Yeong Ye-Jun was banned from the office. It was a fact, one that Mi-Suk had already relayed to Noelle in exhaustive detail. How Chloe announced it to him, how he reacted, how miserable he was when Mi-Suk met him on the set.

“He was like a puppy… Sad eyes, frowning lips…” Mi-Suk said.

You almost got me… at puppy…

“He still comes, as he has rehearsals and training," Mi-Suk kept going. "But only on appointment, and accompanied by Chloe or Sang-Jun. He is suffering. But he has to learn…”

That’s for the best! I wish I never met him! Him, the despicable creature!

Following the shock she had endured, her pride compelled her to scorn him completely. That was what she told herself.

Her routine was not fascinating: picking up lines, copying and filing documents, along with other miscellaneous chores. Otherwise, she was focused on writing her thesis, with excellent support from Chloe, who was deeply involved, actively assisting and guiding her.

And of course, she had to pretend she knew very little about Ye-Jun's career. To that end, she would let Mi-Suk and Chloe share stories about his past, while showing her photos and videos. But he-who-should-stay-out-of-her-mind was impossible to block.

Ye-Jun was inescapable.

The funniest thing was that every time she picked up the phone, she had to say: "Yeong Ye-Jun unit. How can I help you?"

“Have you seen his new commercial? It went on air yesterday!” Mi-Suk asked.

“Umh yes, I have… Like I could miss it,” Noelle replied.

That was the thing with celebrities. You get to carry them into your house! That new electric sports car he was promoting… The commercial had the whole package: a killer car, fashion attire, and a pair of teasing eyes. She hated how she felt when he said his only line in the spot: "Let's go!''

“What do you mean?” Mi-Suk asked again, referring to Noelle's sarcastic tone.

“He is practically everywhere! He’s not physically in the office, but if I walk on the streets, I will come across him on the subway ads, convenience store screens or the side of a bus!”

It was true. He was everywhere. But she was looking away in the end. It might take a few seconds to wrench her gaze free, but she would look away.

She had to look away.