Historia De Un Amor: Chapter 5
“These are the interview questions for today."
“Thank you.” Wooyeon accepted the file and looked through the questionnaire. Usually before an interview, reporters would send in a list of questions. Today’s interview was with a reporter notorious for asking embarrassing questions to actors. That’s why the agency deliberately requested to ask him a premeditated question.
“I think it will take about 40 minutes or so.” Wooyeon, whose eyes were on the questionnaire, muttered as he estimated the expected time. Today, after this schedule, he was going to go home and rest.
“I’m going to turn in early today.”
“Yes. I see.”
“What do you do when you’re done? Do you go on date?”
“Oh, I don’t. Not that.”
“Why? Don’t you have a boyfriend?”
“…No.” He could see her hands tightly holding the steering wheel. Wooyeon leaned back on the seat and continued talking.
“Then what do you do on your day off?”
“Stay at home… and rest.” When she answered with something uninteresting, Wooyeon stopped his curiosity towards the manager and closed his eyes. Eunseo, who was contemplating about whether she should add another answer, noticed that the other person had completely closed his eyes and let out a small sigh.
Eunseo stopped the car in front of a cafe in Cheongdam-dong, the agreed meeting place. “We’re here. Where should I wait?” she turned her head towards the actor and asked.
“Come inside and let’s have a cup of tea together.”
“Excuse me...? Umm…I-” The manager had a hard time finding the words to say. Wooyeon was joking, and got out of the car. Eunseo pressed her hand to her heart. It was a habit these days. Calm down.
She found a parking lot, parked the car, and went out. After confirming that the reporter and Wooyeon were sitting opposite each other in the cafe with big windows, Eunseo took a seat on the terrace. The clerk came out and suggested that she have a seat inside, but she replied that she would be outside. It was still cold, so the friendly clerk brought a lap blanket along with the coffee the bizarre customer sitting on the terrace ordered.
Eunseo placed the blanket on her lap and wrapped her hands on the warm mug to warm her cold fingers.
According to the information he has gathered so far, Wooyeon doesn't like managers that stick to him like glue. It was important to keep an appropriate distance.
If it were up to Eunseo, she’d want to be by his side and take as many photos as she desired, there wasn’t much time left. Eunseo already knew that the maximum time she could be with Wooyeon as a manager was three months.
“It’s been ten days, plus today makes eleven, so... There’s not much time left.” Eunseo sighed as her head drooped low. She habitually turned her gaze to Wooyeon.
The side view of Wooyeon, who was having a conversation with a reporter near the window, was as beautiful as a painting. The scene where Wooyeon, with a neat and beautiful face, held a coffee cup in his hand looked like a masterpiece painting.
“…uh?”
Eunseo, who was spying on Wooyeon’s profile, stood up without hesitation.
“There were rumors floating around about this, what have you got to say?”
“Hahaha. There are rumors about it?” Wooyeon smiled softly, but he was swearing inside. Reporter Kim Haeshin, who was notorious for her tenacity, had been throwing the same question with a slurred smile for a while now.
“Just last year your manager changed five times. And you’ve gone through quite a few this year too. Can you give me a reason why that may be?”
“As I’ve told you before, they submitted their resignations for personal reasons. Do you have any other questions?” The purpose of this interview was to ask questions related to the movie to be released next month. But as soon as he sat down, this woman was like a mad dog, persistently pouring out only questions about his part managers.
“Don’t you think resignation is too frequent for personal reasons? Normally with a celebrity with an image as good as yours, the managers tend to work more long-term.”
“Am I the first exception then?”
Wooyeon smiled and picked up the coffee. The slyness was clearly visible. No matter what he answered, it was clear that this interview would be inflated with a provocative headline.
“I don’t know about that, when you’re a journalist, you soon learn there’s no smoke without fire,” Kim Haeshin clicked her pen.
How long do I have to suffer this interview? At times like this, if someone dies, it would be nice to use it as an excuse.
