LIE!

The lights in the room were dim, with only the moonlight filtering through the wide windows of the living room, casting a glow over the space. Seo Joon lay on his back, still feeling the aftermath of everything that had happened. His body was exhausted, but his mind wouldn't stop racing. This moment was completely out of control, beyond anything he had planned.

Lena sat on the edge of the bed, looking at him in silence heavier than words could describe. His heart was still pounding, and in his head, a battle raged between guilt and something deeper—something that wouldn't let him just move on without asking himself: What now?

"You know, I didn't think this would be like this…" Lena finally spoke softly, staring at her hands clasped on her lap. "I imagined it so differently."

Seo Joon looked at her and let out a deep sigh. "I don't even know what to think, Lena. This wasn't supposed to happen. I mean… you're too young for me. And all of this is happening too fast. We can't ignore that."

Lena turned her head toward him and smiled faintly. "I know you're torn, Seo Joon. But it's not just physical. You know that. No one could be immune to all this. And you feel the same way."

"I don't know," he replied, pulling his hands behind his head, feeling the weight of having no answers. "I don't even know what I feel anymore. But this wasn't the plan. Yeah, maybe I feel… good, alive… but that doesn't mean it's right."

Lena turned to him, her expression serious. "It doesn't matter what was planned, Seo Joon. Sometimes you have to stop thinking about the rules. And listen to your body… and your heart."

For a few moments, they sat in silence. Seo Joon could feel her gaze on him, but he didn't know what to say. He felt that she and he were now connected, more than ever before, but at the same time, he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.

"You should take a shower," Lena suddenly changed the tone. "I mean, you really don't look like you felt great after all this."

He got up and headed toward the bathroom, but Lena, without a word, stood up and followed him.

He didn't expect her to follow, but it seemed her curiosity was even stronger. She didn't mind.

Under the warm stream of water, he felt the tension between them ease. He felt every touch, every movement Lena made, and she watched him with a smile on her face. No matter what, he had the feeling that she was already certain of something, as if she had always known this would be their moment.

"You know, I like this," she said, looking at him. "The last time I felt this relaxed, I had no idea what to do with myself."

Seo Joon glanced at her, smiling. "I'm not sure if I should be with you right now. With you… everything is different."

She laughed. "Well, you've always been so serious, Seo Joon. Maybe it's time to loosen your control a little."

After finishing his shower, he stepped out of the bathroom, feeling her presence lingering. As he walked into the room, she was already waiting, sitting on the bed as if everything was completely normal.

"You're not going anywhere, are you?" she asked, looking at him with that smile he couldn't ignore. "The night is still young."

"I don't know… I think I really should pull back. Maybe I should leave before…"

"No, Seo Joon," she interrupted him firmly. "Don't go yet. We can't end this like this. Let the night be about something…"

She didn't wait for him to finish his sentence. Quietly, she stood up, approached him, and took his hand. "Look, you really don't want to leave, do you? You feel this, just like I do…?"

At that moment, Seo Joon felt himself relax. He felt an unfamiliar lightness, as if all his problems had disappeared for a moment. No more fear, no more pressure. It was just the two of them.

"I never thought I'd end up like this," he whispered, lifting her and placing her back onto the bed.

Lena smiled, pulling him closer. "Don't worry. Sometimes, you just have to let go…"

Seo Joon lay beside her, relaxing, feeling alive in a way he couldn't describe. It was as if she was the only thing that existed, and nothing else mattered.

"The night is just the beginning," Lena said with a smile, resting her head on his chest, feeling their hearts beating together.

And so, the night passed, slowly, with fewer words and more feelings. No matter what lay ahead, in that moment, they weren't thinking about it. Because right now, it was just them, together.

The following days passed in a magic that enveloped everything around them. Seo Joon couldn't believe he had decided to stay another three days. The ski resort was perfect, but nothing was more important than her. Every moment with her—whether in the snow, on the slopes, or in his villa—felt like a dream he was completely lost in.

"Don't think people don't notice you," Lena said with a grin as they skied down the slope together. "I mean, people are looking everywhere."

Seo Joon glanced around. Yes, it was the sweetest moment, but also a bit… unusual. He couldn't remember the last time he had been so publicly seen with someone, and he never liked being the center of attention. But Lena made it feel so natural, and he felt… alive, like never before.

"I mean, really? Who would notice us?" he said, pulling her toward him, hugging her.

She just laughed, giving him that teasing smile. "Oh, sure. First, you try to stay alone, and now you're hanging out with a girl on the slopes."

"I wasn't alive before. Now I am," he answered, feeling calmer than ever.

And they didn't stop. It was as if they both just kept floating through time. They took a short skiing break to enjoy the snow together—jumping into piles of snow, laughing, hugging, and then disappearing into the crowd again.

Evening came, and they were already in his villa, nestled in a quiet corner of the ski resort. As they relaxed, Lena took his hand, pulled him closer, and whispered, "You know, I like when everyone around us is happy… but I somehow love it when it's just the two of us. Just you and me."

