CH 45

Choi Inseop was looking at a photo that was miraculously taken today. It was miraculous and fortunate to be there at that moment. However, he could not rejoice to his heart’s content at the terrifying luck that had come upon him.

Even for a person he terribly disliked, it was not very pleasant to see him lying on the floor bleeding. As soon as he confirmed that the person who fell to the floor was KangYoungmo, Inseop found a nearby pay phone and called 119. After pretending to be a passerby and reporting without revealing his identity, Inseop hid behind an alley and left only after confirming that an ambulance was taking Kang Youngmo.

Then, on purpose, he walked for a long time and got on the bus back home. As soon as he got home, he connected his phone to his computer and checked the photos. It was clearly captured so that anyone could see at a glance that the person in the photo was Lee Wooyeon. In the photo, Lee Wooyeon was throwing his wallet in front of the alley with an expressionless face. Obviously, if this case was passed on to the police, they will also check that the wallet is missing, so this photo will be undeniable evidence if he tried to deny it.

Choi Inseop printed the picture. A printed photo was pasted on a board hanging on the wall of his room. The board was packed with materials about Lee Wooyeon. In the middle of it, everything was completed by attaching the photo taken today.

“… That’s it. Now.”

Choi Inseop muttered blankly in front of the board.

The hours he struggled to collect data about Lee Wooyeon flashed through his mind like a lantern. While waiting for Lee Wooyeon in the cold, there was a time when the sole of his shoe was torn because it was frozen on the floor and he forcefully removed it. How many times he cried as he dragged those shoes back home. There was a time when he was looking through the trash and was taken to the police station as a thief. Was that all? Wearing a hat and wearing a mask, he followed Lee Wooyeon, but was caught by his female fans and was mistaken for a pervert stalker and beaten in the cheek. There were times when he cried every night because he wanted to return to the United States, but he finally rose to the position of Lee Wooyeon’s manager. Of course, it didn’t end there. Rather, it was physically exhausting to gather information about Lee Wooyeon while circling around him, but mentally it was uncomfortable. Staying next to him, talking and maintaining social relationships was the biggest hardship for Inseop. He had to watch  Lee Wooyeon in a panicked state, whether he would recognize him or not, whether he was aware of his identity. In addition, the process of realizing that his feelings for Lee Wooyeon were gradually changing gave him a terrible depression that was difficult to bear.

“It’s over, now, it’s over. All you have to do is hand it over to the newspaper. Hahahaha, now really…  Ha ha ha ha ha.”

Laughter erupted. It was so funny that once laughter broke out, it was hard to stop. Choi Inseop laughed like crazy in front of the board he put all his heart into. He smiled enough to worry about what would happen if other people saw him.

Not having the strength to laugh anymore, he sat down on the floor and sobbed, and Inseop suddenly realized that he was crying.

“… ugh…Hahaha… ha.”

Laughter came from his stomach, but tears from his chest. Not knowing what to do with the jumbled emotions, he just cried and laughed again. It’s cool, it’s sad, and painful.

Why did Lee Wooyeon make Kang Youngmo like that? Because of him? No, Lee Wooyeon was not someone who moved with a sense of justice. Because Lee Wooyeon was a really bad guy. That’s how it should be… What is this heart that he did not want to believe even after seeing it with his own eyes and taking pictures? He can go to America, so why is his heart so heavy?

He believed that this feeling that had been weighing down on his heart since he came to Seoul would disappear when everything was settled, but he guessed that wasn’t the case.

For Jennie, he worked hard to prove her words and got the results. After taking revenge like that, he thought that the guilt he felt against her would fade a little. However, as time passed, Inseop became more aware that he was attracted to Lee Wooyeon. The guilt increased as the heart grew bigger.

Like a person walking in a thick foggy forest where he couldn’t see an inch in front of him, each day went on with each passing minute.

“Stuffy… ”

Choi Inseop came out of the room. The only advantage of a rooftop room is that he can get fresh air by opening the door when the room gets hot, or even when it is cold.

He sat down on the old sofa left behind by someone who lived before him. He heard that the days when he could see the stars were rare because the sky in Seoul was cloudy, but today seems to be one of those rare days.

It was a lucky day in many ways. In the succession of luck, Choi Inseop sat blankly with a gloomy face.

Slowly, he had to organize his life here. He had to quit his job and give up his house… No, he’ll have to look for a plane ticket first.

Everything was over.

But his heart doesn’t end here.

Recalling the bitter things to come, Inseop stood up from his seat. Then the phone in his pocket rang. Inseop saw the name floating on the screen and felt his blood cooling down.

Should he answer it or not? After hesitating for a moment, he cleared his voice and pressed the call button.

“Yes. This is Choi Inseop.”

“It’s me.”

A soft, elegant voice came from over the phone. Inseop only prayed that Lee Wooyeon would not notice that he was trembling.

“Yes. What are you doing?”