He put down his coffee cup. Gradually, he felt the limit approaching. He looked at his watch and saw that he had been seated for less than ten minutes. Wooyeon smiled with a terrible thought in his head.
It was one of the most common types of malicious comments on Wooyeon’s articles. Although he was an actor famous for having no antis, he did not always have only good comments. “No one’s perfect. I’m human, so of course I also have bad sides to me.” Fuck, she’s pissing me off. ”
When he returned the stereotypical, obvious answer, reporter Kim Haeshin showed him her notebook with a smile. “If you look here. These are all the dates of when each manager arrived and left, right? Do you have any thoughts on seeing this?”
Looking at the dates written on it, Wooyeon smiled brightly. This person is a real motherfucker… The front door to the cafe let out a jingle. Wooyeon’s eyes, which had been pouring swear words at the reporter, shone. He called out the new manager’s name in an exhilarating voice. “Oh, is that you, Eunseo!”
“…!” Eunseo stopped in her tracks and opened her eyes in surprise like a cat on fire.
“Excuse me a moment.”
“Oh, of course,” Wooyeon said to the reporter. He got up and made his way to the manager. “Hey, Eunseo. I heard you worked nearby, are you on a coffee break?” He casually placed a hand on Eunseo’s back.
On a surface level, Wooyeon always treated his managers with respect. However, there was a difference between being polite and being casual. Eunseo could not help but be astonished at the scene where Wooyeon called her by her name so friendly like this.
“Let me buy you one, what would you like?”
A cold sweat ran down her neck. She pretended to look at the menu and muttered “uh, okay.” After sensing Wooyeon’s atmosphere was unusual through the window, she entered the shop just in case. She didn’t expect to be got caught up in an absurd situation like this.
Wooyeon made direct eye contact with her hoping she was on the same page as him, “get anything. Whatever you want.”
Eunseo accurately noticed the meaning hidden in Wooyeon’s words. It was a threat masquerading as kindness. Don’t worry, just choose anything.
“O-one americano, please. Hot.”
When Eunseo placed an order, Wooyeon took out a card from his wallet and handed it to the clerk. The clerk glanced at Wooyeon’s face and took the card. “Please sign on the card reader.”
Wooyeon smiled and picked up the pen. At that moment, Eunseo saw Wooyeon’s fingertips pointing to the terminal. Instead of writing his signature on the reader, he wrote a short phrase.
“Enjoy yourself, Eunseo.” Wooyeon smiled at her brightly.
“You as well.”
Wooyeon went back to his seat and sat down. Eunseo took the coffee handed to her by the clerk and went outside.
“Who was that?”
“Someone I know. I heard that she worked nearby, so it was a happy coincidence. Sorry, where were we?”
“We were talking about your managers.”
“Oh right. Well, the truth of it is-” Reporter Kim Haeshin swallowed her saliva and waited for Wooyeon’s next words until Wooyeon’s cell phone, which was placed on the table, rang with the name manager on the screen.
“One second, excuse me.” Wooyeon asked for forgiveness and answered the phone call. It wasn’t long before Wooyeon’s expression hardened. “Yes, I see...”
He sprung up from his seat and politely bowed his head and apologized to the reporter. “Haa... You’ll have to forgive me. Something came up and I’ve got to head back right now.
“What happened?”
“I just got word that a friend’s father passed away. I’ve met his father several times because he was like my older brother…” The corners of his eyes, which had blurred the end of his words, were wet with sadness. Reporter Kim Haeshin, who saw it, had to say without realizing it, go quickly. Wooyeon picked up his clothes. “Then I will see you next time. Please make an appointment through the office.”
Wooyeon politely said goodbye and left the store.
“I’m sorry I spoke too casually.”
“Hmm? Don’t worry about it, I started it.”
“Alright...”
As soon as he got into the car, Wooyeon looked at the manager who apologized, with curiosity.
“You really saved me, she had me with my back against the wall. But how did you know?”
“Know what?”
“That I was in bad shape. You were outside.”
