Mr. Adam sat in the back seat of his sleek black car, one leg crossed over the other, fingers tapping lightly against his armrest. His eyes, sharp and thoughtful, stared out the window as the city buzzed by.
"She's something else," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Secretary Kim, seated beside him and typing on a tablet, paused and glanced up. "You told me to dig deeper, sir. I did."
Adam turned to him sharply, curiosity instantly piqued. "And?"
Kim cleared his throat. "Linda… and Williams. They've crossed paths before."
Adam's brows furrowed. "Williams?" He turned fully now, his voice sharper. "You mean my son?"
Kim nodded solemnly. "Yes, sir. That Williams."
Adam's expression darkened, a blend of surprise and wariness. "When?"
Kim hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "It was the day she arrived in Seoul. She was walking by the street during a downpour, and Williams… he splashed water on her with his car."
Adam blinked, stunned. "He did what?"
"And he didn't even stop to apologize," Kim added. "Just drove off with his usual arrogance. Linda was furious, and rightfully so. She caught up with him later—stormed in and humiliated his bodyguards. I was there, sir. I had to step in and apologize on his behalf."
Mr. Adam rubbed his forehead. "That boy…"
"And it didn't end there," Kim continued. "Williams told me a few days ago that he ran into her again. He recognized her at a restaurant. Said he never expected to see 'that loudmouth black girl' again."
Mr. Adam gave a small, shocked chuckle. "He said that?"
"He did. But what's more interesting is that she didn't even seem to recognize him at first. Either she didn't care or she simply dismissed him like a nuisance."
Mr. Adam leaned back in his seat, both amused and intrigued. "So that's why she was so cold toward him the last time. And of course, Williams wouldn't take being ignored very well."
"He was fuming," Kim added with a smirk. "So he did the usual thing he does. Using his status against people. "
Mr. Adam's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Now this is getting interesting. My son, upset with a girl, who once embarrassed him… and she's the same girl who risked her life to save me."
He was quiet for a moment, processing everything.
"Keep watching them, Kim," he said at last, his voice low. "Tell me everything that happens. Every interaction. I want to know where this goes."
Kim nodded. "Understood, sir."
As the car glided through the traffic, Mr. Adam looked out again, this time with a slight smile tugging at his lips.
"She might just be the one to break that arrogant boy of mine."
---
After school, Linda and her friends made their way to Sofia's place—a cozy little apartment tucked behind a row of cafés. The scent of baby powder still lingered faintly from Sofia's kid brother last visit, and something warm was always simmering in the kitchen. It felt like home.
The group sprawled across the living room rug with snacks and soda cans strewn between them. Suddenly, Sofia went in and brought out a box of cards.
" Who's in for a match?!. "
The living room buzzed with laughter as the group sat cross-legged around a scattered deck of cards. Sofia's apartment was small, but warm—sunlight streaking through the curtains, the smell of instant noodles wafting from the kitchen.
Sofia tossed down a card with a triumphant shout. "Boom! Full house!"
Linda groaned, throwing a cushion at her. "You're cheating!"
They erupted into teasing and laughter.
Jae Min sat quietly at the edge, next to Alex. He laughed along, though not as loud—his shoulders relaxed, eyes soft. For once, it felt almost… normal.
Then—
Meow.
A soft sound. Followed by a blur of white fur.
Before anyone could react, the house cat darted across the floor—and leapt straight onto Jae Min's leg, then clawed its way up to his lap.
Jae Min's entire body jolted. His face went pale.
"A-AH!" he gasped, eyes wide in horror.
He scrambled backward in a panic—not away from the cat, but upward—onto Alex. In one motion, he'd climbed into Alex's lap, wrapping his arms around him in pure fright, practically clinging to him.
The cat hissed, startled by the chaos, and backed off a few steps.
But Jae Min didn't move.
Alex blinked.
Jae Min was sitting on him—hands clutched at his shoulders, his chest heaving, eyes clenched shut.
For a long, breathless moment, the two boys stared at each other.
Jae Min's eyes fluttered open, and they locked gazes.
Neither spoke.
The living room had fallen into silence.
All they could hear—was the pounding of their hearts.
Alex's breath caught.
He didn't understand what was happening—why his arms had instinctively steadied Jae Min… why the warmth of his body felt like it belonged there.
Why does this feel…
Jae Min's eyes were wide and unsure, but soft. Vulnerable.
Alex felt it again—that flutter in his chest.
From across the room, Linda and Sofia were frozen, eyes wide, jaws hanging open in identical shock.
Sofia whispered, "Is he… on his lap?"
Linda didn't respond. She just stared.
Then—reality crashed down.
Jae Min blinked rapidly, looking down at where he sat, at the closeness between their bodies, and then back up at Alex.
His entire face turned red.
"I—uh—" he stammered. "I'm—I'm sorry!"
And then he jumped off Alex like he'd touched fire, stumbling back to the floor and straightening his clothes with trembling hands.
The silence thickened.
Alex cleared his throat, face flushed. "I… I'll be right back."
He stood abruptly and walked off—too fast—disappearing into the bathroom.
Alex leaned over the sink, twisting the faucet on full.
Water splashed against the porcelain as he splashed his face again and again, gripping the edges of the sink with white knuckles.
He looked up at himself in the mirror.
"What… are all these feelings?" he whispered.
His chest still pounded. His shirt still held a faint warmth from the boy who had clung to him like a terrified child—and who somehow felt nothing like a boy.
He slapped his cheeks once. Then again.
"Alex, wake up," he muttered. "Jae Min is a guy, you asshole."
Another splash of water. Another slap.
But the feeling didn't wash off.
It stayed there, beneath his skin, thudding in his chest—uninvited and undeniable.
Sofia and Linda remained frozen, still sitting cross-legged, their eyes lingering on the living room where Alex had just disappeared. The tension clung to the air like static.
Across from them, Jae Min sat stiffly, his face still flushed, fingers clenching the hem of his sleeve. His heart thundered in his chest, refusing to calm. Every breath felt loud, unnatural. He willed himself to act normal, to say something, anything—but his mind was blank.
Then—salvation.
His phone buzzed.
He snatched it up, eyes flicking to the screen.
[Boss] Calling.
Perfect timing.
He shot to his feet. "I have to go. Now."
Linda blinked. "Huh?"
"I'll, uh… see you guys at school tomorrow," Jae Min said quickly, grabbing his bag. His voice was flat, robotic. He didn't even look them in the eye as he backed toward the door.
He was gone before they could say another word.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Silence.
Then, both girls turned to each other at the exact same time.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Sofia asked, eyes wide.
"I see it more than you think," Linda murmured, lips twitching into a smirk.
"Awkward!!" Sofia exclaimed, tossing a cushion up dramatically.
They both giggled, tension dissolving into shared shock.
Sofia leaned forward to start gathering the scattered cards from the floor.
A moment later, Alex returned.
His face was neutral—too neutral. His hands were in his pockets, his posture casual, but Linda could see it: the stiffness in his shoulders, the slightly damp hair clinging to his forehead.
"Guys," he said, voice even. "I'll be heading home now. Got a few things to take care of."
He picked up his bag like it weighed nothing and turned toward the door.
Linda opened her mouth but stopped herself. Instead, she just watched him go.
Sofia called after him, "See you tomorrow!"
The door clicked shut again.
Linda stood slowly and slung her bag over her shoulder.
She gave Sofia a small smile. "See ya."
Sofia hugged her. "Can't wait to see you guys tomorrow."
Linda laughed softly, then stepped out, the hallway stretching quiet and long ahead of her.