Chapter 6

[The Emperor’s New Clothes]

Lee Donghae was always praised as the Good Boy. Among other things, such image might have been created by his cute face, patient demeanor, and the shy, boy-next-door aura that he always seemed to carry around. He was everybody’s favorite. Even a narcist like Kim Heechul was greatly fond of him. Donghae had not been aware of this gift but eventually, he came to be grateful of it.

His likeable self proved to bring him an advantage again that day. Jung Jessica finally agreed to follow him (albeit looking sulky and bored), and it was all thanks to the older Mrs. Jung.

“Don’t be too full of yourself. My grandmother likes you just because you’re the son of the Lee family, that’s all.”

Donghae chuckled. “Really? I even got a feeling that she would love to adopt me as her grandson.”

“Please, take my place then,” Jessica sinisterly retorted.

Donghae only smiled to himself as he sped up his car through the road in that bright day. Earlier that morning, he had come to the Jung Manor to pick Jessica up for the job he had promised her. The girl had been greatly reluctant, but picking her up (and meeting her grandmother) were good strategies. It took him only a pull of bashful smile and a polite yet honest converrsation to make Mrs. Jung give her approval. Mrs. Jung even practically pushed Jessica into Donghae’s car.

“You seriously need to stop sounding so…negative,” Donghae concluded eventually. “I know that the events in Der Märchenclub have not been that pleasant, especially with the…scene Heechul Hyung made last night. But that’s perfectly why you need a place to let all your stress out. Our fashion stylist is looking for an assistant. And I think that you would be a great choice to fill in the position.”

Conversation about fashion always interested her. Or at least, that was her excuse to know Donghae’s job.

“So, what’s your real job other than being the Lee heir?”

“I’m a model.”

“Oh. I thought you weren’t the attention-seeker type.”

“I don’t do modeling to get attention,” he defended himself. He truly loved modeling; he loved it to the extent of fighting for it against his father. “Well, I know it’s not a permanent job and eventually I will be forced to inherit my father’s business, but as long as I can do modeling, I will treasure every day of it.”

“Hm,” was Jessica’s only response.

“Besides, we cannot rely on our parents’ wealth forever.”

“Right. I’m the spoiled brat who only relies on my parents’ money.”

Donghae sighed. “It was not an offense.”

Jessica shrugged. “Don’t worry. None taken. I am a spoiled brat.”

Donghae was about to elaborate his point more, but his car had reached the studio. Parking his car in the vacant spot, he then turned to face her. “Come on, Jessica-sshi. I promise, today will be a blast.” 

Jessica admitted, at least to herself, that Donghae could be right.

As soon as she entered the photo shoot scene, she could feel…a some sort of adrenaline rush running inside her system. Pretty clothes were hung neatly on the wheeled hanger, exquisite make-ups were applied to the models’ faces, flashes from the photographer's camera brightened up the room, and people looked busy doing something so…fun.

Ha.

Jessica could not believe she had thought that way.

“Jessica, this is Mi Ran Noona. She is the stylist I was talking about,” Donghae said as he introduced her to a petite woman who looked to be in her early thirties. She was dressed casually in jeans and t-shirt, but Jessica had a hunch that this woman was capable of creating fabulous style coordination –judging from those pretty dresses she would make the models wear.

Despite that, Jessica was still stubborn. “Donghae, I haven’t said anything about agreeing to the job…”

Donghae ignored her that time though. He turned to Mi Ran again and explained, “Jessica took Fashion Business as her major. She might look hard on the outside, but I’m sure you’ll be impressed with her talents.”

“Don’t worry, Donghae,” Mi Ran grinned. “Fashion industry is filled with these types of girls,” she continued as she gave a quick wink to Jessica.

Donghae smiled in satisfaction. “Well, I’m gonna get changed, then. Please assist her, Mi Ran Noona. And Jessica…” he paused to give her a sheepish grin. “Please give this job a try? If you hate it, then fine. At least you’ve tried, okay?”

Jessica silently scowled. Mi Ran nodded and Donghae left after giving her a bow. The stylist then turned to her future apprentice and she signaled Jessica to follow her. “Come, Jessica. The theme for today’s photo shoot isthe twenties era. I have actually matched the attires the models would be wearing, but if you have further suggestion, feel free to say it. For now, you can help the female model get dressed. After that, return back here and I’ll tell you what to do next,” instructed Mi Ran as she took a piece of dress from the hanger, some accessories, and the matching shoes.

Jessica was not used on being told what to do (her grandmother remained an exception), but the essence of Mi Ran’s instruction seemed to be sensible enough that the young girl nodded and carried out her instructions. She could not believe that she, the girl from the Jung family was being ordered around, but she suddenly remembered glimpses of Donghae’s sheepish grin. Exhaling a grin, she brought the clothes and entered the female models’ dressing room. There was only one person there.

“You’re the model?” she asked. She could not help if she sounded snobbish. Habit died hard.

The other girl turned around and replied, “Ah, yes. I – Jessica Unnie!”

The model turned out to be the girl Jessica recognized. Ah, what a small world. Or perhaps, this world could only be dominated with people like her, them. “Im Yoona,” Jessica acknowledged. Fashion and all that glittered -the riches' commodities. She tried to push the unsympathetic thought away and focused on the job instead. 

 “You’re the new stylist?”

“No,” Jessica replied. “I just… don’t have anything else better to do today. Here are your clothes, by the way.”

“Ah, thank you!” responded Yoona as she took the sequined blue dress offered to her.

As instructed, Jessica helped Yoona get dressed up. The dress fit Yoona perfectly and Jessica had to admit that the other girl was truly a beautiful girl, even without her make up on yet. There was just something radiant about her, something that Jessica could never possess.

“You didn’t come to the club’s meeting last night.” It was actually not a question.

“I wasn’t feeling well,” Yoona explained. “And I heard Heechul Oppa created quite a commotion last night? That guy…Oppa always loves the spot light and he often does unnecessary things to get that.”

Jessica was secretly glad she had more allies to corner Kim Heechul next time.

The two girls parted ways when Yoona had to get her make up done and Jessica needed to report back to Mi Ran. The senior stylist then assigned her to hand the clothes to Donghae and to help another female models get dressed. The tasks