Chapter 94 - Pojangmacha

"I'm fine, rest assured. A friend took me from there. Okay, we'll talk tomorrow," Ye Rim hung up Dae Won's cell phone, and returned it with a smile. "Thank you, oppa, for getting me out and also for lending the phone. They're all fine, it looks like there was only material damage."

"Were police involved?" asked Dae Won. They were in a pojangmacha near the subway station, which was where he took her when they ran out during the Pearl incident.

"I don't think so, because that place, well, the building is not legalized or something."

"Well, it was quite an action scene. You have some VIP acquaintances," he commented as he helped the waitress distribute the food and drink on the table. People looked at them because they were a beautiful and well dressed couple, among regular people in the pojangmacha, so they were trying to keep a low profile.

"Well, I know Athlete Ji Woong for a long time, and CEO So Kwang Sik… Well, once I and Eun Ha were stranded on an island after an unsuccessful rafting two summers ago… the two idiots made it to the islet, but we didn't have enough stamina to go back. He saw from his yacht the two of us swinging the oars and calling for rescue, and drove by with his speedboat… That's how we met."

"I must say it suits you and Eun Ha-ssi!" he laughed. "But, Ye Rim, I went to Pearl to tell you something," He showed a business card, which he handed her.

Ye Rim checked at it, and saw that it was from an idol's agency, and looked at him inquiringly.

"Ye Rim, something happened this week. A role in a drama that will be released next year,  and it's the ideal role for a singer. And… before you hide behind your usual excuses, I sent your test to the President of this agency, and he was very impressed. He wants to give you a chance, Ye Rim. If you accept, you can audition to this role. It's a good opportunity, I swear."

She sighed, preparing to say something, and he interrupted her before that,

"I expected that kind of reaction. For you to take the HTN test for this role, you need to be brokered. But it is your decision. Take your time and think about it, and do what you want with this business card. Just know that I believe you could make it."

Ye Rim was thrilled by Lee Dae Won's commitment. He was really working to help her! It just gave a horrible chill in the belly for fear of disappointing him. Fortunately, reacting to her expression, handsome Lee Dae Won grinned and said,

"Okay, I already said this is your decision now. Let's change the subject, I hope you come to me about it. See, all those men fighting over you, but it's me you're with now! In a not glamorous pojangmacha eating octopus and drinking cheap soju."

"That's true," Ye Rim laughed, toasting him. Normally she knew how to tell when a guy was interested in her, but Lee Dae Won always sent her mixed messages. Unless he was the legendary type of guy who tries to be a friend first… 'More or less Dr. Kim's reverse tactic,' she thought. But it also reminded her of the story involving the two friends, the tragic story of Ji Hyeon.

"Oppa… can I ask you a question?"

"That's a question already. Do you want to ask an intimate question for this oppa? Is it safe?  Can I answer it without blushing?"

"Gosh," she laughed, "I don't know whether you're going to blush. Days ago Jun Hyeon oppa told me about his sister, your ex-fiancée…"

" Ahh…"

Of course the subject was not pleasant, and Dae Won reacted as expected. After taking a sip of his drink, he said, "Well, I don't usually talk about it, but only out of respect for Ji Hyeon's family. It was a while ago; it hurt at the time, but I don't think I should hold on to it forever… Nothing that happened was good, I mean."

Ye Rim nodded empathetically,

"Yes, of course. You should go on, oppa!"

Unfortunately, Ye Rim was curious and in a hurry to know, much more than empathic at that moment. In fact, from what she learned from Jun Hyeon's account, she didn't expect such a calm and detached reaction from Dae Won. 

In fact, since the Music Producer was devoting so much time to helping her, Ye Rim had a feeling he might be liking her. But perhaps he was still attached to his late bride. It was hard to understand, and she wanted to understand. Her instinct was that what transpired among the high school friends was still affected by Ji Hyeon up to this day… And her self-preservation instinct was always ringing loudly near them…!

"Well, he told me that you had been engaged to his sister, and that you were very fond of her… Do you still think of her?"

Dae Won looked into her eyes,

"Ye Rim, Ji Hyeon was my first love. I did everything for her," he showed the scarred arm that Ye Rim had seen the first day she saw him, at his house. "I would die for her. I would exchange places with her if I could. Unfortunately, after the fire, I thought I could help her get over everything… But I wasn't."

"I'm so sorry," Ye Rim was a little sorry for her selfish curiosity to make the sweet Dae Won reveal such things. He had been a true hero in saving Ji Hyeon's life. But the musician went on, as if touching the subject had made him want to vent a little too,

"You know, it's funny that you tell me that Jun Hyeon mentioned these things to you. I don't know if because they were twins or something, but he was also affected by the incident. I think he got a little mad, jealous, I don't know, at me. Because I came back to the house while he was gone. For taking Ji Hyeon out of there. At first I realized and thought it was just his shock and immaturity… And I waited, but the longer I waited the farther apart he went. We were best friends, and we almost got related to; today is not like that anymore. I miss him."

"Well, at least I realize this is changing," Ye Rim said sincerely. "I think your friend is ready to get over it like you already have."

"I hope so. I especially hope Jun Hyeon can get Na Ra's pardon after treating her so badly all these years. It will be good that he can finally make up with himself and the woman he always loved."

Ye Rim gulped down the entire contents of her glass of soju at once, trying to digest the unexpected news.