Backstage of United States Fashion Week, 2021.
Remember, this is a fashion event for top brands that is heavily scrutinized by the media. We can’t afford to make mistakes. Don’t tarnish the name of our make-up artist agency! Got it?
Understood, ma’am!
After a brief briefing conducted by Mrs. Victoria, the head of SN Entertainment Group’s make up artist agency, the few make up artists gathered dispersed. Among them, Olivia was seen carrying two make up suitcases with a grimace on her face.
“Olivia, get a move on! We don’t have much time before the models arrive!” From two steps beside her, Jane, called out with a furious look on her face.
“Yes! You can’t move slowly like that!” Then from beside Jane, Laisa, chimed in.
Olivia, who was struggling to carry two suitcases of makeup, just nodded. But in her heart, she was actually furious. How could she speed up her running when she had the weight of two heavy suitcases in both hands?!
‘It’s already fast, for heaven’s sake! Can’t you see I’m carrying your suitcases?!’ Olivia thought to herself, cursing the two of them.
Olivia had been working in the cosmetology field for almost five years. Before being at SN Entertainment Group Agency, Olivia had worked at JM Entertainment Agency. Unfortunately, she was forced to leave for a clich reason: because of the system of working overtime but not being treated well. In fact, her hard work often went unpaid.
“Olivia!”
“Yes, I’m coming right away!”
Did you think that Olivia’s fate was different after moving to the SN Group agency? No, she didn’t. As they say, out of the crocodile’s cage but into the tiger’s.
It’s the same fate. Olivia was kept as some sort of perpetual trainee even though it was over a year and a half ago. She was only allowed to work with clients in their makeup room. Not the clients of models at events like this US Fashion Week.
Also, Olivia was not allowed to choose her own clients. As a result, it was often the case that Olivia, who should have been the main make-up artist, was still the assistant to the main make-up artist. For one year-oh, it will be two years soon.
It’s so sickening.
Ting.
The elevator opened and Olivia hurried to catch up with her two seniors. Down the corridor that was crowded with staff, both the staff of the models who would later appear and the staff who organized the United States Fashion Week event.
As she walked, Olivia was nudged on the shoulder several times by the crowded corridor. This is a big event. It was not impossible that there were so many people taking care of the event.
“I apologize! Continue your work, you’ve worked hard!” That’s what Olivia said every time her shoulder collided with staff or models who had arrived.
Finally, Olivia arrived at a very quiet room. It was vast and filled with tons of make-up artists from other agencies. Passing by carrying clothes, tidying up the makeup tables that were placed in straight and parallel rows, or discussing with fellow makeup artists about what the hairstyle or makeup would be.
Olivia was dumbfounded for a moment. Her steps gradually slowed down. Not realizing that her two seniors were already slowly away from her.
Olivia’s eyes lit up as a smile of admiration spread across her face. Especially after seeing a number of models already filling a row of dressing tables on her left side. This was the first time Olivia had seen them.
“Oh my gosh. I used to see them on my phone, now I see them…” Olivia couldn’t even finish her sentence because her throat was choked.
It’s really hard to describe Olivia’s amazement at seeing famous models in person.
Although she didn’t memorize all of their names, Olivia knew four of them by heart. Their faces were often seen on social media, and Olivia admired their beauty. Like.
“Hey, do you want to keep standing in the middle of the street?”
Olivia gasped when a man’s voice suddenly sounded from behind. Suddenly, she turned around with a look of shock.
In that instant, Olivia’s whole body froze after seeing someone beside the man who reprimanded her. Olivia blinked repeatedly to realize that what she saw now was not a dream.
It was Axel Hansel Johnson, a famous photo model who is also the owner of the agency Kaistha Entertainment.
Axel Hansel Johnson was in front of her eyes!
“Hello? Miss?” The man next to Axel waved a hand briefly in front of Olivia’s face
“OLIVIA!”
Olivia suddenly woke up after the shrill call came from behind her. There was Jane who had just arrived, running a little closer to Olivia. The look on her face showed annoyance.
“It’s you! What are you doing here?” Jane asked Olivia in a sarcastic tone. Her eyes glared in warning. But the next second she smiled when she saw Axel, the photo model.
“Oh, please excuse my assistants, Mr. Axel Hansel and Mr. Jonathan-manager Mr. Axel.”
Axel only gave a small smile before looking back at Olivia. Olivia secretly bit her inner lower lip because she felt so nervous. She bowed, making a Korean gesture of apology.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Jonathan,” Olivia said to the man beside Axel.
While next to Axel, Jonathan nodded his head briefly. He laughed a little. In contrast to his voice that seemed to exude an intimidating aura, Jonathan’s face actually looked so friendly.
“Ah, no problem. Everyone is nervous today, I’m sure your assistant feels the same way,” replied Jonathan, Axel’s personal manager.
Olivia just realized that Jane, her senior, had called her an assistant. Even though Olivia had also been able to assume the role of the main makeup artist!
“But still. She should be professional. Now, is Jungkook ready to be made up?” Jane asked with a curved smile that looked like a grin.
Jonathan nodded his head. Axel was the first to walk away from Jane, Olivia, and his own manager. He didn’t look at all indifferent as he walked towards one of the dressing tables.
“Come,” Jane invited Jonathan with a gesture of courtesy.
Jonathan followed after Axel. Before Jane caught up with the two men, she changed her expression to a flat, sharp look. Whispering something to Olivia
“I told you not to do anything that risks tarnishing the agency’s good name!” hissed Jane, putting full emphasis on her sentence.
Olivia winced and was slightly taken aback. Her hands were clasped together and placed in front of her body. She lowered her head as she was reluctant to raise her face to look into Jane’s eyes that were glaring at her.
Unnoticed by Jane, from a few meters away, Axel stopped stepping and turned his body backwards. He had noticed Jane pointing at the makeup assistant with an intimidating aura.
Axel frowned, tilting his head slightly. “Mr. Jonathan, is he going to do my makeup later?”
Jonathan was already standing next to him, following the direction of the gaze. Seeing Jane’s figure walking over, Jonathan nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. She is. You mean the woman who walked towards us, right?” asked Jonathan.
“No,” Axel evaded. “The woman behind her.”
A look of doubt crossed Jonathan’s face. “You want her to do your makeup?”
Axel nodded confidently. Jonathan, who looked like he wanted to protest but decided against it, talked to Jane. During their conversation, Jane seemed unable to agree. But Jonathan brought up Axel’s agency name
As a result, as soon as Olivia, who seemed to be struggling to carry two suitcases of makeup in her hands, arrived, Jane stopped her.
