CH 52

Chapter 52

Translated by Naralara

Edited by Naralara

After getting off the bus, passing through the alleyway and climbing the slope for a while, Inseop could see his house. When he first bought a house here, he had trouble sleeping because he was worried about going up and down the slope. Obviously, on a hot summer day, on his way home, he fell and was found like a fallen corpse, which he thought seriously would make people uncomfortable.

Currently, Inseop was realizing how the human body quickly adapts to the environment. Even though he was almost all the way up the slope, he couldn’t breathe. Maybe it was because of Kate, the Mimosa in his arms, that he was walking slowly, taking care not to stress it out. Instead of being out of breath, his steps were heavy.

Climbing up to the top of a mountain where no one lives, he felt like he wanted to run up, shouting “I am the world’s greatest idiot” ten thousand times.

As he was slowly going up the slope, someone’s profile caught his eye.

“…”

It was an unwelcome face. Recognizing Inseop was coming, she raised her hand to greet him.

“Where did you go with the flowerpot? Don’t tell me you came out in the middle of the night to repot that.”

“…”

“I called you on your cell phone, but you didn’t answer.”

“It turned it off due to low battery.”

Inseop turned off his cell phone as soon as he got into the elevator of his apartment, in case Lee Wooyeon would contact him.

“I kept waiting.”

When he thought about why reporter Kim Haeshin had come all the way here, Inseop’s expression hardened.

“Why do you need to make such a distasteful expression? I want us to help each other out.”

“I don’t want any help from reporter Kim.”

“Really? You really don’t? I think you should think about it well. So, shall I go now and tell Lee Wooyeon or CEO Kim what I found out?”

“Do whatever you want.”

Inseop passed by her side. To such a person, he should not show any weakness. Because the moment she sees a gap, she’ll attack.

“Okay. However, Choi Inseop here has a very different face from the Choi Inseop I know. What has happened?”

“…!”

“I have one of my friends who is a master in this field. Suddenly booking a flight to America with a burner phone, isn’t it strange? My reporter’s senses fluttered wildly. I’m busy these days and it’s been really hard to figure this out. So what’s Lee Wooyeon’s phone number…”

Reporter Kim Haeshin took out her cell phone while muttering to herself.

He must not look back. If he looks back, everything will go according to that woman’s will.

“Hello. This is reporter Kim Haeshin.”

His brain went blank. He didn’t care, but the person who he borrowed his name from may be harmed. Inseop reached out and grabbed the phone from her hand. When he checked the phone, the call was not even connected.

…He was deceived.

“I don’t mean to ask you for that difficult thing.”

“… ”

“Before your resignation, you just need to have a brief interview with me. I just have a few questions for you.”

“So I’ll just do an interview?”

Reporter Kim Haeshin pulled out a tape recorder from her pocket and held it in front of Choi In-eop. When Inseop looked down at it with a puzzled expression, she shrugged.

“I don’t mean to do this, but it’s because I don’t have the confidence to remember this conversation. Don’t worry. Please tell me a little about what happened that day. From what I’ve heard, I know that Kang Youngmo had a bit of an argument with Inseop that day. Is that right?”

“…”

“Choi Inseop didn’t take Lee Wooyeon home that day, right? Did you have an altercation with Kang Youngmo that day and went home? Does Lee Wooyeon know about that too?”

“I was tired that day and went home. That’s all.”

When Inseop did not give the answer she wanted, reporter Kim Haeshin clicked her tongue with a troubled face. She turned off the tape recorder and put it back in her pocket.

“We can’t do it today. I’ll talk to you next time. And please bring at least one good article that day.”

This was the stage of intimidation.

It starts with something simple at first, and eventually adds another condition one by one. Choi Inseop realized that she wouldn’t let him go until she got what she wanted.

“I’m not a journalist, so I don’t know what an article should be.”

“Think about it. I’ll give you some time to write. And where is Choi Inseop originally from? Oh, is this also a secret? Then I will call you later.”

She tapped Inseop on the shoulder and walked down the slope.

A very easy road has been opened. To get Lee Wooyeon off the spot, all he had to do was hand over the picture to reporter Kim Haeshin. She will get rid of Lee Wooyeon by any means. It was also important to find the right person to send photos to. If the celebrity or the person had a close cooperative relationship with the agency, there was a possibility that they would contact the agency before making it public and destroy the evidence. If they were a money lover, they can ask for money from Lee Wooyeon and then hand over the data. So, Choi Inseop had a list of reporters and newspapers who were favorable to Lee Wooyeon and his agency and had them on a table. Each reporter was found, read, and separated.

Reporter Kim Haeshin was a very special type. She risked her life for a scoop, and once she bit a celebrity, she was a poisonous dog that would never let go.

The most suitable person to hand over the picture that was taken that day came to Inseop on her own two feet. If it were her, she was a person who could even say that she took the picture because of her desire to enhance her reputation as a reporter in the entertainment department.

It was the moment when all the requirements were met and now the only thing left to do was make a decision.

Choi Inseop stood there and watched the ominous fortune vanish down the slope.

