Jella gently guides Mia into their room, helping her ease down onto the bed.
"Try to rest for a bit. Keep your knee elevated," Jella says, concern lacing her voice.
Thankfully, the pain has dulled—nothing like earlier. Just a faint throb now.
"Thank you, Jella," Mia says, offering her a small smile.
"No problem, Mia. Just take it easy, okay? I'm heading back to help Jay with the shoot," Jella replies, already reaching for the door.
"Yeah, go ahead. I don't want to be a burden," Mia murmurs, eyes dropping.
Jella hesitates for a second, then smiles softly and exits, closing the door behind her.
The room falls quiet.
Mia leans back against the pillows, letting out a slow breath. The silence wraps around her like a blanket—strangely comforting, yet heavy with thoughts she'd rather ignore.
Then, her phone buzzes.A notification lights up the screen.
A message from Ben:
"Are you okay?"
She stares at the message. Her pulse quickens.
This is the first time he's ever messaged her about anything unrelated to work.
Her fingers hover over the screen.
She still doesn't know where she stands with Ben… if she's supposed to keep her distance, or if maybe—just maybe—things shifted today.
Maybe it's something in the way he looks at her. Or maybe it's just the moment.
Whatever it is, her heart tells her to reply.Her thumbs begin to move.
"Yes, I'm okay, Ben."
The words are simple, but they feel like a quiet confession.
Her chest tightens, uncertain whether it's because of Kevin's words earlier… or because of Ben, and how he'd shown up when she didn't even ask.
Another message comes in from Ben.
"Do you need anything? Food? Meds?"
She reads it twice.This time, it feels different.
Sweeter.
Then, her phone rings—suddenly, unexpectedly.
Ben is calling.
Mia jolts upright in bed, her pulse quickening. She hesitates. Then, slowly, she presses "Answer."
"Hello?" she says, voice soft, almost unsure.
"It's me. Ben," comes his familiar voice. Calm. Steady. "I don't really like texting—it's a hassle. I prefer talking on the phone."
Her heart skips again. It's stupid, maybe, but something about hearing his voice makes everything feel real, closer.
She doesn't know what to say, so silence lingers between them.
Ben speaks again, cutting through it gently."Do you need anything?" he asks. "Food? Or maybe ice for your knee?"
Mia bites her lip. "Actually…" she begins, voice trailing.
"Yeah? Tell me," he says, patient as ever.
"I'm… a bit hungry," she admits, her tone small but honest. "I didn't really get to eat anything during lunch. I was in the infirmary the whole time."
There's a beat before he replies, and when he does, it's full of concern.
"Right… you're right. What do you want? I'll grab something and bring it to your room." He's already rambling. "Pizza? Chicken? Something sweet—"
"Wait," Mia cuts in with a small laugh. "Didn't Jay mention earlier that we're all hanging out in your room later? You, me, Jay, and Jella?"
"Oh—yeah." Ben pauses. "You're right. I totally forgot. I've been thinking about your accident this morning…"
There's something different in his voice—softness, concern. Mia feels it, and it makes her chest tighten.Is he… worried about Mia?
"I'll just eat with everyone later, then," she says, trying to keep her tone light.
"Do you want me to pick you up? Can you walk okay?" Ben asks.
Mia hesitates, her heart still beating fast.
"I'll wait for Jella. We'll go together," she replies.
A low, genuine chuckle escapes Ben. It makes her smile without meaning to.
"Okay. Then tell me what you want so I can order it. Chicken? Pizza? Pizza and chicken?" he teases.
"Yes," Mia laughs. "Pizza and chicken. And maybe… soju?"
This time, they both laugh.
"Copy that," Ben says warmly.
The call ends, but Mia doesn't move right away.
The conversation had felt so easy—so natural—that it's almost hard to believe she's been trying to avoid him just a few days ago.
Jella knocks on the door of Room 809 and calls out with her usual energy, "We're here!"
The door swings open almost immediately, revealing Jay's bright smile.
"Welcome, welcome!" he beams.
Mia and Jella step inside, glancing around. Their eyes land on a small table set low to the floor, surrounded by four cushions.
"Wow, this is cozy," Jella says with a grin.
They make their way to the table, about to sit down when Ben speaks up.
"Wait—how's your knee? Are you okay sitting on the floor?" he asks Mia, concern clear in his voice.
"I'm fine," Mia replies with a small smile, settling onto the cushion.
Ben sits beside her. Across from them, Jay and Jella take their places—close, familiar. The two have been dating for five years now, ever since they met at work.
Ben was the first among them to join the company. The other three had started around the same time, forming a bond that stuck.
The night unfolds with easy laughter, food, drinks, and silly games. The room buzzes with warmth and shared memories.
Eventually, the bottle appears.Truth or Dare.
Jay spins it with a dramatic flair. It points straight at Jella.
"Truth or dare?" they all ask in perfect sync.
"Dare," Jella declares without hesitation.
Jay grins wide. "Dare? Okay—kiss me. Right here, in front of everyone."
Jella doesn't even blink. She leans over, cups his face, and kisses him full on the lips.
Mia and Ben stare, stunned, before bursting into awkward laughter.
"Hey, hey—what are you doing?" Ben laughs, half covering his eyes. "Not in front of us, please."
"My eyes! I need bleach!" Mia jokes, playfully shielding her face but giggling all the same.
As Jay and Jella keep going, Mia and Ben exchange a wide-eyed glance—then quickly look away, flustered.
"Okay, okay, that's enough!" Mia says, waving her hands in mock horror.
She reaches for the bottle and gives it a spin. It slows… and lands on Ben.
Again, the chorus: "Truth or dare?"
Ben gives a small smirk. "Truth."
Jella leans forward, already asking before anyone else can. "Have you ever fallen in love?"
Ben pauses. He doesn't laugh. He doesn't deflect.He stares at the table for a moment, brows slightly drawn—like he's weighing whether to answer at all.
Mia's heart thuds in her chest. She's staring at him too, curious… and maybe, deep down, hoping.
Finally, Ben says, "Yes." Just that. No names. No context. But his tone is real.
"So the rumors aren't true?" Jella, already drunk, asks.
Jay nudges her with his elbow. "Babe," he whispers, a warning.
Ben glances up, confused. "What rumors?"
"Ah—nothing, nothing!" Jay says quickly, waving it off. "Let's just keep playing!"
He spins the bottle again. This time, it points to Mia.
Ben turns to her slowly, a teasing gleam in his eye. "Truth or dare, Mia?"His voice is soft, but the way he looks at her—focused, curious—makes her nerves spark.
She clears her throat. "Truth. I don't want to kiss anyone tonight."
Ben tilts his head, smirking just a little."Okay. Is there anyone at work you like?" he asks, leaning a bit closer to her.
Mia's breath catches.
The question. His voice. His closeness.It's too much at once.
Her heart pounds so loudly it's all she can hear.
Ben waits, eyes never leaving hers."So?" he asks again, more gently this time.
But before Mia can say anything, Jella suddenly stands and rushes to the bathroom, hand over her mouth.
Jay jumps up right after her. "Jella?"
"Are you okay?" Mia calls out, alarmed.
Ben and Mia share a concerned glance, the tension between them dissolving into worry.
After a few minutes, Jay emerges with Jella—she looks pale, but smiles faintly.
"We're going for a walk," Jay says. "She needs some air."
"Yeah, that's a good idea," Mia says, nodding.
Ben offers a thumbs-up, watching them leave.
The room quiets.The bottle sits still in the middle of the table.And Mia… is left wondering if the question still hangs in the air.