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Chapter : 12
Over time, a variety of people had visited the Willow Counseling Center.
“I want to win their heart and hold a grand wedding!”
Someone thrilled by a love that had just begun.
“I hope you can make sure everything goes well… I’ve been so heartbroken that I haven’t slept for days.”
Someone who couldn’t let go of a love that had already ended, seeking yet another chance. Of course, the latter was much more troublesome than the former.
‘Reviving a failed love is several times harder than dealing with a budding romance.’
Among the latter, there was a particularly extraordinary type.
“How… how can it… not work? Waaahhh!”
“Uh… um…”
“Please! Please turn their heart back to me! Waaaaaahhh!”
In short, they were the kind of people everyone called “problematic clients.”
Naturally, it was sad when someone they loved had moved on.
‘But that’s not the staff’s fault.’
Yet these clients, drunk on their own emotions, couldn’t see reason. They would throw tantrums mercilessly, often leaving the center in chaos.
Isadora, with her sharp, no-nonsense personality, could not stand idly by while these troublemakers disrupted her work. Eventually, she devised a “method.”
“Since we cannot be completely honest with clients… I created something.”
A way to handle problematic clients easily.
“When a difficult situation arises, we can communicate using a set signal. This is a way to find a method to get rid of them.”
She called it “Isadoran.”
‘Named after me, Isadora, because dealing with these clients is enough to drive one crazy.’
Facing Sienna, Isadora began flapping her hands in the air.
“Now, for Miss Violet Bringer, the tea you ordered will be served.”
She bent her hands as if holding a teacup, lightly tapping her lips, then moved her two fingers as if walking through the air. Finally, she pointed toward Violet’s group.
Sienna nodded and checked the clock.
‘It’s about time…’
At that moment, a long silhouette began to appear in the distance. Today as always, neatly dressed, broad shoulders, and a tall, slender body.
‘It’s Johan.’
Still blurry, yet undeniably holy in appearance. Soon, the clear chime of a bell echoed through the space.
Ding.
Aysa, who was tidying up dry teacups, peeked toward the door.
“Welcome~”
Well-coached, she greeted Johan as if nothing had happened.
Pin, standing next to Aysa, quickly exchanged glances with Isadora, then started delivering the tray of teacups.
Step by step.
Pin charged straight toward Johan as if he weren’t there. And then…
Thunk.
“Ugh…!”
He fell to the floor with a loud scream.
‘The decibel level clearly says, “Please notice me.”’
Warm tea spilled over Pin’s clothes, and the sound of breaking teacups rang out.
Clang!
“Ah, it’s hot…”
Pin flailed, lifting his damp shirt, but the tea wasn’t even that hot. Yet he blushed as if scalded.
‘Incredible acting skills…’
Johan knelt on one knee before Pin.
“Are you alright?”
Sienna quickly scanned the salon. All eyes in the room were on Johan and Pin.
‘Still, it’s just the bribed salon owner, our staff, and Violet’s group.’
Violet’s purple eyes reflected Johan’s silver hair. Sienna clasped her hands under the table as if in prayer.
‘Please, Johan.’
It starts now.
‘You can do this! Stay strong…!’
Why worry this much when nothing’s gone wrong yet?
Well… Johan was notoriously bad at acting.
A few days before executing the “natural first meeting” plan, Sienna had handed Johan the script.
“Marquis Veloster, the scene will proceed according to this script. Your job is simply to memorize it and perform perfectly.”
Her hands trembled as she handed over the pile of papers.
‘To think Johan and Violet’s relationship will develop exactly as in the script…’
Her chest ached while writing the script, but now handing it to him made her choke up. Yet there was no choice.
“Thank you, Center Director.”
Seeing the dimple forming on his cheek, she felt like she wanted to give him the stars and the moon.
‘Even if it hurts, I’ll smile like this…’
Yesterday, Johan had come to the center for a final check, and they began reading through the script together. However…
“Are. You. Alright?”
The problem was his acting.
A tense tone, body stiff like a robot.
‘Even Johan’s trademark clear eyes looked dead.’
His gaze was so unfocused it was unclear where he was looking. Sienna and the staff couldn’t help but gape.
“I will practice hard and show you a performance that won’t disappoint.”
Still, she sent him home after he promised…
‘It was like a drama line: “A-re you. Okay? You. Got. Scared. Much?” I can’t help worrying.’
Sienna bit her lip unconsciously, unaware that Rian was looking at her lips.
“Please, please…”
But then… what a surprise.
“I apologize. My clothes are completely wet because of me.”
Contrary to her fears, Johan’s expression was very natural. Far from stiff, he even seemed relaxed, as if it weren’t acting at all.
He examined Pin carefully.
“Did you suffer any burns? Quickly, a towel dampened in cold water…”
At that, Isadora hurried forward with a wet towel. Sienna realized:
‘Ah… Johan isn’t acting right now.’
Even if the tea was only lukewarm, he was genuinely concerned for Pin. Despite it all being staged, they had collided, so his concern was real.
‘Johan… you’re just too kind.’
Pin shook his head after receiving the towel from Isadora.
“I-I’m fine. It was hot, but I don’t think I was burned.”
“That’s a relief.”
“….”
“I didn’t see anyone as I rushed into the salon. Colliding with you was my fault.”
Johan looked genuinely apologetic, his brows slanted downward. Sienna observed him carefully, recalling the script.
“It may sound like an excuse… but I had a reason too.”
He had memorized every line perfectly, and his acting wasn’t bad.
“My younger sister really loves the tea from this salon. She’s unwell, but she wanted some tea, so I came in a hurry to get it.”
He sought Pin’s understanding while showing he was a warm man who cares for his family.
“I see… I understand.”
“Still, I remain sorry. Can you stand up?”
Johan held Pin’s hand and lifted him to his feet.
‘Effortlessly lifting the adult male, imprinting his alpha-male aura.’
Once Pin stood fully, Johan used his sleeve to wipe Pin’s clothes.
“Your clothes are ruined. I will pay for the repairs.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“It’s my fault. I’m apologizing.”
Even Johan Veloster’s signature dimpled smile.
‘Shows he’s a nobleman who kindly wipes a commoner’s clothes, while also subtly flaunting his wealth.’
As everything proceeded smoothly, Sienna’s tense expression softened. She turned to Violet, mumbling:
“And now…”
Lost in thought, she didn’t realize she was leaning completely against Rian’s chest.
As Sienna moved her head, her hair brushed against Rian’s shirt, giving off her sweet, familiar scent.
Looking down at her ashen hair, Rian swallowed quietly.
‘She forgot I was here while focusing.’
Indeed, Sienna seemed to treat Rian like a mere chair back.
Thump, thump.
Realizing Sienna’s body pressed against his chest, Rian’s heart rate quickened. His hands, gripping the newspaper, sweated. He silently breathed in, hoping his distracted heartbeat wouldn’t be noticed.
