It was the next day after that pre filming event. Interviews held that day were released publicly announcing the contestants. And their backgrounds. Since Luna was the only commoner she naturally came to gain attention the most.
Luna walked into the office, she wanted to keep a low profile. She was dressed in her usual work attire, blending in as she made her way to her desk. But her co-workers, already abuzz, and started whispering as she passed by.
One of the co-workers whispered to someone beside him, "Isn't that Luna? I heard she's on The Masquerade of Hearts!"
"Didn't you hear that Rosalie is one of the cast too. She told me that Luna was in it so she took part to support her. how did she even find that out before?"
"No way! Our Luna? This is huge!, oh my god she'll get finally recognised" some of the co workers seemed to be in her support.
Although they all were whispering, it was all heard due to their unhidden shock and excitement. Luna overhears and lets a soft sigh out as she tries to ignore them and sit at her desk. But the whispers grow louder, and soon, a group of co-workers gathers around her desk.
A junior coworker she has never talked to once, since the day she entered her company, walked to her smiling.
"Luna, you didn't tell us you'd be on TV! How'd you even get in? They don't just pick anyone, you know!"
Although Luna was quite happy about it , she responded smiling politely. "I didn't plan on making it a big deal. I just thought it'd be a… fun experience."
Rosalie watched them all gathered around her from afar.Just then, the office doors swing open, and Rosalie struts in, looking radiant and overly confident. She grinned brightly at Luna and walked straight to her, her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Luna! Oh, wow! I just found out we're both on The Masquerade of Hearts! Isn't that amazing?"
There was an attention shift entirely to Rosalie , who's already basking in it.
"Wait, you're on the show too? How did you get in? I mean yeah , you were at the interview, why didn't you tell me" One of the male co-workers, who was fond of Rosalie's charm, strikes his way over to her pouting as if he was sad.
Rosalie smirked "oh i forgot about it hope you won't feel bad" then she smiled sweetly before glancing at Luna.
"Well, my father's an old friend of Ryu's father. He's been close to the family for years, so… it was only natural that Ryu helped me get in. I guess connections really do open doors."
Some of the co-workers nod while being clearly impressed with her while others look at Luna as if expecting her to explain her own connections.
Luna maintained her cool demeanor, keeping her expression neutral.
"Wow, Rosalie . It sounds like you're practically family with Ryu! Can you get me an autograph please? "A few of the co-workers gathered nudging each other as if it was their once in a lifetime opportunity.
Rosalie smiled sweetly at Luna, "Oh of course, But I'm just glad to know someone else there too. You must be thrilled, right, Luna?"
Luna calmly gave her a smile "off course"
Rosalie smirked with a dramatic sigh.
"Well, it'll be a challenge to stand out, don't you think? It's not easy making an impression when some of us have… certain advantages."
She smiled calmly again and shutted it without words.
The co-workers slowly dispersed, though they couldn't stop whispering about both of them.
Suddenly one of the co-worker barged in gasping.
"It's him! He's here in our office!"
"who?" said one of the following workers beside him, slapping his head.
"Grim Reaper" he whispered, almost looking terrible. The last time Iseop visited the office and had Manager Victor Hart wrapped on his fingers, it felt like he was there to take his soul, the walk he made out of the office was cold enough to send chills down the spine, and the compliment was the black attire he followed. He was rewarded with a nick "grim Reaper"
"Isn't that Iseop? What's he doing here?" crowd of around 20 people, broke into murmur
Luna finally looked up to see the cause, only to see Iseop surrounded by curious onlookers through the glass door. She got surprised but quickly composed herself, thinking back to the awkward moment at the male washroom a few days ago.
Iseop approached the office manager, who quickly ushered him into a nearby conference room. His assistant steps out to grab some documents, leaving Iseop standing momentarily by the entrance.
Luna's curiosity gets the better of her, and just as she glances in his direction, before she could avoid him. Iseop catches her.
He raises an eyebrow, a faint smirk on his lips.
She quickly ushered to her seat and sat down but then she heard her call and the steps near her.
"Luna Parker?"
The way he says her name catches her off guard. Luna's eyes widened slightly, trying to recall if she ever told him her name , but then again he was the one who stood up for her script before. He must have known then.
"have we met before?" Luna was trying her best to fool him and herself. Everything that time was rushed so she was hoping that he would have just a faint memory.
All the eyes were piercing her, especially Rosalie. Everyone who was in the office had no idea about why he would talk to Luna.
"Maybe not.Or maybe we have, in a way" he then paused to lean closer to her ear to whisper "did you already forgot about me 'miss pervert'..."
Although Luna expected that he would remember it, he even remembered what she uttered earlier. Even if it was embarrassing she deeply starred in the blank looking annoyed with a unhinged funny smirk.
Rosalie was noticing the exchange from quite a time, she got fumed and feigned a surprised reaction, when Iseop leaned towards Luna and whispered something. Her inner monologue was 'how can she be so clever to pull him up, she doesn't deserve this, she snatches everything that i have my eyes on, one who deserves it is me. Not you!'
Rosalie covered her face smiling brightly and approached in between. "Oh, Iseop! I didn't know you'd be here today." she then turned to Luna "You know Iseop, right, Luna? He's one of the top actors in the country"
Iseop smiled, holding Luna's gaze. "I was here to finalize a script project with your manager. See you soon Luna."
There's a brief silence. Rosalie sensed the attention between Luna and Iseop, and tried to break the moment.
" Oh, Iseop, if you ever need input on any of your projects, feel free to ask. My father has a lot of experience in the industry, you know."
Iseop gave her a coordinated smile, looking from Rosalie to Luna. "I'll keep that in mind. Although you've been pretty popular lately here too…" Iseop carried an ulterior meaning behind his words about her being the one who stole Luna's script.
"thanks" Rosalie said grinning from ear to ear, since she thought he was mentioning her popularity related to the show, she had no idea about Iseop knowing about the script, that it was exactly her doing.
Just then, Iseop's assistant returned with the documents so Iseop glanced at Luna one last time before heading toward the conference room.
The whispers around them hadn't let up. If anything, they'd grown louder. Her coworkers watched the scene, some with newfound respect, some with envy or skepticism.
She overheard fragments…"She knows Iseop?" "Is she dating?" "Didn't know she'd be on The Masquerade of Hearts.". "Grim Reaper trades life?" "Shut up, don't you dare say anything" ... blending into murmurs for some that made the hairs on her arms prickle.
Rosalie smiled with faux innocence while she held Luna hand "Seems like you have more connections than I thought. How interesting."
Rosalie released her grip, her gaze was following Iseop with an intensity Luna could feel. Despite her public smile, Luna could sense the flicker of irritation behind it. For all her advantages, Rosalie wanted one thing Luna now seemed to have, even if she hadn't asked for it….it was attention. And the fact that she couldn't fully control it frustrated Rosalie in ways her poised demeanor was barely concealed. She realized that it would be better if she takes everything from Luna without being Rash, slowly when she drops her guard. Later she occupied her seat collecting all the honey she drained with her smile.
The day wasn't peaceful at the office , it was rather like a school break.
Eventually it came to an end.