The Guide - Chapter 7
Chapter 7: Lotus
Walking through the thick fog, Ro-a stopped in front of a large pond. The pond, roughly the size of a school playground, was filled with lotus flowers as white as snowflakes. Each luscious blossom was so beautiful, it was literally a picturesque scene.
Wow, where is this? How can such a beautiful place exist? The atmosphere is perfect for filming a historical drama. It wouldn’t be strange if a fairy appeared right now. Ro-a slowly looked around, her eyes wide, and then they widened further when she saw a girl standing alone on the other side of the pond, wearing a beautifully colored Hanbok. The Hanbok the girl wore wasn't the modern style many people wear these days, but a proper traditional one, complete with a norigae ornament, hairpins, and even a baessidaenggi ribbon, all according to etiquette.
Looks like they’re really filming a historical drama? Is this a set then? But why isn't anyone controlling access? Anyway, I should get out quickly before I get yelled at…. Perhaps due to her habit of always being mindful of others, Ro-a tried to make herself as small as possible and wandered around looking for an exit. After walking for a while, she realized she hadn't managed to leave the pond area, and a slightly eerie feeling crept over her. It didn't seem this wide from a distance….
"Sister."
"…Huh?"
Hearing someone call her, Ro-a reflexively turned around and flinched, startled to see the girl she had seen across the pond earlier now standing right behind her. Soon, feeling a bit sorry for being startled by a person, Ro-a put on her kindest smile and bent down slightly to meet the girl's eyes.
"Hi? Did you call me? Is this some kind of drama set?"
"Sister. When are you coming?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"When are you coming to get me?"
Perhaps annoyed that Ro-a didn't understand her immediately, the girl's eyes narrowed slightly. At first glance, Ro-a had thought she was just cute and pretty like a doll, but the moment her expression changed, Ro-a felt a strong urge to keep her distance. Unconsciously backing away from the girl, Ro-a glanced behind her. I really can’t find the way out. The fog was still thick, obscuring the surroundings.
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you're saying. Who are you looking for?"
"I was looking for you, Sister. But I found you now, so it's okay. Just hurry up and come get me."
She was impossible to communicate with. Is this kid a bit strange? Come to think of it, her gaze seems a bit menacing too…. Ro-a started to feel slightly scared, wondering if the girl might be hiding a weapon, and decided she needed to run away from here.
Suddenly, a strong wind blew from somewhere, dishevelling a few strands of the girl's hair. Her expression changed instantly, and she raised her arm irritably to fix her hair. Through the gap in her sleeve, a familiar bracelet came into view.
"…!"
Goosebumps instantly spread all over Ro-a's body. The feeling of unease she had felt all along suddenly made sense. This isn't reality, it's my dream. And… the bracelet Mom gave me is looking for me! The girl, still looking nonchalant even as Ro-a began to tremble, suddenly grinned widely. It was chilling.
"Gasp!"
"Ms. Ro-a, what's wrong? Oh my. Why are you suddenly sweating so much? Are you feeling sick?"
"Ah… No."
Completely drained of energy, Ro-a gasped for breath and forced a smile. Right, I was getting my hair done at the salon. Ah, what a relief. I was so scared just now, I feel like I lost 10 years off my life.
"I must have dozed off and had a dream. I'm sorry, did I startle you?"
"Oh dear, don't be sorry. It happens when you're tired and nod off. But it feels like you weren't asleep for even 5 minutes. Did you have a nightmare already?"
"…Yes."
"You must be exhausted from being so busy lately. You have filming today too, right? Actors usually take restorative tonics when they start a drama. Ms. Ro-a, you need to start taking care of yourself too."
"Yes. Thank you."
Maintaining a smile with effort, Ro-a painfully pressed her fingernails into her palm to avoid falling back asleep. But fatigue from pulling two all-nighters for filming didn't easily subside.
Ah, I want to go to Director Seo's studio. Whenever I went there, I always felt refreshed and my mood lifted. He might seem blunt, but he's a really good person. Thinking of Do-gyeom, a soft smile unconsciously appeared on Ro-a's lips. There are still two weeks left until the next recording. He said I could come practice anytime, can I go today? Should I send a message first?
She fidgeted with her phone for a long time, but in the end, Ro-a couldn't bring herself to do anything. Do-gyeom was one of the few precious acquaintances in the entertainment industry, where she didn't have many people on her side, who saw her without prejudice. She didn't want to annoy him constantly and end up being disliked.
I have to be careful, always. Careful with words, careful with actions. I never know when or where someone might try to trip me up. It was a lesson learned the hard way during her 7 years in the entertainment industry, including her trainee days. Tensing her body, sleep no longer came. It was truly a relief.
"I saw you meeting that woman you call 'CEO'?"
Just as he was about to take a drink, Ji-won's expression hardened slightly at Dong-ha's words, and he put his glass down. The word 'CEO' bothered him, but the phrase 'saw you meeting' was even more concerning. What did this guy see somewhere to assert that they were meeting?
"Where did you see us?"
"In the apartment lobby."
Ah… the day I returned from New York. I must have been really tired. To not have sensed someone approaching close enough to hear their voice. Then again, when I'm with the CEO, I don't really have the capacity to pay attention to anything else.
"That's the person who accompanied you on the London business trip, right? The one who made you cancel our plans. Am I wrong?"
"Ha."
Ji-won shook his head, looking slightly weary. This guy never forgets anything he hears.
"But you didn't look like you were going to give up on her?"
"What exactly did you see?"
"The bag, the elevator, and the way you lowered your voice. You were trying really hard to look cool, weren't you?"
"…."
Since that was true, there was nothing else to say. Ji-won felt his face flush slightly but replied as nonchalantly as possible.
"Aren't all men the same? You can't treat a woman like one of your buddies."
"Well, let's say that's true. But which company's CEO is she, that the great Cha Ji-won treats her so respectfully?"
"Zenith Company."
"…What?"
"She's the owner of Zenith Company."
