Kanya had slipped into her role seamlessly. In just a short time, Mind Entertainment had already started seeing the benefits of her expertise. Fan engagement for Jack and June had skyrocketed. Their pairing—JackJune, as fans had dubbed them—thrived more each day.
Every interview, every behind-the-scenes moment, and every casual interaction between them was met with endless adoration from their fans. Kanya had ensured that their brand remained strong while also allowing them the space to be themselves.
Today was another packed schedule. Jack and June were shooting a romantic scene for their latest series, and Kanya had been on set the entire time, overseeing everything.
The moment the director called "Cut!" for the final time that day, she sighed in relief.
The shoot had gone smoothly, with Jack and June delivering their best performances. The chemistry between them was undeniable, as always. The entire crew had been buzzing about how natural they made their romantic moments look.
And that's exactly what Kanya had been working to maintain.
As she gathered her things, getting ready to head back to her office, she heard something that made her freeze.
Sobbing.
It was soft, muffled, but unmistakable.
Kanya frowned. She turned toward the dressing rooms, hesitating for a second before following the sound.
When she reached the door, she gently pushed it open, her heart clenching at the sight inside.
Jack was sitting on the couch, shoulders shaking, his face buried in his hands as he cried.
Kanya didn't even think. She rushed to his side.
"Jack!" She knelt beside him, hands on his shoulders. "Hey, what happened? Are you okay?"
Jack lifted his head, eyes red and filled with pain. His lips trembled as he tried to speak, but another choked sob left his throat instead.
Kanya sat down next to him, wrapping an arm around his back, letting him lean into her.
"Shh, it's okay" she murmured. "Just breathe. I'm here."
Jack took a few shaky breaths, his fingers clenching the fabric of his jeans.
"I… I don't know how much longer I can do this" he finally whispered.
Kanya frowned, rubbing slow circles on his back. "Do what?"
Jack swallowed thickly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"This… this fan service. Acting like we're just characters when we're together. Smiling and flirting in front of the cameras, only to go back to being just friends when the work is over." He let out a humorless chuckle, his eyes filling with fresh tears. "Because the truth is, Kanya… I don't just love June as my character." His voice cracked. "I love him as me."
Kanya's heart clenched painfully.
She knew this kind of pain too well.
Jack buried his face in his hands again. "I should just quit. I can't separate my feelings anymore."
Kanya inhaled deeply, choosing her words carefully.
"Jack" she said softly, "do you think quitting will make you stop loving him?"
He didn't answer.
She sighed. "If you leave now, will that love just disappear? Or will you regret not staying to see if maybe—just maybe—he feels the same way?"
Jack lifted his head slightly, eyes searching hers.
"What if he doesn't?" he whispered. "What if I ruin everything?"
Kanya gave him a small, sad smile. "I once loved someone with everything I had, and I wasn't just rejected—I was humiliated." Her heart ached as memories of that day resurfaced. "And I hated him for it."
Jack listened, his breathing uneven.
"But you know what? I survived. I became stronger. And looking back… I wish I hadn't let my fear control me. Because the pain of rejection doesn't last forever. But the pain of regret?" She shook her head. "That stays."
Jack let out a shaky breath.
Kanya squeezed his hand. "You don't have to rush anything, but don't run away either. If you love him, give yourself the chance to find out if there's something real there. And maybe… just maybe… he's been waiting for you to make the first move."
Jack stared at her, his emotions swirling in his eyes.
And then—
The door creaked open.
Kanya's body stiffened as she turned toward the entrance.
Standing in the doorway, looking completely frozen, were Aran and June.
Jack's entire body tensed. His face paled, his tear-streaked cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Kanya's stomach dropped as her eyes met Aran's unreadable expression. His sharp gaze flickered between her and Jack, his jaw clenched, his usual cold demeanor even icier than before.
But it was June who made Kanya's breath catch.
Because for the first time ever…
June's carefully composed mask had cracked.
His usually relaxed features were tight, his eyes unreadable but undeniably shaken.
He was staring directly at Jack.
And then—
A single, silent breath left June's lips.
Kanya didn't know what that meant.
But she did know one thing.
This wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
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Aran prided himself on his control.
His discipline.
His unshakable composure.
For years, he had built a reputation as a man who was immune to distractions. He was calculated, logical, unaffected by emotions.
And yet, from the moment she stepped into his company, his carefully constructed control had begun to crack.
Kanya.
The woman he had ruthlessly rejected five years ago.
The woman who now worked under his roof, walking through his halls with her chin held high, as if she had never been broken.
As if he hadn't shattered her.
Aran hated how much his eyes followed her whenever she was in the room.
Hated the way his mind refused to forget the way she looked that night five years ago—her wide, hopeful eyes turning to glass the moment he had crushed her feelings beneath his words.
Hated the way she had taken that pain, rebuilt herself, and emerged stronger.
She was bold. Fearless. She commanded attention effortlessly, her presence lighting up the room in ways Aran knew his cold, calculating self never could.
And worst of all?
She was nice to everyone.
Everyone except him.
He watched the way she smiled at the staff. The way she cracked jokes with Korn. The way she gently encouraged the younger employees, offering advice and guiding them with ease.
She was charming.
Admirable.
And yet, whenever she turned to him, her eyes sharpened like daggers.
The teasing lilt in her voice vanished, replaced by barely concealed irritation.
She spoke to him with sharp wit and casual defiance, as if challenging him at every turn.
But what irked him the most—what burned him to his core—was how warm she was to Jack and June.
Particularly Jack.
She was always near them, always fussing over their schedules, always making sure they were comfortable and happy.
And Jack—Jack, of all people—seemed to get a softer version of her.
Aran had watched, time and time again, as she leaned in close to Jack during discussions, whispering something that made him smile. He had seen how she defended him against fans who took things too far.
And he had definitely noticed how Jack looked at her like she was the older sister he never had.
It was irrational. Infuriating.
Why did it bother him so much?
Aran clenched his jaw as he walked down the hallway toward his office, his mind spinning with thoughts he had no business entertaining.
And that was when he ran into June.
Quite literally.
The younger man was moving briskly, nearly colliding with Aran's chest.
"June?" Aran raised an eyebrow. "Where are you rushing off to?"
June hesitated for a moment before clearing his throat.
"It's Jack" he said. "He didn't look too good after the shoot, so I thought I'd check on him."
Aran frowned. Jack had been fine earlier. His usual self, professional and easygoing.
Still, Aran had always been the kind of CEO who looked out for his employees, so with a nod, he adjusted his blazer and said, "I'll come with you."
June blinked, clearly surprised, but didn't argue.
They walked in silence through the halls, the hum of the studio fading as they neared the dressing rooms.
The door was slightly ajar.
And the moment they stepped inside, Aran's breath caught in his throat.
Jack was crying.
And Kanya—his Kanya—was holding him.
She was kneeling beside him, her arms wrapped around his trembling frame, whispering something soft, something gentle.
Jack's shoulders shook as he sobbed against her, his voice broken, vulnerable in a way Aran had never seen before.
And Kanya?
She looked at Jack with so much understanding.
So much compassion.
Something in Aran's chest twisted violently.
He had never seen her look at him like that.
Not once.
Aran's presence had always provoked fire in her. Anger. Frustration. Defiance.
But never tenderness. Never the quiet softness she was giving Jack now.
His hands curled into fists at his sides.
And as if sensing the storm brewing in his chest, Kanya suddenly lifted her gaze.
Her eyes met his.
And Aran's world stilled.