Jovy woke up to the blaring sound of her alarm. Groggily, she glanced at her phone—it was already 8 PM. She pushed herself up and stumbled to the kitchen, feeling the ache in her stomach.
"Arghh…" she groaned, clutching her stomach in pain.
She had completely forgotten to eat. "I haven't eaten anything yet. I really need to cook something," she muttered, scanning the fridge for whatever food she could scavenge.
After rummaging through the shelves, she found some ramen and leftover chicken.
"I guess this will do for now. I'll go out later to the wet market to replenish my stock," she decided, figuring it was good enough for a quick meal.
Just as she was about to start cooking, her phone rang. She quickly grabbed it, seeing a voicemail notification.
Voice mail:
"Hi, this is Shane. Mr. Park will send you the details for your work on set. At the moment, he doesn't need you, but I do need a favor. One of my clients is attending a big event tonight for a luxurious company event. My schedule is packed, so I'm recommending you to him for her. I'm expecting great results and amazing feedback. I'll send you the details and wire the payment from the client."
Jovy sat down, her mind still processing the voicemail. It was an unexpected opportunity, but she was definitely up for the challenge. As she dug into her fried chicken and ramen with a side of rice, she couldn't help but mutter to herself.
"Oh, that's good news. I might as well text her to ask what day it would be."
Her thoughts quickly shifted as she realized the shop would be busy. "Since the shop's going to be busy, I've got to attend. Jane wants me in the shop since it's..."
"The big day," she murmured between bites, already anticipating the madness ahead.
But as she ate, a wave of boredom washed over her. Her body felt like it could use a whole day of rest, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it would be a waste of precious time.
"Should I just sleep the rest of the day? I'm bored out of my mind. I want to go to the comp shop and play…" she mused, feeling conflicted.
Just then, her phone rang. Jovy glanced at the screen, her eyes going wide in surprise.
"Mr. Park??!?! Wh—WHY is he calling me?!" Her heart started racing as confusion and panic set in. Should she answer it? Was this urgent?
After a moment of hesitation, she scrambled and, in a panic, hit the answer button.
Jovy answered the phone with a soft, polite voice, trying to maintain her composure. "Hello?! Good evening, Mr. Park. What's the reason for the call at this hour?"
Mr. Park's voice came through with a teasing tone. "What do you mean? It's only natural for me to call you, since you're employed by me. I am your boss, am I not?"
Jovy's blood boiled at the words, but she fought to keep her cool. "Boss, my ass," she muttered quietly under her breath.
"What was that, Ms. Jovy? I didn't quite catch that," Mr. Park asked, sounding amused.
Jovy quickly panicked, her mind scrambling for an excuse. "O-Oh, it was nothing! I was just talking to myself," she said, trying to cover her slip-up with a half-hearted excuse.
"You can call me Park," he continued casually. "Also, your debut as my MUA will be next week. I believe Shane already sent you the details regarding the work, so I don't need to explain it all over again."
"Ah, I see," Jovy responded. "Then what's the purpose of this call?" She couldn't help but let her voice take on an intimidating edge as she asked the question.
Mr. Park seemed to falter a bit. "O-oh... well... I'm just being hospitable as your boss. How's your stay? Wait… did you have a place to stay?" His voice was almost hesitant, like he wasn't sure why he was asking such a personal question.
Jovy raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. "What a weird question to ask. He's an actor, not an Airbnb host…" she thought to herself.
"My stay is perfect, thank you for asking. I also have a place to stay. I'm with my friend," she replied smoothly, even though she still found the question odd.
"I'm not doing anything, just enjoying some leisure time. I appreciate your concern, Mr. Park," she added, trying to keep the conversation light.
"Hmmm... That's good to hear," Mr. Park said, as though contemplating something. "How about I treat you sometime? You know, so you could take a stroll around Korea." He was persistent.
Jovy took a deep breath before responding, trying to keep her tone polite but firm. "As much as I would love to, Mr. Park, I don't think your schedule would allow for that."
She continued, reasoning with him, "Besides, you're a celebrity here, and I'm not keen on making a fuss about your status. I'm sure the fans would kill me on sight. So, no."
