SEASON TWO!
SEASON TWO!
SEASON TWO!

CHAPTER THREE:
Tension.

THE PEN IN MY HAND HOVERED OVER THE PAGE AS I FROZE, the sharp, repetitive "tin tin tin" melody cutting through the quiet morning. My thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind, and I turned my head toward the speaker outside, the familiar tone signalling an announcement.

The host's voice filled the air, calm yet commanding. "The hottest inferno in the world, Single's Inferno. Today, only the new arrivals, Yoori and Sejun, will be allowed to choose the partners they'd like to go to paradise with."

A collective gasp erupted from the other girls, followed by a cascade of exclamations. "No way!" "That's insane!" "Oh my god, Yoori!" Their voices overlapped, creating a buzz of energy that seemed to fill every corner with the room. All eyes turned to me, their expressions a mix of awe, curiosity, and maybe just a little envy.

I blinked, my fingers stiff as I closed my journal slowly, the weight of the announcement sinking in. I sat up straight, meeting their gazes with a mix of shock and disbelief. "This is crazy," I murmured, my voice almost drowned out by their excitement.

Before I could process their reactions-or my own-the host's voice returned, calm yet decisive. "Sejun and Yoori, please, take some time with every member of the opposite sex and get to know each other."

Another "tin tin tin" followed, signalling the end of the announcement, but the room remained charged with energy. The surrounding girls exchanged looks, their curiosity palpable, while I felt the heavy weight of the spotlight settle on me.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, my mind already racing. How was I supposed to navigate this day? Spend time with every single guy? My stomach twisted at the thought of how many eyes would be on me now, watching my every move, every choice.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, brushing a stray hair from my face as I glanced at Seulki, who was still staring at me like I had just won the lottery. This wasn't just a game any more-it was a stage. And whether I wanted it or not, I had just been given the starring role.

The off-pitfire area was eerily still, save for the low crackle of flames in the background and the quiet murmurs of the others seated on the benches. I stood beside Sejun, his presence steady but nervous energy radiating from him. I glanced at him, offering a small smile of reassurance. Unlike him, I felt calm-more grounded than I expected to be after the whirlwind of conversations with the guys today. Each one had been warm, welcoming, and made me feel at ease, which helped melt away my initial nervousness.

Sejun inhaled deeply, then stepped forward. His voice carried over the fire, firm but laced with hesitation. "The person I would like to go to paradise with is..." He paused dramatically, drawing out the anticipation. "...I choose Lee Soe."

My eyes widened in surprise, my hand instinctively flying to cover my mouth. For a moment, I was speechless, but the shock quickly turned into pure joy. Soe? I was so thrilled for her that any thought of my own choice faded to the background. When she emerged from the women's tent, her radiant smile lit up the night.

I gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up and a big grin, silently cheering her on as she walked toward Sejun. My chest swelled with happiness for her; it was impossible to feel anything else. She deserved this moment, and it showed in every step she took as she joined Sejun, the two of them disappearing together down the path.

Then it was my turn.

I took a deep breath, stepping forward into the spotlight, the flames casting flickering shadows over the crowd of expectant faces. My heart was steady, but I couldn't deny the weight of the choice I was about to make.

"The person I would like to go to paradise with is..." I paused, letting the suspense hang in the air, watching the boys' expressions shift subtly. "...Kim Jinyoung," I said finally, my voice firm. He should feel honored-I don't choose lightly.

The decision hadn't come easily. I had gone back and forth between Jinyoung and Hanbin for what felt like forever. Hanbin would have been the safe choice-a guaranteed fun and easygoing time. But Jinyoung? He was temptation personified. There was something about him, something hidden beneath that confident exterior, that I couldn't help but want to unravel.

Jinyoung stepped out of the men's tent, and of course, he had to make an entrance. He wore a crisp white Calvin Klein Jeans shirt and fitted blue jeans, paired with contact glasses that only emphasized the sharpness of his gaze. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he looked directly at me with that trademark smirk, as if he had expected my choice all along.

I rolled my eyes, fighting the smile tugging at my lips, and grabbed my Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière 50. As I waited for him, he approached with that casual confidence, the smirk never leaving his face.

"You know, you could've just admitted you wanted more time with me instead of pretending to struggle with your decision," he teased, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

I raised an eyebrow, meeting his playful gaze. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just curious to see if there's actually something interesting beneath all that arrogance," I shot back, my tone equally teasing.

Jinyoung chuckled, his amusement clear as he reached out and took my bag from my hands without asking. "You're curious about me? You know curiosity killed the cat," he quipped, hoisting both my bag and his own effortlessly.

I smirked, tilting my head as we started walking toward the helicopter. "And satisfaction brought it back," I countered smoothly, earning a genuine laugh from him.

The path to the helicopter stretched ahead of us, the anticipation of paradise-and whatever awaited us there-lingering in the air. As we walked side by side, his shoulder occasionally brushing against mine, I couldn't help but feel the electric undercurrent between us. Whatever this was, it was only just beginning.

