Lena pov:
My eyes scanned the newsprint, the headline a familiar declaration of my success: AJIN BAEK PROVES TO BE THE BLUE CHIP OF THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY AS SHE BECOMES THE FACE OF POPULAR JEWELRY COMPANY.
Actor Ajin Baek recently became the face and muse of the famous jewelry brand, Yellowmoon, and proved herself to be the blue chip of the advertising industry. Baek, who is an actor with Longstar Entertainment, debuted in 2013 as a supporting actor in the movie, Those Who Fall. She quickly garnered fame and was chosen as the model for make up, beverages, clothing, and household appliances. Advertisers are in awe of the influence she has shown to have over the market as products she advertises sell out without fail.
I smiled, a private, satisfied curl of the lip, then my attention shifted to my phone. More posts.
It was Lena's latest "quick selfie during break!" post. I saw the image of her, blonde and winking, holding up a tube of lipstick. The caption read, "a quick selfie during break! ♥️," followed by hashtags like #myfavlipstick, #loveaid, and #loveaidlipsick.
I clicked through to the comments, feeling a familiar twist of malice. They were, predictably, a mix of admiration and mockery.
"omg are you at an ad shoot? so prettyyy ♥️♥️♥️"
"What's with those hashtags...?"
"??? That's not how you spell Loveade..."
"OMG she doesn't even know the name of the brand she's advertising for"
"loveaid LOOOOOOOOOL"
"Is.... Is she stupid...?"
"That lipstick shade doesn't actually swatch like that. Such bullshit."
"oh god, I feel embarrassed for her :S"
"Cute!"
"she's about to get a call from Loveade lololol!"
"You're so pretty, Rena!!!!!!"
Click. Click. My own fingers worked on the screen. The clicks of the shutter, capturing the moment.
My thoughts sharpened, turning on the other actress. UGH, THAT BITCH... BITE.
Later, the tension was a physical knot. At Manager Cha Young-Nam's apartment building, Apartment A201. I arrived, the bell ringing: DING DONG. DING DONG.
A man's voice called out, "COMING!"
Later, in a bathtub filled with water and scattered red petals, I sat, holding my phone. The water was comforting, but the screen held my dark obsession. The last few weeks felt like a lifetime of struggle, of climbing and biting. I thought of the way I had to assert myself, sometimes with a physical SMACK and a snarled, "I SEE HOW IT IS! YOU WANNA FIGHT?!!"
I was at the peak, the blue chip, but the hunger never left. The dark thoughts consumed me. I stared at the phone, seeing only the reflection of myself, the top actress, the manipulative mastermind, and the words that seemed to summarize it all:
Dear X

When Cha Young opened the door, a rush of cold air followed me in. I plastered on my brightest, most innocent smile. "Chayoung... could we talk inside? I'm so cold..."
She stammered, "Oh, y-yes!" and ushered me in.
I was carrying two large, heavy boxes. "It's my housewarming gift! They're rice cakes to hand out to your neighbors."
She looked at the sheer volume of the boxes, her eyes wide with shock. "This many rice cakes...? How many rice cakes are in those boxes...?"
We sat down, a mug of tea warming my hands. I kept my face carefully contrite. "What happened? I don't think I've ever seen that many rice cakes in my life!" she exclaimed.
"I made a mistake and ordered the wrong amount... I was so embarrassed when I found out," I lied smoothly. "What do we do? We have enough that we'd probably have leftovers even after giving them out in your building." I gestured toward the enormous pile of boxes.
Then, I casually floated my plan. "There's a Building B in your apartment complex, right? Let's give them out to people in Building B while we're at it."
Cha Young's face immediately clouded with concern. "You're not planning on walking around and giving them out yourself, are you...?"
I gave her a reassuring, manipulative smile. "Well, I can't let you give them all out by yourself." I was putting her on the spot, making her feel obligated. The thought of a celebrity doing something so mundane and charitable would look great—or so I wanted her to believe.
"But you're a celebrity... I don't know if this is such a good idea--," she began to protest.
I cut her off with a laugh, shrugging off her concern. "It's fine! I like doing this kind of stuff. Plus, they probably won't even take a second look at me. What are they going to do if they recognize me? It's not like I'm up to anything bad." What are they going to do? I thought. Recognize a famous actress being a good neighbor? Exactly.
She still looked hesitant. "Really! I'm doing it because I want to." I waited for the final, necessary concession.
"Okay, then... but you can't tell Ms. Seo about this!" she whispered, clearly terrified of her boss finding out about this unapproved publicity stunt.
"Of course. Don't worry," I promised, the lie tasting sweet on my tongue.
A little later, I was on my phone in the hallway. WHIRRRR went the elevator, as it stopped on the 7th floor. DING.
"Hey, Chayoung! Are you done giving them out in Building A?" I said into the phone, carrying a tray of rice cakes. "I've done all the floors in Building B except..." I trailed off, my eyes scanning the next door. My work was nearly done. The groundwork for my next "mistake" was being perfectly laid
I sat with Cha Young, pretending to be embarrassed about my "mistake." "I made a mistake and ordered the wrong amount..." I told her, gesturing to the massive stack of rice cake boxes. "I was so embarrassed when I found out. What do we do? We have enough that we'd probably have leftovers even after giving them out."
