Chapter 106
Mitchell went to the filming location, and I drove Mitchell’s car to the agency. Unlike me, who didn’t know what to do, Mitchell’s face was nonchalant.
He wasn’t at all disappointed that the location tracking was erased, and even when I suddenly got angry, he brushed it off playfully.
Didn’t he even call me cute?
It was the first time I heard such words from Mitchell.
For him to call me cute when I’m tall, handsome, and this manly – it’s like saying storm clouds are gathering on a clear day.
…Damn, the weather is particularly nice today.
Anyway, Mitchell dismissed my minor mischief as just a light prank and went to the filming location with an even more refreshed face than usual.
Not only did he prevent me from quitting lessons with Alex, but he also removed the location tracking. It was quite fun when Mitchell came to find me. I was left quietly feeling wronged, having suffered only losses.
Still, it’s fortunate that things didn’t become awkward between Mitchell and me. Thinking that way, my gloomy mood gradually lifted.
The purpose of going to the agency was for the script. I said I’d stop by the agency myself to clear my head, as staying at home was suffocating.
Today, I’m Mitchell’s designated driver, so I’ll have to pick him up later when he finishes filming. I don’t know when he’ll be done, but it doesn’t matter.
I think I’ll go to a cafe, take a drive, and visit a bookstore for the first time in a while. I should also contact that bastard Kim Dong-san. I’m excited about this rare outing.
Mitchell seems disgruntled about me going out, but what can he do? I need to breathe some outside air too.
I went to the agency, met David, and received the scripts. As I requested, they were all scripts with nearby filming locations. I wanted to try something other than movies, but Mitchell absolutely wouldn’t allow small talk shows or radio appearances that were possible outside of film activities.
I’ve become someone who needs Mitchell’s permission for all schedules. It’s not because he’s practically the agency president, but because I’m personally under Mitchell’s control.
After briefly talking with David, I left the building. I bought a drink at a nearby cafe and enjoyed some leisure time sitting on a street bench. I also stopped by a bookstore and bought all the books I had my eye on.
I bought an outfit that would look good on Mitchell and sunglasses that would suit him. I happily used Mitchell’s card.
Using someone else’s money was both concerning and quite exciting. Especially with a card that has no limit!
After the enjoyable shopping, I got in the car with my hands full. Checking the time, it was already approaching noon.
It would be nice to have lunch with Mitchell.
“Hmm.”
I remembered Mitchell saying that he’s been skipping meals and filming due to the busy schedule these days. I quickly gave up on the idea of contacting him unnecessarily, worried about burdening him when he can’t even eat.
Just in case, I called Kim Dong-san. He might be having lunch with the girl he likes, but I can still try contacting him.
– Hello?
“Hey, man.”
– Uh… Geon-woo?
“Yeah.”
– Oh, you bastard. You called?
“What, did you think I wouldn’t call?”
– I thought you’d disappear again this time.
Hearing what could have been a serious conversation in Kim Dong-san’s voice made it feel light. As I imagined his face laughing and joking around, I couldn’t help but laugh too.
“Are you with that girl you like?”
– No. She has to work until 2 PM today. I came early because I couldn’t make the flight time.
“Then what have you been doing at the hospital all this time?”
– I’ve been sitting near where my sister works, waiting with my neck craned.
“Hey, that’s perfect. Let’s have a meal together.”
– Now? Do you have time?
“Yeah. I’ll come to the hospital.”
– I’m fine with that… Oh? He came out. He’s out.
“What came out?”
– There’s a famous film director’s son hospitalized here. He’s supposed to be really famous. But he just passed by me. Shit, should I get an autograph? Though I don’t really know who he is.
“A film director’s son?”
– Yeah. They say Mitchell Cronenwirth, Chris Pine, and Jim Ryle also came to the director’s son’s room.
What? Mitchell?
“Mitchell went there? When?”
– I don’t know. My sister told me. This is really a secret, but there’s talk that Mitchell paid for the surgery.
“Ah…”
– It’s not certain though.
It’s probably true. He likely covered all the surgery and hospitalization costs for Angelio’s son. Even though Mitchell had no particular reason to do so, I just thought that way.
After hanging up, I headed to the hospital where Kim Dong-san was. On the way, various scenarios came to mind. They were all far-fetched contents that would only appear in movies, so I soon shook my head.
Afterwards, I met Kim Dong-san and went to a restaurant right next to the hospital. Kim Dong-san, who started chattering as soon as we met, had become even more talkative since I last saw him. He only quieted down a bit after I put some food in his mouth.
