I’m Not That Obsessive

Chapter 31

I lay still, staring at the ceiling. After sending Mitchell to the filming location early in the morning, I lazily relaxed on the bed for the first time in a while.

As soon as Mitchell left the house, he called me and continued the call until he arrived at the set. There wasn’t anything particular to talk about. I think I heard his breathing more than his voice.

I, unable to bear the silence, chattered non-stop. Of course, a large part of the conversation was unnecessary and useless talk.

Mitchell said he used to have morning calls with Jeff. Now that I’ve taken that place, the calls became my responsibility.

Me instead of Jeff.

Conversely, it’s the same as Mitchell taking Junman hyung’s place.

Did hyung step back easily? No. Even now, he’s hanging on at our house for a two-week period. So far, I’ve managed to endure, but I expected hyung to have an outburst at least once.

Then, what about Jeff?

He probably won’t back down easily either. Although all I’ve seen was his back view moaning on Mitchell’s bed, Jeff didn’t seem like someone who would step aside easily. They’ve known each other for a whole five years.

If I can’t persuade Jeff, the right move is to influence Mitchell. I did offer my buttocks yesterday, but I haven’t yet made my wish about Jeff.

Mitchell must have seen the message Jeff sent. Will he tell me about Jeff coming here soon? Or did he tell Jeff not to come from the start?

I’ve already thought of my second wish.

Adding my fingerprint to Mitchell’s phone. So I can easily unlock it even when it’s locked. I thought we might as well share each other’s phones at this point.

I’ve already added Mitchell’s fingerprint to my phone. I secretly registered it using his hand while he was sleeping yesterday. I couldn’t have been more pleased.

Regarding Jeff, I think we need to have a conversation when he comes back after filming. Even if Mitchell wants to maintain his relationship with Jeff, well, that’s okay.

I’ll be angry, but I’ve already thought of how to defend against Jeff’s situation. Of course, I hope the day to implement that never comes. Maybe Jeff might really mistake me for a psychopath?

Junman hyung doesn’t call me an obsessive or say I have a mental illness for no reason. I was specialized in a rather strange way.

But it’s problematic to call my behavior obsession. Others might not acknowledge it, but honestly, I’m not that obsessive. Really.

It was all about the word choice. Doesn’t “obsession” sound a bit harsh and off-putting? I’m definitely not that kind of person.

There must be a better word than obsession, but I couldn’t think of one. A plausible word that could beautifully wrap up my feelings for Mitchell.

What could it be?

Ding.

A text message arrived. Diligent Mitchell. He sent messages every two hours without fail.

[Filming]

[Filming]

[Meal]

[Moving]

[Filming]

I couldn’t tell if he was sending them himself or if he asked someone else to do it. But just the fact that he was contacting me made me happy.

[I don’t think I can contact you from now on. We’re scheduled to film until midnight for now. I’ll contact you as soon as we’re done.]

At least until I saw the message that arrived around 8 PM. Actually, this was normal. How much time could one have to look at their phone while acting? As an actor myself, I should know.

Although he promised to text, I had secretly expected it would turn out like this.

It can’t be helped. However, my mood that had suddenly sunk showed no signs of lifting. As my chest started to feel tight and anxious, I kept reaching for my phone. I held onto it continuously, waiting for Mitchell’s contact.

Even then, unable to shake off the stifling feeling, I went outside. The lights in our living room were still brightly lit, suggesting hyung hadn’t gone to sleep yet. I quickly lost interest and walked along the road.

There’s a garden that’s also a small forest in front of the house on Mitchell’s and my private property.

Street lamps stood here and there along the path leading to the inner road. Before entering the thicket, I lifted the control bar upwards. Five lamps lit up, and the pitch-black forest, where it had been hard to distinguish anything ahead, suddenly brightened.

It was perfect for a late-night walk. Thanks to the wire fence surrounding the private property like a fortress, there’s no worry about illegal trespassing. If anyone tries to climb over the fence, the security company would be dispatched and a loud emergency alarm would sound.

I walked along the path illuminated by the street lamps. Although I had wandered near the thicket before, this was the first time I’d come this deep since moving in.

“What’s this?”

I also discovered a cabin here for the first time today.

“Did Mitchell build this?”