“Hey, Olivia. I’ll leave Axel’s make-up job to you.”
Suddenly, Olivia was wide-eyed. “What?”
When Olivia’s eyes turned to look at Axel, he gave her a lopsided, meaningful smile. It was small and brief. Before waltzing away just like before.
What is this dream?!
The United States Fashion Week event went very smoothly. Fifteen models showed the latest designs from a renowned Korean designer. It was also the anniversary of one of the core boutiques, which now has ten branches, including two in London and one in New York.
After three rounds, the models, who had finished spinning, returned to the backstage. The place where they do their make-up. There was an open break room on the left side.
Axel flung himself onto the sofa as he exhaled roughly. He immediately leaned his head on the back of the sofa.
“Axel! Gosh, you look so tired!”
Axel raised both eyebrows with his eyes still closed. Then when he felt a shock from the side, like someone had just sat up, Axel jerked his eyes open.
“Aish. Why did you come in such a hurry?” Axel cursed Jonathan, the manager who was like his best friend.
Jonathan brought a tissue and made a pitiable face. He guiltlessly wiped the sweat from several spots on Axel’s face.
“Look at this. You must be feeling really tired after all the modeling and photo shoots-”
“Ah!” Axel immediately moved his head away and swatted Jonathan’s hand away. “What’s wrong with you, you’re overreacting.”
Jonathan frowned, looking unhappy with Axel’s treatment. “Hey, I was showing concern for you. How can you care about my care like that?”
Axel’s eyes looked strangely at Jonathan who was dramatizing his way of speaking. Axel had indeed worked with Jonathan for almost eight years of his career in entertainment. But even if Axel was used to Jonathan’s behavior, Axel was still always surprised.
How was it that Axel always had to work side by side with a man like this?
“Oh my…” Axel sighed heavily. “Do you always have to be like this? I appreciate your concern, so now shut up. Okay?” he asked as he cupped Jonathan’s face with a pleading look. As if he was pleading with a child.
Jonathan was somewhat taken aback when Axel pressed his cheeks together. To the point that his mouth was shaped like a fish’s mouth.
“A-aaa! Bwgwaimwana akwu bwicara?!” Jonathan pushed Axel’s hands away with an annoyed jerk. “Aish. It’s lucky that I’ve been working for so long and you’ve earned so much for me.”
Jonathan straightened up in his seat. He had a look of disbelief on his face. Getting carried away wanted to dramatize the situation.
“Hey, I know you don’t really care about me. You just want my money, right?” Jonathan asked, dramatizing.
Jonathan, who of course knew that Axel was dramatizing, happily accepted. “Of course. In this day and age of high prices, who doesn’t want and need money?”
“How dare you say that.” Axel ended his words with an exasperated smirk on his lips.
Suddenly Jonathan laughed. Meanwhile, Axel’s eyes happened to be watching the surroundings. At that moment, Axel’s eye movement stopped when he accidentally caught the figure of a woman.
Axel frowned, paying attention to the woman who stood quite far away but was still within sight. He remembered the woman – the one he had asked to do his make-up. She was chatting with three other make-up artists.
For some reason the corners of Axel’s lips automatically curved. Forming a smile that implied interest.
“Hey, Mr. Jonathan,” Axel called out as he tapped Jonathan on the shoulder without looking away.
Jonathan winced and was surprised to get such a heavy pat from Axel. The pat was so tight and original that it almost hit him in the face. Without further ado, Jonathan caught Axel’s hand and stopped the rapid succession of claps.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Hey, Axel!”
Axel then turned his head to Jonathan. He brought his face closer while pointing at it.
“Do you think my makeup is messy or not? Or are there parts that are erased because of my sweat?” Axel asked.
Seeing Axel suddenly acting strangely like that, made Jonathan frown in astonishment. Of course he felt there was something strange about Axel. So Jonathan just looked at Axel with a look wondering what was going on.
“Hey!” Axel snapped a finger in front of Jonathan’s face, snapping him awake. “I asked you a question!”
“Wh-what? What’s wrong with you?”
“Just tell me if there’s any part of my makeup that’s not done?”
Axel’s tone was hurried and urgent. Although Axel looked suspicious, Jonathan nodded stiffly. The look on his face showed that he was still guessing what had happened to Axel.
“Oh, yes. There are some parts of your makeup that are fading. I don’t know what to call it, but…”
Before Jonathan could finish speaking, Axel grinned and tapped his manager twice on the shoulder. Before Axel got up from his standing position and ran away just like that. Leaving Jonathan dumbfounded.
Jonathan reached out and opened his mouth, about to yell at Axel, but ended up unable to get any words out. His tongue felt tongue-tied as he couldn’t get enough of Axel.
“God, that brat!” growled Jonathan, including a groan at the end of the sentence.
If he didn’t love Axel like his own brother, he would have resigned a long time ago.
***
It was exhausting.
Today Olivia was helping Jane, her senior, who had seven makeup clients. Granted, Olivia was just helping with the usual stuff. But seeing the crowd in one room, even though the room was big, Olivia felt claustrophobic.
Moreover, everyone in the room looked so busy going back and forth. Just seeing it made Olivia feel tired.
Now Olivia decided to step out of the big room into a fairly quiet hallway. Olivia stood facing the large glass as a substitute for the wall, looking at the night sky stretching out.
Olivia occasionally closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. Feeling the calm air from the hustle and bustle of the people in the room. It felt so soothing when Olivia enjoyed this kind of tranquility. Like something inside her that was bound and restrained, was instantly freed.
“Ah, at least I can see Axel tonight,” Olivia murmured between her eyes.
Olivia opened her eyes again and saw a printed photo. There was Axel in the print, when Jungkook performed at London’s Fashion Parade Week last month.
Olivia’s smile grew warm. “How handsome is this man. Gosh, why did God create a creature as beautiful as you?”
Without Olivia realizing it, Axel was already standing a few meters away from her. Axel watched Olivia with a questioning gaze. Whose photo was she looking at?
Olivia closed her eyes again while bringing the printed photo in her hand to her chest. As if she was hugging Axel.
Axel, who felt curious, finally stepped closer. He didn’t know what Olivia was thinking until she was so focused that she didn’t hear the sound of his footsteps.
“Why are you alone?”
Olivia suddenly opened her eyes and turned her face. Her eyes immediately widened in surprise and jerked back a step. A man who had just arrived and was stepping toward her made Olivia suddenly stiffen.
