Flashback: Euna's Nightmare Audition Offer (10)
Hello. I'm Seo Euna. An aspiring actress.
I received an unbelievable offer for the first time in my life. One of the major investors in X Entertainment, Chairman Min of Taesan Group, wanted to meet me.
I'd just failed an audition for a manipulated agency and was feeling down when one of the staff approached me with a card key to the Empire Hotel and delivered the news.
"R-Really?!"
"Yes. The chairman wants to have a meal with you and discuss things in detail..."
"Th-Thank you!!!"
I'd failed the audition, but I'd gained something priceless. After hearing about the appointment time and precautions, I bowed 90 degrees to the staff member and left.
Hehehe. Ehehhehehe.
Even at home, I grinned like an idiot. I lay down but couldn't sleep.
'If Taesan Group's chairman pushes me, I can achieve my dream!'
Taesan Group. Korea's top conglomerate. Even Yangho Group paled in comparison, or so I'd heard. Their influence was immense.
And such a man wanted to see me...!
'Not the time for this.'
I picked out my prettiest outfit. I put extra care into my usually light makeup and headed to the Empire Hotel in the car the chairman had sent.
"Whoa..."
It was incredible. How much would one night here cost? Once I became an actress, I'd have to bring Mom here.
"Ch-Chairman...?"
I knocked lightly and carefully opened the door with the card key he'd given me.
"Hm. You're here."
"Y-Yes..."
A kindly-looking elderly man with white hair sat by the window.
"Hello. I'm Seo Euna."
"Good. I'm Taesan Group's Chairman Min Taesu. You know that, right?"
"Yes..."
'That's Taesan Group's... chairman.'
He had a massive build. It gave off an overwhelming presence. Despite his age, his eyes were sharp, his back straight—if not for the white hair, he'd pass for middle-aged.
"My, up close like this, you're truly beautiful."
"Th-Thank you..."
The pressure from a conglomerate chairman made me shrink. He smiled as he spoke, but... it was tense.
"Sit. Have you eaten?"
"N-Not yet..."
"Can't have that. You seem too nervous—come sit here."
He pointed to the seat across from him. I hesitated but sat where he indicated.
The chairman smiled, scanning me up and down.
"Up close, you're impressive. I can't understand why you've been overlooked."
"Th-Thank you..."
"Hungry? Try this."
He picked up a steaming chicken skewer from the table and handed it to me. I thanked him shakily and ate. It was... tasty.
"Good appetite."
He smiled warmly, but for some reason, beyond those eyes, I sensed a darkness I couldn't imagine.
"Here, try this too. Fresh fruit."
"Thank you..."
I accepted and ate everything he offered. Good thing I was hungry; otherwise, I might not have managed.
"Miss Euna."
"Yes!"
"What do you think is holding you back?"
As the meal ended, the chairman's question flew at me. I answered honestly.
"There are better actresses than me... and bad luck."
"Right. That's correct. But not the full answer. Know what it is?"
"N-No..."
He mimed pushing with both hands.
"No one to push you."
"Ah..."
"What's the point of good looks and acting if no one's backing you? Think investors and agencies exist for nothing?"
"Y-You're right."
"So, here's the thing..."
The chairman grinned. But that smile felt... unpleasant. An instinctive disgust.
He stood and sidled up beside me.
"What if I pushed you? Think?"
"Ah... well."
"Hesitating?"
His large hand landed on my slender shoulder.
"W-Wait a minute."
I reflexively twisted away, blocking his hand.
"It's just... too sudden. Sorry."
"Ahem..."
I didn't miss the feral flash in his eyes.
He sat beside me.
"Well... that can happen."
His hand dug toward my thigh. I flinched, trembling, and grabbed his wrist, pulling it away.
"Why... why are you doing this..."
"You're slow on the uptake, Miss Euna. I can push you—why dodge?"
What? He called me here for this?
I'd vaguely heard of such cases, but facing it myself blanked my mind.
"Stay still. Don't you want success? Endure an hour, and I'll make you a star..."
"No."
"What?"
"This is the body Mom gave me. I want to give it to someone I love..."
Someone I love... Why did that ajusshi's face pop into my head? Was it because he's so handsome?
"Heh. Young and pure, eh?"
"I'll go. The meal was great..."
Grab!
As I stood, he yanked my wrist with surprising strength for an old man. I collapsed back into my seat.
"Miss Euna. Know how much I've invested in film companies? Burying you is nothing."
"Go ahead."
"What?!"
I pushed back hard, startling him. Even if I became a star that way, I couldn't face Mom proudly. Better to find another path.
And... for some reason, I couldn't imagine seeing ajusshi straight if I did this.
"Think rationally."
"About what?"
"Abandon your dream on a whim?"
"If it's a spot gained like that, better to quit."
Why? I'd expect some hesitation, but the answer came instantly. Probably because of that 'hypnosis' ajusshi used on me last time.
The one where I suddenly couldn't move. Even without it, I'd have refused, but it made me firmer, faster.