To be fair, he was internationally known, and walking around the streets of Korea with him would only draw attention. Jovy hated being in the spotlight, especially not when it involved him. She was just happy being a background figure.
"Ahhh, I see. Rejected right away," Mr. Park murmured quietly on the other end of the line, his voice almost amused.
But then, he insisted, "That won't do. I insist. It would be a shame on me if I didn't treat my employee properly."
Jovy quickly responded, trying to defuse the situation. "Thank you so much, really. But you don't need to go that far, Mr. Park. I really, really appreciate it—"
Before she could finish, he interrupted her. "Okay, then. See you next week. I've got to go. Bye now," he said, hanging up abruptly.
Jovy stared at her phone, utterly confused. Sure, he was a renowned actor, but she was starting to wonder if there was something a little off about him.
Jovy stared at her phone, processing the conversation she'd just had. As she tried to make sense of it, another text message from Jane popped up.
Jane's message was direct:
Jovi, you have to do an entire week for a collection to be displayed in the shop.
Jovy frowned, fingers hovering over the screen as she typed her response:
Can we just pull out the old collection? I mean, it's just for the display, it doesn't mean that much...
Within seconds, Jane fired back:
NO, THE PUBLIC WILL RANT ABOUT IT. YOU KNOW THE LAST TIME WE DID THAT.
Jovy's frustration bubbled over, and she replied quickly:
Excuse me, Ma'am, I think this is just work abuse. I'm gonna report to you.
Jane's response was blunt and to the point:
You're the boss here.
Jovy sighed and then typed again:
Alright 2x, I think I can do it in 3 days.
But Jane wasn't done yet:
NO, NO, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH REST FOR YOU. There are still 5 days, so we could delay the opening. Your health is important, also the team already arrived tonight. You could take it slow and easy.
Jovy read the message and frowned. She wasn't about to let this go. She typed back:
We will still push the opening next week, we'll just have to do it. I have other plans next week too.
Jane's next message was teasing, but sharp:
Are you planning on slacking again, are you?
Jovy rubbed her temples, feeling the weight of it all. Her fingers danced over the screen once more:
I'd like to get some rest, you too. Bye!
She was nagging on me again. Jovy sighed. This was going to be difficult, and with the pressure of getting everything done, she'd have to work her ass off to make time for next week. Deciding to call it a night, she proceeded to her room to get some much-needed rest.
The next day, Jovy was busy with Ms. Shane's client. The girl was from a prestigious family, and Jovy had heard rumors that she had ties with the Cha Industries—nothing to scoff at in her world.
Arriving at the location, Jovy approached the front desk. After confirming her details, the staff guided her through a massive VIP suite. It was opulent, giving off an air of exclusivity.
"You can set up here," the staff member directed, gesturing toward an area that looked perfect for her work.
"Alright," Jovy replied, nodding. She got to work, setting up her kit and preparing for the client to arrive.
Not long after, the door opened, and in walked the client. She wasn't alone; she was accompanied by her friends—two guys, who seemed to be hovering protectively.
"Oppah, you should go out with me. Our parents insisted." The client's voice was confident, almost commanding. She handed her handbag to one of her staff with a flick of her wrist.
Jovy bowed respectfully. She had done her cultural research, and she knew that Koreans, especially in formal settings, didn't appreciate being stared at too much. Keeping her eyes down, she lowered her head as the client proceeded to sit down at the front of the vanity.
"You can start now," she commanded, her voice sharp and confident. Jovy nodded and began her work, starting with the client's skincare routine. She made sure to wear gloves and a mask—she knew how sensitive rich people were, and she wasn't about to make any missteps.
As she worked, she overheard the conversation unfolding behind her. The tall, handsome guy—Eun-Woo, she presumed—sounded frustrated.
"How many times have I told you that I won't? Even if my parents are against it, and even if your family bribes them," Eun-Woo explained, his voice tinged with irritation.
Jovy, doing her best to stay focused, couldn't help but listen. This sounded like it might be a serious matter, but she couldn't afford to get involved. She just kept going with her work, silently absorbing all the gossip.
"Eun-Woo, your parents have already decided to arrange your marriage," the other guy—Min-Kyun—said, his tone more resigned than commanding.
