Their gaze were transfixed onto each other's forms. He offered her a smile that quickly fell. He didn't know what was happening, he couldn't comprehend as to what he was feeling and the thoughts he was having. He always admired Irene; even from a far at award functions and other events they were forced to attend. It felt natural to look for her among a crowd and watch her when she was completely unaware. His got7 family took the piss out of him for it always saying he had a crush on her and in some senses they were right. He did. But then he didn't know much about her conversations were short and abrupt and hard to come by. They lived in the world of k pop but on other sides, constantly hitting and missing each other.

Irene tried to remove her gaze from his. She let him in accidentally his aura completely captivating her and holding her hostage. She was enslaved to the thought of him holding her in his strong arms lowering his head and taking steps till they crashed the wall, she wanted that. The unknown feeling felt ambiguous to her, in the same way the foundation of their new bond felt ambiguous. She was drawn to him in ways words failed to describe. And she hated that. For so long she kept men at bay; ensuring that they couldn't hurt her in away possible and completely destroy her soul. She feared being hurt as past experiences taught her harsh and unforgiving lessons. She knew she needed to withdraw from Jackson not only for her own selfish reason but to make sure that she didn't hurt him either. A lump in her throat rose as she finally wretched her gaze from his turning around to face the table in front of them gripping it till her knuckles went white. Jackson's brows furrowed in confusion at her sudden action, he approached her about to lay a hand on her shoulder reassuringly.

A strong voice belonging to one of the producers boomed calling "Irene its time for your break... the boys will take over this next segment and then your performance will follow." Irene nodded picking up her cards and her blanket pushing past Jackson in a sense of urgency. His eyes lowered as she came close to reach and grab her cards. He instantly knew she was trying to avoid him, her lowered gaze and slight shaking of her hands told him everything he needed to know. He tried desperately to try and get a dying word out "Ire-" he was cut off by her quickly barging past him pushing him back slightly. Her feet hauled her off the stage as Jackson turned watching in a sense of agony. His jaw tensed and San E came placing an arm over him pulling him "Lol Bro that was cold right? She's such a bitch. She has no manners at all. It must be because she thinks she so big." He laughed, as Jackson took his arm roughly of himself before pulling him by the collar forward. "Shut the fuck up. What the hell do you know about her? She has no manners you say well what about you, directing inappropriate lyrics at her, and constantly making her feel uncomfortable. You have no right to point at her character and by god if you say that again or even take Irene's name in your mouth I'll hurt you in more ways than you knew existed." Jackson roughly shoved him back, fans slightly wondering what happened, Jackson quickly took care of the situation helping him to his side and jokingly saying into the mic " Yo San E seems like you have had too much to drink." A series of laughter broke out as Jackson's glare met San E eyes. He gulped slightly causing Jackson to smirk. Little did he know that Irene had witnessed the entire exchange. Her ice heart wanted to melt, as she struggled to remain unfazed, she walked back up picking up the other blanket she had, clumsily dropping it on the floor. Jackson saw something fall and dropped down to pick it up his hand brushing against another. He looked to see Irene inches away from him, her breathing hitched as their eyes locked and hands touched. She wanted to stay a hostage but she knew she needed to stop this before anything could progress. She wretched her hand out of his feeling the last moment of him tense at her reaction. They both stood Irene making the move to run. She managed to get off the stage but her forearm was grasped lightly; she was pulled into his chest her hands resting on his chest at the sudden movement that caused her to stumble into him further. Her heart thumped violently against its cage in attempts to break free. She fought against the arms clasped on her waist her gaze falling to the side avoiding his hazel eyes. He softly moved one arm his hand under her chin gently forcing her to look him in eyes. " what's wrong? Why are you running away from me all of sudden." She thought for a moment knowing she would have to handle this tactically. "I'm tired. I also need to rehearse before I perform so I need to go." His eyes studied her knowing she was lying. Taking his distraction to her advantage she broke from his embrace. As she turned to finally run his voice caused her to stand rooted "why are you doing this? Why are you suddenly pulling back?" Her eyes closed in pain, her breaths becoming ragged. " We are strangers Jackson, we don't need to let each other in that's not part of the job." " Bull shit. You're scared because you think that something is gonna happen. Your the one wanting to get to know me but stopping yourself which I don't understand. So talk to me and tell me." Her eyes grew moist "

"JACKSON" called the voice of the producer alarming the two, they sprung apart, Jackson sighing looking at her one last time before walking swiftly back to the stage.

