TUW | CHAPTER 19

Chapter 19

“You’re the Most Beautiful”

“Um… excuse me, but could I take my makeup off first?”

At the shampoo station, Yeon called a staff member over.

“Huh?

I thought you weren’t wearing any makeup?”

Most clients came barefaced so they could sit down and get makeup applied right away.

Even though this was her first time at this salon, Yeon at least knew that much.

Still, she felt it would be more comfortable to remove hers first, so she asked.

“I have… my own circumstances.

I actually do things the opposite of everyone else.

It’s not that I’m dolled up, it’s just…”

The employee leaned closer, studying her face as if trying to figure out what she meant.

When Yeon rubbed her cheek firmly, freckles began to smear away.

The staff’s mouth slowly fell open.

“Oh.”

That one syllable, drawn out, was enough for Yeon to read the thought behind it.

“That’s… new.”

“I’ll just run to the washroom and take it all off quickly!”

“There’s a cleanser in there, yes… Sorry about that.

I’m in hair, not makeup, so I didn’t realise.

If that was offensive, I apologise.

One of our makeup artists can remove it for you a little later.”

“No, no, it’s fine!

I’ll just do it now.”

Yeon got up and headed in the direction the staff pointed.

She slipped her glasses into the pocket of her gown and leaned over the sink.

After washing her face with the cleanser, she raised her eyes to the mirror.

This time, she deliberately tucked her chin down and lifted her gaze wide and clear, the way she used to.

Strangers walking by in the hallway paused, their eyes sweeping over her as if caught off guard.

Her bare skin, smooth and spotless, felt strange now, too exposed.

“They said straight back to the shampoo room, right?”

Awkward, Yeon lowered her head again and walked to the shampoo chairs.

Spotting a stylist, she sat down and tilted her head back so her hair could fall neatly into the basin.

Slowly, she blinked her wide double-lidded eyes at the worker.

She opened her mouth to say she was back but the stylist beat her to it.

“Miss, this seat is for another client.

You must be mistaken.”

It’s me!

Yeon tried signalling with her eyes, but the stylist didn’t catch on.

Flustered, she pulled her glasses back out of her gown pocket, slipped them on, then immediately took them off again.

Dropping her lashes bashfully, she murmured, “I washed it off.”

She wanted to add, Could you maybe cover my face with a towel?

I feel too self-conscious, but the timing was all wrong.

The stylist was already buzzing with excitement.

“Oh my god!

What is this!”

She gasped again and again, circling Yeon’s face, examining it from every angle, exclaiming over and over as if unable to believe her eyes.

Then, glancing at the clock, she hurried to start the shampoo.

It had been ages since Yeon last sat in a salon chair.

Most of the time, she had trimmed her long hair herself with scissors at home.

Following along with a few SNS tutorials was enough to get by so professional visits were rare.

Now, though, she surrendered completely to the stylist’s hands and closed her eyes.

Warm, drowsy comfort began to settle over her.

“Ahhh!

My friend, it’s been forever!”

Hayul threw her arms around Yeon, nearly crying at the sight.

To finally see her friend’s real face again after so many years it was overwhelming.

“Yes!

This is the Yoo Lee Yeon I remember.”

No description could ever fully capture her beauty.

Her hair, blown sleek with volume, framed her face while soft, see-through strands fell naturally by her temples.

A subtle coral eyeshadow brought out the clarity of her gaze.

Her naturally long lashes needed no falsies, just a brush of mascara to sharpen her features.

Yeon wore a deep navy off-shoulder dress, understated but striking.

The sharp line of her trapezius, the sweep of her bare shoulders, the fabric clinging just loosely enough it all carried an effortless sensuality.

When her red-tinted lips parted slightly, Hayul actually forgot to breathe.

“Yoo Lee Yeon… your shoulders are unreal.”

Though her dress was far more modest compared to Hayul’s, those revealed shoulders made it impossible to look away.

“I swear, I’m starting home workouts tonight.”

“Do I look weird?”

“Are you kidding?

If you’re weird, what does that make the rest of us?

Manager, what do you think?

Doesn’t she look incredible?”

Hayul turned to the personal shopper nearby.

“Honestly,” the manager said with grave sincerity, giving a firm thumbs-up, “you are the most beautiful woman I’ve seen in a very long time.”

“See?

