A Never-ending Cycle, Whether That’s Power Dynamics or Psychological Warfare (7)

{TL/N: NG stands for 'No Good'.}

People parted like the Red Sea.

Son Chaeyoung walked through the path.

Her white swimsuit peeked out from her loosely tied bathrobe.

"Wow, I don't know if we can even film because of Ms. Chaeyoung."

Director Woo said while looking around.

The film crew and extras were staring at Son Chaeyoung with faces that showed they could die right now with no regrets. In the corner, the security guards were busy scuffling with the spectators who were taking out their phones.

Seo Eunkyo, who now resembled a chihuahua, was wagging her tail at Son Chaeyoung.

"Sunbae, it's our first time meeting since the airport! Are you making a cameo appearance?"

I guess she really didn't remember.

"I was waiting to meet you again all this tim-!"

"Do you not remember me?"

Son Chaeyoung tilted her head and asked.

For someone who struck the back of another person's head, she seemed too nonchalant.

"Re-remember?"

"Not long ago. In the seventh-floor hallway. You were drunk. We saw each other then."

"With me? Uh, I blacked out that day…"

Seo Eunkyo's eyes shook. She was so taken aback that even her stuttering voice cracked. Not caring about her, Son Chaeyoung left while talking to Director Woo about the camera angle.

"Hey, look here!"

Seo Eunkyo abrupted swung her head towards me.

"I heard you were the one who discovered me that day. Was Chaeyoung sunbae there as well?'

"She was."

"Di-did I say something improper in front of her while drunk?"

"Ahh… something improper."

"Did I or not? Quickly tell me!"

Seo Eunkyo shouted, stomping her feet.

"You did. Rather than saying something improper, I think it's like you showed off your true self."

"Wh-what did I say?"

"That's… You said some very offending and unpleasant words."

I slightly frowned and shook my head.

"Saying stuff like who slept with who… You said things that would make people never want to associate with you ever again so I can't say anymore."

"Re-really?"

"Just thinking about it feels like it's dirtying my ears."

Seo Eunkyo's face paled.

"What did you say for her to be like that?"

Lying on the sunbed, Son Chaeyoung asked while glancing in her direction.

Seo Eunkyo was looking at us while looking like a nervous chihuahua that had made a mess.

"Well, it wasn't too far from the truth."

Since it was true that she said some very insulting words in Son Chaeyoung's presence.

Though her target was me.

"But… I thought you said you weren't doing a cameo?"

"I didn't come because of you. The director was just mistaken."

Son Chaeyoung said as she put her sunglasses on.

I was wanted to say something, but simply opened my mouth a little and stopped. I was at a loss for words. There were too many times where I tangled with Son Chaeyoung that I didn't know where to start to untangle.

No, to be honest, there wasn't a reason to nor did I want to.

Although I was the one who brought up apologizing, her terrible past was still vivid in my mind. Even if she apologized with utmost sincerity, I wondered if I could talk with her like nothing happened.

Not seeing her would be most comfortable, instead of constantly being entangled with her.

Just as I thought this, Son Chaeyoung said,

"I came here for me."

"Is that so? Okay."

That's fine.

I was about to turn around when she continued,

"It's embarrassing. A lot of people at work know that I wanted to work with you, but if you are disregarded out in society and people swear at you, what do I become? It makes it seem like I have a crappy eye for people!"

"Ah."

"Anyways, that's why I came. But you handled it on your own."

Son Chaeyoung looked at Seo Eunkyo again and shrugged.

Then she exhaled and brushed her hair to the side. She touched the back of her neck, which looked slender enough to fit in one hand, then grabbed the sunbed's armrests a couple times. She also opened and closed her mouth a few times as if she was beating around the bush.

I couldn't see her expression because her sunglasses covered half her face.

"Last time…"

Son Chaeyoung began to speak.

I heard hurried steps behind me.

"Oppa!"

It was Lee Songha.

Her bathrobe was tightly wrapped around her like someone had rolled her up in a blanket.

All that was exposed were her flawless, milky-white arms and legs.

The gazes that had previously focused on Son Chaeyoung now fixated on Lee Songha. There weren't just one or two faces that were enchanted. Another scuffle broke out between the spectators and security guards. There seemed to be a bigger commotion than before.

Who amongst them would know?

That, at this moment, the peaceful swimming pool was, in fact, a war zone.

I took some deep breaths. Since I was stuck between two people who always caused trouble when together, every hair on my body was alert. Making all sorts of preparations wouldn't be enough.

