Chapter 108
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Top Celebrity Jin Se-ah's Escapade?
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After getting home, I sent Jin Sung-tae one more photo of Yoo Eun-joo.
Among the pictures I'd taken while exposing her, I picked a particularly tantalizing one.
Of course, it was a shot that wouldn't immediately give away it was Yoo Eun-joo.
If she really hated it, she should've replied telling me not to send any more, but nothing like that came.
She's probably sneaking peeks at it alone in the office right now.
"Eun-joo, your role's about to get a lot bigger."
Once he gets worked up looking at the photo, he'll definitely want to jump his wife.
Yoo Eun-joo will surely obey my order not to sleep with her husband.
Her face gives away lies too easily; she really won't do it.
That'll just build up Jin Sung-tae's frustration more and more.
And that's when I'll get my chance to break him.
For now, though, I need to focus on today's job.
After lunch, I headed to the Security Team, changed into uniform, and moved out with them.
Jin Se-ah's stage show kicked off at 7 p.m.
"She'll arrive around 3 p.m. shortly."
"What do we need to do?"
"Just provide security near the stage. We'll handle close protection ourselves."
"Got it."
"Oh, and who’s Seo Tae-hu?"
"That's me."
"You'll move with us."
"Just me?"
"Yes. That's what we were told."
Weird.
Why single me out all of a sudden?
Actually, works for me. Gives me a shot at seeing the real Jin Se-ah up close.
Better than hanging around near the stage, anyway.
"Seo Tae-hu, you'll do close protection with us."
"Understood."
"There's something you need to keep in mind."
"Tell me."
"No matter what Se-ah asks of you or tells you to do, you refuse everything."
His tone carried layers of meaning.
Maybe connected to why they singled me out?
"Give me your word."
"I will."
"Good. Wait out front of the dressing room for now."
"Got it."
"Go stand there now. She'll arrive soon."
The dressing room was set up behind the stage.
Only fitting for Jin Se-ah.
They'd turned an entire pension building into her private space.
I stood guard out front, waiting.
3 p.m.
Suddenly, a massive van pulled up in the distance, and out stepped a woman who anyone would instantly recognize as Jin Se-ah.
'Whoa.'
I couldn't help but gasp. My jaw nearly dropped without me realizing.
A designer jacket from a famous brand, light pink leggings, and a white tank top.
She'd dressed casually for the pre-stage trip, but even that looked stunning on her.
Tall, killer figure.
The sky-blue ponytail suited her perfectly.
Up close, her flawless skin and perfect features came into sharp focus.
Top-tier celebrity for a reason. Way better in person than on TV.
Our eyes met for a split second.
Normally it'd just be a passing glance, but she stopped dead and stared right at me.
"Are you Seo Tae-hu by any chance?"
"Y-yes. That's me."
I tensed up.
Guess I'm human after all.
The level gap with a top star had my body stiffening.
"Don't be so nervous."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"You look just like in the videos. Matches the image I had in mind, too."
"You're really pretty too, Se-ah!"
The security team leader next to me scowled at my words.
We're not supposed to chat on duty.
"Thanks for the compliment. See you later."
She flashed a bright smile and brushed past me into the dressing room.
Her staff followed right after.
All these people just to look after her.
"You memorize the faces of the staff who just went in?"
"Yes."
"You only caught a glimpse."
"I've got a good memory."
It's true. My memory's solid; it just depends on my condition.
But with the Corruption Space evolution perk keeping me in peak form, it'll be even sharper than usual.
"Don't let anyone else into the dressing room besides that staff."
"Understood."
Maybe as backup, they stationed another guard next to me.
The rest spread out around the dressing room.
Soon, lively chatter erupted from inside.
-Se-ah, how's this color?
-Cute. Let's go with that.
-Show's at 7, so we should grab something light.
-Gimbap's fine. Sis, go pick what you want. I'll just have a bit of that.
-Got it!
-Everyone else, eat first too. It'll get too hectic later.
She got along well with her staff. Definitely not the bullying type.
The media praised her personality for good reason; it wasn't hype.
A bit later, the staff filed back out and vanished.
Finally, a woman emerged last and asked me,
"Tae-hu, first time here. Where's the convenience store?"
She had a cap pulled low. Wouldn't meet my eyes, kept her head down.
Baggy hoodie, cap, mask.
'Sky blue?'
A glimpse of blue hair peeked from under the cap.
'No way?'
Jin Se-ah?
