Falling Into His Trap Of Love

Backstage of United States Fashion Week, 2021.

"Remember, this is a fashion event for top brands that is heavily scrutinized by the media. We can't afford to make mistakes. Don't tarnish the name of our make-up artist agency! Got it?"

"Understood, ma'am!"

After a brief briefing conducted by Mrs. Victoria, the head of SN Entertainment Group's make up artist agency, the few make up artists gathered dispersed. Among them, Olivia was seen carrying two make up suitcases with a grimace on her face.

"Olivia, get a move on! We don't have much time before the models arrive!" From two steps beside her, Jane, called out with a furious look on her face.

"Yes! You can't move slowly like that!" Then from beside Jane, Laisa, chimed in.

Olivia, who was struggling to carry two suitcases of makeup, just nodded. But in her heart, she was actually furious. How could she speed up her running when she had the weight of two heavy suitcases in both hands?!

'It's already fast, for heaven's sake! Can't you see I'm carrying your suitcases?!' Olivia thought to herself, cursing the two of them.

Olivia had been working in the cosmetology field for almost five years. Before being at SN Entertainment Group Agency, Olivia had worked at JM Entertainment Agency. Unfortunately, she was forced to leave for a cliché reason: because of the system of working overtime but not being treated well. In fact, her hard work often went unpaid.

"Olivia!"

"Yes, I'm coming right away!"

Did you think that Olivia's fate was different after moving to the SN Group agency? No, she didn't. As they say, out of the crocodile's cage but into the tiger's.

It's the same fate. Olivia was kept as some sort of perpetual trainee even though it was over a year and a half ago. She was only allowed to work with clients in their makeup room. Not the clients of models at events like this US Fashion Week.

Also, Olivia was not allowed to choose her own clients. As a result, it was often the case that Olivia, who should have been the main make-up artist, was still the assistant to the main make-up artist. For one year-oh, it will be two years soon.

It's so sickening.

Ting.

The elevator opened and Olivia hurried to catch up with her two seniors. Down the corridor that was crowded with staff, both the staff of the models who would later appear and the staff who organized the United States Fashion Week event.

As she walked, Olivia was nudged on the shoulder several times by the crowded corridor. This is a big event. It was not impossible that there were so many people taking care of the event.

"I apologize! Continue your work, you've worked hard!" That's what Olivia said every time her shoulder collided with staff or models who had arrived.

Finally, Olivia arrived at a very quiet room. It was vast and filled with tons of make-up artists from other agencies. Passing by carrying clothes, tidying up the makeup tables that were placed in straight and parallel rows, or discussing with fellow makeup artists about what the hairstyle or makeup would be.

Olivia was dumbfounded for a moment. Her steps gradually slowed down. Not realizing that her two seniors were already slowly away from her.

Olivia's eyes lit up as a smile of admiration spread across her face. Especially after seeing a number of models already filling a row of dressing tables on her left side. This was the first time Olivia had seen them.

"Oh my gosh. I used to see them on my phone, now I see them..." Olivia couldn't even finish her sentence because her throat was choked.

It's really hard to describe Olivia's amazement at seeing famous models in person.

Although she didn't memorize all of their names, Olivia knew four of them by heart. Their faces were often seen on social media, and Olivia admired their beauty. Like.

"Hey, do you want to keep standing in the middle of the street?"

Olivia gasped when a man's voice suddenly sounded from behind. Suddenly, she turned around with a look of shock.

In that instant, Olivia's whole body froze after seeing someone beside the man who reprimanded her. Olivia blinked repeatedly to realize that what she saw now was not a dream.

It was Axel Hansel Johnson, a famous photo model who is also the owner of the agency Kaistha Entertainment.

Axel Hansel Johnson was in front of her eyes!

"Hello? Miss?" The man next to Axel waved a hand briefly in front of Olivia's face

"OLIVIA!"

Olivia suddenly woke up after the shrill call came from behind her. There was Jane who had just arrived, running a little closer to Olivia. The look on her face showed annoyance.

