It was supposed to be a calm day. Even though he had that stupid photoshoot, he had two whole days off from filming. He had woken up feeling full of energy. He’d practiced, eaten breakfast, and gotten ready for work. The streets weren't crowded, and he’d reached headquarters on time. 

When Sang-Jun didn’t pick up the phone, he thought it was a good idea to drop by the office. He hadn't seen the others for a couple of weeks. And so, upstairs he went. 

He’d run into that girl and had so courteously kept her company until Chloe's return. But no! She had to ruin everything by being an intern. An intern. On his team. 

That meant only one thing. 

Chloe has betrayed me. 

He was now standing in front of her, arms crossed, demanding an explanation. 

"Sit down, Ye-Jun" Chloe told him. 

"It's not time to sit down. It's time you tell me what you were thinking." 

"Please calm down and act professionally.” 

"I am acting professionally! That's why I'm accusing you of breaking our deal. What did we agree, Chloe? The team would be small. Only people we trust, no outsiders. Do you even remember?" he asked, deeply upset. 

It had been seven years since that night in the alley, seven years since they made that deal. Ground rules had been set. She couldn't just do whatever she wanted. 

"I remember very well. And you know I always take your best interest into account. Not mine, not the company's. Yours" Chloe replied. 

"Bringing a complete stranger onboard? How is that in my best interest? Do you want me to remind you of the risks?" Ye-Jun said, troubled. He began pacing back and forth, gesticulating wildly. 

"Exactly. She is a complete stranger who will be on the other side of the planet in a few months. She has no concern about you, or the industry, or anything. She's just an intern here to help us out." 

"Well, she can help another department. Why does she have to come here?" 

Chloe kept silent. 

Oh no, Chloe... You've done something worse than just hiring an intern. 

He stared at her, but she avoided his gaze. 

"Chloe, send her to another team." 

"I can't. I've already committed to help and guide her with her thesis." 

"There are other managers as good as you. She can go to that Choi guy who manages the Glitter Shine girls" Ye-Jun suggested, nodding emphatically.  

"Not possible." 

"I'll talk to him, I'll explain—" he began. 

"They can't support her subject. Only I can" she interrupted him. 

"Why?" 

"Because her subject is you" Chloe finally said. 

The words echoed in the silence. 

His brain collapsed. 

"Me? Her subject is me? Are you crazy?" he cried out. He gazed at her, furious. Not only would this girl be there, but she would be writing about him. Chloe was being reckless. 

"It's not you, you. It's your brand" Chloe explained. 

"I don't care! My brand and I are the same to me, and we share the same risks and fears. Why on earth did she pick me?" he kept yelling trying to make a sense out of it. 

"I don't know the specifics of why she selected the  topic. Let me explain so you understand. A month ago, my professor, Professor Jo, called and asked if I would take one of his students as an intern. He explained the thesis topic and asked me to meet her. I went to the interview, and Noelle... well, she's brilliant. She has great potential, and we are always looking for people like her. He was my professor, and he's highly respected in the business community. I had an excellent candidate. I couldn't say no" Chloe said. 

"Yes, you could." 

"Ye-Jun, people like me have obligations. We need to do favors. When my professor calls, I have to respond" she explained. 

"No, you just wanted to show off your work and your achievements" he accused. 

"Ye-Jun! How dare you?" Chloe lost her usual calm composure for a moment. "You know I'm risking things too! I wouldn't have done this if there was any real danger. And I don't brag about what we've achieved. When did I ever give you that impression?". 

Had he crossed a line? He would never admit it. 

"It doesn't matter. This thesis will never happen. I will not give my permission" Ye-Jun said. 

"Who said I need your permission?" Chloe attacked, her voice sharp. "Don't you remember that the company owns the brand?". 

The words hit their mark. He knew that according to their contract, all of his rights belonged to the company, and Chloe was the one who made the final decisions. Of course, over the years, she had always discussed everything with him—roles, collaborations, commercials. But legally, she could sign anything on his behalf. He felt the power imbalance viscerally and lowered his head, inhaling deeply. 

"Sorry, Ye-Jun. I didn't mean it that way" Chloe said. Her voice was calm again, but far from apologetic. 

"No, you said it right. The brand is your creation. I am just a... product". He looked at his watch. "Look at the time! We don't want to keep my girlfriend waiting" he added, a fake smile plastered on his face. 

"Ye-Jun, we haven't finished here" Chloe said. 

"Yes, we have. Products don't speak. Bye!" Ye-Jun said, storming out of the office. 

He felt his body aching like that night years ago. But this time he wasn’t beaten. He was being torn apart by the woman who was supposed to protect him.