Guess I wasn't the only one suspicious.
"Se-ah, please head back inside."
"Aww, busted again."
"Keep this up, and we'll get disciplined. Please."
"Can't I just slip out for a sec? You're staff here, so you know the layout. I'll be careful."
"No."
The guard beside me shut it down flat.
First time seeing something like this. Kinda fun.
A top celebrity trying to trick her guards? Hilarious. And the guard stays stone-faced and professional.
Means this happens all the time.
That's why they had guards outside—not to keep people out, but to keep Jin Se-ah in.
"Ugh, you guys are too much. Seriously."
"Team leader's orders. Can't help it. Sorry."
Jin Se-ah slunk back inside, head hung low.
Craving a little rebellion, huh. Cute.
Right then, something slipped into my pocket. A note, when I peeked.
Had to be from Jin Se-ah as she ducked back in.
Curiosity burned, but with the guard there, I held off.
"Mind if I use the restroom?"
"Go ahead."
In the bathroom, I fished it out. A note.
-Text me secretly around 10 p.m. tonight. Number: 010-XXXX-XXXX
Some words make any guy's heart race.
10 p.m. Secretly. Contact. Even her phone number.
Coming from Jin Se-ah? Heart pounding.
Personal number? Or a burner?
'Why me?'
I wondered what she was after.
Why ask me to call?
****
Fantastic.
Best word for that stage.
Pure and innocent on ballads.
Sexy as hell on dance tracks.
Two faces? Or just the outfits?
Fans went wild either way.
Mid-ballad, she ripped her clothes and launched into a sexy dance—cheers exploded like thunder.
No wonder she's top-tier.
From idol to solo, even acting—she'd cemented her name with the public. Massive fanbase.
Last day of the beer festival.
Bigger crowd than Friday or Saturday, all for Jin Se-ah.
I watched her intently from stage side. Well, her surroundings, technically.
To block anyone rushing the stage or posing a threat.
Evacuate her fast if danger hit.
But I couldn't focus.
Supposed to work, but my eyes kept drifting to her dance.
How does she shake those hips like that?
Why flash her armpits?
Her butt and chest shaking in that dance? Pure sex appeal.
Every wink sent fans into a frenzy.
'Whoever's banging her must be living the dream.'
They say showbiz is a jungle.
So many hot guys and girls packed together—sparks fly inevitably.
Jin Se-ah any different?
-Thank you! Everyone! Be happy!
After the dance finale, Jin Se-ah bowed to the fans and left the stage.
I escorted her back to the dressing room.
Waiting staff swarmed to care for her; I resumed guard duty outside.
An hour later.
She and her staff poured out, cleanup done.
Jin Se-ah emerged with her cap low, our eyes met—she gave a sly smile.
"Good work today, Tae-hu."
"You too."
"See you later."
Her last words were a whisper, just for me.
About 10 p.m.?
Security duty wrapped up.
Her personal guards would take over now.
Back home, I waited for 10 p.m.
"What's this about?"
The closer it got, the more my heart raced.
That's when my phone rang.
"Security team leader?"
"Yeah, team leader."
-Tae-hu! Where are you?
"Home, resting."
-Can you come out right now?
"What's up?"
-Se-ah's gone missing!
"...!!!"
-She vanished suddenly. We need to find her.
Now I got why he was calling.
-Sorry to bug you on your off time, but please. Festival means short-staffed. Plus, her team's begging us to handle it quietly.
"Scandal would be bad."
-Exactly. If media catches wind, disaster. Only asking trusted folks.
Made sense.
[Jin Se-ah Suddenly Vanishes After Performance. Why?]
Headlines like that, and fans would spin wild theories.
Agency feud. Or worse, kidnapping.
Even simple mischief—publicity's the last thing she needs.
"Got it. Heading over."
After hanging up, I checked the note again.
If she planned to bolt and left me her number anyway, one reason.
Just in case, I threw on a cap and mask before leaving.
Then dialed the number she'd given. No answer at first—probably thought I was a guard or staff.
Texted, and she picked up.
"Hello?"
-Tae-hu?
"Se-ah?"
-Yeah, it's me.
"Where are you? Place is in chaos—you vanished."
-I know. That's why I gave you my number.
"Mind telling me why?"
-I... just wanna cut loose a bit. Help me out, Tae-hu.
What?
This plot twist came out of nowhere.
Her words blindsided me—head spinning.
But part of me? Heart started racing harder.