Dong-ha, who rarely got flustered, gaped so wide you could almost fit a fist in his mouth. In over ten years, Ji-won had never seen Dong-ha this shocked.
"Hey… Cha Ji-won. You've really scaled up in the few months I haven't seen you, huh?"
"Do you judge people based on scale when you like them?"
"So you're really dating the CEO of Zenith Company?"
"Baek Dong-ha."
As Dong-ha's voice rose, Ji-won raised an eyebrow sharply and put a finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet. Why is this usually composed guy making such a fuss today?
"First, it's 'Madam CEO,' not 'CEO.' And we're not dating. It's just me liking her."
"But the way she looked at you wasn't ordinary either?"
"…."
Ji-won's smooth forehead furrowed slightly. To be honest, Ji-won sometimes had similar thoughts. Even if not in a romantic sense, he definitely held a different position with Ga-on compared to others. That's why he needed to be even more careful with his feelings. He didn't want to mistake liking for goodwill, get carried away by false hope, and then suddenly crash into despair.
"Besides, if a woman brings food to your house, isn't the game over?"
Ji-won let out a short sigh at Dong-ha's words and slowly shook his head.
"That day was a special situation. It's hard to apply general rules. Besides, someone else cooked that food."
"Really? Then what did you two do after going into the house that day?"
"We ate, sat for a bit, and then I escorted her home."
"Is that all?"
"That's all. What more could there be?"
No way. I definitely saw sparks flying between them. Dong-ha's sharp eyes narrowed.
"Do you usually keep in touch?"
"Why are you so curious? I told you we're not dating. We don't keep in touch. We can't. She doesn't even carry a cell phone."
"No way. A person in the 21st century lives without a cell phone?"
"It's not that she doesn't have one, she just doesn't carry it. There's someone who carries it for her. Let's stop talking about this now."
Starting to get annoyed, Ji-won frowned deeply and raised his glass just as his phone rang with a peculiar ringtone. The caller ID showed 'Security Chief.' Dong-ha's expression turned slightly sour. Why is this guy hanging out with people with titles these days? Didn't he call himself an artist, a free spirit?
"Yes, this is Cha Ji-won. Yes, Chief Kwon. No. I'm out right now. At this hour… it would probably take about 30 minutes to get to the headquarters. Is something wrong?"
Whatever the person on the other end said, Ji-won's usually rational expression changed instantly.
"Where is the CEO now? Alright, I'll head there immediately."
He hung up and shot up from his seat.
"Something urgent came up, I have to go first."
"What on earth is it?"
"I'll call you later."
Ji-won left without properly answering Dong-ha's question. Dumbfounded, Dong-ha could only watch his urgent retreating back.
Seriously, that company has tons of employees, why are they looking for the CEO through Cha Ji-won? And what about you, Cha Ji-won? You turn pale and rush off at the mere mention of 'CEO,' yet you insist until death that you're not dating? That's hilarious. You can fool people, but can you fool ghosts? Dong-ha scoffed, twisting his lips, then searched something on his phone and made an even more dumbfounded expression.
"What is this? Zenith Company CEO, Name Ju Ga-on. Date of Birth Unknown, Place of Birth Unknown, Family Relations Unknown, Education Unknown…. Huh. What kind of profile is this?"
Staring intensely at his phone screen, Dong-ha thought seriously for a moment before immediately calling his secretary. I'm not lacking in rank either. Muttering boastfully, Dong-ha clicked his tongue in annoyance and rubbed the back of his neck. Ah… I really wasn't this petty before…. Sergeant Kim, that bastard….
[Yes, Executive Director. Please speak.]
"Let's look into someone's profile. CEO Ju Ga-on of Zenith Company. I need to find out something personally, but there's nothing online. No need to rush, just find out as much detail as possible and bring it to me."
Lately, Ga-on had developed a habit of visiting a cozy cafe near the headquarters once a day. Even when drained from dealing with troublesome spirits in Jungcheon, a cup of cool coffee revitalized her. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but her headaches seemed to lessen too. When Hee-ju found out Ga-on enjoyed coffee, she had sighed loud enough to shake the earth, but she didn't show as much disapproval as Ga-on had expected.
- Now that you're exercising and sleeping well… yes, setting everything else aside, the CEO needs something to enjoy too. Still, please don't drink too much, okay?
Following Hee-ju's earnest plea, one cup of coffee brewed with only half a shot per day became Ga-on's sole pleasure. Though it didn't show on her face at all, the walk to the cafe was always slightly exciting. Today too, Ga-on entered the cafe cheerfully to the sound of the clear bell, feeling her mind ease at the savory coffee aroma and familiar tranquility.
The rent in this neighborhood is supposedly very expensive. Her minor worry was that the cafe might go out of business soon, as there were hardly any customers whenever she came.
"Welcome. Oh? Hello. You're quite late today. You didn't come in the afternoon, so I thought you might not be coming today."
Although she wasn't the type to enjoy forming new relationships with strangers, she had grown quite accustomed to such friendly greetings.
"Work finished late."
"Would you like your usual?"
"Yes."
Ga-on was experiencing the dignity of being a regular customer for the first time in her life. She didn't have to repeat her complex order every time, and since the young owner ran the cafe alone all day, she didn't have to awkwardly make acquaintances with strangers.
"Ma'am. Your coffee is ready. Enjoy."
"Thank you."
The coffee beans Ji-won had chosen still suited Ga-on's taste perfectly. Just in case, she had tried other types of beans sold at this cafe, but none were as delicious as this one.
"Excuse me, Ma'am."
The young owner, who had always maintained a suitable distance from Ga-on as she sat quietly drinking coffee in the corner, unusually approached her holding a plate. He then awkwardly offered the plate to Ga-on, who raised her eyebrows slightly in question.
"I've been developing a new bakery menu lately. It's apple pie, but the shape got messed up like this…. I can't sell it, and it's too much for me to eat alone, so I brought it for you to taste. Please don't feel burdened and give it a try."
"Thank you."
