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Big Life-Chapter 192. The Bombing Starts (13)
This chapter is updat๐ฎd by ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ท๐ค๐ซ๐๐ต.๐๐ค๐
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. freewebno(v)el
โWriters should be in the office writing novels. Please return.โ Ha Jae-Gun entered the password and grabbed the door knob.
Just before Ha Jae-Gun crossed the door, Won Ji-Yeon went down on her knees behind him and exclaimed, โP-Please forgive me, Mr. Ha...!โ
โAre all of you not going to come in? Iโm going to close the door now.โ
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. โI was out of my mind; living has become too hard on me that I made a grave mistake. Iโm sorry, Iโm really sorry! Itโs all my fault. Please, I beg of you, Mr. Ha...!โ
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.
โIโll do everything you ask. Please just forgive my foolishness for once. Iโll accept any punishment you give me. Sob...!โ 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.
โIโve made it very clear that day,โ 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, โI said I would wait until midnight that day, but you never contacted me.โ
โI-I... I was too scared and horrified...! I spent the entire night thinking how I should best apologize...!โ Won Ji-Yeon tried making up excuses that couldnโt even work on Ha Jae-Gun.
Ha Jae-Gun smiled coldly and cut her off, saying, โAnd Iโm 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.โ
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.
โLetโs go in, too,โ 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.
โMiss, whatโs wrong? Hmm?โ
โWhy are you doing this here?โ
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 passers-by cast strange looks on her.
โWhere should I go...โ Won Ji-Yeon realized that she had nowhere to go as she pressed the button to the first floor.
Grabbing tightly onto her light wallet, she felt tears about to force out of her eyes.
โThis canโt do... I should try asking for advanced payment at least...โ
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.
โ 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, โW-what is it?โ
โ Oh, you first. Why did you call?
โI uh... Iโm quite tight these days, so Iโm really sorry, but I was wondering if I could get advanced payment...?โ
An unexpected laughter came through, then the senior writer said,
โ Of course. Is 500,000 won enough?
โY-Yes, I'd be extremely thankful if you could.โ Won Ji-Yeon smiled warmly.
However, her smile immediately collapsed.
โ Iโll transfer it to you in ten minutes. You donโt have to come to work tomorrow.
โ...Pardon?โ
โ Donโt you understand Korean? Iโm paying you more than enough, considering all the work youโve done up until now. Since youโre in need of money, too, I should just take the chance too. Arenโt you thankful?
โS-senior, what are you s-saying...?โ 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.
โ Do you know how much the producer and Writer Kim got reprimanded because of you? Wouldnโt it be unfair and wrong for Local Culture TV to lose Writer Ha Jae-Gun because of someone like you?
โS-senior...!โ
โ Fuck, donโt call me that!
Won Ji-Yeonโs leg buckled beneath her as she flinched in fear.
โ Ah, seriously. I didnโt want to say such things to you since youโre a woman, but donโt live like that, okay? Even if youโve become trash, at least be recyclable if you still think of yourself as a human. Donโt ever call me again! ๐๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ธ๐ฆ๐ท๐๐ฐ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ญ.๐๐ฐ๐ฎ
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-Raโs 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-Raโs close friends: โBewildered,' โBo-Ra was always an angel, she canโt breakdownโ]
[Chae Bo-Raโs fan cafe members increase in numbers, endless comfort and encouragement from fans]
[Tele-interview with Writer Ha Jae-Gun: I donโt have enough time to write; I donโt wish to join in the fight without evidence]
โThat fucker...!โ 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.
โMadam, please give me another bottle of soju.โ
He was currently in a shabby restaurant somewhere in Jongno. If it werenโt for Ha Jae-Gunโs recommendation, he wouldnโt have visited such a place in this life. It was cheap, and the food was delicious; the best part was that he didnโt need to be conscious of others while he was here.
โYou punk, how can you be drinking in broad daylight even if you donโt have any work lined up?โ Woo Tae-Bong sighed as he stepped into the restaurant and sat down across from Park Do-Joon.
Park Do-Joon didnโt even look at Woo Tae-Bong and filled his own glass with soju.
โChae-Rin is very worried about you. You should at least give her a call.โ
โIโll be meeting her later in the evening anyway. Hyung, do you want some drinks?โ
โWhoโll drive if I drink? Yimo, just give me a bottle of soda.โ Tea-Bong filled his glass with soda and raised his glass.
Park Do-Joon clinked glasses with him and said casually before drinking, โBo-Ra knows of my relationship with Chae-Rin.โ
โ...What?โ
โI told her to apologize to Ha Jae-Gun, but she told me that instead. How did she know?โ Park Do-Joon asked, then emptied his glass.
