Chan's POV

I watched her storm off, feeling a knot twist in my stomach. I knew she was angry, but I didn't expect her to get this worked up. The moment she stood up, the air between us thickened. The weight of her words hit harder than I anticipated, especially when she mentioned the risks she was taking by being with me.

I knew the stakes. Hell, I lived them every day, but hearing it from her-the way she was trembling with fear-made everything feel more real. More dangerous.

"Do I go after her or...?" I muttered to myself, unsure of how to handle the situation. Every time she raised her voice or got upset, I felt this ridiculous, almost suffocating urge to make things right, but I knew I couldn't just wave it all away with my usual charm. I'd crossed a line when I insisted on being this careless.

I couldn't deny the truth in her words. She'd left everything behind for this-her family, her life in Nigeria-just to chase a dream. And now, that dream was at risk because of me. I could hear the desperation in her voice, the way she kept talking about her future as if it were hanging by a thread.

I leaned back in my chair, pushing my plate away, feeling the weight of the situation settle into my chest. The relaxed atmosphere I had come here for felt a million miles away now. What was I thinking, being so careless about something this important? She was right; it wasn't just about us. It was about her career, her entire life here in Korea.

I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated with myself.

"She's right," I muttered, mostly to myself. I should have been more careful. I should have remembered that the moment we stepped off that plane, the whole world was watching. The fans, the media-hell, even JYPE would have a field day if they found out we were together.

But she wasn't wrong about something else, either. The way she was panicking, thinking it was all on her... That hit hard. I couldn't let her think she was alone in this.

Standing up, I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the responsibility settle around me like a cloak. I couldn't just let her walk away like that. Not when she was in this much distress. I couldn't pretend everything was okay while she was falling apart over something I had carelessly brushed aside.

I took a step toward the direction she'd gone, then hesitated, glancing around the pool bar. People were still lingering, enjoying their night, oblivious to the storm happening at one table. I could feel the eyes on me, as if they knew something was off.

She'd been right about that too-everything we did was magnified.

With a sharp exhale, I pushed through the tension, following her.

I didn't know how to fix this yet, but I knew I wasn't going to leave her alone, not when she was feeling like this. Maybe I didn't have all the answers, but I'd be damned if I let her carry all the weight on her shoulders alone.

I found her by the waterfall, the sound of the cascading water filling the space with a peaceful hum that almost made me forget the tension in the air. But when I saw her sitting there, phone in hand.

I walked over to her side, still feeling the weight of the tension hanging between us. As I leaned in closer, I finally caught a glimpse of what she was doing, her fingers tapping away at the screen of her phone.

Candy Crush.

It took me a second to process it. She was so absorbed in the game, tapping with almost mechanical precision. It was a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions we had just shared. There she was, sitting at the edge of the waterfall, trying to clear candy combinations, completely lost in the simple distractions of the game.

I couldn't help it. A laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it.

She looked up sharply, her face lighting up with confusion and a little annoyance. "What? What's so funny?" she demanded, her voice still carrying the frustration from earlier.

I could barely contain my laughter as I crouched down beside her. "Candy Crush, Jangmi? You've got to be kidding me."

Her eyes narrowed as she rolled her shoulders, trying to maintain her composure. "What's wrong with Candy Crush? It's helping me calm down."

I sat down beside her, still chuckling. "I was just worried about you, and here you are, playing Candy Crush."

She huffed, a mix of irritation and amusement in her voice. "Well, at least it's keeping my mind occupied. Better than thinking about... everything else."

I leaned back slightly, my smile softening. "I didn't expect to find you here, doing this. I thought you'd be somewhere thinking things over, maybe taking a break from everything."

She shot me a side glance but didn't reply, instead focusing on her game again for a second, tapping away as if nothing had happened. The waterfall behind us provided a soothing backdrop, but her tension was still clear. Even in her attempt at distraction, I could tell she was still troubled.

I sighed softly, trying to find the right words. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make everything so complicated. You're right-things should be simpler. We're here to relax, remember?"

