Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Chat with the President
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After briefly moving to the conference room, the President and I sat facing each other directly.
I'd already gotten permission for making cookies myself to hand out to the fans...
Now I just needed to hear why he'd called me to the agency. Then I could head home and make those cookies with peace of mind.
I wished he'd hurry up and tell me...
The President was sitting across from me, leisurely savoring his coffee.
The total opposite of the hectic scene outside.
I'd been glancing around, but impatience got the better of me, and I spoke first.
"President, why did you call me here?"
"You've just been hanging out at home lately and haven't come by the agency even once."
After keeping his mouth shut till the end, the President suddenly tossed out an answer that had nothing to do with my question.
"Pardon?"
He let out a deep sigh and clicked his tongue.
"Come out like this every now and then and keep me company. Huh? Have you picked up the same attitude as the other guys? Am I that much of a nuisance to you?"
His voice was thick with disappointment.
Ah, no way.
Did he lie just to get me here for some company? I'd already gotten all the schedule details via text from my manager.
Fan meeting location and time, the order of events...
So if anything changed, he could've just told my manager to pass it on to me instead of summoning me to the agency.
'If it's just company he needs...'
That's not a big deal.
I shrugged lightly and leaned back comfortably, just like him, before speaking.
"How's it been lately? Still getting a ton of casting calls for me?"
Was my question to his liking?
President Do Bong-seok's lips curved up slowly as he shrugged just like me.
"...This time it's on another level. Nothing like when the other guys blew up. Casting requests for models, ads, movies, dramas—they're coming in non-stop for you."
I couldn't help but laugh at the way he shivered dramatically.
"Oh, right. You haven't given me any work at all. There must've been some good offers..."
"A guy who's been running non-stop without a break needs work? Take a rest."
...Take a rest?
I tilted my head and asked.
"Isn't it the rule to row when the water's coming in? Other agencies would be shoving you into variety shows left and right, saying there's no time to rest."
The President chuckled at my words.
"You want me to row in the middle of a typhoon? You still haven't grasped just how popular you are right now."
"What do you...?"
He shook his head slowly and folded his fingers one by one as he spoke.
"You saved a variety show on the brink of cancellation, revived a drama whose plans had been scrapped... This time, you put Marbo on the map overseas. With a track record like that, it's weird if your value doesn't go up."
"......"
"Oh! And one more thing! Gotta add that you have an adorable young daughter despite being so young."
I chuckled at his playful remark.
"What's the last one?"
"What I'm saying is, no matter how much water's coming in, you can't just row recklessly. And... didn't you say you wanted to focus on your daughter for a while? So now you want me to line up work? Rest when it's time to rest."
"Haha..."
I laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of my neck. Last time, I'd turned down work saying I wanted to focus on my daughter for the time being.
That's why even during my busiest period, I'd been chilling peacefully at home.
Wait a second.
'Didn't he give me some work last time?'
What was it...?
I was rummaging through my memories when—
Knock! Knock! Knock!
At the sound of knocking, the President shot up like he'd been waiting for it.
"Oh! Come in!"
The door flew open, and in walked a female staff member wearing horn-rimmed glasses.
"These are the clothes that came as a gift for Jun-seo ahead of the fan meeting."
"Oh! Made it just in time?"
Nod.
She nodded slightly and handed the clothes to the President.
"Yes, they say it's custom-made, and the fabric feels really nice. Looks like Marbo's improved their clothing quality this time."
"Good work. You can head out now."
After sending the staff member out, the President waved his hand dismissively into the air without even turning around.
"Jun-seo. Come here."
I snapped to attention at his call and jumped up.
"Is that mine by any chance?"
As I approached, he yanked out the shirt from the box and held it up against my body.
Then he narrowed his eyes, scanning me up and down before nodding.
"Hmm... Looks good."
With that, he set the shirt down on the table.
"Now, where were we?"
"......"
Ah, he really just wants to keep chatting.
Finally wrapping up the marathon conversation with the President, I stepped out of the conference room.
It felt like I could breathe again.
'Freedom at last...'
Even outside, his gravelly voice still echoed in my ears.
Businessmen he'd known for ages were relentlessly calling, trying to cast me, using their old connections.
Lately, he'd been venting to them about how exhausting it was. All while being mindful around me, the center of this whole storm.
Is the President the type to open up like this when things get tough?
"Haa..."
I let out a deep sigh and looked around. The quiet office had only my manager as the sole staff member.
Where'd everyone go?
I headed toward In-cheol, who was diligently sorting through something by himself.
"In-cheol, you busy right now?"
"Ah! Jun-seo. Stay back if you can. Nothing good comes from looking."
The way he said it just made me more curious...
I sneaked up behind him and peeked over.
A creepy letter scrawled in bright red saying "I love you," and a photo where Yu-na and I had been cut apart with scissors—it all jumped out at me.
"...Wow. That's some nasty stuff."
"I told you it's not a pretty sight. You'll just feel worse, so back off a bit."
