Chapter Fourteen: The Beginning Is the Start

Cha Eun-sang felt a twinge of temptation, but with Rachel Yoo right beside her, she dared not utter a word. Manager Ma had intended to continue persuading her, but suddenly caught sight of Rachel.

“Ah, you must be Miss Rachel Yoo from RS International. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he greeted.

Rachel tensed at the sound of his voice, recalling vaguely that Manager Ma worked as an agent at the company owned by Lee Bo-na’s father. She couldn’t remember the specifics—perhaps it was during last year’s fashion show, when one of his junior artists, some young idol named Kang Shin-woo, had served as a spokesperson. They’d even been photographed together, but Rachel had only joined in to rival Esther, and the shoot had been abandoned halfway through, with another actress stepping in to replace her.

But now… Rachel, though notorious for her temper and moods, always appeared charming and polite in front of outsiders.

“So it’s you,” she said, though she had long since forgotten his name. “Are you here for her?”

As this matter involved company secrets, Manager Ma hesitated, mumbled a few vague words, and hurriedly pulled Cha Eun-sang aside. As she left, Eun-sang glanced back at Rachel, a sense of foreboding creeping over her.

Meanwhile, Lee Bo-na was enjoying a sweet date with Yoon Chan-young when Rachel called. The caller ID left her astonished. “Rachel Yoo is actually calling me? You’ve got to be kidding. Must be a misdial~”

She answered and, soon after, exclaimed in an exaggerated shout, “What!”

Chan-young watched as she dashed outside, pouring her heart into the call. Moments later, she burst out laughing.

“…That’s odd,” he thought.

For the first time, Bo-na left Chan-young behind during a date. She gave him a perfunctory peck on the cheek, glanced at her watch, and said, “You’d better head home. It’s almost seven. Your dad needs to cook dinner~”

Chan-young could only watch her rush off, crestfallen. Since dating Bo-na, this was the first time she’d left him so abruptly. Who on earth was the caller?

The caller, of course, was waiting for Bo-na at the book café. Though the events of the day had been enough to distract her, Rachel’s thoughts kept drifting back to her mother’s words once she calmed down.

She simply couldn’t allow her mother to marry Director Choi. Her mother was still young—she couldn’t just destroy her own happiness for this. Rachel really couldn’t understand what her mother saw in it. RS International held a prominent place not just in Korea, but among the world’s luxury brands. Why get entangled with the Empire Group? Was that supposed benefit truly so indispensable?

A wave of melancholy washed over her. If only she were twenty-seven, not seventeen—would she then be able to shoulder Esther’s burdens, sparing her mother from sacrificing everything for her career?

Bo-na had never seen Rachel like this before. A book rested on Rachel’s lap—though it was clear to anyone that her mind had wandered far, far away. Beneath her neat bangs, her bright eyes brimmed with sorrow. She lounged idly on the sofa, completely unaware of Bo-na’s arrival.

Rachel was beautiful—a beauty tinged with sweetness. Yet her icy demeanor made her all the more striking, the very definition of that alluring contradiction boys were so fond of.

Oh no, why am I finding her cute? Bo-na thought, exasperated.

She stepped up to Rachel. “Hey, earth to you~”

Rachel finally looked up, offering a faint, reflexive smile. Bo-na was startled once again.

Was the ice queen changing her style? Had she realized that being distant didn’t work?

“I already called my dad about what you mentioned. It’s true,” Bo-na said, grinning with satisfaction. “She’s going to replace Go Mi-nam, the one having surgery, as a member of A.N.JELL.”

Rachel wasn’t much of a fan and couldn’t keep up with these things. All she wanted was for Cha Eun-sang to stay out of her life. Otherwise, she truly couldn’t guarantee what she might do.

“But… isn’t that a boy band?” she asked, at least clear on that much.

“Mm…” Bo-na fell silent too.

A boy band…

Was Cha Eun-sang really so boyish?

They both burst out laughing, so gleefully that the café owner kicked them out.

Bo-na had only suggested meeting Rachel on a whim, not expecting they’d have anything to talk about. But to her surprise, it turned out quite pleasant—an unexpected reward. They wandered the streets together, even running into the idle Choi Young-do. Spotting them shopping, Young-do whistled in surprise, then, while Bo-na was in the restroom, sidled up to Rachel.

“Soon, I’ll be your brother, you know that, right?” Young-do’s eyes narrowed, his tone laced with mockery.

“That’s never going to happen,” Rachel retorted coolly, meeting his gaze without flinching. “And must you always speak in English?”

“…Hey,” said Young-do, annoyed at her lack of manners.

Rachel curled her lips into a smirk. “Don’t worry, since you don’t want to be my brother, I have no desire to be your sister.”

Young-do pouted, “What can you do about it? Or do you want my help?”

“No need.”

Seeing Bo-na emerge, Rachel smiled contentedly. “Just wait. I’ll handle it.”

Bo-na arrived, curious to see the tension between them, but Rachel allowed her no chance for gossip. “I have something to do, so I’ll go now. Let’s see how things are tomorrow.”

Bo-na winked. “No problem~” She then dragged Young-do off for ramen.

Young-do was baffled. “Since when are you so close with her?”

Yet, thinking back, her smile was rather endearing.

With nowhere else to go, Rachel decided to look for Han Ji-eun. Though Ji-eun had called a few days ago to say she’d found a place to stay, Rachel had been too busy with preparations for the new school year to inquire further.

