Zoey dropped her backpack onto the floor with a tired thud and collapsed onto her plush gray couch, burying her face in a soft cushion. The apartment was quiet except for the low hum of the air conditioner and the faint sound of cars passing by outside her window. She pulled off her worn sneakers and stretched her legs out, wincing at the dull ache in her knees.
"I swear," she muttered under her breath, "this whole city wants me to stay single forever."
The words felt heavier than usual, loaded with frustration and loneliness. It wasn't just about romance..it was everything. The job stress, the constant looking over her shoulder for Matt's next move, and the gnawing feeling that she was stuck in a loop she couldn't escape.
Tonia, her friend and unofficial therapist, looked up from her laptop across the room. Her curly hair was pulled back in a messy bun, but the sparkle in her eyes was as bright as ever. "Again with the single lament?" she teased, closing the laptop with a soft click.
Zoey lifted her head and gave a tired smile. "I'm not just whining,babe. I'm serious. I'm tired of hiding, tired of dodging texts and calls that feel more like threats. And on top of that, my love life is dead. It's like the universe is conspiring against me."
Tonia crossed the room in a few quick strides and flopped down beside Zoey, nudging her playfully. "Well, I've got just the thing to distract you."
Zoey raised an eyebrow. "If it's another bubble tea run, I'm going to make you drink the whole thing yourself."
Tonia grinned mischievously. "Even better. A dating app."
Zoey blinked. "A dating app? Really?"
"Not just any app. This one's special it's called HeartLine. Live chat, no pressure to meet, just talk. You don't even have to use your real name."
Zoey let out a short laugh but it was mixed with skepticism. "Yeah, right. Because anonymous chatting has never gone wrong in any horror movie ever."
"Exactly why you need it," Tonia said with a wink. "Think of it as practice. Pretend you're a character in one of your stories. What would Zuzu do?"
Zoey snorted. "Zuzu?"
"Yeah! You need a new identity. No Matt baggage. No fear. Just… Zuzu. She's bold, sarcastic, maybe a little wild."
Zoey hesitated, then shrugged. "Fine. Zuzu it is."
Zoey pulled out her phone, the familiar glow of the screen lighting up her tired face. She tapped into her App Store and searched for HeartLine. The logo was a bright red heart with a chat bubble inside simple, inviting, almost too cheerful for her mood.
Tonia hovered behind her, arms crossed, watching eagerly. "Come on, Zuzu. You can do this."
Zoey rolled her eyes but smiled. "If I survive this, I expect a medal."
She created a new account, carefully choosing her username:Zuzu-writer.
The app asked for a short bio. Zoey typed quickly:
Nigerian writer. Sarcastic, sarcastic, and more sarcastic. Don't waste my time.
Tonia giggled. "Perfect. Straight to the point."
Zoey hit 'Save' and scrolled through the app's features ..filters, chat rooms, anonymous voice notes, virtual gifts. It all seemed designed to make connecting easy, but Zoey wasn't convinced.
"Okay," she said, biting her lip, "what's the catch?"
Tonia shrugged. "That's the thing no catch. Just chat. No pressure to meet. And if someone's weird, you block them. Easy."
Zoey sighed, hesitating. Memories of Matt's controlling texts and manipulations flooded back — the constant messages, the stalking, the way he always found her no matter what.
"Zuzu might be brave," she muttered, "but Zoey's scared."
Tonia squeezed her shoulder. "I've got your back. No one messes with you."
Meanwhile, across town…
Setting: Jae Hyun's apartment — evening, a lazy Friday filled with food, games, and old banter.
The scent of spicy fried chicken filled the air, blending with the low hum of Jae Hyun's sound system and the rapid clack of game controllers.
Min Jun sat cross-legged on the floor, one hand gripping his PlayStation controller, the other fishing for a chicken wing without looking. "Don't choke now," he teased. "You're one goal away from humiliation."
"Who's choking?" Jae Hyun shot back, fingers moving fast as his avatar sprinted across the digital pitch. "Watch and learn, rookie."
On-screen, the ball curved beautifully into the net. Goal.
Min Jun groaned. "I hate you."
Jae Hyun leaned back with a smirk, reaching for a bottle of sparkling water. "You've hated me since elementary school. Nothing new."
Min Jun rolled his eyes but grinned. "You mean since you kicked a soccer ball into my lunch tray and offered to pay me off with bubblegum?"
"That gum was imported," Jae Hyun replied, laughing.
