[Tom – singing to himself in his penthouse studio]
Tom's manager, Andrew, had known him since high school. They'd been close friends long before Tom became the Tom Kang — Hollywood's golden boy. And because of that, Andrew could tell when something was different. Today, Tom looked unusually… cheerful.
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Andrew: "You look happy."
Tom: "Oh yes. I'm in the pink. Go on, ask me why."
Andrew: "Okay... So, why are you so happy today?"
Tom: "Actually… nah. I don't wanna tell you."
But the smirk on Tom's face gave him away — like he was holding in a secret he couldn't wait to spill.
Andrew: "Tom?"
Tom (grinning): "Alright, fine. I met someone interesting. A woman. She actually had the nerve to turn me down."
Andrew: "Wait, what?! Someone rejected you? The almighty Tom Kang? The darling of Hollywood? The heartthrob of every woman on Earth?"
Tom: "Yeah. She flat-out rejected me. I asked for her number and she just said — and I quote — 'No thanks. I don't sleep with you.'"
Andrew: "BAHAHAHA. No way! That's legendary. Girls usually pretend they forgot their number or say they have a boyfriend. But that? Damn, she shut you down like a boss."
Tom: "That's what I said."
Andrew: "So, who is she? Some actress? Model?"
Tom: "Nah. A waitress. I met her at that bar downtown. Asian, maybe Chinese? I'm not sure. She had this quiet confidence. Dark hair. Maybe 5'8. Beautiful. Not in a polished way — but in a real, natural way."
Andrew: "Was it love at first sight?"
Tom: "Andy, you know me. Of course not. I noticed her, sure. She was cute. So I ordered my drink, made a comment about her name, and asked for her number."
Andrew: "And she hit you with the 'I won't sleep with you' line right away? No hesitation?"
Tom: "None."
Andrew (laughing): "God, that's brutal. No flirting, no pretending — just cold rejection. So what happened after that?"
Tom: "She switched tables. I didn't get another chance to talk to her that night."
Andrew: "So... why are you still smiling about it?"
Tom: "Because I'm not giving up. I've been going back to that bar every week since. It's been almost a month. I even know her day off schedule now."
Andrew: "Dude. Stalker much?"
Tom (laughing): "I just want to see how long she can keep up that wall. It's… entertaining."
Andrew: "So, any progress?"
Tom: "None. Sometimes she serves me. Sometimes she clearly avoids me. Either way, she hasn't cracked."
Andrew: "What about Selena? Weren't you two a thing?"
Tom: "Selena? Ugh. She's like every other woman who clings on after one night. We hooked up once. She just didn't get the memo. I hate women like that — obsessed, needy, always trying to prove something. It's exhausting. Lately, I find myself drawn to women who don't want me. It's… refreshing."
Andrew: "Well, just be careful. Even if it's nothing with Selena, people talk. You should clear the air about her soon."
Tom: "Whatever. Speaking of which — didn't you come here for a reason?"
Andrew: "Right. You got a new offer. A lead role in a musical drama. It's low budget — new director — so the pay's not great. You can pass if you want."
Tom: "Let me see."
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He scanned the script title:
"Two Rivals."
His character: Han Seungwoo
The other lead: Daniel Clark
Setting: California College of the Arts.
Tom (smirking): "Filming at CCA, huh? Things just got interesting."
Andrew: "What's that supposed to mean?"
Tom: "Nothing. I'll take it."
Andrew: "You sure?"
Tom: "Yep. Let's see where this goes."
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[Lia – same time, different world]
It's been exhausting. Work. Classes. Life. And now, him.
Yeah — the guy I rejected? He's been coming back every single night like it's some slow-burn romantic drama.
He just sits there. All calm and mysterious. Sunglasses and smugness. Like he's waiting for me to change my mind.
Ugh. He'll give up eventually. They always do.
More importantly, I just lost one of my jobs — the store clerk gig. They cut me because I could only work two days a week. I need to find a new one. Fast.
At least summer break is coming soon.
Not that I'll get to rest.
While other students go on road trips or beach days, I'll be busting my butt to save money. Again.
Still... maybe this year I'll try to enjoy a little of it.
Maybe I'll visit more of L.A.
Maybe I'll stop thinking about Liam.
Maybe I'll just binge manga and simp over my K-pop bias instead.
Yeah. Screw love.
Summer break... I'm counting on you.
If only I knew what that summer was going to bring.