Top Management Chapter 176-177

Chapter 176: Who is His Person (8)

TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir

I had expected there to be an enticing reward since that was the type of person CEO Baek Hansung was. I had expected a generous reward when he tried to hand me a natural disaster of a celebrity…

I gulped and asked,

"So you're saying I can build my team with people I want?"

"Yes."

"Will you uphold that even if the Team 2 Leader is extremely against it?"

His chopsticks stopped in midair. CEO Baek Hansung looked at me.

I felt like the moisture in my body was draining from me. I wet my throat with cold water. CEO Baek Hansung occasionally looked at me like I was a very young fledgling. Of course, I could look very young to him because of our twenty-year difference, but it still made my back tingle.

"It seems like you have someone you want to bring from Team 2?"

He didn't seem interested in learning who it was and immediately said,

"As long as the person is okay with it, then I'll handle the rest."

It was a short promise, but it was more effective than a long speech about asking me to trust him.

I placed a piece of beef tartare in my mouth. My head spun with every chew. He said that he wouldn't just give me a team but allow me to make it with the people I wanted. Could there be any sweeter words? Who could have ever received a proposal this sweet?

It was so sweet it made me dizzy.

"If Ms. Son Chaeyoung can't be persuaded no matter what, is there any disadvantage for me?"

"No."

So there was no risk either.

All I had to bear was the fact I would have to talk to Son Chaeyoung. If I succeeded, I would obtain an opportunity not given to anyone in the company. If I didn't, it would simply be me stepping on the th.o.r.n.y path for a bit.

I asked another question.

"The reason why Ms. Son Chaeyoung isn't picking her next project, is it because she is dissatisfied with the company? I heard that her previous contract renewal didn't go so smoothly."

"That's true."

CEO Baek Hansung coolly replied.

"It's like a yearly event."

"A yearly event?"

"Once every two years, around the time of her contract renewal. There was a time where she wanted to attend New York's fas.h.i.+on week before signing then went to Paris, Milan, and London, not coming back for three months. The company was in an uproar."

CEO Baek Hansung laughed gently.

"It seems she heard that it was a way to increase her worth, but it's lasting particularly long this time."

So this happened every time her contract was up for renewal?

She didn't listen to a single word the Team 2 Leader said and seeing how she acted towards Team Leader Park, I didn't think she would change her actions even for the director. There was nothing more to say about other employees, which is probably why he wants me to try since Son Chaeyoung personally asked for me to be her manager.

"Did she not listen to even you?"

"Hmm, she doesn't listen."

CEO Baek Hansung said with a light chuckle.

So even he couldn't persuade her.

I took a sip of water to refresh my mouth and mind before saying,

"Then I'll discuss this with the girls and get back to you."

"Discuss?"

"Yes, especially with Songha. This is an emotional issue."

Although it wasn't like I was becoming Son Chaeyoung's manager with this, it was still Son Chaeyoung. Neptune's public enemy. This was a completely different situation from Nam Joyoon and Pretty Girls. While the girls were one thing, I definitely needed to discuss this with Lee Songha.

She acted like a hopeless puppy waiting for her owner when I returned from Nam Joyoon or Pretty Girls' schedule. I didn't know what to expect if she saw me with Son Chaeyoung without any prior discussion.

It could even make the cake or s...o...b..ll incident seem even cute…

"Hmm, it should be fine. I already talked with Lee Songha."

"Pardon?"

What did he do?

"Although she won't like it, she'll understand. Since it's something I requested."

CEO Baek Hansung said nonchalantly.

He talked about this with Lee Songha separately? When? If something like this happened, then I, her manager, should have been told… No, since he was the CEO, there was no reason for him to have to tell me.

I barely managed to swallow back the words the surged up my throat.

It rubbed me the wrong way. I was uneasy when handing Nam Joyoon's schedule to Kim Hyunsup and Neptune's schedule to Lee Kwanwoo, but it was similar to when the quadruplets entered elementary school.

This was unpleasant.

It was like I was handing Lee Songha to someone else. It was simply CEO Baek Hansung and Lee Songha having a private conversation without my knowledge, but it felt unpleasant like a worm wriggling in my veins.

… Why didn't Lee Songha say anything?

I drove more roughly than usual. Parking at their residence, I opened the back door to see the rear seats crammed with bags. Snacks and cans the girls liked were scattered here and there. I took them all and went up to the fifth floor.

I opened the door after pressing the pa.s.scode.

