Part 15

On the way home, I called Jisun again.

"Want to have dinner together?"

-You said you couldn't because of an appointment."

"I had an appointment to finalize the contract with the guardian before the lessons start tomorrow. So I couldn't come. But it ended earlier than expected."

"Guardian? You mean KROCK?"

"Yes."

"A K-pop star? Can I meet him? I'll be there!"

As expected, Sunbae wasn't one to miss such an opportunity. 

She replied immediately, saying she'd come right away. 

A housewarming party was arranged.

"I remember you telling me not to let anyone into the house, and now you're asking me to bring a guest," I grumbled.

"You already told her you'd be teaching our child," Seung-rok responded. 

I knew what he was getting at—the confidentiality issue in the contract. 

According to the contract, me coaching Hayeon was a secret. 

Officially, I was Seung-rok's golf coach. 

No one should know that I was teaching Seung-rok's daughter, Hayeon.

"The secret's already out. What's the point in hiding it from her? It's better to get along and be close to her. You must keep your enemy closer," he said.

"Jisun Sunbae is my closest buddy. I only asked her before the interview. How could I keep a secret I didn't know was a secret? Besides, you interviewed me because of my experience of teaching Jisun Sunbae, didn't you?"

Seung-rok turned his gaze aside and replied quietly, 

"That's true."

It was such a bland acknowledgment that I felt foolish for raising my voice.

This man had a knack for getting under my skin.

But I must calm myself.

Anger will fly away like a bird with eagles' wings, but money will stay eternally.

I had already signed his contract.

There was no turning back now.

I bit my lip slightly. 

Dining with Jisun Sunbae was always enjoyable, but today was different. 

I guessed that Seung-rok intended to meet Jisun Sunbae in person to ask her to keep the secret. 

Honestly, it was burdensome.

Noticing her complexion had worsened, Seung-rok continued speaking.

"Just think of it as a casual dinner after a round of golf."

I let out a small laugh. 

I enjoyed golf, but I despised the after-parties. 

The pretentiousness of the clubhouse, tasteless food, and most of all, dining with people who flaunted their wealth and status to the point where I couldn't even taste the greasy food. 

I wondered how tonight's dinner would go. 

Could I get through it without any major mishaps?

With these worries filling my mind, I arrived home. 

I immediately started preparing to welcome the guest with Seung-rok. 

Usually hidden away in a corner, the barbecue area in the yard looked quite lovely now. 

As we turned on the lights and started grilling the meat, Jisun Sunbae arrived just in time.

When the doorbell rang, Seung-rok personally opened the door and greeted her with impeccable manners. 

As he escorted her, Jisun Sunbae looked around in admiration.

"Oh my! It's so beautiful. Is this KROCK's house? It's wonderful. I don't think this has been shown on TV, right?"

Seung-rok flashed a businesslike yet refreshing smile, one he never showed me.

"You must check our group quite often. Thank you."

"Oh, no. I'm not a fan. I just like the group's songs."

"That's even better. Thank you. This way, please."

Seung-rok guided Jisun Sunbae to the dining table with a grace completely different from his usual demeanor with me. 

Although it irked me to see him act so differently, I felt somewhat relieved that he wasn't showing his usual arrogant self in front of Jisun Sunbae.

As soon as everyone settled at the table, Seung-rok turned to Jisun.

"I've been a fan of yours too."

"Oh, really?"

"I still vividly remember your comeback at the US Women's Open. Could you sign a golf ball for me sometime?"

Seung-rok, who usually despised golf, was now acting like a devoted fan in front of Jisun, the world's top professional golfer. 

His performance was so convincing that even I momentarily wondered if he actually liked golf. 

I thought to myself.

'He's such a good liar! He must be this good at handling fans too!'

Meanwhile, Seung-rok expertly sliced the pork and handed it to Jisun. 

The meat was perfectly cooked. 

As soon as she took a bite, her face lit up.

"Oh! This is delicious."

"I'm glad you like it. Please, have more."

Jisun smiled happily and gave me a meaningful look.

"No wonder. Mina said KROCK is an excellent cook. Now I see why. You're a real pro."

"Did Mina really say that?"

Jisun continued teasingly, seeing my face turn red.

"She bragged so much about how tasty KROCK's food is."

"Sunbae!"

I frowned slightly. 

I didn't think anyone would find out how much I like Seung-rok's cooking.

While I did cook at home, it was usually simple dishes like kimchi stew or kimchi fried rice, unlike Seung-rok's elaborate meals.

The two of them laughed heartily at my expense.

Naturally, dinner started after that.

Seung-rok brought out a special red wine he had been saving, and Jisun took out a portable Bluetooth speaker, playing a lot of songs by The ZERO. 

