Part 28

There was CEO Hwang Jungho and another man who was the head of the publicity team. According to CEO Hwang, they had selected four of the most popular female actors from their agency.

“I wanted to come and say hello to you in person, but you said you were too busy, so I’ve been waiting for you.”

“There was no need for you to go to such lengths.”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. If there are any of them that you like, feel free to mention it, or if you subtly hint at your preferences, we’ll take them into consideration.”

At Jungho’s words, Jiwook chuckled softly. Those who were watching cautiously began to settle into their seats across from him.

Although the words were not direct, the undertone was blatantly clear, revealing a disgust that left nothing unnoticed.

How short could that skirt possibly be? 

It barely covered her hips, and even that seemed to be riding up as she sat. Seowoo barely managed to cover her exposed thighs with her hands.

“It seems this is how you usually run the company.”

At Jiwook’s sharp tone, CEO Hwang’s mouth stiffened. When Jiwook lifted the straight glass in front of him, Jungho quickly grabbed the bottle and poured it into his glass.

The more he looked at the woman sitting in front of him, the thirstier he became.

Jiwook stared at Seowoo, tilting his head slightly as he quickly emptied his glass in one gulp. The sharp sensation of alcohol went down his throat.

“If there’s anything you’re unhappy about, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll make sure to rectify it.”

Jungho bowed his head solemnly. Then, with a subtle gesture of his eyes, two actresses who were sitting next to Seowoo stood up and cautiously approached Jiwook’s side to sit down.

“Keep a little distance from each other, please.”

The cold remark cut through the silence.

The discomfort in his expression made the room feel like an ice rink. The atmosphere turned tense. Eventually, the two women who had been sitting close to him hesitantly moved apart.

“CEO Hwang.”

“Yes, Director.”

As Jiwook addressed him, Jungho’s eyebrows subtly furrowed.

He’d purposely picked the best of the best, but Jiwook was pissed off about something.

Each word he spat out was so sharp. His frustration was mounting with each passing moment.

However, overturning this situation was out of the question. He had to cater to the whims of this difficult individual until the opportunity arose. CEO Hwang forced a smile, pulling the corners of his mouth.

“I was hoping to hear about the overall company situation. Today might be tough.”

“No, not at all. I’ve also prepared for that.”

Min-woong, the head of publicity, laid out the documents he brought in front of Jiwook.

Would paperwork even be noticed in this atmosphere? 

Jiwook just let out a hollow laugh. As he emptied his glass again, it was quickly refilled.

“Let’s discuss that next time.”

“Please let us know when it’s convenient for you.”

“I’m sure I can pick and choose.”

“Yes. …Yes?”

Suddenly, Jiwook’s words caught Jungho off guard, and he looked at Jiwook with a puzzled expression. When he glanced at his face, he was still fixated on one spot.

Ah, I see.

A sly smile crept onto Jungho’s lips. It seemed like Yoon Seowoo had caught Jiwook’s eye as well.

No wonder. He hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her since earlier.

No matter how noble he pretended to be, Kwon Jiwook was a man. Bringing along the currently popular Yoon Seowoo was indeed a good move.

“It feels like it was set up for this.”

“Of course.”

With a cold gaze, Jiwook murmured as he looked at Jungho, and CEO Hwang nodded repeatedly, conveying a positive meaning.

“You.”

When he gestured towards Seowoo, everyone’s gaze in the room shifted towards her. Suddenly, under the intense scrutiny, Seowoo’s slender shoulders hunched up.

“You’re Yoon Seowoo, right?”

Ah…

Seowoo’s face turned cold.

“Everyone else, leave. Only Miss Yoon Seowoo stays.”

As soon as Jiwook spoke, under CEO Hwang’s command, everyone quickly exited the room.

It was as if they were determined not to bother him. Remarkably quick to leave.

He never imagined they would meet again like this.

The setting, the attire, and even CEO Hwang’s blatant behavior.

Everything seemed to blur before his eyes. As Jiwook and Seowoo sat facing each other in the spacious room, his palms grew sweaty with tension.

