The following morning, headlines exploded across portals and social media as the Golden Disc Awards (GDA) officially announced its return, scheduled to be held on April 17. The news spread rapidly, catching K-netizens off guard. Many had assumed the ceremony would be postponed or quietly scaled down due to recent industry controversies, making the announcement all the more shocking. Push notifications lit up phones, and entertainment forums flooded with breaking posts within minutes.
“Wait—April 17? That’s so soon!” one user commented in disbelief.
Another replied, “I didn’t expect GDA to happen this year at all. This is huge.”
As details trickled in, excitement quickly overtook the initial shock. Fans began speculating about nominees, performances, and surprise stages, while others questioned which artists would attend amid the tense atmosphere surrounding the industry. “Do you think all the big groups will show up?” one post asked. “After everything that’s happened, this feels… bold.”
Despite mixed emotions, anticipation continued to rise. “No matter what, GDA is still GDA,” a fan wrote. “This could be a turning point.” By midday, the announcement dominated trending topics, with K-netizens collectively buzzing—some thrilled, some cautious, but all keenly aware that April 17 would be more than just an awards night. It would be a moment the entire industry would be watching closely.
In the meantime, Valerie met up with her friends at a quiet café, the morning light filtering softly through the windows. There was an ease about her that hadn’t been there before—calmer, steadier, as if she had finally found her footing. As they talked about life, feelings, and the people they were afraid to be honest with, Valerie listened carefully, then finally spoke.
“Hey,” she said softly, pulling out a chair and taking a seat with them. “Sorry I’m a little late.”
“No, you’re good,” Bryan replied, returning the smile. “We just got here too.”
“Listen, Val… We should’ve listened to you before and we should’ve known better,” Ava said.
Sally stepped forward next, her eyes glassy. “I failed you,” she admitted softly. “I doubted you when you needed support the most.”
“We are so sorry,” Bryan apologized.
Ava nodded, her voice trembling. “You didn’t deserve that. We should’ve trusted you.”
As the conversation continued, a heavier silence settled over the table. Bryan was the first to look down, his fingers tightening around his cup.
“There’s something else we need to say,” he admitted quietly. “We didn’t really know your side of the family… and we never tried to understand what you were dealing with at home.”
Sally nodded, guilt clear on her face. “We saw you struggling, but we assumed it was something small. We didn’t realize how deep it went—how long you’d been carrying all of that by yourself.”
Ava swallowed, her voice softer than usual. “We judged without knowing. We didn’t ask. We didn’t listen. And that wasn’t fair to you.”
Valerie stayed quiet for a moment, absorbing their words. Then she exhaled slowly. “Family issues aren’t easy to talk about,” she said gently. “Sometimes I didn’t even know how to explain them myself.”
Bryan looked up at her. “Still… we should’ve tried harder. You shouldn’t have had to face that alone.”
Sally reached across the table, her hand hovering before Valerie nodded slightly, allowing the gesture. “We’re really sorry,” Sally said. “For not seeing you fully. For not asking the right questions.”
Valerie gave them a small, sincere smile. “Thank you for saying that,” she replied. “It means more than you know.”
The guilt didn’t disappear instantly, but something shifted between them—a deeper understanding, a quiet acknowledgment of the pain Valerie had endured. This time, they weren’t just hearing her words. They were finally seeing her.
The mood at the table softened as Ava hesitated, then spoke again, her voice gentler this time.
“There’s… something else we realized,” she said. “Eugene was always there for you. Every time you needed someone, he showed up.”
Bryan nodded in agreement. “Even when things were messy, or when everyone else pulled away—he didn’t. He stayed.”
Sally looked at Valerie carefully. “We saw it too late, but he never questioned you. He didn’t ask for explanations or proof. He just… believed you.”
Valerie’s fingers tightened slightly around her cup, her gaze lowering as the words sank in. She hadn’t asked Eugene to carry that weight, yet he had done so quietly, without drawing attention to himself.
“He was there when you didn’t even know how to ask for help,” Ava added softly.
Valerie finally looked up, a mix of gratitude and emotion in her eyes. “I know,” she said quietly. “And that’s something I’ll never forget.”
The table fell into a thoughtful silence. For the first time, everyone acknowledged the truth that had been there all along—when Valerie needed someone the most, Eugene had never left her side.
A brief pause followed, the kind that lingered a little too long. Bryan exchanged a glance with Sally and Ava before clearing his throat.
“So… we know you and Eugene are best friends,” he said carefully. “But the way you two are with each other—it doesn’t feel like just that.”
Sally tilted her head, a small, knowing smile forming. “There’s a closeness there. The kind you don’t fake.”
Ava leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “Honestly, sometimes it feels like there’s something more going on between you two. We just… wanted to ask.”
Valerie blinked, caught off guard by the directness. She let out a soft breath, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup as she considered her words.
“It’s not something I can easily explain,” she said finally. “Eugene has always been my safe place. We understand each other without having to say much.”
