Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Malice (3)
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I thought the stalking had stopped once the bodyguards showed up.
Nothing went missing the next day, and no more photos arrived.
But that was just wishful thinking.
Was this the vague unease I'd been feeling all along?
After finishing all my schedules and returning home, I noticed the items inside were arranged differently from how I'd left them.
Nothing seemed outright gone, but the script was subtly askew, and a drawer was slightly ajar.
'Hold on, don't tell me...'
And then I spotted the laundry pile, all messed up.
Shit.
I didn't have some obsessive compulsion to stack laundry perfectly, but I could at least remember what clothes and underwear I'd worn yesterday.
The topmost outfit and underwear were mixed in with others.
There were bodyguards on set—even following me to the bathroom.
I'd asked Yoo Jun-seung and Kim Gyu-jin to keep good care of my stuff.
That must've made it harder for them to move around freely like before, so they got pissed and came to my place?
The stalker had breached even this heavily secured dorm.
For the privacy of agency idols, our building only had CCTV at the entrance.
I called the security office, but they said no suspicious activity or intrusion attempts recently.
They checked the footage—no signs of outsiders entering.
The windows were locked tight, no forced entry marks.
Which meant... the worst-case scenario I'd dreaded.
'...The only ones who can enter my place are me, Yoo Jun-seung, and Kim Gyu-jin.'
I'd considered staff or cast members... even reluctantly, one of my managers.
But I never imagined it was actually one of them.
Someone I thought was a friend, someone I trusted.
Not content with stealing things I'd touched or drunk from, they even took my stockings.
Shoving humiliating close-ups of my armpits, chest, and butt into my mailbox.
They'd even snuck into my home when I wasn't there, rummaging through everything.
If not for the observational skills honed from acting practice, I might never have noticed.
I didn't want to know what they did with my things or in my home, but I could guess.
Stalking often blends sadism, sexual deviance, and obsession.
That profile isn't far from psychopathy.
They probably saw me as their possession, fantasizing about all sorts of things.
Did I trust them too easily because they were my managers?
I should've at least kept them from freely accessing my home.
Even now, they might be fantasizing about me with my stuff, doing god-knows-what.
The thought sent chills down my spine.
My head spun, heart pounding.
Today, both had left me alone during filming.
Kim Gyu-jin had company business and swung by to drop off an air purifier.
After he finished and came back, Yoo Jun-seung left to stock my fridge.
It started on set, but now my home too... they'd crossed an unconscious defensive line.
From here on, they could barge in anytime and assault me without it seeming off.
I couldn't be alone anymore.
I stuffed essentials into a bag and headed for Geum Yuna, Kim Seulgi, Lee Arang—anyone who could take me in right away.
Part of me wanted a place with a guy for safety... but getting photographed would spark a scandal.
After learning one of my trusted managers—Yoo Jun-seung or Kim Gyu-jin—was the stalker.
I couldn't easily trust the FM coach, Screenwriter Bae Jongwook, or even CEO Kim Seul-ong.
This was driving me insane...
I might even develop a hatred for men out of nowhere.
First, get out of the house.
Head to the agency, then straight to whoever I could reach.
Click—
I opened the door and stepped out.
As I headed from the dorm building to the outside,
I spotted Kim Gyu-jin snooping around.
Behind the parking lot, tree trunks, peering into every car window.
'...Shit.'
I had a feeling. It's this bastard.
Was he thinking the bodyguard might be hiding somewhere?
If I'd known, I should've dragged him home, slept together, gone to work together.
I never dreamed the culprit was one of my managers.
I thought the dorm was safe.
Big mistake.
I couldn't face Kim Gyu-jin without a bodyguard.
Not some potbellied uncle like Director Kim Chi-seung or Screenwriter Bae Jongwook—he had the build of a guy who worked out.
No confidence I could take him.
Back to the house. Back inside.
Remove the door lock batteries, chain it shut, and hold out.
No hard evidence, but call the cops first to escape the situation.
Proving it's stalking comes after I'm safe.
I spun around to rush back...
Bzzz—
The door sensed my bag and opened.
The sensor light flicked on.
...Shit.
I glanced back and locked eyes with Kim Gyu-jin.
"Huh? Gyeowol? Where you headed? What's with the sudden bag?"
"..."
No heads-up he'd come by.
He'd told me he was clocking out.
Kim Gyu-jin was poking around like he was searching for someone.
I gripped my phone tight.
Regretting not buying self-defense gear.
"...Going to Yuna sister's. What are you doing here?"
"Sister? You used to call her 'senior' so formally, opened up now?"
"That's not..."
His gaze was off.
The corner of his mouth curled up slowly.
Like a twisted smile.
Kim Gyu-jin had never smiled like that.
Calling Geum Yuna "sister" must've triggered him.
'...Dangerous.'
