" Unmasking the Familiar"
As I scrolled aimlessly through social media,, the vibrant colors and upbeat captions blurred together into a monotone lull. Nothing sparked interest... Nothing felt new. I sighed and leaned back against the cold marble counter of the luxurious bathroom,, the sound of distant laughter and soft music from the party hall seeping in through the door. A dull ache throbbed in my chest,, the kind that comes from waiting… hoping.
I set my phone aside,, Enough... The party wasn't over,, and hiding in the bathroom wouldn't help anything. I straightened my dress,, took one last look in the mirror,, and walked out,, heels clicking softly against the polished floor.
As I stepped into the corridor that led to the party hall,, something—or someone—caught my eye..♡
A tall figure walked ahead of me with an unmistakable confidence.. His tailored suit hugged his frame perfectly,, and the way he moved… there was a rhythm to it. My heart skipped a beat. Adrian¿...
He finally arrived.♡
But just seeing him stirred a storm inside me—confusion, fear, longing. My mind spun with the weight of a single name: Kai¿♡
That name had haunted me for years...
Could Adrian really be him?¿
The resemblance was more than coincidence—it was uncanny... But that doubt, that thin sliver of disbelief,, was eating me alive... I had to know. I had to be sure.
Swallowing my nervousness,, I took a cautious step forward and called out—softly but clearly—"Kai?¿"
My voice floated in the corridor, barely above a whisper. But loud enough...
He kept walking.
He didn't pause,, Didn't flinch. Didn't even turn around.
My heart sank...
No reaction.
I stood there,, frozen in place,, confusion washing over me like a cold tide. Maybe I'm wrong.... Maybe Adrian really isn't Kai. Maybe it was just wishful thinking all along…
Still lost in my thoughts,, I followed behind and entered the grand party hall. Glittering chandeliers sparkled overhead,, casting a warm golden glow over elegantly dressed guests. The atmosphere was lively,, yet my gaze locked onto a single scene across the room...
Adrian stood talking to Mr. Kwon,, their conversation flowing like old acquaintances reconnecting. Aiko stood beside them,, quiet and composed,, her eyes flicking between the two men. But it was the familiarity in Adrian's posture,, the way Mr. Kwon laughed with him—that unnerved me. They knew each other. And not just formally...
I watched them from afar,, unsure of what to make of it.
Then a familiar voice pulled me out of my trance...
"Rimi,, what are you doing??" Luna appeared beside me,, her brows furrowed. "We were all standing there and watching you. You look like a statue."♡
I didn't turn to her... My eyes remained locked on Adrian. "Luna… maybe Adrian isn't who we think he is."
She looked at me,, puzzled. "What do you mean?? We have proof. That photo—you were the one who said he looked like Kai..."
I finally looked at her. "Yes… I said that. And I believed it. But just now,, when I saw him walking down the hall,, I called out his name—Kai. He didn't even turn around. No reaction at all. Nothing..."
Luna blinked. "Wait, you called him Kai¿ Just now?¿"
I nodded. "When I was coming from the bathroom. I saw him ahead of me,, and I couldn't stop myself... I just… needed to know. So I called him. And he just kept walking, like he didn't hear me... Or like… it meant nothing to him."
Luna's expression changed. She looked between Adrian and me,, her lips pressed together in thought. "Yeah… that's strange. Now I'm confused too...."
Before either of us could say more,, Clara's voice called out across the room. "Hey!! What are you both doing over there?? Come on!!"
Luna nudged my arm gently. "Come on.... We'll figure this out later."
I nodded,, still distracted,, and followed her back into the group. But my thoughts were tangled beyond repair. Everyone was talking,, laughing,, clinking glasses. I tried to focus,, to engage,, but Adrian's face wouldn't leave my mind...
Then Luna leaned in and whispered,, "Who's that girl standing next to Adrian??"