"It's you! What are you doing here?" Jane asked Olivia in a sarcastic tone. Her eyes glared in warning. But the next second she smiled when she saw Axel, the photo model.

"Oh, please excuse my assistants, Mr. Axel Hansel and Mr. Jonathan-manager Mr. Axel."

Axel only gave a small smile before looking back at Olivia. Olivia secretly bit her inner lower lip because she felt so nervous. She bowed, making a Korean gesture of apology.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Jonathan," Olivia said to the man beside Axel.

While next to Axel, Jonathan nodded his head briefly. He laughed a little. In contrast to his voice that seemed to exude an intimidating aura, Jonathan's face actually looked so friendly.

"Ah, no problem. Everyone is nervous today, I'm sure your assistant feels the same way," replied Jonathan, Axel's personal manager.

Olivia just realized that Jane, her senior, had called her an assistant. Even though Olivia had also been able to assume the role of the main makeup artist!

"But still. She should be professional. Now, is Jungkook ready to be made up?" Jane asked with a curved smile that looked like a grin.

Jonathan nodded his head. Axel was the first to walk away from Jane, Olivia, and his own manager. He didn't look at all indifferent as he walked towards one of the dressing tables.

"Come," Jane invited Jonathan with a gesture of courtesy.

Jonathan followed after Axel. Before Jane caught up with the two men, she changed her expression to a flat, sharp look. Whispering something to Olivia

"I told you not to do anything that risks tarnishing the agency's good name!" hissed Jane, putting full emphasis on her sentence.

Olivia winced and was slightly taken aback. Her hands were clasped together and placed in front of her body. She lowered her head as she was reluctant to raise her face to look into Jane's eyes that were glaring at her.

Unnoticed by Jane, from a few meters away, Axel stopped stepping and turned his body backwards. He had noticed Jane pointing at the makeup assistant with an intimidating aura.

Axel frowned, tilting his head slightly. "Mr. Jonathan, is he going to do my makeup later?"

Jonathan was already standing next to him, following the direction of the gaze. Seeing Jane's figure walking over, Jonathan nodded.

"Yes, that's right. She is. You mean the woman who walked towards us, right?" asked Jonathan.

"No," Axel evaded. "The woman behind her."

A look of doubt crossed Jonathan's face. "You want her to do your makeup?"

Axel nodded confidently. Jonathan, who looked like he wanted to protest but decided against it, talked to Jane. During their conversation, Jane seemed unable to agree. But Jonathan brought up Axel's agency name

As a result, as soon as Olivia, who seemed to be struggling to carry two suitcases of makeup in her hands, arrived, Jane stopped her.

"Hey, Olivia. I'll leave Axel's make-up job to you."

Suddenly, Olivia was wide-eyed. "What?"

When Olivia's eyes turned to look at Axel, he gave her a lopsided, meaningful smile. It was small and brief. Before waltzing away just like before.

What is this dream?!

The United States Fashion Week event went very smoothly. Fifteen models showed the latest designs from a renowned Korean designer. It was also the anniversary of one of the core boutiques, which now has ten branches, including two in London and one in New York.

After three rounds, the models, who had finished spinning, returned to the backstage. The place where they do their make-up. There was an open break room on the left side.

Axel flung himself onto the sofa as he exhaled roughly. He immediately leaned his head on the back of the sofa.

"Axel! Gosh, you look so tired!"

Axel raised both eyebrows with his eyes still closed. Then when he felt a shock from the side, like someone had just sat up, Axel jerked his eyes open.

"Aish. Why did you come in such a hurry?" Axel cursed Jonathan, the manager who was like his best friend.

Jonathan brought a tissue and made a pitiable face. He guiltlessly wiped the sweat from several spots on Axel's face.

"Look at this. You must be feeling really tired after all the modeling and photo shoots-"

"Ah!" Axel immediately moved his head away and swatted Jonathan's hand away. "What's wrong with you, you're overreacting."

Jonathan frowned, looking unhappy with Axel's treatment. "Hey, I was showing concern for you. How can you care about my care like that?"

