Chapter 17
“There aren’t proper places to sit, and with so many Alphas around, how could I leave you alone, Mr. Cheong-yeon? I’ve been waiting here until the audition results come out.”
“But…”
Cheong-yeon was at a loss for words at Secretary Shim’s calm explanation. To think he had waited here all this time for such an absurd reason. Besides, there weren’t even that many Alphas around.
He was curious why his ex-husband’s secretary kept insisting on accompanying him. Secretary Shim’s boss was ultimately Do-heon, and Do-heon and Cheong-yeon were now legally separated strangers.
“Thank you for the ride, but you really can go now. Fortunately, I got the role and will change clothes and wait before shooting begins.”
“Has the staff or manager who should be protecting you not arrived yet?”
“Considering there’s been no contact so far, they probably won’t come. What actor with no name recognition would have a manager?”
At Cheong-yeon’s words, Secretary Shim surveyed the surroundings with a serious expression. The weather looked like it could rain at any moment, staff members were busy preparing for the shoot, and there didn’t seem to be a proper place to sit and rest on set.
Of course, no separate changing room was provided. The lead actors changed in their own vans, while actors without vehicles like Cheong-yeon and staff had to use bathrooms or empty waiting rooms.
“Then I’ll stay with you until the end of today’s shooting.”
Secretary Shim said with a serious face, seemingly unable to leave Cheong-yeon alone.
“No, I can manage by myself. Why would you stay here with me? Won’t Moon Do-heon say something if you’re away from your post for so long?”
“The Director would dislike me leaving you alone here more than returning to the company late.”
“…”
“I’ll assist you quietly so as not to interfere with your work. Please think of me as your daily manager.”
Assist? The word seemed too grand compared to his role. Cheong-yeon rolled his eyes with a troubled expression.
Secretary Shim seemed to be overly glorifying Do-heon’s character. Even though he wasn’t completely unaware of Do-heon and Cheong-yeon’s marriage. If he knew how indifferent Do-heon had been toward him, he surely wouldn’t speak like that. Perhaps it was just empty words stemming from sympathy.
Well, looking back, Do-heon always treated him like a child. Even for trivial appointments like shopping or meeting friends, he always sent an escort. While he might cause emotional distress, he wouldn’t let physical discomfort go unaddressed.
“…Do as you please, then.”
As soon as permission was granted, Secretary Shim took the costume from Cheong-yeon’s hands and carried it for him.
“It would be better if you changed into the costume in the car. I’ve parked nearby, so we just need to walk a little.”
Cheong-yeon blankly stared at Secretary Shim’s back as he led the way.
He couldn’t just push him away when he insisted on staying, and above all, Cheong-yeon himself felt awkward and worried about being alone in an unfamiliar environment.
“What am I doing with Moon Do-heon’s secretary?”
Cheong-yeon sighed as he belatedly followed Secretary Shim.
*
“Mr. Cheong-yeon. Please have your meal.”
While Cheong-yeon was sitting in the communal waiting room reviewing his script after changing his costume, Secretary Shim suddenly appeared with trays of food in both hands, piled high with heaping portions.
“How did you get this…?”
Cheong-yeon unconsciously put down his script and stared blankly up at Secretary Shim. There was always a food service car on set, but apart from main staff and leading actors, celebrities with no recognition like him should be mindful when eating.
At an independent film production site like this, rather than a major broadcast shoot or a well-funded movie set, it was even more awkward to use supplies.
Here, Cheong-yeon was essentially a freeloader, so he had planned to somehow endure hunger until tomorrow.
“Since there was a food service car, I lined up and received it.”
Secretary Shim answered confidently, placing the tray on the table and neatly arranging disposable utensils and wooden chopsticks in front of Cheong-yeon.
When such a tall, well-dressed Dominant Alpha volunteered as Cheong-yeon’s assistant, other staff members nearby gradually stood up and offered their seats. Thanks to this, the space available for Cheong-yeon expanded.
His face burned from the glances cast his way. He hadn’t wanted to attract attention like this. Despite his discomfort, his body was much more comfortable.
“Why did you get so much food?”
“When I said I had a big appetite, the person serving gave me a lot.”
“Ah.”
“Please eat quickly.”
Secretary Shim said, pushing the tray closer to Cheong-yeon. Since the food had already been brought, and Cheong-yeon was hungry from moving around busily since morning, he picked up his spoon and began eating.
“It’s raining outside.”
Someone passing by murmured. Simultaneously, Cheong-yeon turned his gaze outside. After being cloudy all day, raindrops were finally falling.
“The shooting will be delayed further.”
“Ugh, how annoying. My hair will get ruined.”
Jeers erupted from around them, but only briefly. Cast members already accustomed to waiting quietly took their seats and killed time as if they had never complained.
“I wonder if it’s raining in Seoul too?”
Cheong-yeon murmured absently. Secretary Shim, who had been eating quietly next to him, nodded and quickly swallowed his food.
“According to the weather forecast, it should be raining in Seoul by now.”
Cheong-yeon didn’t welcome the rain. The gloomy sky and damp air made his body feel sluggish too. Perhaps it was an emotional change conditioned over the past three years.
Looking at the scenery beyond the bedroom window, with clouds heavily settling without a ray of light, he often felt as if he were trapped in the mansion.
Come to think of it, it seemed to have rained on the day he first fought with Do-heon, the day he left for America, and the day he was diagnosed with infertility.
It had also rained on Cheong-yeon’s last birthday. Do-heon said he was busy with company work and returned home very late that day.
Cheong-yeon thought he must have forgotten it was his birthday. He had clearly mentioned wanting to see a movie when they had dinner together not long before. Maybe Do-heon didn’t remember because he had mentioned it too casually, or perhaps company work was more important to him than celebrating Cheong-yeon’s birthday.
While resigning himself to this, Cheong-yeon couldn’t completely let go of his lingering attachment and fell asleep on the living room sofa waiting for him. In his half-sleep, the irregular sound of rain outside seemed particularly depressing that day.
When he opened his eyes, he was in his bedroom bed, not the living room. Do-heon might have carried him there himself, as his pheromones subtly emanated from the collar.
On the table in the room lay expensive shoes wrapped in packaging and what appeared to be new car keys.
Wondering if Do-heon had left a short birthday greeting note among those gifts, he searched diligently, but what Cheong-yeon wanted didn’t appear.
Although he had received items so valuable that others could hardly even see them, Cheong-yeon didn’t notice any of them. Instead, the glittering gifts made him feel lonelier.
“I wonder when that guy ever rests.”
“Pardon?”
Lost in old memories, Cheong-yeon had murmured without realizing. Then he immediately blushed with shame at having been caught thinking about Do-heon by Secretary Shim.
“Are you referring to the Director?”
“…Yes.”
“As a matter of fact, he hasn’t been feeling well lately, probably because he has hardly rested.”
“He’s not feeling well?”
Cheong-yeon, who had been idly poking at his nearly finished meal with chopsticks, paused at this unexpected news.
“Yes. I understand he hasn’t been sleeping well.”
“Not sleeping well? I’ve never heard that before…”
Cheong-yeon tilted his head, carefully recalling his sleep patterns.
He wasn’t a person who needed much sleep, given how often he stayed up when busy with company work. For an Alpha who didn’t bat an eye even after staying up for days, the fact that he couldn’t sleep and wasn’t in good condition seemed like a serious matter.
“He should reduce his workload.”
“Actually, he took a three-day vacation recently.”
“Really?”
This was surprising news. A vacation? Not just one day, but three whole days. Cheong-yeon’s lips twisted bitterly.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
