OVERTHINKING THINGS

RACHEL

After a minute, I pulled out my phone and called Thane for the third time. He still didn’t pick up.

“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath as I headed back downstairs.

I was making my way toward the exit when Jae stepped in front of me.

“Hey.”

I paused, biting my lip. “Hey,” I replied quietly.

He frowned. “What’s wrong?”

I forced a smile. “Nothing. I’m fine. Can you… excuse me?”

His expression tightened slightly. “I don’t want to assume you’re avoiding me. Did I do something? If I did, just tell me.”

Should I ask him? Is it wrong to? I hesitated, biting my lower lip again.

“Go ahead, Rachel,” he said softly. “You kind of look cute when you do that.”

I blinked and straightened immediately. “Uhm… Jae.” I exhaled. “Do you mind telling me about—”

“Thane?” he cut in before I finished.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

He smiled faintly, glancing down for a moment before meeting my eyes again.

“What do you want to know? I’ll tell you whatever I can.”

I licked my lips nervously. “I heard he hates you. I mean… I’m just… you know.. curious.”

He nodded slowly. “Thane has a habit of making people who care about him worry.” His eyes studied my face. “Like you’re doing right now.”

I looked away.

“Do you mind stepping outside?” he asked gently.

Why not? If it means getting answers.

“Okay,” I agreed.

He walked beside me, his arm hovering at my back as we moved through the crowd. We were almost at the hallway when I heard my mum call my name.

“Rachel!”

I turned sharply.

She was walking toward us with Simon… and another man beside him.

The man looked Asian too. And if I wasn’t mistaken…

“That’s my father, remember him now?” Jae murmured beside me.

“Honey.” Mum leaned in for a side hug. “I know you’re not a party person, but you shouldn’t disappear like that. Your father’s been looking for you.”

She sounded so natural. So calm. Like this whole blended-family act had existed forever. And for once, she seemed like a different person. Actually, she'd been since we moved in with Simon.

I nodded politely.

Her gaze shifted to Jae. “Hey, Jae Hyun.”

He nodded. “Didn’t say this before, but nice dress, Sarah.” His eyes dipped briefly.

Mum smiled. “Thank you.”

“I see you two are enjoying yourselves,” Mayor Han said, smiling in a way that felt… loaded.

“Rachel’s reserved,” Simon added smoothly. “I’m sure Jae Hyun is doing a good job making her comfortable.”

Why does this feel staged? Or am I overthinking things?

“I heard you’re a writer, Rachel?” Mayor Han asked suddenly, his tone sharpening with interest.

My eyes flicked to Mum. Did she really tell him that?

“I wouldn’t say writer, that's kind of too much,” I corrected quickly. “I just like writing.”

He frowned. “Never belittle yourself, dear. The world will try to make you small. You don’t help them.” Then he leaned in slightly. “That’s a secret I’m sharing with you.”

I nodded stiffly.

“Well,” he continued, “Jae Hyun is an author. Did he mention that?”

I blinked. An author?

He doesn’t look like one. But that’s not even the point. Why should I need to know that?

“Rachel and I just met, Father,” Jae said smoothly. “We can’t possibly know everything about each other in one night.”

Each other? What does that mean?

I stared at him, but his expression didn’t change. He didn't even catch my irritation.

Mayor Han waved a dismissive hand. “How about this, Rachel? I’d like to propose something. Write my biography. I’ll give you a real shot at becoming an author. What do you say?”

My eyes widened. Mum looked even more excited to hear the news.

“Wow. That’s incredible,” she said. “That’s so kind of you, Mr. Han.”

“No,” I cut in quickly, a little sharper than I meant to. “I mean… I’m not ready for something that big. That’s a huge step, Mr. Han. And Jae Hyun is already established. He could…”

“I’ll help you,” Jae interrupted smoothly. “We can try it together.”

We? God. What's this guy saying?

“That’s the spirit,” Mayor Han said approvingly.

“Do you want this, Rachel?” Simon asked quietly, his tone softer now.

I swallowed, unsure how to answer. Before I could speak, Mayor Han tilted his head slightly.

“Don’t you like Jae Hyun?”

I blinked. What?