I sighed, sinking deeper into the soft embrace of the mattress. My mind swirled with thoughts, each one heavier than the last. I wanted to confide in someone about the letters, but who could I trust? The way they were written made me almost certain the author was a boy.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a series of knocks.

"Y/N, are you still asleep?" Kiara's voice filtered through the door. I pushed myself up and swung the door open to find her standing there, a concerned expression on her face.

"You good?" she asked, stepping inside and closing the door with a gentle click.

"No, I'm not!" I screeched, flopping back onto the pillow, my head buried deep in the fabric.

"Aww, kid, come here." Kiara opened her arms wide, a comforting smile spreading across her face.

She was two years older than me and often took on the role of the mother figure among all the female contestants. I jumped into her embrace, feeling the warmth radiate from her as she caressed my back.

"Oh wait—what are those?" Kiara's eyes suddenly narrowed, and I felt a jolt of panic as I shot to the drawer, slamming it shut.

"NOTHING!" I exclaimed, my heart racing as I hastily shoved the flowers out of sight.

She shot me a knowing glare, then burst into laughter. "My delulu self knows you received those from someone!"

I looked down, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"You actually did!?" she pressed, her tone shifting from playful to serious.

I nodded, the weight of my secret settling heavily in the air between us.

"How long have you been hiding this?" she asked, curiosity dancing in her eyes.

"Quite some time," I muttered, my voice barely a whisper.

"And you didn't think to tell us? Is it that fellow Jimin?" Kiara's brows shot up, a teasing smile forming on her lips.

I sighed as I plopped down beside her on the bed, my shoulders slumping under the weight of my secret. "I don't know, Kiara. They're from an anonymous person who claims to like me a lot."

Her eyes widened with excitement. "Omg! What did those letters say?"

"Mostly admiring my style, my confidence, and everything that's happened in this show. Whoever it is, they're definitely here—not some crazy fan sneaking around," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"As creepy as this is, I have to admit, this guy has great taste in flowers... Wait, I hope it's a man." She leaned in closer, whispering the last part with a playful smirk.

"It definitely is. The writing style has a distinct man's vibe." I felt a strange mix of embarrassment and intrigue as I considered the sender's identity.

"So, are you on a mission to find the writer behind those letters?" Kiara asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement as I nodded.

"Let's narrow down your options," she continued, her tone turning analytical. "It can't be Ethan; that boy is head over heels for Lisa. I once had a conversation with Alex, and he mentioned that Ava is his high school crush, so he's out of the running too. Then there's Mingyu and Jiho—those two bicker so much, it's like watching a rom-com. The way Mingyu's eyes light up when he sees Jiho? It practically screams 'secret love.' Jake is a total jerk, so I hope it's not him. You definitely shouldn't settle for someone like that. And lastly, my brother can't be the sender. That lover boy is in love with Jennie, even if he's unsure about her feelings."

I was genuinely impressed by the details she rattled off, each one highlighting her keen observations.

"Oh wait—"

"Taehyung can't be it either!" I exclaimed, shrugging off the thought.

"Why can't he?" Kiara asked, tilting her head slightly, her expression curious. "I've seen you two laughing and chatting happily. He could totally be the one."

"Bro, I know how much you love him, so shut the crap," I shot back, trying to maintain my composure. "I know he loves you just as much."

"Honestly, I don't believe anyone can fall in love so fast," she replied, her voice softening as she spoke about him. "Maybe we should give it a try after the show—just not now."

The way she said it made me sense the depth of her feelings, the vulnerability hidden beneath her teasing exterior.

"Okay, fine," I conceded, trying to hide my own fluttering heart at the thought of Taehyung. "But we need to keep our options open. There's definitely someone out there who knows what they're doing with those letters."

Kiara nodded her expression a mix of determination and mischief. "Alright then, let's figure this out together!"

Later we decided to head for breakfast. Breakfast at the mansion was unlike anything I'd ever seen. The table seemed to go on forever, filled with all kinds of fancy dishes—fresh croissants, plates of fruit, bacon, pancakes, and so much more. The smell of coffee and tea filled the air, and everything was served in beautiful dishes that looked too fancy to touch. It all felt a bit over the top, like something out of a movie.

