I’m Not That Obsessive

Chapter 18

“…You really are a great actor. Mitchell, seeing you in person is even more impressive than watching you in movies. I admit it.”

I struggled to compose my tumultuous feelings and tried to speak casually.

“When did you not admit it before?”

“I only half-admitted it. But now it’s about seventy percent?”

“That’s a pretty good rating.”

“Isn’t it?”

We exchanged meaningless conversation. They said there were still a few scenes left after finishing the morning shoot, so it would take at least two or three more hours.

“There’s a cafe nearby. Go rest there for a bit.”

“Oh, are you worried about me? That’s unlike you.”

“It’s not so much worry as pity.”

I burst out laughing at Mitchell’s words. How like Mitchell to be so brutally honest.

“It’s fine. I’d be bored there. Watching the filming is more interesting.”

“Suit yourself.”

Mitchell, who had started to walk away, came back. He was carrying a chair. He set the chair down without saying anything about sitting. Still, I could easily guess that the chair was meant for me.

I had been standing and watching the filming all day. Since they hadn’t moved the set, I had been standing in one spot like a pine tree. This was a considerate gesture for me.

Oh, come on…

I scratched my forehead, feeling awkward. I was about to move to sit down, thinking I should at least show appreciation for the gesture, when suddenly:

“You’re still here?”

Lydia appeared out of nowhere. I had already met and talked with other actors for a long time this morning. Lydia was among them.

In person, Lydia was lively and bright, with a voluptuous figure. While she led conversations proactively, she occasionally said crude things that made the atmosphere awkward.

I could somewhat understand why the public’s image of Lydia wasn’t particularly positive.

Some said she spoke without hesitation because she was stupid, while others said it was typical celebrity syndrome.

It’s not my place to say what’s right, but I knew for sure that she wasn’t stupid. I could tell even after just a few hours of conversation. She was smart and simultaneously rude.

“I’m waiting to go together when Mitchell finishes filming.”

“Oh my, I see. I didn’t know Mitchell had such a close Korean friend. How do you go from here to Korea? It’s so far. Koreans are really amazing, coming all the way to America.”

The tone was peculiar. It was a precarious statement that could be perceived as belittling our country. Of course, I wasn’t bothered.

“It is far, Korea is quite far from America.”

I put Korea at the center, not America. Korea is quite far from America, indeed.

“Are you done filming?”

Mitchell joined the conversation. He asked Lydia while standing with one leg bent. Mitchell, wearing a gun holster over his black shirt, struck an arrogant pose but somehow looked even more dignified.

His neatly swept bangs and sharp eyes completed the image of the real actor Mitchell Cronenwirth.

A star that anyone would love.

A person like the stars in the night sky that I love.

I suddenly felt proud of myself for making him my new object of interest. I wanted to make him truly mine as soon as possible. I wanted to control him.

“I’m done with my part. Are you still not finished here? Will it take much longer?”

“Yeah. It’ll take a few more hours.”

“Do we start filming together tomorrow?”

“Probably.”

Their two characters first meet on the highway. Therefore, outdoor shooting was scheduled for tomorrow.

“I think our kiss scene is tomorrow, right?”

Lydia asked playfully. She gently pushed Mitchell’s shoulder and smiled brightly.

“I think so? You should ask the director to be sure.”

“Yeah, I should. I need to prepare for kissing you.”

I couldn’t bear to listen to their conversation any longer. But I didn’t leave either.

It’s better if they have this kind of talk in front of me. Even if they’re dating, they should date in front of me.

Kiss in front of me, sleep together in front of me… No, that’s going too far.

Anyway, since Mitchell needed to become completely mine, I needed to endure everything around him. Even if I don’t particularly like Lydia, if Mitchell likes her…

My thoughts didn’t continue. The more I thought, the more my mood sank.

Maybe…

It’s because of my brother at home?

There can’t be any other reason, right?

Having forcibly found a reason for my bad mood, I spoke with the brightest face possible.

“I’m coming to the filming location with you tomorrow too. Looks like I’ll get to see the kiss scene.”

It was an incredibly tactless and cheerful thing to say. Lydia chuckled, and Mitchell was expressionless. He just stared down at me intently with his green eyes.

***

The first day of filming ended. As the sun began to set, Mitchell’s car departed. Unlike in Korea, there’s no concept of road managers who stick with you all day in America. Sometimes they hire dedicated drivers, but usually, actors drive themselves to and from the filming locations.

Of course, it might be different for someone of Mitchell’s caliber, but Mitchell didn’t bother hiring someone separately. I was about to ask if there was a specific reason but decided against it. For now, I was happy with the arrangement. Since Mitchell’s other staff traveled in different cars, it was less inconvenient for me and perfect for getting closer to Mitchell.

