31 The One Who is Pure

Yoona was stunned. Before she could recover, another tight slap hit her other cheek. 

Everyone around them was shocked at the turn of events. Cherry stood there with a wide smile on her face while the others wondered what was going on. 

"What was-" Yoona began to retort but Cherry cut in. 

"Your skin is very oily," Cherry said, flashing her a wide smile. "So I had to put oil patches on your skin." 

Yoona touched her cheeks only to feel papery patches on them. 

"These are hard to stick on skin so I had to slap them to make sure they stay," Cherry continued as she picked up a palette and began to mix foundations in it. "Now sit." 

Yoona composed herself. "Thank you, Miss Wang," she said warmly. Cherry wanted to throw up. Her disdain for Jinhyun did not even hold a flame to what she felt for the girl in front of her. 

Even though there are chances that this incarnation of Shuri might not be a bad person but knowing her sister, Cherry very much doubted it. And if by a sheer miracle this incarnation turned out to be a good person, Cherry would have still hit her. After all, she had Shuri's face. 

Yoona sat down and let Cherry work on her makeup. Despite having the urge to turn her into a clown, Cherry was bound by the contract to make her look good. Unfortunately, like Jinhyun's case, she could not see the fate of this one either. Did these two reborn to taunt me? She wondered. 

Cherry took off the patches after fifteen minutes and applied the primer. Since Yoona had flawless skin, there was nothing much to do other than put on slight foundation and contour. 

Finally, Yoona's makeup was done. If Semin looked radiant that night, Yoona was angelic. Her innocent charm was only amplified by the naturalistic makeup. Heads turned to look at her as they were astounded by the pure eyes beauty. 

"Thank you, Miss Wang," Yoona greeted politely. "The work you have done truly made me feel beautiful." 

Cherry held down the bile in her throat and simply smiled. Kahi, who was observing her boss' expressions, bit back a snicker. If Cherry caught her laughing, she would be literally blasted to hell. 

Yoona held out a hand. Despite her outward smile, she could not help but feel that the CEO of Cherry Pie was someone to look out for. As soon as the woman had walked in, Yoona felt a threat approaching. Not only was she a little younger than Jinhyun but she was also working closely with him. Her easy access to Jinhyun could mean increased intimacy between them. 

The very thought of it was making Yoona crazy. 

"Let's work well together," Yoona smiled as she waited for Cherry to shake her hand. 

But Cherry could see the hint of threat behind those words. Maybe it was her resentment towards Shuri, but this girl somehow seemed more menacing. Unlike Jinhyun who at least had a moral to live with, Yoona was ambiguous. It was best to keep a close eye on her. For Cherry to complete her mission, it was absolutely necessary to ensure this idiot does not do anything to repel Jinhyun. 

"We will," she said, shaking Yoona's hand. With smiles on their faces, both women were inwardly marking each other as a potential foe.

…. 

Jinhyun was in his own makeup room. His head designer, Kang Jumyeon, was choosing the clothes for that night's episode. He was one of the top designers of the country with over twenty years of experience. He had been with Jinhyun for six years as his personal stylist before the latter went to England. After Jinhyun returned, he immediately hired Jumyeon as the Head Fashion Designer for his firm. 

Flamboyant and sarcastic, Jumyeon was known to be a perfectionist. He preferred to wear colorful coats mixing and matching accessories on a whim. He kept his staff on their toes all day with his demands but they respected him for his skills. 

"I swear to god, Jin, you've grown more handsome over the years," Jumyeon was saying. "I mean how do you even do it? Are you sure you didn't have any procedure done?" 

"What? No!" Jinhyun laughed. "My good looks are all natural." 

"Must be the genes," Jumyeon stated. "Whoever your parents were, made a big mistake in abandoning you." 

Jinhyun shook his head. Jumyeon was one of those people who would openly criticize his parents for abandoning him. He did not sugarcoat his words and would freely bash anyone he disliked. Jinhyun did not mind because he knew that Jumyeon truly looked out for him. 

"So which one of those poor idiots do you think will win?" he asked. 

"They're not idiots, Jumyeon," Jinhyun said, rolling his eyes. 

"Anyone trying to become an idol is an idiot," Jumyeon stated. "Thankless hours of training, silly diets and crazy fans. Giving up my boyfriend for fame is something I'd never do!" 

"Fans are quite annoying at times," Jinhyun admitted. "But I still want my trainees to live a normal life. If any of them want to date, it's up to them. Agencies are supposed to protect them and that's why we're here. We will not restrict them too much. Only underage trainees have dating bans. Adult trainees have no such restriction." 

"That," Jumyeon pointed out. "Is why I chose to come here. But which one do you think will win?" 

"I don't know," Jinhyun admitted. "They're all so talented-" 

"Yeah yeah whatever," Jumyeon cut through. "My money is on that high school kid who writes her own songs. The one with the wild curls."

"Semin?" Jinhyun asked. 

"Yes," Jumyeon replied. "She's got talent. And I don't usually praise anyone."

"What about the others?" Jinhyun asked. "Sekjong has his money on Yoona." 

Jumyeon made a face. Jinhyun did not miss it. 

"You don't like her?" he asked in surprise. "I thought you'd like her the most! After all, she is a conventional beauty as per the people's taste." 

"Jin," Jumyeon said. "You and I both have been in the industry long enough to figure out the diamond from coal. She's pretty and will become a successful idol without a doubt. But let's face the truth. And I know you're thinking it too." 

"Well…" Jinhyun winced. He really did not like to think ill of anyone no matter what. Which is why Jumyeon does it on his behalf. He could read Jinhyun's mind easily. 

"She's fake, bruh," Jumyeon stated. "The pure image she puts up on is fake." 

Jinhyun did not say anything. He pretended to focus on fixing his hair but inwardly, he could not help but wonder about Jumyeon's words. Despite his determination to not let his personal judgement cloud his professional commitments, it was difficult to overlook that lingering darkness which he sensed in Yoona. It was starting to come out. 

He knew this because he had seen her doing the perfect moonwalk a day before he taught it to her.