Chapter 192: The Bombing Starts (13)

"...Everyone, please go back in."

Ha Jae-Gun watched the writers go back into the office with an expressionless face.

Won Ji-Yeon cut a sorry figure as she stood there alone.

Writers should be in the office writing novels. Please return. Ha Jae-Gun entered the pa.s.sword and grabbed the door k.n.o.b.

Just before Ha Jae-Gun crossed the door, Won Ji-Yeon went down on her knees behind him and exclaimed, P-Please forgive me, Mr. Ha!

Are all of you not going to come in? Im going to close the door now.

Ha Jae-Gun was treating Won Ji-Yeon as if she were invisible.

Won Ji-Yeon still continued begging Ha Jae-Gun, rubbing her palms together. I was out of my mind; living has become too hard on me that I made a grave mistake. Im sorry, Im really sorry! Its all my fault. Please, I beg of you, Mr. Ha!

Huge droplets of tears dropped from her eyes.

Jung So-Mi scrunched her nose as she stood amongst the other writers. Putting aside the crime Won Ji-Yeon had committed, Jung So-Mi felt pity for the woman who was kneeling there begging for forgiveness.

Ill do everything you ask. Please just forgive my foolishness for once. Ill accept any punishment you give me.

Sob!

Won Ji-Yeon bowed, her forehead touching the ground while sobbing heavily.

Her sobs rang loudly through the corridor. A few neighbors who alighted from the elevator were curious about the sobbing and loitered around to watch.

Ive made it very clear that day, Ha Jae-Gun mumbled as he took off his coat. He was slowly warming up. Thanks to his ability to keep his emotions in check, Ha Jae-Gun added, I said I would wait until midnight that day, but you never contacted me.

I-I I was too scared and horrified! I spent the entire night thinking how I should best apologize! Won Ji-Yeon tried making up excuses that couldnt even work on Ha Jae-Gun.

Ha Jae-Gun smiled coldly and cut her off, saying, And Im not the only one who can punish you, Ms. Won Ji-Yeon. You should already have made enemies everywhere, so I hope you will stay strong and get through this.

Ha Jae-Gun finished his piece and walked into the office.

Won Ji-Yeon collapsed to the floor with a thud. There was no room for forgiveness.

Darkness filled her eyes in an instant.

Lets go in, too, Kang Min-Ho said and urged the others back into the office.

Kang Min-Ho took one last look at Won Ji-Yeon before closing the door behind him.

Miss, whats wrong?

Hmm?

Why are you doing this here?

Two middle-aged ladies approached Won Ji-Yeon and started asking her questions.

Won Ji-Yeon wiped off the tears on her face and stood up. She wobbled toward the elevator while the pa.s.sers-by cast strange looks on her.

Where should I go

Won Ji-Yeon realized that she had nowhere to go as she pressed the b.u.t.ton to the first floor.

Grabbing tightly onto her light wallet, she felt tears about to force out of her eyes.

This cant do I should try asking for advanced payment at least

The money she had at the moment was not enough to pay for her meals, let alone the rent for her studio. After giving it much thought, Won Ji-Yeon took out her phone and dialed the number of a senior writer whom she knew with trembling fingers.

Yeah, Ms. Won Ji-Yeon. I was about to give you a call, too.

Her senior said with vigor as soon as they answered the call.

Sounding suspicious, Won Ji-Yeon replied cautiously, W-what is it?

Oh, you first. Why did you call?

I uh Im quite tight these days, so Im really sorry, but I was wondering if I could get advanced payment?

An unexpected laughter came through, then the senior writer said,

Of course. Is 500,000 won enough?

Y-Yes, I'd be extremely thankful if you could. Won Ji-Yeon smiled warmly.

However, her smile immediately collapsed.

Ill transfer it to you in ten minutes. You dont have to come to work tomorrow.

Pardon?

Dont you understand Korean? Im paying you more than enough, considering all the work youve done up until now. Since youre in need of money, too, I should just take the chance too. Arent you thankful?

S-senior, what are you s-saying? Won Ji-Yeon grabbed her phone tightly, trembling uncontrollably.

The elevator arrived on the ground floor and opened its doors. Notified of her dismissal, she had totally forgotten that she had to take the back door to avoid the group of reporters that had gathered out front.

Do you know how much the producer and Writer Kim got reprimanded because of you? Wouldnt it be unfair and wrong for Local Culture TV to lose Writer Ha Jae-Gun because of someone like you?

S-senior!

f.u.c.k, dont call me that!

