This chapter contains scenes that may be emotionally upsetting for some readers.
The sound of suitcase wheels rolling across the polished airport floor echoed, blending with the soft murmur of travelers and the distant, monotone voice of flight announcements overhead. Asiya gripped the handle of her luggage tighter, her heart thrumming with quiet anticipation.
She had arrived.
The flight from Germany to Korea had been long, but Asiya barely felt the exhaustion. The moment she stepped outside Incheon Airport, the crisp evening air greeted her, carrying the distant hum of the city. Towering buildings lined the streets, their neon signs flickering in waves of color. The scent of street food drifted through the air, and somewhere nearby, faint music played from a passing car. It was all new yet strangely familiar, as if she had stepped into a scene she had imagined countless times before.
Her trip had been carefully planned, down to the smallest detail. The house she rented was in a quiet neighborhood, not too far from the city center. It was modern yet cozy, with clean white walls, a small balcony, and a large window that let in the soft glow of streetlights.
That day had been exhausting—landing, getting a local SIM card, picking up the rental car, and hauling her luggage inside. Now, the day after she was still settling in, cleaning the kitchen.
Just as she tossed the cloth into the sink, her phone vibrated on the counter. The screen lit up with an incoming group video call. She sighed, drying her hands before answering.
Chaos erupted the moment she answered—four faces popping up on the screen, each talking at once.
"Asiyaaa!" Yasmine nearly screamed, her face taking up half the screen. "How's Korea?!"
"Asiya, show us the house!" Mira cut in, practically bouncing.
"Yeah, yeah, come on, don't keep us waiting," Farah added eagerly.
"Wait—one at a time!" Asiya laughed, holding up a hand. "You guys are too loud."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Sana waved off. "Just show us already."
Rolling her eyes, Asiya switched to the back camera and slowly turned the phone to give them a full view of the living room and kitchen. "There. Satisfied?"
"Oooh, nice," Farah mused, nodding approvingly. "Looks clean."
Asiya huffed. "Of course, it's clean. I spent the entire day cleaning. Do you know how much dust there was? And don't even get me started on the bathroom."
"Pfft, classic Asiya," Sana teased. "First time in Korea, and instead of exploring, she's scrubbing floors."
"Well, someone had to do it. Or would you like to do it yourself, hmmm?" Asiya shot back.
"Ehem…"
"I thought so," Asiya laughed. "Oh, by the way, did you pack yet?"
"...."
"I bet you're still throwing clothes on your bed instead of packing," Asiya added.
Yasmine narrowed her eyes. "Why do I feel like that was directed at me?"
"Because it was," Asiya said, deadpan. "Did you pack your suitcases yet?"
Mira let out a nervous laugh. "Uhhh… kinda?"
"What do you mean by 'kinda'? Did you pack or not?" Asiya asked.
Farah sighed dramatically. "We packed, but the problem is that we packed too much."
"Way too much," Mira groaned. "My suitcase won't even close anymore."
"I tried taking stuff out," Yasmine admitted. "But then I was like, 'No, I need this. I can't leave these.' And now I have, like, three extra bags."
"Three?!" Asiya choked.
Sana groaned. "I don't even want to talk about mine."
Farah shook her head. "She refuses to get rid of a single thing."
"Because everything is necessary!" Sana defended. "I need options!"
"No, you don't," Asiya deadpanned. "You guys are here for a month, not a year."
"But what if—"
"No."
Mira sighed. "This is why we didn't tell you before."
Asiya pinched the bridge of her nose. "Look, just don't overdo it. And bring power adapters, or you'll all be fighting over mine, okay?!"
"Okayyy."
"I need to hang up now. I still have to finish cleaning."
"Fine, fine," Farah said. "Sleep early. And lock your doors."
"Yes, yes. Byeee." She ended the call, shaking her head with a small smile. They're hopeless.
She rinsed the cloth under the faucet again, wiping down the last corner of the counter before tossing it into the sink. Her gaze flickered toward the unopened suitcase in the corner. I should unpack… but I really don't feel like it.
She sighed, rolling her shoulders. At least the house was clean. That was progress.
Then—
The sudden sound of rushed footsteps outside made her pause.
Her fingers hovered over the faucet, her body going still.
It was faint at first. Then louder. Hurried. Almost frantic.
She frowned, turning toward the window. Pushing the curtain aside, she peered outside. The street looked empty, just as quiet as it had been all evening.
Strange.
Maybe she was imagining things?
Still, unease prickled at the back of her neck. Just to be sure, she made her way to the entrance. Asiya unlocked the door and slowly opened it, stepping forward to get a better look.
That was when it happened.
The door slammed open against her hand as a figure pushed inside, moving so fast that she barely had time to react. A gust of cool air rushed past her, and before she could process what was happening, the door shut again with a quiet thud.
he was cloaked in black, head down, a cap pulled low, and a black mask covering the rest of his face.
He didn't say a word.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Asiya froze.
Her breath caught in her throat. Her body wouldn't move. For a second, her mind went blank.
Then panic surged.
Someone just broke in.
She staggered backward, eyes wide. Her hand flew out, grasping blindly for anything—her fingers wrapped around a glass vase near the counter.
She raised it, ready to throw—
But the figure lunged.
He grabbed her wrist mid-swing, fast and strong. The vase slipped from her fingers and shattered at their feets, shards skittering across the floor.
Her other hand flew up, aiming for his face.
"Let go!" She twisted, nails raking toward his face.
He pushed her hard enough to pin her back against the door.
One hand locked around her wrist, the other clamped over her mouth.
"Shhhh…"
Who do you think is this masked intruder—and what does he want from her? Is he a threat... or the one in danger?