As soon as we stepped into the Paradise penthouse, the grandeur of the space was undeniable. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased a glittering view of the city below, and the sleek, modern furniture was meticulously arranged to exude luxury. Yet, as impressive as it was, I simply blinked, looking around without so much as a gasp of awe.

Jinyoung caught my reaction almost immediately. "Wait..." he started, his voice dripping with mock suspicion. "Don't tell me-you've been here before. That's why you're not impressed, right?"

I smirked, placing my Louis Vuitton bag on one of the plush chairs near the entrance. "Of course," I said breezily, turning my head just enough to meet his amused gaze. "I practically live here. You didn't know? They should've named it Yoori's Paradise Penthouse by now."

He let out a low laugh, following close behind me. "Ah, I see. So you're the queen of this place. Should I bow?" He leaned slightly, a teasing smile tugging at his lips.

"Only if you're ready to swear fealty," I replied, my tone light but edged with playful sarcasm.

Jinyoung shook his head, still chuckling, as we made our way to the bedroom to drop off our bags. The room was just as stunning as the rest of the penthouse, with its king-sized bed draped in crisp white sheets, accented by gold tones and soft lighting. After stowing our bags, we moved to the dining area-a spacious table surrounded by plush chairs that practically swallowed you whole when you sat down.

Settling into our seats, we browsed through the menu and placed our orders. While waiting for the food, the conversation started to flow, light and easy, like we had known each other for years.

Minutes later, our food arrived-an array of dishes too lavish for a casual meal, but it fit the extravagant vibe of the penthouse. Jinyoung poured red wine into my glass first, the rich crimson liquid swirling as it filled the crystal goblet. Then, he poured his own, holding up his glass with an eyebrow raised.

"To... the queen of Paradise," he said with a sly smile, his voice dipped in that confident, teasing tone he seemed to wear so effortlessly.

I let out a soft laugh, raising my glass to meet his. "And to her humble servant," I quipped, the corners of my mouth twitching upward.

The glasses clinked, and for a moment, our eyes locked. His gaze held steady, a glint of mischief mingling with something deeper. I held his stare, refusing to look away, matching his energy.

The tension was there-flirty, charged, and impossible to ignore.

We both sipped our wine before turning our attention to the food. His smirk deepened as he leaned forward, resting his elbow on the table, his bicep flexing subtly. My gaze betrayed me, flickering to the tattoos that curled around his arm, intricate designs that begged to be traced with a finger.

"You like what you see?" he teased, his voice dropping just a fraction, enough to make my pulse quicken.

I quickly masked my slip with a chuckle, casually cutting another piece of steak. "I didn't think you had so many tattoos. You don't seem the type."

"Oh? And what type do I seem?" he asked, pouring himself more wine and leaning back in his chair, completely at ease.

"Clean-cut, polished," I said, feigning innocence as I sipped my wine. "You know, the type who secretly takes forever to style his hair in the morning."

He laughed again, the sound richer this time, and it felt like it seeped into my skin. "You've got me all wrong. I'm a 'get out of bed, throw on a shirt, and go' kind of guy." He paused, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Unless I'm meeting someone special. Then I might try... just a little."

"Special, huh?" I replied, swirling the wine in my glass. "I'll keep that in mind for future reference."

The tension between us crackled, warm and electric, as if we were two magnets drawn together yet still testing the distance.

"So," I started, steering the conversation before his gaze undid me, "what's the story behind the tattoos? Do they mean anything, or are they just for show?"

He leaned closer again, this time resting his forearms on the table, his fingers brushing against mine for a fleeting moment. The warmth of his touch lingered, and I hated how much I noticed it. "Each one has a story. This one," he said, pointing to a set of waves etched into his skin, "reminds me of my UDT days. Endless water, cold as hell. That training gave me PTSD, you know. Can't stand cold water now. Hot showers only, even in the summer."

I blinked, taken aback by his honesty. "That sounds intense."

"It was," he admitted, his voice softer now. "But it taught me a lot about myself. About strength, endurance... trust." His eyes met mine again, and for a moment, the teasing faded, replaced by something deeper. "What about you? How does someone like you end up in ICU Cardiology?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal, but something about his gaze felt safe, like he wouldn't judge. "Since I was young," I began, my voice steady, "I've always been... alone. Not in the literal sense-I had friends, but I was never anyone's first choice. You know that feeling?"

He nodded, his expression serious, as if he understood. "Yeah, I do."

I smiled faintly, looking down at my plate. "So, I poured myself into my studies. And one day, it hit me: hospitals are places where people aren't left alone. There's always someone there, giving you strength, warmth, even love. I wanted to be that person for someone else. So... here I am."

He reached across the table, his fingers brushing mine again, but this time they lingered, his thumb lightly tracing my knuckles. "You're incredible, you know that?"

The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard, and I glanced up, meeting his gaze. "Don't make me blush," I said, though my cheeks were already warm. "It's not fair."

He chuckled, his thumb still moving in gentle circles on my skin. "You're not easy to fluster. I'll take that as a win."

"Fine," I said, pulling my hand back, though I already missed the warmth of his touch. "But what about you? How does a guy like you go from UDT to... what is it you do now?"