Cha Young was wide-eyed. "What happened? I don't think I've ever seen that many rice cakes in my life!"
I saw my opportunity. "There's a Building B in your apartment complex, right? Let's give them out to people in Building B while we're at it."
She immediately grew worried. "You're not planning on walking around and giving them out yourself, are you...?"
I gave her my best, most charmingly innocent smile. "Well, I can't let you give them all out by yourself. It's fine! I like doing this kind of stuff." I tilted my head, pressing the point. "Plus, they probably won't even take a second look at me. What are they going to do if they recognize me? It's not like I'm up to anything bad."
"But you're a celebrity... I don't know if this is such a good idea--," she protested again, but I could tell she was relenting.
"Really! I'm doing it because I want to." I waited.
She finally sighed and gave in. "Okay, then... but you can't tell Ms. Seo about this!"
"Of course. Don't worry." I made the promise easily.
The Seventh Floor
Later, the elevator door closed with a WHIRRRR and then opened with a DING on the 7th floor. I was standing in the hallway, rice cakes in hand, speaking quietly into my phone.
"Hey, Chayoung! Are you done giving them out in Building A?" I asked, moving down the hall in Building B. "I've done all the floors in Building B except the seventh floor, so I'm still at it."
A voice on the other end must have repeated my words in disbelief. "The seventh floor?"
"Yeah, I must have forgotten to stop by this floor earlier." I stopped in front of the door marked B701. I looked down, then up, then around, making sure no one was near. The final step.
"Hey, I'm in front of someone's door right now, so I'll call you back in a bit." I ended the call, my eyes focused on the door. The rice cakes felt heavy and full of purpose. All this effort, just to be a good neighbor. It was a perfect plan.
I was done with the rice cakes. I'd found the correct address in Building B and slipped my poison into the environment. Now, it was time to move on to the next act: finding the man I was truly interested in, Inkang Heo. I knew he was meeting with the actress, Rena, the one whose pathetic "loveaid" post I had screenshotted in my bathtub. Ugh, that bitch... BITE.
I had my assistant track him down. I was on the highway, driving. The sun was setting, casting a warm, deceptive glow over the endless traffic jam. I could hear Rena on the phone, frantic. Her bright blonde hair was a stark contrast to the darkness gathering in the city.
VROOOOM. I was approaching his location.
"Hello?" I heard Rena answer a call, her voice already strained.
She was clearly talking to Inkang. "How could you, Inkang?! You ignored all my calls and even changed your number!!"
Inkang must have asked how she found him.
"Rena...? How did you get my number?"
"I told your manager that I had nude photos of you and threatened him to tell me!" she shrieked.
"WHAT?!" Inkang's shock must have been palpable even over the phone.
Rena barreled on, a desperate sound of a woman losing control. "I'm done for the day and I'm on my way to your place. Your manager told me you'll be off work soon. Meet me at your place. We need to talk."
Inkang's reply was brutal, a flat, cutting edge of indifference. "What is wrong with you? We're finished, Rena."
Then he said, "HAAA— I'm not going home today, so do whatever you want." The sound of his own car in the distance, a muffled HONK HONK, was audible.
Rena was a mess. "I thought you cancelled all your other plans because you weren't feeling well! Why are you being so mean to me, Inkang?!" she cried out over the heavy traffic noise.
Then, the final blow. Inkang's voice was low and final. "I'm tired, Rena. Leave me alone. Don't ever call me again."
"INKANG!! Good bye."
I watched her car SCREEECH as she sped off, a furious red blur. I guessed her direction. "I bet he's going to her place, in Yeondhu District!"
Grandma's House
I followed her general direction, but Inkang wasn't heading home. He was heading for what looked like a clinic or an office with a sign that read: GUEST WAITING ROOM INKANG HEO.
He looked exhausted, sprawled on a couch, staring at his phone. "It's exhausting just to talk to her... she's a nightmare..." he muttered to himself.
His face softened as he took a call. "OH!" he said, then, "Hi, Grandma. It's nice to hear your voice. Did you eat yet?"
I saw his grandmother's house. A young man, his caretaker, was clearly trying to keep a watchful eye.
"Grandma, I told you not to let strangers into the house..." Inkang's voice was sharp with worry. The red-haired young man, perhaps a relative, looked agitated.
"Wait... who are you with, again?" Inkang demanded.
Then, his voice rose to a panicked shout. "**...Especially when Inmo and I aren't there. What...? Well, you could have just thanked her for helping you clean it up and sent her on her way. WHY'D YOU INVITE HER IN?!"
I froze. Clean what up? Invited who in? The red-haired young man's eyes widened, a single thought echoing in the air: GRANDMA?
I knew the actress Rena was now a loose cannon. I knew the lengths she would go to. But a Grandma? This was a whole new vector of attack. My rival was not just a pathetic celebrity; she was a dangerous, unhinged threat. And I suddenly found myself in a position where eliminating her might be about more than just my career. It might be about eliminating a true problem. The game had changed.