Axel's eyes looked strangely at Jonathan who was dramatizing his way of speaking. Axel had indeed worked with Jonathan for almost eight years of his career in entertainment. But even if Axel was used to Jonathan's behavior, Axel was still always surprised.

How was it that Axel always had to work side by side with a man like this?

"Oh my..." Axel sighed heavily. "Do you always have to be like this? I appreciate your concern, so now shut up. Okay?" he asked as he cupped Jonathan's face with a pleading look. As if he was pleading with a child.

Jonathan was somewhat taken aback when Axel pressed his cheeks together. To the point that his mouth was shaped like a fish's mouth.

"A-aaa! Bwgwaimwana akwu bwicara?!" Jonathan pushed Axel's hands away with an annoyed jerk. "Aish. It's lucky that I've been working for so long and you've earned so much for me."

Jonathan straightened up in his seat. He had a look of disbelief on his face. Getting carried away wanted to dramatize the situation.

"Hey, I know you don't really care about me. You just want my money, right?" Jonathan asked, dramatizing.

Jonathan, who of course knew that Axel was dramatizing, happily accepted. "Of course. In this day and age of high prices, who doesn't want and need money?"

"How dare you say that." Axel ended his words with an exasperated smirk on his lips.

Suddenly Jonathan laughed. Meanwhile, Axel's eyes happened to be watching the surroundings. At that moment, Axel's eye movement stopped when he accidentally caught the figure of a woman.

Axel frowned, paying attention to the woman who stood quite far away but was still within sight. He remembered the woman - the one he had asked to do his make-up. She was chatting with three other make-up artists.

For some reason the corners of Axel's lips automatically curved. Forming a smile that implied interest.

"Hey, Mr. Jonathan," Axel called out as he tapped Jonathan on the shoulder without looking away.

Jonathan winced and was surprised to get such a heavy pat from Axel. The pat was so tight and original that it almost hit him in the face. Without further ado, Jonathan caught Axel's hand and stopped the rapid succession of claps.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Hey, Axel!"

Axel then turned his head to Jonathan. He brought his face closer while pointing at it.

"Do you think my makeup is messy or not? Or are there parts that are erased because of my sweat?" Axel asked.

Seeing Axel suddenly acting strangely like that, made Jonathan frown in astonishment. Of course he felt there was something strange about Axel. So Jonathan just looked at Axel with a look wondering what was going on.

"Hey!" Axel snapped a finger in front of Jonathan's face, snapping him awake. "I asked you a question!"

"Wh-what? What's wrong with you?"

"Just tell me if there's any part of my makeup that's not done?"

Axel's tone was hurried and urgent. Although Axel looked suspicious, Jonathan nodded stiffly. The look on his face showed that he was still guessing what had happened to Axel.

"Oh, yes. There are some parts of your makeup that are fading. I don't know what to call it, but..."

Before Jonathan could finish speaking, Axel grinned and tapped his manager twice on the shoulder. Before Axel got up from his standing position and ran away just like that. Leaving Jonathan dumbfounded.

Jonathan reached out and opened his mouth, about to yell at Axel, but ended up unable to get any words out. His tongue felt tongue-tied as he couldn't get enough of Axel.

"God, that brat!" growled Jonathan, including a groan at the end of the sentence.

If he didn't love Axel like his own brother, he would have resigned a long time ago.

***

It was exhausting.

Today Olivia was helping Jane, her senior, who had seven makeup clients. Granted, Olivia was just helping with the usual stuff. But seeing the crowd in one room, even though the room was big, Olivia felt claustrophobic.

Moreover, everyone in the room looked so busy going back and forth. Just seeing it made Olivia feel tired.

Now Olivia decided to step out of the big room into a fairly quiet hallway. Olivia stood facing the large glass as a substitute for the wall, looking at the night sky stretching out.

Olivia occasionally closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. Feeling the calm air from the hustle and bustle of the people in the room. It felt so soothing when Olivia enjoyed this kind of tranquility. Like something inside her that was bound and restrained, was instantly freed.

