Where am I? Oh, shit!
Clutching your temples while squinting your eyes against the bright, aching light, you stagger to wake up—disoriented and in agony.
Oh my god! What happened to me?!
You instinctively embrace yourself from the cold biting your skin, seeping through your clothes. You shiver violently as you try to sit up, your limbs sore and bruised, and a sharp pain shoots through your head.
Ouch!
As your vision clears, you realize you're lying on a shore—the vast, empty sea glimmering under the warm glow of the sun, peeking over the horizon.
The stillness of the sea is a stark contrast to the chaos in your head, throbbing, flashing with memories, foggy and fragmented.
There was… something, a flash of figures. A crisp laugh. Your heart races as you try to piece together the moments leading up to this, but everything is just out of reach.
The invitation letter. The welcome party!
Nine hours ago...
Azure Private Nook, Rose Quartz and Serenity Academy
The exclusive party—one hosted at a private beach resort, where the waves kiss the shore under the silver moon, is filled with laughter and unspoken opulence.
The scent of sea salt mingles with the lingering traces of expensive perfume and exquisite alcohol. You stride in shyly, your silk dress catching not only the breeze but also everyone's attention.
As you meander through the crowd, whispers follow like a carefully orchestrated symphony of doubt and intrigue.
"Ah, our most-awaited guest finally arrives," Jeonghan drawls, lounging beside Seungcheol on the leather couch. His eyes sweep over you. "You look... stunning. I almost didn't recognize you."
You shrug off the compliment, aiming for modesty. "Credit goes to Nikki. She's got a gift for miracles."
Woozi gives you a once-over, expression unreadable. "Could've been worse," he says flatly.
Vernon chuckles. "Could've been better."
Nikki breezes in, unbothered. "Behave, boys. We don't want our guest fleeing before dessert."
Jeonghan offers Jun a warm nod, then barely glances at Nikki— pointed, but her diplomatic smile doesn't crack. She's used to this game and you admire her for that.
Then Jeonghan pats the empty seat beside him, eyes gleaming. "Come. Sit. I don't bite..." He pauses, smirking. "Well—unless you beg for it."
You glance at Nikki. She catches your eye and leans in, voice soft. "You don't have to sit there if you don't want to. We've got a table by the sea—better view, better company."
Sensing your hesitation, Jeonghan chuckles. "Not interested in sitting with the enemy?" he teases, his voice dropping lower, just for you. "Or are you afraid you might like us?"
Your jaw tightens, but you meet his gaze head-on. Then, without breaking eye contact, you slide into the empty seat between him and Seungcheol, ignoring your galloping heartbeat.
"Who could resist?" you say, your tone sweetly laced with sarcasm. "A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dine with the untouchables? Truly, I'm humbled."
The brothers exchange a look. DK lets out a low scoff. Vernon raises a brow, mildly impressed.
Seungkwan mutters, "Someone's feeling brave today."
"Bold," Jeonghan muses, swirling his glass of wine. "I like that."
"How pretentious!" Dino barely conceals his disdain.
Seungcheol shifts closer, a slow, deliberate move—like he's testing your limit, wedged between him and Jeonghan.
Amidst the thickening tension, a familiar suave voice speaks from the main entrance. "Geez! Why is it so fucking cold here?"
All heads snap toward the newcomers. Joshua saunters with a playful smile while Minghao walks in behind him, his sharp eyes taking in the scene with a quick sweep.
"Did we miss something?" Minghao's voice is soft, but there's a hard edge to it as he glances at Jeonghan and Seungcheol.
"Oh, nothing at all," Jeonghan responds, his lips curling into an amused smirk. "We were just… getting to know our newest... 'guest'."
Joshua turns to you, offering a hand with an unspoken defiance against the others. "You don't mind if I borrow her for a moment, do you?"
Instinctively, you look at the two men sitting on either side of you. While Seungcheol exudes a commanding presence—primal and untamed—Jeonghan emanates an invisible force, like a quiet abyss poised to devour you without warning.
"Uhm...," you hesitate.
Before you can react, Joshua's hand interlace with yours and pulls you up. Minghao's gaze lingers on you, something unreadable flashing in his eyes before he turns to the others.
"You don't have to like her," he says coolly. "But you don't have to be an ass either."
Dino scoffs, rolling his eyes, but says nothing.
Then, the front door swings open... again.
What's with the grand entrance? Tsk!
In walks a chic lady—heels clicking against the floor, sunglasses still on, dragging a small pink suitcase.
Silence. Then, gasps.
Joshua's grip tightens painfully around your hand, making you flinch. But when you turn to him, his eyes are locked on the door, wide and unblinking, as if his brain just blue-screened.
"The hell are you doing here?" he blurts, voice rising an octave. He walks toward her, dragging you with him.
