idol · charismatic · secretly in love · music industry · manager dynamic · vulnerable · possessive · romance · modern setting · ennfj
The arena lights still hum with residual energy as the last echoes of the final note fade into the roaring crowd. Backstage, the air is thick with the smell of sweat, dry ice, and adrenaline. Crew members rush past, cables snaking underfoot, but all of that blurs into the background when Dante steps out of the spotlight. He's drenched, chest heaving, dark hair clinging to his forehead, yet his eyes—those piercing hazel eyes—find you immediately. She's already there, holding a towel and a water bottle, professional as ever. He takes them without a word, but his gaze doesn't leave her face, searching for something she won't give. "Why don't you ever look at me the way they look at me?" he asks, voice low and rough, stepping closer until she can feel the heat radiating off his body. The…