Paparazzi

The spotlight flashed like stars as Woo Seulgi glided down the red carpet, grace and elegance present in her every step, with a flawless smile painted on her lips. The black silk dress hugged her curves perfectly, outlining her figure, while the diamond earrings dangling from her ears reflected the relentless flashes of cameras pointed at her. With each step she took toward the event’s entrance, her heels tapped softly and rhythmically against the carpeted floor — everything timed to perfection, rehearsed, controlled.

"Seulgi, darling, look this way!"

"Seulgi, a wave, please!"

"Woo Seulgi, you look stunning tonight!"

The actress responded to each comment thrown her way with a graceful tilt of her head, her eyes concealing any flicker of discomfort she might have felt under all that attention. She was already used to this dance, the performance of a public life, a life she meticulously controlled ever since her career in the entertainment industry began. She had spent years navigating this world of appearances, knowing that any misstep, even a fraction of a second without absolute control over her image, could cost her dearly.

Seulgi had already mapped out the entire night in her mind before it even began. She was there simply as a presenter for one of the evening’s award categories. This event aimed to honor the year's top singers— those at the peak of their success — so it didn’t demand much from her. She was merely a guest and, briefly, a presenter. Her plan was simple: arrive, pose for a few paparazzi photos, enter calmly, interact with fellow industry colleagues, present her category, sit down, and wait for the night to end so she could finally go home and rest. That was all she asked for.

But it seemed fate had other plans, because even before she realized what was happening, a shiver ran down her spine.

"Well, well, look who’s standing right in front of me tonight. Seulgi. Woo Seulgi."

The voice was soft, calm, yet laced with a mockery that felt almost... dangerous.

And she didn’t need to turn around to know whose voice it was, she already knew.

After all, Yoo Jaeyi was unmistakable.

The second woman stood just a few meters away, surrounded by journalists and flashes that always seemed brighter around her. Her deep red dress gleamed under the countless lights lining the red carpet — clearly expensive fabric, fitting her tall frame with the perfect balance of refinement and provocation. And her signature black hair, dark as the night, cascaded in loose waves over her bare shoulders. But it was her smile — oh, that smile — that was a sure invitation to chaos.

"What a coincidence running into you here…" Jaeyi continued, approaching with an unsettling ease. There was a playful tone in her voice, but her dark eyes seemed to tell a different story, one only Seulgi understood.

"This is an award show, Yoo Jaeyi. It’s not a coincidence." Seulgi kept her voice controlled, though she could feel the other woman’s gaze tracing every inch of her, as if memorizing her, storing away every detail for a future only she seemed to know.

Jaeyi tilted her head slightly, as if savoring the response. "You avoid me or try to, at least. But you’re not very good at it."

Seulgi forced a polite smile. "I’m not avoiding you. I’m just busy."

"You always are, it seems."

The flashes kept flickering, and the murmurs among the press grew louder as they noticed the two women together. They were being photographed—an opportunity too good to miss. Woo Seulgi, the most talked-about actress of her generation, and Yoo Jaeyi, the country’s most famous singer of the last decade, interacting in public for the first time. And from the way they carried themselves, it seemed they had met before, behind the scenes.

Realizing this — what it all looked like — Seulgi had to summon every ounce of self-control to mask the irritation steadily rising within her.

Unbothered by the chaos around them, Jaeyi took a step closer—close enough to speak in a voice only Seulgi could hear. She whispered:

"By the way, I love your perfume. The same as that night."

Seulgi’s heart skipped a beat.

Shocked by Jaeyi’s boldness in public, her eyes immediately locked onto the singer’s, and for a fleeting moment, the world blurred around them. She saw the provocation in Jaeyi’s gaze, but also something deeper. Something that scared her.

But before she could respond, one of the event hosts called for the guests to head inside.

Jaeyi stepped back, casting her one last look, a faint smirk curving at the corner of her lips, before turning toward the building as if nothing had happened.

But something had happened.

Something always happens when Yoo Jaeyi is around.

And as that thought settled in, Seulgi knew — this was only the beginning of the night.

Exhaling a tired sigh, her expression now entirely different from the one she had when she first stepped onto the red carpet, she made her way inside, joining the other celebrities waiting for the night to unfold.

***

The grand hall where the awards ceremony was set to take place was a masterpiece of excess. Majestic chandeliers hung from the gilded ceiling, their light reflecting off hundreds of shimmering crystals. Perfectly arranged tables filled the space, adorned with impeccable floral centerpieces and intricate crystal glasses, while waiters moved discreetly among the guests, serving champagne and refined dishes.

Seulgi walked through the hall, maintaining the poised elegance everyone expected from her. She knew she was being watched, she always was.

She was Woo Seulgi.

The movie star who never made mistakes. The meticulous actress, admired for her versatility, effortlessly shifting between drama and thriller films without losing prestige. Critics praised her flawless acting technique, the public adored her magnetic presence, and the media… Well, the media thrived on the aura of mystery she cultivated so well. Unlike other artists who sold their personal lives as entertainment, Seulgi made a point of keeping her image pristine, untouchable, and her life, private.

