Minra couldn’t stop thinking about it.

  Not the late-night kitchen encounter.

  Not the way Shuun had looked at her when he caught her staring.

  Not the way her chest had tightened when he told her to stay.

  And now—

  Not the fact that he had pushed the schedule back.

  For her.

  Just so she could sleep a little longer.

  It was such a small thing.

  So why did it feel so big?

  .

  Even as she got ready for the day, she found herself thinking about it.

  Even as she arrived on set—later than usual, but still on time—she felt herself more aware of him.

  More aware of the way he moved.

  The way he existed in the space around her.

  She had been so used to seeing him as a challenge.

  As someone who tested her, provoked her, called her out.

  But today—he wasn’t doing anything.

  No teasing.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  No smug glances.

  No deliberate ways to mess with her.

  And that?

  That made it worse.

  Because he didn’t do it for a reaction.

  He wasn’t playing a game.

  He had just…done it.

  Because he wanted to.

  Because it felt like the right thing to do.

  And Minra didn’t know how to process that.

  .

  She found herself looking at him.

  More than she should.

  It wasn’t on purpose.

  It wasn’t something she planned.

  But every now and then—her eyes would just drift.

  Like when he was reading his script, completely focused.

  Like when he was adjusting his expression between scenes, slipping into his role so naturally.

  Like when he was talking to a crew member, his voice low, even, steady.

  And Minra?

  Minra would catch herself.

  Would snap out of it.

  Would force herself to look away.

  But it kept happening.

  And that?

  That terrified her.

  .

  It wasn’t until lunch break that she fully understood.

  She was sitting with some of the other crew members, idly eating her food.

  Shuun was on the other side of the set, standing by one of the directors, listening as they discussed an upcoming scene.

  And Minra?

  Minra found herself watching him again.

  Not because she had to.

  Not because she was analyzing anything.

  Just watching.

  And that’s when it hit her.

  She was looking at him differently.

  Not as the picky actor who challenged her.

  Not as the person she had once tried so hard to avoid.

  But as…

  As a man.

  Minra’s breath caught.

  And for the first time—she truly panicked.

  .

  No.

  This wasn’t supposed to happen.

  She wasn’t supposed to start thinking about him like this.

  She wasn’t supposed to notice him like this.

  She wasn’t supposed to feel anything at all.

  Minra clenched her fists.

  This was just a passing thing.

  A small moment of weakness.

  It would fade.

  It had to fade.

  Because if it didn’t—

  Then Minra had no idea what she would do.

  Meanwhile…

  Shuun wasn’t paying attention to her.

  Not in the way she feared.

  Not because he wanted to see her flustered.

  Not because he was trying to mess with her.

  But because—

  He didn’t need a reason.

  He had done what felt right.

  He had told her to sleep more.

  Because she had looked tired.

  Because it was common sense.

  Because if it had been anyone else, he probably would have done the same.

  That’s what he told himself.

  That’s what made sense.

  But then—

  Why did he suddenly find himself more aware of her now?

  Why did he suddenly catch himself noticing the way she reacted?

  Why, for the first time, did it feel like she was in his head, too?

  Shuun exhaled slowly.

  This was getting complicated.

  And the worst part?

  He wasn’t sure he wanted to stop it.

  .

  Chapter 23: The One Who Finally Noticed