24K Magic for a Perfect Illusion

Ch 36: Stuck in The Middle Zone

The next day, when Hestia woke up in the familiar yet strange room, she stared blankly on the ceiling while thinking how to face the man next door.

She sees Hearthof as a man now and she should be cautious with her interaction towards him though sometimes she tends to be carefree around him because of their familiarity to each other.

Knock, knock …

A knocked on the door along with the man’s morning voice pulled Hestia back to reality.

“Come in.” Hestia responded as she subconsciously tucked herself in the duvet that covered her entire body.

Hearthof came in after he got Hestia’s permission, he adjusted the room temperature naturally as he thought that the latter was feeling cold. “Did you sleep well?”

“Mmm-hmm.” Hestia nodded as she sat up slowly while watching Hearthof’s every move. “Will you open the curtains too?”

“Yes, ma’am!” Hearthof clicked a button on the remote and the curtains parted from the middle that made way for the sun light to penetrate the whole room. “What do you want to eat?”

“A typical breakfast meal will do.” Hestia looked at Hearthof’s back as the latter shielded her from sudden light.

“Alright. Come down for breakfast after you wash up.” Hearthof said over his shoulder as he looked at Hestia at the corner of his eye. “Have you adjusted with the light now?”

“Mmm.” Hestia hummed in response.

Hearthof turned around and walked towards Hestia which made her cautious since they’re alone together in a room, considering the fact that he doesn’t think of her as a friend anymore.

Hearthof stopped on the bedside and leaned forward as he looked closer to Hestia’s anxious face, “So, this is what you look like first thing in the morning, huh?”

“W-What do I look like?” Hestia stammered as she covered half of her face with the duvet.

Hearthof snickered and didn’t respond as he walked out from the room without looking back.

Although Hestia is confident about her good-looks she couldn’t help but feel conscious because of Hearthof’s reaction so as soon as the latter closed the door, she stood up immediately and walked to the vanity table to look at her appearance.

But aside from slightly messy hair she found nothing wrong about her bare face at all, in fact she looks like a baby without makeup on because of her youthful skin.

“He tricked me.” Hestia laughed at herself for being too curious.

Half an hour later, Hestia went to the dining area to join Hearthof for breakfast after her usually morning routine.

“Since when did you start buying the same clothes I bought?” Hestia was still overwhelmed to find the same clothes she bought in the closet that Hearthof prepared for her.

“Since you bring me along when you go shopping.” Hearthof replied.

“Why?” Hestia questioned curiously.

“To make your closet here almost exactly as yours at home.”

“Since when you made that room for me?” Hestia asked again while she started to eat her breakfast.

“Since Christmas last year, I actually thought of it after your birthday. I want you to have your own room in my house that’s why I made it. It actually makes me feel that your always with me and I’m not alone.” Hearthof stated truthfully.

It’s normal for people living alone to feel lonely sometimes but Hestia didn’t know that Hearthof is actually emotionally dependent to her as he doesn’t look like someone who seek comfort from others.

She wanted to tell him to find a girlfriend so that he won’t be lonely anymore but then she realized that the girl he likes is her so she didn’t say anything at all.

After having breakfast together, Hestia went home along with her ladies to prepared for their trip the same afternoon.

Her parents didn’t ask her why she didn’t return last night no matter how late it was since they knew that they’ll be partying until the wee hours in the morning.

They also didn’t ask her why she’s meeting with Hearthof again after a few hours they parted like they usually refrain her from hanging out too much with the guy.

But she knows their reason for doing what they doing, they want her to get married as soon as possible like there’s a deadline to be meet, she’s only turning 26 and not 46!

The trip with Hearthof’s childhood friends wasn’t even in her schedule but because it is his birthday, Hestia could only give in her relaxing Saturday at home to the man who requested her presence since his friends are bringing their families along.

 At the parking lot of the supermarket.

A fuchsia pink 1978 Porsche 928 along with two black off-road vehicles with a N-shaped dragon crest on its hood arrived and grabbed everyone’s attention.

Wearing a black sleeveless crop top and long red mesh skirt over a black micro pants, Hestia got off her Porsche in a fashionably manner that men and even women couldn’t take their eyes off her.

“Am I late?” Hestia walked towards Hearthof who has a proud look on his face. “Are we going to buy groceries first or y’all done?”

“No, you’re just in time.” Hearthof naturally put his arm around Hestia’s waist but the latter stiffened upon his sudden action.

Hestia didn’t mind intimate interactions with Hearthof before but after he confessed his feelings to her, she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable with his touch.

“Miss Hestia is beautiful as always.” a man with good body proportions came forward first to greet Hestia. “Do you still remember who I am?” when he didn’t hear the response, he wanted from Hestia though he’s a bit embarrassed he still introduce himself to her. “It’s me Wonha, do I look different off-screen?”

It’s impossible for Hestia not to know the man in front of her when the guy’s face is all over the city since he’s one of Korea’s highest paid actor, but she’s not close to Wonha at all.

“Yes.” Hestia replied perfunctorily at the man.

“Huh??” Wonha frowned. “But I’m usually barefaced on-screen, how do I look different??”

