THE ZOESTERY

Jealousy + Tension + Romantic Explosion

They were backstage after a live music show.

The performance had ended. The cameras were off.

Everyone was winding down.

Zoey was still buzzing from the high of it all — adrenaline, lights, cheers.

She'd just finished a flirty collab stage with Jihwan from another idol group — a charismatic soloist known for his sultry vocals and smirky energy.

It was all choreographed.

Harmless.

Professional.

But apparently, someone hadn't gotten the memo.

Mystery was waiting in the hallway.

Leaning against the wall. Hoodie up. Arms crossed.

When Zoey rounded the corner, he looked up. His eyes were not playful.

Zoey blinked.

"Hey. You good?"

He didn't move.

"...What was that?" he asked quietly.

She tilted her head. "What was what?"

"That little stage flirt thing with Jihwan."

Zoey paused. Then laughed.

"Oh my god. Are you—"

She took a step closer. "Are you jealous?"

His jaw tightened.

"No."

She raised an eyebrow. "You literally just growled the word 'Jihwan.'"

"I did not growl."

"You're growling right now!"

Mystery pushed off the wall, stepping closer until there was barely any space between them.

His voice dropped, low and rough.

"Why was he touching your waist like that?"

Zoey smirked.

"It was choreography."

"He didn't have to look at you like that."

"Oh, and how should he look at me, Mystery?"

Mystery leaned in, brushing her hair behind her ear, lips ghosting her cheek.

"Like you already belong to someone."

Zoey's breath hitched.

Her hand pressed lightly to his chest. His heart was racing.

"You know I'm yours, right?" she whispered.

He closed his eyes like the words physically hit him.

Then opened them again, intense and burning.

"I know," he murmured.

"I know. But I hate seeing other people pretend they have the right to touch what's mine."

Zoey felt her cheeks go pink.

"'What's mine'? Wow. Possessive much?"

He grinned darkly.

"You love it."

She didn't deny it.

She leaned in and kissed his jaw, soft and slow.

"For the record," she whispered, "he doesn't hold a candle to you."

Mystery chuckled under his breath.

"Damn right he doesn't."

Jealousy wasn't loud with Mystery.

It was the quiet burn.

The still fire.

The eyes that said "mine" without needing to scream it. 🔥💘