As the owner said, it wasn't in a state to be sold for money. In fact, the bakery items at this cafe couldn't be considered particularly excellent, even as a polite compliment. The taste was unknown, but the appearance certainly didn't stimulate one's appetite. The apple pie, described by the maker himself as "messed up," was in such a state that it was hard to tell if it was a pie or just the dough before becoming a pie. However, overcoming a slight trepidation and mustering the courage to take a bite, she found the taste surprisingly decent.
"It's delicious."
"Ah, really? Do you think I could sell it?"
It seemed like it would require constant practice and effort for that. After a moment's hesitation, Ga-on gave a small nod, cheering for the young owner's bright future.
After finishing the apple pie and about to take the last sip of her remaining coffee, Ga-on noticed a child watching her from outside the window and frowned slightly. At a glance, the child's condition was unusual.
First, it wasn't human, but since its merits and demerits from life weren't clearly visible, it wasn't a deceased spirit either. Having perhaps wandered searching for someone who could see it, the child met Ga-on's eyes and sighed deeply, its small shoulders slumping. Its appearance was pitiful and heartbreaking, causing Ga-on to let out a sigh as well.
Hurrying outside, Ga-on slowly approached the child, who flinched back upon directly encountering her energy. She then positioned herself to block the child's escape, carefully observing its condition. A living spirit. Probably the body is in a coma. Clicking her tongue softly, Ga-on examined the patient's gown the child was wearing, then crouched down in front of it and asked in a gentle voice.
"Child, what's your name?"
"Mommy told me not to tell my name to strangers…."
"Yes. You were taught well. Then, little one who can't tell me your name. Are you at Dongmyeong Hospital right now?"
"Yes."
"You know you have to go back there, right?"
If a soul stays away from its body for too long, the body will soon lose its life force. Even young children's spirits in this state instinctively know this fact. As Ga-on suspected, the child blinked its large eyes and nodded vigorously.
"Then why are you wandering around a place like this?"
"Mommy wasn't there, so I came out to find her…. The alleys are too complicated, and I got lost."
"Then I'll take you there. Let's go together."
The child, still wary, stared intently at Ga-on who offered her hand, and only after a long moment did it hesitantly grasp her fingertips. It seemed to sense that Ga-on's energy wasn't malevolent.
"How old are you now?"
"I was eight when I first got hurt, and now I'm nine."
"You've been through a lot."
"Mommy suffered much more."
"You're a good child."
Looking at the child with exceedingly fond eyes, Ga-on glanced towards the headquarters and lightly bit her lower lip. If this outing takes too long, Chief Kwon will worry. But she couldn't take a living child near Jungcheon, which teemed with malevolent spirits. Moreover, as the time when yin energy began to overflow approached, she couldn't leave the child alone in a secluded alley. By sheer luck, the child had made it this far without incident, but a young soul with a body to return to was a prime target for evil spirits.
Ga-on considered borrowing the cafe owner's phone to call Chief Kwon, but then realized with slight embarrassment that she didn't remember Hyun-ho's phone number. I must memorize Chief Kwon's number when I get back today. But the most important thing right now was to return the child to its body as quickly as possible.
Holding Ga-on's hand, the child walked for a long time and arrived near the hospital. Seeing the numerous ghosts hovering around the hospital like dust vanish without a sound, the child's eyes widened in surprise as it looked up at Ga-on. Its face showed great admiration.
"Did you just do that, ma'am?"
"I didn't do anything, but it's true they fled because they saw me."
"Wow, you're really cool, ma'am."
"Thank you. You can go alone from here, right? I'll stand guard here, so return to your body as quickly as possible. And from now on, you shouldn't leave your body too often. Even if you happen to slip out naturally, never go far. You might end up unable to return at all."
"…Okay."
The slightly dejected child suddenly grabbed Ga-on's sleeve with an expectant look.
"Excuse me. Can you tell me when I'll wake up?"
The hopeful gaze was pitiful, but Ga-on had no choice but to shake her head. It was something beyond Ga-on's ability to know, and even if she did know, she couldn't tell.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not a shaman. I can't see people's futures."
"Ah… yes. I understand. Then goodbye. Thank you for taking me here."
Though clearly disappointed, the child didn't forget to bow politely. As Ga-on bid farewell to the child, a very urgent and sharp cry came from somewhere.
"Min-seo!"
Ga-on and the child simultaneously turned their heads towards the sound. The child, whose shoulders had slumped, brightened upon seeing its mother and ran towards her. Ga-on frowned slightly upon seeing the unfamiliar woman who felt somewhat familiar. If she can see the child in its current state, is she a Jungcheon employee? I can't recall a specific name…. Meanwhile, the woman, who had roughly grabbed the child's wrist and hidden her behind her back, was startled upon seeing Ga-on's face and quickly bowed her head.
"Madam CEO."
"Do you know me?"
"Yes. I am Guide Im So-hwa."
"Im So-hwa…?"
The name sounded familiar. Ga-on looked the woman over with a puzzled expression, barely recognizing the familiar face in someone who had completely changed in just a few months.
"Ah, Ms. Im."
Although they rarely interacted directly, she had taken note of So-hwa whenever they met because she was one of the more productive general guides. So-hwa, who always wore shabby clothes and had a listless face, was surprisingly dressed in a very luxurious-looking suit with a professionally styled hairdo. Her face, which had seemed dry and unsuitable for her age, now glowed with health.
"It seems your circumstances have improved considerably."
"Yes… thanks to you. I received some unexpected good fortune…."
"That's fortunate. You look much better."
"…Thank you."
However, it was true that her appearance didn't quite fit a mother with a long-ailing child. Moreover, it was hard to understand how a guide who could see spirits didn't know her own child was wandering outside. The child said it had been wandering for a long time before meeting her. This meant So-hwa had left the child's side for a very long time.
"Ms. Im's daughter was wandering outside her body for at least three or four hours. You, more than anyone, know what could happen…. You should have watched over the child carefully."
"…I apologize."
