Eyes burning from the almost blinding flashes, Lisa maintained a pleasant appearance as she posed in front of the cameras. The mini off-white Balmain dress fitted her slim body perfectly, long legs seemingly even more alluring in high heels. It didn’t take long before she was told to join the director and the main cast in a photo op. Lisa walked to where she was instructed to stand earlier. For some reason, she had been feeling very anxious since the moment she woke up that morning and did a couple of interviews. It was the first time the movie they worked so hard for would be shown to the VIP guests attending the premiere. That was probably the reason why she was restless… because most of the people from her company, her friends, and her parents would be attending.

A hand slightly touched the small of her back and her attention went to the man standing on her left. Seung Hyun was staring straight ahead with a neutral expression on his face. For a split second, his jaw clenched tightly as if suppressing something and Lisa could feel his touch on her back harden. That was when she realized he was feeling uncomfortable. The flashes, the aggravating sound of shutters clicking… it had been a long time since he stood in front of so many reporters. And she knew bad memories were plaguing him at that moment.

She went closer to him and placed her left hand on his back in return. Her other arm went to the director’s but she only wanted to comfort the man she deeply cared about. A few more photos were taken and they were rushed to a door towards the cinema’s backstage. Attentively looking out for Seung Hyun, she tried to walk a little behind him and she could see his hands clench into fists before relaxing.

“You look beautiful, Lisa-yah.” Kim Go Eun suddenly linked her arm with hers. The older woman was smiling—small eyes almost disappearing, and Lisa briefly thought how young and cute she still looked. They first met at the script reading last year. They never shared any scenes in the movie that was why they had only seen each other again during a handful of interviews with the main cast. The woman was very nice with a laid-back attitude Lisa admired… that was why they got along quickly.

“Thank you, unnie.” She smiled back. “You look beautiful as well.”

“I can’t believe our film’s finally going to be shown. I hope it delivers.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to watch myself.” Lisa cringed at the thought of her acting but Go Eun laughed.

“It’s not that bad. You just have to be as open as possible. Don’t be too hard on yourself and nitpick everything about your performance.” She patted Lisa’s arm. “I’m sure you’ll do well.”

Those words coming from an established and critically-acclaimed actress made Lisa blush. They waited behind the stage for a few minutes—her eyes constantly looking at Seung Hyun who was quietly standing in a corner with his manager beside him. She wanted to approach him but was not confident enough. She would fret over him too much and there were other people inside. There was a fleeting moment when their gazes met and Seung Hyun immediately realized her worries… giving her a nod in return as if telling her he was alright. Sighing, she pursed her lips and resisted the urge to run over to him and attack him with the tightest bear hug she could give.

The loudest cheers came from the YG artists present at the screening and Lisa couldn’t help but feel extremely embarrassed yet touched at the same time. After they finished introducing the movie to the audience, the cast was seated at the middle of the cinema—cheers and hoots still ongoing as Lisa saw her friends sitting among some members of the other groups present. She grinned at them while trying to tamp down her nervousness. But it got worse when she saw her parents two rows behind where she was at. And she felt her heart drop to her stomach at their loving and expectant faces.

She still hadn’t told them about her relationship with Seung Hyun. She was planning to later that evening and she desperately hoped they would take everything well even after watching the movie—especially that scene that no one knew about except for some of the people from the company.

“Nervous?” Seung Hyun asked her as soon as they sat beside each other. Go Eun, who was sitting on her other side, gave Seung Hyun a polite smile before talking with the director.

Lisa breathed deeply—her hands had been cold since she arrived at the venue. “Very.”

“Me, too.”

The moment she looked at him, the lights went off as the screen started. In the half-darkness, she could feel Seung Hyun tense up once more and she leaned towards him to whisper, “Are you really okay, oppa?”

He didn’t say anything even after the movie began. Lisa tried to focus on the movie but was too nervous about everything. Still, she was able to marvel at the performances of the other actors—most specially, Seung Hyun. He started the story, sharing scenes with other actors and then Jung Woo Sung who played the main protagonist. Go Eun was one of the agents tracking down Seung Hyun’s anti-villain character. Lisa’s character, Samorn, appeared almost an hour into the movie. The setting had changed and the contrast between the cold autumn in Seoul and the endless warmth in Bangkok transitioned seamlessly. She couldn’t help but sink down on her seat when she saw her face on the huge screen. There were some who cheered a little and she felt even more embarrassed.