I turned toward the direction she was looking. Sure enough,, Adrian was still talking with Mr. Kwon,, his face animated and charming. But beside him,, now clearer than ever,, stood a girl—young,, elegant,, and undeniably beautiful. Her dress was a delicate shade of lavender,, her hair styled in perfect waves. She stood close to him,, comfortable in his presence.
"I don't know,," I murmured. "I've never seen her before."
Luna's brows lifted. "She looks… like she belongs there. With him.,"
That simple statement stung more than I expected.
Suddenly,, Mr. Kwon caught sight of me. His face lit up with a warm smile,, and he waved us over. "Rimi, my child!! Come here!!"
My stomach tightened. I glanced at Luna. "Time to find out,," I whispered.
She nodded,, and we walked toward them. Every step felt heavier than the last... Adrian turned as we approached,, and his eyes met mine.
For a moment,, the world fell away.
His expression was calm,, unreadable. But behind that mask… was there a flicker of recognition?? Of emotion??
He extended his hand politely. "Hello. It's Adrian. Nice to meet you,, Miss Rimi."
Miss Rimi...¿
Not just Rimi... Not with warmth. Not like he knew me.♡
I felt something crack inside.
I forced a polite smile,, slipping my hand into his briefly. "Nice to meet you too,, Mr. William...."
Our hands touched only for a moment,, but my heart betrayed me,, fluttering wildly at the contact. I pulled away,, careful not to let my inner storm show...
Aiko gave me a side glance,, unreadable as ever. And the girl beside Adrian?? She looked me up and down discreetly,, then quickly looked away.
The air grew tense until Mr. Kwon cleared his throat. "Ahem. And this… this is Rimi... She's like a granddaughter to me. One of the brightest young women I know..."
I turned toward Mr. Kwon and offered him a small smile,, grateful for his warmth. But when I looked back at Adrian,, I found him watching me—not in confusion or recognition—but with the blank poise of a businessman at a networking event...
It hurt more than I wanted to admit.
"So…" I began,, trying to sound composed, "You're the CEO of Queens Company??"
"Yes,," Adrian replied with a confident nod. "We've recently partnered with Kwon Enterprises on a few initiatives... Mr. Kwon has been… quite generous with his guidance."
Mr. Kwon laughed lightly. "Oh,, nonsense. Adrian is very capable... His ideas are fresh and sharp... I simply pointed him in the right direction."
The conversation shifted into polite business chatter. Luna stood close,, silent but observant. I felt distant, like I was watching a scene from behind a pane of glass...
Who are you,, Adrian?? Why do you feel so familiar… but treat me like a stranger??
I stole a glance at him again,, searching his face. If he was hiding something,, he was doing a flawless job of it.
But there was one moment—barely a flicker—when our eyes met again,, and his gaze lingered just a second too long. As if he was about to say something,, But then the lavender-dressed girl leaned in and whispered something to him,, and he turned away.
The moment was gone...
Mr. Kwon eventually turned to address Luna,, praising her recent project,, giving me a moment of escape. I excused myself politely and stepped aside,, walking toward the balcony at the end of the hall.
The cool night air greeted me like an old friend...
I leaned against the railing,, trying to steady my thoughts. My emotions were in chaos—hope,,confusion,, heartbreak,, longing. The name Kai still lingered on my lips,, unspoken but heavy in my chest.
Why did it feel like Adrian was hiding behind a mask??
And if he wasn't Kai… then why did my heart still race every time he looked at me??
"Rimi,," Luna called softly,, walking up beside me. "Are you okay??"
"No,," I admitted,, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't think I am..."
She stood silently next to me,, and for a while,, we just watched the city lights flicker beyond the glass...
"You still believe it's him,," she said finally.
"I don't know what I believe anymore,," I whispered. "But when I called him Kai… and he didn't turn… it felt like someone took away the only hope I was clinging to..."
Luna touched my arm gently. "Then maybe… it's time we find out the truth. One way or another..."
I nodded,, my eyes still locked on the skyline.
Because something told me… this night was only the beginning...
"To be continue "