"It's not something to apologize to me for…. I'm saying this because I heard you struggled greatly to pay the hospital bills. It wouldn't do to lose the child so meaninglessly after all that."
"…Yes."
Although Ga-on hadn't scolded her severely, So-hwa couldn't lift her head in front of her. Feeling a strange tightness in her chest, Ga-on slowly exhaled the heavy sigh that had been filling her lungs. Maybe I should have phrased it a bit more kindly. Then again. A mother is human too, she'd want to dress up properly and get some fresh air once in a while.
"Well then, take care. Min-seo, recover quickly and grow up healthy and strong. As for me, meet me much later, when you're very old…."
Giving the customary blessing, Ga-on momentarily paused. If the child recovers safely, in 30 years, she'll be in the prime of her life. Thinking about it that way, it really isn't that far off. Ga-on gave a small, wry smile and slightly revised her blessing.
"Grow up healthy and strong, and let's never meet again."
Gazing absently at So-hwa holding the child tightly, Ga-on checked the position of the constellations and made a slightly troubled face. It was around 7 PM when she left Jungcheon saying she was going to the cafe, but almost two hours had already passed. To walk back to Jungcheon now would take at least another 30 minutes, even at a fast pace.
Haa, they must be in an uproar. Should I take a taxi? Do I have any cash right now… none at all. Can I pay with a credit card? Yes, I remember hearing that's possible these days. If I say the destination is Zenith headquarters, will they understand? Or do I need to give the address? As Ga-on pondered these questions with no clear answer, she started walking slowly towards the main road.
"Madam CEO!"
"Director Cha. What brings you here?"
Ji-won, having parked his car haphazardly on the roadside, flung open the driver's door and quickly scanned Ga-on from head to toe. No visible injuries, and she's walking on her own, so she's not seriously hurt anywhere…. Color finally returned to Ji-won's completely drained face.
"Why are you coming out of the hospital?"
"Ah… I was escorting a lost young living spirit."
"A living spirit?"
The soul of a living human is called a living spirit (Saengnyeong). It's something all humans learn naturally from the moment they are born, so it's not usually consciously recognized, but keeping the body and soul bound together actually requires considerable energy. Therefore, if a human falls into unconsciousness, the connection between body and soul can loosen. Then, very occasionally, the soul might slip out and wander outside the body, but most become deceased spirits in that state. The saying that people die if they lose their minds comes from this.
After briefly explaining the concept of a living spirit to Ji-won, Ga-on added a short account of why she was there.
"I came out for a moment and saw a young child wandering alone in that state. It was a child who had been unconscious for a long time due to a traffic accident…. Several hours had already passed, so I couldn't delay any longer. It would be a problem if the child died, but it would be a real disaster if another soul took possession of that body."
"…I see. You went through a lot."
Ji-won swallowed hard, his voice slightly strained, but Ga-on didn't notice.
"Um… Director Cha. I need to contact Chief Kwon. The situation wasn't right, so I came without saying anything."
"I'll do it. Please get in first."
After seating Ga-on in the passenger seat, Ji-won returned to the driver's side and immediately called the Security Chief. Ah, right. I decided to memorize the phone numbers. Madam Kwon, Chief Kwon, the Chief Secretary. And… should I know Director Cha's number too? Come to think of it, he's the person I meet most often these days.
"Chief Kwon, this is Cha Ji-won. I met the CEO in front of Dongmyeong Hospital. No. She said she came to escort a living spirit…. Yes. Yes, she's unharmed. Yes, I've confirmed it. Since it's late, if there's nothing urgent at Jungcheon, I'll take her to Muyeongdang. Understood."
Lost in thought for a moment, Ga-on suddenly realized that Ji-won's voice during the call sounded quite different from usual. Strange, why does this always kind person sound so stiff today? Is he in a bad mood? Ah, was he rushing somewhere?
"Director Cha. If you're busy, you can just drop me off near the headquarters."
Ji-won, who had been staring straight ahead, slowly turned his head and looked intently at Ga-on with a very complex expression. Looking into his eyes, Ga-on somehow felt like she had done something terribly wrong. But she couldn't figure out what it was.
"Madam CEO."
"Yes?"
"I promised not to make you uncomfortable, and I've been trying hard to keep that promise, but feelings for a person aren't something that can be easily folded away."
No, that's not what I meant. I really meant that if you're busy, you don't need to take me all the way home…. Slightly flustered, Ga-on was trying to figure out how to convey her thoughts properly when Ji-won continued.
"When I first heard that the CEO, who had gone to the cafe, had simply disappeared, you have no idea what went through my mind."
Usually, when Ga-on went for coffee, she returned within 20-30 minutes at most. The Security Chief started feeling anxious after 40 minutes had passed since Ga-on left the headquarters. Still, not wanting to disturb Ga-on enjoying her rare alone time, he forced himself to wait until an hour had passed.
After an hour, the Security Chief cautiously went to the cafe Ga-on frequented, only to learn that she had left quite some time ago and walked in the opposite direction from the headquarters. He turned completely pale.
An emergency alert went out in the security office. Some staff immediately started collecting and analyzing nearby CCTV footage, while others physically searched the alleys for Ga-on. The rest made urgent calls to guides active in the vicinity. Ji-won was one of the guides contacted for this reason.
- Director Cha, are you at the gallery right now? Then are you close to the headquarters? Have you by any chance been in contact with the CEO today? Her whereabouts… are currently unknown.
Hurriedly driving towards the headquarters, Ji-won witnessed a scene far off in the distance where spirits scattered as if an explosion had occurred. There! His face brightened, but the moment he looked at the navigation, Ji-won truly felt the sensation of his blood running cold for the first time.
"The CEO, who had vanished without a trace, was found at a hospital two hours later. What do you think I must have thought?"
"Director Cha…."
"Of course, dealing with that is my burden. But for today, I would appreciate it if you would just ride in my car and return home safely."
