Shuun wasn’t stupid.

He had caught it.

The way Minra had been watching him.

The way she had gotten distracted.

The way she had flushed when he caught her.

And now?

Now he was curious.

Because Minra had spent so long avoiding him.

But now—she was noticing him.

And Shuun?

Shuun wanted to see how far she’d let herself go.

.

He didn’t push too much.

Not obviously.

Not enough to make her realize it was intentional.

But just enough to make her feel it.

The way his voice dropped a little lower whenever he read certain lines.

The way he let his gaze linger just a bit longer than necessary.

The way he would casually brush past her—not quite touching, but close enough to make her aware of him.

Subtle.

Careful.

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Just enough to make her wonder if she was imagining it.

And Minra?

She was trying so damn hard to ignore it.

But Shuun saw it—the way her fingers twitched against her script.

Like she was forcing herself not to react.

And somehow—

That made it more fun.

.

After a few hours, Shuun stretched, rolling his shoulders.

“We should stop here.”

Minra blinked, snapping out of her focus.

“Huh?”

Shuun stood, walking toward the kitchen. “I ordered something.”

Minra frowned. “Ordered what?”

And then—the doorbell rang.

A staff member from a high-end restaurant arrived, carrying a bag of carefully packed gourmet food and a bottle of expensive wine.

Minra froze.

She stared.

Because this wasn’t normal.

She had expected to eat convenience store snacks, maybe takeout.

Not… this.

Shuun, completely unfazed, took the bag and set it on the table.

Then he looked at her.

“You skipped dinner.”

Minra’s breath hitched.

Because that?

That was unexpected.

She didn’t even realize he had noticed.

But he had.

And now—he was making it impossible to leave.

.

Minra should have left after eating.

That was the plan.

But Shuun had already opened the wine.

And before she could even protest, he had handed her a glass.

“Relax.” His voice was smooth, calm. “You’re too tense.”

Minra scowled. “I am not.”

Shuun smirked. “Then drink.”

Minra huffed.

Fine.

It was just wine.

She could handle it.

…Right?

.

Minra was not prepared for how smooth it was.

How easy it was to drink.

How dangerously light it felt at first—until it wasn’t.

Because before she realized it, her limbs felt warmer.

Her head felt lighter.

And suddenly—she wasn’t thinking so hard anymore.

She wasn’t overanalyzing Shuun’s presence.

She wasn’t questioning why she was here.

She was just—relaxed.

And that?

That was dangerous.

Because now, she wasn’t just comfortable.

She was vulnerable.

And Shuun?

Shuun was watching.

.

Minra leaned back against the couch, exhaling softly.

Shuun, sitting beside her, swirled his glass slightly before glancing at her.

“Better?”

Minra, without thinking, nodded. “Yeah…”

Then—she blinked.

Wait.

What the hell was she doing?

She was sitting way too comfortably.

Talking way too casually.

And now that she was too relaxed to fight it—

She noticed him again.

The way his sweater sleeves were still pushed up, revealing his forearms.

The way his hair was slightly messier now.

The way he watched her—calm, unreadable, always aware.

And Minra?

Minra was not prepared for that.

She quickly sat up, trying to regain focus.

Shuun chuckled. “Panicking?”

Minra scowled. “I’m fine.”

Shuun raised an eyebrow. “Are you?”

Minra refused to answer.

Because no.

She wasn’t.

Because for the first time—

She wasn’t just comfortable with him.

She was noticing him in a way she shouldn’t.

And somehow, that was so much worse.

.

Chapter 17: The Actor Who Knew Exactly What He Was Doing