Later, when I met up with my friends, we couldn't stop laughing about it. 

"Did you see how many forks there were?" Jennie joked, shaking her head. 

"I think I used the wrong one for the croissant," Taehyung said

We all shared similar stories, realizing none of us really knew how to handle such a fancy meal. 

"I wasn't even sure what some of the food was," I admitted, feeling out of place but happy we could laugh about it together. Despite how grand everything was, moments like these with my friends made it all feel more real.

After having the delicious meal, I wandered around, lost in thought, when I noticed large cartons stacked outside Jungkook's office. Curiosity got the better of me, so I peeked inside. Jewelry, shoes, and

Wait.

....... Ladies' clothes?

Just as my brain started to churn over the possibilities, I heard a voice.

"Earl, please take these for donation," Jungkook said, signing off on the papers as the other man nodded.

"I'll gather my men to pick up the boxes. Thank you for the donation." The man bowed and left, leaving me with more questions than answers. Without thinking, I stepped into Jungkook's office.

"What's the occasion?" I asked, startling him as he spun around to face me.

His expression instantly darkened. "Haven't I told you we shouldn't meet like this anymore? If any of the contestants saw you coming here—"

"Relax," I interrupted, waving off his concern. "No one saw me."

His gaze sharpened. "Still. You deliberately went against my wishes. Is this some kind of power play for you? Because if it is, I need to tell you—"

"Oh, come on, spare me the lecture." I rolled my eyes.

He exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. "Fine. Let's cut to the chase. What do you want?" he asked, raising his eyebrows as he crossed his arms.

I let out an awkward laugh, my eyes darting around the room. "Nothing, really. Just came to... appreciate the flowers?" I blurted, making a beeline for the sofa and pretending to admire the bouquet sitting there. Not that I cared about the flowers in the slightest.

His skeptical look said it all. He wasn't buying a word of it.

"You should go before someone notices you in here," Jungkook said, his focus already back on his phone.

I hesitated for a moment before standing up. "Actually, I have one more question."

He sighed, glancing up at me. "What is it?"

"What were those cartons of clothes outside your office? I saw... women's clothes," I said, circling him slowly, trying to read his reaction.

"Oh, that," he replied, rolling his eyes. "I'm donating some old clothes to charity."

I raised an eyebrow. "As much as I can see, you're a man... and those clothes were clearly for women."

He groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Let's just say that's the case... Now, if you could just—"

"I don't believe that." I smirked, leaning against the table. "I mean, come on, Jungkook. I can see your manhood—"

"WHAT?!" He immediately looked down, his hands covering himself in panic.

I burst out laughing. "Relax, I was kidding!"

He shot me a deadpan look as I flopped back into the chair, still chuckling. "What are you playing at, Jeon?" I teased.

"Nothing," he muttered.

I raised an eyebrow, and he sighed before giving in. "A friend of mine stayed for a couple of weeks. She isn't coming back for her stuff, so I figured I'd donate it."

"A friend, huh?" I teased again, leaning forward with a playful grin.

He sighed again, his tone softening. "It's a long, painful story, and I don't want to bore you with the details."

The way he said it, it felt like he actually wanted to talk about her. Who was she? Was she an old flame, a lost love? Maybe she was the reason for his cold, distant demeanor. I was curious now.

"If you're comfortable with it, I'd actually like to hear the story," I said, my voice gentle.

He looked at me, surprised. "You sure?"

"Positive," I replied.

He studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. How familiar are you with my family history?"

I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly. "Um, would you be offended if I said I don't know anything about your family? At least, nothing beyond the surface."

He smiled faintly. "Not offended. Most people don't."

Taking a seat next to me, he gazed out the window, the city lights reflecting in his eyes as he began to speak. "This might be surprising, but my family has always been wealthy."

Not surprising at all, but I stayed quiet.