The man, Axel, raised both eyebrows. His hands were stuffed into his coat pockets.
Seeing Olivia who suddenly stiffened and looked at him in horror, Axel was provoked to laugh amusedly.
“Why are you looking at me so strangely?” Axel asked. He had stopped walking when he was three steps in front of Olivia. “You… aren’t doing anything wrong, are you?”
Olivia still blinked. But her shock had subsided. Nervous to death, Olivia replied, “A-ah, that… what kind of thing?”
Axel seemed to think for a moment. “Yeah… that, getting caught stealing, for example?”
Olivia’s forehead wrinkled. Because of her nervousness, Olivia didn’t catch the implied joke behind Axel’s sentence.
Axel immediately let out a small laugh. “I’m just kidding. Are you in trouble? Scolded by your seniors again?”
“No,” Olivia replied quickly, taking Axel by surprise. “There’s nothing wrong. You… what are you doing here?”
Axel didn’t answer. His eyes looked at Olivia intently, highlighting a meaning.Axel slowly stepped closer to Olivia. Making Olivia even more nervous, taking a step back.
Axel’s height that was more than Olivia’s made Olivia have to look up.
“My make up is a bit messy, ssh… I feel oily from sweat. Can you fix it?” Axel asked in a low and deep voice.
Olivia almost gaped if she didn’t hold her lips immediately. “W-why… no, I mean, you can ask the others for help.”
“Right, I can ask others for help,” Axel replied, briefly casting a glance outside. “But you’ve been handling my makeup since the beginning, so I’m afraid of someone else messing up.”
Olivia fell silent. Her heart was racing so fast at that moment that her whole body suddenly stiffened. Olivia’s tongue was tongue-tied even though she had the vocabulary to refuse. But she couldn’t say anything at all.
“How’s this?” Axel’s eyes turned to look back at Olivia. “I just want you to…” Axel read the name tag on Olivia’s right breast. His lopsided smile curved a little. “…Olivia?”
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat. Her body froze without being able to say anything. She just stood there looking at Axel intensely.
“What?” asked Olivia. ‘Didn’t I hear wrong?” she continued silently.
“I want you, Olivia.”
“HEI! OLIVIA!”
The silence was immediately broken when Jane’s call sounded. Suddenly, Olivia who was still dumbfounded after hearing Axsl’s words earlier gasped. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Jane glaring at her as she walked closer.
Axel only turned his head when he heard the sound of tapping steps approaching. Both eyebrows raised in astonishment at Jane’s presence.
“What are you doing here?” asked Jane, giving Olivia a sardonic glare.
Olivia immediately grimaced and bowed. “Sorry, Mrs. Jane. I was just getting a little fresh air.”
Jane gave Olivia a warning look, then turned to look at Axel. That’s when a guilty smile curved up.
“Oh, forgive my boy, Mr. Axel. He still has to learn how not to run away from work just like that,” Jane said while giving a brief bow.
Axel was silent with both eyebrows furrowed. He was confused, why was Olivia being blamed when she had done nothing wrong?
“And I’m sorry if she interrupted your time. You must have been looking for some fresh air too but she came to disturb you, right? I’m so sorry,” Jane continued.
Axel gave a small smile. “No problem. After all… it was me who approached her, Mrs. Jane,” he replied with a casual joking tone. “I felt like my makeup wasn’t right, it was a bit smudged. So I looked for it but it wasn’t in the room.”
Jane was stunned to hear that Axel had approached Olivia. But since she already felt that Olivia was at fault, Jane didn’t want to embarrass herself. So she turned to Olivia and threw a sharp glare.
“You’re being unprofessional! How can you not be in the make-up room and make the clients come to you?!”
Olivia was stunned to hear those words. Olivia actually wanted to tell Jane the truth. But her sense of professionalism held her back because Axel was here. Plus, Olivia couldn’t possibly reveal something that could potentially judge Axel badly and make him uncomfortable.
“Ah, it’s okay,” Axel replied with a small laugh. The look in his eyes that implied a twinkle did not escape Axel. “It’s not Olivia’s fault. I was the one who wanted to go to her. Don’t blame her like that.”
Jane’s uncomfortable face turned to Axel. Among her discomfort, Jane looked briefly annoyed at Olivia for getting a defense from Axel.
“Still, Olivia did something wrong. I feel so bad that I had to make you look for her, she should have been on stand-by with her work. I’m sorry once again.”
“Do you always apologize when you don’t feel guilty like that?”
“Yes?” Jane’s eyebrows both raised. Her look of confusion was even more evident. “What do you mean?”
With a calm smile on his face, Axel shook his head briefly. “No, I don’t. It’s just that… the more you apologize, the more Olivia looks guilty. And you just keep apologizing. It’s like you’re gaslighting on purpose.”
Jane frowned, as did Olivia who didn’t understand where Axel was going with this. But Olivia suddenly felt bad. It seemed like Axel’s topic of conversation would lead to…
“You’re not trying to make Olivia feel guilty, are you?” This time, Axel included a meaningful lopsided smile. Axel deliberately provoked Jane that second.
As a result, Jane felt a bit awkward now. Her eyeballs were moving around, just not looking at Axel’s two pairs of eyeballs. A piercing calm. Jane glanced at Olivia who was slightly downcast with a shrinking look.
“Never mind, don’t act tense and intimidating like that to someone who is innocent.” Axel suddenly waved one hand with a soft chuckle. As if trying to neutralize the atmosphere.
“I’m going back inside. Don’t nag him anymore,” Axel said.
Axel gave a small smile as a sign to end the conversation. A glimpse of Olivia automatically raised the corners of her lips to show a small smile. In fact, beyond Olivia’s expectations, Axel gave her an ignorant wink.
Olivia was surprised, while Axel immediately turned around and waltzed away. Leaving Olivia with Jane who was equally dumbfounded at Axel’s wink.
Axel gave a small smile as a sign to end the conversation. A glimpse of Olivia automatically raised the corners of her lips to show a small smile. In fact, beyond Olivia’s expectations, Axel gave her an ignorant wink.
Olivia was surprised, while Axel immediately turned around and waltzed away. Leaving Olivia with Jane who was equally dumbfounded at Axel’s wink.
There was silence between Olivia and Jane. After Axel had completely left, Jane turned her body to face Olivia.
“Do you know Axel?” Jane peppered Olivia with questions.
