Decoy Girlfriend

3: Behind closed doors

Yuna's alarm buzzed insistently, pulling her from a restless sleep. She groaned, stretching her limbs and trying to shake off the lingering exhaustion. Today was the first of many staged dates with Sky, an essential part of their plan to convince the public of their supposed romance. She got ready quickly, choosing a casual but stylish outfit that would photograph well.

Meanwhile, Sky stood in front of his bathroom mirror, his expression grim. He splashed water on his face, hoping to wash away the bitterness that clung to him. He couldn't shake his resentment towards Yuna, viewing her as an interloper in his already chaotic life. Despite this, he knew the importance of maintaining the facade.

Their first date was set at a trendy café in the heart of Seoul, a place frequently visited by celebrities. The paparazzi had already been tipped off, ensuring there would be ample photographic evidence of their outing. Sky arrived first, donning sunglasses and a casual jacket. He scanned the crowd, spotting several familiar faces among the photographers.

Yuna arrived shortly after, her heart pounding as she approached Sky. She forced a smile, trying to appear relaxed. "Hi, Sky."

Sky nodded curtly, gesturing towards a table. "Let's get this over with."

They sat across from each other, the tension between them palpable. Yuna tried to make small talk, but Sky's responses were monosyllabic and indifferent. She could feel the eyes of the paparazzi on them, cameras clicking incessantly.

"So, how's the new album coming along?" Yuna asked, attempting to break the ice.

Sky shrugged. "Fine."

Yuna sighed inwardly, her patience wearing thin. "Look, Sky, I know this isn't ideal for either of us, but can we at least try to make it believable?"

Sky glanced at her, his eyes hard. "I'm doing my part. Just stick to the script."

Their conversation was stilted and awkward, each forced smile and hollow laugh a stark contrast to the genuine interactions around them. Despite their efforts, the photos would undoubtedly capture the lack of chemistry between them.

As the date dragged on, Yuna excused herself to go to the restroom. She splashed cold water on her face, trying to steady her nerves. She knew she had to maintain her composure, no matter how hostile Sky was.

When she returned, Sky was scrolling through his phone, his expression darkening. "What is it?" she asked cautiously.

He handed her the phone, showing a news article filled with negative comments and speculation about their relationship. "This is what we're up against," he said bitterly. "People can see through this charade."

Yuna read through the comments, her heart sinking. "We just have to keep trying, we have to be closer. For real." she said softly.

Sky didn't respond, his eyes fixed on a point in the distance. The rest of the date passed in a strained silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts.

After they left the café, Sky's mood didn't improve. They walked through a nearby park, the paparazzi still trailing them. Yuna tried to engage him in conversation, but his responses were cold and dismissive.

"Why are you being like this?" Yuna finally asked, her frustration bubbling over.

Sky stopped walking, turning to face her. "Because this isn't real. And I feel like I'm being used or something. Just to help you skyrocket to fame." Sky couldn't say the real reason he felt so bad, it was because he knew that he got Yuna in a difficult position just to protect Ji-eun.

Yuna took a deep breath, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "I'm not using you, Sky. We're in this together."

Sky scoffed. "Together? Don't kid yourself. You're here because this benefits you. Don't pretend otherwise."

Yuna's eyes flashed with anger. "You think this is easy for me? You think I wanted this? I'm trying to help both of us, but you're making it impossible."

Sky's expression softened slightly, but the tension remained. "Just do your job, Yuna. That's all I'm asking."

The rest of their walk was conducted in silence, the rift between them widening with each step. When they finally parted ways, Yuna felt an overwhelming sense of defeat. She had hoped that working together might ease some of the tension, but it seemed to have only made things worse.

Back in her apartment, Yuna slumped onto her couch, exhaustion and frustration washing over her. She pulled out her phone, scrolling through the photos from their date. Despite the tension, the images portrayed a seemingly happy couple. She hoped it would be enough to pacify the public, at least for a while.

Sky, on the other hand, couldn't shake his anger. He felt trapped in a situation he couldn't control, forced to play a part he despised. The weight of his decision to protect Ji-eun was beginning to take its toll, and he wondered if it was worth the sacrifice.

As the days turned into weeks, their staged dates became a routine. They attended events together, shared meals, and even posted carefully curated photos on social media. But the resentment between them never faded. Sky remained distant and cold, while Yuna struggled to maintain her professionalism and composure.

During a rare quiet moment, Sky found himself thinking about Ji-eun. He missed her desperately, the ache in his heart a constant reminder of what he was sacrificing. He wondered if she was safe, if she missed him as much as he missed her. But he knew reaching out to her would only complicate things further.

Meanwhile, Ji-eun watched from the sidelines, her heart breaking with each photo and headline. She hated seeing Sky with someone else, even if she knew it was all for show. The loneliness and isolation weighed heavily on her, but she remained silent, knowing that any misstep could ruin everything.

One evening, after a particularly grueling day of public appearances, Sky and Yuna found themselves alone in his car. The silence between them was thick with unspoken words.

"Why do you hate me so much?" Yuna asked quietly, breaking the silence.

Sky sighed, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "I don't hate you, Yuna. I hate this situation. I hate what it's doing to my life."

Yuna nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I get it, Sky. But I'm doing my best. We both are."

Sky glanced at her, seeing the exhaustion and hurt in her eyes. For the first time, he felt a pang of guilt. "I know," he admitted quietly. "I'm sorry."

Yuna managed a small smile. "We're in this together, remember?"

Sky nodded, the tension easing slightly. "Yeah, we are."

As they drove in silence, a fragile truce formed between them. They still had a long way to go, but for the first time, there was a glimmer of hope that they might make it through this together.

But the challenges ahead were far from over, and the pressures of their false relationship would continue to test them in ways they couldn't yet imagine.