Won Ji-Yeons leg buckled beneath her as she flinched in fear.

Ah,

seriously. I didnt want to say such things to you since youre a woman, but dont live like that, okay? Even if youve become trash, at least be recyclable if you still think of yourself as a human. Dont ever call me again!

Beep!

The call ended. Won Ji-Yeon stood dazed in the middle of the lobby, where countless people walked through. A few reporters snooping outside the entrance discovered her and pressed their camera shutters at her.

***

[Chae Bo-Ras official statement: I will punish Won Ji-Yeon for my fans]

[Won Ji-Yeon refused admittance by Writer Ha Jae-Gun, teases public with petty media play again?]

[Chae Bo-Ra sheds tears at the press conference: I never knew she would get back at me for a warning I gave in the past]

[Responses from Chae Bo-Ras close friends: Bewildered,' Bo-Ra was always an angel, she cant breakdown]

[Chae Bo-Ras fan cafe members increase in numbers, endless comfort and encouragement from fans]

[Tele-interview with Writer Ha Jae-Gun: I dont have enough time to write; I dont wish to join in the fight without evidence]

That f.u.c.ker!

Park Do-Joon clenched his phone so tightly that it was at the point of breaking.

If he were at home and not at the pork rice soup restaurant, he would have thrown his phone at the wall. It had been almost ten years since he became an actor, but he was always learning the powers of media play.

Madam, please give me another bottle of soju.

He was currently in a shabby restaurant somewhere in Jongno. If it werent for Ha Jae-Guns recommendation, he wouldnt have visited such a place in this life. It was cheap, and the food was delicious; the best part was that he didnt need to be conscious of others while he was here.

You punk, how can you be drinking in broad daylight even if you dont have any work lined up? Woo Tae-Bong sighed as he stepped into the restaurant and sat down across from Park Do-Joon.

Park Do-Joon didnt even look at Woo Tae-Bong and filled his own gla.s.s with soju.

Chae-Rin is very worried about you. You should at least give her a call.

Ill be meeting her later in the evening anyway. Hyung, do you want some drinks?

Wholl drive if I drink? Yimo, just give me a bottle of soda. Tea-Bong filled his gla.s.s with soda and raised his gla.s.s.

Park Do-Joon clinked gla.s.ses with him and said casually before drinking, Bo-Ra knows of my relations.h.i.+p with Chae-Rin.

What?

I told her to apologize to Ha Jae-Gun, but she told me that instead. How did she know? Park Do-Joon asked, then emptied his gla.s.s.

Woo Tae-Bongs face turned serious, and the gears in his mind began running. After a while, he finally said, Could it be Woo Jae-Hoon? Youve been hanging out with him for so long before. Hes close to Cho Cheol-Won from See&Good, so he connected him with Bo-Ra from ICU Entertainment.

Thats quite possible.

Hey, Park Do-Joon, eat something while you drink.

I dont have the appet.i.te. Park Do-Joon shook the empty bottle and ordered another bottle for himself.

Woo Tae-Bong took off his coat and loosened the tie around his neck. I cant stand this any longer. Ill just call a subst.i.tute driver, then. Let me have a gla.s.s.

Im sorry, hyung, for not listening to you.

Wow, the high and mighty Park Do-Joon knows to apologize as well? The world has changed indeed.

With a bitter smile, Woo Tae-Bong continued. I know how much you like Writer Ha, so it's not strange that you're angry. But you must know thisthe most important person here isnt him, but yourself.

I know.

The TV hanging on the wall was showing news about Bo-Ras press conference. It showed Bo-Ra sniffling before the incessant camera flashes.

Park Do-Joon looked down with a disgusted look.

That b.i.t.c.h is going to sweep away the best actress award this year.

Just forget about it, alright? That is how the world rolls.

I will. I just want to try one last thing. Park Do-Joon raised his finger.

Woo Tae-Bongs face turned white instantly. One more thing? What kind of scary news is this?

Bzzt!

Just then, Park Do-Joons phone rang. Woo Tae-Bong's eyes widened in shock when he caught a glimpse of the name on the screenWon Ji-Yeon.

Park Do-Joon calmly picked up the phone.

Did you meet him?

Im on the way over

Do your best. Dont worry about the expenses. Im warning you again, but if this goes to Ha Jae-Guns ears, Im not going to let you off.

Yes, I will keep it in mind. Thank you a lot for giving me the opportunity.

Im adding this in case youll get mistaken, but Im not doing this out of pity for you. Its just because of this ridiculous situation youre in.

