Episode 13
As Youngin slipped off her shoes, she thought back to dinner and how Haeyoon had spent the entire meal talking about Seonghyeok. She could still hear “the CEO” ringing in her ears from how often Haeyoon had said it.
Then, this morning’s words came back to her.
*”Tell him yourself before he hears it from someone else.”*
She thought it might be best to get it over with tonight. But the moment she stepped into the living room, she was greeted by a familiar face.
Not that she expected the feeling to be mutual.
“You stayed out all night, didn’t you?”
Arim, sitting on the sofa, shot her a cold question and an even colder glare.
“Something came up.”
“And you couldn’t bother to call?”
“I’ll call next time.”
“How about don’t stay out in the first place.”
“You know how unpredictable this job can be.”
Though things were calmer now than in the past, there were still times she had to rush to a remote filming location or pull an all-nighter at the office. Even if she never stayed out overnight for the same reason again, promising she’d never do it was impossible.
“Stop acting like you’re doing something so important. You’re not.”
Ever since she became a manager, the thing Youngin heard most from her family was how they’d wasted their money sending her to a good university, only for her to end up as a glorified servant to celebrities.
“I’m not bragging. I’m explaining the nature of my work.”
“Make sure you act properly so no one thinks we didn’t raise you right. Don’t bring shame to Mom and Dad.”
“Okay.”
Her voice was flat.
This wasn’t the first time she’d heard it, and by now, it didn’t even sting. It just made her long even more desperately for independence.
But Youngin’s position in this house—treated like an unwanted burden—was entirely due to Chairman Chae. He didn’t allow his children to live on their own unless it was for marriage. Beomjun and Arim were no exception.
Chairman Chae and Mrs. Kwak prided themselves on being a philanthropic couple who promoted adoption as part of their “noblesse oblige.” They never hesitated to announce to the world that Youngin was adopted—without her consent.
Though they often proclaimed they’d raised their youngest daughter with love, what Youngin had actually received from her adoptive parents was discrimination and emotional abuse.
She never told anyone about their hypocrisy—not even Seonghyeok.
“Unni, I switched jobs.”
Whether she told her sister or her brother, it didn’t matter. Either way, the news would get to the other. So telling one of them was enough.
“Switched jobs? To where?”
The abrupt change of subject made Arim tilt her head in confusion.
“SL Entertainment.”
“What? SL?”
“Hyesung was absorbed by SL Entertainment. I’ve been working there since yesterday. And… the CEO of SL Entertainment is Seonghyeok sunbae.”
“What are you talking about? Why would Seonghyeok oppa go to SL Entertainment? He said he was going to the corporate strategy division. You heard him too.”
Just then, Beomjun appeared, shuffling into the room. His face was flushed, and his tie hung half undone—probably from drinking.
The moment she saw him, Arim pounced.
“Oppa, is it true?”
“Is what true?”
His furrowed brows conveyed his exhaustion and irritation at being dragged into this.
“That Seonghyeok oppa didn’t go to corporate strategy.”
“What are you even talking about?”
“They’re saying he went to SL Entertainment instead.”
“Who’s saying that?”
“She is.”
Arim pointed at Youngin, and Beomjun’s eyes followed her finger. Only then did he seem to register Youngin’s presence.
“What are you talking about?”
“Hyesung was absorbed by SL, so I started working at SL yesterday. And it turns out Seonghyeok sunbae is the CEO of SL Entertainment.”
Youngin repeated her explanation like a parrot.
“Why would Seonghyeok go there?”
“Why are you asking me? Ask him yourself.”
Beomjun pulled out his phone and called Seonghyeok immediately.
“He hasn’t been picking up or calling back lately, and now this…”
Muttering, he waited as the call connected.
“Hey, you.”
Arim shot up from the couch and darted to Beomjun’s side, pressing her ear against his phone to catch every word.
– “I’m busy. Make it quick.”
No matter how much Beomjun tried to shove her away, Arim clung stubbornly, refusing to budge. With a sigh of resignation, Beomjun switched to speakerphone. Glaring at her, he spoke into the device.
“You really went to SL Entertainment?”
– “Yeah.”
“Why?”
– “Because I figured out what I want.”
“So suddenly you’re interested in the management business?”
– “No. Something else.”
“Then… content production?”
– “I don’t have time to play twenty questions with you. If you’re done, I’m hanging up.”
Beomjun had no idea the “something” Seonghyeok wanted was a *someone*. And that someone was Chae Youngin.
Only Youngin, standing silently nearby, bit down hard on her lip as she listened to every word.
“You could’ve told me beforehand. Hearing it from someone else stings.”
