Come Back

To the agency CEO, the contracted celebrities were, in simpler terms, just a means of making money—a product. No one would belittle their own product in front of potential clients. Yet, whenever CEO Myung would speak highly of her, Choi Hongseo found it hard to keep a neutral expression.

“Facts are facts, right? Have I only known Hongseo for a year or two? Look at this editor here, the head makeup and hair stylists, the lead stylist… Everyone here has known Hongseo since her debut. We all feel so proud of how well she’s doing these days. CEO, you must be enjoying life with all your years of support paying off.”

“It’s all thanks to the heads here. By the way… Fans have been eagerly expecting a sexy look from Hongseo lately, so if you could sneak in a cut or two with that vibe, Director…”

“Oh, sure. I know exactly what the fans mean when they say ‘Sexy Hongseo.’”

As the photographer nodded and gave the okay sign, CEO Myung raised her thumb enthusiastically toward her, putting on a show.

“As expected, our director! You really know what’s up. Are you feeling a bit peckish? I brought some snacks, so enjoy them and let’s keep up the great work for the rest of the shoot, Director.”

“Yes, thank you. I will enjoy them, CEO.”

After wrapping up her pitch with the photographer, CEO Myung approached Choi Hongseo, who was sitting in the makeup waiting area.

“Drink water, not coffee—water. You’ll get dehydrated and look bad.”

“I’m just trying to stay awake; I’m feeling a bit tired.”

“Oh, look at you, top star, feeling tired? Remember how, just a year ago, you were jealous of those exhausted from busy schedules.”

His tone was noticeably different from how he spoke to the managers.

“It’s not that I’m complaining about being busy; I’m just tired.”

“What do you have to be tired about? You’re moving into UN Village after your Vietnam schedule. If I were you, I’d be full without eating and lively without sleeping. You’re going to be living in a better house than me now, kid.”

“Oh my, CEO, is Hongseo moving to UN Village?”

The lead stylist, who had been passing by, lit up at the mention of UN Village and approached. It was obvious that CEO Myung wanted to brag, but he feigned modesty, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

“Ah… haha… yes, the ‘Layered’ team is relocating this time.”

“Congratulations, Hongseo! Why didn’t you say anything about such great news?”

“Hongseo’s not the type to go around boasting or bragging… haha…”

Before Choi Hongseo could respond, CEO Myung patted her on the shoulder and stepped in on her behalf. He added, kneading her shoulder with an apologetic look and voice.

“She joined this small company and went through a lot for a few years, and only now we’re finally able to move them to a better place.”

“You’ve also had your fair share of hardships supporting them, CEO. UN Village is top-tier for an idol residence. It’s on par with Gangnam or Seongsu-dong, isn’t it? Does it have a view of the Han River?”

“Well, yes… it was a bit of a stretch, but if it’s UN Village, it has to have a Han River view, right? Haha.”

Trying to get out from under CEO Myung’s hand, Choi Hongseo bent down as if to reach for her coffee on the shelf. She hated how he made it sound like a sacrifice for “Layered” when the rent was simply deducted from their earnings.

“Hongseo, I’m so envious! You’re finally seeing the light! The number of people I know who say they’re your fans has really increased. I can feel it.”

The stylist, who was delighted and proud as if it were happening to her own sibling, patted Hongseo on the shoulder.

“It’s thanks to all the support from you heads. You called me often even when I was unknown.”

“We called you because you did well and were lovable. You should have made it big sooner.”

Once the stylist left, CEO Myung nudged Hongseo’s arm with his elbow.

“See how people react when they hear about UN Village? This is why being successful matters, why making money is important. Where you live, what you drive, what you wear… and who you associate with, that’s your value.”

It was CEO Myung’s idea in the first place to move into UN Village. Though Hongseo wasn’t keen on it, knowing it would just mean less in their settlement amount, CEO Myung persuaded the group, saying that they needed to look the part now that they were gaining fame. It didn’t take much for the members to agree once they saw photos of the spacious and luxurious potential residences, incomparable to their current place.

Only Choi Hongseo saw the rent of a high-end villa in a wealthy neighborhood as a new debt.

“By the way, don’t forget to thank the vice president.”

“……”

“Don’t just say thanks; pick up something at the duty-free when you return from Vietnam. The vice president may not need anything, but showing that kind of effort makes you more likable.”

“What… do you mean thank him?”

“For the new residence, kid. The vice president rented it to you at a very good price.”

