Come Back

Rent for the apartment, living expenses, lessons in dance, vocals, acting, clothing, hair, and even car fuel—every single item piled up as new debts under Choi Hongseo’s name under the guise of investment costs.

There was no way to verify if each item was true. On top of that, the interest on the debts accumulated up to that point continued to grow steadily.

Even when she was taken to entertain clients, CEO Myung would take 50% as a service fee, and the remaining 50% would be deducted from the interest she owed. Choi Hongseo never even got to touch that money.

“Expose everything. Let’s just go down together. Haven’t you played the role of a pimp too?” She had once raged in a half-crazed state.

But Choi Hongseo knew deep down that even if she revealed the truth, people would only focus on her past, which had become public knowledge as she gained fame as an entertainer.

She had endured with clenched teeth, thinking only of the day she would become untouchable enough to leave UB behind.

There was even a senior actor who managed to break free from Myung Do-hoon’s grasp this way, which gave her hope that she couldn’t let go of. That senior had probably paid tens of billions in total to break free. Still, if one became a true top star, such a sum was attainable.

She still didn’t fully trust Vice President Lee Haeseong.

Yet, despite not completely trusting him, she couldn’t help but feel angry when Myung treated Lee like the other predatory VIPs, behaving like a host club madam eager to squeeze every penny out of a client.

If the things Lee Haeseong had done and said were sincere, then he must have helped her out of genuine concern, not as a sponsor.

Choi Hongseo sought out her manager and took her phone. Finding a quiet spot, she opened the messenger app and navigated to her chat with Lee Haeseong, saved under the nickname “Carrot Seller.”

“Are you saying I should return it?”

“That’s right, return it.”

The nickname was a result of careful thought, chosen for safety reasons so she wouldn’t store his real name or title. He still didn’t know about this name.

Carrot Seller: Good morning

Carrot Seller: Maybe you’re still sleeping?

Carrot Seller: What’s your schedule today?

Carrot Seller: I have a lunch meeting and will be at the office in Yeoksam-dong in the afternoon. I think I’ll be able to leave work early. (10:25 AM)

Exchanging messages with him had become a routine part of her day. Sometimes there would be hours-long gaps during meetings or important work, but he reached out more often than expected. Especially when waking up or before going to bed, he would check in. “I’m up now, did you sleep well?” or “I’m going to sleep now, have a good dream.” They would also share mundane details about their daily schedules.

Even though he was supposed to be a boyfriend candidate, he played the role more than halfway. It felt as if he were demonstrating how he’d act if she chose him as her boyfriend.

If this was his true personality, he must have been a caring boyfriend to someone.

Me: Did you sleep well? I’m on my way to the shop now after leaving the dorm.

Me: I have two interviews with the members today, and then I have a solo photoshoot afterward. (10:57 AM)

Carrot Seller: You’re busy today too. Can I look forward to the photoshoot? (11:35 AM)

Me: What do you mean by look forward to it…? (11:47 AM)

Carrot Seller: I hope you send me a picture.

Carrot Seller: It would be a big comfort for a lonely guy without plans on a Friday.

Carrot Seller: Oh, I need to go into my lunch meeting now.

Carrot Seller: Make sure to have lunch and do well in your interviews^^ (11:58 AM)

Me: Enjoy your lunch and have a great meeting too, Vice President. (12:05 PM)

Me:

Me: Here’s a picture that a reporter took during the interview.

Me: It’s a casual outfit, but the stylist noona picked everything out for me, haha. (3:02 PM)

Me: We’re heading to dinner after finishing the first interview and before the photoshoot.

Me: Are you still in your meeting? (4:34 PM)

Carrot Seller: The conversation took an unexpected turn during lunch, so now I’m heading to Pyeongtaek.

Carrot Seller: I couldn’t refuse because I’m the youngest there.

Carrot Seller: It was nerve-wracking to be with only seniors.

Carrot Seller: But when I came back to Seoul, I saw Hongseo’s photos and messages waiting for me.

Carrot Seller: It made me feel good.

Carrot Seller: You even sent the interview photo without me asking.

Carrot Seller: Hongseo in idol mode is just so…

Carrot Seller: I’m a fan, haha. (4:42 PM)

Me: Have you already been to Pyeongtaek? You didn’t skip lunch, did you? (4:45 PM)

Carrot Seller: By helicopter.  (4:46 PM)

Me: You have a helicopter?? (4:46 PM)

Carrot Seller: Unfortunately, it’s owned by the company.

Carrot Seller: I feel bad disappointing Hongseo after she showed such warm interest.

Carrot Seller: Should I buy a helicopter?  (4:49 PM)

Me: I only asked out of curiosity.

Me: You don’t need to buy one.

Me: But do you also have people you find difficult to deal with, Vice President? (5:50 PM)

Carrot Seller: I think I know what kind of person you imagine me to be. Haha.

Carrot Seller: They’ve been with Ara since my father’s days.

Carrot Seller: Of course, even I find the seniors challenging.

Carrot Seller: You said you were going for dinner.

Carrot Seller: I understand you want to keep talking to me, but

Carrot Seller: Put down your phone and focus on your meal, okay? (6:01 PM)

Me:

Me: First outfit of the photoshoot.

Me: I asked my manager hyung to take it. (7:47 PM)

Carrot Seller: You look amazing. I’m jealous of everyone there.

Carrot Seller: I happen to have a lot of free time today too. (7:50 PM)

Me: Are you sure you really think I look amazing? I don’t like lies… (7:51 PM)

Carrot Seller: Sorry. I lied. The truth is, I’m smirking by myself because you’re too cute. Haha.

Carrot Seller: Wearing a hoodie and having freckle makeup—

Carrot Seller: How could you not be cute?

Carrot Seller: It’s not my fault. (7:55 PM)

Me: It’s only fair that you send me a picture too, Vice President. (7:55 PM)

Carrot Seller: You need a picture of me? (7:56 PM)

Me: Not because I need it… (7:56 PM)

Carrot Seller: I’ll look for a photo worth sending. (7:57 PM)

Carrot Seller:

Carrot Seller: This was taken for a press release by the PR team. Is it okay? (8:12 PM)

Me: Oh, not this kind of photo… (8:13 PM)

Carrot Seller: If you mean a selfie, I’ve never taken one before…

Carrot Seller: But if Hongseo really wants to see it,

Carrot Seller: This old man will try his best. (8:17 PM)

That was the last of the casual conversation they exchanged that day.

Over messages, he was playful and used surprisingly down-to-earth language, making him feel much more approachable. Hongseo had expected him to be rigid and formal, using textbook-like language, but that was just a stereotype about wealthy heirs. Because of this, Hongseo gradually started to perceive him not as the mascot of ARA Electronics but as a real man.

Perhaps because they couldn’t see each other’s faces, Hongseo also felt much more at ease communicating through text. He could joke back, and even send photos without being asked.

Before, he would always go to sleep stressed after reading comments or browsing social media, but nowadays, he often found himself giggling over the messages they exchanged throughout the day as he drifted off.

Was this what being in a relationship felt like?

Or, if he really started dating him, would it feel like this?

He couldn’t help but think about it sometimes. Entertaining such fanciful thoughts was as unrealistic as a toad dreaming about dating a prince…

“Hongseo, let’s get changed for the next outfit.”

“Oh, yes! I’m coming now!”

After hesitating over whether to say it or not, he quickly typed it out and hit send.

Me: Would it be possible to see you for a moment today?

Me: I think my photoshoot will end around 11 PM.

Me: If you don’t mind meeting at that time, I’d like to see you.

Me: I’ll check for your reply during my break. (9:02 PM)