– “Who told you?”
“Youngin.”
– “Ah. We absorbed a few solid management companies, including Youngin’s. I’ve been too busy familiarizing myself with operations to reach out. Anything else?”
“No. Take care.”
Beomjun hurriedly ended the call, not wanting to risk annoying Seonghyeok further, then trudged off to his room.
“Hey.”
Youngin had been quietly heading for her room when Arim’s voice, sharp as a blade, stopped her in her tracks. She turned her head slowly, meeting Arim’s venomous gaze.
“If you try to seduce Seonghyeok oppa, I’ll kill you. I’m not joking.”
“I won’t.”
“Get lost.”
Arim glared daggers at Youngin as she climbed the stairs.
Everything about Chae Youngin infuriated her, but what she hated most was that calm expression and steady gaze. That quiet voice made Arim feel crude and vulgar by comparison—and that only fueled her rage.
A few months ago, over a family meal, their father had asked Youngin about work. Youngin had said the company was likely to be sold.
Hyesung’s acquisition by SL had been in the works for months, and SL hadn’t only acquired Hyesung. On the surface, there was nothing strange about it.
So why did it feel so ominous?
***
Youngin showered and lay down on her bed. It had been about thirty minutes since she’d gone upstairs.
As she picked up her phone to set an alarm, it began to vibrate. She stared at the screen for a moment before answering.
“Hello.”
– “Everything okay?”
That voice—no matter how many times she heard it, she never got tired of it. It filled her ears completely.
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
– “I didn’t call right away because I figured you might be with Beomjun.”
As she closed her eyes, his voice seemed even clearer.
– “Are you alone?”
“I was about to sleep.”
– “I’ve got to pull an all-nighter for work. Mind keeping me company?”
Suspicion flickered in Youngin’s half-lidded eyes.
“How?”
– “Just keep talking to me while I work.”
“No.”
– “Harsh. You couldn’t even say yes just to humor me?”
“What’s the point? You’d see through the lie immediately.”
– “I wouldn’t have. I was going to tell you to go to sleep anyway.”
“…”
A quiet smile tugged at Youngin’s lips as he continued.
– “I’d never ask you to share my burdens. Only my joy.”
She wasn’t the emotional type, but his words made her throat tighten unexpectedly.
“I should sleep now.”
– “Goodnight. I’d be grateful if you dream about me.”
“I won’t. I’d hate to have a nightmare.”
– “A nightmare? Never. At worst, it’d be an incredibly dirty dream.”
“Hang up.”
Youngin cut the call abruptly.
“Why is he so shameless now…?”
She muttered to herself as she set her alarm, her lips curving into the faintest of smiles.
His voice had been a surprising comfort tonight.
***
At that same moment, elsewhere in the house…
Arim chewed her lip anxiously, then stormed into the master bedroom and flung open the door.
“Mom!”
Mrs. Kwak, lounging on the bed watching a drama, slowly sat up. Chairman Chae wasn’t home yet.
“What is it? I’m trying to watch TV.”
Arim strode over, plopped onto the bed, and switched off the television.
“I want to marry Seonghyeok oppa.”
Mrs. Kwak’s eyes widened in shock.
“Marry? Did Seonghyeok propose? Are you two dating?”
“No! He didn’t propose. I said *I* want to marry him. Ugh, Mom, why don’t you ever understand what I’m saying?”
“So… you’re not even dating?”
“No! We’re not!”
Arim’s outburst lasted only a moment before tears welled up in her eyes.
“Do something, Mom. Please.”
“Do what?”
“You said Seonghyeok oppa’s mom is looking for a bride for him, right? Didn’t you hear that from Mrs. Jin?”
“I did hear that from her, but…”
“Then put me forward! Make it happen!”
“You?”
“Why not? Can’t you?”
“I don’t know if they’d consider you…”
“How could you say that to your daughter?”
Arim’s sharp eyes softened, and thick tears spilled down her cheeks.
“You’re so cruel… How could you…”
Mrs. Kwak panicked, flustered by her daughter’s sobs.
“Fine, fine. You’re right. Don’t cry. I’ll meet with Mrs. Jin and see what I can do.”
“Really?”
As always, it ended the same way.
Chairman Chae and Mrs. Kwak had never been able to say no to their youngest daughter. From a young age, if Arim didn’t get her way, she would cry and scream until she fainted. They had no choice but to give in every time.
Because of that, Arim grew up believing she could have anything she wanted. And she had no doubt this time would be the same.
*I should’ve done this sooner.*
A satisfied smile flickered across her face before vanishing.
(Continued…)
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