{KOREAN-ENGLISH}
"You won't object," Lee Seo Jun said flatly. "Not when you remember how you drugged me."
Joon So Min's eyes widened. She had read about this man,about his family's power, their impossible wealth. She wasn't stupid. He could disappear her, and no one would blink. How did she even get involved with someone so ruthless?
"That... that night," she stammered. "I was drunk. It was a dare. A stupid mistake."
"Drunk dare or not, I don't care." His voice was sharp. "You're going to work for me."
"But why?" So Min asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "You already have a girlfriend. A famous one, in fact. An Nari is practically glued to your side."
He leaned back, unbothered. "That's none of your concern. An Nari will understand why I need you. Trust me, I don't want you anywhere near me. But you fit the role and I'm offering a lot of money."
"You—!" She stopped herself, stunned as he opened a file and began reading aloud:
"Joon So Min. 24 years old. Graduate of a two-year fashion program. Aspiring to start your own brand. Currently working at Mat & Made, a small label. Struggling to repay your deceased father's debt while supporting your unemployed stepmother and little brother."
He shut the file and stared at her.
Her face drained of color. "How... how do you know all that?"
"I can find anything on anyone," he said coldly. "You need the money. I need a girlfriend. So drop the act and sign the damn contract."
So Min felt her heart pounding in her ears. Her whole life laid bare in a file on his desk.
"Give me time to think about it," she said softly.
"You've got a week," he replied.
⸻
Joon So Min stormed out of the Lee building, a mess of emotions rolling through her. Why is this happening to me? she thought.
"I don't even want someone else's boyfriend," she muttered.
But he had said it was just an act.
She slammed into a wall outside the building literally.
"Argh!" she winced, rubbing her forehead.
"I need a drink," she growled. Her hair was disheveled, her coat wrinkled, and she was certain everyone was staring.
She grabbed her phone and called the only person who would listen.
—Hye Sua—
The call barely rang twice.
"Where are you, witch?!" Hye Sua yelled the moment she picked up.
"Let's meet. I'll explain everything," So Min said before ending the call.
She looked around at the curious faces around her.
"Stop staring at me!" she yelled, furious and embarrassed.
⸻
"You're drunk, aren't you?!" Hye Sua shrieked across the table.
The two girls sat at a tiny bar. Four empty soju bottles sat between them.
"Lower your voice, Sua," So Min whispered, waving at the staring customers with a nervous smile.
"Wait, wait. Let me get this straight." Hye Sua leaned forward. "You slept with Lee Seo Jun?! The Lee Seo Jun? An Nari's boyfriend? The heir of the Lee family?!"
So Min buried her face in her hands. "Yes... it happened. And now he wants me to be his fake girlfriend."
She faked a sob.
"Oh, you poor idiot," Hye Sua grinned, clearly loving the drama. "You're about to steal Lee Seo Jun from Korea's rich little princess."
"No! He's arrogant and scary and rude. I don't want anything to do with him."
"You're going to get laid again soon," Hye Sua teased.
"No!" So Min cried.
"Yes!" her friend laughed.
They burst out laughing, their chaotic energy making everyone glance over.
"More soju!" Hye Sua yelled.
"I don't want to be his fake girlfriend!!" So Min shouted dramatically.
⸻
Meanwhile, in Lee Seo Jun's office...
"Brother," Min Jun said, walking in with his usual boyish charm, "why don't you come home? Mother said you were supposed to eat with her yesterday. She told me to check up on you."
Seo Jun stood with his back to him, gazing out at the Seoul skyline.
"Do you have a cigarette?" he asked quietly.
"No, brother," Min Jun said, surprised.
"No one ever does," Seo Jun muttered. "Even back then. No one had anything to give."
"Seo Jun... that was years ago," Min Jun said gently. "Stop torturing yourself. Please. Come home. We're worried about you."
"No one cares," Seo Jun replied, finally turning to face him. "They're all liars."
Min Jun held his brother's gaze.
"Let's go home."
Seo Jun hesitated, then finally gave a small nod.
Min Jun knew what that meant. His brother was still haunted by the tragedy,one the family had buried, but that Seo Jun never recovered from. She had meant too much to him.
⸻
"F**k you!" Joon So Min shouted at the taxi driver.
She and Hye Sua had just stumbled out of the cab, drunk and angry.
"You pervert! You were flirting with me!" she slurred.
"Let's go, So Min! Leave this creepy old man alone," Hye Sua pulled at her arm.
"No! Who does he think he is?! I'll call the cops!" So Min yelled.
The cab driver scoffed. "You girls are drunk. What can you possibly do?"
So Min's eyes darkened.
Without warning, she kicked him square in the crotch.
He howled in pain, doubling over.
"Who's the loser now?" she said, proud and stumbling.
The night was far from over.