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CHAPTER 3
Cho Hee went to the agency without any problems, and I delivered things for Sung Joon to the studio where he will be interviewed, after which I went to the office from which he broadcast, noting that my ward did not touch the food that I brought him.
My working day ended at ten in the evening (which by local standards was not too late) and I went down to the first floor at the moment when my father called me.
«Congratulations on finishing your first day at work. Waiting for you in the parking lot. We’ll drive home together,» he said into the phone in a tired voice and hung up.
I breathed a sigh of relief, glad that I didn’t have to think about anything other than the fact that I would soon be in my comfortable bed. I felt boundless fatigue, but not from work, but from the fact that I did not know what to do with myself. Sung Joon was invincible. He defiantly did not accept my help, especially in everything related to food.
«How was your day?» my father asked right after I got into his car next to him.
«Long and not entirely clear,» I breathed out.
«You’ll get used to it soon. Have some patience,» he patted my arm encouragingly, «when your schedule isn’t very busy?»
«This Friday. Sung Joon only has a photo session in the morning,» I answered automatically without thinking too much, because due to lack of work, I spent the whole day studying Sung Joon’s schedule.
«Great. Don’t plan anything for Friday night. I’ll cook dinner. It’s been a long time since we spent time together. There’s something to talk about,» my father said as he pulled out of the parking lot below the agency.
«Mom didn’t call?» I asked after a short silence.
«No. She said she’d be writing a book for a couple of days.»
«Well, nothing new,» I chuckled sadly, feeling ready to pass out in the car.
My next two working days were no different from the first. Sung Joon continued to pretend that I did not exist, did not accept any of my help and ignored the food that I offered him. In addition, I accompanied him to a photo shoot that took place on Friday morning, not really understanding why my presence was necessary, because Sung Joon ignored me.
Immediately after the photo shoot ended, I went with Sung Joon to his apartment to check if the cleaning was done, waited for the bottled water to be delivered, which I unloaded into the refrigerator and made sure that my help was no longer needed, after which I climbed onto my floor, feeling relieved and happy that I can rest for at least a couple of hours.
And to relieve tension, I decided to go down to the fitness room located on the first floor of our residential complex and do a full workout.
«Are you boxing again?» Alex’s voice came through the earpiece.
«Uh-huh. I was able to get into the gym for the first time in a week,» I answered pantingly, continuing to methodically hit the bag, which was almost twice as tall and wider than me, «Ji Han opened the gym for me and grumbled because I skip workouts.»
«Judging by the tone of your voice, you are not very pleased with your new job. Starry Olympus is not as bright as it seems from afar?» he asked mockingly, and I began to think over his question, stopping in place. The punching bag pushed me back, and I staggered, then laughed because of my sluggishness.
«What are you doing?» my best friend asked in surprise.
«I… seems to have received an answer from someone I didn’t expect at all,» I answered, still laughing, and patted the pear with exaggerated care.
«So what’s up with your job?» he impatiently reminded me of something he’d asked before.
«They ignore me, but for some reason, this does not anger, but only causes a feeling of pity.»
«Well, I’m sure there’s something to be sorry for idols. I hope you haven’t changed your mind about going through with this deal?»
«No way!» I replied, continuing to box, «I’ll find a way with him. It would be too boring if he gave up without a fight.»
«Well, good luck to you. I have to go. I’ll call you later,» he said goodbye and hung up the call.
I felt a surge of energy and, at the same time, a pleasant fatigue throughout my body. Having collected my things from the locker, I decided that I would take a shower at home, so I went up to the apartment and froze on the threshold from the delicious smell of food burning my mucous membrane. Something hissed appetizingly and I, leaving my shoes in the hallway, walked into the kitchen.
Dad, in home clothes and an apron, skillfully prepared dinner, quickly moving from the surface of the kitchen island to the stove and back.
«Min Hee?» he smiled happily as his gaze lingered on me for a moment, «You’re on time. Get dressed and I’ll be waiting for you for dinner. We’ll have guests, but it’s a house party. So there’s no need for formal wear.»
«I didn’t plan on wearing anything formal,» I chuckled and trudged into my bedroom, which had its own bathroom.
