Long Grudges (4)

I had never gone hunting before.

However, I imagined that a beast caught in my trap would be like that.

Director Park, who had hidden his black heart and feigned hardship, was now palpitating.

"I-I don't know what you're saying. What did you say I said?"

"'Mark my words, W&U will never help Mr. Joyoon regarding this matter' is what you said."

His cheeks trembled.

"I was curious what you meant by that."

"What meaning?! It just came-! It has nothing to do with W&U."

Although he said that, he was too flustered to control his facial expressions. The fact that he said that it had nothing to do with W&U sounded like it very much had something to do with it.

What was it? What did he know for him to guarantee that Nam Joyoon would never be supported by W&U?

Someone at W&U who met Nam Joyoon. And had a bad impression of him.

There was only one person who came to mind.

Let's see…

If he knew that an actor he rejected, especially one introduced by me, who he hated, obtained a significant role in a movie, then he might be bothered by that since it would mean his judgment was off.

I bent my waist and whispered into Director Park's ear,

"Did our Team 2 Leader say something?"

Director Park flinched in surprise. His eyes trembled rapidly.

His reaction was no different from a confession.

"You know him, right? The incident this time-"

"I am a movie director, of course, I know all the team leaders at W&U!"

Director Park cut me off and waved his hand.

"It seems there's a huge misunderstanding, but what I meant was whether W&U would look after Nam Joyoon when he has nothing to do with them and they have so many people to take care of! No, rather than talking about this, le-let's settle the contract first…!"

Seeing as he changed the subject, it seemed like he would spill easily.

Well, obviously, he would be more scared of a team leader than a chief like me.

Like they say, it's a small world.

"…"

I thought about how I could get him to open his mouth while silently staring at his face.

Ask? Persuade? These didn't seem like they would work.

Threaten?

Although I couldn't say for sure, it was worth trying. The timing just happened to be right as well.

I suddenly recalled how I threated Teacher Shim Kyungtaek. It surprisingly wasn't a big deal. And threatening the Punchline member afterward was even easier.

"The-…"

Just as I was about to speak, my phone in my hand vibrated. I glanced down and stopped once I checked the screen.

Lee Songha.

That moment, it felt like something creaked to a halt. Then a breeze flowed through my dark, stuffy mind. I was looking at my screen when someone clung to my other arm. Director Park's voice struck my ears.

"Should I really kneel? Huh? Just say it!"

"Stop it, Director Park! Why are you putting them in such a tough spot!"

CEO Kim Pansuk grabbed Director Park's shoulder with his pan-sized hand.

"Why are you bothering me when things are going well?!"

"What do you mean 'things are going well'?! Mr. Nam Joyoon is in talks with another project!"

"We can adjust for that! Mr. Joyoon, you're going to continue with the movie, right? Right?"

Director Park now clung to Nam Joyoon's arm.

His face was cloudy, seemingly worried about the film crew and cast's livelihood, yet he said,

"I won't."

His voice was resolute.

"Mr. Joyoon! This isn't a problem where you can say stuff like that so easily! Mr. Joyoon, are you going to abandon the film crew and cast, who were your family until this very morning, just because you have another opportunity?"

Director Park shook CEO Kim Pansuk's arm to the side and asked again, but Nam Joyoon shook his head.

Seeing him like this, I let out a short sigh.

I cleared my complicated mind and did what I had to.

"Director."

He turned to look at me with eyes full of expectation.

"Like you said, Mr. Nam Joyoon is still an unknown rookie. I think juggling two overlapping schedules will be difficult for him. Then I hope your project is a success."

Director Park's face soured as he looked at me.

What sort of expression was I making right now?

I lightly bowed and turned my back with no regrets.

"Damn bastards! If there's a problem with investments, it's all your fault!"

"Director Park! You're really! Mr. Sunwoo, please go!"

Held back by the Pan Production employees, Director Park continued to curse,

"We'll see how successful you get! I'll be watching you!"

I'll be successful. Without a doubt.

I repeated in my mind as I shut the door.

***

Long fingers tapped the sofa armrest.