And then, there was Yoo Jaeyi.

Jaeyi, who had been an unstoppable wildfire since she first appeared in the media at seventeen.

A storm of talent and chaos that no one could ignore. Her voice was a phenomenon — husky and enthralling, capable of stirring raw emotions even in the coldest hearts. But Jaeyi wasn’t just about music. She was controversial. She was a headline. She was the one who, time and again, broke the rules, mocked the standards of conduct, and turned her own scandals into the perfect marketing strategy.

Seulgi sat at her table and accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. From where she was, she could see Jaeyi greeting other celebrities, her infectious, carefree laughter standing out amidst the hum of conversations.

They were complete opposites.

But, much to Seulgi’s misfortune, opposites seemed to attract in a ridiculously dangerous way.

Lost in thought, the actress traced her fingers along the stem of her glass, recalling how it all began. A casual backstage encounter at an award show years ago. Sharp words exchanged between toasts and provocative smiles. It had been enough to entangle both women in a web of reckless emotions and impulsive actions. All of it culminating in a risky dance, filled with push and pull, secrets whispered in dark hallways, and kisses that should have never happened.

And yet, despite knowing all of this, here they were again.

"Lost in thought, Seul?"

A male voice pulled her back to reality. Seulgi lifted her gaze and met Kang Jiwon’s eyes — an acclaimed film actor and her longtime friend — now seated beside her. There was a sharp look on his face, as if he could see the gears turning in her mind.

He was one of the few good friends she had made along her journey to stardom. Jiwon had been one of the first actors she had shared the screen with in a romantic pairing. Naturally, he was also one of the first co-stars involved in a dating rumor with her. And, if she really thought about it, perhaps he had been the media’s least inaccurate guess, considering how close they truly were. But not in the way fans had imagined. After working together on a film and two seasons of a TV series, they had become good friends, but nothing more. To Seulgi, Jiwon was almost like an older brother, it was almost comical to think of him in any other way.

Back in the present moment, she smiled, noticing the slight concern hidden beneath his casual question. Jiwon treated her like a little sister most of the time, but not wanting to worry him unnecessarily, Seulgi nodded calmly, masking any trace of unease that might have flickered across her expression.

"Just enjoying the night. And counting every minute until I can finally collapse into bed and sleep for hours."

Jiwon chuckled, agreeing with her, but soon, his attention shifted to something — or someone — beyond her.

"Yoo Jaeyi seems interested in you tonight."

Seulgi kept her gaze locked on her friend, refusing to follow him, but she felt the blood in her veins turn cold.

The truth was, she didn’t need to turn around to know Jaeyi was watching her.

She always felt it.

And when she finally lifted her eyes in the direction Jiwon was still looking, she found Jaeyi on the other side of the hall, seated at her table, surrounded by musicians and producers who practically worshipped her. But even though she was always the center of attention, Jaeyi’s gaze was fixed on Seulgi.

Always on Seulgi.

And her stare carried a challenge, silently demanding that Seulgi return it.

When Seulgi finally acknowledged her, even in the smallest way, Jaeyi smiled.

A slow, deliberate, practiced smile.

A silent warning.

Quickly, realizing she had been caught, Seulgi averted her gaze, but it was already too late.

Jaeyi was already making her way toward her.

And just from the way the singer moved — predatory, determined — Seulgi knew.

Yoo Jaeyi wouldn’t let her leave tonight without giving her another reason to lose her mind.

***

Seulgi tightened her grip on the champagne glass, the cold crystal contrasting with the heat creeping up her neck. Yoo Jaeyi always did this to her — invaded her space without permission, slipping through her carefully erected barriers.

Kang Jiwon was still beside her, but his attention had already shifted to the others at the table, engaging in a new conversation. Seulgi could have taken refuge there, keeping herself safe in predictable dialogues about cinema, costumes, scripts, and future collaborations. She could have pretended Jaeyi wasn’t there, that the weight of her gaze wasn’t burning into her skin.

But when had she ever truly been able to ignore Jaeyi?

She preferred not to dwell on the answer for too long, choosing instead to ignore the obvious truth right in front of her.

Now, the slender woman was almost entirely in front of her, having crossed the wide space between their tables far too quickly. Her stride was slow, deliberate, exuding confidence, as if she owned the place. And maybe she did.

Jaeyi never asked for space, she took it.

(She took whatever she wanted.)

The guests at the awards ceremony seemed to feel her magnetism. Some turned to look, whispers exchanged as she passed. A star in her own spectacle.

Seulgi did her best to maintain a composed expression, but her body refused to follow the same rational line of thinking, her breathing had already changed by the time Jaeyi finally stopped beside her.

“I told you, you don’t know how to avoid me.” Jaeyi whispered, low enough for only Seulgi to hear. Her scent — woody with a hint of sweetness — brought back memories Seulgi knew had no place there.

Trying to sound as relaxed as possible, the actress blinked before responding:

“And I already told you that I’m busy.”