Told you!

Even with all the celebrities that come to this boutique”

“We get so many.

Our brand is top-tier.

We lend gowns for award shows, magazine shoots… all of it.”

“Then you must’ve seen Hee-ra before, right?”

At that name, Hayul’s eyes sharpened.

“You’re not… comparing them, are you?

Come to our guest here, it’s on a whole different level.

Actress Hee-ra is elegant and feminine, yes.

But tonight the artists themselves couldn’t stop raving about you.”

Yeon, cheeks warming, tried to deflect.

“You’re the flashy one tonight, Hayul.”

Her friend grinned, beads sparkling in her hairpin, her scarlet body-hugging dress blazing under the lights.

Clearly, she had come determined to stand out.

“You know me.

Go big or go home.

That’s my philosophy.

Now come on we’re late!”

“Couldn’t we… be a little later?

I still need time to prepare my heart.”

“You coming or not?”

Sighing, Yeon let herself be dragged along.

Even her reluctant pout only made her prettier, and Hayul gave her a meaningful look.

Please… let this work.

She was wishing for something Yeon had no idea about.

In the car, Yeon fished out a mask from her shopping bag.

“I brought this, just in case.”

At least she could hide a little behind it.

“What’s in that bag?

Hand it over I’ll throw it all out.”

Only after that final scolding from Hayul did Yeon follow her inside.

The event was dazzling fit for VIPs only.

Celebrities, tycoons, executives whose names appeared in headlines.

Clutching Hayul’s arm, Yeon scanned the venue nervously.

A stage stood in the centre, surrounded by standing tables and seating areas.

Everywhere she turned, she felt sharp eyes grazing her quick, stinging glances that made her flinch and cling tighter to her friend.

“You look like a star, Yeon.

Hold your head high.

If you keep shrinking in, it only looks more suspicious.”

Hayul whispered in her ear.

“Hayul… but the reporters don’t even seem interested in you.”

“They will.

Just wait until they drag me around for introductions.”

The bitterness in her tone made it clear she didn’t even want to say who she meant.

Eventually, Hayul led her to a standing table.

Still restless, she kept scanning the crowd.

“What are you, a meerkat?

Why are you craning your neck like that?”

“Just seeing if I know anyone.

Stay here I’ll grab some fruit and champagne.”

She returned with a plate of bite-sized hors d’oeuvres and a glass of champagne for Yeon.

The sweet, sparkling sip calmed her nerves.

Soon, Hayul was happily enjoying herself while Yeon watched the models strut in designer gowns on stage and celebrities drift past.

“Yeon—come here.”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Hayul’s eyes lit up.

She grabbed Yeon’s arm and steered her toward another table.

There, not far away, was a silhouette Yeon knew far too well.

“Hello,” Hayul said brightly.

Yeon froze.

The person she least wanted to see was Do-hyun.

She immediately ducked behind Hayul’s back.

Slap, slap.

She smacked her friend’s bare red-clad back in panic.

Im Hayul, you traitor!

How could you drag me straight to him!

“Who’s this?”

The man beside Do-hyun asked first.

“Ah, well, I’m actually… the vice president’s.”

Hayul faltered, realising she couldn’t reveal certain things.

Another sharp smack to her back reminded her.

She glanced at Yeon and nodded quickly.

“I’m the best friend of his secretary!”

Hahaha.

She covered her slip with an awkward laugh.

Best friends of secretaries didn’t normally go around greeting vice presidents, after all.

She planned all this, yet she’s this sloppy?

Yeon thought miserably.

God, I want to disappear.

Just melt away into smoke, like Cinderella at midnight.

But Hayul’s grip was iron.

Running was impossible.

“Yes, the secretary’s friend.”

To Yeon’s relief, Do-hyun accepted it politely.

“Thank goodness you remember me,” Hayul said, clapping her hands in relief.

“Otherwise I would’ve been so embarrassed.”

And now Yeon’s chance to escape had passed.

“Hell

o, I’m Kim Jae-ha, Do-hyun’s friend,” said the man beside him.

Ah, yes.

She remembered now he’d dropped by the office a few times.

Then, before Yeon could retreat, Hayul tugged her forward.

“This is my best friend.”

Maybe she should’ve cut her off at two glasses of champagne.

Hayul clearly wasn’t in her right mind tonight.