Come Back

Dealing with other VIPs was much easier than this. I couldn’t act cute or flirty, but I could at least try to get along with them and have a nice conversation. But last time, and even now, when I was with Lee Hae-seong, there were many times when I was speechless.

Most of the questions he asked were things I had never heard before, so I couldn’t think of an answer right away. In addition, most of the topics he brought up were not about himself, but about Choi Hong-seo. There was no such VIP.

Rather than being difficult, he was unique.

“No matter what you say, I will never get angry or put you at a disadvantage, so just answer honestly.”

“… … ”

“Will you do that for me?”

Choi Hong-seo nodded, and he smiled as if praising her for a job well done.

At this moment, he wasn’t scary. His words that he wouldn’t get angry or cause me any harm sounded sincere.

He took a sip of his coffee, put the cup down, and looked at me with a slightly solemn gaze.

“Last time, right? I said I would take good care of the movie.”

“… … ”

“The investment in the movie has already been decided, and no matter what Hongseo says, I will not change my mind. So, there is no longer any suspicion that I am trying to win Hongseo’s heart by holding the movie hostage. Right?”

“ah…”

“I think there was a misunderstanding last time, so I’ll make my position clear in words.”

He took a deep breath, his lips pursed. The base of his neck was visible through the collar of his shirt, which was two buttons undone and without a tie, and as he swallowed, the inside of his collarbone sunk deeper.

Choi Hong-seo also became nervous. He put the half-eaten second macaron he was holding in his hand down on the plate.

“Does Mr. Hongseo’s love interest include men?”

“…yes?”

It wasn’t that I asked because I couldn’t hear, it was a reflex reaction that came out of surprise.

all.

“If a man is not a romantic interest…”

“… … ”

“I want to start off prepared for the difficulties.”

Even in his stiff state, he did not avoid eye contact. Rather, it was Choi Hong-seo who had difficulty maintaining eye contact and was wandering around. Just like last time.

Did I hear that correctly?

Love interest.

There were some VIPs who paid money to the famous president and described the entertainment they received as ‘love.’ What embarrassed Choi Hong-seo was what Lee Hae-seong added afterward.

If men are not a romantic interest for Choi Hong-seo, he wants to start with the intention of facing difficulties.

That meant that she would try to be chosen as Choi Hong-seo’s love interest. It also meant that the choice was in Choi Hong-seo’s hands.

It was an unnecessary condition for a meeting that involved money or other consideration.

“Isn’t it burdensome when older and bigger people keep telling me they like me?”

Choi Hong-seo, who was looking down at the half-empty macaron, raised his head. Is this… a problem of age or physique?

ARA is the electronic understanding, and I am… just Choi Hong-seo of ‘Layered’?

“It’s going to be more burdensome because it’s hard to say that it’s burdensome even if it’s burdensome.”

He nodded, looking down at the table, as if he understood more than enough. Then he looked at Choi Hong-seo again with eyes that were soft but filled with confidence.

“Can you meet me just five times?”

As soon as I mentioned the specific numbers, the situation suddenly became real. It was definitely cool inside, perfect for a hot cup of coffee, but now I felt sweat running down my back.

Hae-seong took out a small rectangular piece of paper from a thin case that was lying on one side of the table.

“Here’s my personal business card. It’s a business card with my personal contact information on it.”

“… … ”

“If after meeting you five times I still can’t impress you, Hongseo… Just send this back to me by courier. You don’t have to say any difficult words of rejection.”

Choi Hong-seo, who had been staring blankly at the business card, slowly extended his hand. The paper that touched his fingertips felt slightly thick and smooth.

“Are you telling me to return it?”

He laughed heartily at Choi Hong-seo’s question and nodded.

“That’s right, return it.”

“… … ”

“If you send it back, I will consider that as Hongseo’s answer and step down. Of course, it will have no effect on the movie investment.”

Is it true? Is it sincere? Are you just going through all the trouble to toy with me?