“Is that film director’s son okay?”
I cautiously brought up the topic.
“Yeah. He must be fine if he’s being discharged, right? They say he’ll be discharged soon.”
“Really?”
“Do you know him too? Is he that famous?”
“He’s the director of ‘Silence Day,’ you know. There’s also ‘Moon and Night.'”
“Oh.”
“You don’t know?”
“Nope.”
I slapped his face with my palm as he laughed. When it made a clapping sound like swatting a mosquito, this guy found it funny and guffawed.
“Oh? Wait, my sister’s calling. Be quiet.”
I shook my head and scraped up the remaining pasta. As I was finishing my meal with a drink, Kim Dong-san mentioned a familiar name again.
“What? Mitchell?”
I put down my glass and stared at Kim Dong-san. A little later, after he hung up, he spilled all the details of the call without me even asking.
“Ah, because of you, I missed Mitchell again! He just came to the hospital and left! Seems he came to visit that director’s son. Geez, Bae Geon-woo, you’re not helpful in life. I was hoping to see Mitchell’s face just once.”
“He just came? Just now?”
“Yeah, man. He left so quickly that even my sister didn’t see him directly. She heard it from other people. She called to ask if I had seen him. How can she be so kind? I just mentioned a few times that I wanted to see Mitchell.”
Kim Dong-san even kissed his phone as if it were his sister. Normally, I’d be busy cursing at him for making those smooching sounds, but right now, I couldn’t think of anything because of Mitchell.
Every time something like this happened, I felt my blood boil. I wasn’t angry at Mitchell, but at myself for being incompetent and not knowing his detailed schedule.
Do I still not have Mitchell’s trust?
Glaring at my phone screen with no messages, I spoke.
“I need to go now. Got an urgent call.”
I pretended something had come in, waving my phone. Since we were planning to part ways after eating anyway, Kim Dong-san finished his last spoonful of food.
“Okay, let’s go. My sister seems to be finishing up soon too.”
I got up and quickly paid the bill. Kim Dong-san said he should pay since he earns more than an unemployed person playing around in America, but this time I had to pay no matter what.
I hoped the payment details would be sent to Mitchell’s phone. Though it seemed unlikely that Mitchell would know the restaurant’s location, I still wanted to make a statement.
“It must be tough, but I hope you succeed in your romance.”
I wished Kim Dong-san luck as we left the restaurant.
“I’ve almost won her over. What’s tough about it? You jealous bastard. You should date soon too.”
“What nonsense. Get going.”
“Alright. See you again.”
“Yeah.”
I promised to meet Kim Dong-san again. We said goodbye casually, like friends who had been in constant contact until yesterday. Somehow, I felt like we would meet again.
“Should I call?”
I fiddled with my phone while heading back to the car. I was debating whether to contact Mitchell now or wait a bit.
Fortunately, as soon as I got in the car, my phone rang. It was Mitchell.
He might have sensed my intention, or it could be a coincidence that he had time to call. Either way, my unsettled feelings quickly stabilized.
“Mitchell.”
– Did you enjoy your meal?
“Yeah. What are you doing? Filming?”
– No, I stepped out for a bit. The filming was delayed.
“Ah…”
Should I ask where he went? Would Mitchell lie to me? If he lies, I should forbid him from touching my body for a while.
I firmly decided to inquire about his recent whereabouts. But Mitchell’s confession beat me to it.
– You know Angelio’s son is hospitalized, right? I went there.
Thanks to that, I felt like I had drunk holy water through my ears. It was exactly what I wanted to hear.
Mitchell could do anything as long as he was honest with me.
Of course, it’s okay if he’s not completely honest. I’d be a little disappointed, but it’s fine.
“Which hospital?”
– LA County General Hospital.
“Oh? I’m near there right now. I just had a meal with a friend I saw earlier and we just parted ways.”
– Really? I didn’t know. If I had known, we could have met briefly. I couldn’t track your location, so I didn’t know you were there.
“…Are you being sarcastic now?”
– Me? Why would I? How could I be sarcastic to someone so innocent they’re startled by naughty words? I’m not that ill-mannered.
Well, well.
I couldn’t say anything to Mitchell, who was clearly taking a dig at me.
– I’m almost back at the filming location now. You should head home for now. I’ll contact you before I finish, okay?
“Alright. Good luck with the filming.”
– Yeah. I’ll call you.
As I hung up, I started the car.
While driving home, I frowned, alternating between looking at the rearview mirror and the side mirrors.
A car was tailing me.
