Vol. 2 Chapter 46: Chapter 46

Vol. 2 Chapter 46:

Translated by Chef

Edited by Chef

It’s weird. Apparently, he was in a good mood until now.

Inseop bit his lower lip and recalled his memories.

‘Can I come out now?’

As soon as they left the parking lot, Lee Wooyeon looked back at Inseop under the back seat. Lee Wooyeon borrowed CEO Kim’s car on the condition that he clean the sheets and return it.

‘Would it be okay?’

‘What?’

‘Something like that happened… Are people going to talk about it?’

CEO Kim would go up to the office and crack down on people, but it was inevitable that the story would leak out. No, it is most likely that it has already leaked out.

‘What if it’s not okay?’

Lee Wooyeon answered in a light tone, as if talking to someone else. CEO Kim believed that Lee Wooyeon’s greatest strength as an entertainer was not his looks, physicality, or voice, but his mentality. He said that if he worked as a celebrity for a long time, his heart would get sick, but Lee Wooyeon said that he didn’t have to worry about that.

‘Still, I’m worried. Aren’t you worried about rumors?’

As Inseop spoke carefully, Lee Wooyeon’s hands on the steering wheel tightened. He drove for a long time, looking only in front of him, before finally opening his mouth.

‘I’m sorry.’

Inseop was taken aback by Lee Wooyeon’s unexpected apology.

‘No. As a manager, what should I do?’

‘You got it wrong. Inseop is my lover, not my manager. That’s why I apologize.’

Heat rose to Inseop’s face. The word ‘lover’ reminded him of something he had just forgotten. His first thought was that he was lucky to be sitting in the back seat. So he didn’t want him to see his blushing face. Then, when he suddenly felt his gaze and raised his head, he met Lee Wooyeon’s eyes, who was looking at him from the rear view mirror.

‘… We’ll get into an accident.’

‘I’ll just watch to the extent that I won’t have an accident, okay?’

At Lee Wooyeon’s words, the inside of his throat tickled, and the heat rose again on his face. Funny enough, until he entered the office, his depressed mood was relieved. He heard the reason why he went to see Chae Yeonseo in the hospital. He didn’t ask, but it must have been for a similar reason that they met then. He had a pointless suspicion. The bad habit of imagining and drawing conclusions in a bad direction should be corrected quickly.

As Inseop was deeply reflecting on himself, Lee Wooyeon suddenly opened his mouth.

‘The weather is good today.’

Inseop blinked his eyes at the somewhat unexpected remark, and looked out the window. The car was passing a bridge across the Han River.

It was a clear sky, suitable for an atmosphere that was neither too cold nor too hot.

‘I think we should go home. Do you need to take a shower and change clothes?’

It was roughly wiped off with his handkerchief, but there were dried coffee stains on Lee Wooyeon’s clothes and hair.

‘Yes. Then, I will walk home from here.’

No answer came back to Inseop’s words. He should have said that he would take the bus.

‘Where are you going?’

The voice that asked was subtly low.

‘I’m going to see Arthur and Isaac later. They’re both getting adopted tomorrow.’

‘Oh, the cat.’

Lee Wooyeon replied briefly. Then he put his arm on the driver’s window and drove, looking ahead in silence.

At first, he was thinking of asking Lee Wooyeon to spend time with him. He didn’t make a promise, but Inseop felt sorry for nothing.

‘What about the rest?’

Lee Wooyeon asked abruptly.

‘Yes?’

‘Who’s going to take the other two?

‘John and Lois have not been decided yet.’

‘Shall I raise it?’

When Inseop, taken aback by the sudden proposal, couldn’t say anything, Lee Wooyeon laughed slowly.

‘Well, I guess they should meet a good owner.’

For some reason, Inseop’s heart was pounding at the words he said as if he were talking about himself..

‘No. I’m sure Lee Wooyeon will be a good owner too.’

