Jayden Park.

I was sitting at my office, the blinds half-closed, while flashes from last night tormented my mind like a movie that refused to stop playing. I leaned forward, elbows on my knees, rubbing the back of my neck as if that could erase the memory of her mysterious, determined woman. Her taste still lingered on my lips, the scent of her skin still haunted me. The sway of her body, her breath against my ear, her gaze that seemed to challenge and invite me at the same time everything about her had left a mark I couldn’t shake off.

I wasn’t the type to get attached. Usually, I forgot a face before dawn. But this woman… she had done something to me. I just wanted to see her again not because of any emotion, I told myself, but because I wanted another night like that. She was different. Unforgettable. I needed to know her name, to find her again, to hear her moan my name once more.

As I let the memory take over, my breathing quickened, and I realized my own body was betraying me, a spark of arousal tightening my chest. I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply to calm myself, when the door suddenly burst open.

“Look who’s back from the dead!” I said with a smirk as Daon stepped inside.

“Of course! But what’s that?” he teased, squinting playfully. “Is that a flashlight in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”

He laughed, and I rolled my eyes, chuckling despite myself. I adjusted my pants subtly, trying to cover the evidence he’d noticed.

“Sorry, when you walked in, I was thinking about this hottie I was with last night,” I admitted with a shrug, still half-lost in the thought.

“Ah, which one?” Daon asked, curiosity glinting in his eyes as he leaned against the doorframe.

“I don’t know,” I said, frowning slightly. “She didn’t want to say her name. But she was completely different from any woman I’ve ever seen.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, crossing his arms.

“She was determined,” I said, a faint grin tugging at my lips as the memory deepened. “Knew exactly what she wanted. And so damn naughty she drove me crazy.”

Daon laughed, shaking his head. “And what’s the difference? You’re with a different one every day.”

“No,” I replied, voice firm. “None of them were like her. I need to find that woman again.”

He gave a mock whistle. “Well, good luck! I also found a special woman.”

That caught my attention. I looked at him, genuinely surprised. “You, the guy who’s too picky to date anyone?”

“It’s not like that,” he said, his tone shifting serious now. “Anyway, everyone’s judging me, but I hope you won’t. You’re my best friend, and I need your support.”

“Of course,” I said, straightening. “Support you in what?”

He smiled, almost shyly, his hand going to the back of his neck. “I got married. In Vegas.”

“What?” I blinked, my mouth slightly open.

He nodded, still smiling, eyes bright like a kid caught doing something wild but wonderful.

“Really?” I asked, disbelief mixing with genuine curiosity.

“Yes,” he said, his tone filled with warmth. “I met her on my first day in the United States, at that party I went to. We left together and spent the whole night talking. I opened up to her and told her things I don’t think even you know. We made love under the stars, and after that night, we never parted. When it was time to leave, I couldn’t say goodbye, so I proposed to her, and we got married in Vegas.”

His words sank in, and I couldn’t help but smile faintly. “Wow, that’s… surprising.”

“I know it was crazy, but I’m very happy,” he said, that contagious grin spreading across his face.

“Well, I’m shocked, but if you’re happy, then I’m happy too,” I said, patting his shoulder. “And tonight, after the show, we’ll celebrate your wedding!”

We both laughed, and the tension lightened until there was a knock at the door. Daon’s grin widened, and a knowing sparkle flashed in his eyes.

“Come in, love!” he called out cheerfully.

I turned toward the door, still smiling but my smile froze the instant it opened.

Standing there was her.

The woman who had haunted my every thought since dawn. The same hair, the same eyes, the same mouth I had kissed until I lost control. She looked equally stunned, her hand gripping the doorframe for support. And then as if the world were mocking me Daon crossed the room, wrapped his arm around her waist, and kissed her cheek.

“I didn’t know what to do,” I thought, frozen in place, every muscle in my body tightening. She looked at me, panic flickering in her eyes, and for a second, the room fell silent only the pounding of my pulse filled my ears.

“Jayden, this is Jane, my wife,” Daon said proudly, his arm still around her. “Jane, this is my boss and best friend, Jayden Park!”

She blinked rapidly, forcing a smile so stiff it looked painful. Then she extended her hand to me, her fingers trembling ever so slightly.

“Hi, nice to meet you. Daon has spoken a lot about you!” she said, her voice pitched just a little too high, trying to sound casual.

I stood up slowly, my chair scraping the floor, and took her hand. The moment our skin touched, electricity surged through me with the same pulse, the same heat. She felt it too, I saw it in the flicker of her eyes.

“The pleasure is mine,” I managed to say, my voice rougher than I intended.

“Love, Jayden said that after the show, we’re all going out to celebrate our wedding,” Daon announced, grinning.

Her eyes darted to him, and for a brief second, they softened filled with that same emotion that had driven me crazy the night before. I didn’t know why, but the sight burned inside me.

“Is that right, love? Great! I always want to celebrate our wedding because it was the best thing that happened to me,” she said, smiling brightly.

He kissed her tenderly, and my stomach twisted. That mouth that same mouth that had been calling my name hours ago now whispered “love” to another man.

