Chapter 10

Chapter 10 — Unknown Message

Y/N Leighrei's POV

I stared at the message on my phone, the words burning into my mind:

"Ash... we need to talk. Now."

My fingers hovered over the screen, unsure whether to reply or delete it. The room around me buzzed with music and chatter, but I felt completely alone.

Ivy hummed a soft melody at the piano, oblivious to my sudden freeze. Felicity and Quinn whispered in the corner, still keeping one eye on me and one on their secret planning.

Who could it be?

I took a deep breath, trying to push aside the storm of thoughts — Vangeline, Frederick, my heartbreak, the impossible task of keeping Ivy's birthday surprise under wraps, and now this cryptic message.

I tapped the screen cautiously.

"Who is this?"

No reply. Just... silence.

A chill ran down my spine. Something told me this was going to change everything.

I glanced around the studio, noticing Twice members laughing and practicing, completely unaware of my sudden tension. I swallowed hard. I couldn't let anyone see this side of me, not now.

Not while Ivy's counting on me.

I shoved my phone into my pocket, forcing a smile. "Okay... let's finish this song," I whispered to myself, but my heart pounded.

Little did I know, the storm waiting for me outside the studio walls was about to hit harder than I could ever imagine.

Third Person POV:

While Y/N tried to steady her breathing, pretending nothing happened, the chaos around her slowly began shifting.

Across the room, Felicity and Quinn were STILL in the corner — laptops open, tablet propped up, their manager on FaceTime whispering urgently.

"Unnie, the restaurant needs confirmation today," Felicity whispered harshly.

Quinn leaned in, "Also, we need to figure out who's picking up the cake — NOT Ivy. She's everywhere."

But the problem?

They weren't as sneaky as they thought.

Because six sets of eyes were staring directly at them.

Nayeon, arms crossed.Jeongyeon, suspicious eyebrow raised.Chaeyoung, squinting like an investigator.Sana, pretending not to stare but totally staring.Mina, politely blinking judgment.Tzuyu, silently judging all of them.

Nayeon leaned closer to the group and whispered loudly — too loudly:

"Guys... what exactly are those two plotting? Why do they look like they're hacking into the CIA?"

Jeongyeon narrowed her eyes. "That's not normal meeting energy. That's scheme energy."

Chaeyoung nodded dramatically. "Should we... go over there?"

Sana gasped. "We should! What if they're planning to leave practice early again?"

Mina looked confused but concerned. "Or what if they're stressed about the collab?"

Tzuyu simply said, "Or... they look guilty."

The six exchanged looks.

Then — slowly, dramatically — they started walking toward Felicity and Quinn like a squad about to interrogate suspects.

Felicity & Quinn's POV

Felicity froze when she saw the Twice members approaching like an army.

"Oh no," she muttered. "Abort mission."

Quinn whispered, "Too late. They're already here. Act natural. ACT. NATURAL."

Felicity smiled stiffly. "Hello... uh... ladies? Why are you walking like that?"

Nayeon placed her hands on the mini table like a detective. "So... what are you two talking about?"

Quinn blinked. "A... project?"

Chaeyoung narrowed her eyes. "What kind of project needs a FaceTime, a laptop, a tablet, and sneaking in a corner?"

Quinn kept smiling but sweating. "A... complicated one?"

Sana gasped. "Omg are you planning a SECRET SONG?! A collab surprise?!"

"...yes?" Quinn lied, voice cracking.

Mina tilted her head. "Then why does your checklist say 'cake,' 'reservation,' and 'bike ride'?"

Both froze.

Both wanted to evaporate.

Tzuyu raised a brow. "Are you planning to kidnap someone or throw a party?"

Felicity slammed her laptop shut. "Okay. NONE OF YOU saw ANYTHING."

Back to Y/N — POV

As I scribbled notes beside Dahyun, trying to focus, I suddenly heard muffled yelling from the corner.

Ivy looked up.Ivy squinted.Ivy frowned.

"Why are they so loud over there?" Ivy asked.

My stomach dropped.

Felicity, Quinn, Twice... THIS CLOSE to exposing everything.

I forced a laugh — a fake, trembling laugh. "Maybe they're just... brainstorming choreography."

Ivy nodded slowly but suspiciously.

Dahyun whispered beside me, "Ash... whatever's going on with you and your sisters looks dangerous."

"I know," I muttered.

Then — my phone buzzed again.

Unknown Number:

Ash. I saw the news. I'm outside your dorm.We need to talk. Now.

My heart stopped.

Vangeline.

She actually came.

Right now.

In Korea.

I stood abruptly, chair scraping loudly across the floor.

Ivy looked at me. "Bro? Where are you going?"

Everyone looked.

Twice members.Unique Four members.Even the manager on FaceTime.

I swallowed hard.

"I... I just need some air."

My voice cracked.

And before anyone could stop me —

I walked out of the studio. I then texted Seulgi-unnie to meet me at the parking lot.

Straight into the storm waiting for me.

The six Twice members stared at them.

Then—

Nayeon: "OH MY GOD IT'S IVY'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE—"

Quinn clamped a hand over her mouth.

"SHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

Complete chaos.

A/N: Ohhhhh something's about to happen, a tension maybe?👀

We'll know in the next chapterrr!!

See you!!

(UNEDITED)