The elevator doors opened.
Noah looked up and saw Asher standing inside.
Their eyes met. Noah's entire body went rigid.
That face.
The face that had once illuminated his darkness now became the source of his nightmares.
Grievance, anger, disappointment... every emotion surged through him in that moment.
Noah clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms.
He wanted to punch that face. Hit it hard.
But he knew he couldn't.
Didn't dare.
Asher looked at him, gaze indifferent, then gestured with his eyes toward the elevator interior. "Get in."
Noah didn't move.
"I'll take the stairs." He turned to leave.
"Noah." Asher's voice sounded behind him, carrying a commanding tone. "Get in."
Noah clenched his jaw but ultimately turned and entered the elevator.
The doors closed. In the cramped space, only the two of them.
Noah looked up and saw the top floor button already lit.
Asher was going to the top floor.
Noah immediately pressed the button for the first floor.
But the elevator continued ascending.
It would reach the top floor first, then descend.
Noah stared at the numbers, heart racing faster and faster.
Meanwhile, Asher leaned against the elevator wall, gaze resting on him.
Top floor.
The elevator doors opened.
Before them stretched an elegantly decorated corridor.
At the end of the corridor stood a black double door.
Asher stepped out, then looked back at Noah.
"Follow me."
Noah stepped back.
Asher watched him, gaze growing impatient.
He reached out directly, grabbed Noah's wrist, and yanked hard.
Noah was dragged out of the elevator.
"Let go!" Noah tried to resist.
But Asher's grip was iron, pulling him deeper into the corridor.
Asher dragged him to the black double doors and pushed them open.
Inside was a large office.
The office décor was minimalist, black and white tones, a massive desk, behind it an entire wall of bookshelves.
To the side was a lounge area with a black leather sofa, magazines scattered on the coffee table.
Asher pulled Noah inside and closed the door.
Before Noah could react, he was pushed onto the sofa.
"What are you doing?!" Noah tried to stand.
But Asher had already leaned down, hands braced on either side of the sofa, trapping him.
Noah pressed against the sofa back, staring at Asher, heart pounding abnormally fast.
Asher looked at him, then reached out, gripping Noah's waist and pulling him closer.
"You..." Before Noah could finish, Asher's other hand rose, pressing against the back of his neck.
The distance closed instantly.
Noah felt Asher's breath washing over his face, heart lurching violently.
"Don't do this..." His voice trembled.
But Asher didn't listen. He lowered his head, voice dropping to a suppressed rasp. "Since you came, stop pretending."
Noah snapped back to awareness, shoving hard against Asher's chest.
But Asher didn't budge.
Asher's hand slid up from his waist, stroking over his back through his shirt.
The movement was slow yet carried a certain aggression.
Every muscle in Noah's body tensed. "Let go of me!"
But Asher's strength was too great. Noah couldn't push him away.
Asher's hand continued upward, pressing on Noah's shoulder, thumb tracing his collarbone.
"Didn't you come to beg me?" Asher's voice was low, tinged with mockery. "Then beg properly."
Only then did Noah realize
Asher thought he'd come to plead.
Thought he'd given in.
That's why he was acting this way...
"I didn't!" Noah shoved him hard. "I didn't come to beg you!"
But Asher didn't believe him. His hand slid down from Noah's shoulder, gripping his waist, tightening.
"Still being stubborn?"
Then he lowered his head, trying to kiss Noah.
Noah jerked his head aside. Asher's lips landed by his ear.
Noah struggled, but Asher's other hand gripped the back of his neck, forcing him to turn back.
Their eyes met.
Asher's gaze was deep, carrying suppressed desire.
He lowered his head again...
Smack!
A crisp slap echoed through the office.
Asher's head tilted slightly to the side.
Noah hadn't used much force, but the slap still landed solidly on Asher's face.
Asher froze, tongue pressing against his cheek, then slowly turned back to look at Noah.
A faint red mark appeared on his face.
But his expression showed no change only his gaze grew more dangerous.
Noah gasped for breath. "What's wrong with you?!" His voice shook. "This is rape!"
The office fell silent for several seconds.
Asher laughed, the sound cold. "Rape?"
He paused. "Noah, didn't you come to beg me?"
"Who said I came to beg you?!" Noah stared at him, eyes reddening.
Asher studied him for several seconds, then released his grip but didn't back away.
"Then what are you doing here?"
"I..." Noah clenched his jaw. "Why can't I come here? Does your family own this place?"
Asher: "Actually, yes."
Noah froze.
Asher continued. "This entire building is mine."
Noah stared at him, momentarily speechless.
How could that be...
This building belonged to Asher?
Noah felt a massive sense of irony.
Even the place where he'd first started dancing was connected to Asher.
"What, nothing to say?" Asher looked at him. "Scared now?"
Noah lowered his eyes, avoiding his gaze. "I'm not afraid of you."
"Really?" Asher stared at him. "Then that stuff online... seems it's not enough yet."
Noah's head snapped up, glaring at him.
Asher's gaze dropped to his lips. "How long can you hold out, Noah?"
His hand rose again, cupping Noah's cheek, thumb tracing his lips.
"I..." Noah's voice went hoarse. "I won't..."
"Won't what?" Asher's hand slid down his cheek to rest on his neck.
Noah felt the warmth of that hand, unable to form complete words.
Asher watched his reaction, gaze darkening further.
He leaned close to Noah, lips nearly touching his ear, voice low. "Think it over carefully. Don't make me wait too long."
Noah felt Asher's breath against his ear, body involuntarily shuddering.
Asher noticed. His fingers lightly stroked Noah's waist, staring at his lips, Adam's apple bobbing.
He wanted to kiss him.
Wanted to kiss him fiercely.