Just as she took out her phone, someone called. Seeing the name, Rachel brightened.

“What is it, oppa?” It was Kim Won calling, so her tone grew lighter. Somehow, only with Won could she truly open her heart. Perhaps because of their circumstances, or perhaps because he was so much older, he always managed to reassure her.

Besides, the brother whose demeanor was so cold to others could show her a gentle smile—how could he not be special?

But one shouldn’t get too cocky.

Won’s voice on the phone was icy. “Where are you?”

“…Just out for a stroll.” All her sharp retorts from earlier vanished; now, Rachel sounded nervous, even a bit afraid.

“Tell me exactly where. I’m coming to get you.”

When he was angry, Won really exuded that cold, executive aura. Rachel gave him her location and obediently waited. About half an hour later, he arrived.

Dressed in a deep blue suit and patterned tie, he strode over with an air of frosty indifference. Rachel gazed at him, eyes wide with pitiful innocence.

He had expected to find her stubborn, but as soon as they met, her defiance melted, and his anger disappeared.

“Your mother called me,” he said, exasperated. Esther Lee, though always polite to him, had said the most ridiculous things—if there’s nothing wrong, send Rachel home; she’s young, impulsive, and so on…

It turned out to be a misunderstanding. Rachel had quarreled with Esther and left home in a huff.

“Let’s go home,” he said. So childish—running away from home.

As if reading his mind, Rachel bristled. “Why do you make me sound like a little kid? Aren’t you running away from home too? Are you still in your rebellious phase?”

If Rachel hadn’t said it, Won might have forgotten that he himself was, in a sense, also a runaway.

At a loss for words, he watched as Rachel burst out laughing, right there on the street.

He chuckled too. “Alright, enough mocking me—let’s go home.”

Their interaction was witnessed entirely by Bo-na and Young-do, just leaving the ramen shop. The two exchanged glances and suddenly understood everything.

No wonder Rachel was completely indifferent to Kim Tan’s return. (Thick fog.)

Won was driving Rachel home when, just as they neared the villa district, Esther called. Won pulled over, giving Rachel time to consider how to speak with her mother.

“You’d better come back soon. We’re having dinner with Director Choi tomorrow, since it’s a holiday.”

“Dinner?” Rachel laughed bitterly. “You’re really going to marry him?”

“Yes, so you’d best prepare yourself,” Esther replied.

“…Fine.” Rachel suppressed her anger. “Then I won’t come home tonight. I’m staying with Won.”

Won: “…”

Esther chuckled. “I just called Won. Don’t lie. Come home.”

She had indeed called Won, but had no idea he’d already gone to pick Rachel up.

Rachel smiled. “Then look out the window. Do you see Won’s car?”

“….”

Esther glanced outside, and her expression changed instantly.

Rachel hung up and turned to Won. “Oppa, I don’t want to go home. Let’s go somewhere else.”

Won had intended to take her home, but he knew all too well that if she returned now, she and Esther would just fight again. His own mother had died young, and now he treated Rachel as his little sister.

So the car drove out of Esther Lee’s sight.

“I really don’t want to keep confronting my mother like this,” Rachel said quietly as they sat in the car. “I envy my classmates with harmonious families. I wish my mother would think of me more. I wish she would choose with her heart, not just with reason. If all decisions are made for profit, how sad is that?”

Won seemed surprised she could voice such thoughts. After a moment, he asked, “So what do you plan to do?”

Rachel grinned mischievously. “Of course… I’ll stay with you tonight, oppa.”

“….” Truly outrageous—she even dared say such things. Had he been too indulgent?

Won fell silent in thought.

Rachel grew discontented. “Am I really so lacking in charm?”

She was, of course, joking. But he didn’t play along, which was just too much.

Won stopped the car and laughed. “How should I respond—put on a look of deep emotion?”

Her brother joking? That was astonishing.

She glanced outside—the car was parked in a park. It was late summer, and there were still plenty of visitors.

“Let’s get out,” Won said. “The air is good here—perfect for clearing your mind.”

Indeed, as he’d said, it was near the outskirts, so the air was fresh, and most visitors had come in small groups with backpacks.

Rachel wore flats and her school uniform that day—perfect for walking. She and Won chatted as they strolled down the park’s winding paths.

As the crowds thinned and the scenery improved, a subtle mood settled over them.

The scars on Won’s face had faded, though traces remained.

“Oppa,” Rachel said, “do I really have no charm at all?”

She simply couldn’t stand the fact that Kim Tan had feelings for Cha Eun-sang. Perhaps it was what bothered her most. If Kim Tan had rekindled things with Lee Bo-na, she wouldn’t have felt this upset.

“That’s not true,” Won replied. He couldn’t muster any flowery words, but in his own estimation, Rachel was cute and beautiful, and her reserve would certainly appeal to many men.

Yet he couldn’t bring himself to say any of that.

Rachel sighed. She couldn’t really expect sweet talk from him anyway.

Still… a simple “that’s not true” hardly sounded convincing.

So she stepped closer and hugged Won.

“…”

She looked up at him, mischief in her smile. “Well… do you still feel nothing?”

“…”

After a moment, Rachel’s smile faded, but her arms remained around Won. She said, “Oppa, let’s give it a try, shall we?”