Chapter 49
“They haven’t selected anyone yet, they’re still considering it, Director.”
“You should have consulted me about this beforehand. What if they start filming and then bail on us? Who’s going to cover those losses?”
Though no name was mentioned, Cheong-yeon naturally understood that they were arguing about him.
Soon, the closed door flung open, and a short man with a dark complexion emerged from inside. The man, presumed to be the director, briefly looked around the corridor, then noticed Cheong-yeon sitting in a chair and immediately frowned.
“Ah, so it’s him. I can tell just by looking at his face. There’s a limit to how shameless one can be.”
“Director! Let’s talk inside. If you don’t like him, we can go with another actor. Why come out just to see his face?”
The casting director came and tried to pull the director away. However, the director didn’t budge and stood firmly in front of Cheong-yeon, making eye contact.
Based on how his pheromones quickly filled the room as he approached, he seemed to be an Alpha, but his small stature and moderate movements didn’t make him feel threatening.
Cheong-yeon greeted the director who had purposely come out to see his face.
“Hello, I’m Yoo Cheong-yeon.”
“Tsk, tsk, I heard his face was good, but it’s just average?”
“Haha…”
How can you say that to someone’s face? Cheong-yeon forced an awkward smile and swallowed the words that were about to escape.
Just as he was thinking that he would end up being a spectacle again, a familiar name reached his ears.
“Ah! Come to think of it, didn’t Hee-jun say he knew this guy? They were classmates or something, right?”
Cheong-yeon’s head naturally turned at the unfamiliar yet familiar name that came from the director’s mouth. The director’s gaze was now fixed on a figure walking from the end of the corridor.
“Oh, Director. We just happened to be on the same music shows a few times when I was active as a singer.”
“Song Hee-jun?”
Cheong-yeon muttered his name without even realizing it.
It had only been a few days since he was briefly mentioned at the drinking session with Kim Ji-han. He never expected to meet him so soon. Upon seeing Song Hee-jun, Cheong-yeon forgot to manage his expression and his lips stiffened.
I heard he’s been appearing frequently everywhere lately, is he also appearing in this drama? As the lead? He’s already an uncomfortable person to deal with, why do I have to run into him here?
As Song Hee-jun approached and stood in front of him, Cheong-yeon’s mind was racing to grasp the exact situation.
He seemed to be familiar with the director, exchanging casual greetings, and also acknowledged Cheong-yeon.
“Long time no see, Cheong-yeon.”
“…Oh, hi.”
“Are you here for an audition?”
“Yes.”
“Hee-jun, you tell me. Is he worth using despite reportedly lying down nonchalantly on set before leaving?”
The director, who clearly didn’t like Cheong-yeon, pressed Song Hee-jun with his hands on his hips.
It felt like his mouth was going dry. To think that he needed a kind word from Song Hee-jun at this moment.
“I only knew him when we were idols, so I don’t know about his acting. He doesn’t really have a proper filmography yet, does he?”
“See? Even Song Hee-jun says he’s not sure.”
At Song Hee-jun’s defensive response, the director immediately confronted the casting director. The director was reacting so excessively that one might think Cheong-yeon had already been cast.
“But Cheong-yeon’s face was somewhat famous in its own right.”
Song Hee-jun said, glancing at Cheong-yeon who was standing awkwardly. Cheong-yeon had been thinking it would be enough if he didn’t badmouth him, but was he actually speaking favorably about him for some reason?
“But having been married to a chaebol before, would such a role satisfy him?”
Ah, of course not, Song Hee-jun. I knew you’d come at me like this.
Cheong-yeon grumbled internally, as if he had never expected anything different.
“So that’s why he was being so unreasonable.”
The director eagerly took the bait and criticized Cheong-yeon. Standing among people who were discussing him right in front of his face, Cheong-yeon felt like a guilty criminal with his tail between his legs, but it felt unfair to just leave.
“No, that’s not true. If you choose me, I’ll work really hard.”
With the intuition that this might be his last chance, Cheong-yeon answered with determination in his voice.
“Come to think of it, I’m curious… what’s your secret? No matter how pretty your face is, how does a Recessive Omega marry a chaebol? Are you that good in bed?”
Despite Song Hee-jun, the casting director, and other staff being present right beside them, the director lowered his voice and openly mocked Cheong-yeon.
Seeing the director’s upturned corners of his mouth, Cheong-yeon clenched his fist. For a moment, he was speechless and his mind went blank.