When we moved into this penthouse, I chose the smallest room for myself, which now contained only a large bed, a closet with my clothes and a work desk where I spent my nights.
Under a stream of warm water in the shower, I felt empty that in the last five days I had not once made time for the business that I had been dreaming about for the past few years. My father taught me to dream and to believe that nothing is impossible for me. And it’s not because he and mom had enough power and money. On the contrary, he taught me discipline, dismissing momentary desires and thoughtfulness in everything that concerned my own life. And for that I was grateful to him. The only thing that he could not overcome in any way in me was my passion for fast driving and for everything that caused an adrenaline rush and an emotional outburst in my mind.
I had a plan, and I was not going to let one single person (albeit a very influential one) deprive me of the opportunity to achieve my goal.
I dressed in casual pants and a wide cotton sweater and dried my hair with a hair dryer, finally feeling at home. In peace, comfort and peace of mind.
«You have no idea how much I want to eat!» I exclaimed and entered the kitchen, after which I stopped abruptly and looked at my father in confusion.
«I said we’d have guests,» he excused himself with a shrug, then turned his gaze to Cho Hee, who was looking at me with a smug smile on a bar stool behind the kitchen island. He filled his glass with water and pulled it towards him.
«Hello!» The young man waved his hand at me in greeting.
«What is he doing here?» I asked my father.
«You’re not a very hospitable hostess,» dad laughed and made an inviting gesture towards a place located next to Cho Hee, who handed me a glass filled with red wine.
«Are you still mad at me about that incident in Itaewon?» With a sweet smile on his face, a young man who looked dazzling even in a simple tracksuit addressed me, «Let’s clear our past misunderstandings. And officially introduce ourselves. I am Min Cho Hee, Min Sung Joon’s younger brother. His assistant, loyal friend and singer for MW Corporation. You don’t have to introduce yourself. I already know everything about you,» he smiled, extending his hand for a handshake.
I put my hand in his well-groomed hand and shook it weakly in response, hardly conscious of what he told me.
«So guys, dinner will be ready in five minutes. You can have a little chat,» the father suggested, enthusiastically stirring the fried rice in the pan.
«How do you like working with my older brother? Did he torture you a lot?» Cho Hee continued to have fun.
«No. He didn’t torment me at all. Although no, not like that. He tormented me with his indifference. As the person who knows him best, tell me, does he ever eat at all?» I could not resist asking a question related to my immediate duties.
Cho Hee grinned and took a leisurely sip of water, and then looked at me point-blank, and his grin suddenly changed into a sad smile.
«Honestly, I thought you’d give up on the first day, but… slipping food on him won’t get you anywhere,» he spread his hands out to the side.
«Why? Does he have a special diet?» I was not going to miss the opportunity to unravel Sung Joon’s strange behavior by my standards.
«No. Sung Joon doesn’t eat food that he doesn’t know anything about or gets it from someone he doesn’t trust. I mean, from no one,» he lowered his voice to me, «so you better stop trying to feed him. He and does not drink water if the bottle somehow looks suspicious.
«Don’t you two think it’s not very polite to talk about a person when they’re not here?» Father turned to us and looked at the clock located on the door of our refrigerator. And a moment later, the doorbell rang, «Min Hee, open the door,» the father ordered, arranging the food on plates.
I got up from my seat and walked into the hallway, wondering who it could be. But to my great dismay, it was Sung Joon who entered our apartment without a word, took off his flip flops and went to the kitchen. And from his behavior, I realized that this was far from the first time he visited our apartment.
«Song Joonie, come in. Cho Hee, pour him some wine. Min Hee, daughter, where are you?» My father called me. And I was able to get out of the stupor by closing the front door, after which I trudged to the kitchen and returned to my place. Now between me and Sung Joon was only his little brother, «ok guys, the food is ready,» my father announced in a solemn tone and put plates of fried rice and japchae in front of us, as well as spicy chicken legs that he had just finished cooking.
I felt my stomach constrict in a hungry spasm, and, paying no attention to anyone present, I began to eat, enjoying every portion that I ate.
«Have you not been fed for a week?» Cho Hee asked me through laughter, and out of the corner of my eye I noticed Sung Joon poking his little brother in the side with his elbow.
