The scene was set for Korea's most glamorous night—the annual awards ceremony that brought together the biggest celebrities, influencers, and the who's who of the entertainment world. The red carpet was lined with flashing cameras, reporters shouting out names, and the glimmer of designer dresses and tuxedos. But amidst all the dazzling stars, there was only one person who had everyone's attention that evening—Mr. Park.
Author's note: Picture him like Park Seo Joon.
At only 25, Park was already a household name, an actor whose career had skyrocketed. He had made his debut at the tender age of 18 and landed his first major role by 20. Since then, his talent, charisma, and undeniable good looks had made him the darling of Korean entertainment. He was often called Korea's pretty boy, and without a doubt, the camera's favorite.
Every major director wanted to work with him, hoping to snag him for movies, dramas, and even advertisements. If you were anyone in the industry, having Park in your project was a badge of honor. Tonight, he was the star of the show.
As the press gathered around him, microphones in hand, one of the journalists couldn't contain her excitement.
"Mr. Park! Mr. Park!" she called out, her voice rising above the crowd. "Can we have a quick interview, please?"
Park smiled charmingly, his eyes lighting up. "Of course, it would be my honor."
The journalist, struggling to contain her enthusiasm, stepped closer. "Mr. Park, you look absolutely stunning tonight! I can't help but notice that suit you're wearing. It's impeccable! Can we ask who dressed you tonight?"
The question hung in the air, and Park's smile grew even wider as he prepared to respond. "Oh! Thank you so much! I was dressed and styled tonight by none other than B."
At that moment, the atmosphere around them seemed to freeze. The cameraman's hand trembled slightly, the journalist's eyes widened, and even the celebrities in the background stopped mid-conversation. It was as if the entire room held its breath.
Every eye turned toward Park, waiting for him to elaborate. But he simply flashed a casual smile, as if he hadn't just dropped a bombshell.
The journalist, her voice barely a whisper, couldn't contain her disbelief. "B"? You mean… THE ONE AND ONLY B?!" she stammered, her words almost a gasp.
Park nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yes, her."
The entire crowd gasped in unison. The whispers spread like wildfire. Cameras clicked wildly, and people began to murmur among themselves.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!"
The shock rippled through the crowd like an electric shock. The celebrity world, which thrived on surprises and drama, had just been hit with a bombshell. B—the name that had been a topic of rumors for years—had just entered the spotlight in the most unexpected way.
B was a legendary figure, a reclusive fashion icon whose designs were coveted by the world's elite, yet no one had ever seen her in public. Stories about her were as much myth as they were reality—whispers of her genius, her influence, and her almost mythical status.
For someone as high-profile as Mr. Park to publicly acknowledge her? It was beyond shocking. People had always wondered: Who was B? What did she look like? What was her story? But no one, not even the most seasoned journalists, had ever gotten so much as a glimpse.
The room buzzed with excitement, but Park stood there, his calm demeanor betraying none of the chaos he had just set in motion. His smile remained unshaken, almost as if he had expected this reaction. He glanced around at the stunned faces and, after a beat, added coolly, "It's a pleasure working with someone as talented as her. She's... extraordinary."
The journalist, still processing, could barely contain her shock. "But... but... Mr. Park, why now? Why reveal this now?"
Park's smile faded just slightly as he shrugged, his gaze thoughtful. "Sometimes, it's time for new things. Time to let the world know the truth."
The air grew heavier with anticipation. There was more to this, but no one could quite put their finger on it. Was this a calculated move? A relationship? A collaboration?
Whatever it was, this moment would go down in history as one of the most shocking reveals the industry had ever seen.
As Park turned to continue down the red carpet, the buzz only grew louder. Journalists scrambled to get more details, celebrities whispered urgently amongst themselves, and the cameras—still clicking—couldn't capture the whirlwind that was unfolding. This night was no longer just about awards. It was about B, and whatever connection she had with Park.
The excitement from the awards ceremony still lingered in the air, as news outlets and social media buzzed with Mr. Park's unexpected mention of B. But for some, the spotlight was already shifting elsewhere. Across the city, another event was unfolding—the prestigious Economic Forum, a gathering of the most powerful business figures, CEOs, and influential families from around the world.