“It’s fascinating that a Recessive and a Dominant actually got married, isn’t it? Right, Hee-jun?”
“Judging by his appearance, it seems he was kicked out without getting a penny.”
“They might act rich and refined, but when they’re blinded by lust, what won’t they do? In my opinion, Alphas are all the same, whether Dominant or Recessive.”
The director snickered vulgarly. Then he looked Cheong-yeon up and down as he stood there motionless.
“You said you’d work hard, but you’re not answering?”
“I’ll only answer questions about the role.”
“See? I told you he’s stuck-up.”
The director shook his head with a displeased expression at Cheong-yeon’s rigid attitude. Soon, muttering to himself that it wasn’t going to work, he passed by Cheong-yeon and disappeared down the corridor.
The other staff who had been watching the situation carefully also began to disperse.
So this is how it ends again. Cheong-yeon stared blankly down the corridor.
“Yoo Cheong-yeon. Don’t take it too seriously, okay?”
At that moment, Song Hee-jun, who had surprisingly stayed until the end, tapped his shoulder.
“Working in this industry, hearing such vulgar talk isn’t uncommon.”
And he made what seemed like the most normal statement among the group. Cheong-yeon was wary, as if wondering why he was suddenly acting friendly after joining in the mockery, to which Song Hee-jun shrugged.
“From what I could tell, the director isn’t completely dissatisfied with you.”
“What does it matter? It’s already over.”
Cheong-yeon straightened his clothes, indicating that he had no lingering attachment, and looked for the building exit. Even to himself, this audition seemed hopeless. Just when things seemed to be going smoothly, he ran into Song Hee-jun and had to hear comments about his sex life.
His insides were boiling with anger, but knowing that causing another incident would only repeat the vicious cycle, he decided to leave quietly.
“Anyway, I’m leaving.”
“Yoo Cheong-yeon. Wait a moment.”
Cheong-yeon, who was checking the time and stepping toward the end of the corridor, paused at Song Hee-jun’s call. Turning around, he saw Song Hee-jun with a somewhat regretful expression.
Anyone watching might think they were old best friends who had accidentally reunited on the street. In reality, they were former idols from similar failed groups who were always eager to pick fights whenever they made eye contact.
“If you don’t mind, I could… talk to the director for you?”
“About what?”
“About how the role you auditioned for today seems to suit you.”
What is this now?
Just when he thought Song Hee-jun was going to say something annoying again, he came out with something unexpectedly favorable that Cheong-yeon had never anticipated.
The question “Why would you do that?” was about to rise in his throat, but knowing it wasn’t the right time, he barely swallowed it.
A warning bell rang sharply in his mind that there must be some hidden motive. But Cheong-yeon was desperate enough to grasp at straws, so he ultimately couldn’t reject Song Hee-jun’s offer.
*
“Damn it. I think I got played.”
Cheong-yeon muttered in a locked voice as he woke up late in the morning. He should have ignored Song Hee-jun’s suspicious approach yesterday and just left.
Cheong-yeon went to the kitchen, drank a glass of water, and turned on the TV he had recently bought second-hand from an online marketplace. As he stared blankly at the screen, he recalled what had happened right after the audition.
‘Oh, right. Do you have any plans after the audition? If not, could you help me organize the drama costumes I tried on today? Our staff left early, so we’re short-handed. Please, Cheong-yeon.’
Song Hee-jun had used the promise of recommending Cheong-yeon to the director as leverage to ask him to organize his costumes.
He had clearly implied it would just be a few pieces of clothing to put away, so with a half-believing heart, Cheong-yeon reluctantly agreed. But as it turned out, the fitted clothes were far more than just a few.
After escorting him only to the entrance of the waiting room, Song Hee-jun had disappeared at some point, leaving Cheong-yeon alone to organize clothes for over an hour.
Midway through, he had considered just going home, but the image of Song Hee-jun, who clearly seemed to have a close relationship with the director, kept lingering in his mind. Hoping for the best, he gritted his teeth and moved the costumes.
After completing this unexpected labor and returning home, he went to sleep. Upon waking up, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had been completely fooled.
“Damn. Why did I do that? Did they really ask me to do that? Are you stupid, Yoo Cheong-yeon?”
Cheong-yeon stared at the ceiling, which had faint mold stains, blaming himself for his own naivety.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
