Chapter 17
17. I'm a Miss!
Hayoung pretended to sip her champagne while tuning into the models' conversation beside her.
"God isn't fair at all. If he's the son of Myeongseong Group, shouldn't he be a bit less handsome? Otherwise—"
"Right? But would a guy like that even glance at women like us?"
"Remember when top star A approached him and got totally humiliated?"
"Yeah. A was way too obvious about it."
"What, you thinking of trying?"
"No way. Look at those cold eyes. Just making eye contact would freeze you solid."
At those words, a bell seemed to ring in Hayoung's head.
That's the guy! The dream of every woman here. The man who could make me soar!
Hayoung picked up her champagne glass and walked toward Kangwoo. She just wanted to pass by casually and gauge him.
Her heel wobbled unexpectedly. Her mind had taken over her body, not even cold, just staring straight ahead as she walked.
Suddenly, a man reached out and steadied her arm.
Jackpot! Looking up, it wasn't Kangwoo but another man beside him.
"Are you okay?"
"Ah, yes. I'm fine."
Even as she greeted Do Wan, Hayoung's eyes turned to Kangwoo. His cool gaze met hers briefly before turning away.
As Hayoung watched Kangwoo's retreating figure, someone approached and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You okay? What happened?"
It was Director Son Youngseok, her boyfriend.
"No, I'm fine."
Youngseok took Hayoung's hand and led her behind a curtain where no one was around. He pressed his lips to her nape and whispered,
"What? See someone you like? Trip because you were checking out some guy?"
His hand caressed her body. Hayoung smiled seductively and lightly grabbed Youngseok's arm. Her eyes held an inexplicable glint.
"Who else but you could I like?"
Hayoung spoke softly, drawing closer to Youngseok. But in her mind, Kangwoo's cold face from moments ago lingered.
"By the way, I heard Myeongseong Media is expanding with another channel..."
Youngseok looked up with a relaxed smile.
"Where'd you hear that? It's supposed to be confidential."
His tone mixed surprise with admiration for her quick info-gathering.
"Even if it's confidential, it's a secret from me too?"
Hayoung placed a light hand on Youngseok's shoulder and continued. To her, Youngseok was key to realizing her ambitions. She needed to keep him hooked, but one corner of her mind kept replaying Kangwoo's cool expression as he passed by. How great would it be if her backer was that handsome too?
Youngseok nodded slightly at her touch and spoke.
"Yeah. Thinking of acquiring another travel channel. Myeongseong Group has real power, you know? Smart move buying into trends like travel channels. CEO Choi Kangwoo, I mean."
His voice held admiration for Kangwoo mixed with barely concealed rivalry.
Hayoung smiled subtly, thinking of Kangwoo. A faint regret passed at the memory of him brushing past coldly, but she quickly refocused on Youngseok, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Then your influence will grow even more."
Hayoung exchanged a subtle glance with Director Son Youngseok, hoping he'd give her more opportunities.
Youngseok nodded confidently.
"Exactly. Sports channel's fine now, but the travel one will need my help too. I've been at Myeongseong a while."
Revealing his long tenure and pride, Director Son smiled leisurely.
Hayoung gave him a playfully cute smile.
"Could I do something like a reporter on the travel channel? I'd get to travel then."
Hayoung's face lit up eagerly at the mention of the travel channel. Her chance was surely coming. She'd use it as a springboard to climb higher.
Youngseok pulled Hayoung's body close and said,
"If you want, I could send you anywhere. But I don't like sending you far away. I get lonely at night."
Hayoung giggled at his words.
"True. Then we go together. You can go on business trips too."
Youngseok nodded.
"You up for it every day?"
Rubbing against him subtly, Hayoung made Youngseok's body heat up.
"Wanna head home after this?"
"Why? Not okay for you, Hayoung? The younger, the better, right?"
Hayoung nibbled his earlobe lightly and whispered,
"Yeah. I like it too."
Back home, Hayoung kicked off her high heels, and Misuk immediately picked them up, saying,
"Aigoo, our pretty daughter—did you have fun at the party?"
"Yeah, Mom. I'm so tired."
Hayoung turned her head slowly and said,
"Being pretty is a sin."
"Aigoo, true. If pretty's a sin, you'd be dead already. Where else is there a daughter as pretty as you?"
Misuk unzipped Hayoung's dress while speaking.
"Aigoo."
Pretending not to see the kiss mark on her nape, Misuk added,
"Men can't resist any woman. What can we do? Just do well to live well."
Her tone held indifference, as if stating the obvious.
Hayoung nodded, her lips curving up slightly.
"Mom, our Director Son's influence is about to grow."
"Really? Then you'll do even better."
Desire flickered in Hayoung's eyes. Misuk's eyes sparkled as she looked at Hayoung.
Misuk eyed Hayoung's face, gauging what benefits her success would bring her.
Hayoung smiled faintly and replied,
"Looks like I'll travel abroad a lot."
Misuk leaned forward eagerly.
"Just you?"
Hayoung looked puzzled at Misuk's reaction.
"What do you mean, Mom?"
"Hey, take me too."
Misuk shot Hayoung a dissatisfied glare.
Misuk said firmly with a serious face.
Ignoring Hayoung's bewildered expression, Misuk spoke as if ready to follow anywhere.
Hayoung laughed incredulously and shook her head.
"It's for work, and nothing's set yet. They mentioned acquiring a travel channel. Soon they'll revamp and need reporters. With Director Son, I can go to whatever country I want, right?"
Hayoung continued boastfully, like bragging about special privileges.
Misuk ignored her, staring with sparkling eyes.
"Hey, I want to go to Spain. Spain."
Misuk clasped her hands like making a wish, looking earnest.
Hayoung sighed, annoyed.
"Why bring up countries you wanna go to?"
"Why not? Aren't you supposed to support me by now? Seeing Spain is my lifelong dream."
She pointed lightly at the sky, lost in imagining Spain's sunshine in her grasp.
Hayoung stared at Misuk incredulously and said,
"Mom, you traveled a bit when Dad was alive—never been to Spain?"
Misuk grimaced and waved her hand.
"Right, never. You went everywhere. Who in our house traveled as much as you?"
Jealousy and resentment laced Misuk's voice.
Hayoung shook her head with a sigh.
"I went for work..."
Misuk squinted mockingly and cut her off.
"Work my foot. What's there to travel the world for, just reporting on sports channels? Without even looking after your own kid."
Her voice filled with growing dissatisfaction, turning into sharp criticism aimed at Hayoung.
Hayoung could no longer hold back and yelled,
"Mom!"
Hayoung's face flushed red and pale as her sharp voice filled the room.
"I told you not to say that! Do I have a kid? I'm a miss! Legally, I'm a clean woman!"
