Part 27

6 years ago.

“Wow, are all of these scripts for you?”

Jung-ah’s eyes widened. The table was stacked with scripts.

“All of this is really for Yoon Seowoo?”

As if in disbelief, Jung-ah double-checked and picked up the scripts one by one.

Seowoo was amazed as well.

“Yeah. There’s really a lot.”

Her third drama had ended.

She got lucky. Despite being a significant supporting role, it was only her third drama, and she had worked hard, but the outcome was beyond expectations.

Everyone praised her as the birth of a new first love, following in the footsteps of the beloved national first love.

They all praised her for perfectly portraying the role, as a rookie actress.

She was also praised for her stable acting skills.

“Amazing. There’s also a new drama by Han Eun-jae. And one by Choo Tae-hyung. Wow, what are you going to do next?”

Seowoo finally sat down and started flipping through the scripts one by one.

After receiving a call from Manager Kim asking her to come to the company because she had a schedule, she stopped by the salon to get her makeup and hair done on her way.

“But what’s the schedule for today? Wasn’t there none?”

“Yeah. He said it came out of the blue. I don’t know what it is.”

It had been two days since the last drama shooting ended.

At the beginning of the shoot, she had a small role, but as the response improved, her role expanded significantly towards the end.

So, she had been filming day and night, accumulating immense fatigue. Just when she was resting at home, Manager Kim called her.

Thud.

At that moment, the door opened, and Manager Kim entered.

“Is everything ready?”

His gaze as he glanced over her was quite obvious. Seowoo caught his hint and stood up to greet him.

“Yes.”

“Manager, what’s the schedule for today?”

Jung-ah interjected abruptly and asked the manager.

“She’ll find out when she get there. The CEO ordered it; you need to leave soon. Jung-ah, would you mind going out and bringing Seowoo’s clothes?”

“Okay.”

At his words, Jung-ah left the manager’s office briefly. Since Kim Min-woong was known for being sharp-tongued and having a bad temper, an awkward silence filled the room when only the two of them were left.

“The CEO will be coming with us.”

“The CEO?”

Usually, she never saw the CEO’s face, let alone had any direct interaction with him.

What kind of schedule was it that even the CEO was going? 

She couldn’t help but feel curious.

“We’ll leave in 10 minutes. Once Jung-ah brings the clothes, change into them and come down.”

As Min-woong spoke, Jung-ah entered with the clothes. There was something peculiar about Jung-ah’s expression as she came in, holding two hangers in her hands.

“This one looks good.”

Min-woong murmured, picking one of the clothes Jung-ah held.

“Hey, Manager, is it like an interview or something?”

“Why are you asking that now?”

His sharp voice echoed in her ears. 

Was it really necessary to be this angry? 

Jung-ah felt perplexed by the manager’s sudden outburst.

“No…….”

“We don’t have time. Jung-ah, go straight to work. Seowoo, hurry up and change.”

With a nod, Min-woong took the remaining clothes from Jung-ah’s hands and left.

“I was just asking, why are you so mad? Your personality really sucks.”

Jung-ah muttered under her breath as she watched him leave through the door.

“But, these clothes are a bit…”

Jung-ah said, looking puzzled. Seowoo’s face also showed a hint of confusion as she looked at the clothes.

It was a black dress. It was heavily embellished with beads and quite revealing.

“Did they accidentally pick up the wrong fabric? Why is it so revealing? Is it really for an interview? I heard you’ve been getting a lot of interviews lately.”

“I’ll just put it on and come out.”

“It’s too short, really. I’ll help you change.”

It was so tight that she wouldn’t even zip it up by herself. Jung-ah grumbled as she headed to the dressing room with Seowoo.

***

“I really have no need to go to the dinner party.”

With a slight squint, Jiwook pressed his temple firmly. Cheol-hoon, reporting beside him, looked puzzled.

“He said he’d like to treat you to a meal……. But I think you should meet him at least once.”

Five years ago, he suddenly left Korea and completed an MBA program in the United States. 

He had returned to Korea just two weeks ago.

He was so busy getting acquainted with his work that he could barely go home once every three days.

“I’m curious.”

Jiwook paused for a moment.

After going to the United States, he’d heard very little about Seowoo.

He heard that she had debuted in the entertainment industry, becoming a hot topic on the internet with her beautiful appearance.

Her face was so noticeable that it wasn’t really surprising. After learning this fact, Jiwook volunteered to be the investor for the agency she was contracted with.