Min Jun full name Kang Min Jun, heir to one of Korea's most successful skincare empires had been Jae Hyun's best friend since childhood. While Jae Hyun was the polished, serious one, Min Jun was his polar opposite ,he is easygoing, impulsive, and annoyingly charming. But he was also the only person in Jae Hyun's world who had never treated him like a CEO or a crown prince. Just a friend.
Despite growing up surrounded by privilege, Min Jun remained grounded. Maybe because his parents were always absent. Maybe because Jae Hyun was the closest thing to family that felt real.
"You know," Min Jun said, tossing his controller onto the floor and picking up a wing, "you're the loneliest rich guy I know."
"Says the one who talks to his plants," Jae Hyun deadpanned.
"Tonia is black beauty.. and emotionally available."
Jae Hyun chuckled. "You've lost it."
"I've found balance," Min Jun corrected. "And love. On that app I told you about "HeartLine."
Jae Hyun paused, eyeing him. "You're still on that?"
"I'm not on it. I met someone. Her name's Tonia. Nigerian, wild, funny. She cusses me out in Yoruba and sends me memes every morning."
"You serious?"
Min Jun nodded, all trace of playfulness gone for a moment. "She makes me feel seen, man. And get this she didn't even know who I was. Not until I mentioned the company name during a convo about sunscreen."
Jae Hyun blinked. "And she didn't faint?"
"She blinked, then asked if my products were "cruelty-free."
Jae Hyun laughed, shaking his head.
"That's what I'm saying," Min Jun leaned forward, more earnest now. "You attract women who chase your last name. Try HeartLine. Let someone meet the man, not the mogul."
Jae Hyun sighed, hesitating.
"I already set the filters," Min Jun added with a wink. "Just upload a photo where you don't look like a bored billionaire."
Jae Hyun leaned back on the couch, the glow of the TV fading into the background as Min Jun's words echoed in his mind. "Try HeartLine. Let someone meet the man, not the mogul."
With a quiet sigh, he reached for his phone lying on the coffee table. Unlocking it, he tapped the App Store and searched for HeartLine.
Within seconds, the app icon blinked on his screen—a simple heart intertwined with a chat bubble. He hesitated for a heartbeat, then pressed Download.
While the app installed, Jae Hyun stared at the ceiling, his thoughts tangled with anticipation and skepticism. Was he really ready for this?
The app opened smoothly, welcoming him with a splash screen glowing softly like a beacon in the dark.
Time to create a profile.
He typed in a username, fingers deliberate but quick: LonelyTiger.
Username: LonelyTiger
Age: 29
Location: Seoul
Bio:
Not a fan of small talk. I prefer slow mornings, deep conversations, and people who ask "why" a lot. If you can match sarcasm with sincerity, we might get along. Bonus points if you don't care what I do for a living.
Interests:
Jazz music. Midnight drives. Books that ruin you a little. Cooking (badly).
A half-smile tugged at his lips. It was both a nod to his solitary nights and the strength he kept hidden beneath the calm exterior.
Next came the photos. He chose a candid shot relaxed, not the usual polished suit-and-tie. Min Jun had told him authenticity was key.
With the final tap on Submit, Jae Hyun leaned back again, phone in hand, ready to see what—or who—would come next.
A full week had passed since Zoey and Jae Hyun downloaded HeartLine. For seven days, Zoey had stared at the app icon on her phone, opening it just enough to scroll through profiles, but never quite ready to dive into a conversation. Every time she thought about messaging someone, a wave of doubt washed over her.
"Maybe tomorrow," she told herself more times than she could count.
Meanwhile, Jae Hyun had spent the week reluctantly exploring the app's features, avoiding chats but scrolling through potential matches. His friend teased him relentlessly, sending memes and jokes about his "digital dating disaster" in the making.
But tonight was different. Sitting alone in his apartment, Jae Hyun found himself opening the app again. His thumb hovered over ZuzuSparkles' profile Yh e witty, mysterious user who had stood out from the rest.
He took a deep breath and tapped 'Message.'
⸻
Back in Zoey's apartment, the sudden ping of a new message made her jump. She stared at the screen, heart pounding.
LonelyTiger: Hey, Zuzu. I figured you'd never message first.
She laughed softly and typed back.
ZuzuSparkles: I like to keep people guessing.
The ice was broken. What started as cautious small talk soon blossomed into something warmer, something that made Zoey feel… seen.
LonelyTiger: So, what's your favorite escape when life gets crazy?
Zoey paused, fingers hovering before answering.