That actually felt like it made more sense.

The famous CEO called this person ‘VVVVVIP’. He didn’t have five stars, but five V’s. It meant that he was a bigger shot than anyone he had ever dealt with. A person like that could treat him better than anyone he had ever dealt with.

Is it possible for a lion or an eagle to treat a grasshopper or a frog with respect? Isn’t that something that only happens in fairy tales?

“Instead, for the five times we meet, please open your heart and treat me with respect. Without prejudice. Without being defensive.”

“… … ”

“Can you promise me?”

He nodded carefully, slowly.

He held out his palm, as if to say, if you really believe in him, if you promise, show me the proof.

Choi Hong-seo’s palm overlapped on top of the large, long, cool palm.

Lee Hae-seong looked down at it, lowered his head, and smiled. It seemed like he was trying to hide the fact that he was smiling, but his broad shoulders were shaking.

When I tried to pull my hand away, embarrassed and ashamed, he held my hand tightly so that it wouldn’t go away. They didn’t just place their palms on each other, but held each other’s hands tightly. It was their first contact.

I could tell his hands were warm, slightly clammy, and tense.

He relaxed and placed Choi Hong-seo’s hand on the table, then patted the back of his hand as if to put him to sleep.

After a slight cough, he said:

“Last time, Mr. Hongseo told me to contact the company. So I contacted the company today.”

“Ah… yes.”

“But if it’s not inconvenient for you, Hongseo, can I contact you directly and meet you next time?”

“… … ”

“It was a private meeting, but since it had to go through the company, it felt awkward… and embarrassing.”

The reason I told him to contact the company was because I thought he wanted to ‘entertain’ her. However, I think he probably took it as meaning that idols need the company’s permission to date.

Choi Hong-seo looked down at his long fingers tapping on his own hand and answered as if in a trance.

“yes.”

“… … ”

“From now on, you can contact me instead of the company.”

He smiled gently, as if he was relieved.

“yes.”

In Director Kang’s reception room, he, who had seemed like a character in an inorganic painting, was now recognized by Choi Hong-seo as a person with warmth and expression.

A man who had the entire city as a backdrop over his shoulder. Such a man was cautious even when holding Choi Hong-seo’s hand, so he was only tapping his fingers. Then, he held the tip of his finger and asked cautiously.

“So now I’m at least a candidate for a boyfriend?”

“… … ”

“I have to make sure it doesn’t get returned.”

Choi Hong-seo thought as he looked at the mischievous smile on that perfect face.

Maybe this person is not unusual, but special.

@

Summer in mid-July.

In the studio, the fall fashion shoot for the September issue of the magazine was in full swing.

Choi Hong-seo, wearing a warm-colored knit and wide-legged wool pants, was posing using a chair as a photo prop. It was already her fifth outfit today.

Even though I was wearing fall clothes in the middle of summer, it wasn’t too difficult because the filming was indoors and the air conditioning was on. Compared to outdoor filming where I had to sweat and touch up my makeup every five minutes, this was a luxury.

“UB CEO has prepared some snacks for you! I’ll just take a short break and go.”

The photographer put down his camera at the words of the editor in charge of today’s shoot.

“Hongseo, let’s rest a bit before the next costume.”

“Thank you for your hard work, sir.”

Choi Hong-seo, who had been posing while sitting loosely on a chair, also got up from his seat and bowed.

I saw President Myung, who had been talking to the editor from behind, approach the photographer right away. It was President Myung’s specialty to figure out who to greet first and who to look best at.

“Director, it’s been a while. How is our Hongseo? Is he following along well?”

“What can I say? Hongseo, you are now a pictorial master. As you act, your expressions become richer, and you always study various poses, so I can’t tell you how comfortable it is to work with you. Is it because the UB president used to be a model?”

“Oh, really… Thank you for saying that. I know you might think I’m being unreliable, but it’s rare to find someone in this industry who works as hard as Hongseo.”