And now, due to the earnest request from the CEO who insisted on meeting him upon his return, they were on their way to the dinner party.

“This time, after finishing her third drama, it seems she’s considering her next project.”

“The response was quite good.”

“Yes, it was very positive.”

Had she been doing well?

On the day they were supposed to meet, he had an urgent matter and had to leave the country without seeing her.

He tried to contact her again and again, but the timing was off, and that’s how he lost touch with her. And Jiwook was too busy to care.

“We’ve arrived.”

Jiwook slowly lifted his eyelids. In truth, he was curious about the CEO, so he had a desire to meet him at least once.

He’d just been too busy with work lately.

When Cheol-hoon opened the car door, Jiwook got out and buttoned up his jacket. His forehead creased slightly as he scanned the building.

<STAY> located in Cheongdam-dong.

Although he hadn’t been there himself, Jiwook knew the place. It had been mentioned quite frequently in his surroundings, so he knew it held some significance.

“This was the place?”

“Oh, yes. I mentioned it earlier…”

Jiwook’s inquiring voice sounded stern. Cheol-hoon’s face became contemplative. It seemed that his attention had been so focused on the meeting that afternoon that he couldn’t recall hearing about it.

Since he didn’t consider the venue to be important.

“You can go home.”

“It’s okay.”

“Is there any need to wait? I’ll see you tomorrow.”

At his words, Cheol-hoon bowed slightly in farewell.

Jiwook walked slowly toward the door. The exterior of the building, which revealed nothing inside, looked somewhat discomforting. As they approached the entrance, a staff member blocked Jiwook’s path.

“Do you have a reservation? Your name, please.”

“Kwon Jiwook.”

The staff member greeted him upon hearing his name and then led Jiwook inside the building.

The interior was excessively adorned—a glittering chandelier, meticulously polished marble floors, expensive paintings and ceramics hanging everywhere.

The deliberately decorated interior felt almost repulsive.

“This way.”

The employee stood in front of the room at the end of the corridor. When Jiwook cocked his head, the employee raised his hand and knocked on the door. After about 3 seconds, the employee grabbed the handle and turned it.

“Ah, nice to meet you.”

“…”

As the door opened, a man rushed towards him. Jiwook’s gaze was fixed on one spot inside.

“I’m Hwang Jungho.”

Bowing politely, Hwang Jungho, the CEO, flashed a forced smile at him. At that moment, his gaze collided with that of a familiar yet unfamiliar woman.

“I brought only those who are currently boosting our stock price.”

Ha.

Seeing his demeanor, a wry smile tugged at Jiwook’s lips. Watching him laugh as if he found it ridiculous, Seowoo’s expression turned pensive.

“For now, please have a seat over here.”

As Mr. Hwang extended his hand forward, Jiwook moved forward slowly.

Still staring at her intently.

Unlike Jiwook who sat on the sofa, Mr. Hwang and four others, including the woman, stood in a row in front of him.

“Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Kwon Jiwook, the head of the K Group branch. You’ll be seeing him often in the future.”

Was this the hospitality I had heard about?

After being bombarded with numerous calls insisting on treating him to a meal, it was quite a bizarre situation to be in. 

It was clear that the CEO had devised some sort of scenario all by himself. Annoyance surged through him from head to toe.

No, the cause of this annoyance unexpectedly stemmed from meeting her. It seemed to be because of Yoon Seowoo. He hadn’t expected her to be here at all.

Was this CEO dragging her around like this every time?

Countless thoughts swirled in his mind. Seowoo, unable to meet Jiwook’s piercing gaze, kept her head lowered without even meeting his eyes.

“Yoon Seowoo, what are you waiting?”

Even though it was her turn to greet him, she couldn’t speak, only curled her lips.

Jiwook’s intense gaze scrutinized her thoroughly.

A black silk dress revealing her shoulders and upper chest. A slim waist contrasting with her hips. And as his gaze traveled down, the hem of her skirt, barely covering her thighs, captured his attention.

The black stockings, which showed every inch of her flawless skin, were so obscenely risqué that he frowned.

“I’d like to hear your voice. But it seems you have nothing to say. If you don’t want to greet me, you don’t have to.”

Jiwook spoke, his expression neutral. As he did, Seowoo’s eyes, which had been lowered, trembled slightly.

Jiwook didn’t miss a single detail of her reaction.

“I apologize. Allow me to greet on her behalf.”

Beside him, CEO Hwang, who seemed unsure of what to do, bowed his head to Jiwook.