“I just…” In order to know Wooyeon better, Eunseo has watched him countless time and memorized his expressions. So, on the patio, Eunseo noticed the tension coming from Wooyeon and went inside to observe what was going on directly. It wasn’t her intention to save him, but after seeing what Wooyeon wrote on the reader, she had no choice but to follow his instructions. ‘Call me.’ Eunseo went out of the store and called as soon as she turned the corner. As she expected, after a short while, Wooyeon walked out of the stop. But how can Eunseo possibly explain that to him. “...went inside to get some syrup since the coffee was bitter.”
“So, by coincidence...?” Eunseo raised her head. Wooyeon looked at her and gave her a friendly look. “Haha, well even if it was a coincidence, it was a happy one.” His voice was so sweet, it sounded as gentle as an angel. Eunseo quickly turned her head. Wooyeon looked at the manager acting like a school girl with interest.
“So shall I drive you home?” Eunseo asked as she started the engine. Wooyeon, who had been pensive for a moment, tapped her shoulder and asked.
“Hey Eunseo, are you free tonight?”
As soon as Wooyeon entered the restaurant, people’s eyes were all on him, so he naturally requested a private room. They walked through the venue, guided by the waiter. Eunseo, who was mulling over suddenly having a meal with him, quietly followed. After choosing something recommended by Wooyeon, Eunseo sat quietly, fiddling with a glass of water.
“How is your job as a manager so far?”
“…Fine.” Although the tone was soft, Eunseo was nervous and waited for Wooyeon’s next words.
“Do you find anything difficult?”
“No, not at all.”
“Do you like sports? When I looked at your resume, it said one of your hobbies was soccer.”
“Yeah, just a little…” Soccer was a hobby she wrote down on purpose to seem like a typical Korean citizen. She broke out in a cold sweat. Why was he doing this? Why? Wooyeon was not interested in other people so she did not understand why he was paying attention to her resume, and ask about such a trivial thing.
“What made you decide to be a manager?”
“Excuse me?” Eunseo felt like she was gradually falling into a labyrinth. She could not figure out why Wooyeon suddenly brought her to a high-end restaurant and interrogated her. While working next to Wooyeon, she found herself thinking up tens of thousands of situations in his head, but he never dared to imagine such a thing.
“Did you do it cause you’re my fan? Is that why you decided to pretty much switch career paths?”
Calm... calm down. Wooyeon doesn’t know anything. Eunseo was very hesitant at the tone that seemed to question her somehow. “I’ve always been interested in this field. An acquaintance recommended JN Entertainment, so I submitted my resume.” She slowly told him the motivation for enter the company that she memorized well.
“Are you planning on staying on for a while?”
“… Yes, if possible.” She already knew that Wooyeon changed his manager often. It was information that could be found easily with a little research. She only had three months to observe him this closely, Eunseo was quietly going to leave Korea after that. She had to be careful and quietly stay next to him so that Wooyeon could not remember whether Eunseo existed or not.
“You seem like a good fit for me.” Wooyeon continued talking while drinking the wine the waiter poured. “You’ve adapted well to the job You’re observant and loyal... You possess every good quality possible.”
“Pardon?”
“Or so the boss says.”
“Oh, I see…” Eunseo sighed. She thought her heart would sink when she thought Wooyeon was saying he liked her as a manager. She had to keep the middle ground. Be with him for as long as possible, walk a tightrope as a manager without making any memorable impression. She made up her mind and lifted her head. However, she did not make eye contact with Wooyeon.
“Eunseo, how old are you again?”
“…I’m Twenty-six.”
“You look a whole lot younger.”
“I-I’ve heard that a lot.” Eunseo was uncomfortable with this kind of setting. It was the most unwanted of all the scenarios she had played out in her head countless times; to have random, personal encounters or private conversations. In fact, Eunseo was 24 years old. The 26-year-old Eunseo was the identity she paid for. Even though she knew Wooyeon had said these words without much thought, she felt like her heart would burst. She drank cold water to calm her heart.
