Chapter 16
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 16
"What is this? Who returns sponsored clothing in this state?"
The moment Yeon-ju arrived at the store, a woman who appeared to be the team leader came out and snapped at her.
"I'm sorry."
"Look, if you bring it back like this, it puts us in a tough spot. Who would want to sponsor anyone after this? Where did someone who doesn't even know the basics come from?"
The team leader’s voice was permanently steeped in irritation. The deep crease etched between her brows was a testament to how often she lost her temper. She was an expert at crushing people, spitting out harsh words without a second thought.
"Which agency are you with?"
"…"
"Hey. Are you deaf?"
The team leader, who had been glaring at the clothes, turned her sharp gaze on Yeon-ju. Finally, Yeon-ju opened her mouth.
"I work under Director Jin Hae-young."
"Director Jin? From Chang-rok? Director Jin really has no eye for people. Whatever, I don't care. Clean this up before you leave. Go to that corner and steam it properly before you go. You know you'll have to pay for it if the fabric is damaged, right?"
As the nagging continued, Yeon-ju bit her lower lip. It felt as if the team leader was reminding her that a nobody like her was worth less than a slightly wrinkled luxury garment.
"Oh, Eun-seong!"
Just then, Yeon-ju witnessed a miracle: the crease between the team leader’s brows vanished in an instant. Her face broke into a brilliant smile as she greeted the man walking in. Yeon-ju’s own eyebrows twitched.
"Hello, Eun-seong. Was there any issue with our sponsored clothing?"
Since Eun-seong, who had kept his distance until now, had come directly into the store, the team leader struck up a conversation with the utmost kindness.
He pointed at the clothes he was holding and got straight to the point.
"I wrinkled these a bit on my way here. I was worried that might be a problem."
"A problem? Not at all! You brought them back in pristine condition."
The tables had turned in an instant. Yeon-ju clenched her fists, holding back a groan.
"My apologies. I'll be more careful next time."
"Oh, you shouldn't worry about such things, Eun-seong. You're so considerate. Don't worry about a thing; we'll take care of it. Thank you, as always."
"Then, I'll be on my way."
"Yes, of course. Please make sure to attend our next season's event."
"I will. It's my first time meeting you, but you're remarkably kind."
As Eun-seong finished his greeting by calling it their "first meeting," the smile was wiped clean from the team leader's face. I've worked at this store for years. We've crossed paths so many times, and he thinks this is our first meeting?
"Ah, yes. Have a safe trip back, Eun-seong."
Sensing the other employees snickering behind her, the team leader forced a smile.
As Eun-seong walked past, he lightly tapped Yeon-ju's shoulder. The moment his back was turned, the team leader's face hardened as she glared at Yeon-ju again.
"What are you doing? Get going. Hurry up."
Only after bowing deeply did Yeon-ju step out of the store. She watched Eun-seong get into his car. Now that the return was complete, she couldn't expect a ride back.
"I'll be going now. Thank you."
When Yeon-ju approached the driver's side to say goodbye, Eun-seong rolled down the window just a crack. He flicked his fingers, shooing her away.
"Right. Keep my words in mind. I know this is a good opportunity for your son, but there will be other chances. For this movie, just…"
"No. I'll make my own decision about that."
I hope your son doesn't star in it.
"Wh-what do you mean, you'll make your own decision? Are you… are you saying you're going to let him do it?"
"I'll discuss it with my son."
"Hey! Are you telling me to—"
Eun-seong trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. Yeon-ju, her face set with stubborn determination, added her final words.
"My son and I will handle our own affairs. A parent can't crush what their child wants to do. Especially if it's their dream."
"…"
"Thank you for sharing your valuable opinion. Have a safe drive."
After saying her piece, Yeon-ju opened her umbrella. As she walked away and quickly disappeared from view, Eun-seong stared into the rearview mirror, his mouth agape. No matter how many times he replayed it in his mind, the sheer absurdity of it made his head feel like it was about to explode.
No. I'll make my own decision about that.
"What does she mean she'll make her own decision? I'm the one acting in it, so how does this have nothing to do with me?"