I was stunned to hear Inkang's panicked voice on the phone: "Grandma, I told you not to let strangers into the house... Especially when Inmo and I aren't there. What...? Well, you could have just thanked her for helping you clean it up and sent her on her way. WHY'D YOU INVITE HER IN?!"
I could barely hear the grandmother's explanation, but Inkang's next question to his caregiver was frantic. "Is she still there?"
The red-haired young man answered, his eyes wide with worry. "Yes. She saw a photo of you and says she works with you. She reminded me of you, so I--" He cut himself off with a visible GROAN.
Inkang was clearly trying to keep his voice controlled on the phone, the situation quickly spiraling out of his control. "Excuse me, Miss. What did you say your name was, again?"
I saw the caregiver's eyes widen as he heard the answer. "Oh, that's right. Her name is Ajin. She's so beautiful!" he gushed, clearly enchanted. Then he turned to his grandmother. "Grandma, what did you say her name was...?"
A silent, terrifying thought slammed into Inkang. "WHAT'S AJIN DOING THERE?!"
Waiting for Him
Meanwhile, I was sitting with Inkang's Grandma, who was all smiles and comfort. I had quickly spun a sympathetic tale. I'd come to the neighborhood to hand out housewarming rice cakes—the perfect cover story—and seen that the poor woman needed help. I even told her I'd already finished washing the dishes for her!
TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK went the clock on the wall. The time was passing, but my position was secure.
"I bet Inkang was really surprised to hear that I was here with you!" I said sweetly, playing a red string game with her to cement my image as a kind, gentle soul.
"Yes, he was," she confirmed. "He said he'd be by as soon as he's done work. I wonder if he's had dinner yet."
I knew exactly what to say next. "Are you thinking of making dinner? May I stay for dinner, Grandma? I haven't had anything to eat either."
"Sure, but won't your family get worried about you if you come home late?" she asked, her eyes full of genuine concern.
I waved it off with a smile, already having anticipated this. "It's okay. I already texted and told them I'll be late."
"Is that so? Then let grandma make you something delicious," she replied, patting my hand.
I settled back, the clock chiming to the tune of a perfect victory. BEEP BEEP BEEP.
Then, the front door opened. STEP. STEP.
Inkang stood in the doorway, his briefcase in hand. "Grandma, I'm home! Grandma?"
He looked up, and his face instantly darkened when he saw me, sitting across from her.
I gave him a serene smile, the picture of domestic bliss. "Hi, Inkang..."
Inkang's voice was low, laced with disbelief. "WOW, you're really here. I was in disbelief when Grandma called to tell me."
The game was no longer an impersonal battle for a top spot. It was intimate, calculated, and played out in his own living room. I was no longer the successful actress Ajin Baek to him, but a terrifying presence in his life. I had inserted myself into the one place he thought was safe, and the look in his eyes told me he knew exactly how much danger he was in.
Inkang stood in the doorway, his silhouette blocking the light as he stared at me. I was sitting comfortably next to his grandmother, playing string games and looking like the perfect, helpful guest.
"Hi, Inkang..." I greeted him with a smile, a picture of innocent kindness.
He took a few steps into the room. "WOW, you're really here. I was in disbelief when Grandma called to tell me". The words were polite, but his voice was flat, carrying an underlying tension I thoroughly enjoyed. He knew exactly what I was doing.
"What are you two up to?" he asked, trying to sound casual, but his eyes were darting nervously. "Also, what are you doing here so late, Ajin?"
I made sure to lean closer to his grandmother, emphasizing my closeness to her. "Oh, I didn't want to go home and leave Grandma all alone... I wanted to keep her company until you got here". My answer was flawless—a perfect blend of concern and selflessness.
I stood up and moved toward the kitchen, taking control of the domestic scene. "Why don't you take a seat at the dining table if you haven't had dinner yet?" I paused for effect, letting my eyes meet his. "Grandma made you some Galbi-jjim!"
He stared at me, speechless. "..." He knew I was lying, or at least heavily manipulating the situation, but he couldn't call me out in front of her. The very ground he stood on was tilting.
An Interruption
Just as Inkang was trying to process my move, the doorbell rang. "DING DONG DING DONG".
He turned toward the door, confused. "...?"
I kept my smile bright and unbothered. "Oh, it sounds like you have a visitor. I didn't know anyone was coming by today...".
He walked to the door and looked through the peephole. A moment later, his expression went from confusion to utter horror.
Outside, a furious blonde woman—Rena—was standing in the hallway of his apartment building, her face distorted with rage. She was pressing the doorbell incessantly.
"DING DONG DING DONG".
"WHO COULD IT BE AT THIS HOUR?" she screamed through the door. "I SAW YOU WALK IN, SO OPEN UP!!!"
I watched Inkang's blood drain from his face as he realized his nightmare had followed him here. He had canceled his plans and changed his number to avoid her, only for me to get invited inside while she stood screaming at his grandmother's door. The irony was sweet. My little rice cake charity event and visit had perfectly cornered him between his unstable ex and his family. The game was truly on.