Chapter 14
The moment Mo Eunje stepped into Café Isla, he yanked Gye Minho toward the Beige Room. The café had a spacious main hall and five private rooms, each named after the color of their walls: White, Cream, Beige, Sky Blue, and Baby Pink.
“Wait—wait. Are you serious? Shin Dael is actually in there?” Gye Minho’s face flushed with panic, and he clutched Mo Eunje’s wrist just as he reached for the door. His other hand pressed against his chest, his breathing ragged. “I’m so nervous my heart’s gonna explode. What if I have a heart attack the second I see my goddess Dael?”
Mo Eunje ignored Gye Minho’s dramatics and knocked on the door with his free hand before pushing it open. The two people inside turned toward them at the same time.
A table sat in the center of the room. On the left was a stunning actress, and on the right was a towering fraud. Just as Tae Iden had said—they meet often, and Shin Dael is Tae Igyeol’s type—Tae Igyeol was gently cradling Shin Dael’s left hand in both of his.
“……What the hell.”
Tae Igyeol dropped her hand as if nothing had happened.
But the expressions on Tae Igyeol and Shin Dael’s faces when their eyes met Mo Eunje’s couldn’t have been more different. The fraud who had intercepted a meeting between Mo Eunje and his reader—someone who matched his taste—flinched in surprise before his face darkened. The elegant actress, however, smiled warmly despite her shock.
“Novelist Mo Eunje?”
“Hello, Actress Shin.”
“It’s been too long, Novelist Mo Eunje.”
Shin Dael stood and greeted him with genuine warmth.
“Actress Shin has quite the eye for people. We only met briefly at the end-of-year party, but you remembered me. I’m honored.”
“Of course I remember. I wanted to talk to you more that day, but you left so quickly. I’m such a big fan of your writing.”
Mo Eunje vaguely recalled that at last year’s end-of-year party, he had been too busy tending to Tae Igyeol—who had suddenly complained of indigestion—to continue his conversation with Shin Dael. He had driven Tae Igyeol home instead, which was why his memory of meeting her was so hazy.
“I’m still far from perfect, but thank you. I always write with sincerity.”
“That sincerity comes through in every single sentence. I can tell how much care you put into every word.”
Mo Eunje was the type to deliver even the most embarrassing compliments with a straight face, but Shin Dael was no pushover either. She praised him without a hint of hesitation. The difference was that Mo Eunje did it with cheeky confidence, while Shin Dael meant every word.
“Thank you for your kindness.”
“It’s not kindness—it’s the truth. But how did you end up here? I heard you were too busy to come today because I contacted you so suddenly.”
“Well, I was incredibly busy,” Mo Eunje said, flashing his public-friendly smile, “but when I heard that Actress Shin had read my book, I had to make the impossible possible. And Tae Igyeol kept begging me to come, no matter how late.”
Dressed in a yellow T-shirt, red sweatpants, and a green zip-up, he answered shamelessly. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Tae Igyeol’s face twisting in annoyance—clearly upset that his date had been interrupted.
“Thank you so much. If I’d known you were coming, I would’ve brought a book. I never expected you to have time, since you’re always so busy with your new work…… I was worried when I heard you were stressed because the writing wasn’t going well.”
“Ah, haha. Yes, I’ve been swamped with my new project.”
He hadn’t written a single word at the café—just stared at a blank document with a blinking cursor—but he played along with the obvious excuse.
“If it’s alright with you, I have a few complimentary copies from the publisher. I’ll sign one and give it to you next time.”
“That would be an honor. Take your time with your writing—you can always send it through Tae Igyeol if you’re too busy.”
“Sure, I will. Oh, I should introduce you—this is my friend, Gye Minho.”
After establishing a light, public-friendly conversation to justify his visit, Mo Eunje introduced Gye Minho, who was standing there with his mouth hanging open, unable to take his eyes off Shin Dael.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Shin Dael.”
Shin Dael smiled warmly and greeted Gye Minho. Even though he was an uninvited guest, she didn’t show the slightest hint of displeasure.
“Noona, I’m a huge fan. Can I… just shake your hand…?”
