The world slept but the internet didn't. By morning, Maya woke up to multiplied headlines. Each one of them, worse than the initial.
"Model Maya Kim Hospitalized After Fainting. Billionaire, Choi Adrian Dave, Seen Escorting Her!"
"Is Seoul's Fastest-Rising Model And Actress Hiding a Secret?"
"Adrian Choi's Mystery Woman. Is It Love or Just A Scandal?"
With a snap, Maya shut her laptop, her heart throbbing against her ribs. The air felt too thin in her apartment. Her chest felt tight like they were contracting. Even the sunlight slipppimg through the blinds felt harsh.
Faintly, Jina's voice echoed from the kitchen. "Maya, you should eat something. You've barely taken in anything since yesterday."
"I'm fine," Maya called back, though her stomach twisted at the smell of toast. She wasn't fine, not even close. Her body ached, and her head throbbed. The nausea came in waves, it was so sudden she barely made it to the sink before retching again.
Jina, who was already close by- hurried in, eyes wide. "Oh my God, Maya, are you okay? Should I call the doctor ?"
"No," Maya gasped, rinsing her mouth. "It's just… stress."
"This isn't just stress." Jina crossed her arms, unconvinced. "You've been pale all week. First, fainting and now, this—"
"Drop it, Jina."
Her friend's expression softened but there was no retreat. "Okay, fine. But at least tell your manager you need a break." Jina concluded. "Moreover, the agency is losing its mind trying to control the rumors. Their calls are coming in nonstop."
Maya's phone rang once again. This time, it was on the counter of the sink. But she didn't even glance at it. She already knew what it would say. It will be all questions, denials, and damage control.
"Let them talk," she muttered. "They always do. Don't they?"
But tge trembling in her voice was felt as she said it, even though she tried to stay focused and unshaken.
The day slowly dragged on.
Maya had two lectures to catch up with, at the university that afternoon. Attendance was mandatory, and she forced herself to go. Maybe if she acted normal, like nothing was at risk, things would feel normal again. So she thought.
But the stares lingered around, everywhere she went. In the lecture hall, just like static, whispers lingered.
"Isn't that her? The model from the photos?" one said.
"She looks smaller in person." Another uttered.
"My sister said the baby's his."
Mid-note, her pen froze. The word baby reverberated like a curse. She needed some space to clear her mind.
Halfway through the lecture she excused herself. And went straight to the rooftop, gripping the edge of the guardrails until her knuckles turned white. The sky stared back as she lifted her gaze. Same girl, same figures, but none of it felt like her anymore.
This is the cost of your dream, she thought bitterly. A lie you can't keep up with. And a truth you can't tell.
When her phone rang for the hundreth time, she nearly ignored it. Until she saw the name of the caller flashing on the screen.
Adrian Choi Daves.
Her breath caught between her throat. She hesitated a bit, before answering.
"Maya." His voice came steadily, but there was something in there. something laced with urgency "We need to talk."
Her stomach knotted. "There is nothing left to talk about."
"Then you won't mind meeting me," he said. "I'm outside your campus."
She froze. "What—?"
But he had already hung up. He wasn't bluffing when he was on campus. Fifteen minutes later Maya stepped out, but the sleek black car parked by at the gate, had instantly drawn attention.
And there, stood Adrian beside it, immaculate as ever. A dark pressed suite coupled with sunglasses and his posture was unreadable. Students slowed down to stare while some even pulled out their phones.
"Get in," he said quietly as Maya neared him.
"I can't." Maya's eyes searched around. "People are watching." She said, in a near whisper as though they could hear her.
"They are, already." He answered, opening the door for her. " We might as well make it look normal."
This time, Maya didn't resist. With a hammering heart, she slidded in. The car's door shut with a soft click that sounded too final.
The world felt muffled inside. Adrian sat beside her, composed but cold.
"I didn't ask for this," Maya said finally, breaking the silence. "I didn't ask for any of this attention."
"Neither did I," he uttered. "But we're both in it now."
She turned toward him. Staring into those cold gaze. "Then maybe, stop showing up everywhere I am."
He met her gaze steadily. "I wouldn't have to if you had told me the truth."
Maya clenched her jaw. "I already did."
"Lying to me won't change the facts," he said, reaching into his jacket and pulled out a thin folder. He slided it across the seat toward her. "I had someone look into the timeline."
But Maya didn't touch it.
"Exactly six weeks ago, you signed your Seoul Beauty contract" he continued, his voice low, but measured. " And the night before that, was the gala. Two days afterward, you were absent from public appearances. The dates match, Maya."
Her stomach twisted. "You had me investigated?"
"I had to know," he said evenly. "And you weren't going to tell me."
Her fingers dug into her knees. "You had no right."
"You fainted twice in public." He interrupted, forgoing her words. "The press is tearing you apart. And I am being dragged into it. I had every right to know what I am involved in."
"I told you, you're not involved," she snapped. "This is my problem."
"Then fix it before it destroys your career," he said sharply, his control slipping for the first time. "Because if that photo was damaging, imagine what will happen when they find out you're pregnant."
Her breath hitched. "They won't."
"Secrets don't stay secrets," he warned.
Her throat tightened. "You think I don't know that?" she muttered. "Every day I wake up wondering who is going to find out. My agency, my mother, the media. I'm just trying to survive, Adrian. I don't need you investigating me like I'm one of your projects."
In th heat of tge moment, something in his gaze flickered. An emotion she couldn't name. Was it Pity? Regret? Or something heavier.
"Despite what you think," he said. "I don't want to ruin you. But I can't protect you if you keep lying to me."
Her hands trembled in her lap. "I don't need your protection."
"Maybe not. But your career does."
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "The agency is already debating whether to freeze your contracts. Seoul Beauty is considering dropping you. They're afraid of a scandal. And the investors, I meant my investors. The want damage control."
Her pulse raced. "You're… you're going to drop me too?"
"No," he said, after a moment. "Not yet."
"Then what do you want from me?"
He held her gaze, eyes steady but unyielding. "The truth."
Maya's lips parted, but no sound came. Her chest felt heavy. The air between them thickened until .
Then, just as she opened her mouth, he spoke again—so quietly she almost didn't hear it.
"I'm offering you a deal."
She blinked. "A deal?"
"I'll make the rumors go away," he said. "I'll protect your name, your career, your agency contracts. But in return, you tell me the truth about that night. About the baby."
Her stomach twisted. "You think you can just buy my honesty?"
He didn't flinch. "No. I think you need someone who can keep you standing when the world decides to knock you down."
She stared at him, stunned into silence.
"Think about it," he said, reaching for the door handle. "You have until tomorrow morning."