She put her phone down and faced me, her voice a little softer but still firm. "It's not about that, Chan. It's about the consequences. We can't just pretend like we don't have a lot to lose. I didn't come this far just to ruin it all now."

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words settle between us. "You're right. I get it. I've been a little careless, and I shouldn't have brushed it off like it was nothing."

She sighed, her shoulders dropping. "You always make everything sound so easy... but it's not. I can't just ignore what could happen if we get caught. If anyone finds out..." She trailed off, her gaze shifting down to the ground.

I reached over, placing a hand on hers, hoping to offer some reassurance. "Hey, I get it. I really do. But I'm here with you. We're in this together, okay?" I gave her a reassuring squeeze, hoping she'd feel it through the tension in her body.

She looked up at me, her eyes still filled with uncertainty. "I just don't want to be the one to ruin everything."

"You're not ruining anything, Jangmi," I said softly, meeting her gaze. "We'll figure this out. But for now, let's just take a breath and not let everything else weigh on us."

She hesitated, then gave me a small nod, still not completely convinced. "Alright... but only because I need a break. I'm tired of thinking about all the things I can't control."

I smiled, relieved. "That's all I'm asking for. A little break."

The sound of the water flowing in the background was calming now, as we both sat there, taking a moment to just breathe. Despite the uncertainty that still hung between us, there was something comforting about being here together, away from the chaos.

***

Liliana's POV

We slowly made our way back from the waterfall, still quiet, the tension still hanging between us. As we approached the table, I could see the food waiting for us, but something was different. The lids were placed carefully over the plates, as if they had been waiting for us to come back.

The waiter, who had been nearby, approached us with a polite smile. "I hope you don't mind," he said, his voice calm and respectful. "I noticed there was a bit of tension earlier, so I thought it might be best to cover the food for a while. When you're ready, you can continue your meal in peace."

I was a little taken aback by the waiter's observation, but the gesture was thoughtful. "Thank you," I said, feeling a small smile tug at my lips. "We appreciate that."

Chan nodded, his expression softening, and he thanked the waiter as well. The waiter gave us one last glance before leaving, leaving us alone at the table again.

I sat down slowly, feeling the weight of everything still pressing on me. Chan seemed to have already moved past it, though. He lifted the lid from his plate, his gaze flickering to mine before he began to cut into his steak.

"I think I'll be more discreet in the future," he said, his voice casual but serious, his tone different from earlier. "I can't pretend that we're just 'two people' anymore. We need to be careful." His eyes met mine briefly, a silent acknowledgment of the situation. "I'll act more low-key when we're out. No more public displays of... anything."

I nodded, picking at my food. His words were meant to reassure me, but the knot in my stomach didn't loosen. He was right. Everything we did was magnified-whether we wanted it to be or not. And as much as I wanted to stay calm, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were treading on dangerous ground.

I watched as Chan spoke to the waiter, his voice dropping to a near whisper. I caught snippets of their conversation as he asked about private areas in the restaurant. It was obvious he didn't want me to hear the details, but I could make out the way he was asking, subtly trying to gauge prices, looking for something more secluded, more private.

The waiter nodded and offered to provide more information, his voice just low enough that I couldn't catch everything.

As I listened, a sudden wave of guilt washed over me. Private areas? The extra cost of this place... everything he was arranging for us, and for me. It was a lot.

I glanced at Chan, who seemed to be completely at ease. Of course, I thought bitterly, he's used to this. He's a K-pop idol-money, fame, luxury, it's all at his fingertips.

But I wasn't like that. I was just a trainee, with barely enough money to get by. I didn't have the luxury of a big paycheck, and I hadn't debuted yet, so I couldn't even be paid for my work.

But here he was, paying for everything-the trip, the meals, the hotel. It was all so much, and I felt small, useless even. What can I do to repay him?

I bit my lip, my hands suddenly feeling clammy. I could feel the guilt building up inside me like a wave that was about to crash. Should I offer to pay? The thought flashed in my mind, but it felt impossible. I didn't even have enough to cover my half of the meal, let alone everything else.

