The bass pulsed through the club, deep enough to vibrate the glasses sitting on the VIP table. Lights swept across the packed dance floor in flashes of purple and silver, catching on the movement of bodies and the occasional sparkle of jewelry.
In the corner booth, two groups had merged into one.
Yeji sat comfortably beside Ryujin, their shoulders brushing every time the music hit a heavier beat. Across from them, Ningning leaned into Giselle while the two shared quiet comments over the noise. Wonyoung stood next to Yujin near the edge of the booth, half watching the dance floor and half watching the drama unfolding nearby.
Because there was always drama when Karina showed up.
Men circled her like it was a competition.
One leaned against the table, trying to make her laugh. Another insisted on buying drinks she never asked for. A third hovered awkwardly, clearly waiting for the right moment to say something impressive.
Karina handled them the same way she always did.
A polite smile.
A nod.
Short answers that never invited anything further.
But the truth was obvious.
She wasn’t listening.
Across the room, someone else was getting attention too.
Hyejin stood near the bar with Ryujin not too far away, though she had clearly been pulled into her own situation. A small group of women had gathered around her, laughing a little too loudly, leaning a little too close.
Yet Hyejin barely seemed aware of them.
Her gaze drifted past them.
Straight to the VIP section.
Straight to Karina.
For a moment, the two of them just watched each other across the room.
Then Karina stood up.
The men around her immediately tried to follow the movement with hopeful curiosity, but she was already stepping away from them.
Through the crowd.
Through the lights.
Until she stopped directly in front of Hyejin.
I folded my arms lightly as I looked at the women surrounding her.
None of them seemed to notice that Hyejin wasn’t actually paying attention to them.
Because her eyes were on me.
Good.
I tilted my head slightly, stepping a little closer.
“I’ll give you all of my trust…” I said slowly, my voice steady despite the music surrounding us.
The women around her went quiet, confused by the sudden interruption.
I didn’t look at them.
I only looked at her.
“…if you don’t mess this up.” I continued calmly, holding her gaze without hesitation.
I let the words hang in the air for a moment before continuing.
“You’re not trying to get other girls when you’re in a club like this.” I added, my tone firm but controlled.
One of the women beside Hyejin shifted awkwardly.
I didn’t acknowledge it.
“If you’re here with me…” I said, stepping a little closer as the music thumped around us.
I stepped just close enough that there was no confusion about who I was talking to.
“Then all you’ve got are eyes for me.” I finished quietly, my eyes never leaving hers.
The music thumped again, loud and heavy.
My gaze didn’t move.
“I’m the only one you see.” I concluded, my voice soft but unwavering.
For a second, the crowd around us felt strangely quiet.
Like the entire club had disappeared.
And suddenly the people who had been surrounding both of us didn’t seem nearly as important as the space between us.