He believed that even if Lee Wooyeon did not like animals, he would take responsibility and take care of them once he said he would raise them.

‘That would be nice.’

Lee Wooyeon lightly stepped on the accelerator and said. After that, Lee Wooyeon did not say a word until he dropped Inseop off in front of the house.

Was he offended by the fact that he was going to see the cat, or was it because he didn’t immediately agree to have a cat?

Inseop went out of the shower and dried his hair, still thinking about the conversation he had earlier.

Or maybe he had something else he wanted to say.

No matter how much he thought about it, he didn’t understand. Lee Wooyeon was not the type to put up with what he wanted to do. He had always been honest about his feelings. But these days he felt like he was taking a step back and hitting a wall. Like trying to hide his feelings…

“No.”

Inseop quickly shook his head. The problem was that when he became anxious, his thoughts kept flowing in a negative direction.

After wearing his clothes, Inseop started texting Lee Wooyeon.

[Did you get in? If you don’t mind, I’ll take a picture of Lois and John and send it to you today]

Just as he was about to complete and send his text, Yoon Ahreum called him.

“Hello.”

“I was about to leave the house.”

“No. It’s just a short walk away.”

She hung up on her phone before Inseop could say no. As much as Yoon Ahreum was affectionate, she had a no-nonsense personality. He wished that he was half like her.

Inseop let out a small sigh and read the text he was going to send to Lee Wooyeon again.

Should he delete the sentence about sending a picture of a cat? When it’s over, he might add that he wants to see him too. Should he say that he will wash the clothes from earlier? No, what if the atmosphere flows in a strange direction again?

Inseop’s memory of being in the car came back to him, and he blushed while covering his mouth with his hand. He groaned while looking at his phone screen for a while, and eventually deleted all the sentences he had written and sent a short message.

[Did you reach home well?]

After sending the message, Inseop stared blankly and waited for a reply.

Lee Wooyeon read books or watched movies during breaks. He wasn’t the type to pass the time with his phone in his hand.

“……”

Even so, the answer usually came back right away, like there was something special.

Inseop looked down at his phone, then gave up and put on his shoes. She asked him to come down in twenty minutes, but he’d rather wait than make the other person wait.

Even while going down the stairs, Inseop checked his cell phone several times.

Was he angry too?

He knew at least that Wooyeon was not very happy that he met Yoon Areum. So, he minimized his visits to the cats, and he avoided unnecessary contact.

In fact, he didn’t tell anyone, but Inseop liked meeting Yoon Ahreum’s family. He liked her mother, who asked if he had eaten every time he saw him, his father, who had a kind heart even though he seemed scary at first glance, and Yoon Areum, who had a kind and witty personality. Seeing them in that setting naturally reminded him of his family in America. Eating together made him feel like he was with his family. So it was good.

But

“I can’t help it.”

Inseop let out a small sigh. He decided that once Lois and John’s home was decided, he would no longer have contact with Yoon Areum. Returning to Korea was entirely because of Lee Wooyeon. He didn’t want to give any reason to shake his relationship with him.

It wasn’t that his heart wasn’t broken. It was the first human relationship he made alone after coming to Korea. They were people who gave more than they received. After organizing everything like this, the only thing left for him was Lee Wooyeon. In the end, if he broke up with Lee Wooyeon, he had a sad thought that in the end, he would have nothing left for himself.

“Let’s think thoughts. Good thoughts.”

Inseop muttered as if casting a spell before the accident could reach him in a negative direction.

It’s been a while since he’d seen Kong, so he’ll have to hug her white and fluffy fur tightly … Will, he missed him. He felt like crying… no, good thoughts. Good thoughts.

Stepping down the stairs one step at a time, Inseop stepped forward, stepping on bad thoughts.

“Oh. 501.”

Hearing the low voice, Inseop raised his head.

“Hello.”

“Where are you going? At this time?”

The man who was smoking a cigarette while walking up the stairs opened his eyes slightly and spoke to him.