Thunk.

Jiwook picked up the whiskey bottle next to him, filling his glass to the brim. Then, he emptied the glass in one go.

“One step at a time. An aspiring actress, Yoon Seowoo.”

“…”

It was the title of an article that had popped up not long ago. Jiwook’s tone was quite mocking.

“I didn’t know you were putting in this much effort.”

Seowoo clenched her fists and slowly lifted her gaze. A sharp gaze was fixed on her. But instead of Jiwook’s usual stare of looking at her with affection and warmth, it was his cold gaze that met hers now.

It was unfair. The fact that she was being misunderstood like this.

“Go ahead, make an effort. I’m very curious to see what you’re going to do.”

“…”

“How many others did you meet when I wasn’t around?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Do you need a sponsor? Just say the word. Your background, Miss Yoon Seowoo. I can take care of it.”

As if he didn’t hear her, Jiwook continued. He looked very angry, and his eyes were filled with disappointment.

Seowoo pursed her lips. She had longed for him countless times, but this wasn’t the reunion she had hoped for.

After Jiwook left, she’d lost touch with him, purposely keeping herself busy and trying to erase him from her life

But his expression didn’t seem like he would believe any excuse.

“It’s a misunderstanding. Really, it’s the first time. I just… came because I was told there was a schedule, and I wore the clothes they provided.”

She truly thought it was just an ordinary schedule.

There have been many interview requests lately. While the attire seemed a bit odd, she had no idea it was for this type of ‘hospitality’.

She had never been to such a gathering before, neither before nor after her debut, so she didn’t even have the slightest suspicion.

“If you say that, what difference does it make? Look at yourself, look at what you’re wearing.”

Her spine tingled.

Seowoo’s eyes grew watery. The fact that she was being treated like this in front of her first love, whom she still cared about, made her feel even worse.

She had worked hard to live her life without shame.

Just like when she had studied in school. Slowly and steadily, like climbing stairs.

People didn’t always like her from the beginning. She had faced countless rejections in auditions. It felt like all her efforts were invalidated in a moment.

“If you need someone to look out for you as a sponsor, I’ll do it. If it weren’t me, some other jerk would have taken you. You should have been dragged there by someone else, right?”

Seowoo stared at him, unable to retort. Jiwook didn’t avoid her gaze either.

Jiwook hadn’t anticipated such a reunion either.

Once his busy work was sorted out, he had planned to visit her. He intended to explain why he had to leave, but everything had gone awry.

His disappointment and anger towards her were beyond words.

“…….”

Feeling frustrated, Seowoo picked up the glass in front of her and downed all the alcohol.

The strong scent of alcohol filled her mouth. The alcohol content seemed quite high, as the unpleasant sensation overwhelmed her, contorting her face instantly.

“I’ll do it.”

Jiwook’s gaze turned cold at her affirmative answer. Seowoo’s sincere gaze met his.

“I don’t think you’ll believe me no matter what I say…….”

Even in such a misunderstanding, she felt glad to see him after so long.

After all, he was living in a different world. If this was the only way to stay by his side, then it didn’t matter.

“It seems like you’re sincere.”

He sighed heavily, a mixture of resignation and frustration escaping his lips. The disappointment in his eyes was evident.

“Yes. It’s sincere.”

If someone else had liked me as Jiwook said… Would my intentions have mattered?

At CEO Hwang’s demand, I might have been dragged away by a stranger without hesitation. If that had been the case, I would have quit this job. But if the other party was Jiwook… There was no reason to hesitate.

“I’m sick of auditioning, and I hate playing insignificant roles.”

“Yoon Seowoo!”

“I’ll accommodate whatever you want. Please take care of my background.”

Damn it.

The muttered curse echoed in her ears.

His jaw clenched tightly. Her heart crumbled at his icy expression. Her nails dug into her tender skin from clenching her fist too tightly. She felt a sharp pain.

Jiwook stood up from his seat.

“Come with me.”