“You don’t talk too much on your movies and series.” a man with nice chin tapped Wonha’s shoulder. “Long time no see, Miss Hestia. When will you accept my offer to be one of my signed artists?”

“I don’t want to be on the limelight, Myungwoo-ssi.” Hestia said.

“I doubt you can afford Miss Hestia’s talent fee, Myungwoo.” a man with tall nose pulled back the two men away and bowed in a gentlemanly manner while waiting for Hestia to take his hand.

Among Hearthof’s friends this guy who runs a theater only have the guts to ask for Hestia’s hand as a greeting.

It’s a common western greeting of a gentleman to a lady and it would be rude if Hestia will ignore Hearthof’s friend but when she’s about to put her hand on the man’s hand, Hearthof smacked his friend hand.

“Not on my watch, Jiyoung.” Hearthof said coldly. “Stop taking advantage of women by pretending like a noble gentleman.”

“Tch. You’re no fun at all.” Jiyoung sneered at Hearthof.

“She’s off-limits.” Hearthof stated firmly. “Don’t you have a wife to chase? How will she come back to you if you won’t change?”

“How dare you rub salt to my wound?!” Jiyoung glared at Hearthof.

“Sunggyu is right!” Myungwoo chimed in. “You’re not a king who can have concubines aside from your queen.”

“It’s Hearthof now.” Wonha reminded Myungwoo. “We should get use to his new name. I thought you asked her to come, did she refused you even though you bring her daughter with you?”

“She didn’t say, she hung up the phone after I informed her about today.” Jiyoung responded dejectedly.

Hestia is just listening on the side but she looks at Jiyoung disdainfully, she doesn’t like married men who cheats on their wives and most of all those who think highly of themselves.

Hearthof noticed Hestia’s silence so he pulled her away from his friends while they’re busy with their arguments. “Are you bringing all your ladies to our trip?” he glanced at the eight ladies standing by on the side.

“It depends on where we going. Where are we going exactly?” Hestia looked at the mini bus parked on the side.

“Hawoondae Beach.” Hearthof revealed with a smile.

“Eh?!” Hestia exclaimed. “You said we’re camping so I thought it’ll be on a mountain or forest park.”

“We’re camping on the beachside.” Hearthof explained briefly.

Hestia glared at him as she didn’t pack any swimwear or the things to be used for swimming, all she has in her mountaineering bag are thick clothes and camping stuffs. “You should’ve told me!”

“Hahaha, fine, my bad.” Hearthof put his arm around Hestia’s shoulders. “I’ll just buy anything you need when we get there.”

Hestia softened up since Hearthof has a point. “Alright, I won’t spend a single cent it’s all on you.”

Although Hestia is the young lady of the Nevaeh, the money she spends is what she earns from her job, so in that aspect Hearthof is richer than her as he earned her salary for a month in an hour.

Since its summer and the beach is very likely populated, Hestia brought five of her ladies while the missuses took the vehicles back home.

The bus has a capacity of 25 passengers, Hearthof also brought his five men with him so they already occupied half of the seats, as for the others, Wonha brought his wife and their triplets, Myungwoo has his wife and their two children, while Jiyoung with his daughter and wife who arrived at the last minute.

Hestia took the front window-seat near the door so Hearthof was on the aisle while Jiyoung on the other side with one of Wonha’s triplets since his daughter sat with his wife.

Every parent sat with their children so the rest of the remaining seats were occupied by Hestia and Hearthof’s security team.

It was a long hour’ drive so most of them fell asleep during the journey, Hestia tried to keep awake but she ended up asleep with her head on Hearthof’s shoulder.

“Honey wake up, we’re here.” Hearthof patted Hestia’s cheek gently. “Should I carry you down?”

Hestia stirred up from her sleep but she clearly heard what Hearthof called him. “Who are you calling ‘honey’?” she rubbed her eyes gently as she sat up straight.

“That’s not me.” Hearthof denied. “I think you heard Wonha behind.” he held himself from laughing as he lied.

Hestia knows Hearthof was lying but she didn’t press the matter anymore and looked at her surrounding instead through the window beside her. “Where are we going to set up the tents here?”

“Not here but the island nearby.” Hearthof stood up. “We’ll be riding a boat to get there.”

“Huh?? Will we be able to get there before sunset?” Hestia looked at the time on Hearthof’s wrist watch.

“Don’t worry it’s just an hour or less boat ride.” Hearthof replied nonchalantly as he also looked at the time.

“We better get going now.” Hestia stood up and followed Hearthof out. “Is that island safe for everyone? We have children with us.”

“Yes, the children will stay in the hut while us adults in the tent. Don’t worry I planned this through and they won’t agree with my itinerary if it isn’t safe for their children.” Hearthof reassured.

‘Of course, the parents won’t risk the safety of their children for the sake of having fun.’ Hestia thought as she followed Hearthof’s lead until they reached the boat that will take them to the other island which is a private property of one of Hearthof’s clients.

It was a small island with only one house erected on it, the remaining part is forest with fruit growing trees.

While the children were playing inside the house, the men building the tents and making a bonfire, the women are preparing to cook while chatting about life so Hestia caught in their conversation.

When she was asked on her relationship with Hearthof, she told them the truth, “Stuck in the middle zone.” They’re not just friends neither lovers at the moment.