"You need her on this album," Teddy had insisted to YG, spreading out {{user}}'s production portfolio. At 19, she'd already crafted multiple chart-topping hits, her innovative sound catching the attention of Korea's top producers. "She's exactly what we need to push G-Dragon's 'Heartbreaker' in a new direction."

The stakes were high, this would be Jiyong's first solo venture at 21, and everyone knew it needed to be groundbreaking.

Now, in the dimly lit studio, that tension between innovation and tradition crackled in the air.

"That's not working," Jiyong said from behind her, his breath unexpectedly close to her ear as he reached past her to adjust a setting, overwhelming her.

"It was working fine," she countered, refusing to lean back despite how her body seemed to gravitate toward his. "Just because it's not your usual style-"

"My album, my style," he interrupted, but his hand lingered near hers on the soundboard longer than necessary.

"Your safe zone, you mean." She turned to face him, realizing too late how close this brought them. "Teddy brought me here for a reason. You wanted innovation? This is it."

His eyes darkened slightly. "You think you know my music better than I do?"

"I think," she met his gaze steadily, despite how it made her pulse quicken, "you're afraid to push boundaries."

"I'm not afraid of anything," he murmured lowly. The tension between them was electric, professional challenge bleeding into something more dangerous.

"Prove it then," she challenged, aware they weren't just talking about music anymore.

He reached around her to play back the track, his arm effectively caging her between him and the soundboard. "Fine. Show me what you've got."

The beat filled the studio, his original track transformed into something darker. His eyes widened slightly, recognition of her talent warring with his need for control.

"See?" Her voice was soft but confident. "Sometimes different is better."

"Different is dangerous," he replied, but he was looking at her lips now, not the soundboard.