“Ha…”
After finishing a short tea time and returning home, Woojin’s heart was no more at ease than Hanryul’s.
A high-rise officetel sufficient for living alone. A home he couldn’t even have imagined during his orphanage days. It was also a home he could never afford to live in at this age if he’d been an ordinary office worker after graduation.
Before, he’d always looked down at this view and vowed to endure just a little longer. The refreshing scenery of Seoul spread before his eyes no longer gave Woojin any stimulation.
Throughout drinking tea, Jaehyun maintained a stiff, businesslike attitude. When they entered the house together, he was very pleased at the hospitality after so long, but the act of inviting him to the house was nothing more than reciprocation for giving him a ride, and there seemed to be no meaning beyond that.
“Young Master, when are you planning to go to America?”
“Looking at you, Secretary Han is more interested in America than I am. I should send our Secretary Han to study abroad. Tell me anytime if you’re interested. I’ll give you generous support and push you forward without regrets.”
While drinking tea, Woojin wanted to bring up wanting to accompany him to study abroad in America, but Jaehyun knowingly or unknowingly avoided that topic and only rattled on about other things.
He’d had to follow behind him like a shadow at every moment, cleaning up after him. If he was out of sight even for a moment, he’d throw a terrible tantrum. But now what? Unless Woojin asked first, Jaehyun wouldn’t tell him any single thing about his schedule in advance.
“You need me.”
Woojin muttered to himself with a self-deprecating laugh.
By any means necessary, he would go to America together. He couldn’t forget the look in Jaehyun’s eyes when he helped with the team project. Those vivid eyes burning with academic passion and sparkling brightly.
He had to somehow show during the remaining time that he was a helpful person. It was obvious that Jaehyun was struggling to somehow distance himself from him.
“…Right.”
Woojin stood up abruptly as if having decided something and approached the closet. When he opened the closet and pushed the hanging clothes to one side with one hand, a small safe revealed itself.
Click—
When he released the safety lock and opened the entrance, a brown document envelope and USB became visible. The place containing everything about Jaehyun. Jaehyun’s Achilles’ heel.
‘Right. I’m doing it.’
Woojin decided. To destroy everything before his eyes. It was something he’d been endlessly pondering since long ago after Jaehyun changed.
After seeing Jaehyun’s fortress-like posture today, he had no choice but to clearly set his course. There would be no reversal of his decision. Because he needed to prove his usefulness to Jaehyun.
After bringing everything to the living room and placing it on the table, Woojin closed his eyes for a moment.
‘May this reckless action not be a wrong judgment.’
* * *
‘Were billions of won this trivial?’
I’d stopped by the agency and happened to hear about Seo Hanryul’s income. He’d earned billions after joining Youth or something. He did film dramas and advertisements constantly without rest, but even considering that, the money he earned exceeded imagination.
‘So this is why everyone goes on about celebrities, celebrities…’
It felt like just yesterday he was sitting alone in a stuffy tent practicing his script. If he continues straight ahead like this, he might really receive the grand prize this year. Though the flow of the novel seemed to have changed somewhat, the ending of Seo Hanryul receiving the grand prize seemed unchanged.
‘That’s fortunate.’
Seven days before contract expiration. I couldn’t stop the smile blooming on my face. Perhaps because he disliked that I was grinning every day, that bastard tormented me more, but this couldn’t inflict any damage on me.
Soon I’d leave, so I could readily accept that bastard’s cute personality issues.
‘A week later, I should go meet the Chairman first.’
When we meet this time, I should bring up America right away. A week later, there will be nothing that can stop me.
I was making my own happy plans when my phone alarm rang.
**Personality Failure:** What are you doing tonight?
Tonight doesn’t work.
**Personality Failure:** How did you know what I was going to say?
“Ha… Why is this bastard like this again?”
This bastard plans to thoroughly squeeze me dry even with only 7 days left in the contract.
Is it urgent? If it’s not urgent, stop looking for me.
**Personality Failure:** There’s still time left in the period. Think about it?
Fine, if you tell me to come, I have to come. Where should I go?
**Personality Failure:** Come out in front of your house by 7:30.
Okay. I’ll come out for you.
He sent a photo of the contract. I’m seeing this piece of paper for the first time in a while too. Petty bastard. He could end things beautifully at least at the end, but this is how it is to the very end.
