Chapter 60 - Under Pressure Part 2

"Agassi?"

The soft, melodious voice calling her made Eun Ha got her off her disturbed reverie, distractedly returning from the supermarket. She turned over her shoulder to see who's calling her, and came across a real flower boy who seemed to have been magically summoned on the sidewalk in front of her building. 'But… Isn't this the dazzling oppa I saw at the cafe earlier today? Except for the jacket that was a Burberry in the afternoon, and now it's a Calvin Klein bomber jacket … My fashion gods, you're even cuter up close! '

"Ahem… yes?" She kept her mental squeal locked inside her head, and tried to act super casual and cool in real life.

"Sorry, do you happen to know Nam Ye Rim, who lives in this building?" Lee Dae Won gave Ye Rim's friend a friendly smile.

"Yes! We've seen each other before, haven't we? "

" Oh, well… I think your face is familiar to me…" He came closer, and reached out to greet her in the American way, but then Eun Ha showed that she was carrying supermarket bags. "I'm Lee Dae Won."

'Oh by Balenciaga and Gabrielle Chanel! Stop the world! He really is the TV's oppa! Lee-Dae-Won!' She stared at the visitor with wide eyes, trying to keep her appearance cool but too excited internally so as not to let on. The result was a strangely paralyzed face with the onset of a perpetually locked smile.

The Music Producer was a little disturbed by it. He reached for the bags Eun Ha carried to have something to do. "May I help you? I wanted to talk to Miss Nam, but her number doesn't answer…"

Eun Ha happily passed the bags to her 'semi acquaintance'; after all she had done a little internet research on him days ago, but in the photos she had seen he was still wearing dark hair. He was handsome in both styles, but quite different on each of them.

"Well, she said," this is not very common, but please come in! I'm Jung Eun Ha and I share an apartment with Ye Rim."

"Ohhh. Jun Eun Ha-ssi. She spoke lots of good things about you. Best friend, and also a fashion stylist. I should have suspected soon; you definitely have style," Lee Dae Won kept the formal tone, after all they just met, but he picked up the bags and followed her into the building.

Although it was strange that the man had come to Ye Rim's residence without warning or invitation, Eun Ha was excited about the fact. 'If THIS man is here on a Friday night, it's because he has a lot of interest in Ye Rim. It's fate bringing the right man near my friend for a change! There is so little time left for our birthday, that it is enough to nurture this friendship so that it becomes something else later… ' The fairy thought.

"Oh thank you. Ye Rim also told me about you, PM Lee. She recently auditioned on HTN, thanks to you… Was that okay?"

"Oh, yes. In fact, that's exactly why I'm here…"

'Don't dumbfold me… I really doubt it, but I'll accept it.' She bit back a smile as she opened the door.

"Ye Rim, we have visitors!"

Since no one answered as soon as she turned on the light of the room upon entering, Eun Ha knew that Ye Rim was not home. This was unexpected, and threw a bucket of cold water in Eun Ha's plans. The guest entered the apartment, which was charming_ and bigger than expected, apparently, as he commented:

"Nice apartment you have. Bigger than I expected, seeing from outside."

'For those who live in a hilltop mansion, it must be the size of your closet, but…' She can't help but think, but replied politely,

"Thank you. Yes, it sometimes happens in old buildings. It was a steal. But… We don't have an elevator, as you saw. I'll check where Ye Rim is…"

He nodded, standing in the middle of the living room and putting his hands in his pockets in a shy gesture, that the designer thought was cute.

Eun Ha went to Ye Rim's room, only to confirm that she wasn't really there. 'From the mess in the room, she must have rushed out. What has happened?' she wondered. 'And what do I do with this oppa?'

…

The commotion over the musician's statement was great, and a buzz of several people talking at once took over the place. Ye Rim tried to ask for explanations, but was not even heard. Until Duk Mi's baritone voice boomed out, "Quiet, everyone!"

Though he used the full power of his voice, it only rasped at his throat and he cleared his throat. Which opened an opportunity to Chang up to say,

"Is that what I'm talking about! Everything here is decaying. I was hoping that with Ye Rim-ssi on, the Pearl would get better, but that won't happen now."

