Dae-Seong stood on the bustling streets of Seoul, the city that had once been his home for centuries. But now, the familiar sights and sounds seemed distant, blurred by the overpowering thoughts that consumed his mind. He had returned to the place where his career as a Korean superstar had flourished, where he had achieved fame beyond his wildest dreams. But now, he was haunted by a different kind of hunger—one that had nothing to do with his acting career.
As he walked through the busy streets, his senses were overwhelmed by the scents of the city. The aroma of street food, the perfume of passing strangers—it all paled in comparison to the scent that had imprinted itself on his senses. The scent of Aaliyah's blood.
He had tried to focus on his work, to immerse himself in the role he was shooting for a new drama. But every line he delivered, every scene he acted in, was tainted by the aroma that lingered in his mind. The hunger gnawed at him, a constant reminder of the desires he had spent centuries suppressing.
Dae-Seong's manager, Ji-Hoon, approached him with a concerned expression. "Dae-Seong, are you alright? You seem distracted."
Dae-Seong forced a smile, his mind elsewhere. "I'm fine, Ji-Hoon. Just a bit tired."
Ji-Hoon studied him for a moment before speaking. "You've been off your game lately. Your performance is usually flawless, but today..."
Dae-Seong's grip on the script tightened, his gaze distant. "I know. I'm sorry."
Ji-Hoon's eyes held a mixture of concern and understanding. "Is there something bothering you? Something you're not telling me?"
Dae-Seong hesitated, his internal struggle evident in his expression. "It's complicated, Ji-Hoon. There's something I'm dealing with."
Ji-Hoon's brow furrowed. "You can talk to me, Dae-Seong. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out together."
Dae-Seong took a deep breath, his voice low. "It's about someone I've met. Someone who has stirred something in me."
Ji-Hoon's gaze was searching. "A person? Aaliyah?"
Dae-Seong's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?"
Ji-Hoon's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I've been around you long enough to recognize when something's on your mind. And I've seen the way you look at her."
Dae-Seong's shoulders sagged, a mixture of relief and frustration washing over him. "It's more than that, Ji-Hoon. She has a unique scent, a scent that I can't seem to get out of my mind."
Ji-Hoon's expression turned serious. "You mean... her blood?"
Dae-Seong nodded, his voice heavy. "Yes. I've spent centuries suppressing my desires, but being around her... it's become a constant struggle."
Ji-Hoon's gaze held a mixture of sympathy and concern. "Dae-Seong, you know the consequences of giving in to that hunger."
Dae-Seong's fists clenched at his sides. "I'm well aware. But there's more to it than that. There's a prophecy that I've been chasing for centuries. Aaliyah's blood could hold the key to it."
Ji-Hoon's brows furrowed in confusion. "A prophecy? What are you talking about?"
Dae-Seong hesitated, his thoughts a jumble of conflicted desires. "It's a long story, Ji-Hoon. But suffice it to say that if I drink her blood and make her my wife, I could become the most powerful vampire to ever exist."
Ji-Hoon's eyes widened in shock. "You've kept this from her? From Aaliyah?"
Dae-Seong's gaze dropped to the ground, shame coursing through him. "Yes. I've kept it hidden, not wanting to scare her away."
Ji-Hoon's voice was gentle. "Dae-Seong, you can't keep something like this from her. She deserves to know the truth."
Dae-Seong's internal struggle was evident in his expression. "I know. But I can't bring myself to tell her. I've grown to care for her, and the thought of hurting her or scaring her away... it's unbearable."
Ji-Hoon placed a reassuring hand on Dae-Seong's shoulder. "You have to make a choice, Dae-Seong. Between your desires for power and your feelings for her."
Dae-Seong's gaze was heavy with turmoil. "I don't know if I can make that choice. I've spent so long chasing this prophecy, and now that I've found someone who makes me question everything, I'm torn."
Ji-Hoon's voice was steady. "Remember, Dae-Seong, power is not everything. True strength lies in the choices we make, the sacrifices we're willing to endure for the ones we care about."
Dae-Seong's thoughts were a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. He knew that Ji-Hoon was right, that he couldn't keep his true nature and his desires hidden from Aaliyah. But the fear of losing her, of driving her away with the truth, was a weight that he wasn't sure he could bear.
As he stood on the busy streets of Seoul, Dae-Seong felt the weight of his internal struggle pressing down on him. The scent of Aaliyah's blood still lingered in his mind, a constant reminder of the hunger that threatened to consume him. He had to make a choice—one that could change the course of his existence and the lives of those around him. And as the city lights illuminated the night, he knew that he couldn't avoid the truth any longer. He had to confront his conflicted desires and face the consequences of his choices, no matter how difficult they may be.