Black Label [EN]: Chapter 213

213. Paradise (2)

Chairman Ardo’s island mansion, nestled near the heart of the island, was truly an astonishing sight.

“Wow…,” Jaeseung breathed, his eyes wide as he took in the surroundings.

Chairman Ardo smiled, pleased. “There isn’t a single item in this mansion that hasn’t been touched by a master craftsman’s [Meister’s] hand.”

Jaeseung nodded, impressed. “Yes, it certainly seems that way.”

He couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.

Furniture that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars simply because a renowned carpenter had used the finest wood.

Sofas crafted from leather that had undergone countless meticulous processes.

Magnificent chandeliers that resembled works of art.

Even the carpets and cushion covers bore the logos of premium brands.

“There are many empty rooms, so feel free to choose whichever you like. Just let Philip know your choice.”

Philip.

The name of the middle-aged man who held the highest position among the sixteen employees on Chairman Ardo’s island.

The same middle-aged man who had greeted him and Chairman Ardo in an American SUV when their private jet landed.

“Hmm, do you have any rooms with an ocean view?”

Chairman Ardo chuckled, rubbing his nose. “Of course.”

He added with a flourish, “There isn’t a single room in this mansion that *doesn’t* have a view of the sea.”

* * *

The room he would be staying in was equally impressive.

Beyond the glass wall, the emerald horizon, tinged reddish by the setting sun, stretched out before him.

While it couldn’t compare to a hotel penthouse, it was a spacious and comfortable space, easily on par with a room in a decent five-star hotel.

After quickly unpacking the contents of his single suitcase, he made his way to the banquet hall on the first floor.

He engaged in light conversation with Chairman Ardo, watching as the private chef prepared dinner right before their eyes.

They ate together, continuing their polite conversation.

The discussion revolved mainly around trends and future directions in the fashion world, as well as recent art he had enjoyed and artists he found interesting.

As the conversation progressed, Jaeseung was increasingly impressed by the depth of Chairman Ardo’s knowledge.

His range was so broad that he could easily be mistaken for a deeply knowledgeable art critic rather than a businessman with vast capital.

After dinner, they moved to the movie room on the second floor.

“Wow, can I watch all of these DVDs?”

At least tens of thousands of DVDs were neatly organized by year.

Among them were even classic films that were nearly impossible to find anywhere else.

Chairman Ardo nodded. “Of course, watch as many as you like.”

Jaeseung learned something new about the chairman: he was a huge romance movie buff.

As a result, he found himself watching several romance movies in a row, accompanied by wine that cost ten million won [approximately $7,500 USD] a bottle and truffle-dusted potato chips.

They started with classics like ‘Casablanca’ and ‘Roman Holiday’, then moved on to ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ and ‘Eternal Sunshine….’

By the time they finished, dawn was approaching.

Chairman Ardo, yawning widely, rubbed his eyes. “I think we should call it a night, given tomorrow’s schedule.”

And just like that, his first day on the island came to an end.

* * *

On the second day, Jaeseung woke up around noon, took a quick shower, and went down to the first floor.

The manager, Philip, hurried over and whispered, “Lee, the ‘item’ has arrived.”

As soon as he said the word, Jaeseung felt a jolt in his chest.

He immediately understood what Philip meant by ‘item’.

Philip presented him with a small jewelry box.

Inside was the yellow diamond ring, which had been auctioned off at Sotheby’s [a renowned auction house] for the price of several supercars.

The ring, destined to be on Ashlyn’s finger as early as tonight, had arrived as planned.

“Oh my, it’s so beautiful….”

“Everything will be fine.”

“Thank you.”

The afternoon’s schedule was uneventful.

He had a simple meal of scrambled eggs and toast, similar to a hotel breakfast, and then went out to sea on a yacht.

He drifted aimlessly, listening to music, and even tried his hand at fishing alongside Chairman Ardo.

It was a peaceful interlude.

The warm sunlight encouraged a lazy afternoon, the sea rarely rippled unless the wind picked up, and soft classical music played in the background….

Jaeseung, who had unknowingly drifted off to sleep, was awakened by Chairman Ardo’s excited voice.

“Lee, wake up! I’ve just been told that Ashlyn has arrived!”

The announcement hit him like a hammer blow to the back of the head.

Without even asking for confirmation, he immediately reeled in his fishing line.

The yacht sped back towards the island, and his heart began to race.

The scenario he had practiced and imagined countless times was now unfolding before him.

As Jaeseung nervously chewed on his thumbnail, Chairman Ardo put his arm around his shoulder. “Lee, you’re making a big deal out of nothing. Your story will be featured in the next issue of the New York Times. As soon as I get back from this trip, I’m going to tell everyone how you were trembling like a scared cat before the proposal.”

Chairman Ardo roared with laughter, but Jaeseung remained pale.

*Do whatever you want, I don’t care. I might die from my heart exploding at this rate….*

* * *

After disembarking from the yacht, he rushed ahead of Chairman Ardo.

