MTA 08

Chapter : 08

The night spent in Paris was bothering her. She didn’t remember exactly what had happened that day, but the fact that the person responsible for her mistake had come as the company representative made her uncomfortable.

Perhaps not noticing Hae-in’s expression, Ga-young continued talking.

“They say the furniture was insanely expensive. Just the desk was twelve hundred! And the new representative—he’s really handsome. He looks like Byun Woo-seok. Or… maybe Park Bo-gum.”

From her debut, Ga-young had been her stylist and had stayed by her side even after retirement, joining the company to continue supporting her. Yet now, she was only someone who complicated her already confused mind.

“What about Baek Ah-yeon?”

“Baek Ah-yeon? Why?”

“Why… you know, all the rumors about her and CEO Ong? And didn’t she freak out asking to be included in that historical drama next year? Aren’t they going in together?”

“Why don’t you talk about me behind my back when I’m not around?”

Hae-in turned at the familiar voice. She hadn’t noticed when Ah-yeon had returned to Korea, but there she was, standing right behind her.

“Oh… you’re here.”

Since Ah-yeon had never entered the workspace where the employees worked, the staff awkwardly greeted her.

Ah-yeon was like a ticking time bomb, and their cautious looks reflected their awareness of that.

“I’m here to recruit my new team. Starting with managers, I’ll reorganize everything.”

No one explicitly said it, but because Ah-yeon had always acted like she would devour Hae-in, everyone naturally assumed some trouble must have happened in Paris.

“Han Ga-young, you’ll be my stylist. I’ll arrange for you to be officially transferred to my staff. Oh, no need to thank me. I just highly value your skills.”

Ga-young, standing beside Hae-in, looked momentarily incredulous. Then she slowly met Ah-yeon’s gaze. That arrogant look, as if granting opportunities even to insignificant parts like her.

“I don’t want to.”

“What?”

“I’m not into Baek Ah-yeon. Inspiration only comes when tastes align, and only with inspiration can I create a perfect style.”

A snicker ran through the room. Ga-young always spoke her mind, but to say that in front of the formidable Baek Ah-yeon…

Ah-yeon’s face visibly hardened in real time.

“This is ridiculous. The historical drama airing next year already has distribution contracts in Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore, the U.S., and the U.K. Do you even understand what opportunity I’m giving you?”

“Who said Baek Ah-yeon would be in that project?”

Hae-in turned toward the owner of the voice.

Standing at the door today in a perfect suit was Do-jun. He looked at Hae-in in surprise, while she met his gaze with an indifferent expression.

Then his lips, sculpted like a carefully crafted statue, opened and a mid-low voice flowed out.

“Yoon Hae-in, come see me. And Baek Ah-yeon too.”

The tone was firm, leaving no room for hesitation. The office was silent. No one spoke—except Ga-young.

“Hey, hey! He’s calling you. Go on, hurry.”

Hae-in, startled that her name had been called, stayed still, and Ga-young nudged her forward.

Why is he calling me? And why is it just me and Baek Ah-yeon?

Could it be that he wants her to take care of Baek Ah-yeon again?

Her head spun with questions.

Why was the man she had mistaken for an Uber driver in Paris now in Korea? Why had the man she had a one-night stand with come as the CEO of AJ Entertainment? And what was behind those handsome, calculating eyes?

She had no time even to speak, and her confusion only deepened; nothing made sense.

Hae-in slowly stood and followed behind Do-jun.

CEO’s Office

Several employees, including the head of strategic planning, were already there.

Hae-in had no idea why she was included in this meeting or what important discussion was about to take place. She cautiously looked around the large, unfamiliar office.

The CEO’s office, completely renovated overnight, radiated modernity.

The clunky furniture had been replaced with muted-toned pieces, and where Baek Ah-yeon’s posters once adorned the walls now hung dark, moody oil paintings.

Ah-yeon stared blankly at the space where her face used to be. There wasn’t a trace of lingering sentiment, and it irked her.

“Please, have a seat.”

Ah-yeon, still staring at the wall, sat on the sofa, but Hae-in stood beside her, unable to sit.

“You, too, Yoon Hae-in. This won’t be a formal meeting, but let’s discuss matters the company needs to decide.”

Hae-in awkwardly took a seat, and Do-jun placed freshly brewed coffee in front of them.

“The reason I asked to see both of you is the drama AJ Media plans to produce next year. I was informed that Baek Ah-yeon requested the lead female role multiple times.”

Ah-yeon’s face lit with expectation—but Do-jun’s next words completely shattered it.

“As you know, the lead role will be cast through an open audition. AJ Media has already prepared everything. Whatever CEO Ong may have promised you, I’m here to say that title role cannot be yours.”

What… is he saying?

Ah-yeon’s eyes narrowed. How dare he say that to her, the flagship of AJ?

“CEO, I heard the overseas distribution contracts are already completed. China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, even the U.S. and Europe. Surely a popular actress should play the lead, right?”

“You seem to think of yourself as a popular actress. I know your star power well, Baek Ah-yeon. Your recent drama did very well.”

If you know, then stop demanding the role.

Ah-yeon leaned leisurely back on the sofa, crossing her legs.

“But next year’s drama is a historical piece. The lead, who falls from a high-ranking position to a gisaeng, must express her emotions delicately—through her gaze, speech, even her breathing.”

The role had to go to an actress capable of portraying a broad emotional range. From the day she first received the script, she had only one actress in mind.

Do-jun’s gaze slowly shifted to Hae-in.

“But CEO! I can express those emotions too! You saw the ratings for my historical drama two years ago!”

Hae-in shook her head, not realizing Do-jun was looking at her.

The high ratings were thanks to the male lead’s overwhelming popularity, and Ah-yeon had generated countless cringe-worthy memes with her terrible acting.

Her heavy makeup and unyielding pretty expressions, unsuitable for a historical drama, had been detrimental.

“And Min-young, who was supposed to audition through AJ Entertainment, left the company with CEO Ong. Do you really intend to let another company’s actress take the title role of a project funded by AJ Media? There are only two weeks left until filming. Where would you even find an actress for the audition?”

“I received the notice this morning that Lee Min-young requested contract termination. However, I still believe AJ has capable talent for the audition.”

Exhausted from the tension between the two, Hae-in picked up a biscuit in front of her.

Then she met Do-jun’s gaze, followed immediately by the staff in strategic planning. At the same time, Ah-yeon’s expression turned cold.

“Why… me…?”

“Could it be… Yoon Hae-in?”

Do-jun nodded.