WE GOT MARRIED

03 - Carrot Cake

“We're all actors, aren't we?
We know just how to mask the real us.”
—

It was clear how Hyunjae and Sohee seems to be in their own worlds at all times. He thinks it's better to live like roommates, the type that exists physically, but is emotionally absent. He believes that there's no need for chitchat because they are not even friends. Besides, there was no rule in the contract that they have to be best buddies. Hyunjae finds it peaceful just the way it is. He's contented. He's happy with how his life is doing, hoping it'll be over soon so he can go back to their dorm and be with his members again.

And that's the problem with Sohee. She always anticipates any sudden conversation but never initiated it herself. Maybe she was just hoping Hyunjae could act like how he used to when they first met. He was friendly, kind, talkative and silly, but after living together, it seems like he became a completely different person.

He doesn't smile, or give her a glance whenever she's around or when he does, it felt like it was forced. She felt like a ghost around him, feeling as if she was being neglected on purpose. To match the treatment, she acts exactly like how he treats her. She doesn't acknowledge his presence and ignores him whenever she can. If they speak, she makes sure to maintain her words short and simple.

And it's becoming unhealthy.

Most of the time, the only subject for their smallest talk would be their company and the contract. That is all. It felt like if they cross the line and open up about a new subject, the end of the world would occur for them.

And despite their best to avoid each other, the fake couple ended up walking on the busy streets of Seoul on a chilly Thursday. The aftereffects of a two hour heavy rain caused Sohee to shiver lightly, her figure covered in thick layers of clothing. Hyunjae noticed it, reaching out to hold her hand to warm her up, his instincts telling him it was the right thing to do and his body acting before his brain could command. Sohee was about to pull her hand away, but remembers she's being watched. She just let his hand hold hers, somehow feeling more comfortable with his warmth.

Earlier that day, they both got a call from their managers, demanding them to make an appearance to the public since it has been three weeks already after they got married and no one has seen them together after the wedding. It's like they dropped an explosive bomb and then disappeared into thin air.

Not even a single photo was uploaded on their social media accounts to let people know about their recent events in life, and it has made the wild fans' nerves shake as they wanted to know everything about celebrity's private lives and make a fuss about it.

And that is where the idea of making a public appearance was created. They want to let the world know that they're happy and living a good wedded life. They wanted to show that they're enjoying each other's company, cherishing the moments together. That's what the public was expecting.

Those three weeks were hectic. Sohee never had a proper rest and two hours of sleep is better than nothing. She appeared on so many shows, people addressing her as the idol's wife. She was asked multiple times about how it's like to be married and she could only answer a few words with a fake smile.

People asks her questions as if there's such a huge difference between an average and a celebrity married woman. They're both the same. They become a wife and bear with the headache their husbands provide.

Hyunjae went through the same phase. The group went on tours around South Korea, performing at different stages every other day. It was visible how they lost weights due to consecutive works, but it was all worth it. The fans were happy to see them.

The promotions gets better and better. Back to back wins on music broadcasts and multiple guestings on variety shows. The members were grateful to each other's hard work and the fans' supports, but Hyunjae thinks it's all because of him and it inflates his ego. His own sacrifice brought victory to his team, that's what he believes.