«Why are you speaking informally? Min Hee is older than you,» he grumbled.
«It’s okay. We’re already, you might say, friends,» I tried to defuse the situation, hastily chewing everything that managed to put in my mouth.
«When did you two become friends?» Sung Joon asked indignantly and, for the first time today, looked at me point-blank.
I was slightly taken aback by surprise and could not immediately find an answer, with difficulty swallowing what I had already chewed.
«We have common interests, and we have already met three times in the last week in the most unexpected places. What is this, if not fate?» With a dreamy look, Cho Hee answered instead of me, after which there was an awkward pause.
My father was watching us with interest all this time. It seems that he was pleased with everything that happened in his house.
«Have you been to training?» Dad asked me when the silence dragged on.
«Uh-huh. First time in a week I went to the gym,» I replied and smiled with satisfaction.
«What sport do you do?» unexpectedly for all present, Sung Joon asked me.
«Boxing. Since the age of five,» I answered too quickly.
«Why Boxing?» he voiced his next question.
«Mom says that I should be able to stand up for myself in any situation. It was the choice of her and dad, which I willingly accepted. Now this sport is an integral part of my life,» I said thoughtfully and drank the rest of the wine in my glass, while I got a notification on my phone, «sorry, I have to look. This might be important.»
I looked apologetically at everyone present and picked up my smartphone, which received a message from Alex:
«I congratulate you! The customer is delighted! Your work is a real masterpiece. Can’t wait to see what you have in store for my exhibition!»
I quickly type out a reply thanking my best friend for the words of encouragement. And I note with satisfaction that a couple of thousand dollars have replenished my bank account.
«Did something good happen?» Cho Hee asked, carefully watching my face.
«I’m one step closer to my dream and have successfully completed the work I’ve been working on for the last few weeks,» I proudly replied.
«Are you moonlighting somewhere else? It’s forbidden in the company!» The young man looked at me in fear, «although… your father is the owner, so…»
«…so it doesn’t change anything,» my father announced and looked straight at me. And I saw determination in his eyes.
«It’s not really a job. It’s my hobby,» I said defensively.
«Min Hee, you must abide by the terms of the standard contract,» the father stated peremptorily.
«So you’re suggesting that I give up my favorite thing?» I asked indignantly, ignoring the guests present in our house.
«If you care about your future, you must sacrifice something in the present,» the father replied with a sage air.
«Dad!» I exclaimed, not finding worthy arguments in my defense.
«Any work or training you have must be consistent with the company. You had to read the contract. In fact, you do not belong to yourself. All your actions, decisions, thoughts and feelings are directly dependent on the company. Your movements, even on weekends, cannot be extended to the territory beyond outside of Seoul, unless your immediate duties require it.»
«In other words, you found a way to keep me on a short leash!» I blurted out angrily.
«Think about it how you want,» the father calmly replied with a look of Buddha, «adult life is full of hardships, humiliations and partings. As with people, so with things.»
«Will you give me back my ’horse’?» I demanded, raising my chin proudly.
«No, your mom and I have decided not to return it to you just yet. Consider yourself on probation,» he replied in a reasonable tone.
«It belongs entirely to me! I bought it with hard earned money,» I protested stubbornly.
«That still needs to be checked. Whether they were honestly earned,» my father continued to reason, testing my patience.
«Is that so? Is that what you really think of me?» breathing heavily with indignation, I asked in a voice breaking from an overabundance of emotions.
«No need to make a scene in front of guests,» Dad tried to shame me, but I was not going to calm down, because my life’s work was at stake.
«I won’t say anything else. As for the job… you might have asked me earlier how I’ve been making my living all this time!» Barely holding back tears, I opened a program in which I was working on various commercials, music videos and other videos for customers, after which I placed the phone in front of my father and hurried to hide in my room, not paying attention to the fact that there were strangers in the house, and my behavior could not be called the behavior of an accomplished adult.
But I was angry, offended and did not understand why everything in my life turned upside down in an instant. Overnight, I lost my freedom and took on obligations that did not concern me directly. I have to deal with Sung Joon’s contract quickly, otherwise my future will not be as bright as I imagined it to be.