"Oppa."

Lee Songha, who was waiting beside the shoe rack, called out to me. She seemed to have been catching on lost sleep from today's morning schedule as her hair was all tangled. Her eyes also showed clear signs of sleepiness.

"Is there a sudden schedule?"

Lee Songha asked while grabbing the bags from my hands.

"Your expression doesn't look very good. Also, usually, you would drive into the parking lot slowly, but you came in quite quickly today… I opened the window to check if the weather was bad. I can see the parking lot entrance from my window."

Her question became an excuse as she avoided my gaze.

"Yeah, you have an interview, so come out when you're ready."

I said before looking around the living room. LJ and Im Seoyoung had been laying on the rug and were in the middle of getting up. Lee Taehee was stuck to the sofa like moss on a tree trunk and didn't move in the slightest.

"You become so curious about the weather when you hear a car in the parking lot, don't you?"

LJ snorted. Im Seoyoung narrowed her eyes and added,

"Lee Songha only comes out of her room if I call her three times, but she can here you enter the parking lot from five stories below. It's like she has an antenna."

"When was I like that?"

"Today. Yesterday. The day before!"

"I'm not even curious who it is when you go to the front door, you puppy dog."{1}

Lee Songha tried to deny it and escaped to the bathroom. While I was talking to the girls, she quickly got ready as expected of a busy celebrity. I brought her out right away. The elevator went down more slowly than it went up.

Lee Songha fiddled with the bill of her baseball cap, which was pressed down on her hair.

"I couldn't wash my hair because I was in a hurry. Are we going to the shop right away?"

"No, there is no schedule."

"Huh?"

Lee Songha immediately raised her head.

"I wanted to talk with you."

"… Are we going on a drive?"

"Something like that."

I could feel her sleepiness take flight.

Lee Songha hastily pressed the elevator b.u.t.ton. Around five times in a second.

"Why?"

"I'll come down after was.h.i.+ng my hair."

"You look fine."

"It's not fine."

"I'm the only one who'll see you anyways. We won't leave the car, so you can just go as you are."

"I can't. I've been a celebrity for four years. I can't go out like this. It'll be humiliating."

"Why would it be humiliating? Then should we talk in your home?"

"I think I'll be fine. Let's go."

Lee Songha, who didn't get off despite arriving on the first floor, finally moved, dragging her feet. Seeing how she was pressing her baseball cap even in this situation made me laugh unknowingly.

The unpleasant feeling was partly gone.

"You can go and come back. I'll wait."

"I'll be back in ten minutes!"

She quickly went up and came back down in ten minutes as promised. The tips of her hair were still slightly wet, and she changed her lipstick as well. It was the coral color she normally wore.

She got in the pa.s.senger seat as I started the car. She put on her seatbelt and looked at my chest as if she was checking if I had mine on as well. Then she opened the glove compartment to check if her snacks were still there.

She leaned back into her seat and hummed. It was easy to tell she was in a good mood.

"Oppa, what are we going to talk about? A next project?"

"Yeah, Son Chaeyoung's next project."

Her humming halted immediately.

I started to drive while feeling her gaze p.r.i.c.kle my cheek. The car handled smoother than when coming here.

"I heard you talked with the CEO. Why didn't you tell me?"

"That's."

"Was it a secret?"

d.a.m.n it. I shouldn't have said that.

I had planned on slowly easing into it. I bit my impulsive tongue and glanced at her. She was looking at the glove compartment. No, she was staring at it. She bit her lower lip.

"I also know that this is a good opportunity for you. It's also good for us. We don't know which team we'll be a.s.signed to after the restructuring, but the unnies and I will be able to join your team without any issues if this goes well."

Lee Songha took gummy bears out from the glove compartment. She ripped the package open.

"Still, I didn't want to ask- I just didn't want to be the one to bring it up first"

"You don't have to worry. I'll do whatever it takes to bring you with me. I've been talking with Chief Kim and the Team 3 Leader about Neptune as well."

While it wasn't certain, I made it seem like it was.

"Because Blackout and Neptune succeeded one after the other, we might introduce an idol trainee system with this restructuring. Then the team leader and Chief Kim will become busy, so even if I don't bother with Son Chaeyoung, Neptune will be a.s.signed to me…"

"Do it. It's not like it doesn't bother me but I'm not okay with it but I'll be able to endure it."

She mumbled before continuing,

"You have other people you want to bring."

"I'll take care of that myself."

