"Hello?" A trembling voice came through the phone.
"Apgujeong Exit 6, Korean Star Café—know it?"
"Ye~"
"I'm waiting."
"Ye~ May I ask what it's about?"
"You said you'd take responsibility. Hurry, I don't like waiting."
"Ye~" The call cut off, and Ha Joo-hee, clutching her phone, collapsed.
"Ah… Why's he like this? Didn't he say it was fine?!"
Grumbling, she grabbed her purse, rushing to the door.
Recalling his warning—"I don't like waiting"—her sashaying sprint turned into a run.
"Aish~ Aish!" Flailing her arms, she sped off in her car.
Korean Star, South Korea's Star.
A café co-owned by "White Ghost," a spot he often used for private parties.
Lee Jin-woo knew plenty about this Korean actor's peculiar tastes.
The Crown Prince, his buddy, once invited "him" to a party.
Learning his girlfriend was the Prince's favorite, he still wanted a group bash.
Wild guy…
Luckily, White Moonlight declined, avoiding a messy hookup.
Compared to him, Lee Jin-woo felt like a saint. A great saint.
"Sorry, I'm late."
A gray V-neck dress, her bow revealing a bottomless cleavage, held a magical pull, impossible to look away from.
"Sit." He pointed casually. "What do you want?"
"Mocha's fine."
"One mocha here."
After ordering, Ha Joo-hee quickly asked, "How much are the repair costs?"
"This." He pointed to his coffee. "Pay for it later."
"Huh? That's it?"
She smiled, relieved, thinking he wasn't so scary.
Just a coffee to settle the accident.
A good guy!
"Oh, I didn't catch your name."
"Lee Jin-woo."
"Jin-woo Oppa, just a coffee, really?"
"If you feel guilty, treat me to a meal."
"Sure, what cuisine do you like?"
"Hm~ I prefer home-cooked over restaurants."
Locking eyes, he asked, "How's your cooking?"
No home visit, no car repair.
Between a player and a queen, words didn't matter.
Body language and gazes sealed the deal.
"Oppa, I'll make my best dish. Can you stay tonight?"
Leaning on his chiseled chest, Ha Joo-hee caressed its lines adoringly.
"Sure."
He nodded, fingers tracing her smooth back.
So far, he was very pleased with her.
She knew exactly what he wanted!
It's not like he was marrying her—why demand more?
Her place was nice, a compact hotel-style apartment.
Much better than his current spot.
"Looks like you live well." He picked up a cosmetic bottle—SK-II Fairy Water, high-end.
She smiled back. "Oppa, who doesn't want a better life?"
"True." He sat on the sofa.
"Wait, I'll change." She slipped into the bedroom.
Say what you will, Koreans understood the Japanese.
The open kitchen table became a battlefield.
Today, pure madness!
For the first time, Lee Jin-woo truly felt what "living" meant.
This was life!
"Oppa, what do you do? You haven't said." Smiling coyly, she probed, "Not in finance, right?"
"Finance" didn't mean managers but street loan sharks.
A manager with a neck tattoo?
Who'd trust him with money?
Worried you'd wake up broke?
"Entertainment company. You?"
"Oppa's an entertainment president? Really?!"
Seeing him nod, she squealed, turning. "I knew it, Oppa~ You're amazing."
"Really?" He smirked mischievously.
"Oppa, you're so bad."
Twisting her hips, she tiptoed, whispering, "Saranghaeyo!"
Oh, why're you wearing Pin-ru's clothes?
In a great mood, he smirked, looking down.
"I'll handle the next dish. You just focus on your part."
Showtime~
Waking up, he was alone.
"Oppa… Oppa?" Her sore throat strained as she searched the apartment.
Only echoes, silence, and an empty heart answered.
Lee Jin-woo was already at the studio with Son Yoon-joo.
[Cunning Fox, task completion 125%, rewards calculating.]
[Training Master: All training-related actions gain 150% effect boost.]
[PS1: This applies to all host's businesses and members, with effect reduced by 100%.]
[PS2: Members are those with formal labor contracts.]
A buff—nice!
With this, Zy could steal SM's "top trainee factory" title.
At the makeup mirror, Son Yoon-joo touched up.
As a rookie, she got a small dressing room.
"The president personally brought you—lucky." The staff smiled.
"Our company's new, so he's worried I'd mess up."
She explained humbly, not wanting assumptions about their relationship.
The staff gave an odd smile, making her uneasy. "Sunbae, did I say something wrong?"
"Someone the Vice Chairman personally vouched for doesn't need the president's escort."
"What do you mean?"
Seeing her cluelessness, the staff smiled. "You'll understand later."
Curious and restless, she wondered what they meant. Was it wrong for the president to bring her?
Then, another girl shooting there sneered jealously, "Tied to the president, huh? A rookie with a dressing room… nice life!"
The president acting as "manager" had an unspoken industry meaning: This is my woman/man.
Or it was a broke company where the president did everything.
But a company backed by the Regent Vice Chairman? No way it was small-time.
Even if useless, CJ's scraps would fill their coffers.
All day, Son Yoon-joo was distracted.
Whenever her eyes met Lee Jin-woo's, waiting on-site, she'd panic and look away like a startled deer.
"Cut! That's a wrap, great work."
The PD announced the end, smiling and giving her a thumbs-up.
"Thank you, everyone, great work." Bowing politely, she waited for the PD and MC to leave before approaching him.
"President, how was I?" She looked at him, hopeful yet nervous.
He smiled brightly. "Amazing, like you were born for the camera."
"Thank you, President." She beamed.
But recalling the "gossip," she didn't know what to feel.
Submit to the president, or stick to "succeeding on her own"?
(End of Chapter)
Use your power stones and add it to your collection!