“I’m very excited because this will be the first show of mine that Jane will watch,” said Daon, proudly.

“And I’m even more excited,” she replied quickly. “I can’t wait to hear my husband sing.”

Before I could respond, there was another knock, and Simon entered the room. The tension shattered at least for Daon.

“Damn, I thought you weren’t coming back!” Simon said, grinning as he hugged Daon.

“I always come back!” Daon laughed.

“And you came back well accompanied! Who’s this pretty lady?” Simon asked, eyeing Jane with curiosity.

“Simon, this is Jane my wife!” Daon said, his tone full of pride.

“Wife? Wife? Did you hear that, Jayden? Our boy’s grown up!” Simon laughed.

“Stop it,” Daon replied, nudging him.

Simon turned to me, still chuckling. “Wow! You chose well, Daon! Isn’t she beautiful, Jayden?”

Our eyes met again, and she blushed, the memory of her flushed face from last night flashing vividly before me.

“She is,” I said quietly, forcing a polite smile.

“Pleasure to meet you!” Simon said warmly. “If you’re making my friend happy, I already like you for free.”

“Thank you! It’s also a pleasure to meet you!” Jane replied, smiling.

Then Simon turned serious. “Now, Daon, I really need your help urgently with a new song. Do you have a minute now?”

“Now?” Daon asked, surprised.

“Just a quick moment. Jane, can I borrow your husband for a bit?” Simon asked with a teasing grin.

“As long as you give him back later,” Jane replied, managing a small laugh.

“That I can’t promise,” Simon joked. “I might steal this handsome guy for myself!”

They all laughed everyone except me. My chest felt like it was on fire.

“Is it really okay if I go, love?” Daon asked, glancing at her.

“Sure, I’ll be going then,” she said quickly, her voice tight.

“No, love, wait here,” Daon said. “I’ll be back in about twenty minutes. Take the opportunity to talk to Jayden and get to know him a little better!”

If only he knew.

She looked at me with dread, but nodded. He kissed her once more and followed Simon out, closing the door behind them.

The silence that fell was deafening.

Jane exhaled shakily, hiding her face in her hands. “What the hell is this?” I demanded, standing.

I crossed the room toward her, my heart pounding. The scent of her perfume hit me again, stirring every memory I was trying to suppress.

“Look, I can explain,” she said, voice trembling.

“I hope you can,” I said, folding my arms.

“I love Daon,” she said quickly, as if those words could erase the past.

“That’s not what it seemed like when you were moaning for me,” I shot back, voice sharp.

“Speak lower! That was a mistake!” she said, eyes wide with panic.

“A mistake? I was a mistake?” I asked, disbelief cutting through the anger.

“The worst mistake I’ve ever made!” she said, her voice cracking. “There was a misunderstanding between Daon and me. I thought our marriage was over. I only slept with you because I was sure it was!”

Her words stung more than I wanted to admit.

“Was that the only reason? No you wanted it. You wanted me. I saw it in your eyes,” I said, stepping closer.

“Stop! Stop with this! It meant nothing! Only my love for Daon matters!” she insisted, trying to sound firm, but her hands trembled.

“So what then? You deceived him? What did you tell him when you got home? That you were out for a walk?” I demanded.

“No! I didn’t lie!” she said, tears brimming. “I told him I was with a man, but that it didn’t mean anything. I told him the truth and he forgave me!”

“And do you think he’ll still forgive you when he finds out that the ‘man’ was me?” I challenged.

“He has to understand, because it meant nothing,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“How can you say that?” I asked, unable to contain the disbelief in my voice.

“Jayden, I didn’t even know who you were,” she said desperately. “I only slept with you because I was hurt and drinking.”

“No,” I said harshly, grabbing her arm before I could stop myself. “Don’t blame it on alcohol. You knew exactly what you were doing!”

“Let me go! You’re hurting me!” she cried.

I released her immediately, guilt flashing across my face. She rubbed her arm, avoiding my gaze.

“And now, Jane? How do we go on from here?” I asked, my voice rough, full of anger and confusion.

“We don’t,” she said flatly.

She tried to sound cold, but her eyes betrayed her full of pain, guilt, and something dangerously close to longing.

“Look, Daon has told me enough about you,” she said, her tone sharper now. “You’re the type who hooks up and doesn’t get attached. The type who’s with a different girl every night and forgets their names. Isn’t that right?”

The truth in her words cut deeper than I expected. For the first time, I felt… small. I exhaled through my nose, nodding once.

“Yes,” I said quietly.

“Then that’s it. I was just another one-night stand for you. It meant nothing. So let’s close this chapter and pretend it never happened,” she said firmly.

“If that’s what you want,” I said, my throat tight.

“It’s better this way,” she murmured. “I’m leaving now. When Daon comes back, tell him I left because I had a headache.”

She grabbed her bag and headed for the door. Just before leaving, she turned back. Her eyes met mine full of pain, regret, and something unspoken. Then she was gone.

I stood there for a long time after the door closed, staring at the empty space she’d left behind. The echo of her voice, her scent, her touch still clung to me.

My best friend’s wife. The woman I couldn’t stop thinking about. And the one I could never have again. How the hell was I supposed to deal with that?