ZuzuSparkles: Books. Writing. Karaoke in my room, even if I'm terrible at it.
LonelyTiger: Karaoke? I might have to hear that sometime.
ZuzuSparkles: Only if you promise not to laugh.
The chat stretched on for hours, each message weaving them closer together in a space where masks weren't needed. Zoey felt a cautious hope stirring, while Jae Hyun found himself smiling at his phone more than he had in weeks.
Zoey lay on her bed, phone on her chest, a dreamy smile spreading across her face.
"You're glowing," Tonia said, walking in with a towel on her head and a bowl of cereal in hand.
Zoey rolled her eyes. "I'm not glowing."
"You are. It's giving: 'my online crush just sent me a goodnight message.'"
Zoey sighed and sat up. "Okay, maybe I am a little giddy. 'LonelyTiger' is different. He actually listens, you know? It's like he gets me."
Tonia grinned. "Welcome to the addiction."
"You say that like you've been here before."
"Oh, girl," Tonia said, plopping down on the bed beside her. "HeartLine has been in my business for a while."
Zoey blinked. "You've used the app before?"
Tonia nodded. "Six months ago. I met Min Jun there."
"Wait Min Jun? Your mysterious Korean boyfriend who sends you snacks and skincare and texts you in Hangul?"
"That's the one," she said proudly, scrolling through her phone and showing Zoey a blurry but cute photo of him holding up a 'Peace' sign in front of a ramen shop.
Zoey's jaw dropped. "You met him on HeartLine?"
"Yup. I wasn't even looking seriously, just messing around. But then we matched and started talking. He was sweet, funny, super respectful. And now… I think he might be the one."
Zoey stared at the screen. "That's crazy. You've never even told me how you two met."
Tonia shrugged. "Didn't think it mattered. But seeing you go all butterflies and sparkles for your mystery man made me realize ,maybe this app isn't trash after all."
Zoey smiled, touched by the story. "He treats you well?"
Tonia nodded. "Like royalty. He listens, plans FaceTime dinner dates even with the time difference, and when I had that flu? He ordered me porridge from that Joseph pot in owerri"
Zoey raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Min Jun's raising the bar, huh?"
"Oh, baby, the standard."
They both laughed, but Zoey's mind lingered on the thought. If Tonia could find someone real on this app, maybe she could too. Maybe "LonelyTiger" was worth taking a risk for.
It was nearly 2 a.m. in Lagos, and the rest of the world seemed to be asleep. But Zoey wasn't.
She rolled onto her side, the pale blue glow of her phone cutting through the darkness. Her fingers hovered over the HeartLine app before finally tapping it open.
A notification blinked softly:
1 New Message from LonelyTiger.
LonelyTiger:
If you could delete one memory but keep the lesson, what would it be?
Zoey sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. The question wasn't flirtatious. It wasn't small talk. It was deep—maybe even too deep for 2 a.m.but something about the way he asked it made her feel… safe.
Zuzu-Writer:
The night I let someone make me feel small. He didn't raise his hand. He raised his words. Cut me down with silence, manipulation, and guilt. I kept apologizing for things I didn't do.
The lesson? I never want to shrink for anyone again.
She hit send and sighed. Her hands trembled slightly. Then came his reply, after a minute that felt like ten.
LonelyTiger:
That's a heavy one. You're stronger than you know, Zoey.
Mine? A night I can't talk about fully.
But I saw something I was never meant to see. It changed everything I thought I knew about loyalty and family.
I learned silence can be a weapon. And some people wear power like a noose they pass down.
Zoey's breath caught.
This wasn't just a late-night confession. This was someone peeling back layers of pain—carefully, quietly.
Zuzu-Writer:
Was it your family?
There was a long pause. Then:
LonelyTiger:
Yeah. My family runs on fear, not love. You'd think power makes people feel safe—but in my house, it just makes them colder.
My brother was the golden one. He was supposed to lead. But now he's… gone.
Zoey blinked. Her fingers paused above the keyboard.
Zuzu-Writer:
I'm sorry. That sounds like a burden you were never meant to carry alone.
Do you blame yourself?
LonelyTiger:
Every day.
Even if I didn't touch the blade, I stayed silent when it mattered.
Now I smile for the cameras, shake hands in meetings, pretend I'm okay… but sometimes, I wake up and don't recognize my own reflection.
Zoey placed a hand over her heart, suddenly aching for this man she had never met. He wasn't trying to impress her. He wasn't chasing her. He was just… being real.