I burst out laughing at In-cheol's genuine concern.
This stuff's common in this industry.
"I'm not a kid. Why worry so much? Besides, with you around, In-cheol, these kinds of fans don't scare me."
"H-Hem! Really?"
I smacked the determined back of the flustered, stammering In-cheol hard.
Smack! He winced, furrowing his brow, and turned away, mumbling.
"Why'd you hit me out of nowhere?"
"Hey, if you're done with work, let's head out together."
"Any schedule today? Doesn't ring a bell for me."
This guy's seriously clueless.
I'm trying to let him off early.
"I just made one. Gotta make cookies for the fans. There's a ton of ingredients. Help me buy and carry them."
"You can handle that alone..."
Murmur, murmur.
Voices arguing—a young woman and man—came from outside the office.
We stopped talking.
Making it even clearer.
"Move aside! You don't know who I am? Huh?"
"I know, but outsiders..."
"I'm just here to meet someone and talk for a bit, then leave! Move!"
"W-Wait a sec! Outsiders aren't allowed..."
Bang!
The noisy newcomer was a strikingly beautiful woman with gray hair peeking out from under a black hat.
Her age...
She looks a bit older than me right now.
Looking for someone specific?
She scanned the office, spotted me, and her eyes sharpened.
Step. Step.
She strode over powerfully, arms crossed, and raised her voice.
"Jun-seo! How long are you gonna make me wait? Huh?"
"What are you talking about? And who are you, anyway?"
At my question of who she was, she let out an incredulous laugh.
"Ha! You don't know me?"
"That's why I'm asking."
"...You really don't?"
Tap tap!
My manager tapped my shoulder and whispered in my ear.
"She's a singer who goes by the stage name Yusia. Whenever she releases an album, it tops the charts—no question. She's a big deal."
Singer Yusia...
Sounds kinda familiar...
I was searching my memory when—
The woman glaring daggers at me, Yusia, spoke softly.
"Music video shoot."
"...Ah!"
Then it hit me—the thing I'd forgotten.
'The casting call for Yu-na.'
She'd given me plenty of time to think, so I'd planned to ask Yu-na later...
But with all the fun playtime at home with Yu-na lately, it slipped my mind.
"...So you did forget."
"......"
With no response from me, Yusia's gaze grew even sharper.
"Yeah, you forgot. Totally."
"...I'm sorry. If you give me a little time, I'll get a firm answer from her soon."
"And if you say that but don't follow through, what's the point of us waiting...? We're really desperate here..."
No arguing with that.
This one's on me.
"Okay, got it... If Yu-na says no, I'll convince her as best I can."
"How long do I have to wait this time? Three days? Seven? A month? Ah... Could be a year."
This woman...
Holds a grudge till the bitter end, huh.
"......"
"So, by when?"
"...I'll give you a definite answer today. That work?"
She swept off her hat and turned away with a satisfied smile.
"Don't forget you said that."
I stood there dazed, watching Yusia's back as she left the office.
Looks like I've rubbed the wrong person the wrong way this time—a tough one.
With my manager's help, I bought all the ingredients needed for cookie-making and headed straight home.
"Jun-seo, where should I put the fan gifts?"
"Just leave them in my room."
"Got it."
"Oh! In-cheol. I'm diving right into cookie-making, so once you drop that box in the room, feel free to head home."
With that, I focused on making Ppappero and cookies.
One by one. Putting my heart into each.
How much time passed like that?
I'd made enough for about 30 people when—
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
The door unlocking made me jolt.
'Oh crap, what time is it?'
I'd been so focused, I forgot it was time for Yu-na to come home.
I quickly washed my hands and rushed to the entryway. Yu-na was standing there, sniffing around like she'd forgotten how to take off her shoes.
She really looks like a tiny hamster.
Dressed in warm fuzzy clothes, she looked even more like an adorable little creature.
"Yu-na, welcome home."
"Daddy! It smells yummy! What were you making?"
"Cookies."
Her big eyes sparkled.
"Can I eat some now?"
"Hmm..."
Can't bake in the kitchen right now, but maybe some bread?
Plenty of ingredients...
"How about Daddy makes you some bread?"
"Wooow! Yu-na loves bread too."
Zoom!
Yu-na beat me to the kitchen and poked at the cookies piled on the table with her little fingers.
Then stuck her finger in her mouth.
Oops, gotta move those.
"Heeheehee. Daddy! Can I eat these cookies? I wanna eat them now..."
"Did you wash your hands? Go wash and come eat."
"Yesss!"
She hopped down from the table, went to the bathroom, and came right back.
Drip. Drip. Water droplets.
Yu-na rubbed her hands on her clothes.
Sigh, should've dried them with a towel.
That eager to eat cookies?
Smiling, I put the cookie she'd poked into a cute little plate for her.
"Wooow!"
As she shoved it straight into her mouth, it hit me—I had something to ask Yu-na.
The music video shoot...
Should I ask now?