The moment your leave was approved, you messaged Felix:
You :
"It's happening!"
Within minutes, he replied with the booking confirmation. Flight. Hotel. Car service. All taken care of.
Felix :
"You're set. Hotel is same as ours. I put your name under a staff alias just in case. Check-in will be smooth."
*"And yes," he added with a smirking emoji, "I made sure your room is on the same floor as ours."
You laughed to yourself, heart pounding.
Felix had thought of everything. But he warned you right away:
Felix :
"We gotta be stealthy. Not even Hyunjin or Lee Know know. If anyone finds out, Chan will catch on."
You :
"I'll be careful," you promised.
"And don't worry… I've got the perfect outfit. The second he sees me, he's not going to be able to breathe."
Felix sent back a string of fire emojis and a single response:
Felix :
"You're evil. I respect it."
**********
The days leading up to your flight moved both too fast and too slow.
Lighter. Brighter. You hummed while packing. Smiled at your reflection a little longer. Rechecked your travel folder three times even though you knew it by heart.
Your phone became a place of sacred anticipation—tiny sparks exchanged between you and Chan, growing warmer by the hour.
Chan :
"How's your week going?"
You :
"Better now that you're texting me.
Chan :
"Rehearsals are crazy, but I keep imagining you in the crowd."
You :
"Someday. Soon"
You were careful not to overpromise. Not to hint.
Even when he sent voice notes, tired, smiling, soft, you held it all in.
But the truth was... you were already picturing his face the second he saw you.
**********
The morning of your flight, your alarm went off before the sun. You moved through your home like someone in a dream. Shower. Skincare. One last run-through of your outfits.
Then you reached for that one, his favorite color, tailored just right. You ran your hands down the fabric and smiled.
You packed it carefully in your carry-on. That was the one you'd wear to the first night.
**********
Felix messaged you during your layover:
Felix :
"Everything's ready. Room's set. Car will be waiting for you at arrivals."
You :
"Thank you again," you wrote back. "He's going to lose it."
Felix :
"That's the goal!"
When your plane finally touched down in New York, your hands were shaking.
The lights of the city glowed outside the window as you taxied to the gate. Your phone lit up before you even unbuckled:
Chan :
"I swear I had a dream you were in NYC. Woke up and looked for you."
Your chest squeezed.
You:
"That's one dream I hope comes true someday."
Down at baggage claim, your name was on a sign in the hands of a sleek-suited driver. You smiled politely, heart hammering.
The car ride was quiet, city lights sliding past the windows like static dreams. You clutched your phone the whole time resisting the urge to say too much, but unable to stop your fingers from replying to him here and there.
Chan:
"We just got to the hotel. Another long day. Rehearsal starts early."
You:
"Get some rest. You'll be incredible. I already know it."
Chan:
"I miss you like crazy."
You:
"Maybe something amazing is waiting for you…"
You could feel his pause through the screen.
Chan:
"I hope so. You always make things better."
You tucked the phone to your chest and stared out the window, heart pounding so hard you were sure the driver could hear it.
**********
When you arrived at the hotel, the lobby lights were warm, understated. Professional. The woman at the desk smiled as you gave the name Felix had used. She nodded without question and handed you a key card in a black leather sleeve.
Just like that, you were in.
The elevator ride to the 16th floor felt surreal.
You wheeled your small suitcase down the hallway slowly, counting doors under your breath, heart thudding louder with each step. Your room was just five doors down from theirs.
You slipped inside and softly shut the door behind you. For a moment, you just stood there, still, breathless, absorbing the weight of where you were.
The city lights glowed through the window. Your suitcase rested untouched beside the bed. You were here. He had no idea.
Five minutes later, a soft knock came at the door. Three quick taps.
You crossed the room and opened it slowly.
Felix stood there in sweats and a hoodie, hood pulled low, but his grin was unmistakable. Without a word, he stepped in and pulled you into a tight hug.
"There she is," he said softly, like he didn't want the walls to overhear.
Warmth bloomed in your chest. You hugged him back just as tight. "I can't believe I'm here."
Felix pulled back, eyes wide with excitement. "Tomorrow's gonna be everything."
You nodded, and he quickly outlined the plan. "You'll come in through the crew entrance with me around 3. I'll have a stage badge for you. We'll get you dressed in all black, something lowkey. You'll blend right in backstage."
You smirked. "You've done this before."
He grinned. "Only when it's worth it."
"And the timing?"
"After the final encore," he said. "That's when he comes offstage and collapses in the wings. I'll walk you over, and..." He paused, smile curling wickedly. "You'll be standing there in that outfit you teased. He's gonna combust."
You laughed, nerves and thrill colliding. "It's perfect. He won't see it coming."
"He's gonna lose it," Felix said, pulling the hood farther over his head as he glanced toward the hallway. "Alright, I should sneak back before someone notices I'm missing."
You nodded, heart pounding.
"Rest up," he said quietly. "Big day tomorrow. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thank you, Felix. Seriously."
He gave your arm a gentle squeeze. "You're gonna make his year."
Then he slipped out, the door clicking softly shut behind him. You stood in the quiet that followed, staring out at the skyline for a long moment.
The bag still sat zipped by the bed.
Your fingers reached into your purse and pulled out the note—his note. You smoothed the creases with care and placed it gently on the nightstand like it belonged there.
Your lips moved around the words you hadn't said out loud—not yet, not to him. But you meant them with every fiber of your being.
"I'm coming back to you."