"See? You should listen to Min-Kyun. This is literally for our family's sake," the client chimed in, trying to reason with him.
Jovy continued her work, keeping her eyes focused on her task. The client's words seemed to carry a weight—something big was going on.
"Do you really think I would like that? I'm also against it, however, this is the only way to save ourselves from those predators," the woman said, sounding both frustrated and desperate.
"Eun-Woo, I hate to say it, but Se-Ra is kinda right. At this point, we're at the chokehold of those board members," Min-Kyun added, his voice heavy with understanding.
Eun-Woo was quiet for a moment before he responded, his voice firm and unwavering. "No, I can find a way other than marrying you."
The woman turned around to face him directly. "Mr. Cha," she said, her tone more urgent now. Her words broke Jovy's rhythm as she paused in her work, sensing the shift in the room.
"Unless you can get a partnership or a deal with B Enterprise, we could save ourselves from this nightmare." The woman, Se-Ra, finished her sentence with a sharp glance in Jovy's direction, signaling her to continue.
Jovy's hands faltered for a split second. She was stunned—utterly shocked. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. There were still people out there willing to use her brand for their own gain, without a second thought.
Se-Ra's eyes never left Jovy as she signaled for her to keep going. "You can now continue."
Jovy snapped back to reality, shaking her head slightly to clear her thoughts. How could they even think about using me like that? Her frustration was mounting, but she kept her composure. The last thing she needed was to be caught up in the drama.
"I'm sorry," Jovy muttered, her voice steady but with a trace of disbelief. She resumed her work, carefully applying the makeup as if nothing had happened, but her mind was racing.
"I have to strike a deal with her. We have to." Mr. Cha's voice was firm, determined. He spoke with a conviction that made Jovy's stomach churn.
"Should I contact them, Mr. Cha?" Min-Kyun asked, his voice low but serious.
"Yes, we have to talk to them." Mr. Cha replied, his gaze fixed on the view outside the window, lost in thought.
Jovy's frustration swelled, her hands working automatically as the anger bubbled inside her. These people really think they can just use my brand for their own benefit? It felt like a betrayal, and she couldn't suppress the feeling of injustice. It was unreal.
After a few more moments, she finished her work, stepping back to assess her work on Se-Ra.
The client looked into the mirror, stunned. Her eyes widened as she took in her new appearance. Se-Ra glanced at Jovy, clearly impressed with the transformation.
"Wow, Shane really recommended me as a good makeup artist. You did well," Se-Ra said with a smile, clearly impressed. "I'm gonna have my assistant give you a bonus." She turned to her assistant, who nodded and whispered something to her.
Jovy kept her expression neutral, but inside, she was both grateful and surprised. The bonus was unexpected, but welcome.
"They are here, let's go," Se-Ra commanded, standing up and signaling for everyone to leave. The room began to empty, everyone following her orders without hesitation. The only person left was her assistant, who approached Jovy with an envelope.
The assistant handed it over wordlessly. Jovy accepted it, feeling the weight of the envelope in her hands. She opened it slightly, revealing the cash inside—300,000 KW. It was more than she had expected, above her usual talent fee. She wasn't complaining, though. It was a pleasant surprise.
"Thank you," Jovy said, offering a polite smile before she packed up her kit and prepared to leave.
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH, YOU CALL ME JOVI WHEN WE ARE OUTSIDE." Jovy smacked him lightly on the arm.
"Oh—Sorry. I mean, Jovi, why are you working as a makeup artist?" he asked, a bit taken aback.
"None of your business, my boy," she replied sarcastically.
In-hyuk quickly placed her things in the trunk, and Jovy made her way to the back seat of the Jeep, settling in as the weight of the day lingered on her shoulders.
"In-hyuk, could you have Ears gather information about the Cha Industries and its affiliations?" Jovy ordered him.
"Sure, Miss B," In-hyuk replied, his tone easygoing. He seemed to notice how tired Jovy was, but she didn't want to ruin his upbeat mood—he was always so happy.
"Do you know a tteokbokki place?" she asked, her voice a bit quieter than usual.
"Yes, I know," he answered quickly, eager to please.