I-I know Im sorry

If you are, then do well from now on.

Park Do-Joon then hung up the call.

Woo Tae-Bong then asked with his hands on the table, What happened? Why did you contact that a.s.sistant writer?

I just introduced her to Oh & Jang Studio. I should do everything within my means to help.

He hated Won Ji-Yeon as much as he hated Bo-Ra. From Park Do-Joons perspective, both ladies were the same kind of trash. He did not like it, but there was nothing else he could do about it.

Does Writer Ha know about this?

Didnt you hear the conversation just now? Of course, he doesnt know. Dont tell Ha Jae-Gun about this, hyung. Hes not going to like it once he finds out that Im doing this because of him.

You really love your friend, eh? Woo Tae-Bong said, sticking his tongue out.

Park Do-Joon chuckled and grabbed his phone again. The screen showed

Lets Watch A Movie

.

***

Nun-Sol, get down. Go play with Rika noona instead. Jung So-Mi put down the pen that she was playing in her hand.

However, Nun-Sol stayed curled up on Jung So-Mis lap like a huge lump of snow. My legs are cramping. Both you and Rika are taking turns sleeping on my lap, so I cant stretch them. Quick.

Meow

.

Stop whining, you cutie. Do you really think that cuteness solves everything?

Hmm?

Jung So-Mi couldnt hold herself back and grabbed Nun-Sol, kissing him all over. The door to the bathroom opened behind Jung So-Mi, and Ha Jae-Gun walked out of the bathroom.

You really like Nun-Sol.

Ah,

I! Nun-Sol is just too cute!

Jung So-Mi turned red with embarra.s.sment and put Nun-Sol down. She looked down and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Ill make us breakfast.

You dont have to. You have early appointments today, so please rest.

Its not hard to cook rice. Please give it to me.

Ah.

Ha Jae-Gun s.n.a.t.c.hed the rice cooker bowl from Jung So-Mi and poured raw rice into it. Jung So-Mi prepared soybean stew beside him and muttered, Youre finally expanding into Hollywood.

Ill have to meet them to hold discussions first. Ha Jae-Gun smiled.

The people he was scheduled to meet today were the licensing in-charge from Paramountain and agent Chae Yoo-Jin. They had flown over to Korea for the licensing rights for

Gyeoja Bathhouse.

Of course, the huge news had spread all over the internet. Of course, Oh Myung-Suk would accompany Ha Jae-Gun to the meeting.

Youve been busy working on your novels; you must be all over the place.

Not really. Once the licensing or copyrights are sold, thatd be the end of it, so theres nothing much for me to do either. Even the scenario for

Summer in My 20s

has been taken over by Director Lee. Right now, I just have to complete the final volume for

Oscars Dungeon

.

The two of them collaborated and quickly finished preparing their breakfast. While the stew was boiling, they prepared egg rolls, seasoned vegetables, braised mackerel, and cuc.u.mber kimchi.

Shall we start waking the others up?

Lets dig in first. They should still be tired after writing the entire night.

Ha Jae-Gun and Jung So-Mi sat down and started eating breakfast.

Jung So-Mi was fl.u.s.tered as her hand almost automatically reached out to grab a piece of the egg roll for Ha Jae-Gun. Her body had moved faster than her mind.

Um, Writer Ha. Can I ask you something?

Yes, go ahead.

That a.s.sistant writer Youre not planning to forgive her, right?

Ha Jae-Gun stopped feeding himself and looked up. Jung So-Mi waved her hand in a hurry and added, No, I was just asking out of curiosity since she cried so much that day. I was just wondering if she had been reflecting a lot on herself due to the mistake she made

Did you see those as tears? he asked.

Pardon?

Please eat. Ha Jae-Gun smiled and ended the conversation.

Jung So-Mi couldnt continue the conversation and resumed eating.

Bzzt!

Im sorry; please keep eating. Ha Jae-Gun put down his chopsticks and stood up. The name that appeared on his phone was Oh Myung-Suk. Ha Jae-Gun smiled, thinking that Oh Myung-Suk would be picking him up from the office and answered the phone.

Yes, editor-in-chief.

Mr. Ha, Im extremely sorry, but I think Ill be slightly late to the meeting tonight due to an unforeseen circ.u.mstance.

Ha Jae-Guns eyes narrowed. How could Oh Myung-Suk be late for such an important meeting today when he was always the one to be on time or even early?

What on earth happened? What was this unforeseen circ.u.mstance?

J. Andie's Thoughts

Yes, cuteness solves everything.