Seeing Jane’s pair of eyes that squinted suspiciously, Olivia was struck by awkwardness. No immediate answer came out of Olivia’s mouth. Even so, Olivia still tried to calmly give a knot.
“Doesn’t… everyone know Axel?” Olivia asked back, desperately trying to hide her awkwardness.
Jane folded her arms across her chest, watching Olivia even more intensely. “No, I mean, do you know him personally?”
Olivia frowned with a slight grimace on her face. “No, I don’t. How could I know him personally?”
At first Jane did not immediately look believing. But because Olivia faked her nervousness, Jane decided to believe. Although the way she looked at Olivia still implied that she was detecting, Jane did not want to prolong it.
“I’m not sure Axel would want to get to know you personally either,” Jane said after throwing away her smug expression.
Olivia didn’t answer, just slightly bowed. Even if she resisted, Jane had more power to fire her from this job. There was no way Olivia would let herself be miserable over something so trivial.
“Yes, Mrs. Jane,” Olivia replied politely.
Then Jane’s eyes, which looked both displeased and wary of Olivia, turned away. “Also, you know that there are professional boundaries between idols and make-up artists like you, right?”
Of course. How could Olivia forget something like that?
After all, it wasn’t that high of an expectation for Olivia to imagine being with Axel. What a crazy human being.
“I know, Mrs. Jane,” Olivia nodded her head again.
Jane gave her a warning glance, looking her down and up. Then she waltzed away from Olivia’s presence.
The tapping sound of Jane’s high heels faded away. Now Olivia was left standing where she was, looking straight at Jane’s back. For some reason, something still lingered in Olivia’s heart.
Like a tickling swish that was not slowly spreading.
Olivia remembered a few moments ago, when Axel came to her. In the midst of Olivia’s silence, she reached into her shirt pocket. She took out a photocard that she always kept.
The figure of Axel posed with a wide smile showing a row of teeth.
Olivia had kept this photocard for a long time – almost four years. During that time, Olivia never left this photocard, even until the color was murkier than the first time she bought it.
Paying close attention to Axel on the photocard, the corners of Olivia’s lips unconsciously curved into a smile. She felt a warmth creeping into her chest. She immediately clutched her chest, and repeatedly exhaled to ease the pounding of her heart.
“It’s true what Mrs. Jane said. Even if we were given the chance to get to know each other personally, it would be impossible,” Olivia murmured with a heavy sigh. “We are so different, including caste. In fact, I am very grateful that I was able to catch a glimpse of you earlier.”
Yes, Olivia never expected anything from Axel. Even though Olivia saw Axel directly in front of her eyes earlier, it didn’t change Olivia’s consciousness.
Putting the photocard in its original place, Olivia exhaled. Her two feet began to step from the hallway. Canceling her intention to seek peace because of the crowd in the makeup room.
Jane would be furious if she saw-
“Olivia!”
Olivia’s feet spontaneously stopped moving. Olivia looked around to see who was calling her. But once she caught the figure of Axel running small towards her.
Olivia was dumbfounded for a moment. Before finally looking around to make sure there was no Jane. Or even other staff who would notice the two of them.
“You… what are you…” Olivia’s sentence wasn’t finished, but Axel immediately interrupted her.
“You haven’t done my makeup yet.” Axel widened his smile as he stopped in front of Hyun-a. His breathing was a little labored. He pointed at his own face in a circle. “Look. More and more sweat. I need to take care of this.”
Olivia blinked where she stood, not knowing what to do. Instantly Olivia’s whole body felt stiff to move.
“Wh-what…” Olivia felt her tongue slip out.
Axel took another step forward, then bent down. Holding his own knees, he deliberately looked at Olivia’s eyes from a close distance. Completely unaware that Olivia was holding her weakened knees.
“Can I ask for the makeup to be done? You brought the tools, right, Olivia?”
Axel’s voice that greeted Olivia’s sense of hearing made her hair stand on end. Olivia slowly lowered her face.
“B-brought it, but-”
“Yes! Just do it!” Axel immediately straightened his body again while clapping his hands once. “I need to tidy up a bit, and… maybe we can have a chat. Can we get to know each other personally?”
“Yes?” Gaping, Olivia didn’t expect what she heard at all. “What?”
“Yes. Get to know you personally, but I don’t mean that… you know, yeah, I feel like you could possibly be my personal make-up artist. So I need to get to know you personally.”
Olivia really needed to reconstruct her ears now. Didn’t she hear wrong?
“How? Let’s start from… how long have you been my fan?” Axel gave a thin, twinkling smile. His eyes lit up with curiosity.
“What? How do you know?”
Axel’s eyes moved to Olivia’s hand. “You were holding my photocard, when I approached you.”
“You saw that?!”
Axel chuckled at Olivia’s panicked and misguided reaction. He shook his head briefly.
“Gosh, that’s funny. We really need to get to know each other personally, Olivia.”
“Thank you for your hard work today!”
The dismissal of the models took place after the event had actually finished. The staff of the United States Fashion Week event bowed to each other, giving a sign of thanks. Especially to the models who had now changed their outfits.
In between all the models dispersing, or meeting their respective managers, Axel was busy fiddling with the car keys in his index finger. If one or two of the staff passed by and bowed, Axel would occasionally bow back.
“Axel!” came the voice of someone very familiar to Axel’s sense of hearing.
Axel, with a twinkling smile, turned his head. Seeing the arrival of Jonathan who ran a little towards him, Axel’s eyebrows spontaneously raised.
Jonathan’s face conveyed anxiety, as if something had happened. As someone who had been close to Jonathan, his manager, for a long time, Axel could clearly sense that something was wrong.
“Hey, what’s wrong? Why is your face like that?” Axel asked after Jonathan was standing next to him.
Jonathan looked out of breath after running. In between, a passing idea of his own pushed the corners of his lips into a mischievous curve.
“What does my face look like? Is it handsome?” Jonathan asked while pointing at his own face. He deliberately made a cute expression.
Axel, who was almost worried about Jonathan, immediately relaxed his frown. Changing his expression to a look of annoyance and disgust.
“I’m seriously asking you,” Axel said with a tinge of annoyance on his face.
Seeing Axel’s annoyed reaction, Jonathan just chuckled.
“Hey, don’t be so serious. I’m fine. It’s just…” Jonathan looked around with a cautious glance. As if he was watching for something. Then he took one of Axel’s arms and led him away.
“You were talking about that sudden disappearance. I saw you with a woman. Who was it?” Jonathan continued to ask.