Samorn was a feisty and street-smart young woman who always wore old T-shirts and denim shorts. Despite the seemingly careless appearance, she was affectionate and genuinely cared for those who were close to her. It was strange to hear her own language with Korean subtitles provided. Lisa acted alongside a veteran Thai actress who played her grandmother. The scene wherein she found an injured Won, Seung Hyun’s character, played and the way she took care of him and the gradual progression of their relationship was portrayed so well. Lisa had to admit their chemistry was very remarkable and she felt as if she was an outsider witnessing their characters.

The story continued and once Koh Lipe was shown, Lisa felt her heart pick up knowing the next scene to come. Gulping hard, she suddenly felt Seung Hyun hold her left hand underneath the arm rest. She glanced at him and he was staring at the screen with utmost focus. With his warm hand in hers, she felt herself relax a little.

Won asked Samorn about her happiest memory—his gaze softened at the sight of her beaming face as she talked. And out of nowhere, he took a step closer… grabbing her face as he kissed her. The surprise on her face was palpable but her confusion immediately dissolved when she kissed him back. The kiss becoming deeper—their breathing mingling with the kissing sounds and Lisa could feel her whole body heat up. It didn’t help that the music was very soft that the bodily sounds were more pronounced. She wanted to burrow herself in the ground when loud hoots echoed from their friends and co-workers. The memories of the other night she spent so meaningfully with him came rushing back. A moment like this should only be shared between lovers… the intimacy should be only between them. Yet they were actors and this happened even before they became a couple.

And she realized she wasn’t embarrassed about the kiss.

It was selfishness. She felt selfish because she didn’t want the world to see them kiss like this.

Seung Hyun secretly held her hand until the movie ended. His assuring touch was a pillar she clung onto for support. The corners of Lisa’s eyes were misty as she tried to control her tears from falling. As the credits rolled, loud cheers erupted inside the cinema—the audience standing as they applauded the film that was incredible in its storytelling with solid performances from all the cast.

Go Eun hugged Lisa first. “I told you. You were amazing!”

“You too, unnie.”

The director briefly hugged Lisa—a proud smile on his kind face. “Good job, Lisa-yah.”

“Thank you, gamdongnim.” She bowed sincerely as the director patted her cheek affectionately.

Not a moment later, she was enveloped in Seung Hyun’s arms as he whispered, “You’re wonderful.”

She felt her eyes tear up once more when she tightened her hold on him.

“Thank you so much. You deserve all the praises.”

“No, you do.”

They quickly separated as the people nearby started congratulating them. It was all a blur from then. There were so many faces, voices, bows, and hugs she had to do. She was only able to hug her astonished parents before she was rushed backstage and they went to the venue of the after-party.

The crisp taste of champagne trickled down after she conversed with the all the people who approached her. Faces she recognized and faces she only saw at that moment and would forget in a while. There was one after another who talked with her and it seemed like forever until she finally found herself seated at one of the VIP lounges— her head throbbing from exhaustion. Her friends were all talking at the same time and they let her be... knowing she was too tired to keep up anymore.

A soft touch on her arm got her attention.

“You okay?” Han Bin sat beside her with a concerned look on his boyishly handsome face.

“Uhh... yeah. Just a bit tired.” Lisa looked down at the stilettos she was wearing. “And these shoes are killing me.”

When she glanced back up at him, she noticed there was an unreadable expression on his face as his eyes lingered on her legs for a few seconds. Han Bin cleared his throat when they looked at each other.

“I don’t understand why women have to suffer with those heels. You should change into something more comfortable.”

Her heart immediately warmed at his concern that she casually slung an arm around his shoulders and pinched his cheek.

“You’re too nice, Han Binnie!” She cooed affectionately which made the others look at them. A round of hoots from the group and Han Bin was trying not to smile.

“You two look good together.” Seung Yoon stated and all eyes were on him.

It was then that Lisa took her arm off Han Bin’s shoulders as she chuckled nervously. Her members were just staring at her quietly— not knowing what to say.

“You guys are forgetting we just watched a movie with TOP-oppa and Lisa.” Jisoo laughed. “And damn their chemistry almost killed me!”

The laughter that resounded from their area made the other guests look at them. Lisa only remained quiet as she tried hard not to feel uncomfortable. They were just teasing her...

“I don’t think I’d ever look at Lisa and TOP-hyung the same ever again.” Bobby mused which made the others shoot him a confused look.

It was Jennie who asked in an incredulous tone, “Why is that?”

“Everything just seems extraordinary.”

“You mean weird?” Han Bin said with an awkward chuckle.

Chae Young’s eyes narrowed. “What makes you say that?”

There was suddenly an inexplicable tension in the small group gathered around the table.

“I don’t know. If I were going to act with a senior, I