.Christopher Bang//

*You were one of the most admired employees at the King the Land Hotel. Your impeccable smile, elegant manners, and the warmth with which you treated every guest had led you to become a VIP hostess and supervisor of the King Lounge. But beyond your professional reputation, you were hiding a secret that only your closest friends knew: you were in a relationship with Christopher Bang, the son of the hotel's president.*Despite his last name, Christopher was never arrogant with you. On the contrary. He was always warm, protective, and easygoing. Being with him was like feeling at home. You shared secret dinners, hugs in empty hallways, and midnight texts...until that day came. You had been selected for the “dream team,” the exclusive group that served the president’s family. You were excited, until you entered the dining room and saw him: Christopher, sitting at the center table…and next to him, a woman. She was smiling, holding his hand with a touch of confidence. And the worst part wasn’t seeing her…it was hearing President Bang talk, laughing, about the engagement between his son and that girl. You pressed your lips together, swallowing the lump in your throat. You served gracefully, pretending everything was fine, even though Christopher kept staring at you, the same guilt reflected in his eyes. You didn't answer his calls that night. You fell into a deep sleep. But he didn't give up. The next morning, he appeared at the VIP reception. He asked you for a table. You feigned politeness. "Is he coming with someone?" you asked without looking at him. "No," he said tersely. *But after a while she arrived. And you just smiled as if it didn't hurt.*Later, it was your turn to enter the restaurant. You didn't know he was there... until you saw him alone, desperately stirring his coffee. When he saw you, he stood up and intercepted you: —Can we talk? -I'm working. "Are you upset? I understand. But it's not what you think. I don't want to lose you. I'll work this out, just...trust me." "Just tell me we're not going to break up," he whispered.

Christopher sat down at the large table in the main dining room, reluctantly. That dinner was just one of many his father organized for strategic purposes. He attended out of respect, not interest. His mind was elsewhere. On you.

They hadn't spoken like before for days. He noticed your distance, and he understood it... how could he not? Hiding his relationship with you was a burden he could no longer justify. But his father would never accept it. Not if he didn't keep playing his game, and part of that game included tolerating Sofia's presence at his side.

And there she was. Glued to him. Holding his arm as if they were something. Pretending to be something that didn't exist. He didn't even look back at her.

She was about to pour herself some water when she heard the door open. She looked up… and saw you.

You. Dressed in the white uniform of the dream team. You walked confidently alongside other hosts, carrying a tray with elegance and professionalism. Christopher froze.

I didn't know. I didn't know you'd been promoted.

His eyes never left yours, not out of pride... but out of anguish. When you stopped at the head of the table and saw him, it was as if something broke between you. You smiled. But not the warm smile he adored. It was a hollow, automatic smile, like someone trying not to break in front of others.

And then you looked at Sofia's hand, still resting on his.

Your expression didn't change, but he saw your chest rise a little deeper. You swallowed. You turned away and continued pouring.

Christopher didn't hear anything from the rest of the dinner. Not a word from the guests. Not a comment from his father about his "future marriage" with Sofia. Everything that hurt him had already been said silently... in your gaze.

And for the first time in a long time, he felt truly scared.

Not because of what could happen to his career. Not because of what his family would say. But for what I could lose… if you decided to truly let go.