Wooyeon, who had been thinking for a moment, tried to open his mouth, but the waiter came in with the food. Without a doubt, the food looked expensive. Eunseo picked up a fork, thinking about why Wooyeon would buy such expensive meal for her, the manager.
“Eunseo.”
“Yes?”
Without realizing it, she raised her head and met his eyes. Wooyeon was smiling. It was the same face he had seen countless times on the screen and in photos.
“I mean.” Eunseo stared blankly as Wooyeon was elegantly slicing a steak with a knife in one hand. His actions had a charm that drew attention. Drinking water, making gestures, and holding a knife, such detailed actions were beautiful enough to make the other person stop breathing for a moment and look at him.
“Actually, someone told me-” Wooyeon stopped in the middle of his sentence.
“…?”
“Excuse me,” Wooyeon called the waiter. To the waiter who asked what the problem was, he asked what the name of the chef who made this dish was. When the waiter, who had been nervous for a while, bowed and answered, Wooyeon stood up.
“Is there a problem?”
“Not at all, excuse me for a moment, he said and exited the room. Eunseo, who was left alone, hesitated for a moment and got up. When she opened the door and looked outside, she saw no one in the hallway. She quickly went to Wooyeon’s seat and started looking at the cell phone he had left behind. Unfortunately, the phone was locked. She recalled Wooyeon pressing the password on the front door and quickly put in the four-digit number.
After some trial and error, the lock setting was released. Eunseo’s hands trembled. Last time she picked up Wooyeon’s cell phone in the car, she just gave it back and regretted the wasted opportunity.
First, let’s look at the call list.
“…Sheesh.” Looking at the call list, Eunseo clicked her tongue low. Wooyeon’s phone was completely erased, leaving only a list of calls made to her, CEO Kim, Mr. Cha, and other business calls as well as the phone book.
He looked through the photos just in case, but there was nothing.
“… ” Eunseo grumbled and looked around some more but couldn’t find any information. She put the phone back in its place. She returned to her seat and sat down, but Wooyeon did not return.
“Why isn’t he coming back? Where did he go?” Eunseo remembered the moment he suddenly called the waiter and dipped the steak on Wooyeon’s plate and tasted it.
“Ugh, heck.” It was as if the steak was marinated in salt and grilled, she drank water, thinking that it would wash down the saltiness. She rubbed her tongue with a napkin, but still felt a tingling sensation from the intense salty taste. Wooyeon being able to quietly find the chef without grimacing even after eating this was something to respect.
Eunseo quietly went outside with her phone in hand. It may be a golden opportunity to get a lucky shot. She came out to the hallway and moved cautiously to find Wooyeon. Seeing the waiter who was serving earlier, she asked in a low voice where Wooyeon had gone.
The waiter pointed to the door next to the kitchen and disappeared. It was an emergency exit.
Her heart was pounding. Eunseo pressed the area near her heart with her palm as she moved to the door. She carefully grabbed the doorknob and opened the door.
At first, she found no one, so she left with disappointment and tried to close the door. It was at that moment she could hear whispers coming from a woman.
“…!”
Eunseo grabbed the doorknob and listened to the sound. Behind the woman’s laughter, Wooyeon’s voice was occasionally heard. At the bottom of the stairs, a woman in a white chef outfit along with Wooyeon were seen talking face-to-face. Rather than get angry at the chef who fed him the salted steak, he seemed to be having a secret meeting with her.
Eunseo stood close to the door and overheard their conversation.
“Haha, so that’s why you sent me an over-salted steak?”
“That’s right. Since you came all the way here but didn’t even say hello before going to a private room with a woman. It never occurred to me that you’d come with your manager. I didn’t look at her properly,” she laughed. The comment stung Eunseo a little bit.
“Haha, sorry about that. I was planning to say hello later since I came with my manager.”
“Liar. You didn’t give me a second thought, did you?” She looked up at him with seductive eyes.