Her heart somewhat squashed under her grip as she walked back to her dressing room. Three different ladies were fussing over her hair makeup and outfit, looking into the mirror she took calming breaths before being urshed to the stage in a sense of frenzy. She missed her girls at moments like this but she loved performing solo too. Her heart was pounding relentlessly as she took her position centre stage. She faintly heard her introduction done by Jackson, smiling a little bit at his words "and now taking the stage is the most stunning and beautiful girl in the whole world here to sing a new song that she has written and produced herself, put your hands together for IRENE." The crowd erupted as her vocals took them on a journey. Jackson could feel himself instantly become a prisoner of her. His eyes, mind and heart transfixed. She was wearing a body con black sequin dress which highlighted her perfect figure her hips moving to the beat as she seductively locked eyes with him. She swayed herself down low, the bottom half of her skirt ridding up as his breath caught in his throat. He gulped before turning to San E who looked like he was also enslaved by her. She continued her attacks executing every move with precision aimed towards his heart. She smirked. The lights went low again before changing to an up beat R n B song that had the whole crowd going. A sense of pride rushed into him as he watched how she worked the crowd and completed the choreography with utmost care never missing a beat. She was phenomenal. His lips closed in a smile as he consumed her form, the way her hair flicked around her like flickers of a flame to the way she bit her lip. He was gone. The performance finished shortly after, the night was drawing to an end. Once she had changed back into her angle desguise of the white flowy dress she was wearing before she made her way back to the boys. They continued with one final performance and joking around. As much as Irene tried to look elsewhere she found herself in every waking minute watching him. Within 15 minutes they had closed the show and headed back stage to there dressing rooms.

Irene sat in her room in her chair looking at herself in the mirror. She told the ladies to leave her alone and go home and that she can take care of herself, their reluctance was sweet but with some persuasion they left. She sat looking at her reflection, she hated herself for some reason. She had been feeling like this for years, the fame was nice but it was overshadowing and overbearing. She loved her fans and loved music and she would never give that up. But she felt as some happiness was missing from her life, she was scared of being a disappointment to so many people; she burdened herself further with plights that weren't hers. But that was her character, and even if she was feeling like this she would never quit. When she looked at Jackson she felt happy, as if she found the missing piece to the puzzle but that brought more fears and insecurities.

Her thoughts were broken by a soft knock, she responded with a low 'come in', the door opening revealing Jackson. They looked at each other through the mirror. He stood by the door not saying a word, she rose turning to face him confused at the sense of determination in his eyes, it both excited her and scared her. It was endearing. She took a few steps forward softly asking "is everything okay?" He looked her up and down a passion bleeding from his eyes he took quick strides to her pushing her back, her back colliding hard with the wall. She only had a second to register as his lips came crashing down onto hers claiming her with such passion that made her legs weak, she fell into him at the pressure and urgency of the kiss, her first kiss. She responded after a minute fighting for dominance, growing stronger every passing second holding onto him and exploring him as he did with her. His hands gripped her waist to his body as she flipped them pushing him up against the wall, surprising Jackson, he didn't anticipate her strength. She continued his administrations taking control as he let her take her fill. After two minutes passed Jackson wanting control took charge pushing her back to the next wall. She felt him smirk against her. She bit his lip in response causing him to break away. They looked at each other breathing heavily. They smiled at each other before colliding back with a harder force. He picked her up putting her on the dressing table, the hair spray and other make up supplies falling to the floor; he opened her legs slightly allowing himself to fit so he could kiss her again. Their lips connecting again slower, taking time, savouring the taste as Irene moaned into his mouth. He smirked again. He loved the way she was reacting to him. As they continued a loud bang came to the door breaking the two from their fantasy. The producer and Irene's manager was outside waiting for her. Breathlessly she told them to wait for her outside that she would be out in 10 minutes. She turned back to Jackson who was marking her neck. She was then brought back to reality. She pushed him back. Jumping and stumbling off the table. Jackson caught her, his hand on her waist; she pushed it off her running around the room picking things up mumbling to herself as he tried to talk to her. "Irene?....Irene..." he received no answer. He grasped her arms screaming her name "IRENE" before he could get any further with his words she cut in "that was a mistake... that shouldn't have happened. I got carried away I'm sorry." He saw her eyes gloss over, moving closer in attempts to comfort her only for her to step back. She took more steps back mumbling incoherent "I'm sorries" on repeat. She looked at him one last time before running off. He tried to stop her but she was gone before he got to the door. He punched the door watching her form leave, for god knows how long.

Authors note:

Hey guys hope your all good. Let me know what your thoughts are off this chapter and if u liked it. Thanks.