Cheongdam, Seoul. 11:23 AM.
Jinwoo had just finished a skincare procedure and was stepping out of the clinic.
He'd long since established himself as a reliable mid-tier actor, but lately, he'd been plagued with indecision. His agency contract had ended, and though several major labels had made tempting offers, none had stirred him.
One comment from his manager kept echoing in his mind.
"have you heard of Langley Entertainment?"
"No. Is that connected to the Langley Group?"
"Yep. My friend interviewed for a management role there. But get this—no auditions. The Chairwoman picks every artist herself. And the contract terms? Unreal."
"Wait—is she the woman we saw briefly at that fashion show? The one running barefoot backstage?"
"Exactly! That's her."
"Okay, okay. And then what?"
"She doesn't run the agency for profit. It's more like… cultural investment? Philanthropy? Whatever it is, once you're in, they say you're set for life. One guy even saw a draft of the contract—apparently, the revenue split is insane. If you go hard for five years, not just you but your whole family could live off it forever."
"You sound like you're pitching a fantasy drama."
"I know, right? I haven't seen the contract myself, so I can't be sure. But that guy swore the NDA was so strict, he couldn't spill a thing. Still, people who've seen her say she has this presence… like time slows around her."
It all sounded like fiction.
But then, he saw her.
A woman in a gray long coat, her hair loosely tied back. She moved with quiet grace, like sunlight drifting across still water.
And the moment his eyes met her…
Time slowed.
"…Wait."
It was her. The woman from backstage. The one he hadn't stopped thinking about.
Jinwoo didn't hesitate. A strange fear surged through him—that if he let her go now, he'd never get another chance.
So he ran.
"Wait—please!"
She was just getting into a car. She turned, startled. A man—probably her bodyguard—moved to block him.
"You! You're Chairwoman Langley, right? Please—please take me!"
The bodyguard gripped his arm tightly. Passersby turned to look, whispering.
"I'll clean your floors, anything! I just—I really, really like you!"
Celeste paused mid-step, turning fully to look at him. In her dark eyes, a flicker of surprise—and something else.
Curiosity.
My allure is off…
She hadn't used her skill.
Yet this man… was saying he liked her?
"Sir, please calm down. Steve, let him go."
The bodyguard hesitated, then released his grip.
Celeste looked Jinwoo up and down, then asked—
"…Do you have time right now?"
"Yes. I do. I absolutely do. Even if I didn't—I do now."
A soft smile curled on her lips.
"Then come with me. Just for a while."
30 Minutes Later – Celeste's 20th-Floor Private Suite
Jinwoo was still dazed.
Where even was this?
She was sitting across from him, casually scrolling through a tablet. "Howard, the ten suits Jeremy sent yesterday—bring them up to the 20th."
Ten minutes later, a silver-haired man entered with a rack of designer menswear.
"What… is all this?" Jinwoo murmured.
"Just checking the fit," Celeste said, as if that explained anything.
Jinwoo obediently began trying on outfits. Celeste studied each one with clinical precision.
"…Sleeves are a bit short. Number three looks good. Number four—buttons need repositioning."
After the last outfit, she turned to the butler.
"Tell Jeremy one and three are approved. Two just needs longer sleeves. Four—either redo the buttons or remove them entirely. Add number nine. The rest, return. Ask if they want to do the alterations themselves. If so, send two and four back as well."
The butler bowed slightly and wheeled the rack away.
"And let him know—the model's confirmed."
Jinwoo stood motionless, completely lost.
"…I have no idea what's happening right now."
"Sit," Celeste gestured to the opposite sofa.
Jinwoo, flustered, sat beside her instead.
Celeste blinked, then withdrew her hand awkwardly.
"Right. Usually people sit across from me… but I guess this whole thing hasn't exactly been normal. Anyway—take this."
She pulled open a drawer and handed him a brand-new phone.
"Howard's number is in there. Sorry if we rushed you earlier—there's a shoot scheduled soon. If it was uncomfortable, I apologize."
"Uncomfortable? No way. I could sit here all day."
Celeste gave a small laugh.
"The contract will be with Howard when you leave. Take it home. Read it. If it looks good, sign and send it back. If you have any preferences—roles, genres, conditions—include those too. Also…"
"Miss Langley."
Jinwoo interrupted gently.
"None of that matters to me."
"…What?"
"I heard you only just returned to Korea. You probably don't know me, but I'm not exactly a rookie. I've done my share of work, earned more than enough to get by…But that's not why I'm here."
Celeste looked at him.
"…Then what are you here for?"
"It's not about the contract. I'm here… because I want to get to know you. Can that be part of the contract? I'll even sign a lifetime deal."
Celeste's eyes finally lifted. Silence stretched.
Then she smiled, truly.
"You don't even know what kind of person I am. What if I'm terrible? You don't even know my name."
Jinwoo pointed at the nameplate on her desk.
"Celeste. It suits you."
He smiled awkwardly.
"I really mean it. I've dated before. I'm not some wide-eyed kid. But this… this feels different. As weird as it sounds, I heard the bell."
"…The bell?"
"Yeah. Like, literally. Time slowed, and I swear I heard ding. Thought it only happened in dramas, but… there it was. So today, I decided—I'm not letting go. Even if I had to cling to your leg."
Celeste burst into laughter.
And then—
"…Please don't slap me."
"…What are you—"
Before she could finish, Jinwoo leaned forward and gently, carefully, kissed her.
Her eyes widened.
She froze.
Everything around her faded.
Celeste had only ever known affection with her allure activated. She never knew whether the interest was real—or power-induced.
But now, with no allure…Someone had kissed her.
Because he wanted to.
And suddenly, for the first time—
She didn't know what to do.