Min-Kyun, dressed sharply in a tailored suit, leaned over the desk with a grin, glancing up at his boss, Mr. Cha.
"Congratulations, Mr. Cha, on the successful deal," Min-Kyun said, his voice laced with admiration.
Mr. Cha, a man known for his striking good looks—smirked with confidence. "That was nothing," he replied casually. "I knew for sure they'd bite. They're just playing within the palm of my hands."
(A/N: I picture him Cha Eun Woo's kind of visual)
He stood up and adjusted his tie, preparing to leave. "Let's go, we've got a lot of people to meet before we head back to the office."
Min-Kyun chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, you worked too hard. Please spare me some rest, Mr. Cha."
But before they could leave, Secretary Kim stepped in, holding a folder in his hand. "Mr. Cha, by the way, you need to claim the award."
Mr. Cha frowned slightly, his face falling into a look of disinterest. "It's trash. Do I really have to?"
Min-Kyun quickly intervened with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "You have to! It's necessary! Your parents will kill me if you don't."
With a resigned sigh, Mr. Cha finally relented. "Alright. But after I receive the award, I'll leave. No more distractions."
The trio exited the office and made their way to the grand venue—the Economic Forum, where the world's most esteemed business minds gathered. This event was a highlight of the year, held only once annually, and this time, it was being hosted in Korea. The atmosphere was filled with power and prestige, the air buzzing with the quiet conversations of billionaires, CEOs, and high-ranking executives.
It wasn't just about business deals. This event was a place to crown the best of the best—the entrepreneurs who had shaped industries and transformed the global economy.
As Mr. Cha entered the hall with Min-Kyun by his side, the host took the stage, a spotlight shining down on the center podium.
"Let's all celebrate Korea's newest entrepreneur and the youngest to enter the top 15 of Korea's CEOs—Mr. Cha!" The MC's voice rang out, drawing applause and admiration from the crowd. "Congratulations!"
The audience erupted into applause as Mr. Cha stood with his signature calm demeanor, a slight smile gracing his lips. "Thank you for this award tonight," he said smoothly, his voice deep and controlled. "I truly appreciate it."
As the applause settled, the MC couldn't help but notice Mr. Cha's impeccable appearance. "Mr. Cha, we've noticed you're wearing an absolute masterpiece tonight. We'd love to know—where did you get this suit?"
A pause, and then Mr. Cha turned toward the mic, his eyes briefly scanning the crowd before he replied, "Ah... Yes, I'd also like to thank designer B for this perfectly tailored suit tonight. Thank you, and have a good night, everyone!"
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted. A hushed silence fell over the room, and the air crackled with shock. B? The same B that had just been mentioned by Mr. Park on the red carpet?
The crowd was frozen in place, whispers running like wildfire through the hall.
"Designer B?!?!?!"
It was as if the entire room collectively gasped, the name carrying weight that no one had expected. In the span of a few seconds, the room had gone from celebration to stunned awe. Just like that, B had entered the conversation again—this time in a completely different context.
The connections were starting to form in people's minds, but the mystery of B still lingered. Who was she? What was her story? And why was she now dressing Korea's most influential figures?
Mr. Cha smiled, his expression as calm and collected as ever. Yet, beneath the surface, a new kind of tension began to brew. This night was no longer just about business accolades. With B's name dropping like this, it felt like the first chapter of a much bigger story—one that could change everything.
The thought lingered in his mind, unresolved. His hand hovered over the glass of whiskey, a motion as deliberate as it was slow. What was it about B that set this chain of events in motion? And who else might be watching, waiting for the right moment to act?
But for now, it was only the faintest flicker of awareness—soon, it would consume him, but not tonight
________________________________________________________________________________________
Korea's Airport Arrival Area – The Moment of Arrival
The airport buzzed with life—luggage wheels clicking, announcements overhead, the constant movement of passengers flowing like an unstoppable tide. Yet, amidst the chaos, a woman stood still, a singular figure with an energy that felt almost out of place. The crowds swirled around her, but they didn't seem to notice. She, however, was too absorbed in the moment to care.