Unable to respond, Ga-on silently nodded. Ji-won immediately started the engine, smoothly turned the steering wheel, and expertly merged into the line of oncoming traffic. Soon after, he turned on some calm music and carefully adjusted the indoor temperature. Ji-won's actions flowed naturally, making him appear calm at first glance. If Ga-on hadn't seen the hand gripping the steering wheel, she would have thought so until the end.
The back of his hand, with blue veins bulging so prominently it looked painful, showed no sign of smoothing out until they reached Muyeongdang. Throughout the ride, Ga-on considered gently stroking it to see if it would help, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to do anything.
Rustle, rustle. Sorang, who had almost fallen asleep, opened its eyes at the familiar sound of footsteps and came out of the cave with a low groan. Aah… I thought she was sleeping well for a while, but here we go again. Goodness, what complicated thoughts fill that tiny head?
"What is it this time?"
"Sorang…."
"Is it because of the trouble you caused last night? Ah, things like that can happen in life. It wasn't like you were playing around; it happened while working."
"Yes."
As Ga-on gave a faint smile, Sorang felt even more displeased. Hee-ju, who heard about Ga-on's near-disappearance later, had thrown a fit, insisting they attach a GPS tracker to Ga-on's clothes immediately.
- I told you nothing really happened. It was just a simple incident.
- But what if, by some chance, something really serious happened to the CEO, and nobody knew for hours! No one can guarantee that something like this will never happen again.
- It won't happen again. From now on, I'll memorize all your phone numbers….
Safety is important, but a person needs at least room to breathe. She already has almost no freedom; does she have to live with even her trips to the bathroom being broadcast? Despite showing clear displeasure, Sorang couldn't retort as sharply as it wanted because it knew Hee-ju genuinely cared for Ga-on.
"Don't worry too much. It's not your fault."
"I'm not worried. I feel sorry for the staff who went through trouble, but I don't think I did anything wrong either. That's my job."
"Then why can't you sleep?"
"…."
"Is it because of that young blood?"
"…!"
Sorang silently clicked its tongue as Ga-on's eyes widened. See, the scent changes when you think about him, the scent! When you two face each other, the hormones go crazy, both of you! But unable to say that outright, Sorang phrased it as politely as possible.
"You like him, that young blood. Well, that kid is blatantly obvious about it."
"Why would Director Cha like me?"
"He must be attracted to faces too."
"Too?"
Is there someone else attracted to faces? Sorang felt dizzy at the innocent gaze asking this.
You, you're actually quite picky and attracted to faces. And although you said no one has ever liked you before, that's entirely a misconception. Many people have shown interest in you until now. Just thinking off the top of my head, I can't even count them on two hands. Of course, I don't have hands….
Anyway, this is just the first time you've meaningfully acknowledged it. You even once said this to a man who picked a flower to give you.
- You carry something that doesn't suit you. Wildflowers are more beautiful when blooming in the field.
Of course, you probably meant not to carelessly pick even a single flower. You likely had no intention of belittling his appearance. You're not someone who judges people based on their faces. But it's also true that you never even glanced at the unattractive ones. You treated everyone like stones with true fairness and consistency.
"I don't know what to do. I don't know what to say either."
"Well, do words matter in these situations? Just subtly hold his hand once. Then that kid will figure out the rest."
"Haa…. That's not easy either. I felt like doing that yesterday, but…."
Listening intently to Ga-on's words with a serious face, Sorang inwardly clicked its tongue countless times.
Damn it, I'm a wolf. I don't even have a mate. Why on earth am I giving human relationship advice? Shouldn't these beings who strut around as the lords of creation figure this much out themselves? Though utterly baffled, Sorang focused on Ga-on's words with all its might. It was starting to feel sleepy, so considerable effort was needed to suppress a yawn.
"Hey, have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"They say this set is haunted. Apparently, several staff members working alone at night have already seen a ghost."
Ro-a, who had been quietly reading her script in the corner, involuntarily turned her head. But the supporting actors, engrossed in the interesting topic, didn't notice Ro-a's trembling gaze at all.
"Isn't that a good thing? Don't they say it's a huge success if a ghost appears during production?"
"Exactly. I wish I could see what it looks like just once. They say it's a female ghost."
"Ah, what's this? Are you saying any ghost is fine as long as it's female?"
"No. I've just never seen a ghost before. Wouldn't it be nice if it happened to be a pretty female ghost?"
"Well, I think a pretty female ghost would be even scarier."
The topic of the actors' conversation quickly shifted, but Ro-a, thoroughly frightened, couldn't look at her script anymore because her hands were trembling. Ro-a had already seen the pretty female ghost people were talking about. And as someone had said, it was truly terrifying.
"Ms. Ro-a, why is your face so pale? Are you feeling sick?"
"Ah, no. I think it just looks that way because the lighting here is a bit dim."
"Really? You've been like that since those guys started talking about ghosts. It's not because you're scared, is it?"
Taken aback, Ro-a accepted the cup of coffee Seon-u offered and looked with surprised eyes at the neat face settling naturally in front of her before cautiously lowering her gaze. Seon-u, who had reportedly been in the theater scene for a long time, played the male lead's friend in a drama that became a massive hit last year. By the drama's end, he had become more popular than the lead, leading to the incredible anecdote that the writer, who was a fan of Seon-u, tearfully adjusted his screen time.
Ro-a was well aware that many had tilted their heads in confusion when Choi Seon-u, who had conquered various variety shows and commercials after the drama ended and instantly rose to stardom, chose this particular drama, plagued with issues, as his next project. She also knew full well that most of the gossip was being manufactured by her former agency.
Honestly, Ro-a found Seon-u's choice puzzling as well. From her perspective, meeting Seon-u, who had great looks, acting skills, and a good image, as her co-star was incredible luck. However, objectively judging, it seemed there wasn't much he could gain from this drama. A dependable and kind boyfriend who supports his childhood friend's dream of becoming a singer. In truth, anyone aspiring to be an actor could play such a role.
"Sunbae-nim, do you really think ghosts exist?"