"Don't be ridiculous, Chang, "Duk Mi said after someone gave him a glass of water. "Pearl is a niche club. For trot lovers. Ye Rim is not even the star of the house. She can leave whenever she wants…"

"But I don't… " she tried to say, but Musician Chang was faster,

"C'mon, you arrogant old man. Only you think you're still the star of the house. Do you think people come here to see and hear you? You're a good musician, but really you don't have much of an self assessment. Besides the president of your 3-person fan club, and her friends from the Orchidists' Association_ who do bingo events here once a month _ the days you perform are not even the best in the house. Can't you see it's Ye Rim ssi who brings on the audience?"

Someone said,

"Those ajuhmmas only drink water and make no profit," comments popped up.

"And the old scrubs going here on Fridays are are always broke and drunken."

"Couples that comes on Saturday complained the male singer looks too old for pairing with the female singer in the duet love songs."

"That ..." Duk Mi looked stunned suddenly.

"On bingo days, we hardly sell drinks."

"And the ajuhmmas spend a lot of toilet paper in the restroom," said the cleaning lady, out of blue.

"What does this have to do with…" he looked flushed and overwhelmed.

"Like I said, I respect you as a musician, but your time is up, old chap. Without Ye Rim ssi, Pearl will close the doors," Chang concluded, taking his hat again. "I have nothing more to say," he started to walk away, but President Song called,

"Fine. I can't keep you here without concrete promises. But you shouldn't cause this chaotic situation just because you want to leave. This was not necessary. Ye Rim isn't leaving."

"I have told you, it's not a problem if she leaves or not. She is free to go. I'm not old and finished as some out there might think…" Duk Mi resentfully pointed out loud.

At the door, Musician Chang turned around. "Whether or not Duk Mi will be able to keep Pearl's doors open after Ye Rim leaves Pearl, I don't know. But I wish you the best of luck." With that, he really left, leaving a heavy mood in the room.

"What nonsense ... It didn't have to be that way," the owner of Pearl sat down and poured herself the water jug. After a long drink, she sighed, looking at everyone with a worried look. Ye Rim felt sorry for President Song, who already had enough trouble to be without one of her best musicians.

"I know you are all dissatisfied,and I'm fair with that. And I can't promise much. So I ask: Does anyone have anything else to say? Well, you better talk now."

"I also heard Sunbaenim Duk Mi saying that Ye Rim noona will leave us. That she's got a job on TV. So I don't understand… Do we have or don't we have a show going on Wednesdays?" respectfully asked the drummer, who was the youngest of the band's musicians.

"And I heard from Ye Rim's escort, Dr Kim, who said he took her to the HTN studio for an audition. And that she was soon leaving," the male singer was quick to say.

Ye Rim's eyes widened in realization of what had happened.

"Is that true?" the President asked, shocked and hurt.

"Well, I went to…"

"Wow, when would she tell us…" the sudden buzz of disapproval and contempt disconcerted her. Ye Rim took a deep breath, looking mainly at the owner of Pearl, who had given her a job and been good to her for a year.

"Listen. It was something without compromise. There is nothing settled. I don't know what was said, but I wasn't hired or anything."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting something better for your future, Ye Rim," said the band's older musician. "Do not be ashamed. You weren't born to spend the rest of your life here at Pearl. Whoever charges you with such ridiculous nonsense, is selfish and foolish."

The musician's calm tone silenced the collective muttering. President Song rose from her chair and came to Ye Rim.

"Listen girl. I would be very disappointed with you if you gave up and decided to stay here forever. You are too talented and lively to be the precious pearl locked in this old shell. But… I would also be very annoyed if you just vanished overnight without warning us. Are you looking for another place? Tell me honestly."

Ye Rim barely remembered another time in her life where she'd been so embarrassed. Almost twenty people were interested in her answer and were watching her closely. She felt her eyes fill with tears as she had to admit that, as much as she liked them, she thought she needed something else too.

"Yes, President, I'm looking for another job."

The muttering resumed, but this time, President Song hissed harshly, and everyone fell silent again.

"Good. Good to know. So I can prepare for this day. "

"Don't worry…" Duk Mi started again, but tiredly the Pearl owner made a gesture and said,

"Not now, please, Duk Mi."

"…" the older singer sat down, looking unfairly treated and defeated.

"Ye Rim."

"Yes, President Song?"

When that happens, we want to make a beautiful farewell to you. Customers will want that."

This time it was Ye Rim who was speechless and dumbfounded.

Mrs. Song turned slowly from her, as if carrying a weight now, and muttered audibly, "It will be a with a very lucrative event."