“I have an appointment. Goodbye.”

He quickly bowed his head and went down past the man. Inseop was uncomfortable with the man in front of him. Aside from the cat issue, it was uncomfortable to talk with him.

“Are you going to meet your celebrity friend?”

At the word celebrity friend, Inseop was surprised and turned around.

“There was a celebrity car waiting out front. Isn’t that your friend?”

“Ah, yes, thank you.”

“Hey! Be sure to call me next time, okay?”

Inseop quickly greeted him and ran down the stairs. When he reached the second floor, he felt a shortness of breath and a throbbing pain in his chest. The symptoms were similar to those day. When he took a slow, deep breath, the pain disappeared as if it had never happened.

He was supposed to have a little left until the day of his regular checkup… he thought he would have to find some time and go to the hospital.

Inseop moved again.

What’s going on? He didn’t call, it’s like a surprise, if he came now, he’ll only see his face for a moment. Shall they go see the cat and have a cup of coffee together? He didn’t know why, but he was happy now.

As soon as he got down to the first floor, Inseop looked around. The car Lee Wooyeon was in was not noticed.

“Where are you?”

Inseop took out his cell phone. While calling Lee Wooyeon, someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.

“…”

He almost dropped his phone.

“What are you so surprised about? Have you ever seen a person for the first time?”

A completely unexpected person was standing there. Inseop didn’t say anything and looked at the other person and then lowered his head.

“I saw you earlier, but you should say hello again. Forget it, forget it.”

Kang Youngmo waved his hand.

“How did you get here…”

“What. I asked your office. Hmm, is it okay where you got hit earlier?”

Inseop felt awkward at his unusual tone.

“Yes. It’s fine.”

He doubted the sincerity of the man who came all the way to the house and asked such a thing.

If he wanted to apologize, he should have gone to Lee Wooyeon, who he spilled coffee on, not him.

“Because you got caught up in it. Earlier, I got a little heated. You know how important the work is to an actor.”

Inseop nodded quietly.

“Yeah. I thought you would understand. So, can we talk privately somewhere?”

“It’s a bit difficult right now.”

Even if it wasn’t now, he didn’t want to talk privately with Kang Youngmo anytime, anywhere.

“Why? Where are you going?”

“I have a prior arrangement.”

“Who are you meeting?”

When Inseop hesitated to answer, Kang Youngmo laughed and said, “Aha.”

“You said you had a girlfriend. I misunderstood you then. I’m sorry.”

“… ”

He became more and more anxious. The person who used to beat people until their nosebleeds with a script for saying he had a girlfriend was now apologizing.

“Then we can talk for a while and then I’ll go. Five minutes is enough.”

He looked down at Kang Youngmo’s expensive-looking watch, and said.

“… Will it be five minutes?”

“Even if you insisted on giving more time, I couldn’t. I’m busy.”

Inseop nodded his head. In fact, he had not the slightest desire to have a conversation with Kang Youngmo, but if he continued like this, he would run into Yoon Ahreum and harm her. Yoon Ahreum was a benefactor. He never wanted to do anything to her that would harm her. In the worst case, he could get hit by several shots, but it was better to end the conversation quickly.

“Shall we move to the cafe?”

“Are you crazy? How will we talk in a cafe full of people? You don’t think much for a manager.”

Kang Youngmo looked around and gestured at the entrance to the parking lot.

“We can talk over there for a second. Follow me.”

Kang Youngmo strode away without looking back. Inseop hesitated for a moment before he followed him.

Kang Youngmo was standing in the dark parking lot, lighting a cigarette.

“Wanna smoke one?”

Seeing Inseop coughing lightly, Kang Youngmo did not show any sympathy.

He held out his cigarette pack as if to be kind.

“No. It’s okay.”

Inseop replied, stepping back a little.

“If an adult gives it to you, you should take it without talking.”