Looking at Ro-a, who countered with a question without offering any information about herself, Seon-u, with a playful yet sharp gaze, let out a soft chuckle. They said she became like a hedgehog after being pushed around so much, and that description fits perfectly.
"Well. I tend not to believe things I can't see with my own eyes. But I'm not foolish enough to claim that things I can't see don't exist in the world. Well, if a ghost actually appearing helps the project succeed, I wouldn't mind it showing up once."
"Do you care about things like that too, Sunbae-nim?"
"Hmm…. Things like that. Of course, I care. I'm an entertainer whose lifeline depends on public popularity."
"Then why did you agree to be in this drama?"
At Ro-a's genuinely curious expression, Seon-u's lips slowly curved upwards, eventually bursting into loud laughter. As the sudden laughter drew attention, Seon-u, as if having eyes in the back of his head, very naturally picked up Ro-a's script. People assumed, 'The two leads must be practicing their lines,' and soon turned their heads away. Seon-u, sensing the gazes dispersing with uncanny awareness, promptly put the script down.
"Um, this is a secret, but…. Director Kang is three years my senior from university. She majored in directing, and I majored in acting, so we weren't extremely close… but I liked her for a long time. So when the script came in, I agreed just by seeing the director's name, without even turning the first page."
In truth, his agency had sincerely and persistently tried to dissuade Seon-u from joining this drama. It wasn't a role like a chaebol heir or a professional that could highlight his attractive appearance, nor was it a complex character that could fully showcase his outstanding acting skills. The agency CEO, who had personally scouted Seon-u after seeing him play a psychopath in a play, still found it baffling that he showed interest in such a small, heartwarming story. And although he couldn't ask outright, he still suspected it might be due to an interest in Ro-a.
"Uh… why are you telling me this…."
Staring directly at Ro-a, whose eyes darted around uncomfortably, Seon-u wiped the playfulness from his face for the first time. Hmm, why am I telling you, who has nothing to do with this, something that wouldn't benefit me at all if rumors spread?
"First, I wanted to tell you not to be too wary of me. I know your gaze changes once filming starts, but still, sometimes I can see that you don't treat me completely comfortably. Nowadays, the public has sharp eyes, and if that shows on screen, they lose interest. I have no reason to harm Ms. Lee Ro-a, and I'm not interested in you as a woman, so there's no need to be tense every moment like now. We have to work together for the next six months, let's make it comfortable."
"…I'm sorry."
At Ro-a's immediate apology, her expression instantly clouding over, Seon-u frowned his neat eyebrows and let out a short sigh. Apologizing for something so trivial. Definitely not my type… but she must have been stimulating to that righteous woman.
- She's a kid who came this far through great difficulty. Since you have some leeway in many ways, please guide her well with care. It would be good if a scandal broke out during the broadcast too. Ro-a needs attention in any way possible right now.
- You devilish woman. Don't you care about my image? Are you telling me to be treated like a cradle robber messing with someone eight years younger just to make one drama successful? Honestly, I don't really care if this drama doesn't do well, you know?
- No. You will treat Ro-a well, and you will act your best. Because it's a project I'm directing and a request I'm making personally.
Recalling Yi-seo's shamelessly confident face, his love-hate feelings for her flared up like lava again. He met Yi-seo, then a graduating senior, during his freshman year and they had been dating on and off for a whopping 13 years. Usually, it was Seon-u who declared the breakup, worn out by her indifference, but ultimately, it was also Seon-u who would run to her doorstep in the middle of the night. And right now, he was holding out, refraining from showing up at her house.
Fine. I'll do as you wish. Let's literally film a drama, shall we? Let's see if you really don't bat an eyelid even when I look at another woman with honey dripping from my eyes. Glancing at Yi-seo, who was seriously instructing the assistant director, Seon-u deliberately put on his public-facing smile. It was the smile that had elicited screams from the female staff at a recent shampoo commercial shoot. It sounded so much like dolphins that someone from the next room had come over in surprise to see what was happening.
"And Ms. Ro-a, you lived around here, didn't you? I'm pickier about food than I look. Since I'll have to spend at least three days a week here for the next six months, give me some info on good restaurants. It'd be even better if you eat with me. This is also a secret, but I'm surprisingly shy, so I'm not good at eating alone in restaurants."
"I moved to Seoul when I was young, so I don't know very well either…. I'll ask my friends."
Usually, when faced with this kind of request, Ro-a would excuse herself by saying she didn't know well either, but this time she mustered the courage to add the last part. Seon-u's confession about liking Yi-seo had significantly lowered her guard, and she also felt it was important for the lead actors, responsible for the success or failure of a drama, to get along well with their co-star. In truth, this drama was like the last chance of her life for Ro-a. She wanted to do well.
"Great. So, are we going to be close from now on? I'm dropping the formalities, okay?"
"Haha, yes."
Smiling harmlessly at Ro-a, who showed him a shy smile for the first time, Seon-u's lips drooped slightly from the wave of futility washing over him. Of course, true to his award-winning theater background, his expression didn't change at all.
Sitting in a corner of Jungcheon, gazing endlessly at the spirits bubbling up like water droplets, Ga-on let out yet another sigh, the count of which she had lost track. She rarely let her mind wander in Jungcheon, but strangely, she couldn't concentrate today.
- So. What do you want to do about that young blood?
Early this morning, Sorang, after listening to her story for a long time, met her eyes and asked the same question for the second time. This time, she couldn't answer that she didn't want to do anything. Thinking it over carefully, it seemed there wasn't necessarily a reason why she couldn't. The thought that spending time with someone she felt good about wasn't a sin suddenly occurred to her.
In fact, Ga-on wanted to do many things with Ji-won. Lately, everything that piqued her interest had invariably come through Ji-won. For the first time, she felt that life was somewhat interesting, and she wanted to share that interest with Ji-won.
To Ga-on, who had already answered sufficiently through her expression even without verbalizing it, Sorang offered advice with a serious face. It was out of sheer frustration, knowing how long she might dither if not shown the way.
- Ask him to eat ramen together.
- …Ramen?