Person 1 (???): (arms wide, eyes gleaming with excitement, voice bellowing in exaggerated joy) "At last, I ARRIVED! HELLO KOREA!!!!! I CAN FINALLY SLACK NOWWW!!!!!!!"
Her words rang out louder than they needed to, like a thunderclap amidst the regular hum of the terminal. It was as if she wanted to make sure the entire world knew of her arrival. The echoes of her voice bounced off the walls, strangely loud in the otherwise calm atmosphere of the airport.
Person 1 (???): (laughing maniacally, the sound of her joy far too unsettling for the setting) "MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!"
The laugh stretched, hanging in the air, unnaturally long. It felt like the terminal itself was holding its breath, the noise slicing through the soft buzz of the airport like a blade, sending ripples of discomfort through the people nearby. For a split second, even the constant motion of the crowd slowed, as if the laughter had shaken something loose.
But before anyone could react, the sharp ring of a phone pierced the tension, snapping Person 1 (???) back to the present.
Person 1 (???): (casually picking up the phone, her voice smooth, almost too sweet) "Yes, hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo?"
On the other end, a voice screeched through the receiver, frantic, as if the world itself was unraveling.
Voice on the phone: (frustrated, practically yelling through the receiver) "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HELLO?!?! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE CHECKING THE FINAL TOUCHES OF THE SHOP! HOW ARE YOU JUST SITTING THERE? YOU'RE A BUSINESS PERSON, NOT A VACATIONER!"
Person 1 (???): (a grin spreading across her face, voice dripping with playful mockery) "Hehehe, relaaaaaaaaaaaax... I just got here. How could I take care of that right away? There's still a whole month before the shop opens, so why stress? It's gonna be fine. Besides... I really want to slack right now."
The voice on the phone erupted in fury, the words a blur of angry frustration.
Voice on the phone: (nearly losing control) "WHAT??!?!?!?! DON'T YOU DARE SLACK, YOU BLEEP, I SWEAR IF I ARRIVE AND EVERYTHING ISN'T READY, I'M GONNA FIND YOU IN EVERY STREET OF KOREA, YO—"
But before the voice could reach its climax, Person 1 (???) hung up with a flourish, cutting the conversation short like an artist finishing a dramatic performance.
Person 1 (???): (smirking as she gently lowered the phone, the weight of her decision settling in) "BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"
She tossed the phone back into her bag, a deep, contented sigh escaping her lips as she leaned back against a nearby pillar. The world around her felt even more detached now, almost dreamlike. The air felt lighter, somehow, as if a weight had been lifted, or perhaps, never existed at all.
Person 1 (???): (eyes fluttering closed for a moment, savoring the moment) "Ahhhhh... fresh air... new life... and, oh yes, plenty of time to slack off."
A slow, satisfied grin spread across her face. This was the moment she had been waiting for, the moment everything else could wait. She could feel the city of Seoul outside—new, exciting, unknown—but for now, none of it mattered. Only this moment of freedom.
A thought then drifted into her mind, playful and enticing, pulling her further away from her responsibilities.
Person 1 (???): (muttering to herself, eyes glinting with a spark of mischief) "Oh, that reminds me... I needed to play some video games today... hmm... How about going to an internet café? Sounds perfect."
She paused, turning slowly toward the exit, but a flicker of something made her stop. The air seemed different, as if the city outside was quietly waiting for her. Was there something more to this trip? Something hidden, waiting beneath the surface of the excitement?
Person 1 (???): (shrugging off the thought, her eyes narrowing with determination) "Okay, it's decided. After I check in, I'll go check out Korea... its beauty, its mysteries... and maybe... just maybe... I'll stumble upon something unexpected."
She shook her head, a laugh escaping her lips, banishing the fleeting sensation of unease.
The world felt lighter again, and she began to move toward the exit, the airport behind her, and a new adventure waiting ahead. The slacking, it seemed, had only just begun.
-End-