Inseop had no choice but to accept the cigarette Kang Youngmo lit and stood there.

“Are you having a hard time these days? Your face is more sluggish than the last time I saw you.”

“It’s okay.”

“This bottom job is like that. Low pay, overtime. Isn’t it?

“…no.”

“No? Would you live in a place like this if you got good money? Well, Manager, it would be impossible for the rest of your life to save up your salary and buy a house in Seoul, right?”

Inseop fiddled with the cigarette without saying a word. He couldn’t understand Kang Youngmo’s intention of always telling such stories, so he was very anxious.

“Are you close with Lee Wooyeon?”

“Yes?”

Inseop was surprised and raised his head. He’s heard similar questions before. Did he come because he couldn’t believe that he had a girlfriend?

Inseop swallowed hard and looked at Kang Youngmo.

“How friendly are you?”

What kind of trap is this again? Inseop pondered for a moment before returning an appropriate answer.

“I’m still lacking, so I’m getting a lot of help.”

“Who told you to answer that?”

Kang Youngmo took a drag of his cigarette as a dark shadow fell over his face.

“Will one be enough?”

“What are you talking about?”

Kang Youngmo let out a small smile as he blew out the smoke from his cigarette.

“This pushing and pulling things don’t suit you. Yes, then two. No one gives that much. Two is enough, right?”

Inseop knew better than anyone else that he was weak in idiomatic expressions. So when he came across a word he didn’t know, he would skip it over and check it later. However, the problem was that he couldn’t get over it properly when dealing with someone like Kang Youngmo.

“What do you mean by two?”

Inseop asked thoughtfully. There are often people who get very angry just by asking the meaning of the word.

“You’re naive but greedy. I’ll give you a job as a chief executive officer in Sejong when I come out with only my belongings after cleaning up well. As you know, it’s hard to get a job as a manager at Sejeong, even if you spend ten years on this floor, isn’t it?”

Inseop couldn’t figure out what kind of stuff he was talking about.

As he stood there confused, the lit cigarette burned his hand.

“…!”

Kang Youngmo swallowed a smile as he saw Inseop dropping his cigarette.

“Is it that good? Well, when are you going to accept an offer like this?”

Inseop shook his head as he rubbed his hot index finger with the tip of his thumb.

“Thank you for your words, but I’m only helping temporarily. I’m only going to do it until this month, so I have no intention of continuing my manager job.”

“Then it’s even better. You’ll come out anyway, so there’s nothing to stop you from bringing me things. Isn’t it?”

“…I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

Kang Youngmo furrowed his eyebrows as if he was calming himself down.

“Bring the USB that Lee Wooyeon has, of course, if you have data backed up, take responsibility for completely erasing it, and then find out what’s in it and bring it.”

A look of bewilderment flashed in Inseop’s big eyes. Only the agent, the owner of the USB, would know what was in it. But he couldn’t tell Kang Youngmo about it.

“Now you’re starting to understand”

Kang Youngmo put his cigarette to her mouth.

It was as Lee Wooyeon said. Kang Youngmo seemed to have done many bad things.

Even more sinful than Lee Wooyeon expected. It’s not that he couldn’t sleep at night, considering that he chased him all the way here before nightfall.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Inseop answered with his eyes quickly lowered. He didn’t intend to take the USB, but he couldn’t. If that happens, all of Lee Wooyeon’s false threats against Kang Youngmo will be exposed.

“You haven’t heard anything from Lee Wooyeon?”

Kang Youngmo’s lips twitched.

“Yes. I didn’t.”

Kang Youngmo threw the cigarette onto the floor.

“You’re stuck with him for 18 hours a day, and you don’t know that? Say something that makes sense.”

Soon, Kang Youngmo’s voice became harsh.

“Just tell me the amount you have in mind. It’s annoying”

“No. I really don’t know anything, so I don’t think I can help you. I’m sorry.”