CHAPTER 4
If you think that a rich person has no worries or troubles, then you are mistaken. The more money you have, the more opportunities you have, the more opportunities, the less free time. The less free time, the less you take care of yourself, which in turn is fraught with irritability, nervousness, problems and the development of phobias. In addition, you have fewer real friends and those you love. After all, it will seem to you that everyone sees in you only a wallet that can solve any problem.
In addition to my parents’ money, everyone saw me as a Russian girl who, quite unexpectedly, acquired a Korean passport, a name, and a not very rich but promising father who was able to build his own empire.
I certainly stood out from the rest of the students at the school. Someone perceived me as something special, while someone, on the contrary, considered me an outcast. I changed several schools and, finally, in the last school I realized that I am an individual, and not because I differ from the main mass of students, but because, regardless of the opinions of others, I was able to make decisions and fight for my place. So I finished school among the best students with the highest scores in mathematics and English. Now I was going to follow my dream, only on the way to it I ran into a wall called Sung Joon, and I could not conquer it.
On Saturday morning, I could hardly bring myself to get out of bed at four in the morning. I cleaned myself up, in accordance with the agency’s rules for assistants. My body was supposed to be free of unnecessarily exposed areas (so I opted for simple denim pants and a hoodie), shoes should be comfortable, and make-up should be moderate. I put my long blond hair in a bun, and put on only sunscreen on my face, noting in the mirror how faded my eyes look, which today have taken on a gray-blue tint. I had fair skin, which often caused the envy of others, but right now my appearance was far from enviable.
After a short preparation, I went down to the parking lot of the house, where the driver was waiting for Sung Joon and me. Our «star» was late, and I felt like I was ready to fall asleep, because all last night I tried to come up with a plan by which I could get Sung Joon to eat, drink and not interfere with my work, but also persuade him to stay at the agency.
«We can go,» the voice of my charge rang out next to me, and I realized that I was starting to fall asleep, so I straightened up in my seat, noting that Sung Joon sat across from me today. He usually took a seat in the very corner of the minibus, «what do we have today according to the plan?» he turned to me and at the same time looked at point-blank range as if he was waiting for me to burst into tears.
«Now we’re going to the agency, there will be shooting for your show. Then dance practice for your new song. After – recording a song for the new album and at the end of the day shooting for the concept of a new song,» I replied without even looking at his schedule, so as I knew him by heart, «about last night…» I broke off and chewed my lips nervously, not looking at him.
«Your relationship with your father and what is connected with your personal life and free time do not concern me. Obviously, your father decided to curb your free soul, and you willingly obeyed. I wonder how he lured you? Money? Fame? Opportunities?» he asked with sincere interest.
«He promised to help me with my studies in America,» I replied, a little embarrassed.
Sung Joon chuckled and shifted his gaze to the window, behind which the sun was rising.
«He always does that. He paints beautifully what he can give you, but he always asks for something in return. Let me guess, you have to make me stay at the agency?» He asked and looked into my eyes. Now there was no makeup on his face, and I could see his black bottomless eyes full of sadness and fatigue, «I thought so,» he chuckled, watching my reaction, «you can not try, I will not stay.»
«It’s your choice, Mr. Sung Joon. One way or another, I still won’t be able to influence him if you don’t want to,» I replied with exaggerated respect, realizing that I could not immediately break his stubbornness.
«Why are you suddenly talking to me formally?» He grinned with the left corner of his mouth and began to look even more charming.
«I’m more concerned about why you started talking to me all of a sudden, Mr. Sung Joon,» I replied, looking straight at him.
«I need something from you,» he said without a hint of embarrassment, continuing to scrutinize me carefully.
«What is it?» I chuckled.
«I want you to show me some moves. I mean boxing,» he clarified after I gave him a puzzled look.
«Ask the general manager for that. He’ll hire a professional trainer for you and schedule your workouts,» I shrugged indifferently, but he didn’t like that answer.
«I need someone who will be patient and not interfere with my personal space in any way,» he tried to explain his request to me.
«Why do you think I’m that kind of person?» I asked through a nervous laugh.
«You have a goal that you want to achieve with my help. And you did not come here to work because of me, which means that you are not interested in me at all,» now it was his turn to shrug.
