Come Back

Carrot Seller: Meeting up is something I’m totally open to.

Carrot Seller: As long as you’re not too tired, Hong-seo.

Carrot Seller: I’m just relaxing at home right now, so it’s no big deal.

Carrot Seller: It’s the first time you’ve suggested meeting up, so…

Carrot Seller: No matter what time it is, I’d be up for it.(9:10 PM)

Me: I’m good with that too. I don’t usually finish that late, even by 11.

Me: Where would be good to meet? (10:02 PM)

Carrot Seller: Hong-seo, would you like to come over to my place? (10:03 PM)

Me: To your house? (10:04 PM)

Carrot Seller: I’m at my place in Seocho-dong right now, which isn’t far from the studio where you’re filming.

Carrot Seller: I think it’d be more comfortable to chat here at home. (10:07 PM)

Carrot Seller: I actually have an early flight for a business trip tomorrow.

Carrot Seller: It’s a bit awkward since I said I’d meet no matter what time, but… Carrot Seller: It feels a bit daunting to head out this late. (10:19 PM)

Me: Then it’s fine if we meet another time.

Me: I figured it might be too late and inconvenient. (10:20 PM)

Carrot Seller: Ah, foiled my plan.  (10:21 PM)

Me: What plan? (10:21 PM)

Carrot Seller: I was trying to get you over to my place, so I tried a little trick there.

Carrot Seller: But it didn’t work. (10:23 PM)

Me: Oh… (10:23 PM)

Carrot Seller: Is it uncomfortable for you to come to my place?

Carrot Seller: You know you can be honest with me, right? (10:25 PM)

Me: It’s not uncomfortable. I’m a little nervous, though…

Me: But I’ll come over, then. (10:26 PM)

Carrot Seller: I’ll be looking forward to it.

Carrot Seller: A home date.  (10:27 PM)

Me: I just finished filming and got in the car.

Me: I’ll head over right away. (11:12 PM)

Carrot Seller: It says it’ll take about 23 minutes. Take your time. (11:14 PM)

As soon as filming ended, Choi Hong-seo quickly washed up and got into the car, immediately reaching for her phone.

After letting him know she was on her way, Lee Hae-seong’s reply came almost instantly, as if he’d been waiting. His message telling her to take her time weighed on her heart. She sighed deeply, looking out the darkened back seat window.

It was the first time Hong-seo had been the one to suggest meeting up. It was clear Hae-seong was looking forward to it, but if he found out the reason she suggested tonight, he might be disappointed. Her heart felt heavy.

“So… why are you going to Seocho-dong?”

The manager, who was holding the steering wheel, asked carefully in a subtle tone.

The glances he’d been sneaking toward the back seat through the rearview mirror hadn’t seemed casual for a while now.

He was an older, more experienced manager than Choi Hong-seo—not a road manager who handled driving or errands. But he knew UB’s circumstances well and was loyal to the company, so President Myung often assigned him to Hong-seo’s personal schedule.

“They said the kids are gathering there.”

“Which kids?”

“Just… other friends from different groups that you know, too. Woo Jong-hyun and Go Ji-woon… Don’t worry, I can find my way back to the dorm myself.”

“Something’s up with you lately. Didn’t you ask me to drop you off at a hotel the other day? Who among those kids lives in such a fancy villa? I know them all well enough to tell.”

“Oh, one of the rich friends they’re hanging out with these days.”

The manager was referring to the time Hong-seo had met with Lee Haesung. After receiving his business card at the P Hotel, they’d met once more at another hotel, and it had been the same manager who had driven him then.

So, of the five meetings Lee Haesung had suggested, one had already been used up, and this would be the second.

“You’re not… dating someone, are you?”

“…What?”

“You’re always on your phone whenever you get a chance these days.”

“When am I not?”

“You don’t look like you’re reading comments, though. When you’re checking comments, you always tense your brow and pick at your lips, but lately, you’ve been smiling at your phone. Trying not to, even.”

“Smiling?”

“Yeah, like you want to laugh but are forcing yourself to hold it in.”

It shocked Choi Hong-seo to realize he’d been noticed that way. While he did sometimes chuckle alone, looking at his messenger app in bed, he thought he’d been better at hiding it in public.