- Have you ever eaten it?
- Once.
Seriously, excessively overprotective. Sensing the presence of Hee-ju, who had already tidied up and diligently started her day even though the morning stars were still visible, Sorang shook its head. If she had raised a child this coddled, it probably would have become a delinquent teenager; it's a relief she met her after she was grown. No, how can she have eaten ramen only once when even I have eaten it?
- Anyway. That's a widely used pick-up line among young people these days. It was in a famous movie.
- Pick-up….
- You wouldn't just grab his hand out of the blue, would you? Or could you directly ask him out?
- No.
- Exactly. That young blood might be rude, but he seems quite perceptive, so he'll understand if you ask him to eat ramen.
Nodding seriously, Ga-on tilted her head slightly at a sudden question that occurred to her.
- But why do you keep calling Director Cha rude? He's a very polite person.
- Oh dear. I'll be watching to see how long this brat keeps up this disgusting act.
- What do you mean?
- Haa. Just live comfortably without knowing. Yes. As long as he's good to you, that's what matters. It's not like I have to live with him.
Muttering something incomprehensible, Sorang declared it was sleepy and retreated into its cave. Walking alone along the hydrangea path, now past its peak, Ga-on thought asking to eat ramen was quite a plausible idea. It struck her as a remarkably sophisticated way of speaking, allowing her to convey her intentions without using embarrassing words.
Modern people certainly have sense. She nodded, genuinely impressed. Since Ji-won had mustered courage towards her twice, it was only right for her to make the third confession. Besides, although completely unintentional, Ga-on had a history of brutally ignoring his first confession. Having realized this fact only recently, Ga-on had been unspeakably shocked by her own ignorance.
However, now that she actually had to say it, she had no idea where to begin. Ramen… where exactly should we eat it? At Muyeongdang? Then should I ask Madam Kwon to cook it? If I say I'll go into the kitchen and use the stove, she might collapse from shock. But it's a kind of confession; isn't it too insincere to ask someone else to do it? Still, I don't have the confidence to cook it myself.
Then should I suggest going to Director Cha's house? Wouldn't that mean Director Cha ends up cooking the ramen? Director Cha isn't the type to ask me to do things either. But isn't that too much of an imposition? Haa, was eating a bowl of ramen always this difficult?
"Aah…."
From a distance, Ji-won watched Ga-on let out a long sigh and close her eyes tightly in distress, his face extremely displeased. Before coming here, his mind had been complicated, but seeing her face now, he felt foolishly glad, and seeing that glad face not looking well made his heart ache.
- If you're busy, you can just drop me off near the headquarters.
The moment he heard those words, he firmly resolved not to see her face for a while. Realizing that Ga-on, accustomed to being cared for by others, must have been considerably uncomfortable to say such a thing, Ji-won felt very sorry towards her and also a bit hurt. Still, I can't just pursue my own desires. As time passed, his liking for Ga-on grew to the point where he himself was flustered, but Ji-won knew better than anyone that feelings couldn't be obtained through coercion.
However, the moment he got on the elevator at the headquarters, his reckless finger simply betrayed its owner's strong will and pressed a button on its own. Ji-won stared blankly at his uncontrollably outstretched finger, thinking this must be how Kim Yu-sin felt when he cut off his horse's head in front of the courtesan house.
[49th Floor. Going up.]
Of course, cancelling was possible, and he could have gotten off midway. But his finger wouldn't listen. While debating hundreds of times whether to press the button for his original destination, the 47th floor, the elevator arrived at the 49th floor. Gazing blankly at Jungcheon, overflowing with various kinds of commotion as usual, Ji-won stepped out of the elevator just before the doors closed. Although he didn't look around much, he located Ga-on instantly.
"Did anything happen in Jungcheon today?"
"No. It was pretty much the same as usual."
"When did the CEO arrive in Jungcheon?"
"She came out early today. Around 8 AM?"
Ji-won's mood soured further at the friendly reply from the security guard he recognized. 8 AM wasn't enough time to wake up properly and eat a full breakfast. Did she pull an all-nighter again? Was it because of me that she couldn't sleep? This highly plausible assumption made Ji-won's chest feel tight.
"Madam CEO. Have you eaten?"
Nevertheless, Ji-won couldn't bear the thought of Ga-on starving, so he mustered the courage to approach her. He worried she might feel awkward seeing him, but fortunately, Ga-on's eyes lit up upon seeing his face, and she looked quite pleased. For a moment, the knot in his stomach loosened.
"Ah, Director Cha. What time is it now?"
"A little past 1 PM."
"Has it gotten that late already? I haven't had lunch. How about you, Director Cha?"
"Me neither."
Although he had eaten an early lunch around 11 AM before his 1:30 PM counseling session, Ji-won lied effortlessly. He had gone through great trouble rescheduling with the busy counselor after postponing once for his aunt's funeral, but at this point, none of that mattered.
"What brings you to Jungcheon? Was there a troublesome spirit?"
"No. I just… stopped by."
"Really? Then would you like to have lunch with me?"
"I would. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
Hesitating for a moment at Ji-won's question, Ga-on made a peculiar expression with an unreadable meaning and named an unexpected menu item.
"…Ramen."
Ramen? Ji-won's eyebrows lifted slightly before returning to their place. Was there a clean restaurant nearby specializing in ramen? As he quickly scanned his memory, Ga-on added a condition.
"At Director Cha's place."
"…."
This time, it required a bit more thought. A woman suggesting eating ramen at a man's house could carry quite suggestive nuances depending on how one heard it. However, looking at Ga-on's calm expression, Ji-won sternly rebuked his own lewdness and quickly feigned composure, speaking in a steady voice.
"Let's go. My car is in the basement."
She must have chosen a place she deemed relatively safe, thinking that if Chief Kwon saw them, word would immediately reach Madam Kwon. Having quickly convinced himself, Ji-won swiftly moved ahead of Ga-on to press the elevator button. In doing so, he missed seeing Ga-on clenching and unclenching her fists with a slightly tense expression.
