HERSHE - SEULRENE

SR - Dude

Immediately after Seulgi closed the door behind, her phone rang. She fished for her phone from her back pocket and her lips curved upwards when she saw the caller's name.

"Hey, Dad."

Irene is in front of the closet, choosing what to wear for the dinner party.

"Yeah. I'm here in Haeundae... We arrived yesterday... I'm with some friends and Joy... Yeah. The Joy I introduced to you before. Yes. It was her birthday yesterday... Sure. I'll tell her you said hi... No, Dad. Hahaha! We're not together. No! She's with her boyfriend right now..."

Irene raised an eyebrow. So Seulgi's dad had met Joy before.

"What's your plan for your birthday?" Seulgi asked her dad. "Of course, I'll visit you. Oh. I see. Okay. I'll catch you later then... Yeah. Don't forget your dinner too... Bye, Dad... I love you too..."

Seulgi put her phone down on the bedside table and went to the bathroom.

Irene was getting something from her duffel bag when Seulgi's phone rang again. She took that opportunity to peek at the caller and saw the familiar picture of Seulgi and Wendy with Taipei 101 in the background.

She heard the flush in the bathroom and the door creaked open. Irene hurried to pretend to do something.

"Oh, is that my phone?" Seulgi picked her phone quickly. "Hey, Wendy. What's up?" She walked towards the balcony door, opening it and stepping outside.

Irene was left confused inside the room, wondering why Seulgi's okay with her hearing the conversation with her dad but not with Wendy.

---

"Joy loved your flowers," said Seulgi.

"That's nice to hear. How's your trip so far?" asked Wendy on the other line.

"It's great. We're enjoying our stay here."

"Wait. Wait. You said 'we' or is it just you who's enjoying everything?"

Seulgi glanced at the person inside the room and averted her gaze quickly when their eyes met. "It might be hard to believe it, but I think she's enjoying the trip too."

"To be honest, I won't be surprised if she does. But what makes you think so?"

"She's in the mood to do everything: pretending in front of Joy and strolling around here. She even asked me to buy a couple's necklace and get a couple's henna tattoo."

"What? She did that? Wow, Seulgi. Don't you think it's too much for acting?"

"I know. But what if she's just having fun? What if she's just doing this to help me?"

"Help you get back with Joy? Seulgi, if she really wants that to happen there's no need for her to do what she's doing right now," said Wendy. "My deduction is... I think she's doing that because she wants to keep you away from Joy."

Seulgi knitted her brows, thinking.

"I still stand by my old statement: I really believe that she likes you," added Wendy. "Why don't you confess to her tonight?"

Seulgi never thought of doing it yet because she knows that it's impossible for Irene to reciprocate her feelings.

"Don't you think it's too early for that?" she said.

"Early for what? You're already doing what a real couple does."

"Not really. We haven't kissed yet." Seulgi giggled at the thought.

"Perv." Wendy chuckled. "My point is this: do you think you could act naturally if you two aren't comfortable with each other?"

"But what if she's just good at this, the acting? What if everything is just a part of the play for her? I don't want to assume anything now. That's suicide."