Mia's eyes flutter open, the soft haze of morning gently nudging her awake. For a moment, the room feels unfamiliar—soju and beer bottles scattered on the floor, a pair of men's shoes by the door, the scent of alcohol still faint in the air. Then it clicks. She's in Ben and Jay's room.
Ben lies beside her, still fully dressed, his breathing even and untroubled. Her own clothes are untouched, a quiet relief easing some of the panic rising in her chest. But the question lingers, stubborn and unsettling—why did she sleep here?
She remembers laughter. Conversations. A warmth that wasn't just from the alcohol. There had been soju, maybe too much, and a blur of moments that feel both vivid and distant. But after that... nothing certain.
Moving with careful precision, Mia slides out from under the blanket and reaches for her shoes, trying not to disturb the quiet rhythm of Ben's sleep. Mia bends down to put on her shoes, moving carefully, then tiptoes to the door. She turns the knob slowly, almost wincing at the faint click it makes as she opens it.
The hallway greets her with silence—except it isn't empty.
Kevin is outside, in front of his room door. Frozen mid-step—as if he'd been about to enter, only to stop the moment he sees her. His eyes flick from her face to the door she had just slipped out of… then back to her.
There's no judgment in his expression—only a quiet, unreadable curiosity.
"Good morning," Mia blurts, aiming for casual—but the crack in her voice betrays her.Without waiting for a response, she brushes past Kevin, her cheeks burning.
Once she turns the corner, she lets out a shaky breath."Stupid, stupid," she mutters, lightly tapping her temple with her fist.Questions swirl—relentless, unanswerable.What happened last night? Why was she in Ben's room? Why can't she remember anything?
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At breakfast, the hotel buffet buzzes with the familiar hum of morning activity—the rich scent of fresh coffee and pastries lingering in the air. Mia finds a seat and settles in, only for Kevin to sit directly across from her. His eyes lock onto hers, sharp and curious, as if he hasn't forgotten the sight of her leaving Ben's room earlier that morning.
Mia tries to focus on her meal, but his gaze feels like a weight pressing down on her chest. Every bite she takes seems too heavy under his watchful eyes. She glances up, unable to ignore him any longer—and finds him still watching her. Caught off guard, she chokes on her food, coughing loudly.
Kevin raises an eyebrow, an amused smirk playing at the corner of his lips. He doesn't say a word, but his expression is enough to send a ripple of discomfort through her.
Moments later, Ben arrives. Without a second thought, he casually pats Mia's head as he sits beside her.
"Are you okay? Do you need water?" Ben asks, his voice soft with concern, as he settles into his seat beside her.
The gesture sends a sudden shiver down her spine, an unexpected jolt of familiarity.
It's as if a puzzle piece has clicked into place in her mind—a fleeting but vivid flash of memory. Ben's hand had been in her hair last night, moving slowly down to her cheek, soft, deliberate… and then, a KISS.
And then… nothing.
The memory cuts off as abruptly as it had arrived, leaving Mia stunned, her heart racing with more questions than answers.
Shock jolts through Mia, and before she even realizes it, her chair scrapes back sharply as she stands. The sudden movement draws every pair of eyes at the table. Conversations halt. Confusion ripples around her.
Ben's voice breaks the silence, low and concerned. "What happened?"
Mia freezes for half a second, her mind spinning. "Nothing—I just remembered I have to… do something," she says quickly, forcing a weak smile. "I'll go ahead."
Without waiting for a reply, she grabs her bag and rushes out of the dining area, her heart thudding like a drum. The memory—the kiss, his touch—lingers like a ghost she can't shake.
As she nears the elevator, hurried footsteps echo behind her. Before she can turn, a hand gently catches hers, stopping her mid-stride. She turns—and it's Ben.
"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice calm but edged with something deeper.
Mia looks away. "I'm fine," she mumbles.
"What's going on, Mia? Why are you avoiding me again?" Ben asks, his voice soft but pointed. "We were… fine last night."
"I'm not avoiding you," she replies, still not meeting his eyes, trying to pull her hand free.
But Ben doesn't let go. "You remember what happened… don't you?" he says, searching her face. "That's why you're acting like this."
"What?" she breathes, eyes widening. She hesitates. "No… I can't remember anything."
But she does.
Ben studies her face. "Nothing at all?"
She shakes her head, eyes still cast downward.
"Look at me," he says gently but firmly. "Look me in the eye and say you don't remember."
He waits, eyes locked on hers, willing her to meet his gaze.
And just then—Kevin's voice cuts through the tension.
"What's going on here?"
They both turn. Kevin stands a few steps away, his posture guarded, his eyes sharp. He's followed her too.
Neither Ben nor Mia answers. The hallway feels suddenly smaller, the silence between them louder than anything they could've said.
And while Ben's attention shifts to Kevin, Mia takes her chance. She slips away without a word.
Ben turns back, realizing she's gone.
A dry, frustrated laugh leaves him. "Ah, so this is how you want to play it, Mia?"