#21 Venting, Exposure Training (2)
As the photoshoot reached its final stages, Seohyun irritably shoved her phone into her pocket. Today's outfit was light and easy to change in and out of, unlike the thick winter layers with sweaters that took forever and required touch-ups to her makeup. She was buzzing with anticipation at the thought of heading home for a bit of rest.
"Ha... this guy's texting me out of nowhere and ruining my mood."
She grumbled it knowing full well Yuchan could hear, as if daring him to listen. Anyway, with nerves of steel like his—not quite human, really—he probably wouldn't bat an eye at some childish petty revenge like this.
Seohyun was in the middle of shooting a spring promotional magazine spread that Park Director had slyly brought up not long ago. She'd all but forgotten the incident with him after the massive ordeal Yuchan put her through right afterward. It was a big deal in everyday life, but for Seohyun, who'd been rolling through the unconventional, it felt too mundane to stir any real emotion.
Park Director had clearly been fuming since she'd shot him down outright. So when they met again for the first time since, Seohyun was inwardly surprised. He'd dropped his authoritative air for something almost obsequious.
"Seohyun, you worked hard today. Here, this is ginseng extract—good for the body, real good stuff. Down it all~ in one go."
"Thank you."
Seohyun took the gold bottle with a lukewarm expression. What she felt from his palm-flip attitude wasn't anxiety, but disgust. He was dumb and gross, but not scheming or plotting anything. If anything, his simplicity made it more unsettling.
Maybe her suspicious glare showed, because he scratched the back of his thinning head and spoke up.
"About that thing between us the other day... At first, I was like, huh? Pissed off, you know. I've clawed my way up to this position with my own hands, and here I am getting lip from some fresh-faced young model."
"I'm sorry."
She apologized to head off another boomer lecture from Park Director. She'd been direct enough that he'd drop the harassment. But being the type obsessed with his pride, he'd want to reclaim his authority as boss in front of the whole crew.
"But then I thought it over, and girls your age are sensitive about that stuff. Maybe I was misunderstood."
Like it or not, in her line of work, she'd cross paths with superiors like him endlessly. A little unpleasantness for better conditions going forward? Worth the compromise.
She could hear whispers from the crew around them—not praising his magnanimity, surely. That's what you get for being oblivious enough to get disrespected behind your back.
"...Anyway, I'm not one to hold grudges. Maybe my way of showing encouragement was a bit too enthusiastic and caused a misunderstanding, but let's keep things smooth from here on out, no hard feelings. Uhahaha."
He slapped her shoulder again, and when she stared silently at his hand, he laughed even louder. Seeing her go quiet emboldened him.
"Whoops! That sexual harassment again? Sorry, sorry~ But Seohyun, no matter how pretty you are, being that prickly makes it hard to get married, you know? All this girl crush crap with you kids these days, but a woman's still gotta be chaste and good at housework to be the best."
"Ah, yes."
This fucking asshole. Nothing appealing about him, just bullying with his position. It was pathetic. If he'd been monstrous like Yuchan, she might not feel this urge to mock him.
Then KakaoTalk chimed.
Perfect timing—she'd been itching for an excuse to cut the conversation short.
"Excuse me a sec. Might be important; I need to check."
Without waiting for his reply, Seohyun unlocked her phone and opened the app. The barely maintained composure on her face twisted further.
It was from the last person she wanted to hear from.
Of course Yuchan. He couldn't know her wrap time unless he'd been eavesdropping—which he had, no doubt via some bug. Pinpointing the end from ambient noise alone. The realization sent chills down her spine anew at her own predicament.
"What? Who's that?"
"A friend."
Park Director craned his neck and peeked at her smartphone, so Seohyun hurriedly locked the screen. He eyed her curiously, then resumed what she'd thought was a finished lecture.
"Anyway, doesn't mean you were all right, Seohyun. I'm the director, your superior—even if something rubs you wrong, playing nice is how to wisely navigate the world. And checking your phone mid-convo with someone higher up? Rude, rude. I'm fine with it, but in front of others..."
As irritation edged into a headache, a brilliant idea struck.
"Director Park, could you give me a ride home today?"
"Uh... huh? What'd you say?"
Park Director froze mid-sentence, his face a mask of awkward surprise. His eyes bulged; he'd been playing the benevolent middle-aged mentor weathered by life's storms.
"Could you drop me at Ilsan Station after work?"
Until now, Seohyun had always dodged being alone with him, slipping away with obvious excuses like a sly vixen. For her to volunteer companionship? He widened his eyes to hide his glee, nostrils flaring.
"Of... of course!"
Baffled at first, Park Director soon convinced himself his gravitas and forgiveness had won her over. Visions danced in his head: him and Seohyun, hands clasped tenderly, with a son and daughter.