Gye Minho rubbed his palms on his pants, his voice trembling as he begged. His outstretched hand shook just as badly. Shin Dael happily took both of his hands in hers. Gye Minho’s face, ears, and neck turned bright red, as if he might explode at any second. Even just looking at him, Mo Eunje could feel the heat.
“Actress Shin, if it’s not too much to ask… could I get a photo with Minho and an autograph?”
“Of course! You can ask for ten if you want.”
Shin Dael was as kind as Tae Iden had praised. While she and Gye Minho took selfies, Mo Eunje and Tae Igyeol glared at each other, exchanging a silent storm of words.
Why didn’t you tell me Shin Dael was a fan of my book and wanted my signature?
Did you come here just to forge my signature for yourself?
You said she was your type, so you hid it from me because you didn’t want me to interfere?
Wait, why did you hide this from me in the first place?
Are you seriously dating behind my back?
I thought you were some innocent guy who’d never been in love, but here you are, boldly holding hands.
I haven’t even held her hand properly!
……Ah. That’s not it.
Anyway.
No matter how desperate you are for love, hiding a reader who likes my book is unacceptable.
She’s my official #1 celebrity fan, so why the hell did you hide her?
Mo Eunje’s face twisted with resentment, betrayal, and frustration as he mentally hurled every accusation he could think of. But just as he couldn’t understand Tae Igyeol’s silent outburst, Tae Igyeol seemed just as clueless about Mo Eunje’s scolding.
While Mo Eunje and Tae Igyeol engaged in their silent battle, Gye Minho—now thoroughly satisfied with his photos and autograph—babbled on about his goddess. Tae Igyeol sighed deeply and pressed his palm to his forehead, embarrassment all his own. Mo Eunje, on the other hand, wasn’t ashamed at all—he’d flirted with actresses at Ilra Actors events before.
“But, Actress Shin, we didn’t just barge in on your private time for no reason, did we?”
“Of course not. I’ve been wanting to see Novelist Mo Eunje again.”
Since Shin Dael had officially said they weren’t interrupting, Mo Eunje decided to fully commit to being the ultimate third wheel. This was both a gift of an unforgettable day for his close friend Gye Minho and petty revenge against Tae Igyeol, who had monopolized his reader’s meeting without a word.
“I’m glad to see you again too, Actress Shin. Have you eaten yet? I’ve been craving spicy food today—I wonder if you’d like to join me.”
“I love spicy food! Spicy braised short ribs, tteokbokki, dakbal—what do you like?”
“In that case, I was thinking…”
Even though he had been the one to suggest spicy food first, he glanced at Tae Igyeol, worried he might back out. Tae Igyeol’s ashen-gray eyes shot lasers at him, clearly annoyed that his date had been ruined.
“Dakbal. There’s a great place nearby that serves dakbal in broth. Do you know it, Actress Shin?”
“Of course! I’m a regular there. It pairs perfectly with soju.”
The menu at that place included items Tae Igyeol could eat: squid ink rice balls, thinly sliced pork wraps, fried king prawns, steamed eggs, and rice porridge.
“Wow. You know Novelist Mo Eunje’s tastes well. Dakbal and soju are a classic combo.”
“So, are we going?”
“Going where? You said your stomach was upset from eating nothing but chicken breast.”
The warm atmosphere turned icy as Tae Igyeol poured cold water on the idea. Just minutes ago, he had texted that he’d be coming over after dinner, but now he was trying to sabotage the meal.
“I’m fine now.”
Shin Dael quickly waved her hand, looking slightly flustered, but Tae Igyeol was relentless.
“You asked me to buy antacids ten minutes ago. Right before these two barged in, you said you needed antacids.”
“I really am fine…”
“You said you were on a diet for a shoot.”
“I’m so sick of dieting. If not today, then when? Today’s my cheat day. The alcohol will sterilize everything.”
“You’re a public figure—your body is your asset. It’s not like today’s the only day. Go home and rest.”
At this point, Mo Eunje couldn’t tell if Shin Dael’s stomach was actually upset or if Tae Igyeol was just making excuses. After all, this was the same guy who had blocked his meeting with Shin Dael under the pretense of being busy with his writing. There was a good chance he was lying again.
