Episode 1
“Ah.”
A faint tremor ran through her small body along with a soft exhale. The pool water gently rippled, softly enveloping her form. In the space where only the seductive lapping of water echoed, Do-kyung’s gaze deepened even further. Hana looked up at him and whispered,
“Are you just going to keep staring like that?”
As she straightened her waist, the lush curves that had been hidden beneath the water revealed themselves. It was a rather provocative move. He tilted his head slightly and slowly trailed his eyes up her body. A meaningful smile curled at the corners of Hana’s lips under that sticky gaze.
“I told you to come here.”
Before she could finish speaking, he sliced through the water and approached. The waves from Do-kyung swimming toward her crashed heavily over Hana’s body. Soon, he reached her and grabbed her wrist without hesitation.
“You really have no fear.”
His eyes darkened further, as if he might do something any second now.
“What is there to be afraid of? You know exactly what I want.”
Do-kyung yanked the wrist he was gripping tightly toward him.
“…!”
Their wet bodies drew close enough to press together in an instant, and then Hana’s face plunged straight into the water.
“Pfft—hey!”
Having swallowed a mouthful of water, Hana coughed and glared sharply at Do-kyung. But he showed not the slightest hint of remorse. As she furiously wiped her frowning face with both hands, his mocking voice drifted into her ears.
“Now I get why your boyfriend acts so indifferent.”
“Why bring that up all of a sudden?”
It wasn’t even a provocation. Do-kyung knew the situation better than anyone yet deliberately poked at her sore spot.
“You’re so mean. Really.”
Annoyed, Hana splashed water at him with a swing of her hand.
“I’ve seen it plenty—when a woman is too aggressive, the guy feels burdened and runs away.”
“Do you really have to worry about that when you’re already dating?”
Hana’s lips puffed out sulkily as she grumbled. She slapped the water with her palm, sending droplets flying in all directions.
“You know as well as I do that long-term couples need a proper sense of tension.”
“…”
“If you’re not careful, you end up looking easy.”
At those words, Hana’s face visibly darkened. It was because things with her boyfriend of two years, Jin-sang, weren’t like they used to be. In truth, this luxurious hotel pool had been booked with great effort for a date with Jin-sang. But since he canceled at the last minute, she ended up coming here with her male best friend, Do-kyung. Of course, since they weren’t a couple, she had booked an extra room.
“Never tell anyone you’re a writer for a dating show. If word gets out that you can’t even manage your own relationship while sitting there helping others with theirs, no one will want to appear on our program.”
“Shut that mouth of yours! Why are you being like this?”
Hana vented her frustration on Do-kyung and then dove underwater. Only then could she escape the words she didn’t want to hear.
“Something came up at work today, so I can’t make it. Let’s meet next time.” “What should I do? We suddenly have a company dinner. You know if a low-rung employee like me skips it, I’ll be marked, right? Oh wait, you work in broadcasting, so maybe you don’t know how big corporations work.”
Her boyfriend Jin-sang had recently joined one of the country’s top conglomerates. At first, he’d been all over her, carrying her on his back with excitement, but in less than three months, he began to change noticeably. She didn’t want to admit it, but his behavior was eerily similar to the contestants on her show.
The program Hana wrote for, Change Heart, featured couples at a crossroads due to growing boredom in their relationships. The participants either switched to someone new, broke up completely, or rekindled their romance. That’s why she couldn’t help but understand the psychology and actions of someone in a rut. But whenever she brought it up, Jin-sang would explode.
“Ever since you started working on that weird show, your paranoia has gotten worse day by day. I’m scared you’ll end up with full-blown jealousy issues—should we just get married to put my mind at ease? I don’t want to think like this, so please stop.”
She was tormenting herself recalling every word he’d said when her submerged body suddenly shot back to the surface. Opening her tightly shut eyes, she saw Do-kyung looking down at her as if she were pathetic.
“Are you trying to kill yourself or what?”
Before she could reply, Hana shook off his hand in irritation.
“I was just thinking alone for a bit.”
“Then you should’ve come alone.”
“Who said I wanted to come with you? I’m just scouting the location since my plans fell through.”
Whether it was her mood or not, everything Do-kyung did was getting on her nerves. From the start, Do-kyung had never liked Jin-sang. So in a way, she’d dug her own grave by bringing up work on purpose.
“Isn’t the atmosphere of this pool amazing? Even a couple in a rut would feel love bubbling up again.”
This place, famous for its stunning pool, would look even prettier on screen. That’s why she’d deliberately dragged Do-kyung along.
“Oh, so that’s why you booked it? To get all hot and heavy again with that guy?”
He was scraping at her insides again. Forget the show—she should’ve just come alone for a staycation. It was a mistake.
“Sigh.”
It was her fault for expecting empathy or pity from that guy in the first place. Showing off the swimsuit she’d carefully chosen to Cha Do-kyung of all people was practically comedy.
In that moment, everything felt awful, and Hana wanted to vanish from the pool.
“I want to go home.”
“But you said we’re staying the night.”
“You stay, then.”
But Do-kyung blocked her way.
“Did I say anything wrong?”
She’d thought he might at least apologize for poking her sore spot, but of course—it was Cha Do-kyung. A complete T. Capital T.
“Yeah, you’re always right. When have you ever said anything wrong?”
“Yu Ha-na.”
“Move.”
Hana deliberately bumped his shoulder as she passed and exited the pool. Seeing her reflection in the mirror—hair completely soaked—she felt utterly pathetic.
“Why did I even go into the pool…”
Hana headed straight to the bathroom. After a quick shower, she was drying her hair when her phone vibrated.
[Come eat.]
It was a message from Do-kyung. The attached photo showed plates piled with mouthwatering food—every single dish was something Hana loved.
“What’s all this?”
Despite her bad mood, saliva pooled in her mouth. She’d starved herself for two days to look good in her swimsuit in front of Jin-sang.
“Damn… it looks delicious.”
She should have ignored that useless, empathy-lacking jerk completely. But then—growl. Her starving stomach betrayed her with loud protests.
Do-kyung had been popular ever since their school days. Because of that, Hana constantly endured jealousy and envy from those who admired him. On top of that, strange rumors about the two of them circulated, making dating nearly impossible. She thought things might ease up once they entered society, but Do-kyung went and joined the broadcasting station where she worked—as a PD, no less. The moment he started, rumors about his looks spread like wildfire throughout the entire station.
“I absolutely cannot let anyone find out we know each other.”
That was her only thought, so she thoroughly avoided him. Fortunately, for several years, they barely crossed paths. But now that they were working as PD and writer on the same program, hiding their friendship became impossible.
“Writer Yu, you’re friends with PD Cha? I’ve heard there’s no such thing as opposite-sex friends.” “Exactly. At least one side is hiding a hopeless crush and calling it friendship.”
Yet for some reason, everyone assumed Hana was the one with the crush. Even the newest junior writer, Hyun-ji, who had just joined the team, was the same.
“Writer Yu, seriously—has PD Cha never once looked like a man to you?”
She was so sick of hearing it that it made her nauseous.
“I’d bet everything I own that he never has.”
“No way, that’s impossible.”
If you’re going to think whatever you want, why even ask? Irritation flooded her voice.
