CHAPTER 58…………………………..
A dark black eyeshadow mixed with glitter was brushed over her eyelids.
With thick eyeliner and bright red lipstick completing the look, Haru stared into the mirror, clearly satisfied with her reflection.
“I got a message from Yubyul-na. She wants to meet.”
Haru relayed the message she’d received to Ihan exactly as it was.
Although Ihan told her to just ignore it, Haru decided otherwise.
“I think I need to see her at least once. She already got my contact info somehow — even if I turn her down this time, she’ll find another way.”
The tone of the message made it clear that this wasn’t something that would end with a single ignored text.
Besides, wasn’t the whole point of this “contract relationship” to get rid of Yubyul-na in the first place?
So, since things had come to this, Haru boldly declared that she’d handle it herself.
“Guess this should do it.”
That was why she’d pulled out a secret weapon she thought she’d never need again.
Last time, it had accidentally turned into “blind-date rejection” makeup — but today, it was her weapon of intimidation.
Her long, black, spider-leg-like lashes fluttered as she blinked slowly.
Her hair was tied high in a tight ponytail, and her lips were painted a red that could kill a mouse.
Having perfected the very definition of “too much,” Haru was ready to go.
When she arrived at the meeting place, her high heels clicked confidently across the floor.
Yubyul-na’s eyes widened when she saw Haru — clearly surprised.
The look on her face almost made Haru laugh, but she held it back.
As expected, her makeup never failed.
Yubyul-na’s gaze swept Haru from head to toe before she jerked her chin toward the seat across from her.
“Sit.”
Haru obediently sat down.
Though she had come here boldly, she was, in truth, nervous — worried she might say the wrong thing or come off as weak.
She exhaled softly, careful not to make it obvious, and asked in a calm voice:
“What did you want to see me about?”
“I’m sure you already know I like Ihan oppa.”
Right out of the gate — blunt and direct.
Yubyul-na had no intention of hiding her feelings.
“I don’t care if you’re his girlfriend or whatever. It’s not like you two are getting married. You’ll break up soon enough anyway.”
“If that’s true,” Haru countered evenly, “then why were you so eager to meet me? What are you so afraid of?”
Yubyul-na flinched.
Her expression hardened as she crossed one leg over the other.
“I heard you’re working as a contract employee at GN Media.”
“Yes. Why?”
“When I heard Ihan oppa was seeing someone, I thought she must be from some rich, impressive family. But a mere contract translator?”
Her lip curled into a smirk.
“How disappointing. His taste in women must’ve really gone downhill. What does he even see in someone so insignificant?”
Haru stayed silent, letting her finish, before slowly opening her mouth.
“Good question. If he’s dating someone so insignificant, maybe that says more about you, don’t you think?”
“……”
“Isn’t that right, Yu-Byeol-ro? Oh wait — Yu-Byeol-na.”
The deliberate “slip” of the tongue made Yubyul-na’s face flush crimson.
She pressed down her rising anger so hard her cheeks looked scorched.
“I heard you two are secretly dating. You know what that means, right? He’s too embarrassed to show you off — you’re just a plaything.”
The air between them crackled with invisible tension.
“So what exactly are you trying to say?”
“You’re no good for him. If people at work find out, it could ruin him. So if you care about him at all, you should back off on your own.”
Haru tilted her head slightly.
“How cliché.”
“What?”
“That line — straight out of a second-rate drama villain’s script. I was hoping for something a little more original.”
Yubyul-na blinked, thrown off. She hadn’t expected that response.
“But you’re not his mother, or family, or anything at all, really. You’re just some stranger. So tell me — what gives you the right to tell me to break up with him?”
Haru deliberately emphasized the word stranger, and a faint smile tugged at her lips.
She was surprised by how smoothly the words came out — maybe all those dramas she’d watched were paying off.
It seemed to work; Yubyul-na was momentarily speechless.
“You don’t know anything! You have no idea how close Ihan oppa and I are!”
She finally exploded, unable to contain her emotions.
Haru, in contrast, replied in a calm, steady tone.
“Funny, it doesn’t seem that way to me. Maybe because of what Ihan’s told me — but it just doesn’t sound convincing.”
That last remark, paired with a faint laugh, made Yubyul-na boil over with rage.
Haru, unmoved, picked up her handbag and said her final words.
“Whatever happens between us is our business. Next time, don’t bother calling me for this kind of nonsense.”
“Hey!”
“Well then, I’m busy — bye.”
She stood up, clearly done with the conversation.
Yubyul-na was seething. Haru was far tougher than she’d expected.
She’d planned to put Haru in her place — but ended up humiliated instead.
As Haru walked away confidently, Yubyul-na stuck out her foot.
Haru tripped and fell forward.
“Ah!”
Watching Haru land on her knees, Yubyul-na stifled a laugh.
Childish as it was — straight out of a cheap comic — she didn’t care. Revenge, no matter how petty, felt good.
Pretending it was an accident, she covered her mouth in mock surprise.
“Oops.”
Haru stayed still for a moment, staring at the floor, wincing from the pain.
Yubyul-na finally straightened up and said, feigning innocence,
“I was just about to leave too. But really, how’d you manage to trip over there? You should be more careful.”
A mocking laugh followed.
She turned to walk past Haru — but her foot caught on Haru’s handbag strap on the floor.
“Ahhh!”
With a thud, Yubyul-na fell flat.
Over her groans came a bright, light voice:
“Oopsie.”
Haru stood, dusting herself off, and looked down at Yubyul-na tangled in the strap.
Yubyul-na’s face twisted with fury.
“How’d you manage to trip over that strap? You should be more careful.”
Returning her earlier words verbatim, Haru smiled and walked away.
After parting ways with Yubyul-na, Haru went home.
Ihan had just returned himself and was changing when she walked in.
When he saw her, his eyes widened.
“You just met Yubyul-na, didn’t you?”
Haru nodded, and Ihan took in her look — the heavy makeup, the leather mini skirt — and was reminded of the day they’d met on that blind date.
“I figured I’d need at least this much to win the psychological battle.”
Sensing his gaze, Haru smiled awkwardly and explained her outfit.
As Ihan’s eyes moved down, his brows furrowed.
“What happened to your leg? You’re hurt?”
“Oh, this….”
A large bruise and scab marred her knee.
Alarmed, Ihan stepped closer, bending down to inspect the wound.
Feeling embarrassed, Haru gave a small laugh.
“Let’s just call it… a battle scar.”