No immediate answer came out, Axel frowned. Thinking for a few moments as he tried to guess what Jonathan meant.
“I don’t understand…” A second later the confusion on Axel’s face changed. He understood something. “Ah, that. I did approach one of the make-up artists to fix my make-up.”
Jonathan’s eyes widened instantly. Between surprise and warning Axel. Getting closer to Axel’s ear, Jonathan immediately whispered, “How could you approach a female make-up artist?”
“Aish. It was nothing, Mr. Jonathan. I just wanted to correct the make up-”
“Don’t you see there are a lot of staff in the make-up room? You can ask them for help,” Jonathan said in an irritated hissing tone.
At first Axel looked back with a look of astonishment on his face. I don’t know what struck him that his manager had to make a face at him. Moreover, just look at it now, a smugness was inevitable from that face.
But not wanting to prolong the matter too much, Axel let out an exasperated breath as he pushed Jonathan’s face away. Axel rolled his eyes lazily as he looked up.
“Aish! How can I ask others for help when my make up is handled by Hyun-a? I don’t want different hands, different results,” Axel explained, which also sounded like a grumble.
The problem is that this is not the only time Jonathan, the manager, has panicked like this. For a long time, every time he sniffed at his closeness with a woman-even if it was just a one-time conversation like he and Olivia had earlier, still.
Axel really didn’t know how to ease Jonathan’s worries. Even though they had been together for almost five years.
“Olivia?” Jonathan looked thoughtful. “The make-up artist who got in our way earlier?”
Axel nodded his head while mumbling an affirmative. “That’s right. The senior one looks really fierce.”
“Oh my…” With a look of disbelief on Axel’s face, Jonathan ruffled his waist. “Don’t you think that his senior would think all sorts of things if he knew-”
“He already knows,” Axel cut in immediately, making Jonathan glare. “But he won’t misunderstand. I’ve already explained to her that I’m just asking to justify her make-up.”
Jonathan tapped himself on the forehead. He closed his eyes as he exhaled a nervous breath.
“I don’t know what will happen if…”
“Never mind, don’t worry,” Axel said again. He gave a faint smile as he patted one of Jonathan’s shoulders lightly. “Nothing will happen. You have to learn to think less negatively.”
Jonathan immediately moved his hand away from his forehead and glared at Axel. “I should think less my negative thoughts, you say? You can’t imagine how much I have to clean up every time there’s news of your closeness with a woman?!”
Looking around, Axel then placed a hand on Jonathan’s shoulder. Axel deliberately looked down to whisper something to his manager.
“Thank you, my favorite manager, but you don’t have to worry about tightening your voice.”
Jonathan gulped with an annoyed look as he looked away. Looking at Axel who threw a meaningful smile, Jonathan pushed Axel’s hand away.
“Be careful. You’ve been in the news a lot with women,” Jonathan admonished.
It was Axel’s turn to scrunch up his waist. For some reason, his ears perked up when he heard Jonathan’s umpteenth warning. It made him feel like there were bars holding his heart.
“Are you going to keep forbidding me like this? Hah… I might never have a family of my own,” Axel complained as he looked up, groaning in exasperation.
Jonathan, in the midst of his annoyance, looked at Axel with some pity. “Oh, my God. I feel so sorry for you. Who told you not to have a partner?”
Axel quickly accused Jonathan through his eyes.
Feeling that the accusation was thrown at him, Jonathan was immediately struck by awkwardness. But Jonathan tried to remain calm.
“No, it’s not like that. You can still have a partner, but don’t confuse. It has to be someone who is definitely your partner,” Jonathan said in a nervous tone.
Axel looked unconvinced by Jonathan’s words. “Really? Will you be ready to face my fans who might blindly ask for confirmation?”
No, Axel knew that Jonathan would be exhausted by the many parties and fans asking for confirmation of the relationship.
Jonathan let out a sigh. “You still don’t understand how professional I am?”
Axel chuckled with his mouth shut, giving Jonathan a pat on the shoulder. I don’t know if it was just Axel’s feeling or not, but the look on Jonathan’s face slowly revealed anxiety. His eyes were moving all over the place, not daring to look Axel in the eye.
After only a few moments of watching Jonathan, Axel felt the vibration of the cell phone. He flinched slightly before pulling out a cell phone from the inside pocket of his coat.
“Hello, Dad?” asked Axel, greeting his father on the phone.
Jonathan watched Axel curiously. His brow furrowed, but his frown deepened when he saw Axel gradually show anxiety. Jonathan had a bad feeling when he saw the sharp glint in Axel’s eyes.
“But, dad, I can’t-” Axel’s voice was cut off by his father. As a result, Axel rolled his eyes lazily and exhaled through his mouth. “Alright, dad. I’ll come there, but you should also see something I’m going to show you.”
After saying that sentence, Axel put away the phone screen. The call had stopped. Axel’s eyes looked very upset as he looked down at his phone screen.
“Oh my. Mr. Jonathan…”
“What’s wrong, what did your father say?” Jonathan immediately said a series of sentences. He came closer and looked at Axel with both curiosity and concern.
Axel lifted his face, looking at Jonathan with an incomprehensible look in his eyes.
“What about this? Father asked me to come because he brought my future wife.”
Who wouldn’t be surprised to hear Axel’s words?!
Jonathan widened his eyes, almost gaping. “What?! For… for what did your father do that?!”
Axel grimaced as he shook his head. “I don’t know. This is the third time this has happened. I don’t want the partner my father recommended, Mr. Jonathan!”
Biting his lower lip, Jonathan placed one hand on his waist. The other hand rubbed the back of his neck.
While they were both silent and worried, Jonathan thought of an idea. He suddenly snapped his fingers with a bright smile.
“How about you bring your own partner?” Jonathan asked.
“Are you crazy?” Axel looked sardonic. “How am I going to get-”
“Mr. Jonathan, Axel!”
Both of them turned to the source of the voice. Axel raised both eyebrows when he saw the figure of Jane walking followed by Olivia behind her. Olivia looked so awkward that she hesitated to raise her face.
“Yes, Jane? What’s the occasion?” asked Jonathan after Jane stood in front of them.
Axel’s eyes did not move from Olivia. While watching Olivia, his mind was only centered on one thing.
Making her his pretend partner to bring before his father.
Both corners of Axel’s lips automatically curved. Forming a smile that implied getting an idea.
“…I just wanted to say that’s all. I hope we can meet and work together again next time,” Jane said at the end of her sentence.
“Oh, of course-”
“Of course we should meet again,” Jane said, snatching Jonathan’s words.
