Zoey stood by the hotel window, staring out at the glimmering Seoul skyline. Her suitcase lay open behind her, half-packed with the best outfits she could afford, though none felt grand enough for the Horizon Gala.
Tomorrow, she would walk into a room full of critics, authors, and literary giants people who had once felt galaxies away from her world in Owerri. Now, she was here, in a city that had only ever existed in her dreams and on Pinterest boards.
Tonia had sent her a long message earlier that morning:
"Make sure to eat before the gala. And wear that perfume that smells like magic. You deserve this moment, Zoey."
Her throat tightened. Tonia had always believed in her, even when she didn't believe in herself.
Zoey walked to the vanity table and picked up her speech draft. Just three minutes. That's all she had to speak her truth. She'd written it over and over, scratched out lines, rewritten metaphors. How do you condense years of pain, growth, and triumph into three minutes?
She glanced at her phone.
Still nothing from LonelyTiger.
No reply. No "I'm busy," no "Can't wait to see you." Just silence.
She hated how much she cared. How even with all this success, her mind kept wandering back to a man she hadn't even met. Yet somehow, in all their late-night chats, he had peeled back layers of her no one else had seen.
She shook her head and grabbed her heels. No time for emotions tonight. The rehearsal dinner was at 8 p.m., and she had to look like she belonged among winners.
As she slipped on her shoes, her phone buzzed. Her heart skipped.
It wasn't him. It was Min Jun.
"Hey Zoey, want me to pick you up and head to the venue together? Thought I'd help you get comfortable before the big night."
She smiled. Min Jun had been a kind presence. Funny, a bit too charming sometimes, but dependable. He'd even helped her with last-minute dress shopping.
"Sure, I'd appreciate that. Be ready in 20 mins?"
"On my way."
Zoey turned to the mirror one last time. Her eyes, usually hidden behind oversized glasses and fatigue, sparkled. Her smile wasn't wide, but it was real.
She was becoming someone new not a different person, but a fuller version of herself.
The Horizon Gala was just three days away.
Zoey had circled the date on the calendar in her hotel room, staring at it like it was both a dream and a deadline. The invitation had come two weeks ago after she was confirmed as one of the honorees for the Horizon Literary Prize, and while she'd tried to stay calm, every passing hour made her nerves worse. This wasn't just an event ..it was the event. The moment her work, her voice, her story, would finally be seen on a grand stage.
But all she could think about was LonelyTiger,the guy who had disappeared like smoke the moment she arrived in Seoul.
Her heart pulled toward him, stubbornly. The man behind the late-night chats, the book discussions, the vulnerable moments. Yet, since landing in Korea, he hadn't messaged her once.
Still, life had to move on.
Zoey slipped out that afternoon for a walk. The weather was crisp and light, and she found herself near a corner ice cream stand. Seoul had its way of making the ordinary feel cinematic. That's when she heard a gentle voice behind her.
"Oh my gosh, that top is stunning on you," a woman said with a bright, friendly smile. "Are you here for the Gala too?"
Zoey turned, slightly surprised. The woman was tall, elegant, and styled like someone from a fashion magazine. She wore a black trench coat, hair sleek, and her lipstick a shade of plum that made her look both modern and mysterious.
"I'm…yes," Zoey replied, hesitant but polite. "I'm attending."
The woman's eyes sparkled. "I knew it! I could tell you were someone important. I'm Yeon-Ah. I work with a design firm in Seoul. You're not Korean, right?"
"No, I'm Nigerian. First time in Korea, actually."
"Welcome then, Zoey," she said easily, as if she already knew her name.
A strange flutter hit Zoey's chest. "Did I tell you my name?"
Yeon-Ah laughed. "Oh, sorry! It's just well, I saw you in the Horizon feature announcement online. You're a writer, right? 'The Sky Between Us'? I loved the title."
Zoey smiled, warmed. "Yeah. That's me."
What began as casual small talk turned into something more. They ended up sitting by the window, sharing stories about city life, books, and the challenge of being alone in a new place.
"Seoul can feel big and cold," Yeon-Ah said, smiling gently. "But sometimes you meet someone who makes it warmer."