Bryan nodded slowly. “That’s exactly what we mean.”
Valerie offered a faint smile, one filled with both warmth and uncertainty. “Whatever it is… it’s real. But it’s also complicated.”
Her friends didn’t press further. They could see it in her eyes—the unspoken connection, the depth that went beyond labels. And even without a clear answer, they understood that whatever existed between Valerie and Eugene wasn’t ordinary friendship—it was something still unfolding.
“If you like someone,” she said gently, meeting their eyes, “tell them. Love is not a crime.”
Her friends fell silent for a moment, absorbing her words.
Sally let out a small laugh. “It’s scary though. What if it ruins everything?”
Valerie smiled, not unkindly. “Keeping it inside can ruin you too,” she replied. “Even if it doesn’t work out, at least you were honest. That matters.”
The group nodded slowly, comforted by her sincerity. In that moment, Valerie wasn’t just giving advice—she was sharing a lesson born from pain, faith, and growth. And as the conversation continued, her friends realized she wasn’t speaking from theory, but from a place of hard-earned truth.
Valerie looked at them for a long moment, then exhaled, the tension easing from her shoulders. Without another word, she stepped forward, pulling them into a group hug. The reconciliation was quiet but heartfelt—a shared understanding, forgiveness, and relief passing between them.
In that embrace, old wounds began to close. It wasn’t about undoing the past, but about choosing to move forward together, this time with honesty and trust.
Later that evening, Eugene and Valerie found themselves together by the beach, where a small patio bar was set up just steps away from the shoreline. Soft lights hung overhead, swaying gently in the night breeze, while the sound of waves blended with quiet music and distant laughter. The atmosphere was calm—intimate, almost unreal.
They sat side by side, shoulders nearly touching, both holding microphones as a few friends and patrons listened from nearby tables. Eugene glanced at Valerie, a nervous smile tugging at his lips.
“Ready?” he asked softly.
Valerie nodded, returning the smile. “Yeah. With you? Always.”
As the first notes played, they began to sing “Lucky, I’m In Love With My Best Friend.”
“Do you hear me? I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby, I'm trying
Boy, I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard…”
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Valerie’s voice wavered slightly, laden with emotion, and Eugene instinctively leaned closer, subtly brushing his shoulder against hers. He added his own harmonies, smooth and reassuring, letting his tone cradle hers. The world around them seemed to blur; the soft lights, the lapping waves, even the small crowd became background to the energy that pulsed between them.
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When they reached the chorus, Valerie laughed quietly through the words, eyes shining. Eugene joined in, his voice warm and steady, the meaning of the song unmistakable. The night seemed to pause for them—just the music, the ocean, and the truth hanging gently between every lyric.
Their voices blended naturally, effortlessly, as if they had practiced for years—though neither of them had. Eugene watched Valerie as she sang, his expression open and sincere, while Valerie’s voice wavered slightly, filled with emotion she didn’t try to hide.
“Lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh…”
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“They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I'll wait for you, I promise you, I will”
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Eugene’s eyes softened, reflecting both admiration and a quiet longing, while Valerie’s voice trembled just enough to convey the depth of her heart. He leaned slightly toward her, and she instinctively matched his movement, their breaths mingling, creating a private world within the open night.
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As the song reached its final chorus, their voices soared together, perfectly balanced, echoing over the ocean. Valerie’s hand brushed Eugene’s lightly again, and this time, he entwined his fingers with hers ever so subtly. Their eyes met, holding the unspoken acknowledgment that the song wasn’t just words—it was their story.
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“I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we're in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday”
They lingered in the silence that followed, their connection deeper, more intimate, a warmth shared that no applause could ever replicate.
For those few minutes, singing side by side under the stars, the line between friendship and something more blurred completely, leaving only trust, affection, and a quiet promise of feelings long held but never fully voiced.
“Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh…”
As the song ended, there was soft applause, but neither of them paid much attention. Eugene lowered the microphone and looked at Valerie.
“Guess the song says it all,” he said, half-joking, half-serious.
Valerie smiled, holding his gaze a second longer than usual. “Maybe it does.”
Under the beach lights and the open night sky, what had always been unspoken felt closer than ever—no longer just friendship, but something tender, honest, and quietly becoming real.
The night was calm, the ocean waves lapping softly against the shore as Eugene and Valerie sat close together at the beachside patio. The soft glow of string lights overhead bathed them in warmth, the atmosphere intimate and serene. Eugene reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box, his hands slightly trembling—not from fear, but from the weight of the moment.
“Valerie…” he began, his voice low and sincere, “I’ve realized something tonight… something I should have said long ago.”
Valerie turned to him, her eyes wide, heart skipping. Eugene opened the box to reveal a delicate, sparkling ring. “I don’t want to spend another day without you in my life—not just as my best friend, but as the person I love with all my heart. Will you marry me?”
For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Valerie’s hand flew to her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. “Eugene… Yes! Yes, of course!” she whispered, voice trembling with joy.
