Chapter 103
“He’s insane.”
Kim Ji-han, who had heard a condensed version of what had happened with Do-heon, muttered with a disgusted face. His expression so clearly revealed his hostility that Cheong-yeon almost had the illusion that the word “extreme disgust” was written on his forehead.
Cheong-yeon felt a pang of guilt at the stronger-than-expected reaction. He had completely omitted the part about already having slept with Do-heon, instead summarizing that Do-heon was demanding reconciliation and intimacy.
Though he felt guilty for only telling the version that favored himself, he didn’t have the courage to confess everything that had happened truthfully. Even if he was close with Kim Ji-han.
“I really thought everything ended with the divorce. I thought I’d never see him again, but now it seems like I’m seeing him more often than when we lived together.”
Cheong-yeon tightly gripped the glass in front of him and gulped it down in one go. The cool soju and beer mixture went smoothly down his throat.
It felt like his insides, which had been clogged with various problems, were clearing up momentarily.
Do-heon had told him not to drink because of pregnancy concerns, but why should he care? That was purely Do-heon’s selfishness. What he wanted wasn’t pregnancy but the perfectly proportioned soju and beer mix right in front of him.
“If you didn’t want him interfering, you shouldn’t have accepted his help in the first place.”
Kim Ji-han clicked his tongue reproachfully. It was undeniably correct.
“Ha. You’re right… I brought this on myself…”
While Kim Ji-han mixed a fresh soju and beer in the empty glass, Cheong-yeon gloomily muttered while picking at the cheese dakgalbi in front of him.
No matter how he thought about it, the recent events were too surreal.
He had finally started acting, which he had wanted to do for a long time, and his first drama had done fairly well, so many people recognized him. It was also amazing to work with staff who made efforts for him. Everything had felt like a dream, but…
‘Take until Friday to collect yourself and come to our meeting place. Just like you’ve been doing until now.’
Who would have known his ex-husband was this insane?
He couldn’t stand the sight of him, yet being told to show up punctually at a hotel every Friday for sex was absurd.
Several days had passed since then, but Cheong-yeon was still going crazy trying to sort out his feelings.
“Hey, Yoo Cheong-yeon. You didn’t go begging to Moon Do-heon because of what I said last time about asking him for help, did you?”
“That’s right. Come to think of it, you did talk nonsense like that. It’s all because of you. You take responsibility, okay?”
Cheong-yeon rambled, saying whatever came to mind, shifting the blame for this situation onto Kim Ji-han. In response, Kim Ji-han picked up a snack from the table and threw it at Cheong-yeon.
“Hey now. You’re being ridiculous.”
“…Right, it’s my fault, who else could I blame? I went to Moon Do-heon on my own and asked for help… Haah.”
Cheong-yeon shook his head like a madman, condemning himself.
“Why did I accept that man’s help? No, logically speaking, no matter how bad the situation is, normally people don’t go to their ex-husband and ask for support to act. What was I thinking back then, Ji-han?”
As if on cue, even the song playing in the bar was a melancholic ballad. Listening to the song made Cheong-yeon feel more confused as he rested his chin on the table and sipped his drink.
“Why are you digging yourself into a hole? Everyone around you was pressuring you back then. The director and Song Hee-jun too.”
“That’s true.”
“You’re a Recessive Omega who divorced a chaebol, and you’re also broke. But you say you want to act. How tempting is that for people to gossip about, huh?”
“…”
“It’s material that broadcasting station folks would go crazy over. Adding a bit of mental gymnastics, I think Moon Do-heon bears some responsibility for that too.”
“You’re right, damn it.”
In the end, this all happened because he had no money and no connections. Plus, his ex-husband wasn’t just an ordinary person. He was one of the most well-known businessmen whose name everyone recognized. As Kim Ji-han said, the broadcasting station people wouldn’t leave this interesting tidbit alone.
But if he had handled the problems more maturely each time they arose, would the results have been different?
If he had built his acting career step by step from the bottom without Do-heon’s sponsorship. If he had refused the compensation Do-heon offered, no matter how tempting it was. Would the situation be better than it is now?
“Now I’m going to be helplessly dragged around by that bastard’s wishes. Maybe I shouldn’t have started acting.”
Feeling like a rock was lodged in his throat, Cheong-yeon downed another drink. Watching him, Kim Ji-han pointed with his chopsticks.
“The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it is. No matter what, threatening with people you know? Man, that’s crossing the line big time.”
“Right, Ji-han? You think so too?”
