POV: Seraphina Lark
Guess who I ran into today? Him.
"Who is him?" Lyra asked, looking clueless.
"Rafael Lee."
the Rafael we met in Bali ,The Korean actor you and Freya were talking about in the limousine on our way to the resort I said, still stunned, staring at Lyra.
"Okay, chill. I know Rafael—but what I don't understand is why he was at your script reading for your upcoming movie," Lyra said, confusion spreading across her face. Then, it hit her. Her eyes widened. "Wait. Don't tell me he's your co-actor. Like… your leading man? What the hell?!"
I burst out laughing, staring at Lyra. I loved every expression her face was giving me.
"Oh, before I forget—the girls are coming over. Freya is transferring here, along with Luna and Amira. I got their email after the script reading. They're all moving to Korea to start a new chapter. Well, apart from Freya—she's apparently just looking for a man," I said with a laugh.
We ordered takeout and had dinner before heading to bed. We talked about so much—Lyra didn't hold back, filling my ears with all the latest gist. Apparently, she's dating Callum Graves, the guy she met in Bali. He was with Rafael and Preshant.
The amusement on my face was so real. I guess all my girlies are busy dating while I'm still stuck on a one-night stand that won't get out of my head. What's up with me feeling like this? Should I see my gynecologist? Or my therapist? Maybe both—because this is getting out of hand.
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POV: Rafael Lee
I sat at the family dining table, having dinner with my parents. Dad had called, saying Grandpa wanted to see me. Ugh—I hate being here. It brings up trauma I never want to revisit.
I sat across from Grandpa while he ranted about the company and how I still refused to quit acting and take over. I mean, what's his obsession with me running the family company? Sean Lee, my elder brother, is right there—he can take the reins.
Besides, even if I did eventually quit, I already have my own company to run. I'm literally the owner of the second-best furniture and construction company in Korea, after our family's. I walked away from that empire to build my own. I don't have the patience for all this "heir" drama.
I was pulled out of my self-satisfaction spiral when Grandpa still insisted I quit acting. The dinner surprisingly ended earlier than expected. I grabbed my suitcase and left, pecked Mom on the cheek, and said goodbye.
The drive home felt heavy. I haven't felt right since dinner. Not just because of Grandpa's pressure about becoming chairman—but also because he's talking about marriage. He's trying to set me up with someone—for an alliance. A marriage alliance. The thought alone makes me want to laugh.
I hate how she looked at me in Bali. Her feel beneath me… and then I realized—I'd pay anything to have her look at me like that again. What if I married Seraphina? But then… Grandpa would be the biggest obstacle.
Still, it's nearly impossible. I'm not capable of loving someone like her. Someone so soft and brazen at the same time. It's too dangerous for her to be in my world.
But I can't help it. I want her.
What is this silent obsession?
What is it about her that draws me in, that calls out to me like gravity?
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POV: Seraphina Lark
I woke up to the annoying, blaring sound of my alarm. Ugh—forgot to turn it off. That's on me.
Good thing I'm not going anywhere today. No script reading until tomorrow, so I have the whole day to prep for whatever madness Rafael Lee throws my way next.
Lyra and I spent the morning arranging the other flat for the girls who are moving in. Oh—did I forget to mention that I'm staying in an estate? One that belongs to Lyra and me. My girls will each be in separate flats, but we'll all be together. That's the dream. The only thing separating us is a few walls.
We spent half the day cleaning. Three hours later, Amira called to say they had arrived and wanted us to come pick them up. Absolutely not. I politely declined and sent my driver instead. What do they think this is?
They arrived 45 minutes later. It was such a beautiful reunion. We all took turns catching up—talking about what's been happening in our lives since Bali. Then Luna—of course—suggested we go to a club.
I wasn't feeling it at first, but they finally convinced me. I agreed—on the condition that we'd be in the VIP section. I don't need any weird scandals right now, not with my new movie project looming.
We all got dolled up and headed out. We arrived around 11 and made our way to the VIP section. My girls were swaying to the music, looking stunning, while I sat and hyped them up.
At the far end of the VIP section—what looked like an extension, but somehow wasn't part of it—a man sat in a tux, smoking. His eyes were locked on the stripper dancing in front of him, but he looked utterly unimpressed.
He signaled for her to come closer, and they began walking away together—when I caught a glimpse of his face.
God. Not him again.
Rafael.
He noticed me.
He stopped dead in his tracks.
He handed the stripper some money and waved her off.
"Look who it is," he slurred slightly, eyes locked on mine—not with the coldness I was used to, but with a fire I'd never seen before.