episode_0136

Near the entrance to the casino, seeing people gather made me reluctant to approach.

It wasn’t just a crowd gathering for gambling; they were there to watch the filming happening today.

“There are so many people.”

“….”

Taking a break from work to take Yuarin and see Seyerin, she’s been biting her lip since earlier.

“Why. Again. What is it?”

“Why? Again? What?”

Yuarin grumbles, surprised by my question.

Poking my chest with her finger, she questions me.

“Why are you so obsessed with butts? Since last time, even yesterday! Continuously hitting butts discreetly!”

“…It’s fun.”

After playfully tapping Yuarin’s butt several times at a drinking session, she’s now responding well.

“That’s harassment! You pervert! What kind of harassing boss are you?!”

“You’re the boss! And you enjoyed it too!”

“Shut up! No, I didn’t!”

I distinctly remember her letting out sweet moans every time I tapped her butt.

“Stop it, or else.”

“Really, don’t do it. Got it?”

“I got it.”

Usually, I would retaliate against Yuarin for hitting me, even if in this manner.

Now that she’s blocked me like this, I wonder how to counterattack next time.

“My butt turned red because of you yesterday.”

“…I miss it.”

Glancing towards Yuarin’s butt, she hurriedly covers it with both hands, looking defiant.

“Don’t.”

“I won’t. Why is she acting like a living person?”

She’s not a living person.

I did indeed glance at Yuarin’s tempting butt just now.

“Did you see your fingers squirming?”

Damn, caught.

“Were your fingers squirming just to touch my butt?”

Putting on a poker face, I retort, and Yuarin steps closer, questioning.

“Then why were your fingers squirming? It was just enough to grab a handful of butt, right?”

“Touching Seyerin’s chest—boink!”

“You crazy bastard!”

A punch lands straight on me.

Trying to dodge, I end up moving into the punch instead.

Bent over in pain, Yuarin strides forward confidently.

I followed through the crowd, finding Seyerin conversing with actors.

“They’re famous people.”

With his mouth agape, Yuarin gazes at the people near Seyerin.

They were indeed individuals I’ve seen on TV or in movies.

Seeing them together, it felt natural for Seyerin to fit in among them.

Among them was Cha Seung-ho, who was mentioned yesterday.

“…He compared me to that guy?”

A handsome man who could rival Chanwoo. Seyerin choosing me over him felt like a form of deception due to his striking looks.

Almost intimidating.

Considering greeting Seyerin, we refrained as filming resumed.

I heard sometimes they control the set to prevent viewing, but here, being a hotel, there seemed to be no such restrictions.

Thanks to that, we could watch Seyerin act.

She was wearing a dress provided from this side, giving off a certain vibe.

A wealthy heiress.

Even indoors, wearing sunglasses, her elegant gestures were impressive.

“Isn’t the exposure a bit much?”

“It has to be to some extent. The background is a casino.”

“….”

“Are you Seyerin’s dad?”

Dumbfounded by Yuarin’s question, I kept quiet.

Indeed, considering the setting, some exposure suited the image.

“Isn’t that person prettier than the lead actress?”

“Wasn’t she the lead actress?”

“Wow, look at that body.”

The surrounding chatter shifted to discussions about Seyerin.

Some were searching to find out who she was, while others knew her as the beauty from Daehandang Bakery.

“…….”

A sense of discomfort settled in one side of my chest, but I pretended not to notice for now.

In any case, Seo Ye-rin began her performance.

Playing the role of a wealthy young lady who points the way without a single line of dialogue to the fleeing protagonist.

Her gestures exuded a seriousness and elegance quite different from the flirtatious acting she displayed at the drinking party yesterday.

Just that one thing.

‘Ah.’

I was convinced that the child must pursue acting.

“Let’s start heading back.”

As I blankly stared at Seo Ye-rin, I awkwardly smiled and turned my body.

It was tiring to stay long since I had taken a break to come here.

“….What’s wrong?”

As we stepped out into the crowd, Yu Arin looked at me with a subtle expression.

“Why are you like this? You don’t seem too happy.”

“I’m not fond of crowded places.”

“It doesn’t seem like it’s because of that.”

Anyway, she’s quick on the uptake.

“Let’s hurry. The managers will get mad.”

“….”

