HS 3

CHAPTER 3

Yuna slipped the schedule into her bag and stepped outside the front door.

Three times a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Classes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday’s schedule was flexible.

The time slot seemed tailored to fit the art academy’s schedule. Since he was retaking the college entrance exam, his fundamentals were probably solid.

She had briefly caught a glimpse of him sketching on the terrace earlier. Some paintings seemed to capture the garden as the backdrop, while others were unfinished works in progress.

“I’ll need to prepare the lessons this week.”

She had college friends who worked as instructors at prep art schools, and a senior who ran a famous academy in Cheongdam-dong. It wouldn’t hurt to contact them and ask about current trends in the entrance exam scene.

As Yuna stepped out through the main gate, she placed her hands on her hips and looked up at the sky.
The bright blue was dotted with cotton candy clouds, and the spring breeze brushing against her cheek felt soft and warm.

It was a relief to have found a job.
After a string of rejections at final interviews and months of doubt, she had often wondered if quitting her previous position too hastily had been a mistake — that maybe she should’ve endured a bit longer to build her experience.

But today, somehow, she felt that everything was going to turn out fine.

With a faint smile she hadn’t worn in a while, Yuna pulled out her phone to scroll through her contacts — when she suddenly felt someone’s gaze.

What was that?

She lifted her head slightly and looked around. The street was just as silent and desolate as it had been the day before — only a few parked cars and a handful of sparrows fluttering between trees.

Thinking it was her imagination, she looked back down — only to feel it again, that eerie prickle of someone watching her.
Her fingers tightened around her phone.

“It’s not my imagination. Someone’s there.”

Her eyes darted toward where the feeling was strongest — and there it was.
Behind a silver SUV parked diagonally across the street, she could see the top of a black cap. And in front of it — the faint glint of a phone camera lens.

Yuna blinked in disbelief.

“Are they… taking pictures of me? Why?”

She stood frozen, staring. Then, slowly, she started walking forward. It was broad daylight, and security cameras were everywhere.
This was a neighborhood filled with the mansions of corporate conglomerate families — hardly a dangerous place.

And the person holding the phone… was a woman.

A reporter? Paparazzi?
Still, it didn’t make sense that she would be the target.
Just the thought of someone secretly taking her photo made her skin crawl.

When she got close enough to see the woman’s face, Yuna stopped in front of the SUV, rested her hand lightly on the hood, and asked:

“Um… excuse me. Why are you secretly taking pictures of me?”

“……”

“You know that’s illegal, right? If I call the police—”

“Hey!!”

The sudden shriek made Yuna flinch and stumble back. The woman shot to her feet, face flushed with anger.

“Hey! Who the hell are you? Why are you coming out of that house?”

The woman jutted out her chin, eyes blazing.

“And who are you supposed to be?”

“I asked you first!”

“I don’t see why I’m obligated to answer.”

“Wow, you’ve got some nerve. I’m seeing Seungwon. His girlfriend. Satisfied? Now you — who the hell are you?”

His… girlfriend? What the hell is this crazy woman saying?

Yuna blinked, dumbfounded. Before she could respond, the woman suddenly grabbed her by the collar.
Startled, Yuna tried to push her away, but the woman’s grip was surprisingly strong.

“Let me go! This is all caught on CCTV! If you’re really Executive Director Kwon’s girlfriend, then you should know there are guards inside. If I scream—”

And then — a shadow fell over her.
The woman’s grip loosened, and her expression melted into stunned delight.
Yuna turned instinctively and saw Executive Director Kwon Seungwon’s cold, expressionless face.

With a sharp exhale, he stepped forward, grabbed Yuna’s arm, and pulled her behind him protectively.
The woman’s face twisted in fury.

“I warned you,” he said coolly. “I told you never to appear in front of me again.”

“Seungwon, wait — don’t tell me you’ve been ignoring me because of her?”

The woman pointed a trembling finger at Yuna, eyes blazing with venom.

“Answer me! Is that it? Because of that woman? No, right? Please say no!”

He said nothing.

“Please, just one more chance. I can be the kind of woman who suits you. I’ll change, I’ll make you proud!”

The woman’s pleading voice trembled, her tears spilling over.

Just then, a metallic click — the front gate opened and security guards rushed out.
The woman’s face went pale. Clearly, this wasn’t the first time.

“Hey! You bastards, don’t you dare! If you touch me—Seungwon! Kwon Seungwon! I’ll kill her! I’ll kill that bitch!”

The guards restrained her firmly, dragging her backward as she kicked and screamed.

“Let go of me, damn it! Take her instead! Let me go!!”

Her furious cries echoed through the quiet street until she was gone.

When it finally fell silent, Seungwon exhaled deeply, rubbing a hand over his face.
Then, he released Yuna’s arm and turned toward her.

“Miss Go. What on earth were you thinking, doing something like that out here?”

“She was secretly filming me first,” Yuna protested.

He gave a short, dry laugh and leaned in close — so close that she could feel his breath.

“Did she take any compromising photos of you?”

“Wh—what? No, of course not, I just—”

“Then?”

“I just saw someone watching me with a phone and thought—”

Her words faltered. His imposing frame made the air around her feel heavy, claustrophobic.
She instinctively leaned back — only to bump against the SUV behind her.

He noticed, and a faint smirk tugged at his lips as he straightened.

“You don’t strike me as fearless. So why would you approach a crazy woman like that?”

Yuna clenched her fists. He wasn’t wrong — but it still felt unfair.
That woman was the problem, not her.

“You’re lucky I showed up when I did,” he said evenly. “That woman’s unhinged. Could’ve gone bad fast.”

“Is she… a stalker?”

“Something like that.”

“Then why not—”

“Why not do something about it? You’re rich, aren’t you?”

He gave a humorless laugh.

“I could take legal action. But the company can’t afford another scandal right now. If it hits the press, it’d be… inconvenient.”

He tilted his head back and chuckled under his breath, as if realizing how absurd this whole conversation was. Then, with his sharp gaze angled downward, he asked:

“When do lessons start?”

“Next week.”

“I’ll send a car for you. For now, take my car home.”

“W–wait, you’re driving me yourself?”

He stared at her, incredulous.

“Do I look that free to you?”

“Oh… then—”

“My driver will take you.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. Just—try not to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away, phone already in hand.
Moments later, the garage door opened, and a black sedan rolled up to where Yuna stood.