Woo Tae-Bongโs face turned serious, and the gears in his mind began running. After a while, he finally said, โCould it be Woo Jae-Hoon? Youโve been hanging out with him for so long before. Heโs close to Cho Cheol-Won from See&Good, so he connected him with Bo-Ra from ICU Entertainment.โ
โThatโs quite possible.โ
โHey, Park Do-Joon, eat something while you drink.โ
โI donโt have the appetite.โ 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. โI canโt stand this any longer. Iโll just call a substitute driver, then. Let me have a glass.โ
โIโm sorry, hyung, for not listening to you.โ
โWow, the high and mighty Park Do-Joon knows to apologize as well? The world has changed indeed.โ
With a bitter smile, Woo Tae-Bong continued. โI know how much you like Writer Ha, so it's not strange that you're angry. But you must know thisโthe most important person here isnโt him, but yourself.โ
โI know.โ
The TV hanging on the wall was showing news about Bo-Raโs press conference. It showed Bo-Ra sniffling before the incessant camera flashes.
Park Do-Joon looked down with a disgusted look.
โThat bitch is going to sweep away the best actress award this year.โ
โJust forget about it, alright? That is how the world rolls.โ
โI will. I just want to try one last thing.โ Park Do-Joon raised his finger.
Woo Tae-Bongโs face turned white instantly. โOne more thing? What kind of scary news is this?โ
Bzzt!
Just then, Park Do-Joonโs phone rang. Woo Tae-Bong's eyes widened in shock when he caught a glimpse of the name on the screenโWon Ji-Yeon.
Park Do-Joon calmly picked up the phone.
โDid you meet him?โ
โ Iโm on the way over...
โDo your best. Donโt worry about the expenses. Iโm warning you again, but if this goes to Ha Jae-Gunโs ears, Iโm not going to let you off.โ
โ Yes, I will keep it in mind. Thank you a lot for giving me the opportunity.
โIโm adding this in case youโll get mistaken, but Iโm not doing this out of pity for you. Itโs just because of this ridiculous situation youโre in.โ
โ I-I know... Iโm sorry...
โIf you are, then do well from now on.โ
Park Do-Joon then hung up the call.
Woo Tae-Bong then asked with his hands on the table, โWhat happened? Why did you contact that assistant writer?โ
โI just introduced her to Oh & Jang Studio. I should do everything within my means to help.โ
He hated Won Ji-Yeon as much as he hated Bo-Ra. From Park Do-Joonโs perspective, both ladies were the same kind of trash. He did not like it, but there was nothing else he could do about it.
โDoes Writer Ha know about this?โ
โDidnโt you hear the conversation just now? Of course, he doesnโt know. Donโt tell Ha Jae-Gun about this, hyung. Heโs not going to like it once he finds out that Iโm doing this because of him.โ
โYou really love your friend, eh?โ Woo Tae-Bong said, sticking his tongue out.
Park Do-Joon chuckled and grabbed his phone again. The screen showed Letโs Watch A Movie.
***
โNun-Sol, get down. Go play with Rika noona instead.โ Jung So-Mi put down the pen that she was playing in her hand.
However, Nun-Sol stayed curled up on Jung So-Miโs lap like a huge lump of snow. โMy legs are cramping. Both you and Rika are taking turns sleeping on my lap, so I canโt stretch them. Quick.โ
โMeow.โ
โStop whining, you cutie. Do you really think that cuteness solves everything? Hmm?โ
Jung So-Mi couldnโt 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.
โYou really like Nun-Sol.โ
โAh, I...! Nun-Sol is just too cute...!โ
Jung So-Mi turned red with embarrassment and put Nun-Sol down. She looked down and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
โIโll make us breakfast.โ
โYou donโt have to. You have early appointments today, so please rest.โ
โItโs not hard to cook rice. Please give it to me.โ
โAh.โ Ha Jae-Gun snatched the rice cooker bowl from Jung So-Mi and poured raw rice into it. Jung So-Mi prepared soybean stew beside him and muttered, โYouโre finally expanding into Hollywood.โ
โIโll have to meet them to hold discussions first.โ 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.
โYouโve been busy working on your novels; you must be all over the place.โ
โNot really. Once the licensing or copyrights are sold, thatโd be the end of it, so thereโs 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 Oscarโs Dungeon.โ
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 cucumber kimchi.
โShall we start waking the others up?โ
โLetโs dig in first. They should still be tired after writing the entire night.โ
Ha Jae-Gun and Jung So-Mi sat down and started eating breakfast.
Jung So-Mi was flustered 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.
โUm, Writer Ha. Can I ask you something?โ
โYes, go ahead.โ
โThat assistant writer... Youโre not planning to forgive her, right?โ
Ha Jae-Gun stopped feeding himself and looked up. Jung So-Mi waved her hand in a hurry and added, โNo, 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...โ
โDid you see those as tears?โ he asked.
โ...Pardon?โ
โPlease eat.โ Ha Jae-Gun smiled and ended the conversation.
Jung So-Mi couldnโt continue the conversation and resumed eating.
Bzzt!
โIโm sorry; please keep eating.โ 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.
โYes, editor-in-chief.โ
โ Mr. Ha, Iโm extremely sorry, but I think Iโll be slightly late to the meeting tonight due to an unforeseen circumstance.
Ha Jae-Gunโs 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 circumstance?