It was best not to get involved in this matter as much as possible. Besides, it was time for Yoon Areum to arrive. If he delayed a little longer, there was a high probability that the damage would go to her considering Kang Youngmo’s character.

“Or should I introduce you to one of our office trainees? If there’s someone you want in particular, I’ll let you do it once.”

A low-spirited smile hung on Youngmo’s lips. Understanding his meaning after a while, Inseop quickly shook her head.

“No. I don’t want that at all.”

“Then what do you want? Just ask for the amount.”

No matter how much he refused, he was stubborn. It also meant that he was so desperate.

“No matter what you say, I don’t think I can help you. I’ll go noe because of a prior appointment. Today’s talk is… “

Inseop gasped and swallowed his breath. A sharp pain spread across his back. Kang Youngmo grabbed Inseop’s collar with both hands and pushed him against the wall.

“What did you hear today? You’re going to pretend you didn’t hear it?”

Kang Youngmo’s eyes were bloodshot. The hand on his neck felt terribly cold. Inseop coughed at the suffocating pain rising from his back and struggled to shake off Youngmo’s hand. With force, he slammed Inseop into the wall several more times with all his might.

“A person with a good heart, huh? Damn, what a fucking bastard, you know what you’re doing!

Kang Youngmo threw Inseop to the floor. As if his anger still persisted, he kicked Inseop in the chest area. Inseop coughed out, but Kang Youngmo didn’t care.

“Someone like you can be buried without even a mouse or a bird knowing. I know I’ll never let you step foot in this industry again!”

Inseop clutched his chest and curled up.

“Stop the show. That’s enough, you won’t die. Fucker.”

Kang Youngmo kicked Inseop in the forehead. However, as time passed, his expression hardened when he saw Inseop’s breathing change.

“Hey. Hey! What’s wrong with you? Is it because of me? No way, fuck”

Kang Youngmo rummaged through his pockets and took out his cell phone. At that time, Inseop fell to the floor, collapsing.

“I have no luck.”

Kang Youngmo, who was making a call somewhere, hesitated and looked down at Inseop.

“Huh…, ha…”

Seeing Inseop holding his chest and breathing shallowly, he thought for a moment and then looked around. After confirming that there was no CCTV in the parking lot, he crouched down in front of Inseop.

“Last chance, listen up. Just answer that you are bringing a USB and I will call the hospital right away. Otherwise, you’ll be alone here.”

Inseop shook his head. The tears that had been pooling ran down his cheeks and fell to the floor.

“Then I don’t think I can help you either. Why don’t you ask Lee Wooyeon, who is always loyal to you, for help?”

Kang Youngmo took his cell phone out of Inseop’s pocket, threw it away, and left the parking lot.

“…Huu…”

Only after the sound of his footsteps had completely gone away did Inseop manage to raise his head.

No matter how hard he tried to catch his breath, his chest tightened and his vision went round and round. He took his medicine bottle out of his pocket and tried to open it, but his hand was so weak that he missed several times. He barely opened the lid, but the medicine dripped to the floor.

“Ha…”

While trying to pick up his medicine, Inseop fell back to the floor. His chest tightened as if someone had forced a large ball down his throat.

He blinked his eyes slowly. The whole sight before his eyes was blurred. He had a hunch that something was wrong.

He had to contact Lee Wooyeon. That was the only thought. He knew that the most reasonable way is to contact Yoon Areum and ask for help, but this time he wanted to choose Lee Wooyeon, who was not the best.

Inseop slowly moved his body towards the cell phone which was out of his reach. Even though it was only a few meters away, it felt far away like an unreachable place.

‘The weather is good today.’

Strangely, Lee Wooyeon, who had been saying that, came to mind. Eyes with a lively, tickling smile and a voice that seems to be excited…

The phone rang. He lost consciousness as he thought about answering the phone. From somewhere, he heard his name being called and a dog barking.

He closed his eyes..

It was dark.