Before leaving the house, Choi Inseop stood in front of the mirror and checked himself. It was a decision he made after thinking all night long, so he decided not to think about it again.

“Great.”

After straightening the disheveled shirt collar, Inseop left the front door. As he walked to the office, he looked around carefully, thinking that this time would be the last.

Because Lee Wooyeon didn’t have a morning schedule today, it was possible to relax.

He went to the office and Inseop was going to say that he will quit his job today. If asked why, he would give a plausible answer.

‘My parents told me to study civil service, and I decided that it would be more suitable for my aptitude.’ What if they stopped him one more time? ’My father’s health is not getting better these days, so I think I will have to go back to my hometown right away.’ Can they stop him again?

Then he should use his injured finger as an excuse.

Inseop looked at the bandaged finger and wished he didn’t have to go this far. Kim and Cha, both of them treated him very well, so he knew that each time they stopped him, his heart would weaken. That is the reason why he immediately bought a plane ticket for next week. If the two of them asked him to work a little longer and to think about it, he wouldn’t be able to cut them off.

Fortunately, Lee Wooyeon’s manager is changed once every three months, so no one would think it would be strange if he quit at this point.

He arrived in front of the office as he was organizing his thoughts. Saying hello to the old security guard in the building with a familiar face now, Inseop got on the elevator. The moment he was about to press the floor number of the office, a large hand dug into the gap in the elevator door that was about to close. The elevator door opened and Lee Wooyeon stepped in.

“…”

Choi Inseop knew that his expression was clearly of shock, but he couldn’t show any other reaction at that moment.

“Good morning.”

He was wearing sunglasses, so he couldn’t tell if his eyes were smiling, but his voice was sweeter than yesterday.

“… Hello.”

Lee Wooyeon’s schedule for today was to go to the gym after sleeping till late in the morning, and in the afternoon to talk with the director about filming the drama. He was not supposed to be in the office early in the morning. Besides, yesterday he was obviously with the actress…

“You came early.”

“…Yes.”

“You don’t look well. I guess you didn’t sleep at all last night”

Inseop, who had been contemplating all night, got up only when he saw the window brightening.

“Did you have a good time?”

The elevator arrived at the office as soon as Inseop was about to answer, noticing the truth behind the words thrown like a joke. Lee Wooyeon blinked at Inseop to get off first. An office worker who left early saw the two of them coming in side by side and greeted them.

“Hello. What are you up to today? Both of you came together.”

“Did the CEO come?”

Lee Wooyeon asked.

“You will have to wait 30 minutes. Please wait inside.”

Lee Wooyeon turned his gaze to Inseop.

“What are you doing here, Mr. Inseop?”

“I came to see the CEO.”

“Okay. Then, let’s go together.”

As he walked to the office, Inseop thought that his life must have a revolving door through which misfortune and good fortune came and went.

Sitting on the sofa in the CEO’s room, Lee Wooyeon placed the briefcase he was holding on the table. Choi Inseop asked if he would like a drink.

“No. I already had breakfast.”

“… Okay.”

He didn’t even have to ask who made it. Yesterday, at Lee Wooyeon’s house, the actress, who was half-naked, was rumored to be good at cooking, so she filmed several related commercials and was also running a related business.

Choi Inseop stood far away from the sofa, looking at the calendar and pictures on the wall, waiting for CEO Kim to return. But Lee Wooyeon got up and stood behind Inseop.

“This is my picture. Do you know when it was filmed?”

Lee Wooyeon pointed his finger at the photo he took during the photo shoot. Inseop nodded his head.

“I know. When you went to Saipan from P company 3 years ago and did a solo photo shoot…”

“That’s correct. So, do you know when this is?”

Lee Wooyeon asked, pointing to a black-and-white photo of him wearing a hat and smoking on the street.

“I understand that it was a photo that a famous photographer accidentally took and posted on his blog when he attended a film awards ceremony in Paris a year ago.”

“That’s right. Exactly.”

A soft smile was drawn on Lee Wooyeon’s lips. Inseop was concerned about the man’s breath touching his back, so he couldn’t move and just looked at the picture.

“I don’t think anyone knows me as well as Choi Inseop.”

“… thank you.”

Inseop’s white nape was quickly dyed red with shame. He just prayed that Lee Wooyeon standing behind would not notice it.

“――!”

Lee Wooyeon’s arm touched Inseop’s shoulder. Standing as if leaning on his shoulder, Lee Wooyeon continued speaking with a plain face.

“I don’t know anything about Mr. Inseop, so that’s really unfortunate.”

“…”

“Hahaha. In fact, Inseop doesn;t know what’s important either. Are we the same?”

“… yes, what…”

Lee Wooyeon’s breath touched the tip of his hair. Inseop just wanted to get out of this awkward posture quickly.

“Mr. Inseop.”

“Yes?”

“Inseop, you said you wanted to know my weaknesses in the past.”

Inseop looked back with an expression like a herbivore whose nape was bitten by a predator. Lee Wooyeon looked down at Inseop and asked seriously.

“If I tell you that, will you sign a contract?”

“…”

At the sudden and absurd suggestion, Inseop did not know what to say, so he remained silent.

