Chapter 24 - G.A.L.A.

💎  The Gala Night of Glass Hearts

Location: Grand Seoul Convention Hall — 7:30 PM

It was the night of the year —

The Business Excellence Awards, hosted by Kim Holdings itself.

The hall glittered with chandeliers, reporters filled every corner, and cameras flashed endlessly.

Y/N had received a special invitation — not as an ex-secretary, not as Mrs. Kim,

but as "Y/N — the new face of South Korean music."

She hesitated before saying yes… but deep down, she knew she had to go.

To show she wasn't the girl who used to stand behind Taehyung.

She was her own name now.

💄 Scene: The Arrival

A black limousine stopped at the red carpet.

The crowd screamed as Y/N stepped out — wearing a sleek black gown with a shimmer of silver at the hem, her hair in soft waves, diamond earrings catching the light.

Her confidence was calm — not loud, not proud — just real.

Reporter: "Y/N-ssi! Over here! You're glowing tonight! Are you performing?"

Y/N (smiling softly): "Yes, just a small performance — something special."

As she walked inside, flashes followed her like stars.

💼 Scene: Inside the Gala

Taehyung stood near the main stage, dressed in a black tuxedo, calm as ever.

Beside him stood his new secretary, Soobin Lee — elegant, polite, but with a certain air of superiority.

Soobin (softly): "Sir, the guest list seems complete. Shall I prepare your speech?"

Taehyung (distracted): "Hmm… yes. Just a minute."

His eyes had already found her.

Y/N — laughing lightly, shaking hands with other artists, her glow unmatched.

He didn't realize his breath had stopped.

Soobin (noticing): "She's the singer too, right? The one everyone's talking about these days?"

Taehyung (shortly): "Yes."

Soobin (with a faint smirk): "She must be good at public attention. Must've practiced that charm when she worked here, I guess."

Taehyung turned his gaze to her — tone cold.

Taehyung: "Be careful, Ms. Lee. You're not here to comment on people I care and she is my wife don'T forget."

Soobin froze. "I… I'm sorry, sir."

He looked back toward Y/N again —

his heart doing something it hadn't done in months: ache.

🎤 Scene: The Performance

The lights dimmed. The host's voice echoed —

"Tonight's surprise performer — someone who once belonged to the corporate world but now rules the music charts — please welcome, Y/N!"

The spotlight hit her.

A soft piano began — her own song, "Still Ours in Another Life."

Her voice was calm, haunting, raw.

🎶

"We built dreams in the dark, you with your crown, me with my scars…

And though our hands let go, our souls still know — we were ours, in another life…"

🎶

The hall fell silent.

Taehyung's eyes glistened — every word felt like it was written straight from their memories.

The audience stood, applauding. Cameras flashed again and again.

Y/N bowed gracefully, her eyes — for just a second — meeting his.

It was like the world disappeared.

🥂 Scene: The Afterparty

Music played softly. Guests mingled with champagne and soft laughter.

Y/N was surrounded by executives and journalists.

Everyone wanted a photo, a comment, a smile.

But Taehyung couldn't hold back anymore.

He walked toward her — slow, composed, but his pulse racing.

The crowd parted as he reached her.

Taehyung (gently): "You performed beautifully."

Y/N (smiling): "Thank you, Mr. Kim. I didn't know you'd be here tonight."

Taehyung (half-smile): "Hard not to be, considering it's my company's event."

She laughed lightly. "Right. The Kim Empire — still ruling."

They looked at each other — just long enough for Soobin, standing behind, to notice.

Her smile faltered.

Soobin (politely): "Sir, the investors are waiting—"

Taehyung (without looking away): "They can wait five minutes."

Soobin stiffened and excused herself.

Y/N sipped her drink, her tone playful but calm.

Y/N: "You've got a good secretary now. Smart, confident."

Taehyung: "She's efficient. But not you."

Y/N: "I'm not supposed to be anymore."

A pause.

He looked at her — his eyes carrying months of silence.

Taehyung: "You've changed."

Y/N: "Maybe I finally learned to stand tall."

Taehyung: "You were always tall. You just kept kneeling for people who didn't deserve it."

Her breath hitched.

Was that… regret in his voice?

🌹 Scene: The Balcony

Later, needing air, Y/N walked out to the open balcony — city lights shimmering below.

Her heels clicked softly on the marble.

A familiar voice followed.

Taehyung: "You know, whenever I used to come out here during these events, I used to call you."

Y/N (quietly): "I remember. You used to say, 'Tell me something normal.'"

He smiled faintly. "And you always said, 'Eat something. Don't starve in your tuxedo.'"

They both laughed — softly, sadly.

Y/N: "Those were simple days."

Taehyung: "Those were ours."

Silence again. Only the hum of the city.

Y/N (gently): "We're good friends, Tae. Always were. Even if… there's no love left on my side, friendship is still real."

He looked at her for a long moment.

Then whispered, "Even if love fades for you… it never did for me."

Her eyes softened, but she turned away. "Don't say things that make it harder."

Taehyung: "I just wanted you to know — not every silence means I don't care."

The wind blew softly, carrying away their unspoken pain.

She smiled, small and tired. "Then let the silence be enough for tonight."

He nodded slowly. "For tonight."

✨ End Scene

The gala ended with applause and lights, but the real story was still between two hearts —

once connected, now walking separate paths, yet somehow still facing the same stars.