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"Wahhhh!!"
Yunah shot upright in bed, breath hitching, heart thundering. The vivid dream of kissing Noah inside the car—the kiss that had actually happened—flashed in front of her as panic crawled up her spine.
"Why… why did I dream about kissing him again?" she muttered, her face a mix of shock and frustration. Her fingers brushed over her soft, plump pink lips, and she froze.
It felt real. Too real.
She flopped back onto the bed, burying her face in her hands."Just why do you have to drink, Yunah? Why do you always forget everything?" she groaned, rolling back and forth in frustration. "I don't even know how I got home…"
Before she could torture herself any further, a soft knock landed on her door.
"Di…"
Noah's calm, velvety voice seeped through the wooden door along with another gentle knock. "Di, are you awake?"
Yunah jolted upright again, scrambling to fix her hair. She cleared her throat, forcing her voice steady. "Y-Yes… what do you need?"
"I—I don't need anything," he replied, a faint stammer slipping out. "I came to call you for breakfast. Come and eat it while it's still warm." He said then paused—quiet but noticeable before continuing again."I also made hangover soup for you… in case you need it."
Yunah swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of her racing heartbeat. "Hmmm…" she hummed, pretending to be casual and failing badly. "Was… was it you who brought me back yesterday?"
"Yes." His voice was calm. Controlled. Careful.
"H-how did you even find out where I was?" she asked, suspicion and panic tangling together in her chest.
"You called me," Noah answered smoothly—lying without stepping in.
"I… I called you?" Yunah whispered, gripping her blanket. "D-Did I say something? Or… or do something?"
"Yes. But let's talk about that after breakfast," Noah replied, his tone neither teasing nor cold—just unreadable."For now, freshen up and come to the dining hall."
"O-Okay…" she stammered, still breathless, still terrified of every possibility.
She had no idea what she did.
Or worse… what she confessed to him in drunken state.
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A Few Moments Later.
Yunah and Noah sat across from each other in the quiet dining room.The table felt too still. Too silent. A white plate with omelette and a brown-bread sandwich sat between them; beside Yunah was a warm bowl of hangover soup.
She lifted the bowl to sip, stealing tiny glances at Noah every few seconds.
He noticed. Of course he did. A small, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips each time their eyes almost met.
"Di…" Noah called softly, resting his elbow on the table and propping his chin on his hand. His gaze locked onto her—steady, warm, almost teasing. "If you want to ask something, just ask. You don't need to be this nervous."
Yunah froze mid-sip, heat rushing to her cheeks. She looked away quickly, fingers tightening around the bowl.
"D-Did… did I do something yesterday?" she asked, her voice tiny, her cheeks burning red. The dream—that kiss in the car—felt too close, too vivid, too real. Because it was.
Noah's lips lifted into a soft smile as he studied her flushed face. "No," he said lightly lying at her face. Then, tilted his head while adding with a low teasing tone, "Why? Are you the type who does something… nasty when you're drunk?"
Yunah almost swallowed her spoon.
She choked immediately."W-What?? I don't— Ugh! Ugh!" She coughed violently, eyes watering.
Noah shot up from his chair in an instant.
"Careful!" he said, rushing to her side. He grabbed a glass of water and held it to her lips, his other hand rubbing her back gently. "Drink slowly…"
"I'm fine," she managed, taking the glass from him and sipping more carefully.
A moment passed before she looked up, curiosity replacing panic."By the way… who put the medicine on your wound?"
Noah didn't blink. Didn't flinch."Yesterday, while you were out, Da sent a nurse for dressing. She changed the gauze too."
The lie slid out of him flawlessly—his eyes steady, unbreaking. Most people couldn't lie while holding eye contact like that.
"Oh…" Yunah mumbled, nibbling her sandwich. "What about now? Should I put the medicine on your back?"
"No need, Di," he said, returning to his seat, denying her proposal even tho he wanted it as he doesn't want Yunah to see his old scars of knives and bullet on his body. "Da said he'll send the nurse every morning and evening." He added.
"Oh. Okay then." She took another bite, cheeks stuffed adorably.
Noah watched her for a second too long before speaking again. "So… are you going back to work today?"
"Hmmm." Yunah nodded, still chewing, still cute without trying.
"If you want, I can dro—"
"No!!" Yunah shot up so fast her chair scraped the floor. "I'll go by myself. You just focus on resting."
She gathered her empty plate and bowl.
"And… thanks for breakfast. Bring your plate, I'll do the dishes."
Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked toward the kitchen. Noah watched her for a moment, then quietly picked up his plate and followed her.
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Time slipped into evening by the time Yunah finally stepped out of her company's entrance. Her shoulders drooped; exhaustion clung to her like a second skin.
She cracked her stiff neck, clutching her sling bag loosely. She was later than usual—work had piled up after her absence, and she'd barely kept up.
Only a few people lingered near the building's exit. Most employees had already gone home.
Yunah began walking toward her apartment route when suddenly—
A woman who looked like in her mid thirties rushed toward her, eyes swollen, breathing ragged.
"Yunah… Yunah…" she cried out desperately, stumbling to her.
Yunah froze, startled."Ma'am—who are you? What happened? Are you okay?" she asked, taking in the woman's trembling state.
The woman grabbed Yunah's sleeve, tears spilling uncontrollably. "Please… please tell me where my husband is. I'm begging you—please…"
"H-Husband?" Yunah blinked, confused. "Ma'am, you must have the wrong person. I don't even know—"
"I'm… I'm Arav's wife!" the woman cried, dropping to her knees right on the pavement.Her voice cracked as she clutched Yunah's hand tightly. "The previous director of your company… He's missing. He hasn't returned home. They said… they said you were the last person he met before he disappeared. Please… tell me where he is!"
People passing by slowed, staring.
Yunah's stomach twisted with anxiety.
"Ma'am, I—I don't know where your husband is..." She tried pulling back. "...let me go, please."
For a moment, the woman fell silent.
Then without warning—
she shot to her feet and lunged at Yunah.
Her fingers closed around Yunah's neck like iron. "TELL ME WHERE HE IS!" she screamed, shaking her violently.
"DID YOU HIDE HIM?! ARE YOU HIS MISTRESS?!"
"Ma—ma'am…" Yunah gasped, clawing at the woman's wrist."L-Let go— I can't—"
Her face drained of color, vision blurring as oxygen slipped away.
Then—
A large hand suddenly clamped around the woman's wrist.
In one swift, forceful movement, the attacker's arm was twisted behind her back and she was thrown onto the ground with a thud.
Yunah stumbled forward, coughing harshly, desperately sucking in air.
"Di…" a familiar, trembling voice reached her.
She lifted her eyes—
And Noah was there.
Breathless. Terrified. His hands still half-raised as if ready to catch her again.
"Are you okay?" he asked, voice shaking with panic as his eyes darted over her reddened neck, her trembling form.