«Well, that’s a perfectly logical reasoning. It’s not a problem for me. I’ll teach you everything I know myself. Find some free time,» I agreed, but instead of answering, Sung Joon just laughed soundlessly.
«You are very strange,» he remarked as if he found his discovery charming, «at the beginning of the dialogue you speak to me formally, and at the end as if we were friends,»
It’s time to decide who we can be for each other. I think if we work and act together, we can achieve great results,» I concluded in a conciliatory tone.
«Then let’s talk to each other informally. We’re neighbors,» he said on an exhalation and got out of the car, «We’ll train in our free time.»
«Who decided that?» I retorted indignantly as I followed him, «I’m not allowed to have side jobs. You heard that yourself yesterday.»
«Yesterday obviously wasn’t your day. But… I won’t pay you, so… technically, it wouldn’t count as a part-time job. Let me repay you with some help of mine, okay?» He asked, but his question was more like a statement, so I left it unanswered.
We entered the agency building and slowly moved to one of the elevators. I loved spending those early hours in the empty agency building. During the day, vanity will dominate here in every corner.
We went up to the floor where the studio was located, in which the entire film crew gathered for the show in which Sung Joon had been filming for three years. In each episode, he answered questions he received from his fans.
Sometimes he went to places that fans couldn’t afford to visit, and he talked about his experiences in detail and, as a bonus, he always sent an invitation to the same place to the fan who requested Sung Joon to visit such a place. At the same time, the episodes were released much later than the fan visited this place, so there were no spoilers for him.
Today, Sung Joon answered questions and had to prepare a healthy breakfast for himself.
«We need to decide something about the food meant for you,» I announced to Sung Joon as we walked towards the gym where he had a dance practice scheduled right after filming.
«Don’t think about it,» he said grimly.
«It’s part of my job,» I said stubbornly after him, striding right behind him (following yet another agency rule that an assistant shouldn’t walk at the same level as his charge).
«There’s no need to waste food. I won’t eat anyway,» he replied in a reasonable tone.
«Is this a protest?» I asked through nervous laughter, feeling like never before I was close to finding out the reason Sung Joon was refusing to eat.
«Consider that it is,» he chuckled and entered the dance hall.
«You just ate what you cooked…» I objected, but he left my comment unanswered.
I greeted the dancers and choreographers before turning around and heading towards Min Hyuk for our daily meeting. And suddenly I realized that my personal phone number was gone. And I don’t know where he is. I hope my father will return it to me as soon as possible. Now I was not ready to initiate our communication with him.
I ordered lunch at one of the nearby restaurants, after which, on behalf of stylist Sung Joon, I went on my own to get the costumes that local brands provided for him. In them, he will participate in the upcoming filming to promote the new song, which is scheduled for release in two weeks. I took the outfits, after which I drove into the restaurant and proceeded to implement my plan.
«It’s good that your practice is over! I’ve brought water and lunch. Dismantle the containers and bottles,» I announced as I entered the dance practice room.
«Oh, Min Hee, it looks like you took Mr. Sung Joon’s words seriously,» one of the dancers called out to me, a young, thin guy named Lee Hyun, who could light a fire on the dance floor with his energy, «thank you anyway for food!» He bowed in gratitude, and I gave him a polite smile.
I took water for myself and a kimbap wrapped in a transparent wrapper and went to the mirror, where Sung Joon was sitting on the floor with his legs stretched out in front of me and leaning his head against the mirror. As I knelt down next to him, he looked at me in surprise, and then looked suspiciously at the food in my hands.
«What is it?» He twisted his nose contemptuously.
«My lunch,» I answered with a sigh of satisfaction and took a bite, «I’m sorry, I don’t offer you. I know that you will definitely refuse. Therefore, having learned well everything that you told me on my first visit here, I decided to feed all these people that make up you. Let’s consider that you are full when they feel full, «I said, and exhaled in relief, feeling full, after which I unscrewed the cap from the bottle of water and took a greedy sip, and when I wanted to bring the bottle back to lips, Sung Joon snatched it from my hands and drained the rest of the water in an instant.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise, but decided to refrain from commenting, noting how greedily he drinks water. Even at that moment, he looked like he was on the set.