Is she telling me to act as a father to her son? How? How?
Eun-seong gripped the steering wheel, exhaling a series of deep breaths. Since it seemed difficult to sway Director Park, who had fallen for Yeon-ju's son at first sight, he had thought persuading Yeon-ju would be the easier route. Apparently not.
Was Go Yeon-ju really that ambitious? Was she willing to do anything for her son's success?
That relentless, cruel woman…
"Ha, this is driving me crazy."
Eun-seong groaned, suffering under the tyranny of Go Yeon-ju. Glancing down at the chocolates she had left behind, he tossed a couple into his mouth and crunched down on them angrily.
Acting with Go Yeon-ju's son. As father and son, no less. A hollow, half-mad laugh began to escape his lips.
Now, as in the past, she was hazardous to his heart. No matter how much time passed, she remained unchanged.
* * *
"Out to buy snacks with your mom, Han-byeol?"
Holding the hand of Han-byeol, who had said he wanted ice cream, Yeon-ju visited a small mart near their house. Knowing his grandmother would nag him for eating ice cream so late, the mother and son had embarked on a secret night excursion, agreeing to finish it before heading home.
"Yes. It's a secret from my grandma."
"Of course. My lips are sealed."
Even as she watched Han-byeol meticulously recruit the mart owner into their little pact, Yeon-ju couldn't bring herself to smile. As he scanned the barcode on the ice cream and handed it over, the mart owner wore an admiring expression.
"My, the more I look at him, the more handsome he gets. Whose son is this perfect?"
Today, of all days, even such compliments brought her no joy.
"Han-byeol, you grow up just like this and become an actor. You could easily be a celebrity."
At the mart owner's words, Han-byeol glanced at his mother. It was a compliment he had heard so often he was sick of it, but this was the first time he had ever checked his mother's reaction.
"Have a good night."
"You too, Han-byeol's mom. Get home safe."
Yeon-ju took Han-byeol's hand and left the mart. They entered the adjacent park, walking slowly as they ate their ice cream. The night sky was clear after the rain, and a cool breeze was blowing.
"I think it's autumn now, Mom."
"Yeah. It seems so."
As they walked hand in hand, Yeon-ju looked down at her son. In the face of the boy nibbling on his character-shaped ice cream, she saw brief glimpses of Eun-seong.
"Han-byeol, how was the movie set today?"
"It was just okay. A bit boring."
Her son's effort to spare her feelings made her heart ache. Feeling a bitter taste rise in her throat, Yeon-ju took a bite of her ice cream.
"Han-byeol. Do you know what acting is?"
"Isn't it just doing what's written in the script? It's all written down."
"Do you want to do that? Really?"
"Hmm…"
Han-byeol hesitated, unable to answer easily. He seemed to be pondering, trying to gauge his mother's true feelings.
"It's okay. You can be honest. I want to hear what you really think."
"Well… it's something I've never done before. So I'm curious."
"If filming starts, you'll have to miss school and your academy classes sometimes. Things like that will happen."
"But I might learn things they don't teach at school."
Yeon-ju stopped in her tracks. A deep tremor shook her heart. How could he give such a clever answer? When had her child grown up so much?
As his mother stopped and stared, Han-byeol looked up at her. Seeing her son with chocolate smeared around his mouth, a soft laugh escaped her. Yeon-ju wiped his mouth with her hand and spoke.
"Han-byeol. If you want to do it, you can."
"All of a sudden?"
"Earlier, Mom was… well, I was a bit flustered. You know Mom's a coward, right? So I think I was just scared."
"Yeah. Mom is a coward for no reason. How can you know without trying? The only way to know is to try."
"You're right."
After being pushed around all day, a sense of injustice swelled within her.
Do I have to rob my son of his dream, too? Why must we always be the ones to run and hide? Isn't it enough that I alone became the villain and gave up on my life?
I hope your son doesn't star in it.
The thought that he had waited just to say those words made all the strength drain from her body. Her resolve to stop Han-byeol's dream at all costs shattered in an instant.
No. I'll make my own decision about that.
