Chapter 13: Unforeseen Encounters

Ross navigated through the backstage corridors, her heart pounding with excitement and nerves. The prospect of meeting the members of NOVA up close was both exhilarating and daunting, and she couldn't shake the flutter of anticipation that danced in her chest.

As she searched for her sister amidst the throngs of people, Ross found herself drawn towards the restroom, a brief respite from the chaos of the backstage area. But before she could reach her destination, a strong hand seized her arm, pulling her into a nearby room with surprising force.

Startled, Ross stumbled into the room, her eyes widening in shock as she found herself face to face with V. His dark gaze bore into hers, intense and unwavering, as he spoke in a voice tinged with frustration and longing.

"Why didn't you pick up my calls? I called so many times, but you never answered," V demanded, his words hanging heavy in the air.

Ross's breath caught in her throat at his accusation, her mind reeling with the realization that V had been trying to reach her all this time. She felt a pang of guilt tug at her heart, knowing that she had unwittingly ignored his attempts to contact her.

"I... I didn't know," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to meet his gaze.

V's grip on her arm tightened, his eyes searching hers for answers. "Do you know how much I've waited for your call?" he pressed, his tone tinged with a hint of desperation.

Unable to bear the weight of his gaze, Ross turned away, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She had never imagined that V would be so affected by her silence, so consumed by the need to hear her voice.

As she moved to leave, V's hand shot out, capturing her waist in a firm grip. "Why are you doing this to me?" he implored, his voice a low murmur that sent shivers down her spine.

Ross's heart raced at his touch, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. She wanted to explain, to tell him everything she had been feeling, but the words caught in her throat, trapped by the weight of her uncertainty and fear.

With a heavy sigh, she met V's gaze once more, her eyes searching his for a glimmer of understanding. But all she found was the raw intensity of his emotions, a reflection of the turmoil raging within her own heart.

And as they stood in the quiet solitude of the green room, surrounded by the echoes of their unspoken words, Ross knew that their encounter was far from over, their destinies intertwined in a dance of longing and desire that neither of them could deny.