«Get another bottle?» I asked, barely suppressing a smile, secretly glad that he had accepted something from me for the first time ever.
«No. What do we have next on the plan?» Sung Joon asked, wiping his face with a towel that hung on his shoulder.
«Studio work. And filming. Your work day should end at eight o’clock in the evening. Now you have an hour break,» I said, stifling a yawn.
«Then let’s go,» he said, and nimbly got to his feet, after which he strode confidently out of the hall, tossing the empty bottle into the bin along the way.
I hurried to get up and was able to catch up with him only in the middle of the corridor. I didn’t ask any questions as I followed him, as I wasn’t sure he would answer them (silence was his style). Sung Joon ended up taking us to the agency cafeteria, which was located on the third floor. His appearance did not go unnoticed by the other employees, but everyone only greeted him modestly as he walked past them to the distribution.
«Find us a place,» commanded Sung Joon, giving me a quick glance over his shoulder.
I sat down at the first table I came across and began to look around (despite the fact that the room was occupied by a large number of people). The dining room was designed for several hundred people and right now, by my conservative estimate, was ninety percent full. Everywhere there were small tables designed for three, four and five people. Everything was decorated in white and green, which was diluted with fresh flowers and soft bean bags.
Sung Joon placed two trays of the same set of food in front of me and then sat across from me.
«I can’t eat it all by myself,» I glared at him indignantly.
«Only half for you,» he chuckled, and began to watch closely as I proceeded to the chicken soup with rice noodles.
"M…delicious!“ I remarked delightedly and in the next moment my plate was in front of Sung Joon, and to my surprise, he began to eat, „this is the first time I see you eating something. You didn’t even touch the food that my father prepared last night. «This morning doesn’t count. You cooked for yourself,» I chuckled and grabbed a second bowl of soup, hoping it wouldn’t be taken away from me, «but why, I feel like I’ve been taken advantage of?»
«So it is,» he answered in an indifferent tone, not looking at me.
«Even so, I’m still glad I could be of use to you. I don’t understand how you have the strength to do everything,» I shook my head indignantly.
«I don’t focus on myself. I don’t need to think about it. Others do it for me,» he replied again, as if he didn’t care about everything that happened not only around him, but with his direct participation.
«Are you saying that you position yourself in this world as a shell?» I asked in surprise, and only after that I realized what I had said. But it was too late to take back his words.
Sung Joon returned his spoon to the table and lost himself in his thoughts for a moment, obviously thinking about my question.
«I have a soul, but it belongs to your father, and is locked in the walls of this building. My heart belongs to the fans, each of whom sees me the way they want to see. There are millions of Song Joons in the world and the only thing that unites them is my face.»
I swallowed nervously and was horrified at the calmness with which he said everything I heard from him.
«Among all these Sung Joons, there is one. The real Sung Joon,» I tried to cheer him up, «I think your desire to leave the agency is due to the fact that you want to find the one – the real you,» I said with a wistful smile and noticed, how Sung Joon looks at me with undisguised fear on his face and pain in his eyes, «I’m sorry, I think I said something wrong,» I said regretfully, noting that his mood changed so often, so I didn’t know what expect from him in the next moment.
«We need to go,» Sung Joon said instead of answering and got to his feet.
I carried the trays onto the conveyor belt, along which they went to the shop where they washed the dishes, and hurried after my ward.
«Did you seriously talk about training?» I asked as we rode the elevator to the floor where his studio was.
«Yes. We’ll train at night, so come up with something to say to your father,» announced Sung Joon.
«In a month, I will move into my apartment. I will live separately from my parents. Therefore, it will be better if we start training after I move.» I reasoned out loud, to which Sung Joon nodded his head in agreement.
Later that evening I ran into my father again in the kitchen. He was drinking wine and browsing the news on his tablet computer.
«You’re early today,» he stated as I walked to my room without even looking at him, «shall we talk?» he suggested and I stopped where I was, then slowly turned my head in his direction.
«About what?» I asked, getting ready to defend myself.
«Sit down, Min Hee,» he motioned me to an empty seat separated from him by a kitchen island. I walked over to the high bar stool, but sat down not on the seat my father offered me, but on the one next to him, which made my father chuckle, «you never do what you’re told.»