Seo Joon looked at her, wordless. He had always been serious and responsible, so this freedom she brought felt unusual, but deep inside, he felt something more. He loved her innocence and passion for life.

"Just the two of us," he replied, and then kissed her. This time, there was no hesitation. It was the perfect mix of recklessness and love.

The next day on the slopes, Lena jumped into his arms again while they skied. "You know," she said with a playful grin, "I almost feel like your girlfriend."

Seo Joon lifted her into his arms as they laughed. "Well, maybe you should be. This feels like a scene from a movie, you know?"

Lena laughed and turned to him. "Then let's make sure everyone believes it's a romantic comedy. And we'll be laughing all day."

As they skied again, the whole world disappeared. No obligations, no rules. Just her, him, and every moment they shared together.

But as with everything too beautiful to be true…

That morning, everything started as usual. They woke up together, tangled in the white sheets of the luxury villa, she was smiling at him while lying on his chest. It was a sight he was beginning to get too used to.

"I won't be hitting the slopes today," she said as her fingers gently ran through his hair. "I'm not feeling great, I'll stay here to rest for a bit."

Seo Joon kissed her on the forehead, thinking that he didn't want to leave her alone, but he nodded his head anyway.

"Alright, I don't want you to push yourself. I'll go skiing for a bit, but I'll be back quickly so you're not lonely."

She smiled at him, grabbed his hand, and kissed him again.

"I'll be waiting," she whispered.

And with those words, he left.

About half an hour later, as he was descending the slope, he realized he had forgotten his glasses at the villa. It was a small thing, but it mattered to him. He decided to quickly return to get them.

He didn't expect this moment to turn his world upside down.

He came back quietly, not wanting to wake her if she had fallen asleep. But as soon as he entered the villa, he immediately noticed something unusual—the door to her room was ajar, and he could hear a muffled voice from inside.

Her name was the first thing he registered, then the tone of her voice—relaxed, almost nonchalant.

He hadn't planned to eavesdrop. But then, he heard the words that froze him in place.

"Yes, everything's going according to plan," Lena was saying to someone on the phone. "I've seduced him, he didn't even notice."

Seo Joon felt his blood run cold.

"Yes, of course, I'll keep him for a little longer… He's rich, he has no idea what's hit him. Just give me a little more time."

It was like hearing his own sentence.

"Yes, I know how much time I need. Just a few more days, just to make sure he's completely enchanted. After that…"

His eyes were wide open, and his jaw was clenched.

So, all this time… Everything they had… Every smile, every kiss… It was all a lie.

His stomach tightened with anger and pain.

He didn't know how long he had been standing there. A minute? Two? An eternity?

Each of her words was like a knife cutting through his insides. He felt nauseous. Not because he had been deceived, but because he had allowed himself to believe.

Without a word, he turned and left the villa, leaving her inside, unaware that he had just discovered her truth.

That evening, as the sun set behind the Swiss Alps, Seo Joon was returning to the villa. But this time, he wasn't going back to her. He wasn't returning with a smile on his face or with the desire to kiss her.

He came back to end the story.

When he entered, she greeted him with a mild look of dissatisfaction.

"Where have you been all day? You said you'd be back quickly."

He just looked at her. Coldly. Without any emotion.

"What's wrong?" she asked, noticing the change in his gaze.

Instead of answering, he passed by her and headed toward his room. He opened the closet and began pulling things out, putting them in a suitcase with precise, mechanical movements.

"Seo Joon? What are you doing?"

His hands didn't stop. But when he spoke, his voice was quiet, sharp like a knife.

"I'm leaving."

"What? Where are you going?"

Then he stopped. He looked her straight in the eyes, and in that moment, she felt her heart race.

"I know, Lena."

Her eyes widened.

"I know everything."

She tried to speak, but didn't know what to say.

"I heard you today," he continued, his jaw clenched. "Every word. Every fucking word, Lena."

"Seo Joon…"

"Quiet."

His voice was so cold that it sent a shiver down her spine.

"It was all a lie, wasn't it?" he went on. "From the very first day. From the moment you approached me on the slope. From that funny meeting in the café. From every kiss, every touch… Everything. You were perfect, right? You seduced me. Made me feel special. And all of it was just for the money."

She gaped, but had no words.

"How could you?"

At that moment, tears started falling down her cheeks.

"Seo Joon, it's not like that…"

"Don't lie to me anymore!" he exploded, his voice echoing through the villa. "I heard you! With my own ears, Lena! Everything! And now I'm going to do the only thing I can – leave."

He grabbed the suitcase and headed for the door.

She ran after him, grabbing his hand.

"Please, don't leave like this… Let me explain…"

He jerked his hand away from her grip and looked at her one last time.

"There's nothing left to explain."

And then he disappeared through the door, leaving her alone, broken, with the truth she had woven for herself.

Lena fell to her knees.

And for the first time in her life, she realized she had lost something she had never even known she had.