While they chatted about The ZERO's music, I looked for an opportunity to confess to Jisun that I lived in this house.

***

"You're going to live in this house with him? Are you planning to live with a K-pop star?"

"Shh. Someone might hear us!"

I put my finger to my lips, warning Jisun Sunbae. 

But she remained unfazed.

"Who would hear us? It's just us here."

She was right. 

This spacious house offered perfect privacy. 

At that moment, we were in the garden next to the yard, talking while Seung-rok was in the kitchen doing the dishes. 

The yard was so large it even had a garden filled with bonsai trees. 

I didn't want Seung-rok to know that I lived here. I thought it would be better to tell Sunbae, at least, that I lived in Seung-rok's house, even if I didn't reveal all the secrets. 

That way, she wouldn't feel left out. 

I hadn't expected her to be so surprised.

Sunbae snapped her fingers.

"No wonder. You, who never touches alcohol when driving, suddenly gulped down wine. I was wondering how you'd manage in this remote part of Halla mountain without a designated driver."

I nodded. 

The truth was, I drank because I couldn't bring myself to talk about it sober. 

But there was no need to explain that.

"That's why I drank. We don't live in the same house. There's an annex behind this building. We practically live separately."

"I see."

Sunbae stretched her neck to check out the annex. 

Seeing the world-renowned golfer tiptoeing like an ostrich to look around made me laugh.

"I'll show you the annex after dinner."

"Sure. But how did you suddenly decide to move into a man's house? It's not like you two are living together as a couple. Or… are you?"

Sunbae looked at me meaningfully. 

It was natural for her to be suspicious. 

I was almost thirty and had never dated. 

No matter how much she coaxed me to go on dates, I never did. 

And now, out of the blue, I was moving into a younger man's house. 

Could that decision really be based on work alone? 

It was a very… implausible situation.

"Are you two... you know, involved?"

She made a suggestive gesture with her fingers, suggesting we two are sleeping together.

"No, Sunbae!"

I was startled and quickly covered her hand with mine.

"We're nothing. You can tell by the way we eat together, right?"

"You two looked awkward. It felt like you were in that ambiguous stage of dating. You know, SSUM?"

That couldn't be true.

"No!"

I denied it strongly, and Sunbae stifled a laugh before continuing.

"Then why would someone who never dated suddenly decide to move into a man's house? Isn't that strange? Did you fall for him? Or did he lube you?"

"It's not that... I need to save on rent now."

I pulled out my prepared excuse. 

It wasn't entirely a lie. 

I did move in for financial reasons. 

Sunbae's expression darkened as she realized my financial situation.

"Is it that bad? Bad enough to sell your house?"

"My mom's house is about to be foreclosed. I need a place to stay."

After a moment of silence, Sunbae asked cautiously.

"Should I help you out?"

I shook my head. 

I had already solved the problem, and there was no need to owe anyone else.

"No, Seung-rok is helping me out. If I stay here for a year, I can get back on my feet."

"That's a relief, but... How are KROCK's family? They don't bother you, do they? I've heard some top celebrities' families are assholes."

Sunbae still looked worried. 

Fortunately, I had an answer ready for that too.

"They're all nice. Very kind."

"That's good. How's the kid? Is she okay?"

"So far, our relationship isn't bad. I don't know how it will be once the professional lessons start, though."

"I see..."

Sunbae, usually so cheerful, noticeably lowered her tone. 

The thought of me moving because of debt seemed to sadden her.

I deliberately put on a cheerful front. 

"I like living here, Sunbae. Even if I hadn't been short on money, I might have done it. How else would I get to live in such a nice place? There's even a swimming pool and a sauna inside."

"Is this some kind of resort?" Jisun said, glancing around.

"…It is nice. And KROCK seems like a good person, not like a typical celebrity."

That wasn't exactly true, but I didn't bother to correct her.

"Why would he let a stranger into his house? I mean, he's a K-po star."

I couldn't say it was because of his situation, so I just smiled it off.

"I don't really know."

"Doesn't he have some ulterior motive?"

"Come on, would a K-pop star have something like that? She could have anyone."

"True. And also, if he got called out on Instagram, he'd have to retire immediately."

Sunbae finally nodded, seemingly convinced. 

I heard the sound of Seung-rok returning.

It was about time to come back to the dining table.

Just as we were about to go, Sunbae suddenly grabbed me, as if something had just occurred to her. 

"Still, you. You're not the type to trust people easily. What made you trust him all of a sudden? It's not easy for a grown woman to go to a man's house. Did you have something to rely on?"

"…It's okay. He may seem cold, but he's warm inside."

"What?"

"That's why I can trust him."

I was surprised at myself for thinking this way about Seung-rok.

I hadn't realized it until I said it out loud.