Freya’s car pulls up to the driveway of their London townhouse, the evening air crisp and cool after the rain. She steps out, the weight of the day’s events still pressing on her shoulders. The sky is a dark canvas dotted with stars, the rain clouds having cleared just in time for her arrival. As she walks towards the front door, she feels a sense of anticipation mixed with fatigue, the damp ground beneath her feet reflecting the lights from the house.
As she enters the house, the warm air surrounds her, a stark contrast to the chill outside. The aroma of dinner wafts through the air, and she can hear the faint sound of music playing in the background.
Soyoung's voice calls out from the kitchen, “Freya is home,” followed by the sound of footsteps approaching her.
Freya has just finished taking off her shoes and removing her coat when Soyoung appears, taking the coat and her handbag from her. As soon as Freya sees Soyoung’s smile and sparkling eyes, the fatigue she has been feeling vanishes instantly.
Soyoung lands a gentle kiss on Freya’s lips. “I made some dinner,” she says softly.
Freya smiles, raising her hand to tidy Soyoung's long brown hair and gently caressing her cheek. “You should be resting,” Freya responds briefly.
A petite woman with brown hair emerges from the kitchen and waits not far from where they stand. It is Sarah, Freya's personal assistant, preparing to leave for the day.
Freya notices her assistant and says, “Why not stay for dinner?”
Soyoung turns to look at Sarah and adds, “Yes, I made enough for all of us.”
“Thank you both so much, but I’m afraid I have to decline,” Sarah says with a warm smile.
Soyoung can't hide the slight disappointment on her face. It is dinner time, but Sarah has stayed to look after her all day. “Are you sure?” she asks, her tone hopeful that Sarah might change her mind.
“Yeah, no worries. I will see you next week, alright?” Sarah replies, looking happy to see Soyoung and Freya together as usual.
Freya thanks Sarah before she leaves. It is Saturday night, but she is willing to stay a little longer until Freya gets home. Usually she would stay for dinner, but Freya guesses Sarah already has another plan for tonight.
Freya stands silently in front of the door until the car taking Sarah away drives off. Then, she closes the door and locks it.
Freya takes a quick shower in the bathroom upstairs while Soyoung is in the kitchen, finishing her preparations for dinner. Feeling better this evening, Soyoung hums the melody of a new song she recorded that afternoon. Despite her recovery, Freya insists she continue taking her medicine until it is finished, as the doctor recommended.
Soyoung sets the table for two, her thoughts filled with excitement about the weekend. She looks forward to having Freya all to herself, to spend the weekend together without any interruptions. Soyoung wants Freya to be the first to hear all the songs on her new album, a special moment she has been eagerly anticipating.
Upstairs, Freya steps out of the bathroom, droplets of water still clinging to her skin. She sees the clothes Soyoung has laid out for her on the bed and can’t help but smile. Dressing quickly, she feels a wave of warmth and gratitude wash over her. The house that was once cold and gray has transformed into a warm, colorful haven filled with sweet melodies since Soyoung came into her life.
As Freya descends the stairs, she notices the changes that have taken place in her home. The shelves, once empty, are now filled with stories and poetry. Her mother’s old, forgotten piano has been repaired and is now a source of joy during their leisure moments. Her father's collection of vinyl records in the living room, once silent and outdated, has become a source of inspiration for Soyoung’s new songs. Holiday photos and Polaroids of the two of them together adorn the walls and the refrigerator door, turning her childhood house into a true home.
Freya enters the kitchen, the sight of Soyoung setting the table bringing a smile to her face. She walks over and wraps her arms around Soyoung from behind, resting her chin on Soyoung’s shoulder. “The house looks beautiful,” she whispers.
Soyoung turns her head slightly to kiss Freya's cheek. “I’m glad you think so.”
Freya tightens her embrace briefly before letting go. “It does. More than ever.”
Freya looks around, appreciating the warmth and comfort that Soyoung has infused into every corner of their home. They have two houses that feel just as alive – one here in London, and the other, Soyoung’s mansion in Los Angeles. For the past couple of years, Soyoung has spent most of her time in London, but they have been talking about spending more time together back in LA, especially with Soyoung’s busy schedule approaching.
“How was your day?” Freya asks, then takes a sip of her beer. The table in front of her is beautifully set with an array of colorful dishes. The warm, inviting aroma of Soyoung’s cooking fills the air, creating a cozy atmosphere that contrasts with the complexity of their unspoken feelings.
Soyoung smiles as she places a dish of Bibimbap in front of Freya. “It was good. I managed to finish recording the new song, and I’m really excited about how it turned out. I can’t wait for you to hear it.”
“I’m sure I will love it,” says Freya nonchalantly, a little bit distracted by the delicious food she is about to devour.
Soyoung blushes slightly, then serves Kimchi Jjigae from a bubbling hot pot. “I also got a call from my manager. He wants me to fly back to Los Angeles to finalize some deals and prepare for the new album. There are a few brand deals to sign, too.”
Freya’s eyebrows raise in interest. “That sounds exciting. When do you have to leave?”
