Entry #8

Mark

Hey, Aeri

Just letting you know I’ll be at your apartment in about 10-ish minutes

Oh you don’t have to. 

Yunjin said she was going to be picking me up

Yeah, so about that….😬😬😬😬

???

Yunjin said she couldn't make it. Something about there being traffic on the way to your complex

So she decided to go straight to the venue and asked me to pick you up

I was already heading that way. Figured I'd save you the subway ride.

Oh…

Cool. See you soon.

Aeri tossed her phone onto the bed and turned back to the mirror.

The black dress hugged her curves like it knew exactly what it was doing. The white fur shawl sat draped over her desk chair, waiting. The silver sandals were already by the door.

Her bold winged eyeliner highlighted her eyes beneath blunt black bangs. Long, straight hair draped over her shoulders, showcasing large spiral silver earrings.

She looked good. Really good.

And now Mark was going to see her.

In this dress.

In his car.

Alone.

Fuck.

She needed air.

Aeri stepped onto the balcony and gripped the railing, letting the cool evening air hit her face. The city hummed below — distant traffic, muffled music from someone's apartment, the occasional laugh drifting up from the courtyard.

The party. Mark. The car ride alone.

Her stomach twisted.

Why did Yunjin bail? Was it really traffic, or was she trying to play matchmaker? And why did Mark agree to pick her up so easily? He didn't have to. He could have said no. He could have told Yunjin to figure it out.

Unless he wanted to.

She exhaled slowly, trying to push the thoughts away. It didn't matter. It was just a car ride. Just a party. Just Mark.

She'd survived him before. She could do it again.

Right?

Her eyes drifted across the courtyard — out of habit now, more than curiosity.

And then she saw him.

Hide stood in his living room, his arms wrapped around a woman Aeri didn't recognize. Not the same one from before. This one was shorter, curvier, with dark hair that spilled over his shoulders as he pulled her close.

The sight hit Aeri somewhere unexpected — a strange mix of jealousy and curiosity tangled together in her chest.

He was completely absorbed in the woman, utterly oblivious to being watched. His hands gripped her waist, drawing her closer as his lips moved against her neck.

Aeri swallowed hard.

She should look away. She knew she should look away.

She didn't.

His lips travelled down the woman's throat, pressing against her skin in a series of soft, sensuous kisses. His hands slid from her waist to her hips, pulling her even tighter against him.

Then his eyes snapped open.

And locked onto Aeri.

He didn't stop. Didn't flinch. Didn't look away. His mouth continued its path down the woman's neck, but his gaze stayed fixed on Aeri — deliberate now, almost challenging.

She gasped softly.

His expression darkened, something unreadable flickering across his face. Surprise? Amusement? Something more complex? He held her gaze as he pushed the woman against the glass door, his hands roaming over her body possessively, his tongue tracing a slow line along her neck.

His eyes never left Aeri's.

A small, dark smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He was enjoying this. Enjoying her watching. Relishing the chance to make her look.

And she did look.

She couldn't stop.

The knock at the door finally snapped her out of it.