I'd wondered what it was, but ajusshi had planned it. How he did it was a mystery.
The chairman's face twisted. Sensing failure, he used brute force, groping me forcibly.
No. I hate it. Anyone but you—not you...!
"I'll push you, it'll be quick."
"No...!"
I held his wrists, but I was at my limit. Please... help... Ajusshi!
Then, ajusshi burst through the door.
"A-Ajusshi?!"
I couldn't believe my eyes. I'd called for him, but he had no reason to come.
"What the hell are you?!"
Ajusshi's face twisted viciously as he snarled at the chairman.
"Hey, you fucking bastard."
Such harsh curses—unlike the ajusshi who always laughed off my teasing.
He didn't stop there. He tore me from the chairman and—
Thwack!
Punched him square in the face. The chairman yelped and crumpled.
"You okay?"
"Y-Yes...! I'm fine!"
"Good."
Ajusshi sighed in relief. Without thinking, I hugged him tight.
"What are you... you punk...!"
"Me? Her guardian, you bastard."
Eh? Guardian...?
"Euna, wanna step out for a bit?"
"N-No... I wanna stay with ajusshi."
I clung crushing tight. Why? Instinct, I guess.
"Can't be helped. Sorry, Euna—look at this for a sec."
Ajusshi shoved his phone screen at me like last time. Seeing it, I froze again, control slipping away.
"I'll be out a bit. Come back when I say. Got it?"
"Yes..."
No. I don't want to... Stay with ajusshi.
But my body ignored me and left the room.
Good thing. Really good. Looks like he resorted to force when words failed—if I hadn't arrived in time, it would've been bad.
I coldly looked down at the chairman sprawled on the floor, blood trickling from his nose.
"What are you... you punk...!"
Yeah. What am I? Honestly, Euna and I are strangers. Just an ajusshi who hiked with her a few days and an aspiring high school actress. No blood ties, no long history.
But no need to say that. I spat whatever came to mind.
"Me? Her guardian, you bastard."
Saying it made it feel right. Protecting her from this filthy geezer makes me her guardian.
"Guardian? No way..."
"Shut up. Why'd you do that? She's a minor. Not even an adult."
"What's it to you..."
Ah, stupid me. No point asking—he won't answer straight.
So, the answer? Hypnosis.
"Look at this."
I shoved the hypnosis app at the chairman. The moment he saw the screen, his strength drained, eyes glazing. I stood him up.
"Answer my questions truthfully. Got it?"
"Yes..."
"Why'd you do it?"
"She was too pretty..."
"You crazy bastard? Didn't know she's a minor?"
"I knew."
What? He knew and still? Psycho.
"And?"
"Young girls taste better..."
Slap!
I couldn't hold back, backhanding him. He flopped but rose immediately. His cheek swelled instantly. Despite the hit, hypnosis kept him blank, staring into space.
Maybe that's why my rage cooled fast.
"Ha, fuck... whatever."
No point digging motives. He's trash regardless.
"Listen well from now on. No more sexual desire for Euna or any women. Deeply regret your past. Care more for employee welfare, prioritize safety."
Might as well go further.
"Your company, big corp perks aside, exploits workers! I know you stiffed compensation for an overworked collapse! Find him, compensate properly, apologize personally!"
Taesan Group's rumors were rampant. Ruthless conglomerate.
"Not just employees! Boost social welfare! Bribed to cover a powerless worker's death? Next time, donate that cash to freezing elders without coal or helpless orphans! No more bribes, idiot!!!"
I remade the chairman into a better man.
"And finally, reflect on the past! Apologize properly to Euna and all your past harassment victims! Got it?"
"Yes... sir."
"Good. Finger snap wakes you."
Snap.
Life returned to his eyes.
"Gasp... What have I... done...! A child younger than my granddaughter..."
He clutched his face, collapsing, shoulders shaking in regret.
"Chairman. You blacked out briefly. I treated you—no issues."
"Ah... r-right... Is, uh, Miss Euna here?"
"Yes."
"I want to apologize properly. Call her..."
I nodded and fetched Euna.
Chairman Min Taesu knelt on one knee, hand extended. Euna hesitantly took it.
"I'm sorry. I must've lost my mind. Forgive me...?"
Euna silent. Glanced at me, then nodded.
"Yes..."
"Thank you... truly."
"Chairman..."
"I'll support you from now on. No one will..."
"No. I want to become an actress on my own strength. And..."
She trailed off, helping him up herself.
"I'm okay, Chairman."
He said no more—couldn't.
"Let's go, ajusshi."
Euna pulled me along, leaving the bowed chairman behind as we exited the suite.
In the descending elevator, I asked.
"Why? With his support..."
"It wouldn't be fair."
"This industry ain't fair. Don't wanna be an actress?"
"I do, but not by exploiting some creep's weakness. I want to succeed with my real talent. No matter how hard."
"I see..."
If that's Euna's choice, fine. If her reasons for the thorny path hold, no place for me. Can't—and shouldn't—hypnotize her.
I'd respect her decision.