Chapter 10 – The CEO’s Call
“Huh?”
Just as Ji-hyun was about to leave, the staff member behind her called out nervously.
“Um… if it’s okay, could I maybe get one autograph? Please?”
“Ah… I’m so sorry. I actually came here secretly, so I really can’t…”
Also, I don’t even know what my own autograph looks like, she thought bitterly.
Bowing repeatedly in apology, Ji-hyun hurried into the fan sign hall.
Ugh, my heart’s pounding.
After one last quick check of her outfit, she pulled her hat low and adjusted her sunglasses before finding her seat — number 17.
The moment she sat down, Mate appeared from backstage.
The leader, Hye-yeon, grabbed the mic and started the event with her usual cheerful confidence.
“Hi everyone! …What’s with that weak response?”
The crowd laughed. She really was a natural-born leader.
But Ji-hyun’s eyes were fixed on the girl walking behind her — A-young.
She’s gotten thinner.
A-young had always been slim, like most idols, but Ji-hyun could tell something was different. Her face, once bright and full of life, now carried a faint sadness. Her soft, round cheeks looked slightly hollow.
And those restless eyes — constantly scanning the audience, searching for someone.
Is she… looking for me?
If Ji-hyun were still Jang Se-hee — her real self — she would’ve jumped up and shouted her name proudly like the other fans.
But now, she could only sit there quietly, her emotions tangled.
It hurt to see A-young like that, reaching for someone who wasn’t there. Yet at the same time, it warmed her heart.
She wanted to tell her, I’m here.
Even if she couldn’t say it out loud, just being able to see A-young again made her heart race.
Smiling softly, Ji-hyun whispered under her breath—
“I missed you so much.”
***
The fan sign was over.
“Phew…”
She’d done it. She’d said everything she wanted — even slipped in a few hints about the survival show and how she hoped A-young would join.
Most importantly, she’d secretly handed over a note with her phone number written on it, in case A-young wanted to talk more later.
The only regret was not being able to take a picture together — she’d left immediately afterward to avoid drawing attention.
Still, it was enough. Now all she had to do was wait for A-young to call.
What should I do while waiting?
Back home, Ji-hyun turned the signed album and photocard over in her hands before heading back down to the practice room.
If she was really going to be a mentor on that audition program, she needed to refresh her memory. Watching a few recent shows might help.
But as she reached the bottom of the stairs—
A glowing blue window appeared before her eyes.
Become an Idol (100%)
You’ve completed your second quest. The ‘Affinity’ feature has been unlocked. Please proceed to the next quest.
“Oh, it’s done.”
Another line of text followed immediately
By saying ‘Affinity,’ you can check your relationship progress with specific people.
Third Quest:
Your adorable favorite is approaching you!
Increase your affinity with “A-young.” (80%)
“Already a new one, huh?”
Affinity, huh. But wait — it already said 80%.
Well, I guess that makes sense.
Ji-hyun was A-young’s biggest fan, and A-young had always said she admired Ji-hyun as her role model.
They were literally each other’s “favorite.” If the meter went above 100%, that still wouldn’t be surprising.
Ring—ring—
“Ah!”
She almost dropped her phone. Talk about perfect timing.
The number was unfamiliar, but who else could it be?
Grinning, Ji-hyun quickly answered.
“A-young?”
But instead of the bright, bubbly voice she was expecting, a deep male voice came through the speaker — dry and unsettling.
“Ji-hyun, how are you feeling? Better now?”
“Who…”
Oops — she almost said Who are you? out loud.
Her mind raced.
Who would call her and ask about her health?
Then she remembered — when she’d visited the company, Sung-han had mentioned the CEO.
That must be it.
“Yes, I’m doing fine,” she said carefully.
Best to keep things vague for now.
“Our Ji-hyun’s gotten so polite lately.”
“Haha, I guess so…”
“So, about that offer… should I take your silence as a positive answer?”
“Ah, that thing? Hmm…”
She had no idea what he meant, but her instincts screamed danger.
This man didn’t sound trustworthy.
And whatever that “offer” was, it didn’t feel good.
“I’m… still thinking about it. Could I have a little more time?”
“…”
“Is that all right?”
“Oh, sure. Take your time. Though, you know, it’d be better to decide sooner rather than later.”
The pause in his voice sent chills down her spine. When he spoke again, his tone had sharpened.
“You’re still not fully recovered, after all.”
“Ah, thank you for—”
Click.
The call cut off.
“What the… did he just hang up on me?”
Ji-hyun stared at her phone in disbelief.
Unbelievable. Who even talks like that?
Then she noticed the number again. Something about it — and the way he’d spoken — made her uneasy.
Our Ji-hyun.
That tone — soft, almost flirtatious. Not what a CEO should sound like when talking to an employee.
Don’t tell me…
The thought made her skin crawl.
Sure, Ahn Ji-hyun was a massive star. Maybe the CEO gave her special treatment. She’d brought in tons of revenue and put JW Entertainment on the map internationally.
But JW had other top artists too — huge names. There was no reason he’d treat only her like that.
Even if they were close, why wasn’t his number saved in her phone?
And that last line — “You’re still not fully recovered.”
It didn’t sound like concern. It sounded like a warning.
As if he was saying, If you don’t decide soon, something might happen to that pretty little body of yours.
Who the hell are you really?
Ji-hyun frowned, turning her phone over in her hands.
No messages. No photos. No group chats. No record of any normal human relationship at all.
The contrast was unsettling — the radiant idol on TV versus the strangely empty, secretive person she seemed to have been in real life.
There was so much she didn’t know about the real Ahn Ji-hyun.
If only she’d kept a diary…
Wait.
“She did,” Ji-hyun muttered, clapping her hands together as the memory hit her.
She’d once seen a variety show where Ahn Ji-hyun had mentioned writing daily journals.
If she could find those, maybe she could finally understand her thoughts — who she’d been, what she’d been hiding.
First, I’ll save that number, she decided reluctantly.
Even if she hated the idea, it would be useful later.
But just as she started typing it in—
Her phone buzzed again.
Another call.
Another unknown number.
