The awards show had been very long, but Seokjin and Anna were all smiles. After he had received his Best Supporting Actor trophy, neither of them could concentrate on anything else. He was grateful that this moment had eclipsed the awkwardness that had dominated the past few days between them. Anna was genuinely happy for him.

He had just finished saying goodbye to a well-wisher when he turned and found himself face to face with Norma King. She looked splendid even though her gown was too revealing to be considered tasteful. He gulped.

"I suppose congratulations are in order," she drawled.

He shrugged. "It's not that big a deal."

"Oh, my dear, don't be modest," she said with a smile. "Enjoy these moments. You are the envy of all."

"Maybe not the Best Actor," he quipped.

"Him, too," she continued. "He knows he is not as handsome or talented as you. He just had more screen time." She paused and batted her eyelashes at him. "So you only thanked your little friend as your inspiration even though I got you your start. Is it because she's young or beautiful? Or both, I suppose. Youth and beauty are always inspirational to men."

He sighed. "Norma, you know very well that I can't mention you. Your husband made it clear to me that I should stay away from you. I never wanted to be a homewrecker."

"And you're not," she said, moving closer to him. "Leo and I have decided to call it quits."

Seokjin rolled his eyes. "I've heard that before."

She got closer until her body was touching his. "This time it's true, my dear. Please come back. I can't bear it without you. I need you, Seokjin. I need you. I love you." She put her lips next to his ear. "No one can fuck me the way you can, my love. I dream about you every night, filling me up with your amazing cock."

He could feel the heat from her body and could smell the scent of her perfume. Norma King appeared a class act in public, but behind closed doors, she was vulgar and deviant. He closed his eyes momentarily, remembering how it used to be. This woman had made him feel what he'd never felt before, incredibly exciting and depraved things. But she had also made him feel shame. Suddenly, Anna's sweet face came into his mind, and he felt guilty for being so easily swayed by Norma. He cared deeply for Anna.

But Anna had not admitted to having any feelings for him, even though he'd tried to reveal his own feelings for her. She had become a part of his life so easily. Her sunny disposition had made his day more than once. She always listened without judgment and never passed up an opportunity to tell him how wonderful he was. And he knew he was attracted to her. Most definitely attracted to her honesty, her wholesomeness. But the image of her in that towel came to mind, and he felt his body tremble with unrequited desire.

Norma thought that his trembling was because of her proximity, and she smiled to herself. "Please say yes, my dear. Please come back to me."

"Norma..."

"Darling," she broke in. "You belong with me. You couldn't possibly stay with your friend. Do you really want all that attention on her? Do you think she'll appreciate not being able to leave her home without cameras being shoved in her face every time? People combing through her private life just to get to you? She won't stay your friend for long if that's the life she'll be living. You can't live like an ordinary man anymore, not when you are a star."

Seokjin took a ragged breath. He realized that his life would no longer be private or quiet. And as long as he lived with Anna, neither would hers. If she'd only given him any indication that she felt something for him the way he felt for her, he would brave any storm. But she hadn't. If she didn't love him, why would she put up with the bother? And here was Norma, saying she wanted him, making his body miss hers.

She caressed his cheek gently. "I want you so badly, my treasure."

His mind went back to his unfortunate incident with Anna. He would never be able to live down the embarrassment of asking her to sleep with him. No matter how much she pretended things were okay between them, he knew they were not. And he'd never be able to get over his jealousy towards Taehyung.

"Okay. But I need to speak with Anna first."

The older woman leaned away from him, her heavily made-up eyes wide. "Why does it matter what your friend thinks? Unless she's not just a friend. Oh, my treasure, I understand if you've sought her bed in moments of loneliness or lust--"

"Of course not!" he interrupted her. "She's the best friend I've ever had, and I would never have some cheap affair with her. I can't just move out. She opened her home to me, and I can't just be ungrateful. Okay?"

Norma nodded, knowing not to push him too much. Even if they were more than friends and this girl had opened up more than her home for him, she could not act jealous and drive him away again. It was enough that, in the end, he would come back to her regardless of how young and beautiful his friend was. She watched him get stopped by a group of actors who pulled him away. She was about to leave the party when she spotted Seokjin's friend standing off to the side looking down at her phone.