It seems to have a professional touch, but it’s quite simple. I slightly opened the door of the small cabin, which might not even be 5 pyeong (about 180 sq ft). There were traces of someone having stayed in the place with a wooden bed, table, and chair.

A disheveled blanket, an unfamiliar bag, an old laptop, a worn but designer-logo windbreaker, unopened snack bags, drink bottles, and so on.

I quietly observed the scene before me and then picked up my phone.

[Mitchell, did you make this cabin in the forest? Is it okay for me to be here? Are these your things?]

I’ve only really known Mitchell for a few days. Naturally, there was still a lot I didn’t know about him.

I was curious if Mitchell came here alone to rest. I texted thinking I might rest here too, but surprisingly, a reply came right away.

[It’s not mine, it’s Jeff’s. Just leave it.]

Bang.

As soon as I read the message, I burst out of the door. It was because of seeing that unpleasant name. But my bold action ended as soon as I left the cabin.

“…What.”

Something seemed to be moving between the dark thickets.

Could it be a small animal startled by the sudden sound of the door opening? The unknown presence gave me goosebumps. I had never once thought that animals lived in here. No, given the structure, there shouldn’t be any.

A fox? A wild boar? A bear?

No way… That can’t be.

I wanted to check what it was, but I couldn’t bring myself to wander through the thickets late at night. Before being consumed by the eerie feeling, I quickly left the place. I lowered the control bar to turn off all the street lamps and ran back home.

I must have seen wrong.

By then, the lights in our living room were off. I anxiously looked towards the thickets and endlessly waited for Mitchell. Mitchell returned four hours later.

***

“Are you filming until dawn today too?”

The next morning, as soon as I woke up, I got up with Mitchell as he prepared for work. I stuck close to him as he came out after washing and threw a question.

Mitchell was drying his hair wearing only gray sweatpants. From the side, his firm chest muscles and thick torso were more pronounced. It was a body that made you want to press against it.

“Huh?”

My voice must have been drowned out by the loud hairdryer noise. I slightly raised my head and spoke into Mitchell’s ear.

“I asked if you’re filming until dawn today too!”

As our bodies touched, Mitchell suddenly wrapped his arm around my waist. Just as I was about to struggle, he put his face close to my ear. I had to hear his answer, so I left my struggling hands be.

“I think I’ll be filming similar to yesterday. I’ll let you know if it gets later.”

“Sigh.”

A sigh escaped me involuntarily. Do we have to keep living like this? Just the thought of not seeing Mitchell made my chest feel tight already. Somehow, the symptoms seemed to have gotten worse compared to when I was with Junman hyung.

Back then, it was okay as long as hyung kept in contact regularly even when he was out.

Well, I guess it depends on who you’re dealing with.

Junman hyung was an ordinary person, so I didn’t need to worry much. On the contrary, Mitchell is someone who gets attention, welcomes, and love wherever he goes. Even on set, there would be countless people trying to get on Mitchell’s good side.

There are too many people eyeing my person. Not just the people around, but even the public who like Mitchell were all my enemies.

“You have a lot of fans, right?”

In my troubled state, I threw out a nonsensical question. Asking such a thing to none other than Mitchell. It was like going to a Brazilian soccer stadium and asking the audience if they like soccer.

“What did you say?”

Mitchell asked back as he turned off the hairdryer. The hand around my waist squirmed. Feeling it trying to move down to my buttocks, I quickly brushed it off.

“Do you have a lot of anti-fans?”

I changed the question. I just said something else to change the topic, but Mitchell frowned. He seemed annoyed.

“I do. And as many pesky stalkers as anti-fans.”

“Stalkers? You have stalkers?”

“It would be stranger not to have stalkers. For an actor of my caliber.”

It was an arrogant statement, but I quickly nodded in agreement. Mitchell was in such a position. No, he was a star beyond that. Even if I had continued my entertainment career in Korea without issues, I wouldn’t have had the chance to connect with Mitchell. He was a distant star in Hollywood, after all. Perhaps that’s why I sometimes still couldn’t believe that I had become close to Mitchell. But stalkers for Mitchell? They wouldn’t know Mitchell’s private life better than me, would they?

“Do they still follow you around?”

“Yeah. There was even a crazy guy who broke into the house. They said they haven’t caught him yet… But is this a question? Is it?”

Mitchell lowered his head. His gaze was now directed at the front of my pants.