Eugene slipped the ring onto her finger, holding her hands gently, their eyes locking in a gaze full of trust, love, and unspoken promises. They leaned into each other, foreheads touching, sharing a soft laugh, a gentle kiss, and whispers only they could hear. The world around them—the waves, the lights, the distant murmurs of others—faded away.
Eugene’s face broke into a relieved, joyful smile. He slipped the ring onto her finger, holding her hands gently between his. “I promise you… every day, I’ll be here. Not just as your best friend, but as someone who loves you with everything I have.”
Tears streamed down Valerie’s face as she laughed softly, burying her face into his shoulder. The world felt impossibly light, as if all the pain, the uncertainty, and the struggles of the past had been replaced by this one perfect moment. Eugene wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, and they swayed slightly to the sound of the waves, speaking in murmurs only they could hear.
“I can’t believe this is real,” Valerie whispered, her fingers tracing the outline of the ring. “After everything… we’re finally here.”
Eugene chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “It’s always been real, Val. We just… took the scenic route.”
For a while, they simply sat there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the beach and lights around them fading into a blur. Laughter, whispered promises, and gentle kisses filled the quiet night as they celebrated privately, fully immersed in the love that had grown between them over years of shared experiences.
It wasn’t until later, when a flicker of movement in the shadows caught Eugene’s eye, that he realized they hadn’t been entirely alone. From the treeline near the patio, a figure lingered, camera in hand, capturing every intimate detail of their proposal. The weight of being watched pressed suddenly against the warmth of the moment, a reminder that even the most private happiness could be threatened.
Valerie noticed his gaze shift and followed it, her smile faltering slightly. “Eugene… someone’s there,” she whispered.
He nodded, still holding her hand, a mixture of protectiveness and concern flashing in his eyes. “We’ll deal with that later. For now… let’s just be us.”
And in that fleeting, perfect moment, the world narrowed down to just the two of them, love triumphant even in the shadow of unseen watchers.
In the quiet of the night, as Valerie’s laughter and soft voice faded into the gentle rhythm of the waves, Eugene’s mind refused to settle. The happiness of the proposal, the glow of their shared moment, all felt tainted by a gnawing unease.
“I can’t let her get hurt…” he thought, turning the ring over in his hand again. “If Si-woo doesn’t get what he wants… if things don’t go his way… Valerie’s life will be at risk. I promised her the world, but how can I protect her from that?”
He stared out at the dark ocean, its endless waves echoing the turmoil inside him. Every smile, every kiss they shared just moments ago now felt fragile, precarious—as if one wrong move could shatter it all.
She trusts me… she believes in us… Eugene’s chest tightened at the thought. And yet, I brought her into this. Into danger. Did I do the right thing by proposing? Or have I only made her a target?
His hand clenched slightly around the ring, a mix of determination and fear battling within him. Eugene knew he had to keep her safe, no matter the cost. But even as he vowed that silently to himself, a cold shadow lingered over the warmth of the night, reminding him that love alone might not be enough to shield Valerie from the world’s dangers.
The K-East members were gathered in the living room, the soft hum of conversation filling the space. They had just wrapped up their Weverse live, and now they sat in a loose circle on the sofas and floor cushions, discussing the upcoming GDA Awards. Excitement mixed with nerves as they speculated about nominees, performances, and possible collaborations.
“I still can’t believe the GDAs are happening so soon,” Taeyun said, leaning forward. “April 17 is just around the corner. We’ve got to start preparing if we want to make an impression.”
Hwan crossed his arms, a thoughtful frown on his face. “Yeah, but I hope everything goes smoothly. Last-minute drama can ruin a performance.”
Jaesang, sitting beside him, shrugged. “As long as we stick together, we’ll handle it. We’ve done crazier things before.”
Just then, an abrupt knock on the door cut through the chatter. The room fell silent for a beat, all eyes turning toward the sound. Taeyun, nearest to the door, got up and went to answer it, curious and slightly wary.
“Who could that be at this hour?” he muttered, opening the door to reveal Bryan, his expression a mixture of urgency and disbelief.
“Taeyun… you need to hear this,” Bryan said quickly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “It’s about Valerie and Eugene… they’re getting married.”
The moment hit the room like a shockwave. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the circle. Jiyoo, caught completely off guard, could only gape, speechless. The news had landed unexpectedly, shifting the energy of the room from casual excitement about the awards to stunned disbelief over the engagement.
Taeyun closed the door behind Bryan, his brow furrowed as he glanced around at the other members. “Okay… explain. Right now.”
Bryan took a deep breath. “I just found out. Valerie and Eugene… they’ve already gotten engaged. I thought you should know.”
For a few seconds, no one spoke. The living room, once filled with casual chatter about the GDAs, now felt charged with surprise and a mix of awe, curiosity, and confusion. The engagement was unexpected, and the members’ reactions made it clear that this revelation was going to change the dynamic of how they saw both Valerie and Eugene forever.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q4JdsKCGn
and then Add to home screen.