What if I just told him I'll pay him back once I debut? What if I could somehow make it up to him, even if it's a small thing?

The weight of everything-the cost, the expectations, my inability to contribute-was almost too much. And I hated it.

I didn't want to be a burden. But right now, it felt like I was.

***

As Chan opened the door to their hotel room, the cool air from the hallway brushed past them.

"I heard," Liliana said, her words thick with unease.

Chan paused, halfway into the room, his back still turned to her. "Heard what?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity but not fully turning around just yet. The door was still wide open behind him, and the city lights shone in faint streaks on the floor.

Liliana swallowed, the words hard to push out of her throat. "I... I didn't hear everything, but I heard you talk about private areas in the resort."

The words hung in the air between them, and she could practically feel the weight of the situation press down on her chest.

Chan finally turned to face her, the door still open behind him. "Yeah," he said casually, a shrug in his posture. "That's necessary, right? The private area, I mean." He began walking further into the room, and Liliana followed him closing the door, her mind still swirling.

"It's expensive," she muttered, almost under her breath.

Chan halted, his steps freezing as he turned to her with a raised brow. "Expensive?" he echoed, clearly surprised. "Isn't that why you wanted to be cautious?"

Liliana bit her lip, her chest tightening. "Yes, but-" she started, but she couldn't find the words to explain what was nagging at her. The guilt, the overwhelming weight of feeling like she was taking advantage of him, hit her hard.

"It's alright," Chan cut her off smoothly, his voice calm, yet his eyes never left her face. "It's expensive, sure, but it's worth it. And it's no big deal." He seemed at ease with the whole thing

She opened her mouth to say something, but the words didn't come. Her mind was clouded with thoughts of how much he had already spent on this trip, how much he had done for her without asking for anything in return.

As they entered the bedroom, Chan dropped his things carelessly on the bedside table. Liliana stood still, lingering at the foot of the bed, the weight of her thoughts keeping her rooted in place.

"I'll repay you, one way or another," she finally said, her voice firm but the uncertainty clear in her words. "Sooner or later."

Chan's expression shifted slightly, his lips quirking into a faint smirk as he turned to face her. He walked toward her slowly, the air between them thickening with something she couldn't quite name. He stopped just inches away, and Liliana felt a sudden rush of warmth spread through her chest.

"Why don't you repay me now?" he asked softly, his gaze never leaving her eyes, a glint of something unreadable in his.

Her heart skipped, and for a moment, she couldn't find her voice. "What?" she whispered, taken aback by his sudden shift in tone.

Chan's gaze drifted down briefly, taking in the way her dress hugged her curves, before meeting her eyes again. "Did I tell you how sexy you look in that dress? It hugs you so perfectly," he said, his voice smooth and low.

Liliana's mind raced as she took a shaky breath. Her body felt suddenly electric, a tension building between them that she couldn't ignore. She suddenly realised what he was talking about

"Oh hell no, Chan!" she screamed, she was pushed gently but firmly onto the bed. Chan's presence loomed above her, his body hovering just inches from hers, his eyes dark with intent. She could feel her heart pounding in her throat, her breath coming quicker now as she stared up at him.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence was thick, charged with anticipation. Liliana's body reacted against her will, her nerves electrified by the proximity, the weight of his gaze, and the tension that surrounded them.

She felt her body freeze, not knowing whether to push him off or let him have his way. Her instincts screamed one thing, but something else-a pull, a longing-held her in place.

What the hell was happening? Was this really the same Chan she'd been arguing with just moments ago? The same guy who had been so carefree, so relaxed? And yet now, in this intimate moment, everything felt... different.

But in the end, she didn't push him away.

Chan's weight shifted subtly, and before Liliana could fully comprehend what was happening, he leaned down again. The warmth of his breath brushed against her skin, making every nerve stand on edge.