This was news to her. The coffee cup in her hand crumpled slightly.

“Without that, do you think a place like that would be possible on your current income? You’ve only just barely paid back the initial investment. Are you not thinking this through?”

“Did you ask the vice president for a favor? About the residence?”

Her voice grew agitated.

“He offered it himself after we talked about the move and I seemed worried about finding a suitable place. What do you mean asking for a favor? Watch your mouth.”

“Why were you even discussing the residence with the vice president?”

To keep her voice from rising, Hongseo clenched her teeth. She wanted to mess her hair or rub her face out of frustration, but the photoshoot prevented her. All she could do was scratch her lower lip nervously.

With eyes as sharp as a snake, CEO Myung scanned their surroundings and pressed down on her shoulder with force. He spoke in a low, controlled voice so no one else could hear.

“The vice president has a special interest in you, very kindly. He’s concerned about where you’re living, whether you’re uncomfortable, and whether there’s anything you need help with. You should be grateful, kid. He asks me instead of you, thinking you might refuse if he asks directly. Am I supposed to lie to him?”

“……”

“Do you think I’m the one moving in there, or is it you?”

The new apartment with a view of the Han River was a rental that could easily cost from several million to over ten million won per month. CEO Myung had boasted as if it were his own accomplishment, saying that he had rented such a luxurious villa through a connection at a good price. Who would have thought that connection was actually Lee Haeseong?

If the new residence was owned by Lee Haeseong, the aftermath was clear. While providing it at a price below market value, he could still report to UB that they paid the full price. Even if “Layered” members were the ones living there, it was ultimately beneficial for CEO Myung as well.

“It means the vice president really thinks highly of you. Who knows? If you step up your game here, that house might end up being yours in name.”

“Judging by the atmosphere, it doesn’t seem like he just wants a one-time fling with you. This isn’t just about playing the escort temporarily; this could be a chance to become Lee Haeseong’s real partner. Do you think you’ll get an opportunity like this again in your life?”

The “partner” CEO Myung mentioned was entirely different from the “boyfriend candidate” that Lee Haeseong had hinted at. It meant being a personal and consistent companion for a VIP.

The idea of Myung equating Lee Haeseong to those other men disgusted her.

But she disliked even more the thought of explaining what had happened between her and Lee Haeseong to CEO Myung.

Myung came up behind Choi Hongseo and kneaded her shoulder in a familiar manner.

“Hongseo, I’m not asking for much. Just consider the merit of supporting you for the past seven years and aim for… just 5 billion won.”

Choi Hongseo tried to shake off his hand by shrugging her shoulder forcefully, but in the mirror, CEO Myung just smirked mockingly. Like a trap preventing her from escaping the pit of filth, his grip tightened on the end of her shoulder again.

“Whether you earn it through ‘Layered,’ or by ‘entertaining’ clients… or whether the vice president sponsors you… you just need to come up with 5 billion and walk away.”

“……”

“Imagine yourself on the vice president’s lap. Would someone like me even dare to meet your eyes? By then, our shared memories will be buried with that 5 billion, and we’ll go our separate ways, right?”

In the mirror, CEO Myung tapped Hongseo’s cheek playfully while grinning.

“Anyway, you’re still pretty and fresh, so you have the chance to catch a big fish like the vice president. People like me can’t even dream of that kind of social climb, right? I laid out this opportunity for you. If it weren’t for me, you’d still just be a host bar player.”

It seemed as though the part where he had dragged her into that host bar in the first place had been completely erased from Myung Do-hoon’s memory.

It was pointless to resist. Not that she hadn’t tried before.

“I’m only envious of your luck, so why are you always complaining?”

Clicking his tongue in a tone of disdain, Myung shook his head and walked off toward the table where people were enjoying snacks.

Hongseo slammed her coffee cup down on the shelf and dug at her lips with her fingers.

The 5 billion that CEO Myung talked about wasn’t revenue the company earned. It was separate from that; it was the amount Hongseo had to personally pay back to Myung Do-hoon—a sort of “debt-settling cost.”

When she started working at the host bar, Myung would easily lend her large sums whenever she needed money urgently. It was no different from loan sharking. No, it was worse than loan sharking. Even while sacrificing her body to pay back the debt, the original amount and interest kept snowballing beyond what she could handle.

He had coaxed her into signing a new contract, promising that she could pay it off quickly once she became a celebrity and earned big money. But becoming an entertainer only marked the beginning of new debts all over again.