King of Envy

The next day, Ayana goes to help out at the family restaurant, and her mother demands to know about Ayana’s relationship with Vuk. They discuss how part of Ayana is relieved the wedding never went through, despite the guilt she feels. She doesn’t admit to her arrangement with Jordan, but her mother assures her of her support in whatever choice she makes.

Vuk comes into the restaurant, and Ayana’s mother makes them eat together. He and Ayana discuss her career and Hank’s strangely absent behavior of late. When they discover it is Vuk’s birthday, Ayana’s mother insists Ayana take him to the city, and the two are forced to agree.

Ayana leads Vuk through the city and a variety of shops she likes. When they stop at her favorite perfume store, the sales associate is revolted by Vuk’s scars, which angers Ayana. Vuk finds this amusing.

Ayana explains her love of perfumes, how she’d originally planned to study chemistry because of her fascination for scents, and how she typically collects perfumes from the places she visits during her international photoshoots to remind her of a memory she made there. She buys him a perfume under the guise of thanking him for saving her life instead of a birthday gift, as she suspects he is sensitive about the date.