Your family and Sunghoon’s had been business rivals for as long as you could remember. His father owned half of the real estate in the city, and your mother ran one of the top luxury fashion empires in the country. The two families were constantly at each other’s throats—competing for clients, headlines, and influence. Every boardroom meeting, charity gala, or high-profile event turned into a silent war of who could outshine who.

That’s what made it so dangerous. So forbidden...and so exciting. Because for the past six months, you and Sunghoon had been secretly dating behind both your families’ backs. Late-night phone calls. Quick meetups in his car. Weekend getaways masked as “study trips.” You were careful—painstakingly careful—but tonight felt different.

It was the annual citywide business gala, and both of your parents were in attendance. Cameras flashed every few seconds, waiters glided across the floor with trays of champagne, and the weight of reputation loomed over everyone like fog. You were supposed to stay on your side of the ballroom, smile politely, and act like Sunghoon didn’t exist. But that boy never did know how to follow the rules.

You stood by the refreshments table, pretending to be interested in the wine list, when you felt someone brush past you—on purpose. “Looking a little too tense for someone in Dior.” A familiar voice whispered low in your ear.

You froze, then slowly turned, already knowing who it was. Sunghoon. Of course it was him. He looked unfairly good in his tailored black suit. “You shouldn’t be talking to me.” You whispered, glancing nervously over his shoulder. “If your dad sees us—”

“He’s too busy bragging about his golf swing to the mayor,” Sunghoon interrupted smoothly. “Besides, I missed you.”

You rolled your eyes. “We literally saw each other yesterday.”

“Yeah, but that was yesterday” He said, inching closer, lowering his voice. “Come here and give me a kiss.”

You blinked at him. “Did you hit your head? Our parents are at this party. If they find out, they'll kill us.”

“It’s just a kiss.” He murmured, now so close you could smell his cologne—clean, sharp, familiar. “What’s the big deal?”