Soon, CEO Baek Hansung turned his gaze away from the synopsis.

"The project looks good. Let's go with this."

"Yes. Then we'll proceed with this."

The waiting Team 2 Leader quickly replied.

Although his business was finished, he acted like he was still drinking his half-full cup of black tea as he examined the CEO's expression.

While the Team 2 Leader was looking for an opportunity to speak, the director, who was looking at his tablet across from him, laughed as he said,

"Why is it that our Lucky Charm is always popping up in the entertainment section? I can't tell who's the celebrity anymore."

"Since it's been brought up, about Jung Sunwoo…"

The Team 2 Leader picked up the conversation and stealthily joined in,

"Did you know that he brought an actor over while finalizing the SBE film shooting schedule?"

"The Team 3 Leader mentioned it a while ago. Apparently, he's someone our Lucky Charm has his eye on."

"Even if it's his actress's project, it was a company matter. Isn't it a problem if he brings someone not affiliated with us to a place like that? This sort of behavior is unthinkable in my team."

"He personally made clear that it had nothing to do with W&U. It's cute that he's so determined."

"Cute? Either way, the fact that he cannot distinguish between private and personal matters still stands."

The Team 2 Leader said.

Leisurely setting his teacup down, the director said,

"Why are you so fixated on him?"

"It's because I'm worried. I said it from the beginning. If you let him be, he's definitely going to cause a huge problem."

"Say that when he actually does."

Unable to hide dislike aversion any longer, the Team 2 Leader was about to get up.

"How was he?"

CEO Baek Hansung casually asked.

"Who?"

"The actor Jung Sunwoo brought. I heard you personally interviewed him. How was he?"

"Err… Nam Joyoon is his name."

The Team 2 Leader said, butt mid-air. He cleared his throat.

"His acting isn't bad since he did independent films for a long time, but that's it. He doesn't have that special aura of an actor. He's not an actor we should keep with an exclusive contract."

"Really? There wasn't any other reason?"

CEO Baek Hansung asked with a smile.

The Team 2 Leader frowned.

"There are tons of unknown actors who are as good at acting but are younger, better looking and have more potential than him. Even the new rookies we signed on this time are much better than him."

Confident, the Team 2 Leader added,

"I have a great eye for actors. Do you not trust me?"

"Oh, the great eye which said Park Dojin was someone of great character?"

"Director! Why are you bringing that up again? He was fine when I saw him!"

"Yeah, let's go with that."

The director smiled brightly as he nodded.

Face now red, the Team 2 Leader looked at CEO Baek Hansung.

"One saw something in an actor while the other didn't."

CEO Baek Hansung leisurely perched his chin on his hands as he said,

"I wonder whose eye is the real deal."

***

"Chief."

I turned around. Nam Joyoon was looking at me with a worried face.

It seemed my expression didn't look so good. Nam Joyoon patted my shoulder awkwardly.

"I was just thinking about something. I'm fine so no need to worry."

"How can I not? You were caught up in my problem the entire day…"

"In this situation, your problem is my problem. Also…"

I considered if I should tell him that the Team 2 Leader may have played a role in the hardship he suffered but decided against it.

There was no need to tell him more bad news on a day like this.

"Forget the past and focus on this."

I handed him a thick envelope.

It was the scenario of Director Choi Sungwon's new movie.

Nam Joyoon's face alternated between complicated emotions. He accepted the envelope with both hands. He held the envelope so tightly that his veins bulged. He even looked determined.

"Let's be successful."

"Pardon?"

Nam Joyoon's fixated gaze on the envelope rose to look at me.

The edges of my lips curled upwards as I said,

"Let's show them how successful we become."

"… I will work like this is my last."

"Are you going to die? Why would it be your last?"

"You said you wanted to confirm something."

When I tilted my head, Nam Joyoon continued,

"The day you came over and proposed we work together, you said you wanted to confirm if you had a good eye for actors."

"I did."

"So I will work like this is my last. I do not want to disappoint you anymore."

Meeting his resolute gaze, I smiled faintly.

"I wanted to say this before, but I think you should stop calling me 'chief'."

