As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the natural landscape, the cast gathered for the long-prolonged end of filming photoshoot. Filming wrapped up earlier and so everyone proceeded to the shooting location, a forest-like landscape where one of the shoots would take place. As she surveyed the scene, her gaze landed on Yeong-Su, who sat apart from the rest, engrossed in his phone. He had a look of calmness on his face that contrasted sharply with the worry she had sensed the other day when he had hurried off after that phone call. She hadn't gotten a chance to talk him, to ask if he was okay as he was busy filming the scenes he had missed including today's scenes too.
Gathering her courage, she made her way towards him and cleared her throat softly, hoping to catch his attention without startling him.
Yeong-Su looked up, surprise lighting up his face, and instantly a broad smile broke through. "Chingu! You are here!" he exclaimed warmly.
His cheerful greeting caught the attention of the other actors and actresses nearby. Zee shifted nervously under their curious gazes, a wave of shyness washing over her.
She cleared her throat. "You left in such a hurry the other day, so I just wanted to check on you. Is everything alright?"
Yeong-Su's smile widened, a playful glint in his eyes. "Oh? So you are worried about me? Does that mean you have accepted being friends?"
Zee hesitated, caught off guard by his words. She opened her mouth to reply but found herself at a loss, her cheeks warming slightly.
He chuckled, waving off her silence. "oh my, don't worry. I got a call earlier that my little sister was sick, but she is okay now. She had an emergency appendicitis surgery."
Zee's eyes widened. "Oh no! I hope she recovers quickly!"
"Gomawo," Yeong-Su replied, his eyes softening. "The doctors say she will be fine, and I believe it. She is as tough as a cookie."
Just then, Min-Jun emerged from the tent set up by the crew, wearing his military costume for the shoot and sporting light makeup. He caught sight of Zee and Yeong-Su talking and frowned, his expression darkening as he looked away. He couldn't help but wonder what Yeong-Su saw in someone as dark as his shoes.
Min-Jun rolled his eyes before walking on. The moment he walked passed them, his perfume drifted to Zee's nose, momentarily catching her attention. Zee felt her chest tighten in sadness. Yesterday, he hadn't bothered with her and today he was doing the same. This was far from what she expected when she decided to apply for this job. How would she even get to find out anything about him if she can't get close to him?
Just then, the photographer announced the shoot was about to begin and Yeong-Su excused himself, leaving to partake in the activity. Zee turned around, her eyes searching for Si-Woo.
"Si-Woo," Zee called out, spotting him chatting with some crew members and approached him. "Can you grab some warm clothes from the costumes? Min-Jun will need them after the shoot. And while you are at it, could you pick up a hot cup of coffee for him?" She instructed.
Si-Woo hesitated, scratching his head. "Um, I'm not sure about that. We have never done anything like that before. What if he doesn't want it?"
Zee frowned, taken aback by Si-Woo's reluctance "You won't know unless you try. We are here to support him, right? Just go for it."
With a shrug, Si-Woo nodded, still looking unsure. Zee turned to walk away, her mind already racing. What was wrong with all of them? They were working for him and his priorities should come first but yet, she can't seem to see any of them doing that. Maybe this was why Min-Jun built up a wall because he seems to think no one cared.
As she continued reeling in anger, lost in her own thoughts, her path was suddenly blocked by a man conspicuously dressed in black.
"Excuse me," Zee raised an eyebrow, slightly irritated. "Can I help you?" she asked, trying to see past him.
"You must be Zee, Kang Min-Jun's new personal assistant," he said, his voice smooth and confident.
She eyed him warily. "And who are you?" she asked, crossing her arms.
He did not answer her question immediately. Instead, he allowed a smile to spread across his face. "I have a keen interest in everything about you," he finally replied, his tone laced with intrigue
Before Zee could respond, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek business card. "How long do you think is left before you are on your knees, begging to keep your job, just like Kang Min-Jun's former assistant?" he inquired, his tone a mixture of mockery and seriousness.
A chill ran down Zee's spine, and her hand clenched into a fist. "Excuse me, who the hell are you to say that to me?" she snapped, her anger flaring.
He chuckled softly, a glint of amusement in his eye. "I'm only a friend. You can prevent that from ever happening—all you have to do is contact me when you need me." With that, he handed her the card.
Zee glanced down at it, her frown deepening as she read the name: "Beom-Seok, KSN News." A reporter?
Her frown deepened as she raised her head to retort that she wouldn't be needing his services, but to her surprise, he was already gone, disappearing into the crowd as if he had never been there.
She stood there for a moment, the card cold in her hand, contemplating the strange encounter. What did he mean? What was he after? One thing was certain: she had no intention of letting anyone intimidate her.
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Chingu—Friend.
Gomawo—Thank you (informal).