Love in a Forbidden World

Hotel Alma – Hallway

The woman's body twisted violently. Her eyes darkened. Her voice was no longer human.

> "Let me use your body to get out of here!"

> "Ma'am! What happened?!" Cathan shouted, trembling, pinned beneath her.

Her laughter echoed, sharp and cruel

Suddenly—

Silence.

Even her breathing stopped.

Then—

Click. Click. Click.

The unmistakable sound of heels tapping on marble echoed down the hall. Measured, unhurried. Terrifying.

The woman's body trembled. Slowly, like a child caught doing something terrible, she climbed off Cathan and shrank into a corner.

Cathan, confused and frightened, sat up—his eyes widening.

A woman with flowing black hair, a figure of elegance and power, and crimson heels that echoed like thunder, strode toward them.

She was beyond stunning. Beyond human.

Scarlett.

> "Who gave you permission to cause a ruckus in my hotel?" she asked, voice cold as ice.

The ghost whimpered. "I-I'm sorry… Please spare me…"

Scarlett scoffed, a dangerous smirk curving her red lips.

> "Spare you?" Her eyes glittered. "Do I look like someone who spares anyone?"

> "No! Please!"

With a single snap of her fingers—

The woman vanished.

No scream. No light. Just gone.

Cathan blinked in horror. "W-Where did she go? And… who… are you?"

Scarlett turned to him, expression unreadable.

> "How dare a mere human come here without permission and disturb my peace?"

> "I'm sorry! I—I came for an interview…"

She paused.

> "Oh? So you're the great man my secretary raved about."

She stepped closer, eyes never leaving his.

> "This is my world. I am the King here."

Cathan swallowed hard. "Y-Yes. I'll follow you…"

Scarlett's Chamber – Moments Later

The room oozed opulence. Red velvet, ancient gold, the scent of wine and something darker.

Cathan stood awkwardly at the door while Scarlett gracefully dropped onto her throne-like chair, legs crossed, chin tilted.

> "Let me introduce myself—" he began.

> "No need." She raised her hand. "I know everything. Don't waste your breath."

> "H-How?"

> "You are Cathan. A man with no degree, no connections. But you care about your brother more than your own life."

He blinked, stunned.

> "Nice to meet you, Miss…?"

> "Scarlett."

He nodded, awkwardly smiling.

> "Your job begins at 8 p.m., nightly," she said, swirling her wine.

> "Why only at night? Is this a night hotel?"

She stilled.

> "Did you just… call my world a night hotel?" Her eyes narrowed.

> "No! No, I meant—just curious!"

She sighed, annoyed.

> "You still don't get it."

He frowned. "Get what?"

Scarlett stood slowly, walking toward him.

> "That woman earlier? She wasn't a guest. She was a ghost."

> "Wh-What?!"

> "This hotel, after 8 p.m., becomes a sanctuary for souls—those waiting for their afterlife to begin. They rest here until their assigned day."

She circled him.

> "The woman died in an accident. But because you interfered, she turned aggressive. No spirit can leave unless it possesses a human body. That's why she targeted you."

Cathan stood frozen.

His lips trembled.

> "S-So I was with… a ghost…?"

Scarlett grinned. "Bingo."

He looked down at his feet, pale and shaking.

> "Now," she said, sitting again, "go to the reception. Fill out the contract. Bring it to me for approval."

> "Yes, ma'am…" he mumbled, bowing. He turned and shuffled out, his mind spinning.

Scarlett's eyes followed him.

> Strange…

Why can't I see this man's lifespan? No threads, no countdown… Just void. How… interesting…

Hotel Lobby – First Floor

Cathan stepped out of the elevator.

The reception was empty.

His eyes darted around. His heart raced.

Then—

> Run.

He sprinted.

Out of the hotel. Past the gate. Into the night.

Scarlett's Chamber – 15 Minutes Later

The wine glass was still full.

Scarlett's fingers tapped the armrest.

> "He's taking too long…"

Her patience wore thin.

> "If it wasn't for my secretary… I would never pick a weak, clueless human."

A staff burst in.

> "Miss!"

> "WHAT?!" she roared.

> "He ran. The human ran!"

Back Streets – Under a Streetlamp

Cathan leaned against a pole, gasping for breath.

Blood had dried on his shirt from earlier.

> "What… the hell was that place…?" he whispered.

He stumbled forward—but froze.

There she stood.

Under the dim yellow light.

Scarlett. In a crimson silk robe. Hair flowing like ink. Her expression, unreadable.

> "Am… Am I hallucinating?"

She raised her hand.

SNAP.

A dagger of light appeared.

In a blink—she was in front of him.

> SLASH!

The blade stabbed into his shoulder.

He collapsed to his knees, groaning in pain.

Blood pooled beneath him.

Scarlett leaned down, her eyes glowing crimson.

> "That's right. Kneel. That's your place."

> "Y-You stabbed me…" he gasped, clutching his shoulder.

> "You betrayed me," she said coolly. "You should've thought about the consequences."

> "I-I won't… work… for you…"

She smiled wickedly.

> "No human who knows the secret of my world is allowed to live."

She leaned in close, her breath brushing his ear.

> "Get ready to be my customer, Cathan."

He looked up at her with pain and defiance in his eyes, blood dripping down his neck.

And for a second—

Scarlett saw something she didn't expect.

A spark.

To Be Continued....