SELA - 18

“Your acting skills are as terrible as ever, aren’t they?”

“What do you mean? I was in the drama club, you know.”

“That was ages ago. How boring. I’m about to fall asleep just listening to you.”

“Do you want to die?”

Na-yeon lightly smacked Ji-hyuk’s arm and shot him a playful glare. He shrugged nonchalantly and turned his gaze elsewhere.

“I saw how much Mom and Dad adore you, so I thought I’d have a little fun.”

“Who wouldn’t be tempted?”

“Go ahead.”

“I was planning to anyway.”

“You didn’t even hesitate.”

“I don’t see why I should.”

“Agh, go already! Just go!”

Annoyed by Ji-hyuk’s stubborn rebuttals, Na-yeon pushed his back. But no matter how hard she tried, he stood firm like an immovable boulder. With a bored expression, he lazily sipped his champagne, seemingly unfazed.

Frustrated, Na-yeon gave him another forceful shove. Finally, Ji-hyuk took a few reluctant steps forward—perhaps out of pity for her effort.

Raising one hand in lieu of a proper farewell, Ji-hyuk walked away. Watching his retreating figure, Na-yeon burst into a delayed, self-deprecating laugh.

Back when she was eighteen, her heart had been soft and impressionable, and she had harbored a fleeting crush on him. His striking looks, imposing physique, and perpetually aloof demeanor had perfectly aligned with her tastes. But that infatuation hadn’t lasted even a year. His indifference bordered on apathy, and his prickly personality clashed with her upbringing, steeped in the values of Eastern etiquette. In the end, love faded, but their friendship endured—a silver lining to what could have been an awkward ending.

“You haven’t changed one bit.”

Muttering to herself, Na-yeon drained the last of her champagne. Aside from growing taller and more mature, Ji-hyuk seemed unchanged as he moved toward someone else in the distance—someone who happened to be…

“Unnie!”

A sudden pat on her back made Na-yeon turn around.

“Oh, it’s Yeon-hwa and Mi-hee! I thought you were all busy. How did you manage to come?”

“It’s your exhibition—we couldn’t miss it.”

“The pieces are amazing.”

Familiar faces greeted her warmly. These were the kids she had mentored during a talent donation project. As Yeon-hwa and Mi-hee presented her with a bouquet, Na-yeon responded with light hugs.

“Thank you. Would you like some champagne?”

“Yes, please.”

“Come this way.”

For now, thoughts of Ji-hyuk receded to the back of Na-yeon’s mind. Smiling brightly once again, she led the youngsters to another part of the venue.

One by one, visitors began to gather in front of Lover 9, drawn to its passionate and sensual allure.

---

Sa-hee found herself captivated by a piece titled Specter. It was a photograph within a photograph, layered intricately to create depth and intrigue.

Carefully holding her champagne flute, she leaned closer to examine the details when a man quietly approached her.

“Hello.”

“Hi.”

“Excuse me for being forward, but would you mind giving me your number?”

“No.”

“Haha… You’re rejecting me too quickly. Can you at least think about it?”

“No, I don’t intend to.”

Turning slightly toward him out of politeness, Sa-hee delivered her refusal firmly yet kindly.

The man looked momentarily taken aback before biting his lip in frustration. Forcing a strained smile, he tried again.

“Just give me one chance.”

“…”

“One chance is all I ask.”

Still focused on Specter, Sa-hee reluctantly glanced at him. 

He was impeccably dressed in a sharp suit, his hair neatly styled, exuding confidence and charm. His handsome face and well-built frame likely attracted plenty of attention. Yet none of it mattered to Sa-hee. Having spent so much time around Ji-hyuk, her standards had unknowingly risen.

Meeting her indifferent gaze, the man cleared his throat nervously and attempted a disarming smile.

“I’m an artist—I write, take photos, and sometimes paint when inspiration strikes. People say my creative lifestyle makes relationships unpredictable and exciting, especially for women.”

“I see. Well, excuse me.”

As Sa-hee turned to leave, the man hastily blocked her path. A flicker of defiance sparked in his eyes.