She hadn't intended to say that, but the moment the words left her lips of their own accord, she realized what she truly wanted.
"But I want you to think about it carefully. Mom trusts you. Think it over and give me your answer."
"Okay. I'll think about it."
"Yeah. Whatever you choose, Mom will respect it."
At that moment, she made up her mind. She would watch closely to see where God was trying to lead her son. If it was a path that led toward him, she would fight it. She had never asked for God's help, so she would block the way with her entire being, telling Him not to interfere this time either.
She didn't want to teach her young child how to get lost. She couldn't let the child holding her hand become a lost child.
Han-byeol. Promise me. Don't let go of Mom's hand. And breathe easy. Wherever we walk, wherever we go, you can believe that we are on the right path.
"Han-byeol. Is the ice cream good?"
"Yeah. It's refreshing. Let's eat half and swap, Mom."
"Okay. I wanted to try that one, too."
I'll be the only one to lose my way.
* * *
The Path I Was Told Not to Take
"Right, Yeon-ju. To be completely frank, opportunities like this don't come around often. It's like winning the lottery."
In the meeting room, Director Park Hyeong-uk, several staff members, Hae-young, Yeon-ju, and Han-byeol were all seated.
"For some kids, this is a miracle. Debuting in a film by Director Park Hyeong-uk, starring actor Im Eun-seong—a debut like this means you've already made it."
When morning came, Han-byeol had said he wanted to act. Yeon-ju immediately called Hae-young, and the contract meeting was swiftly arranged. No matter how one looked at it, the situation was unprecedented. Deciding on a major child role based solely on the director's intuition, without a single camera test, was something only Director Park Hyeong-uk could pull off.
The staff member kept droning on about what an incredible opportunity this was, a lecture designed to drill into them that such a chance would never come again.
"He's really handsome. His expression looks just like his mom's, doesn't it?" Director Park murmured, breaking the flow.
Yeon-ju looked at Han-byeol. People meeting him for the first time always said he resembled his mother. His smile, especially, was a spitting image. He was like a painting where Yeon-ju's colors had been added over Eun-seong's sketch. It was truly a wondrous mystery of genetics.
"Now, how shall we proceed with the contract?" a staff member asked.
Hae-young stepped forward. The moment she received Yeon-ju's call, she knew it was her turn.
"I will take full responsibility for managing Han-byeol. Let's sign the contract with our Chang-rok Entertainment."
"If Director Jin is stepping in, there's no problem. Then there's really nothing to reconsider."
Just as the staff member said, having Hae-young there was incredibly reassuring. Since Yeon-ju knew nothing about the industry, her help felt immense. Hae-young proceeded with the contract as their representative.
While they were discussing the various terms, the door opened and Eun-seong walked in.
"Oh? Eun-seong!" Director Park asked in surprise, as if he were an uninvited guest.
Yeon-ju's eyes widened. Han-byeol slowly turned his head. Eun-seong, standing in the doorway, looked at Han-byeol.
It was their first meeting. The first meeting of a father and son who did not recognize each other.
Eun-seong walked in casually, pulled out a chair, and sat down directly opposite Yeon-ju and Han-byeol. He crossed his long legs comfortably and lifted his head.
The moment his gaze landed on Han-byeol, Yeon-ju tensed completely. Recalling what he had said last night, her fingertips began to tremble. He was here to make her pay for defying him, to overturn the contract itself. A single word from Eun-seong could make this entire deal vanish into thin air. She knew all too well that he was an actor with that kind of power.
"What brings you here? I was debating whether to contact you, but I figured you'd be busy," the director said with a welcoming smile.
Eun-seong remained silent for a few seconds, his eyes fixed on the child. The longer the silence stretched, the more anxious Yeon-ju became.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, his voice devoid of emotion.
"I was passing by and heard you were signing the contract, so I dropped in."
Yeon-ju held her breath.
…I dragged my shabby body, withered by farewell.
Only at the entrance to the destination laid out by God did I close my eyes in belated realization.
"To see my son's face."
This path, this alleyway.
"Since I'm the dad."
I was traversing destiny.