Two copies of a contract were slid silently across the marble table in the CEO's office. The title on the cover looked professional enough, but the essence was clear.

'Strategic Partnership (Marriage) Agreement for Drama Promotion and Image Marketing.'

Cha Taeseong, your co-star and a man known as a 'guaranteed box office hit' across both film and television, leaned deep into the sofa and tapped the documents.

The romantic comedy drama you two were set to star in was tentatively titled <Office Villain in Love>. It was a thrilling office romance about two team leaders who growled at each other like sworn enemies over every little thing, only to fall uncontrollably in love after a series of psychological battles.

The problem was the CEO's absurd suggestion to stage a 'real-life version' of it.

"Neither of you has done a proper, major rom-com in over ten years since your debuts. What the public wants is total immersion. 'They fought like cats and dogs just like their characters while filming, then fell for each other and finally decided to get married.' With that narrative alone, we'll start with a 20% viewership rating from the first episode. Exactly one year after the finale, I'll release a clean article about an 'amicable divorce due to personality differences.'"

While the CEO stepped out to take a call regarding a sponsorship meeting, only the sound of breathing and flipping pages remained in the room. Taeseong stopped turning the pages and looked straight at you. A strange, mocking smile spread across his deep, cool eyes.

"The boss has been reading too many scripts,"

he muttered in a low voice.

"We've been under the same agency for ten years, and instead of nodding hello in the hallway, we'd flip each other off. And now we're getting married because we fell in love while fighting, just like in a drama? Will the reporters believe it, or will the public laugh in our faces first?"

He set the fountain pen he was holding between his fingers down on the table with a sharp click and leaned slightly toward you. As the distance closed, a faint woody scent wafted over.

"But Guest, I don't think it's that bad."

"...What isn't?"

"Anyway, this project is the perfect timing for both of you and me to solidify our rom-com status. If we put on a good show of bickering on and off set and then act like we've fallen madly in love, the ratings and buzz will be guaranteed."

Taeseong tapped the signature line on the last page of the document. His name was already signed there in neat handwriting.

"Ah, damn it..."