He pretended to be casual and asked that, but his heart was pounding as if someone was nailing it. He remembered Lee Wooyeon walking out of the alley, and it felt like the fingertips holding the phone were freezing cold.

“I just remembered and called.”

When the unexpected answer came, Inseop didn’t know how to respond, so he paused for a moment.

“Why? Can’t I just call? To my manager?”

“No. I don’t mean that. It’s just surprising… ”

So far, he has worked with Lee Wooyeon for a long time, but he swore he has never made a private phone call like this. The first day he made a private phone call was the night that made Kang Youngmo like that.

The sweeter Lee Wooyeon’s voice came from over the phone, the more terrified Inseop was. He had to keep his nerves so that his voice did not tremble as he spoke.

“I’m going home, and the stars are bright.”

“Yes.”

“It’s hard to see stars in Seoul. If you’re home now, go outside and see.”

Lee Wooyeon also hosted a radio show for a while. Although it was during his rookie period, it was rare to see a well-known actor in charge of being a radio host on a regular basis. It was frustrating from the perspective of the agency, as he was in charge of the 2 am program with few listeners. Lee Wooyeon made a promise to do it for half a year because it was something he wanted to do. The results were surprising. It was the only radio broadcast at 2 a.m. to have five advertisements. Later, the radio director of the station directly acknowledged his contribution and even delivered a plaque of appreciation. There were also protests from parents because of the girls who nodded in the morning because they couldn’t sleep properly listening to his broadcast.

Lee Wooyeon’s voice was so sweet and soft that he thought maybe he was born for the radio. When Inseop put his voice to his ear and listened to it, he seemed to understand the feelings of many female students who listened to the broadcast while enduring the rush of sleep.

“Yes… I’m out now.”

“Aren’t you at home?”

“I’m home… I’m out because I was near the roof.”

“Okay. Then Inseop and I are looking at the same sky now.”

He felt his face heat up for some reason at the word “Same Sky”, so he touched his cheek with his hand. The weather was much warmer than a few days ago, so his fingertips were not as cold as before. Inseop thought so, powerlessly, and shrugged.

“Is your body okay?”

Putting everything behind, it was a really kind and friendly tone. Choi Inseop was terrified. He was scared because it was right after he saw such a scene, and he was scared because he couldn’t understand the truth of  Lee Wooyeon who called him after doing such a thing… He was terrified of thinking that he really liked Lee Wooyeon’s worried voice.

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“You hurt your finger, but you should have been careful.”

“I’m sorry.”

When he answered that, he heard a small laugh. Lee Wooyeon, who laughed as if he was really happy, continued.

“Okay. If you know you’re sorry, let’s be careful in the future.”

Let’s be careful.

As that word lingered in his ears, the cold face of Lee Wooyeon standing in front of the alley naturally came to mind. With his palms wrapped around his cold shoulders, Inseop nodded his head seriously, as if the person on the phone was in front of him.

“Yes. I will.”

“Then see you tomorrow.”

The sudden call also ended abruptly. Inseop sighed and put his phone in his pocket.

It went really well. He was sorry for Kang Youngmo, who was lying in bed, but it was really good.

“It ends here.”

Choi Inseop mumbled as if he was promising himself. Inseop was able to get up from his self-talk that was engraved in his heart.

“It’s late, it’s late.”

While driving, manager Cha grumbled over and over again. Inseop, who was sitting next to him, apologized in a small voice, “I’m sorry,” and apologized again.

“No. Are you okay? Do not worry about it. It’s just my habit.”

While changing lanes, manager Cha answered. Because of the absurd incident that happened in front of him yesterday, Choi Inseop forgot to leave the van’s key at the checkpoint. In the end, manager Cha, who had to wait for Inseop, who had the key, to come to him in a taxi, was unintentionally late. Even though he didn’t know anything else, manager Cha, who was strict about being late, was about to say something to Inseop, but when he saw the scars left on his face, he shut his mouth. When he asked how it happened, Inseop only replied that he fell. Manager Cha, who had seen a lot of dirt on his floor before, patted him on the shoulder without a word. Inseop’s heart grew heavier thanks to his kind words.

“Lee Wooyeon, he really hates being late.”

“… Yes.”

“If you want to keep working in the future, keep that in mind. never be late. Oh really. Who is texting again?”

The car manager cried when he heard the cell phone vibrate. Inseop struggled to look out the window.

It seems that there has been no news from the office yet. Perhaps…  Kang Youngmo was seriously injured, so maybe the police have ordered him to stay silent.

When Inseop’s face grew more melancholic and terrifying thoughts appeared, the van arrived at the underground parking lot where Lee Wooyeon lived.

“You are late.”

Lee Wooyeon, who was waiting for the car, opened the door and shouted.

“Sorry. The road was blocked.”

“It’s only natural for traffic to be blocked at this hour.”

Although he spoke softly, manager Cha, who knew Lee Wooyeon’s temperament, broke out in a cold sweat and worked hard to make excuses.