"How about I treat you there? Sounds good?" Her suggestion seemed to lift his spirits even more, and his face lit up, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Just keep it between the two of us. Don't let Jane know, okay?" Jovy added, giving him a knowing look.
"OKAY! LET'S GOO!" In-hyuk responded enthusiastically, clearly thrilled by the idea.
The following days were nothing special—just Jovy working tirelessly, pushing through exhaustion while trying to keep up with the demands of her job.
>>Insert work montage<<
When Jovy got into the groove of things, time seemed to slip away unnoticed. Her creativity flowed so effortlessly that she'd lose track of days, weeks, sometimes even a month or two. She worked tirelessly, driven by the passion to make her brand a success. Jane's concerns about her health were well-founded—she had worked relentlessly to get her brand to where it was now.
Being a head tailor wasn't easy. Every piece of work had to be scrutinized, checked, and perfected. Quality was everything, and Jovy had handpicked each member of her team for their expertise. These people were masters of their craft, and she had never seen work like theirs. As she finished the final touches on the last dress and suit she had designed, the sense of accomplishment washed over her.
Just as she stood back to admire her work, the door creaked open, and Jane entered the room, her voice cutting through Jovy's focus like a knife.
"You're here, Jane. How's it going?" Jovy asked, grabbing her iced coffee and settling back into her chair.
Jane crossed her arms, eyeing Jovy with a stern expression. "I think you should stop drinking coffee. That's not good for you, especially since you haven't slept properly for four days straight. I told you not to overwork."
Jovy took a sip of her coffee, shrugging. "I told you I have plans next week, so I have to complete everything by this week." She couldn't help but feel a little defensive.
Jane's eyes rolled dramatically as she sighed. What a devil incarnate, Jovy thought, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Anyways, everything is going well. The shop is getting its final renovations before opening," Jovy said, casually leaning back into the huge bean bag filled with pillows, her voice relaxed.
Jane raised an eyebrow, her tone still sharp. "It's a good thing we have this building as its own workshop, though it's not really a room fit for a CEO like you." She couldn't help but nag, and by now, Jovy was used to it.
Jovy let out a soft chuckle, shifting a little on the bean bag. "I mean, it doesn't make sense if we bought this building and didn't have a workshop. I know most of the work will be done in the atelier, but you know I love my own workspace." She stretched, propping herself up on the cushions.
"Don't sleep there, go home. You're basically a gremlin at this point," Jane shot back, her concern mixed with exasperation. "When are you planning to put a face to your brand? People are itching to know you."
Jovy sighed, rolling her eyes. "I told you, no one cares. They only care about my creations. We even tackled mass production." She wasn't one to indulge in the spotlight.
Jane didn't let up. "That's also why we have this corporation. You've made three collections, and they've taken a big hit. The 'B' brand is in every mall, and every online shop has our collection on it." Jane's words weren't wrong, and Jovy knew it.
Jovy shrugged, her expression unreadable. "I mean, it wasn't a bad idea after all. Since we patented everything, we're the only ones producing those collections." She reasoned it out, trying to settle the matter.
Jane's gaze sharpened. "Why wouldn't you have other companies handle it? There's a large corporation that wants us to be their partners in production."
Jovy stood up, the mood in the room shifting as her eyes met Jane's. "I just don't want that thing to happen again. You can't trust everyone. They'll still have a reason to backstab you." She let that hang in the air for a moment. "That's the reason I handpicked you for this position. I know I can trust you."
Jane looked down, her face softening with a hint of sadness. "I know… I'm sorry for bringing that up." Her voice was quieter now, regret lacing her words.
"Don't worry, I don't take it to heart. Just remember it," Jovy said, waving off Jane's concern. "Anyways, could you take care of the spam emails? I'm so tired of reading those, it's getting annoying." She rummaged through her bag, looking for her phone.
"Emails???? From whom? There shouldn't be any emails—" Jane's voice trailed off as she hurriedly pulled up her tablet. Her fingers flew across the screen, and her eyes widened in shock. She paused, staring at the screen, before glancing back at Jovy, her expression tense.
"What? It's spam, right?" Jovy asked, confusion creeping into her voice.
"IT'S FROM THE CHA CORP!" Jane blurted out, her voice filled with disbelief.
-End-