"This mansion has been in our family for generations... along with a few others the public doesn't know about. My parents believed their success came from hard work. That's how they raised me—to never be satisfied with what I had, and to always strive for more."

His voice lowered. "They were always working, hundreds of hours a week. I barely knew them. They passed away when I was twenty in an airplane crash." He paused, exhaling heavily. I reached out and patted his shoulder.

"I'm really sorry, Jungkook. I had no idea."

He shook his head. "Don't apologize. Their death affected me, but... not much changed, except the size of my bank account. But then she came."

"She?" I asked, leaning in closer.

"Leanne," he said, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "She showed up one day, a small suitcase in hand, and told me she was my sister."

My eyes widened. "What?!"

He chuckled at my reaction. "Half-sister, actually. My father had an affair. Leanne said she always knew who her father was, but it wasn't until her mother died that she had the courage to come and meet him. She was devastated when she found out he was gone too. I didn't know what else to do, so I let her stay."

I stayed quiet, letting him continue.

"You have to understand... I never had many friends growing up. The ones I did have, it was always superficial—they liked me for my status, not for me. By the time I was twenty, I was already successful. Movie rights were being offered left and right, and I couldn't even walk down the street without bodyguards. It was... isolating."

I could see the weight of his words. This wasn't just about Leanne. There was a loneliness buried deep inside him that ran much further than I had expected.

"Leanne didn't seem to care about any of that," Jungkook continued, his voice softer now. "She actually put in the effort to get to know me. It was strange having a sister all of a sudden, but... nice, you know? I finally had someone I could trust. Someone to spend time with, joke around with, have breakfast with... until I didn't."

A confused expression lingered on my face as he spoke.

"One cold October morning, without any warning, she was just... gone."

"What happened to her!?" I asked, leaning forward, my voice filled with concern. "Did she..." I hesitated.

Jungkook sighed deeply. "I didn't know at first. I thought maybe someone had kidnapped her, or something terrible happened. I called the police, gave them every bit of information I had—her mom's name, her surname, her age, where she grew up. After a few days, they finally came back with something... and told me that Leanne never existed."

"What?!" I gasped, my eyes wide in disbelief. "How is that even possible?"

"It took me a while to figure out," he said quietly. "She wasn't a classic fraud. Nothing was stolen from the mansion. The clothes I bought her, the ones in front of my office right now, she left behind. She didn't take a single dollar from my wallet or account. But a few years later... a book came out. A biography about Jeon Jungkook, filled with intricate details nobody could've possibly known. Written by Stacy T. And the moment I saw her picture... I recognized her."

"She didn't—" I started.

"She did," he cut in, his jaw tight. "She pretended to be my half-sister when I was at my most vulnerable."

"But... did you confront her?"

He shook his head, a bitter smile forming. "No. I've never sued her, and I never will. She knew I'd never humiliate myself by admitting I was tricked by an amateur journalist. So here I am, telling you my life story... trusting you."

I reached out, gently taking his hands in mine. "I would never break your trust," I whispered, locking eyes with him. He smiled, and for a moment, the weight of the conversation lifted.

"Thank you. I think I needed this. I really believe I'll feel better once those clothes are finally gone," he said, glancing at the pile of boxes.

"Your future wife and kids are going to be lucky. You'll spoil them with so much love," I teased, glancing at the pile of clothes.

Jungkook chuckled, but before he could respond, I stood up, stomping around angrily. "Oh god, I really want to punch that Stacy! I can't believe she had the nerve to do something so horrible! Who does she think she is!?"

He watched me, amused, as I ranted. "I'll have to tell your future wife to sue her! Maybe she can—" Before I could finish, I felt his arms wrap tightly around me from behind, pulling me toward him. His hands gently rested on my waist as he turned me around to face him.

"Calm down, girl," he said with a smile. "I'm not dating anyone this easily, not after all that. Good luck finding my future wife."

I looked up at him, flustered, but his playful tone and warm smile made my frustration melt away.

"Okay then," I said, grinning mischievously. "I'll find you the perfect wife, and you can find me the perfect husband. Deal?"