His lips pressed a soft kiss against her cheekbone first, lingering just long enough to leave her reeling. Her breath hitched, her chest rising and falling unevenly. She gripped the sheets instinctively as he moved lower, trailing faint kisses along her jawline and to the sensitive curve of her neck. Her pulse thudded wildly beneath his lips, her skin burning under every fleeting touch.

When his lips found her collarbone, she let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Her fingers curled tighter into the fabric beneath her as heat spread through her body like wildfire. The tension in the room was nearly suffocating, wrapping around her like an invisible cord.

Then, just when she thought he might take things further, she felt his hands glide gently down her calves. He knelt at the edge of the bed, his movements slow and deliberate as he removed her heels one by one, his fingertips barely grazing her ankles. The contrast between his teasing touches and his focused calm left her both hot and utterly confused.

Chan stood up, his full height looming over her again, and Liliana blinked up at him, her thoughts racing.

"That's enough for tonight," he said smoothly, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, his tone laced with amusement. "Change and get ready for bed, Jangmi."

Her heart still thundered in her chest, and she sat up abruptly, stunned and flustered. "W-What?" she stammered, blinking at him in disbelief.

Chan ignored her reaction entirely. Turning away, he strode toward his bag, completely at ease. He rummaged for a moment before pulling out a pair of pajamas. Without looking back at her, he said casually, "I'll be sleeping in the living room."

The teasing lilt in his voice did nothing to soothe her rattled nerves. He shot her an amused glance over his shoulder, the smirk still firmly in place. "Goodnight, Liliana."

With that, he left the room, leaving her sitting on the bed in stunned silence, her face flushed and her thoughts a tangled mess.

Her fingers brushed against the spot where his lips had been moments ago, and she let out an exasperated groan. "What the hell was that?" she muttered to herself.

Chan's faint chuckle echoed from the living room, as if he had heard her.

Liliana flopped backward onto the mattress, staring at the ceiling, her mind replaying every second of what just happened.

"Unbelievable" she whispered her voice coming out as a sigh

Despite her thoughts going crazy she couldn't help the tiny smile at the corner of her lips.

***
Liliana woke to the smell of food and the soft murmur of the ocean through the windows. Stretching, she sat up groggily, blinking at the bright sunlight streaming through the curtains. For a moment, she forgot where she was-until she spotted the view outside and remembered everything: Jeju, Chan, last night. Her cheeks flushed, and she muttered to herself, "Get it together, Liliana."

Throwing on a hoodie and leggings, she padded out to the living room. Chan sat cross-legged at the coffee table, scrolling through his phone as steaming plates of food-grilled fish, gyeran-jjim, rice, and banchan-were neatly arranged. He looked up and grinned.

"Good morning, Jangmi. You're just in time."

Liliana blinked at the spread. "Where... did all this come from?"

"Resort kitchen. I'm not about to burn the place down trying to cook." Chan smirked as he poured her a cup of tea. "Come eat. We've got a full day ahead."

"A full day?" she asked, suspicious but intrigued as she sat down.

"Yep. Private beach first, some snorkeling, and I booked us a scuba diving session. You ever done it before?"

Liliana paused mid-bite. "Scuba diving? Chan, I can barely float."

He laughed. "That's what the instructors are for. Trust me, you'll love it."

She narrowed her eyes but couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips. "What else?"

"Lunch at a local seafood spot by the coast-fresh catches. Then later, we're taking a sunset boat tour. Calm, scenic, perfect for unwinding."

Liliana stared at him, stunned. "You really planned all this?"

"Of course," he said nonchalantly, popping a piece of fish into his mouth. "You need to relax, and I need to make sure you actually have fun."

She took another bite, shaking her head. "I feel like I should be paying for something."

Chan raised an eyebrow. "Here we go again."

"I'm serious!" she insisted. "Scuba diving, boat tours? That's not cheap. I haven't spent a single won since we got here."

"And you're not supposed to," Chan said firmly, meeting her eyes. "You're a trainee. I was one too-I know how it works. This is on me, so just enjoy it, okay?"

Liliana sighed but let the argument drop. She had to admit, the food was incredible, and the day he described sounded exciting-more fun than she'd had in