
Mouth opened—no words came out.
Cheeks? Instantly scarlet.
She let out a tiny gasp and snapped her head to the side—facing the window as if the clouds might save her now.
> "Y-You—! YAH! You can't just—!" she squeaked, trying to breathe like a normal human.
> "I didn't do anything," he said innocently.
> "YOU SAID ENOUGH!!" she shouted, covering her face with both hands now.
> "Hmm…" he chuckled. "Are you blushing, little fox?"
She groaned, melting into the seat. "I need a new planet to live on."
> "Don't bother," he replied softly.
"I'll follow you there too."
She actually whimpered.
And beside her, Kim Bum drove on—smug, victorious, and already planning what he'd whisper next before they reached the studio.
[12:07 PM – Outside the Podcast Studio | Entrance Hall]
Y/N stepped out of the car, legs slightly wobbly from the psychological rollercoaster Kim Bum had been casually driving since morning.
She was adjusting her yellow patiyala dupatta when she suddenly felt it—his hand, sliding into hers like it belonged there.
She looked up, eyes wide.
> "W-What are you doing?"
> "Holding your hand," he said simply, as if it was the most natural thing on Earth.
> "You don't… hold hands."
> "I'm making an exception. Because I know what's about to happen when you walk in."
> "What?"
> "You'll see."
And just like that, he gave her fingers a gentle squeeze and pulled her along.
---
[12:10 PM – Podcast Lobby | Studio Hallway]
As they entered, heads turned.
The production team, stylists, scriptwriters, even camera staff—everyone's gaze followed the new arrival: her.
They had only seen her cast photo. Just her name, Y/N, listed quietly on the drama sheet under "Lead Role – Confirmed" beside Kim Bum.
Now here she was—fresh-faced, dupatta in place, a natural glow in her cheeks and that slightly startled expression like she wasn't sure if she was walking into a studio or a trap.
And next to her? Kim Bum. Still holding her hand.
Holding. Her. Hand.
The room practically froze.
This was Kim Bum — the actor known for his mystery, distance, professionalism.
The one who didn't even fake off-screen chemistry.
The one who ghosted rumors like they were bad scripts.
And yet… right now?
He looked like a man who knew exactly what he was doing.
---
[12:13 PM – Greeting the Director]
The director himself stepped forward, smiling warmly.
He was the one who handpicked her out of hundreds of people.He already adored her
> "Welcome, Y/N-ssi. "
She bowed quickly, giving her sweetest, most respectful Pakistani-Korean fusion smile.
> "Thank you so much, Director-nim. It's an honor."
Kim Bum greeted with a short nod, still not letting go of her hand.
She glanced down like, "Should I pull away now?" But something about his calm grip told her not to.
And maybe… a small part of her didn't want to.
---
[12:15 PM – The Chaos Begins]
Just as they began moving inside, a young man from the production team—clean haircut, confident grin, clearly unaware of how close he was to death—stepped up.
With way too much boldness, he held out a small flower and said,
> "Y/N-ssi, before you become too famous… would you consider having dinner with me tonight?"
Dead silence.
Y/N's soul straight-up short-circuited.
> "I—uh—what?"
She peeked up at Kim Bum, who… was still holding her hand.
The guy blinked. "Oh—sorry! I didn't mean to make things awkward—just thought I'd try."
Y/N quickly bowed her head, voice polite but firm.
> "I really appreciate it, but I… can't accept. Thank you, though."
And that's when it happened.
Kim Bum chuckled.
But not the cute kind.
Not the "he's so warm and soft" kind.
This was low… dangerous… predatory.
He pulled her just a little closer.
Hand on her waist now. Voice dipping near her ear, far too low for anyone else to hear.
> "If one more man dares to flirt with you in front of me…"
"I'll make sure the only time you're breathless is under me, not from awkward proposals."
Her knees almost gave out.
She blinked. She choked. She died and revived in the span of two seconds.
Eyes wide. Cheeks crimson.
Voice squeaking somewhere between heaven and cardiac arrest.
> "YAH—!!"
> "Hmm?" he smirked, innocent again.
Thankfully—mercifully—the director clapped once and said:
> "Let's head in! Podcast team is ready!"
Y/N nodded quickly, not trusting her voice.
> "What did I get myself into…" she thought.
"This is the same man who avoids love lines—and now he's whispering things that would make drama censors cry."
Still flustered, she stepped into the recording room, his hand brushing her back gently as they walked.
Yellow patiyala glowing under soft studio lights.