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh really? You think it's that easy?"

"Of course!" I laughed, crossing my arms. "You'll be thanking me when you're happily married to the love of your life."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, I'll hold you to that. But don't expect me to settle for anything less than perfect for you either."

"Deal," I said with a wink. "Now we just have to find two incredibly lucky people."

"Let the matchmaking begin," he said, still smiling, but there was a gleam in his eyes that made me wonder if we were really talking about other people... 

...or something else entirely.

Half an hour later

I found Fred in the hallway and decided to have a little fun.

"HANDS UP!" I yelled in my deepest voice. He immediately threw his bag to the ground and raised his hands, looking alarmed.

"I didn't do anything!" he said, clearly startled.

"Turn around!" I ordered, barely holding back a laugh. As he turned, his expression shifted from panic to a deadpan look when he realized it was me.

"Really?" he asked, eyes filled with a mixture of exasperation and amusement. I burst into laughter.

"Alright, let's cut to the chase," I said, grinning. "About those flowers... I know someone's been sending them, and you've either been delivering them to my room or you are the one giving them to me."

Fred raised an eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?"

"Stop playing dumb," I said, narrowing my eyes. "Remember the first letter and those flowers someone left in my room? It's been happening ever since. So drop the act."

He sighed, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, I admit I know who's behind it, but I've sworn to secrecy. However, it's not me! Come on, look at you, on your way to becoming a big star, and me? Just a servant."

"So you're not even going to give me the tiniest hint?" I pressed, giving him a pleading look.

"I'm afraid not, Ms. Lee," he said, looking genuinely sorry. "But I'll give you this: whoever it is, I can assure you, they aren't toying with your feelings."

"Come on, they won't know if you spill," I whined.

"Oh, they surely would," Fred replied, crossing his arms. "There are cameras all over the premises. Every move we make is being watched."

The cameras!

"Fred, you're a genius!" I shouted, grinning wildly.

"But that didn't help me get into Oxford or Harvard" he dramatically sighed making me laugh 

"Uh... what did I say?" he asked, looking genuinely confused.

"I'll explain later!" I yelled, already halfway down the hall. I dashed to Jimin's room, waving at Fred as I disappeared around the corner.

I knocked, and a few seconds later, Jimin answered the door—shirtless, of course.

"Oh! Sorry, hang on." He closed the door, and in a moment, he returned, this time properly dressed.

"I thought it was Taehyung," he chuckled. "He came over to watch a movie, then ran back to Fred for snacks."

"Oooo, sounds cozy," I teased, waggling my eyebrows. "But actually, I need your help with something."

He tilted his head. "What's up?"

"Remember that time you...borrowed Jungkook's keys?"

He laughed, instantly remembering. "You mean that morning when you nearly burned down the place because the food ran out before you got any? Yeah, I remember."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help but grin. "Yes, that morning. Well, I need those keys again."

Jimin raised an eyebrow. "What exactly are you planning to steal?"

"Nothing like that," I said, waving a hand dismissively. "Just need to borrow them for... research purposes."

"Research purposes? Since when did you join the police force?" he chuckled, crossing his arms with an amused smile.

"You don't get it. Do you still have the keys?" I asked, looking hopeful.

He raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Hmm. If I happen to have them... what do I get in return?"

"My eternal gratitude?" I offered, playing innocent.

He chuckled. "Boring. But sure, you can have them." With a grin, he handed me the keys.

"Thanks, Jimin! You're the best!" I gave him a quick peck on the cheek before darting off.

"Gosh, I love this hurricane," he called out, waving goodbye.

I arrived at Jungkook's office, glancing around to make sure I was alone—especially with no sign of Jungkook lurking nearby. After unlocking the main door, I slipped inside, heart pounding as I approached the locked surveillance room. Trying each key, I was down to the sixth one when—click—it finally opened.

Yes! The security room had screens covering the entire estate: the kitchen, garden, hallway, even my door...and, uh oh, Ethan and Lisa cuddling in her room? Adorable, but maybe they should learn to close their door properly.

