I had just gotten a call from my manager regarding the new movie I was cast for. He said that the director wanted one day out of work where the crew can get to know each other.
This was Director Kim Chul's son's first production, and Junior Kim wanted the show to go smoothly, with no problems. That includes friendliness between the cast. I have never met a Director who cared for each actor's feelings about the other. I hope that my fellow actors and actresses are nice.
There is no need for this production to become a headache.
I stop the car at a red light, pulling out my phone to check if my manager has checked in yet. Like always, he's been on my ass for the past hour. A person can't seem to get a break from work. Not in your car. Not even when you rest, the thoughts of your job hound your mind, addling it with unpleasant thoughts.
Where are you?
Hurry up, Chungae. Everyone is waiting.
We've been waiting for minutes now. Get your ass here!!!
I heave a sigh at his insistent messages. Even though he's not here, I can still hear his nagging voice in my head. Why do managers have to be this way?
I press the call button beside his name and hold up the phone to my ear. It rings for a few seconds before the ringing stops, followed by the harried voice that only belongs to my manager.
"Seo Chungae!" He yells into the phone, making me flinch. I hold the phone at a slight distance away from my ear. I don't have any plans to go deaf tonight, thank you.
"What is it?" I reply, keeping my voice calm. Losing it right now won't be beneficial for both of us. I connect the phone to my car's Bluetooth, setting my phone down on the dashboard. The traffic light turns green, and I accelerate, resuming my drive.
"You're late!" Manager Gil hisses into the phone. "The Director has been asking for you for the past half hour!"
"Half hour?" I frown. I had only gotten the call about fifteen minutes ago, yet Gil Shinil is saying that I was asked for half an hour ago. That's certainly not my fault.
"Yes, you lazy fool! Get here right now!"
I let out an irritated sigh. Sometimes I wonder why I even hired this guy as my manager. "I'm already on my way. No need to make such a fuss."
"You better be here in five minutes!" And then the line went dead.
"Argh," I groan, taking a turn. "That stupid bastard makes it seem like it's my fault," I mutter to no one in particular.
It took me another ten minutes to reach the set, but I wasn't bothered about Gil Shinil's yapping. I was more or less worried about the Director's response to my tardiness. This might be Director Kim's first time producing a movie, but I heard that there were great responses to his short documentaries. He certainly took after his prodigy of a father. I hope working with him wouldn't be a problem—for me, that is.
I move through the corridors of the building, searching for the correct room. I have been here once before, to audition. Of course, the auditions were in another room, but the floor mentioned was the same. I think it was this room, right here.
I push the door open to see that I was correct. People are gathered in the middle of the room, seated on couches and chairs, clustered around a table. Drinks and snacks of all sorts occupy the glass table, ready to be consumed. I recognize many of the people occupying this room, but some I have heard of but never seen. There were even a couple of faces whom I couldn't put a name to, making me think they were new debuts. But there was one thing everyone here had in common: we were all actors and actresses, dressed in fancy clothing for this meeting.
I walk further into the room, drawing attention to myself. The newbies gasp, recognizing me, and the veterans just offer polite nods and smiles. My manager gets up from his chair as I walk towards him to offer me the seat beside him.
"Hello, everyone," I greet the room. "I apologize for being late. I was not informed of this gathering in time." I shoot a glare at my manager, making it clear who that 'someone' is.
Some actors chuckle softly, while others smile, as my manager's face turns a bright, beet-red in embarrassment. He wasn't expecting to be called out like that. Not by me, anyway. Not in front of so many celebs.
"It's alright, actor Seo Chungae," a middle-aged man dressed in a suit and tie stands up, stretching out a hand for me to hold. I take it, shaking it briefly, before pulling away. "I'm Director Kim Hajoon. I look forward to working with you."
I paste on a bright smile, mirroring his own. It wasn't a lie when the internet said that the director was a handsome man. "Likewise, Director."
"We're still waiting on one more person. In the meantime, you can get to know the others," he says, sitting back down on the couch beside an actress with a bob-cut. I recognize her as Tak Iseul, the Director's wife. She's dressed in a shiny red dress that hugs her curves perfectly. The makeup on her face is minimal, adding to her beauty.
"I see," I mutter, perching atop the stiff chair beside my manager.
"So, Seo Changae, please tell us all about your achievements as an actor," an actress chirps. Gi Mingee. She is one of the best actresses out there.
I doubt that she doesn't already know all about my achievements, but I decide to humor her anyway. "Well, I—"
Just then, the door to the room is thrown open by someone on the other side, startling us all. A man stands in the doorway, watching for a brief moment before strutting into the room, exuding respect. Something about the way he walks is familiar, but I can't place what it is. It is only when he gets closer that I see his face clearly, and my stomach plummets.
Oh. My. God.
I was hoping I would never have to see this fucking bastard ever again. But here we fucking are.
It was Ryu Jinsang. The fucker who bullied me in high school, the one who almost drove me to suicide. He turned my adolescent life into a living hell, and I will never forget the shit he gave me back then. And now you're telling me he's part of the cast? This has got to be some sort of sick joke!
"Ah, there he is," Director Kim says, standing up to greet him respectfully. I want to yell at him to stop. That bastard doesn't deserve respect from anyone. May it be a Director, or a bug, or a damn bitch.
"I'm so sorry for being late, Director," Ryu Jinsang says. His voice is still the same. That same, anger-inducing, cocky voice. I want to strangle him so bad, but I can't.
My fists are tightly clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms. My jaw was so tightly clenched, I worried my teeth might break.
The asshole's gaze then turns to me, the only one left standing. I see his eyes widen a fraction, imperceptibly. Recognition flickers in his eyes. I'm surprised he bothered to remember me. Perhaps I can use that to ruin his career later on.
Yes, that's it.
"Ah, and you are Seo Chungae, the one playing the leading role?" His lips curve into a smirk that sets my mind on fire. He has the nerve to smile? After all he has done? The nerve of him!
No matter. I won't let him get the better of me.
"Yes," I say, keeping my voice and facial expression carefully neutral. When he holds out a hand to shake, I move forward off my own violation. His hand is cold in mine, and his grip tightens as he leans forward to whisper in my ear. His voice is cold, the opposite of the warmth of his breath on my ear. I'm sure he doesn't mean the words he says. The tone he uses makes his statement sound more like sarcasm.
"I...look forward to working with you."