"Oppa, I changed into my swimsuit."

It seemed she didn't notice Son Chaeyoung.

Unlike her usual self that was unconcerned with her surroundings, she was conscious of her surroundings as she said,

"When I changed into it, it was a bit."

"A bit?"

"I think it's too racy. It exposes so much skin. The stylist unnies said it was fine, but I wanted oppa to tell me how it-"

While Lee Songha was hesitantly talking while fiddling with her fingers, Son Chaeyoung suddenly got up from her sunbed.

"What an amateur."

She took off her sunglasses with one hand and untied her bathrobe with the other.

The next moment, her bathrobe slid down her shoulders. Then she clearly revealed her white bikini. Sounds which seemed like admiration or screaming erupted around us.

My gaze also drifted to her for an instant.

Only for a moment. Just a moment.

"Why are you here?"

Lee Songha asked in a monotone voice.

Her gaze, which alternated between me and Son Chaeyoung, looked serious.

"Why? Did you rent the entire swimming pool?"

"The film crew did."

"I came to make a cameo appearance. Can't you tell?"

Son Chaeyoung said while placing her hand on her hip.

As she glanced up and down at Lee Songha who was wrapped tightly in her bathrobe.

It was clear that her actions disintegrated the last bits of Lee Songha's rationality. Her wariness of Son Chaeyoung, which continued since she met her at the airport, exploded like a grenade thrown without its safety pin.

"I'm not an amateur."

Lee Songha energetically untied her bathrobe.

Then, as if showing off, she placed both hands on her hips.

She wore a black monokini that was prepared for her top star Lee Sohee role.

I understood why Lee Songha said it looked racy. Just judging purely by exposed skin, Son Chaeyoung wearing a bikini had more. However, the monokini Lee Songha wore was designed with intersecting strings, it was oddly…

Stop it, you crazy bastard!

Now was not the time for this. This was a battlefield. A battlefield.

I forced myself to look away.

"Wow, the mood's great! Have the two of you already gotten into your roles?"

My heart quickly relaxed when I saw the hairy Director Song.

Fortunately, Lee Songha and Son Chaeyoung entered a ceasefire at the director's appearance. Director Woo made a frame with his thumb and index fingers as he looked in our direction, smiling in satisfaction.

Perhaps, yeah, perhaps Son Chaeyoung's cameo appearance would have a positive effect. Writer Jang said that she wanted actors to fly off the page and feel more realistic.

Maybe Writer Jang would be satisfied looking at this scene?

"The scene looks good. Amazing."

Director Woo said with a smile.

"I think this'll work great? I already finished editing it in my head."

"That great. It's the very important first scene."

When I replied, Director Woo looked at me with a sly expression.

"About that, chief."

"Yes?"

"I think it would be wonderful if you also made a cameo appearance."

What?

"Are you really going to do it? A cameo?"

A makeup artist asked while tapping my face with a compact.

"I have to. If it's a scene with Songha, then her airtime will increase and the director said he already finished editing it in his mind."

My face was already out there. I didn't think it would cause a huge incident because I made a cameo appearance for a couple seconds. If Lee Songha's first scene would be longer and increase its impact from this, then it wasn't something I couldn't handle.

After changing into an outfit, I approached Director Woo.

Director Woo and the Well-Made Production staff were gathered in front of the monitor. I looked at the screen from behind as well.

Lee Songha, Son Chaeyoung, and Seo Eunkyo were talking to each other.

The sight in front of me was busy with reflective panels, lights, a camera on rails, a boom mic, and a jib camera that moved in the air, but the scene reflect on the screen seemed like a completed drama.

There was a tremendous power struggle going on between two very prideful top actresses.

And an aloof heiress who couldn't stand it and cut in.

I observed the screen while thinking of their roles.

"NG! We'll start from the beginning again!"

Director Woo raised his voice while clicking his tongue.

"Ms. Eunkyo, what's wrong?"

Unlike his happy appearance, he looked completely unsatisfied.

"Why are you so dispirited? Are you not well?"

"No, director! I'll do it properly this time! Sorry!"

Seo Eunkyo bowed apologetically.

Seo Eunkyo, who had a gloomy complexion, talked with her similar unhappy manager. Not long after, the cameras began rolling again. However, Director Woo's expression still didn't look bright.

"It's not bad, but maybe it's because the other two are so eye-catching? She seems to lose out."