Jonathan’s gaze, Jane’s gaze, and Olivia’s gaze immediately turned to Axel. The twinkle in Axel’s eyes that was directed at Olivia made Jane wonder.
With a look that could not be separated from Olivia’s eyes, Axel unconsciously uttered a sentence.
“We should meet again. Right, Olivia?”
Jane turned her face to Olivia, while Olivia looked dumbfounded. Not understanding what Axel meant.
Jonathan secretly pinched Axel’s arm to wake him up. After Axel realized, he finally corrected himself.
“I mean, for work. I have another photo shoot for later. Can Olivia be my personal make-up artist for today?”
“Pardon?” Jane still didn’t seem to understand.
“Yes, I feel attracted to Olivia’s handiwork. So, for tonight’s shoot, can Olivia not just be an assistant?”
At that moment, quietly, Olivia curved her smile. The pull of that smile was noticed by Axel, making Axel also arch a faint smile.
“Do you want to bring Olivia?” Jane asked. “Ah, but, sorry…”
“Can’t we use any make-up artist?” Axel cut Jane off.
Jane looked puzzled for a moment. Jane thought about it, occasionally turning her face to Olivia.
Although she didn’t like it, Jane was finally forced to nod her head.
“Okay. You can hire her services for tonight.”
Axel breathed a sigh of relief, returning Jane’s nod. Looking at Olivia, Axel signaled for Olivia to follow.
“Come on, Olivia. You can come with us,” Jonathan said.
Axel then showed Jane his phone screen. “I recorded our conversation earlier. So, if anyone asks where Olivia is, answer correctly that I hired her makeup services today.
I warn you to tell people differently.”
Olivia raised both eyebrows. Especially Jonathan who did not expect that Axel would be like that.
Jane blinked for a moment, then laughed awkwardly. “Oh my god. What did I do that for?”
Pulling out his cell phone again, Axel gave a meaningful smile.
“I don’t know. I just felt responsible if something happened to Olivia. Especially since I asked for it,” Axel explained very casually.
Jane gave an awkward smile. “Oh my,” she said, not daring to look into Axel’s calm eyes. It was somehow more terrifying. “You may go, Olivia. Someone is waiting for your services.”
Olivia gave Jane a bow. Although she was pleased, a hint of distaste flickered across Olivia’s face. But she couldn’t do anything if a client wanted to use her services.
As she stood next to Axel, Olivia felt her heart racing. Like there was something tickling.
“Let’s go, Olivia,” Axel said with a sweet knot on his face.
Olivia’s throat tightened at that moment. How could she control herself around Axel?!
***
Olivia really did not expect that what Axel said was inversely proportional to reality.
Can you guess where Axel took her?
“So, this is your new boyfriend that you haven’t introduced to dad?”
To Axel’s father and introduced as lovers!
“Yes, Father. I didn’t tell you because I’ve been busy with brand shoots and US fashion week events,” Axel explained so calmly. How could he behave like that in such an urgent situation?!
When Axel’s father turned to Olivia, Olivia gave a small nod. A faint curl of a smile appeared on her face.
Olivia was nervous to death. Moreover, Axel’s father’s eyes seemed to be scanning her.
“Dad, don’t scare her by looking at her like that.” Axel seemed to understand why Olivia was tense in her seat.
“You…” Ignoring Axel’s words, her father squinted. “Do you really love my daughter?”
Of course. Olivia had been a fan of Axel for almost five years. Not fanatically so, but Olivia heard quite often where and when Axel’s modeling schedule was.
“Yes, Father. I love him very much,” Olivia replied.
“Can you hold yourself together during Axel’s busy schedule?” It was Katherine, Axel’s mother’s turn to respond.
Olivia’s eyes shifted to Katherine. “Thank God I can, Mom. My job as a make-up artist sometimes allows me to meet him. So, we can take the time to talk when we meet.”
Axel watched Olivia who seemed to be trying to calm down. To be honest, Axel didn’t mean it was rude to bring Olivia in front of her parents. Earlier, during the car ride, they had talked about this meeting together.
Luckily, Olivia was one of those people who were quick to act.
Axel could have chosen something else. But since he felt that Olivia knew him better than anyone else-because Olivia was a fan of his, Axel felt that there would most likely be a connection between the two of them.
“I still can’t believe that you’re really in a relationship,” Axel’s father said.
Neither Axel nor Olivia could react. For a few moments, they just looked at each other. The feeling of awkwardness enveloped them in an instant. Moreover, Axel’s father’s gaze squinted and watched them so intensely. As if he wanted to read the lies they were hiding.
Although it was a bit difficult, Axel finally cleared his throat briefly. Neutralizing the awkward atmosphere as well as his own feelings.
“We’re serious, Father. How can we just pretend to be in a relationship?” Axel threw the question back with a faint smile.
Olivia replied with a brief nod of her head.
Unfortunately, Axel’s father couldn’t be trusted with just that. Her back straightened as she took a deep breath. Still giving Axel and Olivia an unsure expression.
“Alright. In that case, when will you guys be planning the wedding?”
The atmosphere between Olivia and Axel suddenly became awkward.
After the family meeting was over, Axel drove Olivia. Accompanied by Jonathan, the manager, using Axel’s car. Axel’s father’s last words, when he asked the two of them to get married, rang out between Olivia and Axel.
Olivia really didn’t expect that this day would happen. She doesn’t know how to react at that moment. On the one side, Olivia couldn’t help but feel happy to be close to Axel. But on the other hand, Olivia felt inappropriate.
Axel’s family was very strict in choosing a son-in-law for them.
In fact, wait, Axel was being set up as a mate!
“Olivia,” Axel spoke up, “I apologize for what happened today. I asked you not to divulge anything.”
Olivia looked at Axel for a while. Seeing the look in Axel’s eyes that implied guilt made her unable to bear it. Moreover, the sincerity on Axel’s face did not show any malicious intent.
“Who am I going to leak to?” Olivia tried to be calm, flashing a casual smile. “I’m not like that.”
Axel chuckled. His laugh sounded crisp and soothed Olivia’s heart.
“Your work also intersects with the entertainment world. Who knew you were close to a media person?” Axel joked, deliberately making a mocking face.
Olivia shook her head and chuckled too. “In that case, how much will I be paid and how much compensation will I have to pay?”
“Depends on the kindness of the agency,” Axel replied.
Arching a smile as she leaned her head against the back of the bench, Olivia sighed heavily.
