The day after

I wake up slowly the next morning, enveloped by the warmth of the unfamiliar bed. Beside me, Koen sleeps peacefully, his face calm and serene in the soft glow of the early morning. I stand up carefully, taking the time to observe his face, his features soothed by sleep. A fleeting smile appears on my lips before I look away.

I then notice that my clothes are still intact, a detail that slightly eases the tension in my heart.

-Thank you for being such a gentleman, I whispered.

Carefully, I slide out of bed, gathering my things carefully. Before leaving, I approach the nightstand and leave a little note there, my words written in a hesitant but sincere handwriting.

-We'll see each other again, I whispered in a low voice, my eyes resting on Koen one last time, as if this silent promise could cross the barriers of sleep.

Then, without a sound, I leave the room, closing the door carefully behind me. I turn it on to look at the time and I widen in disbelief and a bit of amusement at what I see.

The online magazine headlines were all about me. "Starlet caught in the act with mysterious stranger on the street", "Could kpop star Hyun cheat on her fiancé Donovan?" My heart was racing as I read the cruel comments and wild speculations.

I bit my lip, hesitant to go home. It wouldn't be long before my parents found out about this, and I already knew they would be furious. But where could I go? I had no other place to take refuge. I huffed, letting out a frustrated sigh, and dialed my manager's number.

-Hello?, he replied after a few rings

-It's me, I told him

-Oh my God, I saw the news, my manager laughed, I'm proud of you!

-Nothing has happened between us yet, I told him, laughing.

Except maybe this kiss, I thought, blushing slightly.

-If you say so…, my manager replied in a teasing voice, I hope you protected yourself

I'm blushing.

-We just slept in the same bed, that's all, I answered quickly.

-Ooh I see, he said to me, and when do you get down to business?

-It's only the third time I've seen him, I said amusedly, let's go little by little

-WHAT ONLY THE THIRD TIME?!, he exclaimed in shock

-Uh…yes, I replied in a small voice

I hear him inhale and exhale loudly.

-Are you okay? I asked him worriedly

-No, it's not okay, he told me in the softest voice he could muster, Huyn never does that again

-Of what?, I asked him perplexed

-To go out with strangers!, he exclaimed

-If it wasn't him I would never have left, I tried to defend myself, laughing

-A beautiful face doesn't mean it's nice, my manager told me in a serious tone.

-He's different, I tried to explain to him

-Of course he's different, he's a CEO!, exclaimed my manager

-A CEO?, I repeated in surprise

-Yes, he's even in the Forbes rankings, added my manager in an admiring tone before adding in a worried tone, but that's not why you have to fall into his arms in a snap of your fingers.

-No, I won't let him have me that easily, I replied, biting my upper lip.

-I hope so, my manager told me, but in any case he is better than Donovan, this good for nothing

-That's for sure!, I replied.

-I guess you don't want to go home, my manager suddenly said to me

-My parents must have seen it and knowing them, they will lock me up as soon as I set foot in the house, I sighed

-I'll send someone to get you, he reassured me, just send the address

-Okay, I answered him

I gave him the address of my temporary shelter, feeling relieved that he was taking charge of the situation. Maybe I could escape this media storm with his help.

-The driver will be there in less than an hour, he said with confidence

I hung up, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. Although the situation was far from ideal, at least I would no longer be associated with Donovan.

The sun gently caresses my skin as I cross the threshold of this unknown house.

And now the first one to fall in love is lost...