Zoe felt relieved that her emotionless, zombie-like appearance didn't lead to her elimination, but she couldn't be certain about her luck for the following week.Lili waved her hand dismissively. "What nonsense is that? I always watch every episode on TV, so I know your abilities. I've seen others, too. So don't underestimate yourself. You'll make it to the finals! I'll prepare your dress for the final right now," said Lili confidently, hands on her hips.Zoe laughed and was amused to have someone who believed in her so much—besides Wolf."Thanks for the confidence and also for the dress. I'm sure it will be beautiful." Zoe extended her arms, and Lili hugged her tightly with a wide smile.Lili's camaraderie brought Zoe great enjoyment. Clay's wife was warm and very resilient. Lili was younger, but Zoe knew from Wolf that Lili's journey to be where she is now wasn't easy. Zoe already knew what brought Lili close to Dr. Howard. That struggle alone made Zoe realize that Lili could be som
"Every Time You Kiss Me? Is this your next choice?"Wolf raised an eyebrow while reading the title of Zoe's song choice for the upcoming week. Zoe granted Lili's request and selected a song for the next episode—with more confidence. Wolf agreed but questioned the song choice when reading its title."Well, is there something wrong?" Zoe, who was listening to another song for the next week, looked up.Zoe had to choose a somewhat old song because the theme for the next week was a tribute to a music legend. According to Zoe, the song suited her. The song still matched her vocal range, despite being sung by a male artist."Not wrong, but are you mocking me?" Wolf asked, squinting his eyes.As the title suggests, the song discusses kissing. More precisely, it describes the feelings someone has after a kiss. The text describes the sweet, tingling sensation, the feeling of the world stopping spinning, and other details.Of course, Wolf felt mocked. It was as if Zoe was pointing out his weakn
Zoe opened the mirror she had taken from her bag and checked the connection of the wig to her forehead. It blended seamlessly with her makeup, looking natural. Zoe intentionally braided the long black wig to give her appearance a slight variation, and she also made sure her contact lenses were perfectly in place before tucking that mirror back.Today's meeting was supposed to be casual, but all the extra preparation is needed."Thank you." Zoe handed the fare to the taxi driver and then got out at the address Max had given her yesterday.Zoe would ask to meet elsewhere in case Max provided the address of a studio in Billy's building, but it turned out Max gave her the address of a studio that was likely his own, as it seamlessly merged into a luxurious house.Zoe snorted as she looked at the luxurious house. She still remembered how they used to talk about dreams of owning a home that was integrated with a studio.Back then, Zoe thought Max was talking about a future that would includ
"I really love this award. I created the song in less than an hour, but it turned out to be very successful. I wasn't sure it would be good."Max pointed to one of the certificates on the wall. He sensed Zoe's silence as interest and began to narrate how he earned each of those awards."Oh, that's cool!" Zoe pushed aside memories of her foolishness and widened her eyes in admiration. It was a completely new facial expression she hadn't learned from Clay.But Max, now excited and boastful, no longer cared about Zoe's half-hearted reactions and continued to share the details of his achievements.Zoe felt overwhelmed. She had never learned so much about someone's life in such a short period of time, especially when it came with a boastful tone. It made her slightly nauseous."Please, have a seat."Zoe was grateful when Max finally invited her to sit on the sofa in his studio, as it signaled the end of his storytelling.Zoe worried that Max would sit next to her—the sofa was big enough fo
Zoe walked towards her apartment building, carrying a paper bag filled with items. She was tired and just wanted to get home quickly. Her encounter with Max had left her hungry and weary. She didn't pay much attention as a man stepped out of a car, quickly catching up and matching her steps."I want to have the key to your apartment."Of course, Zoe cursed and almost dropped the paper bag containing her groceries. Fortunately, Wolf had quick reflexes and caught the bag before it fell."Don't scare me!" Zoe playfully hit Wolf's arm.Although her apartment's surroundings were not considered dangerous, that didn't mean there was zero crime. And with the darkening sky, Wolf's sudden appearance made her feel uneasy."Okay, I won't do it again. But I still want to ask for the key to your apartment. I hate waiting outside for too long," complained Wolf while opening the main door of Zoe's apartment building—inviting Zoe to enter—and then they went upstairs. Zoe's apartment was on the second
"I hate having to wait for you when I want to do this..." Wolf whispered, easily unhooking the clasp on Zoe's back."You don't want me to stop, do you?" Wolf asked again in a husky voice as his lips gently touched Zoe's shoulder, pushing the straps of Zoe's dress off her shoulders. The dress hung askew before Wolf pulled the other side, causing it to cascade down, covering Zoe's legs.Zoe's response couldn't be clear. She just sighs and bites her lips. Warm and ticklish sensations emanated from Zoe's back as Wolf swept lightly with his fingertips.Creeping and squeezing, flowing along the spine, then tracing Zoe's ribs towards the front."Wolf..." Zoe moaned. She was unable to resist Wolf's teasing any longer. Not directly touching, but circling around the soft parts before touching the hardened tip that signaled his desire.Wolf chuckled softly, feeling Zoe's body melt in his embrace, almost unable to stand without holding onto the kitchen table."I've always loved it when you finall
"That looks... amazing on you," Wolf complimented, stumbling over his words as Zoe's beauty was truly mesmerizing. The blue and white dress looked even more stunning after Zoe adorned it with complete makeup."Thank you." Zoe expressed gratitude while glancing around in panic. She was already at the TV station, a place where Wolf shouldn't be. Wolf didn't send messages this time; he came in person before the broadcast.“Why did you come?” Zoe asked while ensuring the closure of the emergency exit door."Because I wanted to see you, of course," Wolf said, holding back a smile."But you don't usually show up here! What if someone sees you?"“Why are you more worried about me?” Wolf teased, enjoying Zoe's panic."I don't want you to become entangled in gossip, and I don't want to become entangled in it either! What if someone sees you?" Zoe fretted.If Wolf had come in a normal way—without meeting her—Zoe wouldn't be this panicked. But clearly, Wolf had walked into the area where contest
Zoe saw Max bowing down from the stage with his head lowered, seemingly relishing the aftermath of yesterday's news.Journalists and music commentators were harshly critical of his performance. They understood that Max was unwell, but they hoped he would choose not to perform if his condition was that bad. It was embarrassing to witness a musician's poor performance at a music awards show.Sickness was the reason Max provided after the event—Nova's representative gave a press statement. It was clear to Zoe that the reason Max provided, sickness, was undoubtedly a lie. Zoe knew exactly what had happened. Max would never see those socks again, and perhaps they were now in another state, following the flow of a river.Zoe was relieved that Max's trust in that foolish superstition remained the same when she found it yesterday. Max would likely recover and wouldn't depend on his lucky socks after today. But Zoe had successfully stained his career, and the impact would disturb his performan