The singer smiled at the poor attempt to appear calm, that mischievous grin that drove her fans wild. But there was something else. Something only Seulgi seemed to catch.

Yoo Jaeyi was enjoying this, provoking her.

Damn her.

“So tell me,” Jaeyi pulled out a chair and sat down uninvited, “what exactly are you busy with tonight?”

Seulgi let out a quiet sigh. The conversation had barely started, and she already felt exhausted.

“Trying to avoid situations that might become gossip by tomorrow.”

Jaeyi tilted her head slightly, amused.

“I hate to break it to you, darling, but I think you’ve already failed.”

Seulgi realized it too late. Jaeyi’s presence alone naturally attracted attention, but now, seated together, the flashes around them intensified. The photographers from TV stations and media outlets permitted inside were capturing every detail: the sharp look in Jaeyi’s eyes, Seulgi’s rigid posture, and, above all, the dangerously close proximity between them.

And Seulgi knew what she should do now. She knew she should get up and leave before this turned into something bigger.

But Jaeyi placed her hand on the table, her fingers mere millimeters from Seulgi’s.

“If I asked you for a dance, would you grant me the honor?” Her voice was thick with provocation.

Seulgi found herself laughing.

The audacity, truly.

“You don’t know when to stop, do you?”

Holding her gaze, the taller woman allowed herself a smirk before adding, boldly:

“Not when it comes to you.”

Seulgi’s heart stumbled over a beat.

She could feel the energy around them intensifying. The nearly electric tension in the air enveloping them, the curious glances, a few guests already raising their phones in their direction. The media would have material for days if they continued like this.

And the worst part?

Seulgi couldn’t tell if she had the strength to ask Jaeyi to stop.

She didn’t even know if she really wanted it to stop.

That was the real problem.

The world around them seemed to blur, the surrounding murmur drowned out by the pounding of Seulgi’s heart, now echoing in her ears. Jaeyi was there, so close, looking at her with that hypnotizing gaze, as if every word from her lips was a promise of more than Seulgi could handle.

Seulgi needed to step away. She should end this now, leave the table, cut contact with the woman who so effortlessly ensnared her under her gaze. But there was something about Jaeyi that held her in place. Something beyond mere curiosity. Something Seulgi couldn’t name, but that made her hesitate every time.

“You’re afraid of me, aren’t you?” Jaeyi asked a simple question laden with hidden weight.

She had to lie. She had to look Jaeyi in the eye and respond with the same indifference she always displayed in public. But the truth was, yes — there was something like fear coursing through her veins. Not the kind one feels in front of an enemy or an obvious danger, but the fear of losing control. The fear of falling into Jaeyi’s game.

The fear of surrendering entirely.

“No, Jaeyi. I’m not afraid of you. It’s not about that.” Seulgi said, her voice as steady as she could manage.

The singer leaned in, unsatisfied with the answer, almost touching Seulgi’s hand with her own. And the shorter woman could swear she felt the phantom touch against her heated skin.

“You’re a brilliant actress, your success is well-earned,” Jaeyi murmured. “But, unfortunately for you, I know the truth. You’re afraid I’ll ruin you, afraid of losing that angelic image of yours, of being seen for who you really are. And that, my dear…” Jaeyi’s voice dropped lower as she leaned in even closer, their faces mere breaths apart. Her intoxicating scent wrapped around Seulgi like a heavy fog, and her pulse quickened even more when she whispered, “That excites me. And, as it turns out, it excites you too.”

Seulgi’s face burned as the words settled in. Jaeyi’s statement hit like a bucket of scalding water, igniting something inside her. The singer’s presence flooded Seulgi’s mind in a heated rush, and she had to concentrate not to react impulsively, finally realizing…

Yoo Jaeyi wanted everything.

She wanted the actress, her mind, her body, her life. She wanted every part of Seulgi and more, and she didn’t care about the cost.

The realization made breathing even harder. She was trapped in a game she had no control over. This was no mere provocation. It was something deeper, more dangerous — something that could ruin her public life forever, and she couldn’t take that risk.

“You think I’ll fall into your trap?” Seulgi asked, suddenly angry. Who did Yoo Jaeyi think she was, threatening everything Seulgi had built?

Still amused, the singer smiled again, a soft, almost tender smile, as if looking at a naive child. That only infuriated Seulgi more.

“Oh, sweetheart, this isn’t a trap,” Jaeyi said. “It’s just the truth. It’s what I want. And what you really want. I just took the liberty of speaking for you as well, because, after all, I can see it in your eyes.”

At that moment, the world seemed to stop. Seulgi turned her head away, focusing on something distant, but nothing could pull her out of her daze. The awards ceremony felt far away, the lights dimmer, the voices fainter — everything irrelevant compared to what was building inside her. Jaeyi was playing with fire, and the worst part was, Seulgi was the one getting burned.

And so, she remained frozen, trapped in an endless cycle. Again and again, falling into the same game, the same words.

Exhausted.

And deep down, she already knew the answer.

Yoo Jaeyi had her hooked once more.