The aftermath of Yuna's accident hung heavily in the air as the director strategically chose to stay low, attempting to avoid any backlash while exploiting the situation to his advantage. However, Liam and Mia were determined to change the narrative. Together, they sensed that something significant needed to happen before they moved on from this coma-like world they found themselves in. They decided to hold a media conference that would expose the dark underbelly of the K-pop industry.
The day of the conference arrived, and Mia stood resolutely at the podium, her voice steady as she addressed the audience. "As idols, we are human beings, too. It's high time that we reject the notion of suffocating rules that dictate our personal lives. We have the right to love and date who we choose," she proclaimed passionately. She emphasized that fans, too, should reflect before launching their attacks on idols based on rumors and unfounded accusations.
"Anyone who threatens our well-being or spreads false information should face consequences, including imprisonment," she declared, a fierce look in her eyes. The message resonated deeply, and while some applauded, others were clearly uncomfortable.
The conference was a resounding success. Mia became a beacon of hope and change for many idols trapped in the stringent expectations of the industry. Eclipse's schedules were resumed, with performances planned in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. However, a wave of disappointment crashed over Mia at the thought of missing these monumental events due to her recovery.
As the days rolled on, Liam and Mia spent the night together, nestled in a comforting silence. Yet amidst the stillness, they both sensed an unexplainable shift. "It's happening," they both exclaimed simultaneously, the weight of their connection intensifying around them.
The next morning, they awoke with wide eyes, staring up at a stark white ceiling. Confusion engulfed Mia as she quickly realized she was in a hospital room, devoid of the familiarity she had come to know. Moments later, Jasmine entered with her usual cheerful demeanor but faltered upon seeing Mia awake. "When did you start drinking milkshakes alone?" Mia joked weakly, a smile breaking through her tiredness.
"Since today," Jasmine replied, tears spilling down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around Mia, relieving the tension that had built up during the days of uncertainty. As doctors entered to examine Mia, she felt relieved when they confirmed her health was stable. They had been concerned about potential memory loss, but fortunately, her mind remained intact.
Meanwhile, Liam remained asleep in his own room, still in a world of unconsciousness. Over the next two days of her recovery, Mia recounted everything to Jasmine about her time in a coma, the adventures she had shared in her dreams. Jasmine listened, astonished by her friend's experiences, yet part of her struggled to fully comprehend the surreal nature of Mia's tale.
As they wandered through the streets of Seoul, Mia frequently asked Jasmine, "Do you think Liam will remember me when he wakes up?"
Jasmine hesitated, concerned. "Mia, it sounds like a dream. You need to snap out of it," she cautioned gently.
Three more days crept by until finally, Liam stirred back to consciousness. Two days after Mia, he awoke to the warmth of his friends surrounding him. The sight of them filled him with joy, yet he felt a strange emptiness inside. "Mia…" he whispered, the words escaping his lips like a prayer.
His friends looked at him, puzzled. "What about Mia?" they urged, concerned lining their faces.
"By the Han River Bridge at 9:00 PM. Anyone who wakes up first should go there and keep going until they meet their other piece," he repeated fervently, urgency driving him to rush out of the hospital, his heart racing as he sprinted toward the bridge.
The night was cool and crisp as he arrived at the Han River, desperately scanning the area for any sign of Mia. Each passing moment heightened his anxiety, and doubt seeped into his mind. Was she tired of waiting? Had she given up?
As he bent down, tears brimming in his eyes, it felt like all hope was slipping away. But just then, his gaze lifted, and he spotted a figure approaching, illuminated by the city lights.
With a radiant smile that lit up the night, Mia appeared like a vision. The sight sent his heart into a frenzy, blood rushing through his veins as he felt that undeniable bond between them reignite.
"Mia!" he cried, the name bursting forth from him as he ran to her, enveloping her in a fierce embrace.
"I can't believe it's you!" he breathed into her ear, relief flooding through him as their hearts finally synchronized again. It felt as if the universe had conspired for this moment, and nothing else mattered.
Mia laughed joyfully, tears of happiness streaming down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. "I missed you so much, Liam! I thought I'd never see you again!"
"I thought the same," he replied, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes, filled with relief and love. "I was terrified we wouldn't find each other again."
They stood there, enveloped in each other's warmth, time seeming to stand still as the world melted away. "You were my light in that darkness," Liam confessed, a smile breaking through the emotional weight they shared.
Mia felt her heart swell as she gently caressed his cheek. "And you were mine. I knew I'd always find you again. No matter what."
As Mia and Liam walked hand in hand along the riverbank, they felt an overwhelming sense of peace enveloping them. Everything they had settled in the coma world was now taking root in their real lives, and they were ready to embrace the future together.
Liam had returned to his career with renewed vigor, no longer shying away from expressing his love for Mia. He spoke about their relationship openly during interviews, proudly standing by her side as he thanked his fans for their support. Each concert was a celebration not only of his music but of their love, as he would often glance to the side of the stage where Mia stood, cheering him on.
Mia, too, blossomed in this new chapter of her life. Having moved to Korea, she started anew, immersing herself in the culture and embracing the vibrant life around her. With every passing day, she was assured in her heart that Liam was hers, and together they planned for a future filled with promise, including whispers of marriage in the air.
For Mia's friends back in Atlanta, the transformation was almost surreal. They looked on in awe as they witnessed the metamorphosis of their friend into the beloved partner of a K-pop idol. The images of her joy and success left their jaws dropped, a testament to the miraculous turn of events that had unfolded.
Mia had always dreamed of a love so profound, and now she was living that dream with Liam—her "LOML," or "Love of My Life," as he affectionately called her. As they embraced their journey together, they not only shared their love story with the world but also became symbols of hope and resilience, proving that true love could conquer all obstacles.
Together, they stepped into a future radiant with possibilities, knowing that their hearts would always guide them home to one another, no matter what challenges lay ahead. And in the end, they realized that their connection was more than a love story—it was a celebration of life, love, and the miracles that happen when two souls find their way back to each other.
****THE END****