Duppata still intact.
Sanity?
…Maybe not.
Recording Live]
The mics were on.
The cameras rolling.
The hosts smiling.
The chat already exploding with comments like:
> "OMG she's gorgeous!"
"Is it really her first K-drama???"
"KIM BUM IN A ROM-COM????? I'M ALIVE AGAIN"
"Why are they sitting so CLOSE—help 😭"
The hosts welcomed the viewers, introduced the upcoming show, and began the light Q&A segment.
What they didn't know…
Was that under the table, something deadly was happening.
Kim Bum's hand.
Resting casually… on her thigh.
Warm. Heavy. Claiming.
At first, she thought he'd just forgotten.
But then—he moved his thumb.
Slowly.
Just enough to brush circles against the exposed skin just below the hem of her yellow frock.
(Not that short, but short enough to cause cardiac arrest when someone's doing that.)
She jumped slightly.
A chill ran straight down her spine.
She stared at the floor.
> "Calm. Stay calm. Breathe. He's just being… territorial."
Of course he was.
She'd gotten four proposals today.
Three at the hospital before coming here.
And the most bold one right in front of him.
And no one—not a single soul—knew that Kim Bum had already confessed to her.
Had already said "Not engagement. Marriage. Direct."
Had already made her promise:
> "No kiss. Not until after we marry."
Which made this—whatever he was doing under the table—a slow, sweet torture.
---
Host: "So, Y/N-ssi! You're new to K-drama. Have you ever acted before?"
She blinked, snapping back into focus.
Kim Bum's hand paused… but didn't move away.
Y/N (smiling): "No, actually. This is my first ever drama. I was in the hospital—I'm an intern, and I'm here on a scholarship."
The audience gasped softly.
Even the host raised a brow.
Y/N: "And… well, the director-nim came to visit a patient and spotted me in the hallway. He offered me the role. My friends forced me to say yes—" (laughs) "And guess what? That was my fourth day in Korea."
Host: "Wait… what?! You've only been here four days and you're already the lead in a drama with Kim Bum?!"
She nodded shyly.
> Under the table:
His hand gripped slightly. Possessive. Proud.
---
Host (turning to Kim Bum): "Now… you, Kim Bum-ssi. You're known for serious roles. You don't really do rom-coms. What made you say yes this time?"
Kim Bum (chuckling softly): "I thought… I should try something new."
(His voice dropped slightly)
"And then, a very unexpected surprise… turns out she's the female lead."
> Under the table:
He squeezed her thigh gently.
She bit the inside of her cheek.
---
Host (playfully): "Oh? Sounds like you knew her before…?"
Kim Bum (with a half-smile): "Hmm. I'll answer that question later."
Y/N's heart flipped.
Later.
Which meant yes.
Which meant secrets.
---
Host: "Y/N-ssi, you know Kim Bum has a reputation—calm, mysterious, very professional… and well… not exactly touchy or flirty on sets. How do you think you'll handle working with him?"
She gave a perfectly sweet smile.
Y/N: "Yeah… he's calm. Very. Let's see how the work goes."
> In her head: "Calm, my foot. If they even knew what his hand is doing right now, they'd all faint."
His fingers moved again. Just slightly. Teasing.
She clenched her jaw.
He was barely controlling himself.
She could feel the storm in him, bubbling underneath the practiced stillness.
---
Host (grinning): "Well, the chemistry already looks amazing. And Y/N-ssi, I have to say—you're absolutely glowing. Your eyes are stunning. You have a really unique beauty—"
That was it.
Kim Bum turned his head and gave the host a smile.
Not a normal one.
A smile that felt like a warning.
Sharp. Dangerous. Possessive.
The host froze mid-sentence.
Coughed. Cleared his throat.
Y/N: (biting back a laugh)
God. He was really losing it.
> "And he hasn't even kissed me yet…"
"Because I said no kissing before marriage. Idiot me."
She shifted in her seat slightly—trying to move his hand away.
It didn't budge.
If anything, it curled closer.
Fiancé.
Hidden. Private. Undeniable.
Everyone in the studio saw two people sitting politely, smiling, answering questions like co-stars.
No one knew she was one whisper away from melting.
And he?
One possessive thought away from making it public.
---
The podcast continued.
But under the table…?
The real story had already begun.
And no one—not even the cameras—could catch it.
Because this wasn't a drama.
It was real.
And after the show?
Kim Bum had plans.
Plans that involved no script.
Just her.
And a promise that hadn't been broken.
Yet.