Okay, focus! Now, if only I could figure out how to rewind the footage. I scanned the panels, buttons, and screens, trying to piece together the controls.

Twenty minutes later

"No... It can't be... There's no way... Unless..."

"Y/N!" I jumped, hearing the voice behind me. "You're not supposed to be here!"

I turned to see Fred, his expression a mix of disappointment and resignation.

"It's okay, Fred. I was just leaving," I said quickly, but his gaze held steady.

"I'm too late, aren't I?" he sighed. "You've already seen the footage."

"Yes, I have. I... I'd better get to it right away."

He nodded, stepping aside to let me pass. "Just remember, Y/N," he called softly as I reached the doorway. I looked back, catching his serious expression. "Things are never what they seem at the surface."

I gave him a faint smile and headed down the hall, my mind racing. Finally, I stopped at the door and knocked.

"Y/N?" Iseul said with a raised brow, letting me in. "How nice of you to show up." She closed the door behind me and strolled toward her dressing table, inspecting herself in the mirror.

"If you're here for fashion advice, by the way, I charge by the minute." She brushed her hair, her tone dripping with amusement.

I stared at her, letting the silence settle until I finally whispered, 

"It's you..."

Iseul's expression softened as she looked at me through the mirror, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. She turned to face me fully, crossing her arms.

"So, you finally figured it out? I'm the one who's been leaving you all those letters. I'm your 'Secret Admirer.'"

"Oh... So, it was you," I replied, my voice trailing off as I took it in. "I mean, it really took me a while to piece it together. You had me half-convinced it was the butler, you know," I added, half-amused and half-embarrassed.

She burst into laughter, tossing her head back. "You really thought it was Fred? You're serious?"

"Well," I stammered, defensively, "it's not like you made it easy."

"And here I thought my hints were obvious. I guess I've been underestimating just how oblivious you are."

"Well, forgive me for thinking it wasn't a trick," I said, thinking back. "Fred was the one who said the letters were genuine, that someone meant every word."

A brief silence settled as Iseul's laughter faded, and her eyes softened.

"I had no idea you'd see me that way. Honestly... I thought you were in love with Jimin."

She looked stunned, her mouth falling open slightly. "What?" she sputtered. "Where on earth did you get that ridiculous idea?"

I shrugged, trying not to look as flustered as I felt. "I don't know... you're always chasing after him, acting all jealous whenever I talk to him. How was I supposed to know?"

She groaned, palming her forehead. "I really have to spell it out for you, don't I? I was jealous of him. Because he was talking to you."

I stared at her, realization dawning over me. "Oh. That actually... makes sense." A smile tugged at my lips. "Wow, I have so many questions right now... Like how did you manage to get me those flowers? As far I know, Jungkook said it's impossible to get anything past him. "

Iseul chuckled, shaking her head. "Take your time, slowpoke. Old habits die hard." She tapped my nose playfully. "But seriously, what kind of person goes through Jungkook and Fred for clues?"

Her expression softened again, dropping the usual bravado. "So, since I was obviously so far from your mind..." She paused her voice just barely a whisper. "I guess you're not into me at all."

"Iseul..." I replied, "I think I'm going to need a little more explanation."

She let out a heavy sigh. "Fine, fine. I bribed the maids, okay? A few skirts and blouses here, a little bargain there—they smuggled the bouquets in for me."

I suppressed a laugh. "So that's why the staff's been looking so impeccably dressed lately!"

She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Guilty as charged. So what happens now, Miss Detective? I've had my big confession moment. I've told you my secrets. And if the next step doesn't involve us taking off our clothes, maybe you should go."

I raised an eyebrow, folding my arms. "Was that supposed to be flirtatious? Because, honestly, I thought you were better at that."

"Really, Y/N?" she sighed. "Were all those letters not flirty enough for you?" She paused, a faint smile playing on her lips. "If you want, I can give you a whole bucket of empty promises like most people here. Tell you that you're Aphrodite's reincarnation or some other bullcrap. But honestly? I'm tired of playing games. So here it is, no filters—I'm strongly attracted to you."