“No, it was more clogged than usual. Where did the accident happen? … .”

“I am… We were late because I took the car keys with me yesterday.”

Inseop was the first to report the truth. Manager Cha quickly blinked, but to no avail.

“Is it? That’s a big deal. You’re a meticulous person.”

Lee Wooyeon took the script out of his bag and answered indifferently.

“Okay. Then let’s go.”

At this point, manager Cha, who thought it would be good to end the conversation, said while turning the steering wheel. Then his phone vibrated again.

“Ah, what is it? Old man, what are you calling in the morning for?”

After confirming that CEO Kim was in the phone call, he gestured to Inseop and said,

“Take it. Mr. Inseop.”

“Yes? Me, me?”

Obviously, if CEO Kim calls at this time, he was about to talk about Kang Youngmo. He had no talent for tricking others or acting, so it was very difficult for him to pretend to be surprised.

“I’m driving, so there’s no hands-free. Take it hurry.”

Inseop glanced at Lee Wooyeon, who was sitting behind him. He was just looking at the script with a calm face.

This is an important moment. Never, never pretend to know.

Inseop grabbed the manager’s cell phone and started talking.

“Yes. This is Cha Hyungyu’s cell phone.”

“Is Manager Cha there?”

The voice over the phone was very urgent. When Inseop heard it, he was sweating profusely and his stomach felt nauseous.

“Yes. He’s next to me and driving. If you tell me… ”

“Is Lee Wooyeon there too?”

“…Yes.  He is.”

“Okay. Then put it on loudspeaker.”

Choi Inseop held the phone in his hand and looked at manager Cha. Manager Cha nodded, noticing that the situation was serious from CEO Kim’s resounding voice without even having to turn on the loud speaker.

Choi Inseop returned the call to the loud speaker and put the phone down gently.

“Where are you now?”

“Where are we? I got out of Lee Wooyeon’s house and now I’m going to the filming set… ”

Before Manager Cha finished his answer, CEO Kim started speaking fast, like a rapid-fire cannon.

“It’s crazy. Kang Youngmo was attacked yesterday and is now in the hospital! I haven’t heard from the reporters yet, but it’s only a matter of time before it gets published. It’s going to be a total mess. Fuck, damn it. How about the drama? We’re totally screwed now!”

“I beg your pardon?”

Manager Cha, who was leaving the parking lot, was surprised and he tried to step on the brake but stepped on the accelerator accidentally, and the car jumped over. Inseop, who was slow to react because of his injured hand, slammed his head into the ceiling of the car.

“Are you okay?”

Lee Wooyeon asked Inseop with a sullen look. Inseop nodded his head. Manager Cha beckoned him to be quiet and pulled the car to the side of the road.

“CEO. What did you say now? Speak calmly again. Have a glass of cold water!”

As manager Cha yelled, the sound of drinking water was heard over the phone.

“ha… So I didn’t hear it directly from the representative, but I crossed over and I don’t know exactly. What is certain now is that Kang Youngmo is in the intensive care unit.”

Choi Inseop felt the blood drain from his face.

In an intensive care unit. Shouldn’t he have called from his phone right away instead of looking for a pay phone?

“Is he seriously injured?”

“It was not life-threatening. He had an emergency surgery yesterday and is recovering now, but has not yet regained consciousness.”

He remembered the blood on the floor, and Inseop’s fingertips trembled. Lee Wooyeon, who was sitting behind him, clicked his tongue and folded the script.

“Why did you do that?”

“I did not! If the police know about it, will they stay still?”

“Now what are you doing? What should I do?”

Manager Cha asked.

“I do not know. I should have talked to the director first. Even if I go to the filming site, I don’t think I can do anything else right now. What are you going to do in this situation right now? Really, what is this?”

“By the way, what kind of attack did Kang Youngmo have? Anti fan? Stalker?”

“I don’t know! If it is anti-fan, it’s a completely top-notch anti. He hit his head with a brick from behind… ”

CEO Kim, who had spoken up to that point, quickly shut his mouth as if he had realized something. The same thought ran through Manager Cha’s mind.

Manager Cha looked at Lee Wooyeon, who was looking tired in the back seat.

“Lee Wooyeon…”

CEO Kim called him with a trembling voice. Lee Wooyeon, who had guessed what that word meant, answered by leaning forward.

“Yes. CEO. I am listening.”

“No way…”

“Is it possible?”

“…  it can’t be. Absolutely not.”

“Don’t worry.”

Manager Cha, who was listening to the words that continued like a question-and-answer session next to him, coughed in vain and cut off the conversation.

“CEO Kim. We’ll talk about it in the office.”

“Oay. Come to the office right now.”

The call was disconnected.

Manager Cha disengaged the side brake and started the car. No one spoke in the car on the way to the office. Occasionally, there was only the sound of the manager’s sigh.

Choi Inseop looked out the window and made up his mind.

Now, it’s the start.