He was preoccupied with the ridiculous thought of *What should I say to greet her naturally?* as he walked towards the mansion.

“Damn it.”

Jaeseung took a deep breath once he reached the front of the mansion and went inside.

Philip, who was sitting on the sofa reading a book, placed his glasses on the table. “You’ve arrived much earlier than expected.”

“Philip, where’s Ashlyn?”

“She’s in a room on the second floor.”

Philip smiled knowingly. “Right next to your room, Lee.”

Jaeseung thanked him and hurried up the stairs, Philip called out after him.

“Lee, I know you’re nervous, but you have to wait until dinner! If you confess your love on the island’s coast that I showed you yesterday, you’ll never fail!”

Jaeseung paused. “Thanks for the advice, Philip.”

“You’re welcome.”

Jaeseung reached the second floor and headed straight for the room where Ashlyn would be unpacking.

He knocked on the door a few times, then whispered, “Ashlyn, it’s me. I’m coming in.”

He opened the door.

He couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. Despite searching the spacious room, he couldn’t find Ashlyn.

Jaeseung stepped inside and looked at the large mattress.

A wide-open suitcase sat alone.

It seemed she had been unpacking and then suddenly left.

*Why?* A strange sense of unease began to creep into his heart.

At that moment.

A strange sound came from the bathroom.

It sounded like someone was gagging.

Jaeseung muttered, “Ashlyn…?” and slowly opened the bathroom door.

As the door swung open, the entire bathroom came into view.

“Oh my god.”

A dark shadow fell over Jaeseung’s face.

Ashlyn was collapsed, clinging to the toilet.

Jaeseung knelt beside her, repeatedly calling her name. Ashlyn struggled to speak.

“I’m okay, I’m okay, you don’t have to worry….”

“I’ll call the medical staff.”

“I’m really okay. It’s just a simple case of anorexia [an eating disorder].”

Ashlyn explained that she was experiencing exhaustion due to constant nausea.

She added that she would be fine if she continued to take her medication.

But her explanation did little to calm his racing heart.

Jaeseung frowned. “Anorexia? Since when? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Since the beginning of last season. I didn’t want to worry you.”

Ashlyn hung her head. “I’m sorry for not telling you. But you’re always so busy. I didn’t want to be a burden when you’re already having a hard time. That’s all.”

Jaeseung covered his face with his hands, dismayed.

“Lee, I wish you could just pretend you didn’t see it.”

“How can I do that?”

“Even if it’s difficult, please do it. I only want to show you my beautiful side.”

Ashlyn struggled to her feet, leaning on the toilet. “It’s just that you don’t know much about it, so you’re taking it so seriously, right? It’s really nothing. It’s just like a disease that everyone gets once or twice in this industry.”

Jaeseung interrupted, “Ashlyn…,” but she quickly waved her hand and continued.

“Really. Everyone I know, or even those I’m competing with, is suffering from it….”

Jaeseung gently grabbed Ashlyn’s wrist.

Her fingertips were trembling.

Jaeseung asked sharply, “What about the tremors? How long have you been suffering from those?”

“This is….”

Jaeseung knew the modeling world well.

Designers and models were like crocodiles and crocodile birds, each necessary to the other. How could he *not* know?

He even knew secrets that only active models would know.

Like Ashlyn said, countless models suffered from eating disorders.

But he was dismayed because it was happening to someone he loved.

But tremors?

That was a symptom of weight loss through chemical means.

For example, forcibly injecting ephedrine, an asthma medication, or taking oral medications like Clenbuterol [Clen], could cause tremors as a side effect.

Most models lived in a system where they had no choice but to engage in unhealthy competition.

Everyone was pressured to have eating disorders and take harmful drugs. Ashlyn was caught in that cycle.

Jaeseung said sharply, “If you’re really okay with this, and if you really want to do it, I’ll never stop you again. But you’ve already lost a lot of health working as a model.”

“…….”

“Ashlyn, actually, I was going to propose to you tonight in an amazing place. But I don’t think I can wait. So I’m just going to say it now.”

After a moment of silence, Ashlyn stared blankly at Jaeseung.

Jaeseung took a deep breath. “I want you to marry me. If you don’t think now is the time, I’m willing to wait forever. But if you think now is the right time, and if your current life is actually very difficult and scary….”

“Then?”

“Please accept my proposal. Marriage may not have been part of your dream career as a model, but I’ll always be by your side, whether you’re having a hard time or a good time, so you can look forward to it.”

Jaeseung rummaged through his pockets, then pulled his hand out, empty.

He realized he had left the jewelry box containing the ring in the drawer next to his bed.

The place, the words, even the gift he had prepared….

Everything was unfolding differently than he had expected.

But.

Ashlyn covered her face and answered in a sobbing, desperate voice.

“Lee, thank you. Thank you so much.”

“Then…?”

“I was so scared and afraid, all alone.”

Wiping away her tears, Ashlyn leaned into Jaeseung’s arms.

Jaeseung kissed her forehead.

It was a clear sign of acceptance.