"Ah, at least I can see Axel tonight," Olivia murmured between her eyes.

Olivia opened her eyes again and saw a printed photo. There was Axel in the print, when Jungkook performed at London's Fashion Parade Week last month.

Olivia's smile grew warm. "How handsome is this man. Gosh, why did God create a creature as beautiful as you?"

Without Olivia realizing it, Axel was already standing a few meters away from her. Axel watched Olivia with a questioning gaze. Whose photo was she looking at?

Olivia closed her eyes again while bringing the printed photo in her hand to her chest. As if she was hugging Axel.

Axel, who felt curious, finally stepped closer. He didn't know what Olivia was thinking until she was so focused that she didn't hear the sound of his footsteps.

"Why are you alone?"

Olivia suddenly opened her eyes and turned her face. Her eyes immediately widened in surprise and jerked back a step. A man who had just arrived and was stepping toward her made Olivia suddenly stiffen.

The man, Axel, raised both eyebrows. His hands were stuffed into his coat pockets.

Seeing Olivia who suddenly stiffened and looked at him in horror, Axel was provoked to laugh amusedly.

"Why are you looking at me so strangely?" Axel asked. He had stopped walking when he was three steps in front of Olivia. "You... aren't doing anything wrong, are you?"

Olivia still blinked. But her shock had subsided. Nervous to death, Olivia replied, "A-ah, that... what kind of thing?"

Axel seemed to think for a moment. "Yeah... that, getting caught stealing, for example?"

Olivia's forehead wrinkled. Because of her nervousness, Olivia didn't catch the implied joke behind Axel's sentence.

Axel immediately let out a small laugh. "I'm just kidding. Are you in trouble? Scolded by your seniors again?"

"No," Olivia replied quickly, taking Axel by surprise. "There's nothing wrong. You... what are you doing here?"

Axel didn't answer. His eyes looked at Olivia intently, highlighting a meaning.Axel slowly stepped closer to Olivia. Making Olivia even more nervous, taking a step back.

Axel's height that was more than Olivia's made Olivia have to look up.

"My make up is a bit messy, ssh... I feel oily from sweat. Can you fix it?" Axel asked in a low and deep voice.

Olivia almost gaped if she didn't hold her lips immediately. "W-why... no, I mean, you can ask the others for help."

"Right, I can ask others for help," Axel replied, briefly casting a glance outside. "But you've been handling my makeup since the beginning, so I'm afraid of someone else messing up."

Olivia fell silent. Her heart was racing so fast at that moment that her whole body suddenly stiffened. Olivia's tongue was tongue-tied even though she had the vocabulary to refuse. But she couldn't say anything at all.

"How's this?" Axel's eyes turned to look back at Olivia. "I just want you to..." Axel read the name tag on Olivia's right breast. His lopsided smile curved a little. "...Olivia?"

Olivia's heart skipped a beat. Her body froze without being able to say anything. She just stood there looking at Axel intensely.

"What?" asked Olivia. 'Didn't I hear wrong?" she continued silently.

"I want you, Olivia."

"HEI! OLIVIA!"

The silence was immediately broken when Jane's call sounded. Suddenly, Olivia who was still dumbfounded after hearing Axsl's words earlier gasped. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Jane glaring at her as she walked closer.

Axel only turned his head when he heard the sound of tapping steps approaching. Both eyebrows raised in astonishment at Jane's presence.

"What are you doing here?" asked Jane, giving Olivia a sardonic glare.

Olivia immediately grimaced and bowed. "Sorry, Mrs. Jane. I was just getting a little fresh air."

Jane gave Olivia a warning look, then turned to look at Axel. That's when a guilty smile curved up.

"Oh, forgive my boy, Mr. Axel. He still has to learn how not to run away from work just like that," Jane said while giving a brief bow.

Axel was silent with both eyebrows furrowed. He was confused, why was Olivia being blamed when she had done nothing wrong?

"And I'm sorry if she interrupted your time. You must have been looking for some fresh air too but she came to disturb you, right? I'm so sorry," Jane continued.

