I nearly spit out the tonkatsu I was chewing, about to choke at the mere mention of ‘husband.’ If she pulls out a ring, I’m making a run for it, and I don’t care who is watching. I cough into the napkin and when I finally take a breath, I see her looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to recover. “What?”
“I like you. And I think you’re very sexy.” She nibbles on a dumpling, then sets it aside. “I made that clear when we went out. And via text, many times since then. I thought for sure you’d come back around to give me another chance. But we got there in the end, because here we are.”
The frustration is starting to make me angry. I just want to know what she wants so I can start making an exit strategy. “Chaeji. Please get to the point.”
She scowls. “Is this just business to you?”
“I’m trying to figure out what this is, period. Or what you want it to be,” I mutter, reaching for my bonus glass of wine. I’m not a huge fan of makgeolli, but I doubt anyone is going to get me a beer here. “I need to know what you want from me.”
“Probably the same thing every woman you’ve ever been with has wanted. I want your time. I want your attention,” she says. “But I also want you to walk red carpets with me and be seen places like this. A very visible boyfriend. A public relationship.”
“Whyme?” I can think of a whole list of drama actors who would be much better suited for that type of role. Not abehind-the-scenes kind of guy like me.
“You’re not listening. You’re the ideal guy. Especially for someone like me.” Her voice drops, softens with her last words.
Suddenly, the pieces start falling into place. The celebrity gossip articles Grace likes to read about Seoul’s party crowd—the actors and actresses and chaebols that are always at the clubs, in front of the cameras, and all over the internet for the general public to talk about. Chaeji, once known for her promising career as a young actress, has become more of a “she’s so beautiful, but…” story in the last couple of years, thanks to a lot of wild nights and a parade of dating scandals.
“Image rehab.” It’s not a question.
“With someone that Ichoose,” Chaeji insists, as if trying to use me will be more palatable that way. “My company says…”
I hold up a hand, stopping her before she can finish that sentence. “You know I work for a company. Obviously I know how they are.” She nods. “Let me guess. Suitable boyfriend, more roles.”
“Specific roles.” There’s a hint of sadness in her expression. “I want people to take me seriously.”
It’s almost enough to make me feel bad for her, but not quite. “So you think I’m the right guy for this.”
“Yes. We look great together! But I also think we could really be compatible, if you’d give us a chance, you’d see.” She sounds hopeful, thinking perhaps if she is impassioned enough, she’ll convince me.
Like Yung-Sun. Maybe if he tempted me enough, I’d try.
The server comes back by to grab some of the plates, her eyes darting back and forth between the two of us. I know my face doesn’t give anything away, but Chaeji is doing her best lovesick gaze.
Just as the waitress starts to turn away, Chaeji sighs. “Just think how beautiful our children will be.”
My jaw drops as the girl gasps and all but sprints away,probably to call some trash publication with the best rumor they’ve heard in awhile. “Your timing is impeccable,” I observe, borderline impressed at the sheer audacity.
“I know.” She grins and whatever sincerity she possessed a few moments ago is gone.
That’s enough for me to know I can’t be here any longer. I’m not giving her any more of my time or attention.
“I really do wish you the best, Chaeji. I’m sure you have wonderful opportunities ahead of you.” I feel like I’ve said I don’t want her in as many polite ways as I possibly can. I don’t want to be rude or aggressive, so I’ll just keep repeating myself if I have to.
She stares at me, her eyes locked on mine. “And I believe all of those things include you.”
“I understand that, but I’m just not interested in being part of this story. You’ve already got plenty of people thinking there’s something going on here when there’s not, and I don’t want to be part of a… false narrative.” I cringe a little as I say it, because it just feels so ridiculous.
Chaeji leans in, a look of sheer determination on her face. “We areperfecttogether on paper. There’s no reason this can’t benefit both of us. You get to be the white knight who got me to settle down. I get to be the newly reformed good girl that everyone wants. We both win.”
“I’m not trying to win anything. There’s no competition here. Not some prize waiting for either one of us,” I assert. “You can get what you want with your own merit. Not because you think you have the right person standing next to you in some pictures.”
“You’re such a gentleman, oppa,” she remarks, reaching for her wine and taking a dainty sip. “Which is why you are exactly what I need.”
“There are plenty of other guys around who can be gentlemen, Chaeji. I’d be happy to introduce you to some of them ifthat will help,” I offer, fully ready to make contact with Chulsoon or literally any other guy I know—all of them would be ecstatic to be seen with her.
“I don’t wantanotherman.” Narrowing her eyes, she gives me a suspicious glare. “Is there someone else? Is that why you keep rejecting me?”
There’s no good way for me to answer this, because she won’t like what I say no matter what. I take a moment to consider, fidgeting with one of the links on my watch band. When I look up, I’m still not entirely sure what I’m about to say until I do.
