Chapter 65
Famous Friend
“Hey, you’ve gotten really popular lately.”
“Should I start bragging that I have a famous friend now?”
It was the weekend, and Lee Yeon went out on a date with Ha Yul.
Ha Yul wanted to get a personal color consultation, so they planned to visit a center together.
Now that they were going, Yeon was also curious about which colors suited her best.
“Famous? What are you talking about?”
Yeon took off her mask as she met Ha Yul.
“See? You’re even wearing a mask now!”
“Is this what happens when people get famous?”
“You start wearing masks everywhere?”
Ha Yul laughed like it was ridiculous, teasing Yeon nonstop.
“No! It’s because of the fine dust.”
“My throat’s been so sore lately.”
“The dust has been awful these days.”
Yeon protested sharply.
Her throat had been getting worse, so she’d started wearing a mask.
She didn’t expect Ha Yul to misunderstand.
“But honestly, people recognize you less when you wear it.”
Yeon pressed the mask tighter on her face.
“You face isn’t something a mask can hide.”
“Look around—people are already sneaking glances at you.”
“Maybe it’s time to add sunglasses and a hat too?”
Ha Yul seemed to find the whole situation hilarious.
She’d been teasing Yeon over text too, and now that they were meeting, she was practically glowing with excitement.
“Come on, let’s go in.”
“What floor was it again?”
Yeon pushed Ha Yul’s back with her palm.
Even while being dragged along, Ha Yul’s mouth didn’t stop moving.
“Do you know how hard I’ve been waiting for this day?”
“And now it’s even better than I imagined.”
“Let me enjoy this for a while!”
Wow, she’s really in her element.
Yeon sighed deeply.
***
After finishing the personal color consultation, Ha Yul said, “I knew both palettes would suit you.”
Yeon nodded, agreeing with the unexpected result.
She was a little surprised at how focused she’d been during the consultation.
It was proof of how much she’d changed.
She’d started caring more about her appearance.
The biggest change since meeting Do Hyun.
“We’re heading to the department store next, right?”
Ha Yul wrapped an arm around Yeon’s waist as she spoke.
After the consultation, they’d planned to shop for clothes at the department store.
It made sense to buy something right away, now that they knew Yeon’s color tone.
Besides, she didn’t have any proper winter clothes.
Ever since graduation, she’d been dressing in oversized outfits as part of her disguise.
This winter, she wanted clothes that fit well—both in color and size.
“Oh wow, Yoo Yeon, you’re officially the kind of woman who shops at department stores now?”
“The vice president has the money, not me.”
“I can’t afford to splurge on luxury brands yet.”
“Then what’s with that bag?”
Of course, Ha Yul noticed. Sharp as ever.
“This one? The vice president bought it for me.”
Not me—but Do Hyun could afford it.
It was the bag he’d bought her during their last department store trip, and somehow, Ha Yul recognized it right away.
“There’s no visible logo, but you’re telling me this simple bag isn’t a designer one?”
Every time people noticed things like that, Yeon found it fascinating.
She’d never cared much for luxury goods, so this kind of observation was completely foreign to her.
“How could anyone not know?”
“You’re the only one who doesn’t.”
“You just don’t care enough about these things.”
“Fine, I admit it—I don’t.”
Yeon pouted. Before long, they arrived at their destination.
At the department store, they shopped excitedly together.
Winter clothes were bulky, so they couldn’t buy much.
“Ugh, I’m exhausted.”
Ha Yul looked worn out after enthusiastically helping Yeon pick out clothes.
The two of them collapsed into a café inside the store.
“We’re getting old,” Ha Yul groaned, pretending to lament her age.
“We just turned thirty not too long ago.”
“Watch it—older people would be offended if they heard that.”
They both burst out laughing.
As soon as their drinks arrived, they took big gulps.
“Finally.”
“It’s so hot for early winter.”
Yeon quietly watched her friend savor her drink.
Ha Yul was the kind of friend who treated Yeon’s problems like her own.
She always threw herself into helping without hesitation.
Yeon knew she’d been the one who helped her escape her painful past.
Her friend worked behind the scenes to support her.
A truly precious friend.
More valuable than ten others.
“Thank you, Im Ha Yul,” Yeon said softly.
“For being my friend.”
“What’s with the sudden gratitude?” Ha Yul replied, embarrassed.
“Remember those old dress-up dolls we used to play with as kids?”
“I just felt like I was playing that again today.”
“What?”
Yeon laughed, finding her comparison ridiculous.
“Dressing up Lee Yeon.”
“Exhausting but fun.”
“It’s been so long since we went shopping together.”
“I’m tired but so happy, my friend.”
Now Yeon understood why Ha Yul had been so cheerful since morning.
She’d been genuinely excited to spend the day shopping together again.
In the past, Yeon had only tagged along when Ha Yul shopped for herself.
This time it was completely different.
“You being beside me makes everything easier,” Yeon said sincerely.
Ha Yul smiled, then changed the subject with a teasing grin.
“Okay, now tell me about your married life.”
Yeon smiled awkwardly.
“I’m happy.”
“That’s it? Come on!”
Ha Yul frowned.
“I mean, how is your husband treating you?”
“What’s your daily life like?”
“What do you do together?”
“You can’t just say ‘happy’ and stop there!”
Yeon hesitated, unsure where to begin.
Their marriage was unusual—love that started after the wedding.
The more she got to know Do Hyun, the more she realized how deeply he loved her.
Each day felt fuller, happier.
But sometimes she felt guilty for simply receiving all his affection.
Still, her heart swelled with gratitude and joy.
Ha Yul gave her a knowing look and gently switched topics.
“So, when are you inviting me over for a housewarming?”
Right—Yeon had completely forgotten.
Between the TV shoot, the Heera incident, and other chaos, she hadn’t had a moment to breathe.
“Does it have to be at our house?”
“What about doing it somewhere nearby instead?”
“Nearby?”
“What kind of made-up term is that?”
“Housewarming happens in a house!”
“Don’t tell me you’re avoiding it because you don’t want me to see your place.”
“You know that’s why I keep asking, right?”
Oh.
So she just wanted to see the house.
“I’m dying to know what Vice President Ahn Do Hyun’s place looks like.”
“I’d love to show it to you, but it’d just be the three of us—me, you, and the vice president.”
“Wouldn’t that be kind of awkward?”
Yeah, imagining that setup already felt strange.
“Then what about when he invites his own friends over?”
“I can come along.”
“Hasn’t he had any guests yet?”
Come to think of it, Do Hyun hadn’t invited anyone either.
During their early marriage, they slept in separate rooms.
Back then, they weren’t even a real couple yet.
The idea of inviting guests never came up.
“I’ll ask him.”
“We should do it at least once.”
“I’d like to invite you too—everything’s just so happy these days.”
Yeon’s eyes curved into a bright smile.
Ha Yul smiled back.
The man who helped Yeon reconnect with the world—Do Hyun—really was remarkable.
Not long ago, Yeon had come to her, worried about their contract marriage.
She’d been afraid Do Hyun might find out her secret.
But now she looked radiant, glowing with love.
Ha Yul could barely remember the old Yeon—the one who hid behind dull wigs, glasses, and heavy makeup.
Her pain had faded, replaced by warmth.
Maybe all that suffering had led her to this love.
To Ha Yul, those two were meant to be.
“If you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
Yeon’s eyes curved again.
“So… no housewarming?”
“Of course not!”
“When’s the housewarming?”
Looks like the housewarming debate wasn’t ending anytime soon.
Yeon sighed, already imagining Ha Yul sitting on their couch, chatting with Do Hyun.
She realized she might just have to make it happen after all.