“Right, even if it’s dirty and petty, there’s nothing I can do.”
What will he make me do, coming to my house again? Obviously it won’t be schedule-related work, but some trivial personal matter.
* * *
“What is this now? You really do all sorts of things.”
7:30 PM. When I went out in front of my house, Seo Hanryul’s car was visible.
‘He came out all dressed up.’
He came out all dolled up even though it’s not a schedule. What day is today? His face was radiant, but from my position of having my evening rest time stolen to accompany him on some trivial personal matter, that face didn’t look pretty.
When I checked the destination, it was even more absurd. The place where he parked the car was a drive-in theater in the outskirts of Seoul. Perhaps because it was a weekday evening, there weren’t many cars.
“Hey, aren’t you answering? Why did we come to a place like this?”
“Ha… I came to watch a movie. Got a problem?”
“Do this kind of thing by yourself. Or do it with a friend. Why do I have to follow you to a place like this? And why are you dressed up so much just to come to a place like this?”
“Oh my, you’re going to openly violate the contract? You talk a lot.”
‘…?’
Something suddenly occurred to me. Outdoor movie theater? This place is Seo Hanryul and Lee Dojun’s date location. After developing mutual feelings, Seo Hanryul takes Lee Dojun to an outdoor movie theater, saying there’s a place he’s wanted to go, and inside the car, Lee Dojun confesses to Seo Hanryul. In other words, this is the place where the two become a couple.
‘What’s going on here?’
No. Let’s not think too deeply. Until now, there have been so many unexpected situations like this. He’s probably practicing with me before going with Lee Dojun. He said there was no progress with Lee Dojun at all, but they must be getting together.
“Hey, …when you go to America, are we over?”
He suddenly threw out talk about America. The atmosphere seems to be flowing even more strangely. Over? How should I take those words?
“Of course. That’s what’s written on the paper too, isn’t it? Stop caring whether someone else goes to America or not. …Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for my charm? Ha… It’s a problem to do the job too well. Well, where else could you find a manager like me?”
“…Don’t talk shit.”
He made a sour face and straightened up. Even I think I went too far. Looking at his expression, I don’t think I need to attach great significance to coming to this location. I almost got delusions of grandeur for no reason.
“Speak nicely. Fine, I’m being generous. Win the grand prize this year and contact me, then this hyung will treat you big.”
“Really?”
I just said whatever, but as soon as he heard my words, Seo Hanryul’s face brightened. His lips keep rising endlessly, he’s so happy about something. I must have done the manager job too well. To think an enemy-like bastard would be this happy.
“Stop with the nonsense and watch the movie.”
“You really promised.”
“Ah, I got it.”
Clueless bastard.
About 20 minutes passed? Drowsiness began to pour out. To think a movie made to be watched could be this boring. Last time he brought a movie with a bed scene from the first scene to embarrass people, and today he found a yawn-inducing movie.
As expected, a person can’t have everything. So Seo Hanryul has shortcomings too. When I thought that he’s also an unavoidable human being, laughter came out without me knowing.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because it’s disgustingly boring. It’s absurd.”
“What?”
“Hey, if you get someone you like later, don’t even come to a place like this. You’ll get kicked to the curb. No matter how handsome your face is, the other person can’t endure a movie like this.”
He’s not planning to bring Lee Dojun here and show him this kind of movie, is he? What expression would Lee Dojun make if he watched a movie like this?
“…Is it that bad?”
The bastard who was all energetic completely deflated as soon as he heard my words. So that bastard could be discouraged like this. It was an interesting sight I was seeing for the first time. Did he really come out to do preliminary practice before meeting Lee Dojun?
“Not to that extent. …But still, develop your sense for choosing movies.”
I was about to pour out a ton of harsh words, but seeing his dejected appearance, I lost my words.
‘Right, he probably understood enough with just this much.’
I stopped the conversation again and started watching the movie. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t concentrate on the movie.
‘Wow… A movie can be this boring.’
A March night. Spring had approached right before us, but the evening was still cold. The chilly weather, the cozy air inside the car, and the disgustingly boring movie. They were the best conditions for closing one’s eyes.
‘I can’t stand it.’
In the end, I closed my eyes without realizing it.
