The photo in the article was already one Soohyun knew. Some of the photos that were in the envelope Seokhyeon had handed him recently were posted as the main photos in the article. Soohyun’s face wasn’t visible, but Seojun’s face was too clear.
‘Jang Seokhyeon… Jang Seokhyeon…’
Was his struggle all for nothing? As if mocking Soohyun’s courage, Seokhyeon had released those photos to the media. Thinking that Seojun might be harmed because of him, Soohyun’s heart became anxious.
“Soohyun-ssi, I’m going…?”
“Seojun-ssi, I’m sorry. Really… really sorry.”
Seojun saw the cell phone in Soohyun’s hand and let out a sigh. Then he approached Soohyun, naturally put down the cell phone gently with his hand, embraced his body, and patted his back.
“Soohyun-ssi, it’s not a big deal. Because I’m an actor, a public figure. This kind of thing can happen. So don’t worry too much.”
“But the photo is so clear…”
“I guess I’m so handsome that my face stands out even in photos like this?”
“What?”
At Seojun’s joking words, Soohyun raised his head. At the mischievous smile on his face, Soohyun felt absurd yet comforted.
“Nothing big will happen just because I went on a date. Don’t worry. I’ll go to the company, talk, and come back.”
“I’m sorry…”
“What does Soohyun-ssi have to be sorry about? I was the one who asked to go on a date. Don’t worry and wait!”
Soohyun quietly nodded his head. As he said, he hoped it wasn’t a big deal, that Seojun wouldn’t suffer any harm. He had simply loved his insignificant self, he had done nothing wrong. The only person who had done wrong was one person—Jang Seokhyeon.
* * *
“Choi Seojun. Be more careful. What the hell is going on?”
“…I have nothing to say.”
In front of the CEO who was frowning deeply with his legs crossed, Seojun made no excuses. In fact, there was nothing to excuse. The fact that Seojun had dated someone and kissed his partner was captured so clearly in photos that no one could deny it.
“Who is it? A civilian? A celebrity? Just tell me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Hey! Choi Seojun!!”
The CEO frustratedly pounded his chest with his fist, and Jinwoo, who was sitting next to Seojun, sat in a restless posture and poked Seojun’s side.
“Seojun-ah, you just met once, right? If that’s the case, well. It’s the actor’s private life, so the company can release a statement saying we have nothing to say. Tell me what you think. What would you like to do?”
“…I’ll conduct myself to minimize damage.”
“Choi Seojun, advertisers are already talking about penalty fees. They contracted you because they liked your clean image, and they’re making a fuss asking what this is!”
Even as he watched the CEO clench his fist, Seojun said nothing more. He was quite flustered because he hadn’t thought about penalty fees, but was going on one date really such a sin? Seojun shook his head.
“Director Jang wants to meet today. You too, Seojun.”
“Do you mean Director Jang Seokhyeon?”
“Yes. You know that H Pharmaceuticals invested the most in that movie, right? Make sure to speak well to him later. You’re not the only one involved. Conduct yourself well, Choi Seojun.”
“I understand.”
Seojun thought that if it was him, who had become somewhat close to him, he might understand the situation. Jinwoo, who heard the three characters ‘Jang Seokhyeon,’ took out his notebook as if something came to mind, looked at the contents, and poked Seojun’s side once more.
“Seojun-ah, let’s talk for a moment.”
“Huh?”
While the CEO briefly left his seat, Jinwoo lowered his voice and began to confess about what he saw yesterday.
“I saw Lee Soohyun-ssi and Director Jang Seokhyeon meeting yesterday.”
“Jinwoo hyung, what… what are you saying?”
Seojun grabbed Jinwoo’s arm with a more surprised face than when he heard about his scandal. Jinwoo tilted his head at Seojun’s unexpected reaction.
“I had business in XX-dong yesterday. As I was passing a nearby cafe, they caught my eye. Both Lee Soohyun-ssi and Director Jang Seokhyeon are quite noticeable types.”
“Did the two really meet? Are you sure?”
Urgency seeped into Seojun’s voice. It was strange that Seojun was reacting this much to the matter of Soohyun, who was just an employee.