“If that’s what Inseop wants, I’ll let you know, so would you like to continue working with me?”

It felt like he was on a Mobius strip. It wasn’t a sweet joke or a pun. Inseop wanted to know why Lee Wooyeon wanted to have him by his side so much. But a warning sounded like an instinct in his head that he shouldn’t ask about it.

“It will be a new start, one by one.”

“…”

What was he saying now? Was this another new language expression?

No, he doesn’t have to worry about Lee Wooyeon’s words. He was not going to sign the contract anyway.

“I have something to tell you.”

Inseop calmly opened his mouth. In fact, after he tells CEO Kim and Manager Cha that he will quit his job today, he was going to inform Lee Wooyeon by phone or text message. He didn’t have the courage to speak to him face to face.

But since they met in the office like this, he felt like he had to tell him in person.

“What?”

Lee Wooyeon, who was sitting, raised his body forward and asked. The moment Inseop was about to answer, the door to the CEO’s room opened and CEO Kim came inside screaming.

“Arg! Really! I won’t leave her alone. Isn’t Kim Haeshin really crazy? I’m really angry now. What, Lee Wooyeon, why are you here? Did you come after seeing the article on the internet too?”

“An Internet article?”

“Kim Haeshin posted a CCTV footage on her Twitter account after the accident, saying that she would reveal where you were after you left the restaurant.”

“So?”

Lee Wooyeon asked with a stern tone.

“Was there even a scene where I hit Kang Youngmo?”

“…Of course it wasn’t there, but the fact that she posted an article saying it was strange to go around that area.”

“I’m suing.”

Lee Wooyeon smiled broadly in response. CEO Kim asked, “Is that easy?” and sat across from him. It was not a matter of suing the reporter. Since it usually ends up with them being slapped with a fine, the only thing to worry about was the issue after the lawsuit. It was clear that a reporter with a poor personality like Kim Haeshin would try to write bad news more persistently after being sued, thereby undermining the celebrity’s image.

“But what are you two doing here this morning?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“… I have something to tell you.”

“Both? What? It’s not like you two are dating, are you? Then I’ll kill you.”

Lee Wooyeon was the only one who laughed out loud at the joke CEO Kim threw.

“Ha ha ha ha ha. Please, am I crazy?”

“…”

As Lee Wooyeon’s laughter grew louder, Inseop’s expression darkened.

“If I say that, I will call the CEO my father.”

“No way. I never had a son like you, and I don’t want to. No, wait a minute, how many years apart are we for you to call me father?”

Seeing CEO Kim getting angry, Lee Wooyeon swept up his messy hair and laughed softly.

“Since it’s ladies first, then, Mr. Inseop, you tell first.”

Lee Wooyeon turned his head to Inseop. There was still a playful smile in his eyes.

Inseop swallowed hard. It was finally time to put an end to it. Clenching his hands tightly so as not to tremble, Choi Inseop opened his mouth.

“I will quit my job as of today.”

The moment Inseop finished speaking, Lee Wooyeon’s smile fell from his face.

When he returned home and organized his clothes, Inseop smiled sadly.

How was it that simple?

When he announced his intention to resign at the office, as expected, at first, CEO Kim jumped up and down, confirmed that Inseop’s will was stubborn, and eventually accepted the resignation with a face that said that there was nothing he could do.

Lee Wooyeon looked at Inseop for a moment without saying a word, then frowned slightly and fell into thought. He was holding his chin with his hand and bowing his head, but he couldn’t tell what kind of expression he had.

Then, Lee Wooyeon reached out to Inseop.

‘You’ve worked hard all this time. Thank you.’

Inseop hesitated, then grabbed Lee Wooyeon’s hand. The moment the large, generous hand wrapped around his own, he felt like crying. It was the hand he held when he first started working. As the warmth that had embraced his hand faded away, Inseop became aware of it. This was really the last time. The day he will hold this hand will never come again.

After receiving the call, manager Cha, who ran to him, patted Inseop on the shoulder with a strange face, but didn’t say anything. Inseop said he would work until this week, but Lee Wooyeon firmly shook his head.

Inseop felt a clear line in his words, saying, “I can’t cause any more trouble to people who go out.” Realizing that there was no reason for him to be there anymore, Inseop greeted the people and left the office.

Manager Cha said that he would send him off, but Inseop refused. Lee Wooyeon only waved his hand with a friendly smile in the CEO’s room.

“It’s over…”

So many things happened.

He remembered the times he worked hard to get here. It was the road that he had come to push himself into as atonement for Jennie. He had the result in his hands, but couldn’t decide what to do with it, so Inseop finally decided to embrace it and go to America.

Not making a decision right now doesn’t change anything. When he made up his mind like that at dawn yesterday, his thoughts that had been tangled like tangled skeins were organized. 

But he will not hand over anything to reporter Kim Haeshin. It was enough to hand over a couple of pages that were the most appropriate among Lee Wooyeon’s complex female relations data he has collected.

That would be it.

While organizing the clothes to throw away and the clothes to take, Inseop looked around his rooftop room again.