The moment we step outside, the cool night air hits us like a splash of cold water, jolting me from my delusion, a lingering warmth of what felt like our almost-kiss. My heart races not only from the adrenaline of our earlier encounter but also from the sight before us. A group of fans are gathered at the large iron gates, their faces a mix of excitement and desperation as they shout Lee Ye's name in unison.
"Seo Yeon!" he exclaims again, his voice a blend of disbelief and urgency. I can see the chaos unfolding in his eyes, and I can't help but feel a rush of adrenaline myself.
"What do we do?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper as I look at him, trying to gauge his next move.
He takes a deep breath, his expression shifting from shock to determination. "We need to get them to calm down. If they see me, it might help," he says, already moving toward the gates.
"Wait!" I say, panic rising in my chest. "Uhm… I need to hide me. They'll tear me into a million pieces if they see me here, trust me."
He raises an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "Alright, you hide. I'll handle this." He ushers me back inside and quickly steps to meet his fans, raising his hands in an attempt to quiet the crowd. "Hey! Everyone! Please listen!"
The fans momentarily pause, their eyes widening as they catch sight of him. The energy shifts from chaotic frenzy to breathless anticipation. I peek from behind the wall, gushing silently as he stands there—my handsome oppa—bathed in the moonlight with an aura that commands attention.
"Thank you everyone for your support. But please, we need to keep things calm," he continues, his tone soothing yet firm. The crowd begins to murmur, some nodding while others hold up their phones to capture this unexpected moment.
I can't help but feel a swell of admiration for him. He knows just how to handle this chaos with grace and charm. Just then, one of the gates is pushed open slightly by an overly enthusiastic fan who manages to slip through the crowd.
"Lee Ye oppa! I love you!" she screams, barreling toward him with unrestrained enthusiasm.
I suddenly realize with a sinking feeling that I didn't lock the gates properly earlier. Great!
In a flash, Lee Ye steps forward, blocking her path just in time. "Whoa! Hold on there." he says, gently grabbing her by the shoulders to stop her from launching herself at him like a cannonball, "and I love you too."
The girl looks starstruck, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she stares up at him with wide eyes. "Can I get a selfie?" she asks breathlessly.
Lee Ye glances back at me with an amused smile before nodding. "Sure! But let's keep it quick."
As they pose for a selfie, I can't help but think how this is like watching a live-action fan-fiction unfold—complete with unexpected plot twists and enthusiastic fans ready to crash a party.
As they pose for a selfie, I notice other fans start pushing forward again. The energy is escalating rapidly and it feels like a tidal wave about to crash over us.
"Okay… maybe we should take this inside. It's getting out of hand."
He nods thoughtfully and faces the crowd. "Alright everyone! How about we move this party inside? We can do some quick meet-and-greet sessions in my living room."
The crowd erupts into cheers at this suggestion—some fans even jump up and down with excitement.
As he leads them into the mansion, I dash into my room before I can be seen. I can't help but notice the gifts given to Lee Ye from his earlier fan meet and greet scattered all over the living room—stuffed animals, handmade crafts, and even a giant poster that looks made in crayon.
For a moment I try to catch my breath and peek through the door as Lee Ye interacts with his fans. My heart swells with pride as I watch him charm them effortlessly while trying not to squeal like the fangirl I am.
After some time filled with laughter and selfies, Lee Ye finally calls taxis for his fans to take them home. The atmosphere shifts from chaotic joy to bittersweet farewells as they leave one by one, still buzzing from their encounter with him.
Once the last group of fans depart and silence falls over the mansion, Lee Ye turns to me with a sigh of relief. "That was… intense."
I nod in agreement but then frown slightly. "You know," I begin cautiously, "it might not be such a good idea for you to sleep here tonight after all that chaos."
He raises an eyebrow at me. "I agree… I'll just crash at a hotel nearby."
I bite my lip before continuing. "Actually, considering you're currently tangled in a scandal… it might be better if you find somewhere else."
He ponders this for a moment before nodding slowly. "Yeah, you're right. But where should I go?"
After hesitating for what feels like an eternity, an idea strikes me. "What about my best friend's place? I don't think she would mind."
Silence befalls us as he considers this, a mix of uncertainty and intrigue on his face.
The next thing, we stand inside Hye Ri's apartment and as soon as she sees Lee Ye in her living room clad in a hoodie and joggers with sunglasses perched on his nose—trying desperately to appear low-key, her jaw drops in disbelief.
"Hye Ri…" I call out slowly while trying not to laugh at her reaction.
Even though he's attempting to blend in, he still looks incredibly handsome in his designer getup from head to toe, a fact that does not go unnoticed even by Hye Ri.
"What is happening right now?" she whispers incredulously as she pinches herself like she's trying to wake up from a dream.
I can only chuckle nervously while Lee Ye gives her an awkward wave that somehow manages to be both charming and hilarious at once.
"Just another normal night," I say sarcastically as we all stand there trying to process this unexpected turn of events together—because when it comes to Lee Ye and I, normal is clearly overrated at this point…