Everyone there was momentarily confused, not expecting someone to suddenly open the door, but it lasted only about two seconds. After that, almost everyone screamed with joy, realizing that the person who came in was Max.Even Laila, who immediately got up and rushed towards Max,."Max!""Hello... hi!"Zoe heard all the chatter, but it seemed distant and faint as her mind suddenly went blank. She was not prepared to meet Max right now—with his appearance as Loria. Yesterday, when they met at the gym, Zoe perfectly hid her identity, but now she didn't know how to react if Max were to behave the same way Billy did yesterday—trying to force recognition.They shouldn't be meeting now. This was not in her plans. Zoe tried to calm herself, took a deep breath, and stood up, trying to be as enthusiastic as everyone else. It would be odd if Zoe didn't react like everyone else upon seeing Max, who had become famous in the music world."I didn't know you would be a guest today!"No one knows who
"Zoe? Look at me. Calm down first."Wolf tried to calm Zoe as he saw her on the verge of tears. Yet, Zoe shouldn't cry. Tears would ruin her makeup and all the preparations she had done now."Calm down first... Take a deep breath, slowly. Everything will be okay."Wolf whispered while gently patting Zoe's cheeks. But Zoe shook her head while scratching her neck again. She wanted to say that she couldn't speak."Oh, calm down."Wolf, of course, panicked as well. He understood what Zoe meant, but he hid his panic and gently lowered Zoe's hand from her neck, squeezing it softly."Listen to me, Zoe. Whatever happens today, nothing will change. You will still be mine. Even if you fail here, nothing can change that. I still want you. So, there's nothing for you to fear," Wolf reassured, calming her.But Zoe shook her head and tried to scratch her neck again. She wanted to sing. She wanted to be able to sing in front of Max without any burden. Without tears or lingering feelings."Don't cry.
Zoe felt like she was half in a dream, half awake. She waited behind the stage—after receiving a scolding from the producer for disappearing—with a remarkably blank expression.When the camera switched to the waiting participants, Zoe had to display the appropriate reactions. It may have been just two or three seconds of reaction—applause or a smile—but they had been specifically briefed to maintain enthusiasm. Of course, to keep the show lively. And Zoe missed it all, to the point that Laila had to nudge her several times to keep her from daydreaming too much.Zoe also missed Max's spectacular opening performance, even though the cheers heard in the waiting room were deafening.Zoe almost missed Laila's performance and only applauded at the last moment. Her own performance was nearly overlooked until Laila escorted her to the edge of the stage to keep Zoe from daydreaming.Zoe sang very successfully live because she was on autopil
Laila explicitly explained the main points she clearly saw, unaffected by the mixed emotions Zoe experienced during her relationship with Wolf.Despite Wolf's rough and annoying nature, as well as his occasional strange behavior—or the sex—what Laila said was undeniably true. Wolf, who even rejected Sara, whom Zoe considered perfect with all her dazzling qualities, suddenly willingly kissed her twice.That means there's something there. Something different. Maybe—just maybe—Wolf wasn't just talking about his voice earlier. Those ambiguous words about Wolf wanting her, when combined with that kiss, made more sense.And Zoe's head became even noisier at that moment. It was as if something was suddenly pacing back and forth, trying to extinguish the thoughts that she had kept at bay.The repressed thoughts now seemed to race to the surface, trying to shout as loudly as possible. Saying that what she hoped for was not impossible. There
Max smiled, stroking Zoe's arm and even her shoulder, and Zoe didn't resist. Zoe tossed her long black hair a few times, laughing to cover her lips. However, she shouldn't have directed that sweetness towards Max.Wolf had to remind himself several times not to charge towards the man with the guitar. Max clearly exuded charm while flipping his slightly long hair and flashing his bright neon-like smile multiple times, creating an atmosphere of dazzling charm. Wolf wanted to unplug any socket to turn off that pleasant ambiance, but he could only watch.Wolf moved to the exit door of the parking lot, taking a detour to return to his car so as not to surprise Zoe with his appearance. He continued to observe them until his neck felt stiff and his eyes felt sore from rarely blinking.Unable to bear seeing them seemingly conversing endlessly, Wolf finally hissed and took out his phone. Contacting Zoe was necessary now since he saw her reaching for her phone from her po
Mata Zoe squinted. She couldn't understand why she had to receive such a sour reception."So, what should I do?" Zoe asked."You just need to answer my call and leave that bastard! You can use it as an excuse to leave, and...""Ah, that could work." Zoe nodded. She didn't think about that idea."But I need to talk to him because...""Do you still need to talk to him?! What else do you need to hear from him besides nonsense?" Wolf hissed."Most of it may be nonsense, but I need to listen. I intend to pretend to be interested in him. If possible, I will become his lover."CKIT!Wolf pressed the brake pedal too quickly. Fortunately, there were no other cars behind them."What? You want to be his lover? Are you insane?" Wolf turned half of his body, looking at Zoe with an angry face."You're the crazy one!" Zoe shook her head, tired of hearing Wolf's incomprehensible anger."How can you miss the major part of m
"Is there no other way you can do it?" Wolf asked, turning his car into his driveway."There might be, but the easiest way to approach Max right now is by pretending to be his girlfriend. Max is interested in me." The irony is that this was the idea Zoe had after Max rejected her, as Zoe made her shake her head. Now, Max was approaching her without hesitation just because Loria looked a bit different from Zoe.BLAK!Zoe jumped as Wolf suddenly slammed the car door hard when he got out."What's wrong with you?!" Zoe finally lost it because of Wolf's unclear emotional shifts. He went from angry to calm and then angry again."I question your decision, Zoe! How can you decide to get close to that man again? You hate him, and...""Exactly! That's why I want to get close to him again! Because I hate him! I want to teach him a lesson so he understands that what he did won't go unpunished. By getting close to him, I have access to 'disturb' him even
Zoe had no intention of making the atmosphere between them sentimental, as Zoe just wanted acknowledgment for Wolf's highly ambiguous behavior.But then Zoe realized that she genuinely needed clear acknowledgment. It would make her feel more at ease. It wasn't just about Wolf's easily changing relationships with women, but also about her fragile emotional state.Zoe wanted to hear that she meant something to someone. Valued and wanted. Not just a disposable option."Zoe..." Wolf sighed, closing his eyes. He was unable to refuse when Zoe asked somewhat gently.Wolf could no longer consider Zoe's desire ridiculous, especially after seeing Zoe's face slightly reddening. Even if it was just a fleeting moment, Wolf noticed a glint of tears that had lingered earlier.Wolf reached for Zoe's hand and pulled her closer. "It's going to be really weird, but bear with it."Zoe raised an eyebrow, not understanding why Wolf thought it would be weird.