Wanted to devour this person completely.
But that slap had sobered him slightly.
If this continued...
He really would lose control.
Asher took a deep breath, forcing himself to release Noah and stand up.
He walked to the desk, turning his back to Noah, hands braced on the surface.
"Get out." His voice was strained.
Noah hesitated.
Asher didn't turn around. "Get out."
Noah stood, staring at his back.
Then turned and walked to the door, pushing through and leaving.
---
Only Asher remained in the office.
He turned, staring at the sofa where Noah had been sitting.
Those actions just now...
That desire to possess...
This wasn't right.
He'd never had this kind of reaction before.
Never felt this... out of control with anyone.
He didn't understand.
Didn't understand why all his rationality crumbled in Noah's presence.
Didn't understand why seeing him made him want to touch him, trap him close.
Asher stared at his palm the hand that had gripped Noah's waist.
That sensation still lingered.
He clenched his fist.
The only thing clear was
He wanted Noah.
His body's reaction couldn't lie.
Everything else...
He didn't understand, and didn't want to.
Asher pulled out his phone and called his assistant.
"Continue. Increase the pressure."
His voice was cold.
The voice on the other end acknowledged.
Asher hung up and stared out the window.
---
Noah left the office. The corridor was empty.
He leaned against the wall, breathing deeply.
His legs felt weak.
Noah closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.
But his mind was filled with scenes from moments ago.
Asher's hands.
Asher's gaze.
Noah opened his eyes and hurried toward the elevator.
He exited the building.
Outside, complete darkness had fallen.
Streetlights flickered on one by one, illuminating the empty streets.
He hailed a taxi home.
Noah leaned back in the rear seat, turning his face toward the window.
The lights outside flashed past like shooting stars brief and illusory.
He remembered when he was young, his mother said that when you see a shooting star, make a wish.
But now, even if there were a thousand shooting stars, he wouldn't know what to wish for.
For all this to end?
For Asher to leave him alone?
Or...
That he'd never met Asher at all?
Noah closed his eyes.
He didn't know how much longer he could hold out.
The smear campaign, the insults, the pressure...
Like hands pushing him toward the abyss.
And Asher stood at the edge, coldly watching him fall.
---
By the time he got home, it was very late.
Noah opened the door and shut himself in his room.
He lay on the bed, mind in complete chaos.
Everything that happened these past days felt like a nightmare.
But this nightmare wasn't over yet.
Over the next few days, things got worse.
The online backlash snowballed, growing larger and larger.
Day one: someone leaked that Noah had bullied teammates during his trainee days.
[Noah was particularly abusive when he was a trainee, looked down on others because he was good at dancing]
Below were screenshots of supposed "chat records" all fake.
But people online didn't care about truth.
The comment section was full of insults.
[This kind of person still wants to stay in the industry?]
[Bullying teammates? Disgusting]
[No wonder the group disbanded, probably all his doing]
[Such terrible character, deserves to fail]
Noah wasn't a major celebrity, but he had fans.
Not many, but sincere ones.
Seeing this smear campaign, they immediately defended Noah.
[All of this is fake! Noah isn't that kind of person!]
[We've followed Noah for so long, we know his character best!]
[Spreading rumors is shameful! Show real proof!]
But those voices were too weak.
Quickly drowned out by the overwhelming tide of abuse.
Noah saw those comments defending him.
At least...
At least some people still believed in him.
Day two: someone claimed Noah had a chaotic private life.
[Heard Noah frequently visits nightclubs and flirts with different people]
Below were blurry photos faces barely visible yet people claimed it was Noah.
The comment section erupted again.
[Such a messy private life?]
[Pure on the surface, so dirty underneath]
[This kind of person deserves to be an idol?]
[Get out of the entertainment industry]
The fans stood up again.
[These photos don't even show faces clearly! How can you say it's Noah?]
[Provide evidence before spreading rumors!]
[We believe in Noah!]
Fans argued with haters in the comments, but they were too few couldn't match the numbers.
Noah watched his fans defending him, feeling both touched and guilty.
Then came the notification from Desire Kiss.
The director's assistant called his manager, saying the bottom role needed reconsideration.
Noah's role was canceled.
When his manager relayed the news, his voice was heavy. "Noah... the role's gone."
Noah gripped his phone, saying nothing.
His manager continued. "The company's also pressuring me. Director Hayes says if you don't resolve this, he'll blacklist you."
Noah closed his eyes. "I understand."
"Noah, how exactly did you offend Asher?" His manager sighed. "Go apologize. Don't let this get worse. Your situation right now... it's really dangerous."
Noah didn't answer. He hung up.
---
Several days passed. Noah locked himself at home.
He sat on the floor, looking at the smear campaign on his phone.
One piece after another.
Like waves, threatening to drown him.
He felt like he couldn't breathe.
Should he just give up like this?
Just let himself be killed by the person who was once his light?
Noah picked up his phone, opened his contacts, and scrolled to his mother's name.
His finger hovered over the screen but couldn't press down.
He remembered what his parents said when he chose this path.
"Noah, since you've chosen this road, don't come crying back."
He didn't have the courage to call.
He tossed the phone aside and curled up on the floor, arms wrapped around his knees.
How did it come to this?
He just wanted to dance, to act.
Why was it so hard?
Why did he have to meet Asher?
Noah curled up, arms wrapped around himself.
Then finally, tears fell.
One drop, two drops.
Like a bursting dam, unstoppable.
Noah buried his face in his arms, shoulders trembling lightly.
Like a drowning person desperately trying to grab onto something, yet grasping nothing.
He could only watch helplessly as he sank.
Little by little, into endless darkness.
Outside the window, night deepened. The city's lights flickered in the distance.
But none of that light could reach Noah's world.