Sitting obediently at the dining table, Ga-on watched Ji-won, sleeves rolled up, bustle around the kitchen, quietly sinking into dismay. Sorang… you said everything would work out just by suggesting ramen. Even to my ignorant eyes, it doesn't feel like anything has been conveyed at all? If I leave things like this, Director Cha seems likely to genuinely just feed me a bowl of ramen and send me politely on my way.
She tried to think of a way to overcome the impasse, but Ga-on couldn't find a solution within her capabilities. What should I do… should I really go and hold his hand? But Ji-won seemed extremely busy making coffee, preparing side vegetables, and simultaneously putting water on for the ramen, so she couldn't bring herself to interrupt him.
"There's spicy and slightly less spicy. Which would you prefer?"
"Less spicy."
"Do you like eggs beaten into the broth?"
"Not particularly."
This wasn't the kind of conversation I intended to have, like we're really at a restaurant. Should I just eat the ramen first and think again? Deciding on a tactical retreat with a soft sigh, Ga-on relaxed slightly and leaned back against the chair.
"Ah."
Ji-won, who seemed to be looking for bowls he didn't usually use, opened an upper cabinet above the sink, then closed it again with a click, looking slightly flustered as he glanced back. But Ga-on, who had been watching him continuously, had already seen the contents.
"…."
Blinking her large eyes a couple of times in the awkward silence, Ga-on slowly stood up from her seat. She then approached Ji-won and reached towards the upper cabinet.
"Madam CEO."
Ji-won called out to her, looking extremely troubled, but Ga-on opened the door anyway. Inside sat an adorable teapot decorated with a red double-decker bus, alongside six small teacups that appeared to be part of the original set. Ga-on felt an utterly indescribable emotion wash over her.
"This… how long have you had this?"
"…For a while now."
Ji-won decided he had to buy this ceramic set on the flight back. The purchasing process was slightly more complicated than expected. Although it's an era where items from the other side of the globe can be bought with a few taps, the owner of the 75-year-old souvenir shop was someone utterly fearless about going against the tide. Because the owner flatly refused international shipping, Ji-won had to go through the trouble of mobilizing an acquaintance in London just to get his hands on one tea set.
"It was something that caught your eye, Madam CEO. I thought I might feel a bit upset if someone else used it prettily."
"Aah…."
Letting out a slightly trembling breath, Ga-on gently caressed the smooth ceramic surface with her fingertips, then carefully closed the cabinet door and turned to face Ji-won. Looking straight into his eyes, she said.
"Director Cha. Would you like to formally date me?"
Dong-ha took the file handed to him by his secretary, flipped open the cover immediately, and soon looked up with an incredulous expression.
"What is this?"
"I apologize, Executive Director. We utilized every possible route, but nothing more came up."
"That can't be right. She's living right here on South Korean soil; how can she have absolutely no school ties, regional connections, or blood relations?"
"Yes. Within the accessible range, that is the case."
Dong-ha squinted at the secretary, who wore an apologetic expression, then hardened his face and crossed his arms. Supposedly a capable person. Father must have misjudged him.
"Hmm. I meant for you to dig up even the inaccessible data somehow."
The secretary broke into a cold sweat at Dong-ha's languid yet sharp rebuke. In truth, in present-day South Korea, no, anywhere in the world, there is no information that money can't buy. While serving the owner family at BS Group, the number of times he had dug into someone's background was too numerous to count. Among them were individuals whose identities were concealed by the government itself, and cases where official records were erased, making them non-existent on paper.
Still, as long as they were human, digging persistently always yielded traces somewhere. Especially in this age of advanced recording media, information about someone is shared by an unimaginably large number of people. However, this was the first time that even a speck of dust hadn't emerged, despite the secretary, a veteran in that field, deliberately trying to uncover everything. A resident registration number clearly existed, but the only thing searchable with that number was flight usage history.
It was truly maddening. He even went as far as digging through CCTV footage near the Zenith Company headquarters, but could only make out a rough outline; not a single frame showed her face clearly. Unlike typical conglomerate heads, she mostly moved around alone without an entourage, yet something always seemed to surround her. Like a protective barrier.
"I apologize."
"So. After a whole week, all you got was a resident registration number and one photo?"
Staring intently at the 13-digit number, Dong-ha let out a disbelieving chuckle. Other than the date of birth and place of birth being Seoul, there was no other information. Four years older than us. Should I consider it fortunate that our compatibility is at least good?
And what kind of photo is this? The single photo attached apologetically was taken from the side, showing Ga-on intently examining something in an exotic setting. Even that was blurry and out of focus. Wait, isn't this London? There's a water globe with a Big Ben model inside?
"Where did you get this?"
"From the secret folder in your friend's cell phone photo album…."
"What did you say?!"
Do-gyeom, who had dozed off due to a familiar, gentle fragrance wafting somewhere, slowly opened his eyes. His vision, hazy like fog, gradually cleared, and soon the familiar ceiling came into view.
My body must have been tired; I took a nap for once. Lazily sitting up and opening the door leading to the main wooden-floored hall (daecheongmaru), the pure white lotus flowers filling the pond delighted Do-gyeom's eyes even before he stepped outside. Perhaps because the day was cloudy, the lotus flowers, which usually hid during the hot midday sun, had fully opened their buds, releasing a strong fragrance.
Su-yeon would like this if she saw it. She had been waiting for the lotus flowers to bloom since early spring. By the way, how long does she intend to make me wait? It feels like nearly a month has passed; isn't it about time she returned from her maternal home? As Do-gyeom started walking slowly along the edge of the pond, smiling fondly at the image of a lovely face vivid in his mind,
"Brother!"
Turning his head at the clear, ringing call, Do-gyeom beamed upon seeing his younger sister, the darling of the household, running towards him.
"Don't run, Ran-a. You'll fall."
The adorable little girl, wearing a delicate azalea-colored baessidaenggi ribbon decorated with ruby on her ebony-black hair, was giggling merrily with a purely bright smile.
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