Zuzu-Writer:
You don't have to be okay for me. I'd rather know the version of you who's tired, scared, or honest than the one who's "fine."
Maybe we're not here to rescue each other. But we can walk side by side in the dark.
A minute passed. Then two.
Then her phone buzzed again.
LonelyTiger:
Thank you, Zoey.
You don't know what it means to just be heard.
Most people see the suits and the calm and think I've got it together. But tonight… you made me feel human again.
Zoey leaned her head back against her pillow and closed her eyes.
He wasn't just a username anymore.
He wasn't just a stranger on a screen.
He was someone whose heart had cracks that looked like hers.
Not a lover. Not yet.
But a companion. A best friend in the making.
Someone who understood the weight of silence and the comfort of being seen.
The Daehan office tower stood like a steel monument against the Seoul skyline, its glass exterior gleaming under the pale wash of the afternoon sun. Inside, the 47th-floor executive office was a world of silence and control dark wood panels, sleek monochrome furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows that swallowed the city whole.
Jae Hyun sat behind a massive black desk, half-turned toward the view, one hand resting on the leather armrest of his chair, the other holding his phone.
He didn't notice the faint hum of the AC. Or the quiet ticking of the wall clock. Or the subtle creak of the door when it opened.
His expression had softened just slightly. Not quite a smile, but enough to expose the rarest version of himself.
"You're smiling like a high schooler," Min Jun said, tossing a grape into his mouth. "That app really has you down bad, huh?"
Jae Hyun barely looked up from his phone. His lips were twitching — not quite a smile, but something close.
"I'm not smiling," he muttered.
Min Jun leaned forward from the other side of the kitchen island, eyes playful. "You're not blinking either. Who is she?"
Jae Hyun set the phone down slowly. "Her name's Zoey. Nigerian. She's a writer."
Min Jun arched an eyebrow. "And?"
"And… that's all I know," Jae Hyun admitted, almost reluctantly.
There was a pause. Then, Min Jun broke into laughter. "Wait. You? Talking to someone without first knowing their blood type, tax records, and family lineage?"
Jae Hyun gave him a look, but the corner of his mouth curved.
"She's different."
"How?"
"She doesn't ask stupid questions. Doesn't care what I do. She talks like she's writing to someone who understands shadows. She's honest in a way that doesn't feel performative."
Min Jun's smirk softened. "Sounds intense."
"It is," Jae Hyun said quietly. "And that's the problem."
He stood, walked over to the window overlooking the Seoul skyline. City lights blinked in the distance, steady and unbothered.
Min Jun leaned back, watching him. "You're scared you'll like her."
"I already do."
Silence hung between them for a few seconds.
Jae Hyun crossed his arms. "I'm not saying she's hiding something. But people lie. People pretend. I just need to know she is who she says she is."
Min Jun didn't interrupt. He knew Jae Hyun too well.
With a sigh, Jae Hyun reached for his phone, opened an encrypted contact, and made the call.
A smooth voice answered. "Sir."
"I need a soft trace," Jae Hyun said. "Minimal intrusion. Her name is Zoey. Nigerian. She's a writer. Uses the handle Zuzu-Writer on the HeartLine app."
"Understood. Objective?"
"Build a profile. Digital presence, social behavior, past interviews, known connections. Anything public. I want to know who she is — not just online."
"Do you want her location traced?"
"No," Jae Hyun said sharply. Then, more calmly: "Not unless she gives it herself. Respect boundaries."
"Yes, sir. Timeline?"
"Three days. And keep this off the books."
He ended the call and set the phone down again, running a hand through his hair.
Min Jun watched him silently. "You really don't want her to disappoint you."
"No," Jae Hyun said, his voice low. "I really don't want her to be real."
Min Jun blinked. "What?"
"If she's real..if she's everything she seems to be…" Jae Hyun exhaled. "Then I won't be able to stay away. And you know what that means."
"Yeah," Min Jun said, leaning forward. "It means for the first time in your life, you're not chasing deals. You're chasing something human."
Jae Hyun turned his head slightly, eyes dark. "You think that's smart? With my family? With what I've done to survive them?"
"No," Min Jun said quietly. "But I think it's honest."
There was a silence. Then Jae Hyun's phone buzzed with another message from Zoey.
He didn't open it right away. Just stared at the notification — like it held too much weight for such a small screen.
"You'll read it," Min Jun said casually. "Then you'll smile again."
"I'm not smiling."
"You are."