Axel gave a small smile. "No problem. After all... it was me who approached her, Mrs. Jane," he replied with a casual joking tone. "I felt like my makeup wasn't right, it was a bit smudged. So I looked for it but it wasn't in the room."

Jane was stunned to hear that Axel had approached Olivia. But since she already felt that Olivia was at fault, Jane didn't want to embarrass herself. So she turned to Olivia and threw a sharp glare.

"You're being unprofessional! How can you not be in the make-up room and make the clients come to you?!"

Olivia was stunned to hear those words. Olivia actually wanted to tell Jane the truth. But her sense of professionalism held her back because Axel was here. Plus, Olivia couldn't possibly reveal something that could potentially judge Axel badly and make him uncomfortable.

"Ah, it's okay," Axel replied with a small laugh. The look in his eyes that implied a twinkle did not escape Axel. "It's not Olivia's fault. I was the one who wanted to go to her. Don't blame her like that."

Jane's uncomfortable face turned to Axel. Among her discomfort, Jane looked briefly annoyed at Olivia for getting a defense from Axel.

"Still, Olivia did something wrong. I feel so bad that I had to make you look for her, she should have been on stand-by with her work. I'm sorry once again."

"Do you always apologize when you don't feel guilty like that?"

"Yes?" Jane's eyebrows both raised. Her look of confusion was even more evident. "What do you mean?"

With a calm smile on his face, Axel shook his head briefly. "No, I don't. It's just that... the more you apologize, the more Olivia looks guilty. And you just keep apologizing. It's like you're gaslighting on purpose."

Jane frowned, as did Olivia who didn't understand where Axel was going with this. But Olivia suddenly felt bad. It seemed like Axel's topic of conversation would lead to...

"You're not trying to make Olivia feel guilty, are you?" This time, Axel included a meaningful lopsided smile. Axel deliberately provoked Jane that second.

As a result, Jane felt a bit awkward now. Her eyeballs were moving around, just not looking at Axel's two pairs of eyeballs. A piercing calm. Jane glanced at Olivia who was slightly downcast with a shrinking look.

"Never mind, don't act tense and intimidating like that to someone who is innocent." Axel suddenly waved one hand with a soft chuckle. As if trying to neutralize the atmosphere.

"I'm going back inside. Don't nag him anymore," Axel said.

Axel gave a small smile as a sign to end the conversation. A glimpse of Olivia automatically raised the corners of her lips to show a small smile. In fact, beyond Olivia's expectations, Axel gave her an ignorant wink.

Olivia was surprised, while Axel immediately turned around and waltzed away. Leaving Olivia with Jane who was equally dumbfounded at Axel's wink.

Axel gave a small smile as a sign to end the conversation. A glimpse of Olivia automatically raised the corners of her lips to show a small smile. In fact, beyond Olivia's expectations, Axel gave her an ignorant wink.

Olivia was surprised, while Axel immediately turned around and waltzed away. Leaving Olivia with Jane who was equally dumbfounded at Axel's wink.

There was silence between Olivia and Jane. After Axel had completely left, Jane turned her body to face Olivia.

"Do you know Axel?" Jane peppered Olivia with questions.

Seeing Jane's pair of eyes that squinted suspiciously, Olivia was struck by awkwardness. No immediate answer came out of Olivia's mouth. Even so, Olivia still tried to calmly give a knot.

"Doesn't... everyone know Axel?" Olivia asked back, desperately trying to hide her awkwardness.

Jane folded her arms across her chest, watching Olivia even more intensely. "No, I mean, do you know him personally?"

Olivia frowned with a slight grimace on her face. "No, I don't. How could I know him personally?"

At first Jane did not immediately look believing. But because Olivia faked her nervousness, Jane decided to believe. Although the way she looked at Olivia still implied that she was detecting, Jane did not want to prolong it.

"I'm not sure Axel would want to get to know you personally either," Jane said after throwing away her smug expression.