"Then…"

"No need to be so polite, hyung.{1}"

Nam Joyoon's eyes widened,

Then he smiled at me.

*

After dropping Nam Joyoon off, I returned to the company.

I went up to the PR Team on the fifth floor with coffee when I suddenly took out my phone.

Now that I thought about it, I didn't contact Lee Songha after texting her that I was in a meeting because I was so busy. I pressed the name in the list of missed calls. After a message informing me that it was a roaming call, it began to ring.

Was she busy?

She always answered by the second ring, but this time, the call ended before she answered. It was the same the second time I tried.

I wanted to hear her voice.

I pressed my contacts thinking about calling Lee Kwanwoo or Lee Taehee when someone said,

"It feels like you're the busiest person in the company."

I stopped.

The Team 2 Leader was walking over from the other side.

"I know, right? I'm quite busy."

I casually replied after putting my phone back in my pocket.

"From what Director Park said, it seems you were quite busy too."

"… Director Park?"

He tilted his head as he nonchalantly smiled.

"Why would Director Park talk about me?"

Pretending?

Still, I clearly saw it. The instant his eyes trembled.

My lips became crooked. It felt like poison was spreading in my mind.

Then I suddenly saw the future I had seen not too long ago.

The scene where my future self looked at a picture of the Team 2 Leader and called him his 'team member'.

I had various thoughts after seeing that. How did I originally live for me to make a team with the Team 2 Leader? Maybe the 'team' he was referring to was a blacklist? Maybe I didn't have any unpleasant encounters with him, only seeing his good side?

But another thought took root right now.

Perhaps my future self was…

Someone who it wouldn't be strange to be in a team with the Team 2 Leader.

*

I suppressed the thought that swept my mind and entered the PR Team office.

Whether my thoughts were complicated or not, I had a job to do right now.

The office was noisy for some reason. The employees were chatting around a table. I approached Team Leader Park, who was tapping on her keyboard all by herself.

"I'm here, team leader. I also brought coffee."

"Thank you. The entire day's hectic, but I'll be able to get through it with this."

Team Leader Park smiled while accepting the coffee.

"We need to prepare for the interview SBE wants. You should think of a few comments."

"Yes, how the situation with Ace?"

"It's chaos. Let them throw all the face they've built up until now. This is what happens when they say it's true without a single word from us. Did they think they could push around our PR Team?"

Team Leader Park said, puffing her chest.

I laughed. When I turned my gaze, I discovered two unfamiliar faces in the middle of the group of employees. They were a good-looking man and woman. Looking at their faces, they were celebrities without a doubt, but I had never seen them at work.

Who were they?

I saw the woman first, and when I turned to look at the man, the world spun.

There was so much static that it difficult to see properly, but I could clearly tell where I was.

The jib camera moving above me, and the camera rolling on the rails. The lights were shining so brightly they hurt my eyes. The audience's cheers and applause pounded my ears. And a man accepted a flower bouquet on the stage.

It was an awards ceremony.

I was standing amongst the staff, looking up at the stage.

The man hugging the bouquet said into the mic,

"To a lacking actor like me…"

In tears, his voice cut off for a moment. The master of ceremony's quick action filled this gap with applause. Soon, after barely managing to contain his tears, the man said,

"Thank you very much for giving such a huge award to a lacking actor like me."

"Hey, are you listening?"

Team Leader Park's voice brought my mind out of its slumber.

The static was completely gone. I clearly saw the two people surrounded by the PR Team employees. The two were greeting everyone with bright smiles, but the man soon met my gaze.

He suddenly stood up and approached me.

"It seems he's coming over to introduce himself. It's your first time seeing them, right?"

"… Who are they? They seem like actors."

"They are. They are the new rookies the Team 2 Leader selected not too long ago."

Team Leader Park tapped my back as she asked,

"What do you think? Do you think they'll do well?"

{1} Up until now, Nam Joyoon had been using polite speech to Jung Sunwoo despite being older. Here, Jung Sunwoo is using 'hyung', a more casual way of addressing Nam Joyoon than Mr. Nam Joyoon.