Zoey had laughed, surprised at how comfortable she felt. Before leaving, Yeon-Ah asked for her number. "I can show you around if you're free sometime."
It didn't feel strange. In fact, it felt nice and refreshing to have someone around who wasn't connected to work or awards or expectations.
She was working for someone. Not just anyone, but the one person pulling strings from the shadows "The Chairman". Yeon-Ah wasn't just some chic Seoul girl with great fashion sense and a warm smile. She was a carefully placed observer, trained to blend in, to earn trust, to extract information.
And Zoey? Zoey was her latest assignment.
From the first scoop of caramel ice cream, Yeon-Ah watched everything Zoey's reactions, her expressions, the tremble in her voice when she talked about home. But what intrigued Yeon-Ah the most was the one name that kept slipping through Zoey's lips with longing and frustration: LonelyTiger.
The man Zoey had been texting for weeks. The man who suddenly ghosted her after she arrived in Seoul. The man she clearly cared for, even if she tried not to show it.
Yeon-Ah played her role perfectly. Asking just the right questions, letting silence do the rest.
"Have you ever met him before?" she asked one night as they strolled through a bookstore in Itaewon.
"No," Zoey said, shaking her head. "We just talked online. But… he felt different. Not like other guys."
Yeon-Ah's eyes narrowed subtly. "Did he ever tell you his real name?"
"No," Zoey said again, slower this time. "He was just LonelyTiger. That's all I know."
That was the confirmation Yeon-Ah needed. She tucked the information away, her mind already crafting the message she'd send that night.
When she left Zoey's hotel later that evening, she stepped into the alley beside the building, checked for cameras, and pulled out her burner phone.
She typed the message with precision:
"Target unaware of LonelyTiger's identity. Believes he's a stranger. Emotional attachment confirmed. Continuing surveillance."
Within seconds, a reply came:
"Good. Keep her close."
She stared at the screen for a moment longer, the words echoing in her mind. Keep her close.
Yeon-Ah knew what that meant.
She wasn't just a friend anymore. She was a weapon disguised in kindness.
And the more Zoey talked about LonelyTiger, the more dangerous this game became.
Over the next few days, they hung out more. Yeon-Ah showed her local markets, little bookstores, and quiet parks. Zoey found herself opening up about Nigeria, about writing, about the confusing silence from LonelyTiger. Yeon-Ah never pushed; she just listened and nodded, always seeming to say the right thing
On the morning of the Horizon Gala, a package arrived at Zoey's hotel door. No name, no note,just a designer box with a shimmering gown inside. Midnight blue with delicate silver embroidery, it looked like the night sky had been stitched into fabric.
Zoey was stunned. "Who would send me something like this?"
She immediately texted Yeon-Ah a photo.
Zoey: Did you send this?
Yeon-Ah: No! But wow, it's beautiful. Maybe a fan? Or LonelyTiger finally came out of hiding?
Zoey laughed at the message, but her heart fluttered. Could it be him?
Yeon-Ah met her later to help with her hair and makeup. She complimented the dress again, gave subtle tips, and handed her a sleek clutch.
"You're going to shine tonight," she said as she stepped back to admire her.
Zoey smiled, nerves dancing in her stomach. "I hope so."
Miles away, in daehan office, Jae Hyun stood at the window, one hand on the glass, the other clutching his phone.
He hadn't reached out to her. He couldn't
After the anonymous message he received last week saying "She's next", he knew better than to let her into his life now. If they were watching him, they were watching her too.
Min Jun stood behind him, tense. "You sure it was smart? Sending the dress anonymously?"
"She deserves it," Jae said, voice low. "Even if I can't show up… she should feel like the queen she is."
The Horizon Gala was a kaleidoscope of Seoul's finest—dazzling gowns, flashing cameras, champagne bubbles rising in crystal flutes. The grand hall sparkled beneath golden chandeliers, and the air buzzed with anticipation. For the first time, Zoey walked into a room where everyone was there to celebrate books, stories… words. Her words.
But she wasn't alone.
Min-Jun, looking sharp in a black velvet tuxedo, walked beside her, ever the calm protector and quietly observant. He didn't just drive her there—he helped her feel less like an outsider and more like she belonged. His presence made her feel grounded, even as her nerves danced wildly in her chest.