“You’re a big star, definitely the agency’s favorite. There can be no forgiveness,” Olivia retorted, intending to return Axel’s jibe.
Jonathan, who had been listening to their conversation, chuckled.
“Hey, Olivia, he’s the agency’s favorite, but do you know something?”
Axel immediately turned his alarmed eyes to Jonathan. In contrast to Axel, Olivia looked enthusiastic and curious to hear what Jonathan had to say.
“Mr. Jonathan, what do you want to say?” Axel asked, his tone commemorating. “Don’t say anything to him.”
Olivia’s eyebrows rose instantly, looking at Axel and Jonathan in turn. Jonathan actually laughed at Axel’s panicked reaction.
“You know what?” Olivia asked.
“She’s the opposite of what she was on screen and what she is in front of you now. You don’t know how he really acts, do you?”
“The real one?” Olivia asked confused.
She was even more panicked when Jonathan, the manager, flashed her a purposeful smile. Axel immediately strode forward, holding tight to both the driver’s seat and the driver’s side passenger.
“Mr. Jonathan, don’t fuck with me,” Axel said, looking at Jonathan warningly. “You’re going to do something to me, huh?”
For some reason, Olivia found Jonathan and Axel’s behavior ridiculous. Olivia had just realized that the two of them were so close. It wasn’t like they were a manager and an undercover model anymore.
“No need to tell me that it makes Axel uncomfortable,” Olivia said between Axel’s pleading looks.
“Oh, actually, you saw one of Axel’s true attitudes just now.”
Olivia raised both eyebrows again, but couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement. Already resigned to Jonathan’s nosiness, Axel sighed heavily.
“You’re really… really inhuman,” said Axel, who immediately buried his face in one hand.
“Well,” Jonathan snapped his fingers, “you see, Olivia, if you guys were really going to get married-”
“No, don’t,” Axel cut Jonathan off.
The situation between the three of them was instantly silent. The amused smile on Olivia’s face slowly faded. Olivia looked confused at Axel, who had quickly raised his face, and now Axel looked pale.
“I mean, I’m taking her to my family just for tonight,” Axel said, immediately correcting his attitude. “I don’t want anything to happen to Olivia.
If my fans find out about this, I’m afraid many of them won’t accept it. And then later attack Olivia.”
Jonathan frowned, his face momentarily dumbfounded. He still didn’t expect Axel’s reaction to reject him so quickly. Also, Jonathan was a bit worried that Axel’s reaction would offend Olivia.
Like what had already happened. One of the fans was offended when Axel accidentally blurted out that he didn’t want to take a photo. Even though Axel was exhausted because of the very busy schedule of fashion week events.
As well as photo shoots for a number of brands that contract Axel. Not to mention, filming advertisements from within the country and abroad.
“Ah, right… your fan.” Olivia laughed awkwardly. She actually felt flustered, thinking that Axel was like that because he didn’t feel on the same level. Of course, the status of fan and idol between them showed a very different social strata, right?
“Your fans would disapprove if they knew we were in a relationship even if it was just pretend,” Olivia continued. “Because I’m also just your fan. It would be unfair to other fans. Fans and idols…”
Olivia made a weighing motion using her right and left palms. But both were lame. The right palm was higher.
“Very one-sided,” Olivia continued, with a small laugh at the end of her sentence.
Axel dropped his gaze so long and intensely on Olivia’s pair of beady eyes that for some reason he felt bad seeing the glint of sadness in Olivia’s eyes.
“I didn’t mean to say that you’re not on my level,” Axel corrected, looking at Olivia with a guilty look in his eyes.
“It’s okay. I don’t think that way,” Olivia retorted with a casual wave of her hand.
“But the look in your eyes suggests otherwise.” Axel blatantly focused his gaze on Olivia, making Olivia feel awkward. “Besides, you seem to be different from the other fans.”
Olivia frowned. “What do you mean?”
In the driver’s seat, Jonathan shook his head and gave a lopsided smile. Jonathan had expected Axel’s sudden departure, which turned out to be to see Olivia.
It would be weird if there was nothing in it for Axel, right?
“No, it’s just that… I find you interesting,” Axel replied, getting to the point. “You’re good at your job. You know, someone who’s good at their job always has more value in my eyes.
And… you don’t even yell hysterically or scream-or even go so far as to pull me close to you. You have a sense of respect for other people’s comfort, Olivia.”
Olivia was dumbfounded as Axel said that. There was a part of her that denied Axel’s words. But seeing the sincerity in Axel’s eyes made Olivia hesitate.
“You’re… not kidding?” Olivia asked. “Why would you say a joke like that?”
Axel laughed calmly. “That sounds like a joke? I just realized that even a serious sentence sounds like a joke?”
Wait, wait, wait. What’s going on here?
Olivia’s heart skipped a beat that very second, instantly nervous. Her whole body was stiff and unable to move. She needed time to digest Axel’s words that managed to invite a tickle in her chest.
Olivia really didn’t know what to do. Why does Axel look even more charming when looking at her in the shade like now?!
Olivia hadn’t finished digesting tonight’s events. Now, as soon as Axel’s car stopped in front of the small chicken restaurant, Olivia found someone waiting.
“Olivia, are you… are you with…”
Olivia winced as she watched Catthes, her best friend, dumbfounded. Of course Cathes would react in shock after seeing Axel in front of her eyes. Who knew that Axel, a famous model, would show up at night in an ordinary neighborhood?
Cathes patted Olivia’s shoulder repeatedly while looking at Axel in disbelief. At first it was just a small pat, then it gradually became a firm pat. It signaled a sense of enthusiasm that was injected out of nowhere in a second.
“Axel! Is it really Axel?!” Cathes, whether he realized it or not, let out an exclamation.
Olivia glared and immediately smothered her best friend’s mouth. Her expression turned frantic.
“Shut up, Cathes! Your voice will attract other people’s attention!” Olivia hissed in warning to Cathes. Her eyes held a serious glint in them.
“Hmmpph…” Cathes repeatedly smacked the back of Olivia’s hand.
Axel who witnessed Olivia and Cathes’ behavior laughed amusedly, softly. Meanwhile, Jonathan had not taken his eyes off the chicken symbol in this small chicken shop.
“Axel, aren’t you hungry?” Jonathan asked without looking away. His hand stroked his stomach with a hungry expression.
Axel’s gaze turned to Jonathan. Instantly his laughter faded, momentarily stunned at Jonathan’s reaction. Again and again, this was not the first time Axel had faced Jonathan’s attitude whenever he saw food.