“I mean, bluntly speaking, what sin has Hye-rin committed to deserve getting fired? Her only sin is loving you too much.”
“Hah… that’s right. Love isn’t a sin… I really don’t know why I’m suffering like this just because I’m so handsome.”
“What the hell are you suddenly saying?”
Kim Ji-han frowned at Cheong-yeon’s profound gaze and voice dripping with self-admiration.
“But if Moon Do-heon is threatening with the staff, does that mean he’ll cut their jobs, end their careers, and completely ruin them? Something like that?”
“I guess that’s about right.”
“Manager Kyung-seop seemed to be doing well finally, but now he’s about to be buried in debt because of Yoo Cheong-yeon. What crime did he commit by bringing in one wrong actor?”
“That’s right. Always running around doing manager work and entertainment company errands, and now because of me, he’s in debt…? …Hey, wait. Is this supposed to be comforting?”
Sensing something odd about what he was hearing, Cheong-yeon raised his eyebrows. As the alcohol gradually took effect, his vision became slightly blurry.
“I got too invested in thinking about it. I’m an F to the bone, you know.”
“No, if you’re an F, empathize with me. Not with Kim Kyung-seop. Anyway, what should I do now? Do I keep living like this?”
“Well, he’s definitely pushing you forward, isn’t he? Why not just go with the flow and make money while you can?”
Kim Ji-han answered casually as if he had never been serious. While picking out the remaining dakgalbi, he looked around distractedly, rolling his eyes.
“This isn’t the time for such nonsense! And focus on what I’m saying. Why do you keep looking elsewhere?”
“Hey, Yoo Cheong-yeon. But… that woman sitting diagonally behind you… she’s been pretending to drink water from a soju bottle.”
Kim Ji-han said, pulling himself closer to the table.
“What?”
“She hasn’t even touched the side dishes once. And it’s suspicious that she came alone.”
“…”
Cheong-yeon carefully turned his head to check the person Kim Ji-han mentioned. Despite being a woman, she looked very tall even while seated. Her tight turtleneck revealed the contours of her firm body.
When their eyes met, the woman didn’t avert her gaze but openly observed Cheong-yeon and Kim Ji-han.
“Do you think Moon Do-heon sent her to watch you?”
Kim Ji-han whispered dramatically. Since Cheong-yeon had been thinking the same thing, he sighed.
“Damn. I’m not even surprised anymore.”
“She’s also been blocking all the girls who have been trying to approach our table. Shit, this is really crossing the line.”
“Was this a hunting bar? Damn it. I feel like Moon Do-heon is going to scold me later…”
Cheong-yeon looked around the interior of the bar he had followed Kim Ji-han into without much thought. No wonder the Alpha and Omega pheromones were so blatantly mixed, making the air heavy.
And he was also annoyed at himself for worrying about getting scolded for going to a hunting bar in this situation.
“Yoo Cheong-yeon, you got entangled with a terrible man after one bad marriage. Look at that woman’s shoulders and posture. She’s obviously a security guard.”
“What am I going to do, really?”
Cheong-yeon ruffled his hair as if tearing it out and let out a deep sigh.
“Hmm. Try to look on the bright side. It’s not like you can shake him off even if you wanted to. If you keep being stubborn and he really does something to your staff, it would be a disaster.”
“How is it possible to look on the bright side of this?”
“It might take time… but how about just going along with Moon Do-heon until he gets tired of you? In the meantime, you can receive sponsorship and build your career.”
“Until he gets tired?”
“Yeah. You know this. Rich guys throw even bigger tantrums when they can’t have something.”
Kim Ji-han acted smug, as if revealing a great secret.
“Is that so…”
It sounded appealing when he heard it.
“Is there any other way? I’m worried because I don’t even want to face that guy, but since your face is already known, it’s also awkward to throw everything away and start something else.”
“Will he get tired of me after some time?”
“One hundred percent. People’s interest naturally fades quickly. He’s acting like this now because you’re playing hard to get, but that will only last for a while.”
“Hmm…”
“Look. To be blunt, there are plenty of people in the entertainment industry who receive sponsorship, but cases where they end up with their sponsors successfully are nonexistent.”
“Now that I think about it, you’re right.”
Cheong-yeon imagined Do-heon one day tearing up the contract, saying he no longer liked him and wanted to stop seeing him.
Is hoping for Do-heon’s feelings to change the only best option?
Every time he was reminded of the reality that he might have to sleep with him again in just a few days, he felt his teeth chattering like this. He wasn’t sure if he could just vaguely wait for Do-heon to get tired of him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
