Chapter 11: Chapter 10 - Safe Haven

Orla:

“Logan Park, that jerk!” she yelled, pacing the small living room of her quaint little apartment, her hands gesturing wildly. “I can’t believe he did that to you on your wedding day! What an absolute piece of shit."

I sat on the edge of the sofa, clutching a mug of tea Nara had handed me the moment we’d walked in. It was still too hot to drink, but the warmth of it in my hands was comforting. I had just finished telling her everything—every painful, humiliating detail of the day I’d rather forget.

Nara finally stopped pacing and turned to me, her eyes filled with sympathy. “Orla, I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I wish I could strangle him myself.”

I managed a weak chuckle, appreciating her fierce loyalty. “Thanks, Nara. I’m just… I don’t even know how to process it all.”

Nara came over to the sofa, sitting down beside me. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re here, Orla. I’ve missed you.”

I leaned into the hug, grateful for the comfort and familiarity. “I’ve missed you too, Nara. Thanks for everything… but I won’t be staying forever. I just needed to escape for a bit, clear my head.”

Nara pulled back slightly, giving me a reassuring smile. “You can stay as long as you need. Seriously, I’m happy to have you here. My last roommate left a month ago, and I haven’t filled the spare bedroom yet. I’ve been looking, but nothing’s worked out so far. So, really, it’s perfect timing.”

I looked at her, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. “You’re the best, Nara. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She waved off the praise, her smile turning playful. “You’d be fine, I'm sure. But for now, let’s focus on getting you settled. You’ve had a rough day, and you deserve a break.”

After Nara showed me to the spare bedroom, I took my time settling in. The furnished room was cozy, with soft, pink pastel colors and a small window overlooking the quiet street below. I finally had a moment to myself, and the first thing I did was peel off the wedding dress that had clung to me for the last 24 hours like a bad memory. I stood there for a moment, staring at the pile of white fabric on the floor, wondering if I should just burn it and be done with it.

Shaking off the thought, I grabbed a towel and headed for the shower. The hot water was a welcome relief, washing away the remnants of the day. I let the steam envelop me, my mind finally beginning to calm.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in one of Nara’s oversized shirts and a pair of leggings she’d lent me, the smell of savory sweet budae jjiga filled the room. My stomach growled in response, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude. Nara had always been the kind of friend who knew exactly what you needed, even before you did.

As I made my way to the living room, I spotted Nara at the table, her laptop open and her focus entirely on whatever she was working on. The TV was on in the background, blasting an upbeat K-pop song that had a catchy electronic beat. I listened for a moment, curious.

“Who’s that?” I asked, nodding toward the TV.

Nara glanced up, her concentration breaking as she followed my gaze. “Oh, that’s ADRIIFT. They’re an up-and-coming group. I’ve been playing their stuff non-stop lately.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Are they your new favorite band?”

Nara laughed, shaking her head. “Not exactly. It’s more for research purposes. The upcoming movie I’m working on has one of the guys from the group starring in it. It’s going to be a big drama.”

I blinked, momentarily surprised. Of course, Nara was a big-time producer now, working for a major Korean production company that churned out blockbuster-like series. I’d almost forgotten how far she’d come since our college days.

“Wow, that’s amazing,” I said, genuinely impressed. “I keep forgetting you’re a big deal now.”

She waved off the compliment, her attention already back on her laptop. “It’s just work. But hey, if you’re interested, I can get you some behind-the-scenes gossip.”

I laughed, feeling a bit more at ease. “Maybe in a bit. Right now, I’m just thankful you’re feeding me.”

I sat down at the table, the aroma of the stew making my mouth water. Nara had already set out a bowl for me, the perfect comfort food after the day I’d had. Just as I was about to take a bite, something on the TV caught my eye.

The K-pop group on the screen was in the middle of an intense dance routine, all six members moving in perfect sync. But it was one member in particular who grabbed my attention. He was in full pop-idol makeup, his features striking and almost ethereal under the stage lights. Then he stepped forward for a solo, and his deep, bass-baritone voice filled the room—a voice that seemed almost out of place with his youthful, polished appearance.

I blinked, my chopsticks hovering mid-air. “Nara, who did you say this group was again?”

Nara glanced at the TV screen, her focus momentarily shifting from her laptop. “That’s ADRIIFT, the group I mentioned earlier. Why?”

But I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. As the camera zoomed in on the singer’s face, it all clicked into place. The voice, the face, the name—it was him. Milo. The guy I’d sat next to on the plane.

My heart skipped a beat as I watched him finish his solo, his deep voice resonating in a way that made it hard to believe it came from the same person who’d chatted so casually with me just hours before. I felt a rush of realization and disbelief. I’d spent an entire flight next to a pop star, completely oblivious.

Nara must have noticed my stunned expression and raised an eyebrow. “Orla? What’s up? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I shook my head, still trying to process it all. “I… I think I just realized who I sat next to on the plane.”