Forcing conversation, I quickened my pace, but Yu Arin hurriedly caught up and linked arms with me.

She was gripping my arm so tightly that it almost hurt, as if she couldn’t let go, almost like a protest.

Not just my emotions were unsettled; Yu Arin seemed to be feeling a strange sense of urgency as well.

I kept my lips sealed and slowed my steps, matching hers as we walked together.

* * *

“Ye-rin, you were really good, weren’t you?”

“That’s right. Wow, I felt the wall. Am I a genius?”

“Heh, thank you.”

Unable to contain her smile at the actors’ praise, Seo Ye-rin was bubbling with excitement at the thought of going to brag rather than enjoying their compliments.

After all, she had received praise from professional actors.

“But maybe today…”

“Hey hey, don’t worry about it.”

Although the actors in front were chattering away, Seo Ye-rin didn’t hear them.

After glancing at her phone briefly, she looked around.

‘They said they would come.’

They had promised to drop by during the break.

Since they had sent a text saying they would come when it was about to start.

“Ah….”

At that moment, a couple caught Seo Ye-rin’s eye.

Kim Woo-jin and Yu Arin were walking back to the set with their backs turned.

Yu Arin, comfortably linking arms with him, and Kim Woo-jin, walking beside her.

“….”

A strange emotion welled up within her.

Just moments ago, she had been in a good mood.

She had heard praises, felt excited to boast to Kim Woo-jin and the others.

“Ye-rin, the director loved the scene so much he’s putting it in the trailer.”

Despite the good news from the lead actor Cha Seung-ho, Seo Ye-rin couldn’t feel at ease.

‘I thought I could handle it.’

The same went for Choi E-seo and Yu Arin.

Although they had been somewhat distant due to recent events, she had thought things wouldn’t change between them.

Squeeze.

She gripped her phone tightly.

Watching the two walk away absentmindedly, Seo Ye-rin eventually couldn’t resist and picked up her phone.

– Anonymous69: I want to have sex!

She usually did this, but today, with deeper emotions, she posted a single word, feeling a pang.

“Ha.”

A bitter breath escaped her.

Nothing, absolutely nothing.

Nothing felt relieving.

* * *

“What?! Is that true?”

Upon receiving a call from the Gold One Hotel, the assistant director unknowingly jumped up from his seat.

“Oh, thank you so much! Yes! Yes! Thank you so much!”

He even bowed several times while on the phone, indicating that he had said everything he needed to.

Click.

As the call ended, the assistant director grinned widely and pumped his fists in the air.

“Nice! Nice! Nice!”

The Gold One Hotel had agreed to allow filming inside the casino, giving them a whopping two days to shoot there.

That was more than enough.

Although filming could only take place late at night when the casino was closed, they even offered to provide lighting and internal costumes.

Such generosity was beyond expectations.

Goldwon, which used to be conservative, suddenly turned so friendly. I don’t know why.

“How much exactly is saved in production costs?”

With a much more realistic setting and the fact that there’s no need to separately set up sets or use CG, production costs are reduced.

By contacting the filming team and actors directly, news of being able to shoot inside the casino spread, and everyone was delighted.

“This is really great, Director.”

“Right? But, Actor Cha…”

And while contacting the lead actor Cha Seung-ho, Assistant Director Jo subtly made a suggestion.

“Oh, today we filmed with Yerin, right?”

“Yes. You even remembered her name?”

I had to remember.

Didn’t they say they recognize talent from the start?

Seo Yerin clearly had the potential to become a top actor.

“How about utilizing Yerin a bit more? Give her a few more lines and a brief supporting role.”

“Do you know that we’ve already secured Yerin on our side?”

Fearing that they might lose Seo Yerin, Cha Seung-ho said a word, making Assistant Director Jo chuckle in disappointment.

“Of course, I know. Originally, I’m just a director. It’s just that it feels too short. Even though she might have some acting skills after seeing today’s performance.”

“….”

“We’re planning to include Yerin’s scene in the trailer, but if only that comes out, it would be a bit disappointing, right? Wouldn’t it be good for YS as well if Yerin has more screen time?”

“Well, that’s true.”

After all, the next-generation star was getting a head start by getting their face stamped on by the audience.

“I’ll talk to Yerin about it.”

“Sure, please do.”

After ending the call, Assistant Director Jo immediately called the scriptwriter.