“Huh? Yeah yeah. I couldn’t believe it either, so I checked up close. I’m certain. Just from looking…”
“From looking…?”
“They seemed to know each other well. But how does Lee Soohyun-ssi know Director Jang Seokhyeon… huh? Seojun-ah, where are you going?”
Seojun ran outside without even listening to all of Jinwoo’s words. And he urgently called a familiar number.
* * *
‘What should I do? Seojun-ssi… what should I do?’
He wanted to think it would be okay, that it wouldn’t be a big deal, but Soohyun couldn’t do anything all day, just holding onto his cell phone. Unlike usual, he couldn’t concentrate on housework either, and repeatedly searched for his name in case new news about Seojun’s scandal would come up.
Trrr-Trrrr-.
“Seojun-ssi?”
[Soohyun-ssi, nothing’s… wrong, right?]
As soon as the phone rang, Soohyun pressed the call button and called Seojun in an urgent voice. He was worried about everything—whether he had heard bad news at the company, whether he had been caught and interrogated about his relationship with him.
“I’m… fine. What about Seojun-ssi? Are you okay?”
[…Yes. Don’t worry. But Soohyun-ssi.]
“Yes?”
Seojun bit his lip. He didn’t know how to bring it up to him. Should he ask why he met Director Jang Seokhyeon? Should he ask what kind of relationship they had, or if they had a relationship in the past? Besides the fact that the alpha who had imprinted on him died, did he have some other secret? Seojun was confused.
[Ah, no. I just called because I wanted to hear your voice. In case you were worried.]
“Seojun-ssi…”
Soohyun’s voice trembled. Even though it was clearly a difficult situation, he was so grateful he felt like crying for worrying about him.
“I keep… worrying. I’m sorry. Seojun-ssi. Because of me for no reason…”
[I’m talking well with the company, so don’t worry and just wait. But I might be a little late today. I have to meet someone with the CEO.]
“Is it an important appointment?”
At Soohyun’s question, Seojun hesitated for a moment but eventually put ‘his’ name in his mouth.
[Because of the movie… I think I’ll be meeting Director Jang Seokhyeon.]
Soohyun froze while holding his cell phone. That man again. He wouldn’t say strange things to Seojun, would he? No, that man is crazy, someone who wouldn’t hesitate to do anything to get what he wants. Would he blab to Seojun about what happened with him?
Soohyun unknowingly bit his nails.
[Soohyun-ssi? Are you listening?]
“Yes? Then, I’ll wait. Even if you come late, I’ll wait. Seojun-ssi.”
[…You don’t have to push yourself. If you’re tired, you can sleep first…]
“I want to wait. Please let me wait.”
[…Okay. Then see you later.]
“Yes. Later… um… do well and come back.”
After the call with Soohyun, Seojun recalled his reaction that was somehow strange. When he mentioned Jang Seokhyeon’s name, he could feel that he was flustered beyond the phone.
‘Why… why… why is Soohyun-ssi…’
Do Director Jang Seokhyeon and Soohyun have some relationship after all? Seojun found it difficult to erase the curiosity that kept raising its head.
* * *
“Director-nim, hello.”
“Please sit down first. Choi Seojun-ssi.”
Seojun and the agency CEO were sitting in Seokhyeon’s office. Seokhyeon’s expression, which had always welcomed him with a smiling face, was stiff.
“Director-nim, I’m truly shameful.”
Seokhyeon sat on the sofa with his legs crossed and opened his eyes thinly. Then he carefully examined the face of Seojun looking at him. As soon as Seojun made eye contact with Seokhyeon, he reflexively turned his gaze away.
“Choi Seojun-ssi, don’t you have anything to say?”
“…I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful with my actions.”
Seokhyeon was pressing his temples with his index finger and thumb, then opened his mouth without taking his eyes off Seojun.
“This investment was quite an adventure for me as well. If there’s a problem with the actor’s private life before filming even starts, I’d be in trouble too.”
“…”
“Maybe someone you’re dating… is it something like that?”
At Seokhyeon’s question, the CEO blocked his words.