As we were nearing home, I casually spoke to Mitchell.

“I’ll drive tomorrow. You must be tired from filming.”

I decided to be generous for once. Actually, I thought about driving earlier too, but I held back since it would have been sudden. If I mention it in advance, he’ll probably hand over the wheel tomorrow.

Or should I become Mitchell’s manager while I’m at it? If he experienced Korean-style close management, Mitchell would surely like it.

Doing as he’s told and sticking with him all day. I could legally shadow him without suspicion.

“You’re going to drive?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you have a license?”

“Of course. I got an international driving permit. I was going to buy a new car, but then I realized I don’t really have anywhere to go. So I didn’t buy one. But I can drive.”

“We’ll see. If you do end up driving, I’ll pay you.”

That’s right. This is America, a capitalist society where money can do anything. My heartfelt goodwill instantly turned into a few bills.

“You’re talking about money again.”

“Then, what, should I get you a role in another movie?”

“Wow, what do you really take me for?”

“Who was it that said they wanted to latch onto me to survive? It was you, wasn’t it?”

“How did it turn into that? I was just thinking you might be tired.”

“You were thinking of me?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Uh… huh?”

“Why are you thinking of me?”

“Well, you know… we’re neighbors… and we’re involved in various situations… for your sake…”

“For my sake?”

Mitchell was clearly looking straight ahead. Yet somehow, I felt like his smile was lunging at me.

“How touching? To think of such things. Besides driving, there are a few things you could do for me.”

“…Like what?”

“Ah, rather than for me, it would be more accurate to say things that would please me.”

My fists clenched involuntarily. I could bet my entire fortune that this guy wasn’t going to say anything normal.

“Right now, I want my clothes back.”

“What?”

“I’m saying give me the clothes you’re wearing now. Take them off.”

Mitchell was indeed a man who never failed to meet expectations.

“Oh, right. I don’t need your permission, do I? I can just take them off as I please.”

Just as he was casually saying such chilling words, the car that had arrived at our destination came to a stop. Mitchell turned to look at me, standing in front of our iron gate without even entering the passcode.

“These are mine. I can take my clothes back as I please, right?”

“Are you really going to take them off here?”

Mitchell laughed loudly at my words.

“You’re not saying no? You’re really strange. You’re clearly not gay. You’re not just trying to play around with me either, there’s something more, isn’t there?”

There is more. Of course there is.

I’m going to have you. I’m the one who’s going to dominate you, you crazy perverted psycho bastard!

“……”

Of course, I only said this fervently in my mind. I couldn’t really reveal it, so I had no choice but to remain silent.

A moment of silence that was neither short nor long passed. Mitchell turned his head to glance at where our house was, then looked back at me.

“Don’t like it there? Want to take them off here instead?”

‘There’ probably refers to the house where my brother is. Even if we go straight into Mitchell’s house, my brother will know that Mitchell and I have arrived. The sound of the car will definitely be heard unless the door is tightly closed. Of course, the chances were fifty-fifty.

“Mitchell, calm down for a second. I’m grateful for lending me the clothes. Let’s take them off inside. Let me take them off at home, at your house. Really.”

I pleaded in this ridiculous situation. Even normal things become abnormal when standing in front of Mitchell.

Mitchell smiled as if pleased.

“I thought you were going to take them off here, I’m a bit disappointed, but well, okay. Let’s do that.”

“Ha…”

A sigh of relief escaped me involuntarily. Just because Mitchell had given permission for this obvious thing. I vowed never to touch Mitchell’s clothes again. Damn bastard.

“But I’ve been curious about something for a while. Let’s just resolve that before we go.”

I’m anxious. Extremely anxious. His brightly shining eyes made me more anxious than ever.

“……”

“Don’t want to? If you don’t, then take everything off here. They’re my clothes, after all.”

“You’re so dirty and petty, really. What is it? What are you curious about?”

“When I’m curious about something, I confirm it with my own eyes. Somehow, hearing about it doesn’t seem credible. So I only believe what I see.”

What on earth is he trying to do by setting things up like this? My heart clenched for no reason. As I stood still with clenched fists, Mitchell suddenly reached out his hand.

“Hey!”

Suddenly, he unbuckled my pants.

“Hey! You bastard! What are you doing!”

“What? I’m just satisfying my curiosity.”

“What? Whaat!”

“Everything from top to bottom including the socks is mine, so I was wondering about the underwear. I wanted to see if you were wearing mine too.”

“Ah. No…”

Taking advantage of my moment of hesitation, he pulled down the zipper. As the front of my pants opened, the underwear was inevitably revealed. The black designer briefs were bulging out. Mitchell smiled slightly and said,

“They’re mine.”