"Rather than losing out, it's more like she's squashed by their presence?"

A production producer from Well-Made Production added in a quiet voice.

"When Ms. Son Chaeyoung and Ms. Lee Songha are saying their lines, the mood's overflowing with tension, yet when Ms. Seo Eunkyo joins in, it completely deflates. It's no use even if I give her directions. We might have to cut some of her lines and reduce her screentime."

"She was really good during the reading session. Maybe she's not the type that does well in front of the camera?"

"She might be. Well, it's fine. The scene is abundant with just the other two."

The conversation went over to a more exciting topic.

"Ms. Lee Songha's acting is very realistic. She's a monster rookie."

"The rumors about her acting skills were so glamorous that I only believed half of it. This industry is known for exaggerating, but seeing her act in person, it feels like the rumors didn't go far enough? It's like Lee Sohee from the script is standing there."

The corners of my lips happily curled up.

The production producer admired,

"As for Ms. Son Chaeyoung, there's nothing more to say. I heard Writer Jang originally wrote Lee Sohee while thinking about Son Chaeyoung?'

"She did."

"When I heard it, I thought her image didn't suit the role, but seeing her now, it might have been great if we went with her as well? Especially when comparing the two next to each other. Her cameo role feels livelier than the lead actress."

"Just look at how much experience she's had."

"Even though Ms. Lee Songha isn't doing a bad job, Ms. Son Chaeyoung is just so-"

Someone poked the production producer's back.

Turning around, the production producer jolted from her seat upon discovering me.

"Chief Jung. That is… What I meant wasn't that…!"

It seemed my expression didn't look very pleased considering how nervous the producer was.

She did her best to compliment Lee Songha, saying how she was speaking nonsense just now and that Lee Songha's acting skills were topnotch.

I controlled my expression and nodded.

Then I pondered while observing Lee Songha moving in the screen.

Since I was a cameo now anyways, I needed to boost Lee Songha as much as possible.

How should I go about doing that?

"Chief Jung will go in for this scene."

"What kind of role am I playing? I can't prepare if you don't tell me."

Director Woo patted my shoulder with his thick hands.

"It's better if you don't prepare. If amateurs prepare for and think about their roles, it becomes too plainly obvious that they are acting and it'll look awkward. We're going to film your reactions without and dialogue so don't feel pressured."

"Ah, okay."

"Your role will be Ms. Son Chaeyoung's manager."

"Oka… Pardon?"

"Ms. Son Chaeyoung's manager. Ah, please wait for a moment."

While I stood rigidly, Director Woo approached Lee Songha and Son Chaeyoung. Both their faces become strange when they listen to Director Woo. Then they looked at me.

Lee Songha was obviously taken aback.

She felt like Lee Sohee just moments before, yet what did he say for her to act like this?

Son Chaeyoung had an expression that made it difficult to tell if she was smiling or frowning.

Just what was going on?

Director Woo soon called out to me so I came over.

Lee Songha flapped her mouth like she wanted to say something.

Director Woo requested,

"Since it's a cameo scene, Ms. Songha and Ms. Chaeyoung, you can adlib as much as you want. Let's make it as realistic as possible. Just say to yourself, 'I'm the craziest bitch in this industry.' Although it might be uncomfortable for you to say rude things to each other because of the seniority between you two, just close your eyes and bear it."

Uncomfortable?

Director Woo looked at me and added,

"Also, Chief Jung just needs to react realistically. The rest will be taken care of by the actresses."

Director Woo asked one thing from me.

To approach them like I had been looking for Son Chaeyoung. Then to leave it to the two actresses.

I waited for the director's signal as I watched Lee Songha and Son Chaeyooung act.

Just then, the director gave me the signal.

Gulping dryly, I approached the two who were arguing.

Multiple thoughts crossed my mind. My steps should be quick since I was supposed to be looking for Son Chaeyoung. Damn it, but why did I have to be Son Chaeyoung's manager? I couldn't get in my role.

Just as my foot stepped into the camera frame,

"Oppa!"

Son Chaeyoung cheerfully grabbed my arm.

"Good timing. Come over here! Do you know what she just said to me?"

She pointed at Lee Songha with one hand and dragged me with her other.

Dazed, I looked at Lee Songha who was blocking Son Chaeyoung's path.

What happened next went by in an instant.

A cocktail splashed on my face and a cold lemon wedge slapped my cheek.

Then I heard Director Woo's voice.

"NG!"