Park Director settled Seohyun in the passenger seat of his pride and joy, the Benz S350. He didn't show it, wary of seeming too materialistic, but his eyes must've sparkled inside. He'd scoured the used market recently for the best condition one: accident-free, low mileage, recent model. The sleazy dealer hadn't inspired trust, but driving it filled him with smug self-satisfaction. Benz screamed successful man, right? Better than flashy sports cars for spoiled brats—perfect for mature dignity.
He exaggerated his smooth cornering, gesturing grandly. He'd caught Seohyun glancing his way. The world preached that kind heart mattered most to women, but that was bullshit. Money appealed fastest. Even an ugly nobody in a Benz exuded boss vibes.
"Hahaha, who knew! Seohyun on a drive alone with me."
Buoyed, Park Director lowered his voice seductively.
"Didn't want to be late for my meetup. Thanks—looks like I'll make it on time."
"Psh, no thanks needed. Anytime you wanna ride, just say. I'll be your personal chauffeur. Uhahaha."
Seeing her turn compliant the moment she got in the car, he grinned. Marriage was a man's grave; he'd ignored women. Marry a shallow face-and-age chaser, and you'd scrape by on pocket change as a pitiful breadwinner. But Seohyun was different. For a wife fitting his tastes, he'd pamper her on 100,000 won a month.
Amid their cozy chat, they arrived near Ilsan Station.
"Ah, drop me here."
"Can't just ditch a VIP from our company. Hold on—I'll take you right to the parking lot."
Park Director swerved across two lanes in a flash from the main road to the station lot.
Honk! The car behind blared in protest at his aggressive cut-in.
"Look at 'em shaking, scared to scratch a Benz. Seohyun, hit a foreign import like this as a commoner, and your life's over."
"Ah, yeah, probably."
"Ahem, anyway, you've got 30 minutes—lemme buy you coffee at that cafe nearby."
"Sure."
No matter how aloof, she wouldn't refuse after a ride. Bratty and rude on the surface, but she knew manners with others. As expected, she nodded readily, and his nostrils flared again.
"Back when I started from the bottom, I slept less than two hours a day. Shooting, booking models, planning—total chaos. Coffee instead of blood in my veins. Even pissed it sometimes, swear."
"Wow, really?"
In the Starbucks across from Ilsan Station, they shared a "warm" conversation—or rather, Park Director's one-sided war stories. Seohyun just chimed in vaguely, the perfect listener except for her constant phone checks.
After excusing herself to tap away again, she finally spoke up.
"Thanks for the advice. But my meetup's here at the cafe, so I should head out?"
"Already? Oh well. Still, nice chatting one-on-one. Work's all business; I gotta stay neutral as director, so you seemed colder there?"
To leave a final good impression: strict pro at work, but warm-hearted underneath.
They returned their coffee cups and cake plates and stepped out.
"So, what's the meetup?"
"Ah, boyfriend."
Her casual bombshell left Park Director's excited yap hanging open. The great vibe had made him forget—she had a boyfriend.
He swallowed a surge of inexplicable betrayal. A twenty-something girl's fling? Not serious—just young lust. Sure, shiny young guys appealed now, but she'd fall for mature stability. He was confident. He could give her Christmas at a hotel, not a cheap motel; Benz road trips, not subways or buses.
"Boyfriend, huh? Mind if I say hi?"
"Ah, there he is."
"Hold on, where's my wallet?"
Rival or not, time to size him up. Park Director fumbled his wallet as pretense, blatantly hooking his Benz-logo smart key case on his belt. He straightened his slouchy shoulders, checked his reflection in the shop window. Time to show that punk messing with Seohyun who was boss.
"Seohyun, kept you waiting."
Yuchan strode up confidently. He'd stood out from afar. Taller than Park Director by a head, even in a crisp suit, his athlete's muscles bulged. No way it's him, he'd thought—yet here he was greeting her.
More shocking: he looked no younger than early thirties, at least five or six years Seohyun's senior.
"Who's this?"
Yuchan shot a suspicious glance at Park Director, whose confidence wilted under that handsome face and build. The blade-sharp eyes scanned his squat frame top to bottom, shrinking him.
"Why're you so late."
Seohyun, who'd been stiff with him, now whined cutely, tugging Yuchan's sleeve. No rival here—this was defeat before the race. Where'd his swagger go? Shriveled, he watched Seohyun grin wickedly and introduce him with exaggerated fuss.
"This is Director Park Chang-sik. Helps me out a lot at work."
"Nice to meet you."
Yuchan gauged her vibe, then stiffly offered a handshake. Park Director reluctantly clasped it, wincing at the crushing pressure, shoulders hunching involuntarily.
"Ah, yeah. Seohyun's so diligent and hardworking..."
He tried steering smoothly but choked. Instinct screamed: no match as a male.
Silence stretched awkwardly as Park Director trailed off.
"Anyway, see you at the next shoot. Thanks for today."
Seohyun bowed politely and turned away with Yuchan. Park Director couldn't muster a word.