“Don’t be silly.” The woman’s laughed at the sweet nothings he was whispering in her ear. Eunseo sighed. She knew Wooyeon had this kind of relationship with several women, so this scene wasn’t that shocking. As she followed him, she has seen several encounters like this, but this was not the kind of opportunity shot she was looking for.
“… just in case.” She took a picture showing Wooyeon and the chef in an undeniably steamy situation.
After taking the picture, she closed the door as carefully as when she opened it. Eunseo, who was walking down the hallway, took a deep breath as she checked the photos on her phone. What am I doing here...?
She takes pictures and collects information about Wooyeon. Not a single soul on Earth other than her own knows about this. From hind sight, if someone were to witness what Eunseo is doing, they would think she is just an obsessive fan who managed to trick her way into becoming his manager. Her actions fueled by her genuinely liking Wooyeon. On the contrary...
She hated Wooyeon so much…
She put her phone in her bag and went into the bathroom. She wanted to wash her hands. They felt dirty whenever she would snoop around like this. The faucet was deliberately turned to the blue end. She put her hands under the cold water and lathered the soap. Her fingers tingled as if they were about to freeze, but she meticulously lathered her hands and washed it off. When the sensation disappeared and even the feeling of coldness disappeared, she put her cold hand to her cheek.
She felt the cool sensation on her cheek and the warmth on her hand which made her cells tingle at the same time. Each time it reminded her she was alive. Her fingertips and cheeks became pale. She looked at herself in the mirror. The fat, freckled, speechless, always frightened young self was staring back at her. It looked at her with a scolding look asking her what the hell she was doing here.
She shook her head and looked in the mirror again. Her frightened eyes remained the same, but the girl had grown a lot more. “You have to be strong. For Jenny.”
When the name Jenny came out of her mouth, her heart throbbed as if by habit. In the remaining two months or so, she must somehow dig into Wooyeon’s true identity and obtain evidence. She knew Lee Wooyeon. Not the one that everyone loves, but the other Wooyeon. The one rotten to the core. She has to expose the terrible person hidden behind that sweet facade. Because she made a promise.
However, there was no evidence to prove Wooyeon’s true identity. In order to obtain the evidence, she followed him for a long time and collected data. Like a stalker, she collected and collected anything about Wooyeon. However, the only downside she could find in him was that she had an affinity with women. That was not enough.
When Eunseo left the restroom, she was heading back to the private room.
“Eunseo.”
“… !” Eunseo was startled by the sudden voice and turned around. Wooyeon, who was suddenly in front of her, walked towards her. With each step closer, she felt herself getting smaller. Her heart was beating so fast. Her paranoia was getting the best of her as the negative thoughts swarmed in her head landing on the worst-case scenario. Was this place prepared today as a ploy by Wooyeon, who actually knew everything?
“Sorry.”
“...”
“I made you wait. Go and have dinner.” His expression was the same as usual. She breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. “You don’t have to drive me home today. I’ll go by myself.”
“All right.” Naturally she understood what Wooyeon’s conversation was with the woman on the stairs. If possible, taking a sex video and uploading it would be one way to achieve her goal. Just thinking about such a scene made her feel guilty. Her face grew warmer at the thought.
“Are you not feeling well?”
“Sorry?”
“Your expression.” Eunseo didn’t realize she was making one and placed both hands to her cheek.
“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”
“That’s fortunate.” Eunseo quickly pulled out a handkerchief from her bag. She grabbed the hem of Wooyeon’s jacket as he was about to leave. “Yes?”
“Just a second… look down.” At the manager’s request, Wooyeon bowed his head slightly. Eunseo wiped the area around his lips with a handkerchief. Although it was excessively kind, Eunseo said to herself that it was an act that a manager should do.
“Because there was lipstick on… It’s gone now.”
“Eunseo, you’re very kind...” In Wooyeon’s voice, there was a bitter smile. “…thank you.” If she could, she would slap Wooyeon in the face right now and swear at him. She just wanted to tell him that a bastard like him should go to hell. But she only let out a sigh as she made her way back to the room.