My heart skipped a beat, but I tried to keep my voice steady. "Which part of me, exactly?"

"Every part," she replied, unflinchingly. Her eyes trailed over me, her gaze steady. "Your symmetrical face, those very tempting lips, your attitude... not to mention those killer legs from your waitressing job." She leaned in slightly, smirking. "And I'd love to see what you can do with the rest of that body." 

"And if being with me doesn't intrigue you," Iseul's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned closer, "then think of the audience. The princess and the pauper hooking up together? Scandalous. One of us would win this show for sure."

She had a point... and maybe this bold front was a cover for something deeper. As much as my heart stirred at the thought, I knew the answer, even if it tugged at me to say it out loud.

"I'm sorry, Iseul." I stepped back, watching as the faintest hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes. "But I just don't feel the same way." My gaze dropped to the floor.

"That's fine." Her lips curved into a small, almost resigned smile. "But you should go now," she added, her tone regaining that classic Iseul edge. "I haven't even started my beauty routine, and I can't afford any distractions."

Of course, she looked perfect already.

"Alright... I'll see you around." I lingered a second longer before turning to leave, heart heavy but resolute.

I honestly thought she hated me. But I guess with some people, you can never be sure of anything.

As I reached my room, my thoughts still reeling, my eyes caught sight of something on my dresser.

Another bouquet!?

I hurried to the drawer, hands brushing over the fresh flowers and another letter. 

"Dear Y/n,

You're clever for checking the CCTVs, but I was already two steps ahead... and no, I'm not Iseul. I know you just went to talk to her after narrowing down your list of 'Secret Admirers.' But there's no way she sent this to you.

I had a feeling you'd try to find me, but instead, you caught her in the act. And if you're guessing Fred is the one delivering my letters? Wrong again. I have my ways...

Apologies if I sound like a creep—I can't help it. Though now I wonder... could our letters have crossed, and you're falling for the wrong person? Maybe you're tangled up in Iseul's words, thinking they're mine...

I'd like to know. Not that you could write back, but trust me—I'll find a way to hear your answer.

Regards

Your Secret Admirer (The real one)"

I flopped onto the bed with a heavy sigh, my gaze fixed on the letter beside me. Just when I thought I'd cracked the mystery, it turns out I was wrong—again.

"Ladies and Gentlemen..."

Oh boy here we go again, Is it another event?

"It's confession time."

"Iseul, I had no idea you felt this way. I thought you were in love with Jimin."

"What!?" She gave a disbelief  look

"Where did you get this ridiculous idea?"

"Well, you were always pursuing him, acting all jealous when I talked to him..."

She slapped her head in disbelif "I really need to spell it out for yo, huh? I was jelous of HIM. Because he was talking to YOU."

That makes sense.

"But, wow, i've so many questions right now..."

"Take our time slowpoke," She giggled "Soory, aold habits die hard.

"So, umm ho did you even manage to order flowers? Jungkook said that it's imposiible to get anything past him... 

"Told you, I have the connections here. But wait... You went to Jungkoo too!? Wow, I really am offended now." She said grumping

Her eyes soften "Since i was so far from your mind... I guess you're not into me at all."

"Iseul... I'm still waitinf for an explaination."

"Ugh fine. I gave the maids a few skirts and bluses in exchange for smuggling in bouquets."

So that's why some of the staff has been impeccably dressed lately!

"Fair offer."

"Guilty as charged. So what happens how? We had our big revelation moment, I told you my secrets... If the next step doesn't include us taking off our clothes, you should probably go now."

"Was that supposed to be flirtatious? Because i thought you were much better at that." i crosed my hands on my chest

"Really, Y/n? Was those leters not flirty enough for you? I can give you a whole bucket of empty promises like most people here... Tell you that you're Aphrodite's reincarnation or some other type of bullcrap... Not to be honest, I'm kind of tired of playing games. So how about this? I'm strongly attracted to you."

"Which part of me?" I asked

"All parts" She said "You have a symmetrical face and a pair of very tempting lips. That waitressing job obviously gave you killer legs...