The gown she wore shimmered like moonlight. It was elegant, delicate, and tailored perfectly—mysteriously delivered with no name, no card, just wrapped in luxury. She still had no idea who sent it, but wearing it made her feel seen, like someone out there truly understood her.
In the midst of the glamour, the paparazzi surged toward another arrival.
Kyu-hee.
A vision in red, her lips matched her dress—bold and deliberate. She posed for cameras with expert grace, but as the press began firing questions, cracks began to form in her façade.
"Miss Kyu-hee, any truth to the rumors that Jãë Hyun broke up with you?"
Her smile twitched. "No. Jae Hyun and I are very much still together," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to control the narrative.
But the murmurs didn't stop.
One bold reporter from an online press outlet, The Seoul Scoop, called out, "Sources close to Jae Hyun say he hasn't spoken to you in months. Why are you lying?"
Kyu-hee's face paled for a second before she composed herself. She stormed into the hall, ignoring the rest of the flashing lights and whispers trailing behind her. Inside, she searched the crowd, scanning every corner for him for Jae Hyun. He had to be here.
The Horizon Gala was a kaleidoscope of Seoul's finest—dazzling gowns, flashing cameras, champagne bubbles rising in crystal flutes. The grand hall sparkled beneath golden chandeliers, and the air buzzed with anticipation. For the first time, Zoey walked into a room where everyone was there to celebrate books, stories… words. Her words.
But she wasn't alone.
Min-Jun, looking sharp in a black velvet tuxedo, walked beside her, ever the calm protector and quietly observant. He didn't just drive her there—he helped her feel less like an outsider and more like she belonged. His presence made her feel grounded, even as her nerves danced wildly in her chest.
The gown she wore shimmered like moonlight. It was elegant, delicate, and tailored perfectly—mysteriously delivered with no name, no card, just wrapped in luxury. She still had no idea who sent it, but wearing it made her feel seen, like someone out there truly understood her.
In the midst of the glamour, the paparazzi surged toward another arrival.
Kyu-hee.
A vision in red, her lips matched her dress—bold and deliberate. She posed for cameras with expert grace, but as the press began firing questions, cracks began to form in her façade.
"Miss Kyu-hee, any truth to the rumors that Jãë Hyun broke up with you?"
Her smile twitched. "No. Jãë and I are very much still together," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to control the narrative.
But the murmurs didn't stop.
One bold reporter from an online press outlet, The Seoul Scoop, called out, "Sources close to Jãë Hyun say he hasn't spoken to you in months. Why are you lying?"
Kyu-hee's face paled for a second before she composed herself. She stormed into the hall, ignoring the rest of the flashing lights and whispers trailing behind her. Inside, she searched the crowd, scanning every corner for him—for Jãë. He had to be here.
He wasn't.
She clenched her clutch tighter, fury swelling in her chest. He was the reason she was here. The reason she spent hours getting ready, rehearsing her answers. And he didn't even show up.
Zoey watched the scene from across the room. She didn't know who Kyhu-Hee was, but something about her aura felt… forced. Like a performance.
Zoey smiled nervously as someone complimented her dress. She nodded politely, eyes scanning for anyone familiar. This whole world felt surreal until she turned around and gasped.
"Tonia?" she whispered.
Tonia stood behind her, beaming, eyes glassy with emotion.
"You didn't think I'd miss this, did you?" she said, arms already wide for a hug.
"Tonia! What—how—?"
"Min-Jun," she smiled, nodding toward him as he casually sipped his drink near the balcony, pretending not to notice them.
Zoey blinked fast, trying not to cry as they hugged. "I thought you were back home…"
"I was. But Seoul was calling. And so were you."
They laughed, giddy and overwhelmed.
But someone was watching.
Yeon-Ah stood near the bar, nursing a glass of wine. Her eyes locked on Zoey, taking mental snapshots of every interaction. The hug. The dress. The look on her face when Tonia appeared. But more importantly… the name Min-Jun.
That night, as the ballroom lights dimmed and the stage lit up for speeches, Yeon-Ah texted her handler:
"Gown was worn. Jae Hyun didn't attend. Girl's circle growing. More attention needed on Min-Jun."