Soyoung sighs. “In a few days. I’ll have to leave the same week after your exhibition starts.”
Freya reaches across the table and takes Soyoung’s hand, feeling the familiar yet ambiguous warmth between them. “I’m sure you’ll handle it brilliantly, as always.”
Soyoung smiles, but there is a hint of worry in her eyes. Both stay silent, withdrawn into their own thoughts while chewing on their meal. Occasionally, Soyoung glances at Freya, who sometimes seems lost in thought while enjoying her food. She hopes that Freya can join her for a little vacation in LA before her schedule gets crazier with tours and promotions.
Soyoung has not told Freya about the numerous requests for magazine interviews alongside her. With the release of her new album approaching and the highly anticipated exhibition of Freya and Yua’s artworks on the horizon, invitations for joint appearances have intensified. People are undeniably curious about the nature of their relationship. Despite Soyoung’s repeated assertions that they are just “really good” friends, the public seems intent on believing otherwise. After all, actions often speak louder than words.
Soyoung is well aware of the conversations her fans are having on social media. Under the guise of anonymity, she signs up for forums and communities to spy on her fans’ discussions. Her curiosity and caution drive her to understand what people think about her and Freya.
She discovers several dedicated accounts for “FreYoung”—the ship name her fans have coined for them. These accounts buzz with speculation and fan theories, piecing together evidence of their relationship. Fans analyze everything, from the similar house interiors and exchanged T-shirts to the pictures of them seen together at various events. They highlight the way Soyoung’s eyes often lock onto Freya’s and vice versa, and how they hold hands like a real couple. They dissect all the lyrics Soyoung ever wrote and sang, pairing them with the “evidence” they gather about the relationship. The fans’ keen observations and relentless deductions paint a picture that words alone can’t refute.
Sometimes, Soyoung can’t help but feel like she is deceiving her fans, who are always supportive of her no matter what. With her moving into Freya’s home and Freya moving into hers, it should be obvious that something significant is happening between them. This sense of guilt lingers, yet she can’t betray her promise to Ahyeon.
Years ago, Soyoung and Ahyeon did something reckless and foolish. They were young and madly in love, seeking a release after their group’s world tour ended. One night, they went to a nightclub to blow off some steam. Some fans noticed their presence and captured a video of them hugging each other. In their drunken state, they even made out. Fortunately, it was dark, and the smartphone cameras at the time were not as advanced as they are today. As a result, the video was grainy, and the images were unclear. The fans who took the video swore they saw Soyoung and Ahyeon kissing, but the poor quality of the footage left room for doubt. Despite the questionable evidence, the rumors persisted.
Their managers were quick to deny the accusations, but the pictures remained online, fueling speculation and unanswered questions. The fear of losing their careers deteriorated their relationship. Ahyeon, who once treated Soyoung gently, suddenly became distant and verbally abusive. Soyoung, who once respected and admired Ahyeon, started to grow apart and slowly learned how to conduct herself around Ahyeon. Though she still cared for her ex-lover, she chose to end the relationship for good, hoping it would ease Ahyeon’s mind.
Years passed, but the shadow of that incident still lingers in Ahyeon’s mind. She goes to the extent of bombarding Soyoung with text messages and missed calls when Soyoung is first seen together in public with Freya Adler in paparazzi photos. “Are you out of your mind? Holding hands with someone who is clearly a lesbian in public? Are you going to ruin me, Soyoung-ah? You’re disgusting! You know that, right?” The rumors about Soyoung and Ahyeon’s kissing in the nightclub resurfaced on the same night and...
"Thank you for dinner," Freya says, snapping Soyoung out of her thoughts.
"Did you like it?" Soyoung asks, her cheeks flushing with a shy smile.
"Well, I think you should open a restaurant," Freya teases, her words wrapped in genuine praise. “I always like your cooking. Ten out of ten.”
Freya stands, clearing her dirty bowl and chopsticks from the table before opening the fridge to grab a bottle of beer. She turns to see Soyoung still savoring her dinner. Initially, she thinks to ask if Soyoung wants a beer as well, but she already knows the answer. Instead, Freya takes another bottle, opens both, and sets one in front of Soyoung.
"Thanks," Soyoung murmurs.
“No worries,” Freya smiles as she sits down with a bottle of beer in her hand.
Soyoung puts down her chopsticks on the table, deciding she is full. She looks at Freya taking a long gulp of her beer and chuckles. She waits until Freya finishes her beer to ask, “I was wondering if you could come with me. We can have a little vacation in LA before my schedule starts to get busy.”
It does not take long for Freya to answer, “I thought you’d never ask.”
She should have known, Freya never refuses any chance they have to spend time together, anywhere and anytime. Maybe, losing people she loves in her life makes Freya the person Soyoung knows today. Though sometimes it is hard for her not to ask, “Did I break your heart when I had to pose next to a man in music videos when the lyrics were meant for you? Should we make it official? Do you want me to announce to the world that I love you?”
And instead, what always comes out from her mouth is only, “Can I kiss you now?”
---- END OF CH. 1 ----
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