“Do you want to eat?” Axel asked, giving a forced smile.
Jonathan shifted his gaze to Axel. Seeing Axel’s sharp look at him made Jonathan immediately awkward.
Axel slowly approached Jonathan, stood next to him, and quietly brought his mouth to the manager’s ear.
“Eat if you want me to be seen by others,” Axel said as a warning.
Axel immediately distanced himself, pretending to smile nothing at Olivia. He didn’t know who was inside the chicken shop. He only anticipated that there would be a rabid fan…
“Do you want to eat?” Catthes suddenly swooped in, asking enthusiastically.
Suddenly Catthes’ behavior made Axel and Hyun-a wide-eyed. Moreover, Jonathan had ignored Axel’s warning earlier. Instead, he nodded enthusiastically.
“I’ll give you a half-price discount-”
“Hey! You think this is your shop?” Olivia immediately anticipated Catthes acting up. She gave her a second warning look. “No discount, they need to go home because Axel needs to rest.”
Catthes gave Olivia an annoyed look. “It’s not yours, it’s your father’s. Unfortunately your father considers me his son, so it’s also mine.”
“How…” Olivia’s sentence hung, almost gaping in disbelief.
In front of them both Axel was already shaking his head. Massaging his temples, he let out a rough breath.
“No, no. The point is, no one eats here,” Olivia said, then turned her gaze to Jonathan. “I’m sorry, Mr. Jonathan, but doesn’t Axel need to rest? He must be tired after that fashion week event.”
Axel snapped his fingers, agreeing with Olivia. “Right, Olivia. God … I’m so tired,” he complained, looking up with a grimace on his face.
“That’s right, isn’t it? I told you what Manager Park, don’t force Jungkook to stay active,” Olivia coaxed, again trying to change Jonathan’s mind.
Jonathan, who only had a confused look on his face, asked, “If someone is tired, then they need to eat too, right?”
Olivia was a bit hesitant to answer. On the other hand, she felt bad because Axel seemed uncomfortable going inside. She understood very well that it would be very risky for Axel to enter the shop, especially after performing on the Korean Fashion Week stage.
Without realizing it, Catthes squinted at Olivia. There was a sense of suspicion and many questions in his mind. Seeing how Olivia chatted intimately with Axel, let alone being escorted home like this.
How could Olivia suddenly become close to Axel?
Olivia really owed her a lot of stories.
“Axel, let’s eat together. You should at least show some face in front of…”
“What’s all the fuss about? Olivia, are you home yet?”
All pairs of eyes turned to the source of the voice. A man of the same height as Olivia was walking with a green apron on. He wore a slightly shabby flannel shirt, looking forty years old and heading towards fifty.
The man approached Olivia and Catthes. Soon his gaze shifted to Axel and Jonathan.
“Ah, hello, good evening,” Jonathan said as he bowed respectfully.
Axel also bowed respectfully. Giving an awkward smile to the man he thought was Olivia’s father.
“Dad,” Olivia called out in a panic. “This…”
The man who was called father immediately widened his smile. His eyes lit up after a while of just looking at Axel intensely.
“Oh my, you… I’ve seen you!” The man exclaimed, pointing at Axel enthusiastically. “Wait, but where? Ah! I saw you in Olivia’s room! Olivia had a picture of you framed up in four frames on her dresser!”
Suddenly, Olivia was wide-eyed at her father’s frankness. Meanwhile, Axel raised both eyebrows and was provoked to smile amusedly. In contrast to Catthes who immediately elbowed Olivia with a mischievous grin, then laughed at Olivia’s embarrassment.
Olivia’s cheeks heated up. Moreover, Axel looked at her with an incomprehensible look in his eyes. But damn it, Axel was handsome with that look!
“Dad… why did you say that to her?!”
Olivia was dead. After this, where will she put her face?!
***
“Oh my. I didn’t expect a famous model like you to come.”
The result of the meeting was that Axel and Jonathan were told by Olivia’s father to go out to eat. Of course Jonathan would be very happy when it came to food. Especially since Jonathan had complained that he was hungry earlier.
In front of Olivia’s father, Axel just smiled and nodded briefly. He accidentally saw Olivia who had been sitting uncomfortably. Occasionally glancing at him with an unpleasant look, maybe because his father told him to stop by here.
Axel tried to chuckle to make the atmosphere not tense or stiff.
“Gosh, I’m not a famous model, sir, but thank you for the food.”
Olivia’s father immediately showed a surprised look, pointing at Axel. “Look at that. He said he’s not a famous model. Did you intend to lie to me?” he joked, laughing until his shoulders shook.
“Even I know your face is all over the place. I just realized that your face was on the cover of a magazine last week. Unfortunately, I forgot the name of the magazine and the issue,” Olivia’s father continued, frowning in thought.
Olivia’s father’s joke that seemed to connect with Axel made the others laugh. Including Olivia who began to curve a smile. Although it was small, it somehow made Axel feel relieved.
“About that… maybe she just happens to look like me, sir,” Axel replied before taking a bite of chicken.
“It can’t be like that. Hey, you’re handsome in person. I don’t think anyone has equaled your good looks yet.”
Axel instantly looked down with an embarrassed chuckle that just came out. He shook his head briefly.
“No, no, sir. There must be someone better looking. You’re even better looking than me,” Axel replied.
“Maybe if you talk about when I was younger, I could rival your good looks, son,” Olivia’s father said with narrowed eyes, deliberately casting a mocking expression.
“The truth, sir, is that I’m the better looking one,” Jonathan said, responding to Axel and Olivia’s father’s joke.
Catthes laughed and shook his head, as did Olivia. Instead of feeling displeased with the joke, Olivia’s father frowned. His face showed an unconvinced expression.
“Eis, that’s right. You’re the most handsome. I like your confidence.”
“Right?” Jonathan was getting excited. “I should have been the model, not him. But I chose to be the manager. Lucky you, Axel. You would have been overrun if I had modeled.”
Axel just chuckled. “Whatever you want, Mr. Jonathan. What matters is that you’re happy. In fact, I’m the model.”
That night, somehow, Axel and Olivia’s father bonded. And Jonathan wasn’t afraid to crack a joke.
Olivia didn’t know how she felt at the moment. Most importantly, having Axel around her like this was something she had dreamed of for a long time.
Even Catthes often dismissed Olivia’s dream of being close to Axel. Saying that such a reality is impossible. Now, Olivia feels her wish come true!
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