She pauses dramatically, then lowers her sunglasses just enough to reveal a perfectly innocent pout. "Is that any way to greet your beloved little sister?"
"You're supposed to be in L.A.," he says.
She shrugs as she glides in, casually greeting the other members scattered around the room with tight hugs and unfiltered cheek kisses. "Hiiiii, Hoshi. Seungkwan, you look tall today. DK, that shirt is a statement, I love it."
Joshua's still frozen. "You didn't tell anyone you were flying across the world?"
"I told someone," she says sweetly, flipping her hair.
"Gosh! Looking good, Dino. Vernon, darling, hiiiiiiii. Hmm... Jun, still with the same woman, eh? Impressive! And you two," pointing at Mingyu and Wonwoo, "still locked in that 'favorite child' competition?"
Both brothers raise their beers with smirks.
"Woozi, I—"
"YRAIZA!"
That's when Seungcheol clears his throat from the couch. "Actually... she called me earlier when she landed," he says with a wince, "and begged me not to tell you."
Joshua spins. "YOU KNEW?!"
Seungcheol holds up his hands in surrender. "Hey, I was bribed, alright? Sorry, but I've already got that L.A. steak on my mind."
"You're impossible!" Joshua huffs.
"You should've seen your pretty face contort—like you just found out your favorite snack has calories, dear brother," Yraiza says brightly. "Totally worth the jet lag."
Joshua groans, annoyed, as the others erupt into laughter, lighting up the mood in an instant.
Watching from the corner. "So this is what chaos in luxury packaging looks like," you murmur in awe as you watch the atmosphere shift—just moments ago, it was brimming with tension, but now, there's not a trace of it left. Eerie!
Then, Yraiza grins over her shoulder. "Oh, and you remember Jeimyka, right?"
Jeimyka waves politely. "Hi, Joshua. How have you been?"
Joshua sputters. "No fucking way—WHY are both of you here?!" You can feel his hand tense a bit.
Yraiza turns with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Guys, this is my childhood friend, Jeimyka." she says, prompting a collective 'hi'. "If you want Joshua's secrets, she's the key to Pandora's box."
Everyone cheers—except Joshua. He turns to you, eyes wide and uncertain like he's silently begging for backup.
Then, for the first time, Jeimyka notices you. Her gaze drops to your interlaced fingers with Joshua... then snaps back to your face with a slow, knowing smile.
Across the room, Yraiza squints, a dramatic furrow in her brow that practically screams, "Who is this?"
Jeimyka grins, clearly enjoying the show. "Well, well. Joshua, darling... not afraid of ladies anymore, I see?" she says, hands on hips and eyebrows raised.
You yank your hand back on instinct, but it's already too late—Jeimyka's got that glint in her eye, and Yraiza is practically vibrating with curiosity.
"Instead of you peppering me with questions," Yraiza says sweetly, "why don't you explain whatever this is, dear brother?"
Jeimyka cackles. "Oof. Busted."
You feel the heat rush to your cheeks under the weight of their attention. Joshua looks stunned, caught somewhere between amusement and disbelief. Before the moment swallows you whole, you bolt, retreating to Nikki's side.
As the night deepens, Yraiza and Jeimyka find their way, settling beside you and Nikki. The three of them exchange light pleasantries—smiles, soft laughter, while you sit there feeling uneasy.
"So, how's L.A.?" Nikki asks, her tone genuinely curious.
"It's still chaotic," Yraiza replies with a soft laugh, "a place forcing you to grow up fast."
Jeimyka chimes in, "Nevertheless, it's home."
"Anyway, enough about us," Yraiza smiles, leaning in. "I wanna know more about my brother's new 'friend'."
You blush and hesitate, not out of shame, but from the old instinct to protect parts of yourself. Still, something about them makes honesty feel safe.
"I'm... uhm... my life is pretty boring," you say, voice lower. "No fancy vacations, no beach houses. Just long hours and doing my best."
Yraiza leans in. "Look, it'd be pretentious of me to say I get it—but watching you handle those walking egos over there—" she pauses, throwing a quick glance at Nikki, "—sorry, not sorry."
Nikki gasps, mock-offended. "Spare Jun!" she pouts dramatically.
Everyone laughs.
"As I was saying," Yraiza continues, flashing a grin, "I like your boldness. It's rare. Like, vintage-Rolex-at-a-garage-sale rare."
"Amen to that," Nikki chimes in, raising her glass. Jeimyka nods, eyes gleaming with agreement.
You blink, surprised. There's no condescension here, no performative politeness—just connection. Real, unrushed, and unfiltered.
Your table carries on with easy conversation when, at mid-laugh, the lights cut out, plunging the room into darkness.
Screams ring out, glass shatters.
Someone curses.
Then—nothing.
Back to present...
You rack your brain, but no memories—as if someone carved it out, leaving you to hover in the dark.
But, who?