His grin returned, brighter and more playful. "I'm a YouTuber."

I blinked. "A YouTuber? Seriously?"

"What, don't I look the part?" he teased, flexing his bicep again.

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't help but laugh. "Let me guess. Fitness and adventure?"

"Among other things," he said with a wink. "Gotta keep life interesting, right?"

"And how old are you, Mr. Adventurer?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Twenty-eight. And you?"

"Twenty-six," I replied, cutting another bite of steak. "Looks like I've got the upper hand, age-wise."

"Oh, really?" he said, his grin turning wicked. "You're two years younger, Yoori. That means I've got more experience."

"Experience in what?" I shot back, my tone dripping with challenge.

"Everything," he said, his voice low and teasing.

I rolled my eyes again, though I couldn't stop the smile tugging at my lips. "Well, don't get too cocky. I'm a fast learner."

"Good," he said, leaning back with a satisfied smirk. "Because I like a good student."

I raised an eyebrow, half-amused, half-suspicious. "Is that so? A teacher, now?"

He chuckled, leaning in a bit closer, and I couldn't help but notice how easily he closed the distance between us. "Well, let's say I know a thing or two... or three." His eyes flickered to my lips, then back to my eyes, a teasing glint in them. "But I'm more of a hands-on kind of teacher. You know, a practical approach."

I snorted, trying to play it cool but feeling my heartbeat quicken. "So you want me to be your... student? Sounds like you're making a lot of assumptions."

He leaned in even more, his breath warm on my cheek. "I'm just confident, Yoori. I don't make assumptions, I make facts."

I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, despite myself. "You sure are confident about a lot of things, huh?"

"Confidence is half the battle," he said, almost seriously, before his lips curled into another playful grin. "But I'm also pretty good at reading people. And I can tell you're someone who likes a challenge. I can see it in your eyes."

I shifted in my seat, suddenly a little aware of the intensity between us. "Challenge, huh? What makes you think that?"

He raised an eyebrow, then casually placed a hand on the back of my chair, the proximity feeling like he was claiming that space. "I like to think I can make even the hardest challenges... fun. And I'd bet you're the kind of person who likes a little fun every now and then."

My pulse quickened at his words, but I matched his smirk, trying to keep control of the situation. "Fun? I don't know, Jinyoung. I'm not so easily impressed."

"Is that right?" he asked, his voice lowering, a little more seductive. He was now leaning in just enough that I could feel his warmth radiating off him. He shifted in his seat, his hand brushing against mine as he pulled his glass of wine closer. "Well, I think I can change your mind. But, you're going to have to trust me."

I laughed softly, trying to keep the tension from showing in my voice. "Trust? I don't trust anyone that easily. I'm a little more skeptical than that."

"You don't trust me?" His voice was a mix of teasing and genuine curiosity, and there was something about the way he said it-almost as if he was challenging me to test him.

I took a slow sip of my wine, my eyes never leaving his. "I didn't say I don't trust you. But I definitely don't trust anyonetoo easily."

He shrugged, a confident grin playing on his lips. "Fair enough. But I'll say this, Yoori... I don't think you'll regret it. You might even enjoy it."

I could feel my heart rate quicken, a rush of heat rising to my cheeks. "You've got a lot of confidence for someone I just met," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"That's because I know what I want," he replied smoothly, his hand still hovering near mine, as if he was waiting for me to make the next move. "And right now, what I want is to know more about you."

I let out a breath, shifting uncomfortably in my seat, not sure whether to be intrigued or annoyed at how easy it was for him to make me flustered. "I'm sure you've had a lot of girls tell you that before," I said, trying to deflect, but my voice came out softer than I intended.

He chuckled, the sound rich and full of warmth. "Maybe. But none like you." He gave me that look again-just enough to make my chest tighten.

"So," he continued, never breaking eye contact, "what's your story, Yoori? Why the ICU? Why cardiology? You must have a reason."

I wasn't expecting the question, and for a moment, I hesitated. Something about his gaze made me want to open up, and I didn't know if I should. "Well, I guess... I guess I'm drawn to the challenge, too," I said, surprised at myself for sharing this much. "But more than that, I just want to make sure people feel cared for, that they don't feel alone. I spent so much of my life feeling invisible. I just want to make sure others don't feel that way. Even when they're at their most vulnerable."

Jinyoung was silent for a beat, his eyes softening, but there was still a flicker of something there-something deeper. He reached across the table again, this time brushing his fingers lightly against mine, sending an electric jolt through me. "I get that," he said quietly, his voice lower now, almost serious. "You don't want anyone to feel alone. That's... admirable."

I looked down, my heart beating faster now, but I refused to let myself show how affected I was. "It's just what I do. It's my job."

He squeezed my hand lightly, his thumb brushing over my knuckles again, sending a shiver up my spine. "Well, Yoori," he said softly, "I think you're pretty incredible. I'm glad I met you."

The air between us shifted again, this time less playful, but just as charged with that undeniable tension. I glanced up, meeting his eyes once more, and suddenly I was all too aware of how close he