Mee Yoon entered Jang Hae’s house. She was one of her friends in high school. Glamorous ornaments waved in her way. Everything sparkled, and the children’s laughter echoed through her ears. Jang Hae welcomed her and assisted her to the dining room.
They set delectable foods on the table such as the Korean glass noodle stir-fry, spicy Korean potsticker salad, kimchi pancake, Korean fish cake balls, Korean BBQ beef, and spicy Korean pork. Mee Yoon’s stomach growled as she walked and bowed her head to the guests around the table.
“I saw your book signing event on the television. Gosh, you’ve become so famous,” Jang Hae said.
“Wait, is she the author Seo Mee Yoon? Oh my gosh, I’m a fan,” one guest said.
Mee Yoon smiled.
“But I couldn’t come to your book signing event. I was so busy.”
She grimaced.
“We can meet up and I’ll sign your book,” Mee Yoon said.
“Really? I brought one with me!”
Jang Hae leaned closer to Mee Yoon.
“To be honest, I told them you’d come, so they came prepared. They brought your books with them,” she said.
“What?”
Mee Yoon blinked a few times and gazed at them. The guests raised their hands with a book in them, and they all burst into laughter.
“Alright. I’ll sign them after this meal.”
“Oh, Daewon was there too,” Jang Hae said.
“The famous author?”
“Gosh, he’s so handsome.”
“He’s so supportive of his co-writers.”
“But he’s not always like that with other writers.”
“In an interview, he said he needs Mee Yoon to illustrate his novel.”
“There’s more to the story. The thing is… they were ex-lovers,” Jang Hae said.
The guests gasped in astonishment and glanced at Mee Yoon. She inhaled a deep breath and faked a smile. Jang Hae was a friend who can’t keep a secret. Most of them avoid her, but those who need an informant come to her. Even with her bad parts, Mee Yoon kept her close. But at that moment, she swore to find excuses not to show up in front of her in the future.
“I don’t want to be rude but… are you getting back together?” Jang Hae asked.
“For someone who doesn’t want to be rude, you’re quite vulgar. That question is for me to decide and it’s a no,” Mee Yoon said.
They were quiet after what she said. Mee Yoon doesn’t have a lot of patience and she has a sharp tongue when she’s irritated.
After the party, she went home together with Dong-sun.
“So… What should we do to pull off my suggestion to become your slave?” Dong-sun asked.
He slumped to the sofa and closed his eyes. Acting like a princess and dealing with perverts stressed him out.
“Pretend to be a woman,” she said.
“That’s a good idea… Wait, what?”
He raised his upper body and gazed at her.
“You look beautiful earlier, even more beautiful than me. It’s difficult to admit the fact, but that’s our last chance.”
The color drained out of his face.
“Are you hearing yourself? That’s ridiculous!”
“Then you’re free to move out,” she said and went to her room to get his luggage.
“Hey!”
He followed her and grabbed her arm.
“Whatever we do, your brother will still find out I’m a man,” he said.
“We can put up a marvelous act. Besides, your beauty will blow him away. I think you’re every man’s type.”
She grinned.
He brushed his fingers through his hair and walked back and forth.
“Fine. Tell me what to do,” he said.
“Will you please calm down? You’re making me dizzy,” she said and sat on the bed.
He squatted on the floor and waited for her lecture.
“Let’s talk about the dos and don’ts,” she said.
He nodded.
“Always wear long sleeves and avoid showing your skin, especially what’s under your shirt. Your muscles will put us in danger.”
“Of course. Only you can see it,” he said while raising his eyebrows up and down.
She rolled her eyes.
“Next, act gracefully, like an innocent lady from the Joseon era. Understand? My brother likes that kind of lady.”
“Geez. You’re giving me the creeps. Does he have to like me?”
“Of course. We need to win his favor.”
He winced at the thought of it.
“Then always smile and say nice things to him. Compliment him but play hard to get.”
His face twisted.
“What? Seriously, where is this going?”
“Well, I’m sure you can do it with little effort. The Dong-sun I made was competitive and skillful. Don’t disappoint me,” she said.
“This is driving me insane. What if we fail?”
“It’s not my problem anymore. Deal with it alone.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched.
“My problem is your problem. Remember, you awe me with a happy ending,” he said.
She hissed.
***
The bright sun raised up and peeked through the open window one Saturday morning. The fresh air slid inside and kissed the shimmering floor. Everything was clean, organized, and they sprinkled not even dust in the house. Mee Yoon set the table and prepared a lot of food for the coming of his brother. It was one special day for her, but a death sentence for Dong-sun.
The door beeped when someone from the outside pressed the passcode.
“Good morning. I’m here. Where’s my ugly sister?” Youngsoo said.
“Good morning, Sir.”
Youngsoo turned to the unfamiliar voice. His jaw dropped when Dong-sun appeared. His face was brighter than the sun and his smile was bewitching, like a fairy. Dong-sun's pink dress showed purity and innocence like a frangible antique vase.
“Who… Who is this goddess? If I’m hallucinating right now, don’t break such a beautiful curse. Let its enchantment lure me to death,” he said.
Mee Yoon let out a little laughter.
“What is that? I thought your literary words are only meant for me?” she said.
Dong-sun pressed his lips together in embarrassment. Youngsoo shook his head.
“Oh… I’m back to being rational again. I’m sorry for the sudden malfunction. Hello, I’m Prosecutor Seo Youngsoo.”
He laid his hands on Dong-sun.
“I’m Park Jin Ae. Nice to meet you.”