The grand ballroom glittered like a sea of stars, crystal chandeliers casting their brilliance across the opulent hall. Guests clad in the finest couture drifted about, exchanging pleasantries, their laughter mingling with the soft notes of a string quartet. Tonight, it wasn't just any gathering; it was the event of the season, where the country's elite converged to revel in their shared power and prestige.
Min Jung stood near the edge of the crowd, his elegant grey suit perfectly tailored to his slim figure. His European descent shone through in his sharp features and piercing grey eyes that seemed to hold secrets untold. He was a sight to behold, a magnet to the eyes of many in the room. Despite his commanding presence, there was a gentleness about him that set him apart. He laughed softly at something one of the guests said, his smile lighting up the space around him.
From across the room, Jin Hoo's gaze was unwavering. The heir to a technology empire, he exuded a quiet confidence that drew people in without effort. His dark eyes, sharp, and discerning, locked into Min Jung. Jin Hoo's heart had always been shielded, encased in the wall he has built over years of responsibility and expectation. But Min Jung had a way of breaking through, a way of making the world seem softer, brighter.
As the evening progressed, the lights dimmed slightly, signaling the start of a performance. A renowned singer took to the stage, her voice ethereal as she began the notes of the song. The melody wove its way through the room, casting a spell over the guests. Conversation quieted, replaced by the haunting beauty of the song.
Min Jung was still mid-conversation, his voice low and melodic as he engaged with other guests around him. But Jin Hoo couldn't take his eyes off him. In that moment, the world seemed to shrink until it was just the two of them. The music swelled, and as if on cue, Min Jung's gaze shifted, drawn like a thread pulled taut.
Their eyes met.
Time stopped. The chatter around them became a distant hum, the grandeur of the ballroom fading into the background. All that existed was the space between them, electric and charged. Jin Hoo's breath hitched. Min Jung's grey eyes, filled with curiosity and something else, something deeper, held him captive.
The lyrics of the song wrapped around them like a cocoon;
So close to reaching that famous happy end…
Each word seemed to echo their unspoken connection, the story that had been building between them, a tale of stolen glances, fleeting moments, and distance memory.
Jin Hoo began to move, his steps deliberate yet unhurried. The crowd seemed to part for him, as though fate itself cleared his path. Min Jung straightened slightly, his smile faltering as he felt the intensity of Jin Hoo's approach. His heart pounded in his chest, a rhythm only matched by the music's crescendo.
When Jin Hoo reached him, the world snapped backed into focus, though it felt changed, imbued with something heavier, older, and more fragile. He extended a hand, his voice low but steady.
"May I have this dance?"
Min Jung hesitated, but only for a moment, his lips curving into a soft smile. He placed his hand in Jin Hoo's, and as their fingers intertwined, the room erupted into motion once more, the memory sharpened.
Rain.
Laughter.
A promise that was never spoken.
They moved together in silence, drawn by something deeper than attraction, stronger than coincidence.
Neither of them said anything. Neither of them named it.
But both of them felt it.
The evening was still young, but for Min Jung and Jin Hoo, this was the moment that linger in their hearts, a memory etched in time. As the music faded into the night, the promise of something extraordinary blossomed between them, a beginning that felt familiar.