“Ask Na-yeon if you don’t believe me. I’m not usually like this—approaching strangers or asking for numbers. But today, you caught my eye, so I mustered up the courage. I’m not proposing anything serious…”

“No?”

“Just thought we could start as friends.”

“Friends.”

“Yes.”

Sa-hee brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, feigning contemplation.

“To be honest, I prefer deep, meaningful connections over casual ones. I’m quite content with my current life. Do you understand? If you’ll excuse me…”

“Wait, seriously!”

Before Sa-hee could step away, the man grabbed her arm. The movement caused her champagne to spill, soaking the front of her blouse.

“Oh… I’m so sorry! That wasn’t intentional. Let me get some napkins—oh, I’m really sorry!”

Flustered, the man fumbled helplessly, unsure what to do. Without anything to clean the spill, he awkwardly reached toward her blouse, only to withdraw his hand repeatedly.

“It’s fine.”

Sa-hee spoke calmly, trying to reassure him, but stopping his persistent attempts to touch her proved difficult.

“Get your hands off.”

Suddenly, another hand seized the man’s wrist, twisting it firmly before pushing him aside. It was Ji-hyuk.

“Aaah—!”

The man stumbled backward, clutching his wrist.

“Director Ji-hyuk!”

Only after Sa-hee intervened did Ji-hyuk release the man, who collapsed weakly onto the floor.

Ji-hyuk turned to Sa-hee. Though startled, she appeared unharmed. However…

“Dry it.”

Her soaked blouse clung to her skin, revealing more than intended. Reaching into his pocket, Ji-hyuk handed her his handkerchief, feeling an inexplicable heat rising within him.

“Thank you…”

Since she hadn’t drunk much of the champagne, a significant amount had spilled onto her blouse. Sa-hee, equally flustered, gratefully accepted the handkerchief.

“Put this on.”

As Sa-hee dabbed at her blouse, Ji-hyuk removed his jacket and offered it to her.

“No, it’s alright…”

“It’s visible.”

With a raised eyebrow, Ji-hyuk’s expression hardened. Only then did Sa-hee glance down at herself. Realizing the extent of the exposure, she blushed furiously and quickly draped the jacket over her shoulders.

“O Sang-jun!”

At that moment, someone called out a name unfamiliar to Sa-hee. Pushing through the murmuring crowd was none other herself—Na-yeon.

“What are you doing here causing trouble? Get out of here, you idiot!”

Na-yeon stormed over and delivered a sharp slap to the man’s back. Clearly, she had rushed over upon hearing about the situation.

“Are you okay, Sa-hee?”

“Yes, it’s nothing. My hand slipped, that’s all. By the way, I haven’t had a chance to compliment you—the works are incredible.”

“Thank you for appreciating them. But what about your clothes?”

Genuinely concerned, Na-yeon patted Sa-hee’s shoulder. Smiling reassuringly, Sa-hee assured her everything was fine.

“We should get going.”

It was Ji-hyuk who broke the warm atmosphere.

“Already? You just got here.”

Na-yeon couldn’t hide her disappointment as she approached him.

“I’ve seen enough. The piece on the right side of the entrance—Untitled 6, I think—is impressive. I’ll buy it, so don’t sell it to anyone else.”

“Don’t just say that and stay longer…”

“Unnie, Professor is looking for you.”

Unable to detain them further due to others calling for her, Na-yeon watched as Ji-hyuk escorted Sa-hee out. Turning back briefly, she caught sight of their departing figures.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, it’s just a little wetness.”

Even as they exited the exhibition hall, Ji-hyuk’s gaze remained fixed on Sa-hee.

“Hmm.”

“What’s wrong, Unnie?”

“Nothing. Let’s go.”

Handkerchief, jacket—it wasn’t like him to lend personal belongings to anyone. Yet, with Sa-hee, he was different. Why? Somehow, the answer felt obvious, stirring a quiet curiosity within Na-yeon.

She wondered if he realized what was happening inside himself. Smiling faintly, Na-yeon turned away, amused by the unfolding dynamics.