..."That's so messed up," Maria said, her voice laced with disbelief and pity as she stirred her new cup of iced latte like it had wronged her personally.
"And we were hyping you like it was some dream marriage," Aria added, slumping into the soft velvet booth.
"You mean condone," Zane chimed in, sipping his espresso with a sly smirk. "Remember she used to loathe Kael? With good reason too. Probably still does."
I called them today to our go to spot, The Nova Café.
Nova Café was our sanctuary—a place tailored for Nova fans like us to bask in everything Abyss. From the themed drinks named after each member to the walls covered in LED screens looping concert highlights, it was every Nova's dream hideout. The air carried a soft lavender-vanilla scent, mixed with the low hum of Abyss's newest track playing overhead. Today, it also carried the weight of my dramatic life.
While my best friends tried to offer sympathy with their dramatic gasps and exaggerated pity, my mind drifted.
Back to the concert replay I'd watched yesterday morning. Back to the stage where my comfort lived.
"Guys," I interrupted, my voice lighter than it had been all morning.
They looked at me, brows raised.
"When's the next Abyss concert in Seoul?"
They blinked.
"Seriously?" Maria asked. "You were just telling us about your perplexing marriage and newlywed gay husband and now you're asking about concert dates?"
"This is peak Michelle," Zane said, pointing at me like I was some species under observation. "She feels things. She just files them under 'To Be Dealt With Later'."
Aria burst out laughing. Maria joined in seconds later.
They got me. They really did.
And just like that, we were back in sync, diving into a rabbit hole of fandom research. Phones came out. Screens glowed. Fingers tapped. Within moments, we were deep into tour schedules and comeback rumours.
"Last stop is Montenegro," Zane announced.
"That's the end of the world," Maria moaned, clutching her chest dramatically. "My baby Sage is going to perform and I won't be there to scream his name."
"Sonic and Ace will miss my energy from the front row," Aria added, swooning like she was already at the venue.
"You lovesick girls can't even appreciate Dawn. That's why he is the Dawn. Rising of the sun, heart of the group," Zane said, clearly proud of the metaphor.
I was about to chime in with my usual defence of Infinity, my ultimate bias, when it hit me.
Montenegro.
I was going to Montenegro.
My jaw dropped. "No. Freaking. Way."
They all turned to me.
"What now?" Maria asked.
I stood. I clapped. I twirled a little. "Sucks to be you losers because I'll be at that Montenegro concert."
"How?!" Aria's eyes widened.
"Because," I grinned wickedly, grabbing a sugar packet and flicking it at Maria, "my honeymoon is in Montenegro."
They groaned. I basked in it.
"You guys better record a video message for the boys. I'll make sure it gets to the stage. Maybe Sage will wink at me for you, Maria."
"I hate you," she muttered.
"I adore me," I sang.
"Too bad, So Sad, Don't worry I shall send my greeting", I teased
And just when I was in full performance mode, teasing my friends and mocking their tragic fangirl fate, a voice slid into the scene like cold water.
"You seem to be having fun."
I froze.
I turned around slowly.
Kael.
Hands in his pocket. Hair perfectly styled back. Wearing a CEO-grade suit that fit too well for my comfort. He looked dashing, but that's no compliment for this man. His brow arched slightly, the corner of his mouth pulling into something that wasn't quite a smile.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked, mortified.
"Just got here," he replied. "But I saw enough to know what's going on."
Like hell nahh....
I might end up getting tormented for this by This....
I snatched my purse so fast the straps twisted. Face red with shame, I planted a kiss on each of my girls' foreheads, pecked Zane on the cheek, and stormed out of Nova Café without another word.
The air outside was colder than I expected. Maybe it was just the embarrassment simmering in my cheeks.
I slid into the car seat and immediately started kicking the floor like a five-year-old throwing a tantrum. Kael climbed in silently.
"Please tell me you didn't hear the Montenegro thing," I muttered.
He didn't answer. Just chuckled.
I groaned. "Great. Add that to the list of things to use against me."
Kael glanced sideways at me. "I'm not keeping score, Michelle."
"Well, I am," I snapped. "And I'm losing."
He didn't reply. Just drove.
"Oh by the way, you gave some use in my life now" I said, like I had just remember something.
"That is? "....
" You are getting me those concert tickets. Do it before we get to Montenegro. Or else I will ensure that honeymoon is a freaking nightmare", I threatened.
He smiled and continued to focus on the road.
"Okay, I will, Happy? ", he asked. He sounded like we had a cute argument over chocolate.
" Hmmm", I nodded, with letters barely escaping my mouth.
How daring of me to ask him for money.
But guess what?
What is his is mine and what is mine is mine
That's just a basic rule in every relationship.
No surprise there
The silence was comfortable. Or maybe just familiar by now.
But somewhere in that quiet car ride, between Nova Café and our awkward shared home, I felt something shift.
Maybe it was because I was about to see Abyss live.
Or maybe because for the first time, Kael didn't feel like the enemy.
Not a friend either. But not quite the stranger I married two days ago.
The road blurred past as I leaned my head against the window.
I whispered, almost to myself, "Infinity, your girl is coming to Montenegro. Please wink twice if you see me."
Kael laughed under his breath.
And for once, I didn't mind the sound.