“I don’t worry about you causing trouble like the others might, but if you’re dating during such a critical time, it does make me concerned.”

“Hyung.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s not like that. The last hotel visit, today’s trip to Seocho—President Myung knows all about it. Just… broadening my network.”

“Really…? President Myung’s aware? Well, if that’s the case, then all right.”

Finally, the manager nodded as if convinced and focused back on driving.

Oddly, the thought that his recent behavior might seem like he was dating someone made his heart flutter a little.

He still didn’t fully trust Lee Haesung, though.

He wasn’t naive enough to dream that he and ARA’s Lee Haesung could have a real romantic relationship, that they could be more than a sponsorship.

Yet, there was a sweet, stirring feeling in his chest. Sweetness… He knew better than anyone he wasn’t in a position to enjoy something like that.

He tightened his grip on his phone.

Lee Haesung’s villa was located in a serene spot, nestled between Seocho and Bangbae, with a park providing a peaceful backdrop. Despite being close to the road, it felt secluded, as if wrapped by the surrounding mountains.

After getting out of the car in the underground parking lot, Hong-seo dismissed the manager and notified Haesung through the gate screen in front of the elevator hall, which connected directly to Haesung’s residence. Each unit had its own elevator hall, making it feel like part of the entryway.

After a short wait, Haesung appeared in the elevator beyond the transparent wall, his face lighting up as soon as he saw Choi Hong-seo.

“Welcome.”

With his crossbody bag strap in hand, Hong-seo bowed slightly.

“Hello.”

“Did the shoot go well?”

“Yes, thanks to you…”

“What did I do? You did a great job yourself.”

Haesung gave him a playful smile as he lightly placed a hand on Hong-seo’s back, gently guiding him toward the elevator, briefly ruffling his hair with a teasing touch.

“Thank you for inviting me.”

“I should be the one thanking you for coming all this way.”

Inside the elevator, Hong-seo bowed again, and Haesung playfully returned the gesture. He looked in a particularly good mood.

“This is my first time visiting your home, and I didn’t bring anything. I’m sorry.”

“It’s late; everything’s closed by now. Don’t worry about things like that.”

Haesung gently placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned forward slightly, adding,

“Between us.”

As soon as he said it, he chuckled, as if embarrassed by his own words. He was more physically affectionate than usual tonight.

“Having you come to my home like this—it’s got me really excited. Please bear with me.”

As the elevator doors opened and he followed him into the entrance, a spacious hall-like area immediately unfolded. The layout was unlike typical homes. The space, set with two sofa sets and a table for tea or small meetings, was arranged like the living room of a hotel suite.

“This is the reception room. It’s where we host guests from outside, so if they’re not very close, we just, you know, have some tea here or something.”

Haesung shrugged as if to say, “Since it’s just us.”

The idea of a dedicated reception room, where guests could be hosted without being invited into the main part of the home, was fascinating to Choi Hong-seo. Though he’d dealt with various VIPs, he’d never seen one bring someone into their home if they considered them a passing amusement. It was his first time seeing the inside of a VIP’s home.

“Come this way.”

He followed Haesung through the door on the right side of the reception room, which led to the actual entrance. Even this was on a scale unlike any typical entrance Hong-seo had imagined.

Passing through a small hall with several rooms on either side and down a corridor, they finally arrived at the living room. A simple tea set for the two of them was prepared on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

After they sat down together on the plush sofa and each took a sip of tea, Haesung finally seemed to take in Hong-seo’s outfit with newfound interest.

“I’ve never seen you dressed like this before; you look even younger than usual.”

“Oh, well… I didn’t expect to see you, so I just came out dressed comfortably…”

Suddenly self-conscious about his casual look, Hong-seo felt a bit embarrassed.

Having completely removed his heavy makeup from the photo shoot, he was in an oversized T-shirt, baggy jeans, and a hoodie—not at all the look for meeting a VIP. He could already imagine President Myung having a fit if he found out and lowered his head.

“You look cute, why not? It’s better than dressing up unnecessarily to meet me. It’s not like you’re meeting your boss or something.”