The Chairman responded only with:
"Noted. Prepare Phase Two."
___________
The Horizon After Party
The lights inside the exclusive Midnight Glow Lounge shimmered like stardust, bouncing off crystal chandeliers and casting a warm, golden hue across the room. Celebrities, authors, influencers, and publishing elites mingled in their finest outfits, champagne glasses clinking and camera flashes popping.
Zoey stepped inside, her breath catching in her throat. The mysterious gown she wore hugged her perfectly an ethereal midnight-blue dress with delicate crystal detailing that danced under the lights. She still had no idea who sent it, but somehow, it made her feel like the woman she was always meant to be.
Min Jun escorted her in with a proud smile. "Told you you'd turn heads," he whispered.
And she did. Heads turned. Whispers followed her as she walked through the crowd, grace and elegance in every step. Tonia, dressed in sleek black with silver heels, gave her a playful wink from across the room.
"Now this," Tonia whispered when Zoey reached her, "is the glow-up I signed up for."
They clinked glasses.
Just then, Yeon-Ah appeared, effortlessly blending into the party's glamour. Her dress was bold, fiery red intentionally standing out. She greeted Zoey warmly, but her eyes flickered toward Min Jun.
"You didn't say your plus one would be this charming," she said with a smirk.
Min Jun offered a polite nod. "Friend of a friend," he replied coolly, his tone measured.
As the party buzzed around them, Yeon-Ah subtly observed every interaction. She noticed how Zoey's eyes often drifted toward the entrance, scanning for someone—Jãë Hyun.
But he wasn't coming.
Yeon-Ah leaned closer to Zoey. "Still hoping he'll show?"
Zoey gave a small shrug, trying not to look disappointed. "Maybe."
Yeon-Ah's smile was kind, but behind it was calculation. She excused herself moments later and stepped out to a quiet hallway.
As music swelled and laughter echoed, Zoey turned to Min Jun. "Do you think Lonely Tiger is here tonight?"
Min Jun blinked. "What?"
She smiled sadly. "It's silly. I keep wondering if I've already seen him… and just didn't know."
Min Jun offered a tight smile but said nothing.
And somewhere outside the lounge, under the watch of Seoul's moonlight, Jae Hyun stood inside a black car, parked across the street. Watching.
Regret in his eyes.
Longing in his chest.
And a secret burning heavier than ever.
Zoey couldn't stop smiling as she pulled Tonia into a tight hug, right there in the hotel lobby. "I can't believe you're here," she whispered, her voice laced with emotion. "It feels like a dream, doesn't it? Seoul… us… this moment."
Tonia laughed, adjusting her sunglasses. "A dream come true. You've worked so hard for this, Zoey. And now? Look at you. Horizon Gala, bestselling book..girl, you're glowing!"
They both laughed as they wheeled Tonia's suitcase up to the room, chatting non-stop like schoolgirls reuniting after a long summer.
As soon as they were inside, Zoey flopped onto the bed. "I've made a new friend too. Her name's Yeon-Ah. Met her while I was buying ice cream—crazy coincidence, but she's been super sweet. She even helped me pick out an outfit for the Gala."
Tonia arched a brow, masking her unease with a soft smile. "Yeon-Ah?"
"Yeah, she's so stylish and confident. Said she moved back to Seoul recently. She offered to show me around. I kinda like her vibe."
Tonia nodded slowly, trying to keep her voice light. "I'm glad you're meeting new people. But be careful, babe. Sometimes vibes can be misleading."
Zoey blinked. "What do you mean?"
Tonia shrugged, walking over to the window. "Nothing serious. Just… be you, be smart. Trust your gut if anything feels off."
Zoey tilted her head. "You don't like her?"
"I didn't say that." Tonia turned back around, smiling again. "I just want you to remember who's really in your corner."
Zoey grinned. "You. Always."
And even though they laughed and spent the rest of the evening watching K-dramas and eating takeout, a quiet tension lingered in the back of Tonia's mind. Something about Yeon-Ah didn't sit right.
And she wasn't about to let her best friend walk into danger without a fight.