Thwack—
I hurled my bag at him.
He reflexively raised his arm and caught it.
"Ugh! What the—"
The security booth was about 100 meters behind him, a bit less.
Thud thud thud—
I bolted.
Kicking would've gotten me grabbed—that'd be worse—so ignore him and run.
I ran with everything I had.
Even if caught midway, security would reach faster.
"Stalker! Help!"
I yelled at the top of my lungs while sprinting.
"No, what are you—! Jeong Gyeowol!"
Kim Gyu-jin chased, calling out in flustered tones, but too late.
As expected, security beat him there.
"Something's wrong! Come here!"
Kim Gyu-jin was acting desperate, even trying to play the victim.
But you're done now.
I approached the guard with a triumphant smile.
"Huh?"
Mask and hat on, but that gaze was familiar.
Uniform, but that silhouette too.
...Yoo Jun-seung?
His eyes gleamed with malice, a menacing grin on his face.
Only then did I see the real guard running up behind him.
"Got you. My love."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The first time I saw Jeong Gyeowol was when she came to sign with KS Entertainment.
"Where are you now?"
"Oh... I'm sitting in that corner chair."
"Ah, found y— Whoa... jackpot."
No one I'd ever seen was as beautiful as her.
The way she tilted her head felt like it was digging into my heart.
Normally, I'd toss some small talk and poke around, but...
Right then, it felt like blasphemy.
I barely pulled myself together and escorted her to the CEO's office.
I held the door and flashed a smile to leave an impression.
A staffer who doesn't cower even at the CEO's door. Kinda cool, right?
If I were Kim Seul-ong... if I were KS Entertainment's CEO...
I could've been the one inside, chatting alone with her.
The world is so unfair.
If I'd been born into chaebol money, I'd have built an agency that crushes KS easily.
I wanted to eavesdrop, but the secretaries were watching, so I just stood there.
Only muffled voices came through.
CEO Kim Seul-ong called me in.
"Jun-seung? Mind showing actress Jeong Gyeowol around the company?"
"Ah, yes, sure! This way, actress."
That punk Kim Seul-ong, all show-off, but he had an eye after all?
Definitely setting me up to get close to her.
I guided her from the B4 gym upward, touring the company.
Felt like a couple house-hunting for their new place.
She nodded attentively to every explanation—three kids would suit her.
Introducing the rec room, she seemed a bit disappointed.
'...Wanna game with me?'
At the cafeteria intro, she hesitated.
Too shy to suggest eating together?
So, I'd step up.
Women fall for guys who take the lead.
"If you haven't eaten, how about we grab a meal together...?"
"Ah, sure. Sounds good."
She bit before I finished—like she'd been waiting.
Honeymoon spot: Kota Kinabalu?
After eating, we hit the cafe.
If this wasn't a date, what was?
Staff staring gave me a superiority rush.
"Aren't I causing you too much trouble? I can look around alone."
Pushing back lightly for appearances.
"No way! I'm grateful, really!"
Then I'd play along, like a fan.
She'd see my sense.
Sure enough, her expression shifted.
This guy's got that much game... wonder how he is in bed? Something like that.
Blushing already? Pace yourself.
She seemed to like the star-fan roleplay, so I'd amp it up.
"Um, could I... maybe get one photo?"
"Ah, yeah, of course."
But... she put her hand on my shoulder.
For real? I'd thought it was all fantasy till now. She actually likes me?
"Sorry about this..."
"No, it's fine! I mean—er, yeah. All good!"
First meeting, actress draping her arm around for a pic?
If a guy did it, habit maybe. But a woman? 100% interest.
Clear green light.
'Not just my feelings after all.'
From a lowly manager fantasizing about passing celebs,
To boyfriend of an actress too stunning for any idol to approach.
Thrilled,
"Hey, sorry, mind if I get a photo too...?"
Others started coming over.
Photo frenzy in the cafe.
She's a rookie actress. Dating rumors wouldn't help.
Wait till she grows more, core fans solid enough to weather scandals.
Then announce.
Until then, cheer from afar.
That feeling she has for me today—never let it change.
Bittersweet goodbye, back to work.
I need to become a man worthy of her.
But.
This Kim Seul-ong punk.
Assigning me as her manager?
Even if I make it big later, I won't forget you.
'...Might forget a little.'
Thought I'd be solo manager, but he paired me with Executive Kim Gyu-jin as mentor.
...Acknowledging us but saying timing's off?
He knew we'd get too cozy otherwise.
Fair... all lovey-dovey, one stray pic spells disaster.
Acting's her lifelong dream, but once my wife, she'll only have eyes for me.
Help her focus on acting now.
Play the perfect manager for a bit. Stay by your side.
But I'm impatient. Can't wait long.
That's okay, right?
I love you, Gyeowol.