Olivia didn't answer, just slightly bowed. Even if she resisted, Jane had more power to fire her from this job. There was no way Olivia would let herself be miserable over something so trivial.

"Yes, Mrs. Jane," Olivia replied politely.

Then Jane's eyes, which looked both displeased and wary of Olivia, turned away. "Also, you know that there are professional boundaries between idols and make-up artists like you, right?"

Of course. How could Olivia forget something like that?

After all, it wasn't that high of an expectation for Olivia to imagine being with Axel. What a crazy human being.

"I know, Mrs. Jane," Olivia nodded her head again.

Jane gave her a warning glance, looking her down and up. Then she waltzed away from Olivia's presence.

The tapping sound of Jane's high heels faded away. Now Olivia was left standing where she was, looking straight at Jane's back. For some reason, something still lingered in Olivia's heart.

Like a tickling swish that was not slowly spreading.

Olivia remembered a few moments ago, when Axel came to her. In the midst of Olivia's silence, she reached into her shirt pocket. She took out a photocard that she always kept.

The figure of Axel posed with a wide smile showing a row of teeth.

Olivia had kept this photocard for a long time - almost four years. During that time, Olivia never left this photocard, even until the color was murkier than the first time she bought it.

Paying close attention to Axel on the photocard, the corners of Olivia's lips unconsciously curved into a smile. She felt a warmth creeping into her chest. She immediately clutched her chest, and repeatedly exhaled to ease the pounding of her heart.

"It's true what Mrs. Jane said. Even if we were given the chance to get to know each other personally, it would be impossible," Olivia murmured with a heavy sigh. "We are so different, including caste. In fact, I am very grateful that I was able to catch a glimpse of you earlier."

Yes, Olivia never expected anything from Axel. Even though Olivia saw Axel directly in front of her eyes earlier, it didn't change Olivia's consciousness.

Putting the photocard in its original place, Olivia exhaled. Her two feet began to step from the hallway. Canceling her intention to seek peace because of the crowd in the makeup room.

Jane would be furious if she saw-

"Olivia!"

Olivia's feet spontaneously stopped moving. Olivia looked around to see who was calling her. But once she caught the figure of Axel running small towards her.

Olivia was dumbfounded for a moment. Before finally looking around to make sure there was no Jane. Or even other staff who would notice the two of them.

"You... what are you..." Olivia's sentence wasn't finished, but Axel immediately interrupted her.

"You haven't done my makeup yet." Axel widened his smile as he stopped in front of Hyun-a. His breathing was a little labored. He pointed at his own face in a circle. "Look. More and more sweat. I need to take care of this."

Olivia blinked where she stood, not knowing what to do. Instantly Olivia's whole body felt stiff to move.

"Wh-what..." Olivia felt her tongue slip out.

Axel took another step forward, then bent down. Holding his own knees, he deliberately looked at Olivia's eyes from a close distance. Completely unaware that Olivia was holding her weakened knees.

"Can I ask for the makeup to be done? You brought the tools, right, Olivia?"

Axel's voice that greeted Olivia's sense of hearing made her hair stand on end. Olivia slowly lowered her face.

"B-brought it, but-"

"Yes! Just do it!" Axel immediately straightened his body again while clapping his hands once. "I need to tidy up a bit, and... maybe we can have a chat. Can we get to know each other personally?"

"Yes?" Gaping, Olivia didn't expect what she heard at all. "What?"

"Yes. Get to know you personally, but I don't mean that... you know, yeah, I feel like you could possibly be my personal make-up artist. So I need to get to know you personally."

Olivia really needed to reconstruct her ears now. Didn't she hear wrong?

"How? Let's start from... how long have you been my fan?" Axel gave a thin, twinkling smile. His eyes lit up with curiosity.

"What? How do you know?"

Axel's eyes moved to Olivia's hand. "You were holding my photocard, when I approached you."

"You saw that?!"

Axel chuckled at Olivia's panicked and misguided reaction. He shook his head briefly.

"Gosh, that's funny. We really need to get to know each other personally, Olivia."