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When no one answers, Minseok’s responding laugh is filled with derision. “Of course not. Why put too much effort into someone like Hyeri, who is so clearly a lost cause?”

The door opens on his last sentence, and Shin Hyeri herself walks in.

Someone likeHyeri,who is so clearly a lost cause.

Is that really how Minseok thinks of me? A lost cause?

At least he has the good grace to look horrified to see me. Minseok wouldn’t like to be caught talking about someone behind their back.

“Ah, Shin Hyeri, you’re here.” A man sitting at the table stands and ushers me toward a seat. I think I recognize him from the marketing team. Manager Jung? Manager Jang?

“Sorry we’re late,” Hongjoo says, bowing to the others in the room.

I’m still watching Minseok, who is staring at me like I’m a ghost.

“Hyeri-ssi?” the imposing woman at the table says.

“Ne?” I turn to blink at her. It takes me a second to recognize her as Director Yoon, an influential executive in the company.

I immediately lower into a bow. “Sorry.”

“No need,” Director Yoon says with a polite smile that curves her perfectly painted lips. “Would you like a drink?”

“Water is fine.” I pick up one of the bottles of water. I try to avoid looking at Minseok.

He thinks I’m a lost cause, fine. I don’t have to acknowledge someone who’s already thrown me away.

“We can wait until you’re done with your meeting.” I smile at Director Yoon and Hanbin. I’ve seen him around enough times with the WDB boys. He’s always been nice to me.

“Actually, this is the meeting,” Hanbin says. “We were waiting for you.”

“Us?” I frown. “Why would we be in this meeting with you?”

Now I can’t help it—I glance at Minseok. But he’s frowning at his manager. “Aren’t we supposed to talk about some new show?”

“Yes, exactly. But you’re both being cast,” the creative director explains. “Hyeri-ssi, please sit.”

I walk around the large conference table to one of the empty chairs. I’m having bad déjà vu flashbacks. The last time I was in this room was when I was told I’d been cast inCiPro.

“What do you mean about doing a show together?” I ask when I take my seat. I look at Hongjoo, who has suspiciously busied herself with pouring a soda. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Minseok nods. “Yeah, after the festival disaster are you sure it’s smart for us to be seen together?” He sounds almost angry.

Does he hate the idea of working with me that much? Well, I don’t want to work with him either.

The marketing manager clears his throat. I remember now that it’s definitely Manager Jung. Like 99 percent certain. He looks sweaty and nervous. I wonder if he should drink water; he looks like he’s about to pass out. “We reviewed the public reaction to the article. It seems that the majority fall into one of two camps. The ones who think you two fought…”

I close my eyes because it’s better than letting them see how frustrated I am.

Minseok, though, sounds completely unaffected as he asks, “And the other camp?”

Manager Maybe-Jung continues. “The other camp thinks it’s…romantic.”

“What?” Minseok and I shout together. When I look at him now, Minseok’s eyes are bulging and his mouth hangs open. Seems he is as put off by the idea as I am.

“Yeah, they think you were brave and cool for protecting Hyeri from the shattering glass. And they think that your visuals match well together.” Manager Probably-Jung pulls up a post showing the ending of the video, as Minseok cradles me on the ground. It’s an edited version, zooming in on us in the shadows. Hearts float around as the video plays out in slow motion with romantic music overlaid.

“What’s the show?” I ask, my voice weak as I look away from the screen.