Track 1 - Dress (Couplez - Liz x Rei)

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Lights. Cameras. Fashion.

The two newcomers strutted through the parted crowd clutching their designer handbags. Dressed in a floral theme, the new Valentino angels paused in front of the photo wall and turned to the paparazzi to strike pose after pose.

Naoi Rei and Kim Jiwon.

Camera flash.

“Liz, Liz! Over here! A quick picture—please!” Liz smirked and indulged the photographer by leaning towards his camera and winking at the lens.

Hands extended.

“Rei-ya~, Rei-ya~! Sign my albums—please. PLEASE SIGN MY ALBUMS!” Rei signaled to the bodyguards, allowing her to move between them, grabbing the different IVE albums in front of her and signing them one by one.

Cord lifted.

“Ms. Kim, Ms. Naoi, we’re ready to receive you.”

Before the pair entered the main event space for the 2026 Haute Couture Week, they gave a final wave to the crowd that continued clamoring for them. All eyes were fixated on them.

But when they finally turned around, their eyes were only focused on each other.

Striding along the length of the red carpet, the assistants guided them to their seats, where a handful of other models and talents were already laying in wait. They politely excused themselves and found a moment of pause to sit down and relax.

Rei turned to Liz. “Back in Paris. Nothing’s changed.”

But Liz shook her head. “Maybe some things have.”

“Oh? Are you actually liking this now?”

Liz shrugged, smirking. “Maybe.”

Crinkling her nose, Rei sighed. “Someone’s confident. What is it? I know you’re hiding something. Finally meeting with Venturini-nim, aren’t you? He’s fun.”

Liz shrugged again before leaning towards Rei to whisper. “Maybe you’ll have to find out later.”

Rei didn’t say a word. Once Liz returned properly to her seat, she chuckled and pinched Rei’s arm, holding her forearm firmly. “I think you’ll like it.”

She could almost feel Rei’s pulse from her wrist.

Their little interaction was interrupted by the arrival of several prolific guests and investors. Like the dolls they were trained as, they got into position and showed off like they were selected to be.

But Liz still had her eyes on Rei.

It didn’t always used to be like this.

===== January 9, 2022 =====

I can’t do this again. I can’t do this anymore.

Bursting through the fire escape door, Liz clutched her bare stomach. Glancing down her body, she fought the urge to puke. She grabbed the nearby railing and held onto it, pulling herself slowly to the window.

But I’m an idol now… I have to … I need to …

Forehead pressed to the warm pane, she shuddered and took deep breaths. “It’s over. It’s done. It’s done …”

All was silent and well until the door burst open behind her.

“So this is where you were.”

Clutching her blazer shut, Liz growled and slammed a fist into Rei’s chest. “Ya! What was that for? You nearly … ugh.”

Rei chuckled and held Liz’s hands. “Calm down. It’s ok. Just checking on you. You had us all worried when you went running off-stage. Director Jung asked us to find you.”

“Well you found me.”

“Yeah. What’s my prize?”

Pushing Rei’s face away, Liz turned around and faced the window. Rei let her play coy for a moment. But when the silence grew deafening, she cleared her throat and moved up next to her.

“Sorry. I was just—.”

Liz’s body jerked away from her before she could even place her hand on her back. Her eyes were bloodshot and teary as they stared at Rei.

“Liz, you …”

Blinking rapidly, she shook her head. “Tell Director Jung I’ll be out in ten. Please.”

“You go tell him yourself. I’ll head out when you do,” Rei replied as she leaned her back against the window. “He can wait. So can I.”

Liz rolled her eyes. “Suit yourself.”

They didn’t exchange another word.

From the corner of her eye, Liz sized up the other girl. The cute bun on Rei’s head. Her full red lips. Here studded earrings embedded into her adorable ears. Her fitted choker wrapped around her neck. The tight pants that clung to the length of her legs. The brief peek of her bare navel.

Cute.

But when Rei’s eyes crossed over to her own body, Liz flinched.

She felt her choker enslave her like a collar. Her silky cropped top barely covered her torso. As the wind teased the patches of skin that were exposed, she dragged her blazer tightly around and over herself.

Closing her eyes, she remembered it.

The eyes—all those eyes. Stabbing her. Prying into her. Roaming all over her hideous body on display.