"WHAT THE HELL are you doing?"
Woori ignored Park Seoham and continued what she was doing.
She tied her hair in a low bun, put on a cap with a visor big enough to hide her face, and wore a face mask.
The face mask also covered half of her small face.
After that, she zipped up the hoodie jacket she was wearing. It was the type of jacket that had an extended neck part, covering her neck and reaching up to her chin.
Okay, I think I'm set.
"Seoham-ssi, how do I look?" Woori asked, slightly tilting his body while sitting in the passenger seat. "Do I look like a guy now?"
"No, not at all," Park Seoham said bluntly, not even glancing at Joo Woori as he was driving. Hence, his eyes were glued to the road. "You're too pretty to be mistaken for a guy."
"What?"
"Why are you trying to cosplay as a dude?" Park Seoham asked, ignoring her question and acting like he didn't call Woori pretty just a moment ago. "Do you want people to think that I'm gay and dating a guy?"
"What are you talking about? This is for my survival. Why do you think your fans would do if they found out that your female manager is living with you?"
"They'll probably kill you."
"Exactly…" Woori trailed off, and then she threw a suspicious look at Park Seoham. "Is this your plan all along? Did you ask me to move in with you because you wanted your fans to kill me, so you wouldn't have to dirty your hands with my blood?"
"Wow, Joo Woori. Did you quit painting because you wanted to be a scriptwriter?"
Oops.
Woori shut her mouth because Park Seoham's assumption almost hit close to home.
I'm not a scriptwriter, but I write stories through my webtoons…
"Stop watching makjang," Park Seoham scolded her. "My fans aren't that rabid."
"You never know. Plus, a male celebrity living with his female manager? You're skating on thin ice, Seoham-ssi. If the reporters caught whiff of this, they'll have a field day slandering you…" Woori trailed off again, and then she shook her head. "No, actually, scratch that. I will be the one getting torn online."
"And why would you think that? I'm the celebrity between us."
"But I'm the woman between us," Woori said, shrugging. "People love male celebrities. You get away with a lot of things that people would kill female celebrities for. Do you want me to give you an example?" She didn't wait for Park Seoham's answer. "A few years ago, Actor Kim Jun was arrested for sexual assault. But he only got a slap on the wrist; he also starred in a hit drama that revived his career. Then we have Actress Taeyeon. A picture of her drinking soju while she was in high school got leaked last year, and people witch-hunted her for it. The bashing was bad enough that she was on hiatus until now."
Maybe Woori was hating on male celebrities a little too much, but she couldn't help it.
Hence, she braced herself for Park Seoham's anger.
However…
"Yeah, that's true. Male privilege exists, and only stupid people think otherwise," Park Seoham agreed with Woori while nodding. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to use that privilege to hurt you. I don't need my fans' help to get my revenge."
Whew.
Woori was glad that her assumption about Park Seoham using his fans to attack her was wrong.
However…
"Can you guarantee my safety, Seoham-ssi?"
"You worry too much," Park Seoham complained. "You won't die just because you live with me."
Woori could only sigh and shake her head. "I really hope so, Seoham-ssi."
***
A GATED COMMUNITY?
Woori was shocked when they entered a gated community— one that not even her parents could afford when they were still rich.
This is entirely a different world, after all— a world where luxury knows no limits.
They cruised past private security gates where every lawn was impeccably manicured, and the neighbors were A-list celebrities, tech moguls, and chaebols.
This neighborhood is like a status symbol in our country.
It was called Haneul Village— a gated compound of luxury villas and mansions on steep hillsides boasting breathtaking views of the river and the mountains (Han River and Nam Mountain, respectively).
People in the entertainment industry say you've made it once you live in Haneul Village.
Yes, the place boasted everything from lavish villas, golf courses, to infinity pools and helipads. But what most people were truly after was experiencing life with VIP perks without worrying about stalkers or reporters lurking around the corner.
Haneul Village is known for its very tight security, after all.
"Seoham-ah, you've really made it."
Park Seoham smirked proudly. "I'm not only an actor— I'm also a brand ambassador for several luxury brands. Plus, I also invest my money wisely. In short, I was able to afford a house here because acting isn't my sole source of income."
Aww.
Woori smiled, feeling proud of Park Seoham.
He's really successful now.
"Why are you smiling like that, Joo Woori?"
"I'm just proud of you, Seoham-ssi. All your hard work has paid off," Woori said, still smiling, while patting the air above Park Seoham's head. She wanted to pat him, but she knew he wouldn't like it, so she just let her hand hover above him. "You did well."
"What are you doing?"
"Praising you?"
Park Seoham sighed, and then he pointed at her hand above his head. "I'm talking about this."
"I wanted to pet you."
"Am I a dog?"
"I knew you'd react that way, so I didn't dare touch you directly," Woori explained while withdrawing her hand. "Anyway, I'm pretty sure I haven't heard the news about you buying a house here at Haneul Village."
Reporters loved writing about celebrities buying their homes in affluent neighborhoods.
And, as Park Seoham's fan, Woori would have known if there were articles about Park Seoham's new luxury home.
Did he keep it a secret?
It was strange, though.
He let the reporters write about the luxury penthouse that he bought last year.
"The reporters don't know that I bought a house here. Not yet, at least," Park Seoham explained. "I just bought this house last week."
"Oh, I see."
"I wanted a house where the reporters couldn't easily access."
"Of course, you need that as a celebrity."
"No, I didn't do it for myself," Park Seoham said while shaking his head. "I wanted a house that would make you feel safe, so you wouldn't have a reason not to live with me, Joo Woori."
Aigoo.
"Park Seoham, you're doing it again," Woori said, sighing as she avoided Park Seoham's gaze. "You're saying things that I can easily misunderstand."
Park Seoham chuckled— a soft laugh that sounded bitter. "Maybe that's my revenge, Joo Woori— to make your heart flutter before I break it."
***
Please ADD