"It's not like you're changing who you're managing, and this is simply an opportunity for you. An opportunity where you can pursue your ambition with total concentration as you mentioned. Also, during that time, I have my own plans."

"Plans?"

"I'm currently chewing on a bear's gallbladder."

"Gall-what?"

Lee Songha put another gummy bear in her mouth and chewed on it diligently.

"A bear's gallbladder. The gallbladder I'm chewing now will one day return as bear soup."{2}

I didn't know where to start on her remark.

I drove slowly as I turned to my side.

Biting off a gummy bear's head, Lee Songha smiled.

"Let's go on a drive, oppa."

"Who? Son Chaeyoung?"

"Yes."

"Son Chaeyoung?"

"Yes."

"Son Chaeyoung?"

Kim Hyunjo and the Team 3 Leader asked while picking their ears. It was the same reaction when I said it to Neptune. When I summarized my discussion with CEO Baek Hansung, they leaned back into the meeting room chairs.

"So it was the CEO. That's why he called you."

Kim Hyunjo said with a complicated expression.

"That was why Team 2 chiefs have been noisy lately."

"If they hear that you're going to try to persuade her, they'll cause even more of an uproar."

The Team 3 Leader chuckled.

"But Lucky Charm, you have no free time with Pretty Girls, Neptune, and Nam Joyoon. Do you think you can take care of Son Chaeyoung as well?"

"We already took care of the urgent problems."

"What do you mean 'took care of'. Aren't Pretty Girls releasing their alb.u.m the day after tomorrow?"

Kim Hyunjo said as though he found this ridiculous.

"Their complexions have been changing every day. Their faces were orange yesterday. Even the project members are nervous. Aren't you too calm as the team leader?"

That was because I knew how it would go.

The Team 3 Leader crossed his arms and joined in,

"It's right that a team leader shouldn't be nervous since it'll agitate his team members even more."

"If you know that, then you should stop fussing about every little thing."

"I'm helping you calm down by acting like that. Anyways, it's true that you need to be composed, but you're a little excessive. The broadcast was a success and their fame has increased, so you think it's fine to not care too much about their alb.u.m? Even still, they need to have a good finish…"

"What are you talking about? He apparently said that their song would be first on the weekly charts."

"… Crazy. You've started again."

"That's what I'm saying."

The Team 3 Leader and Kim Hyunjo shook their heads in unison.

After hearing about how I was crazy so many times that it was echoing in my ears, the Team 3 Leader suddenly said,

"But you sticking to Son Chaeyoung. Was the Team 2 Leader not angry when he heard about this?"

"I don't think he knows yet. They are going to talk about it in the CEO's office soon."

"Really? With his personality, I don't think he'll pat your shoulder and wish you good luck?"

"Good luck."

The Team 2 Leader patted my shoulder.

Unlike his words, his gaze read, 'You're screwed.'

Anyways, his reaction was calmer than I expected like someone with ulterior motives. Even the director looked surprised as his eyes widened. CEO Baek Hansung was still calm. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"Yes, then…"

I, I never thought I would say this.

I would have tried to change this situation if I had seen it in one of my future visions.

There was no turning back now. With a big breath, I took a step.

"I'll try to persuade Ms. Son Chaeyoung."

Into the natural disaster.

The Management Business Department Team 2's office.

Having heard the results of the meeting, Chief Jo noisily tapped the back of his foot on the floor.

"Team leader, but if, if Son Chaeyoung changes her mind."

"No."

The Team 2 Leader shook his head. His eyes looked like he was completely lost in his thoughts.

"I think Son Chaeyoung's reaction is different from the past."

"Different?"

"If she's serious…"

The Team 2 Leader rubbed his beard.

"This isn't something that'll be solved with Jung Sunwoo."

Her phone was off. Again.

I glanced at her contact saved as 'The Crazy b.i.t.c.h in This Area' and put my phone down.

"Are you trying to call Son Chaeyoung?"

Chief Lee Janghyun of Team 2 swaggered over to me.

"Yes, her phone's off right now."

"That's common."

"Is there a time or day when Ms. Son Chaeyoung comes to the company?"

"She doesn't have something like that. She doesn't come when we tell her to and won't leave when we tell her to. She only does outside schedules."

He scanned my face with an odd gaze. His eyes seemed to indicate he was planning something.

Soon, he smirked.

"I heard about it from Chief Jo. You need to know more about Son Chaeyoung to even try to persuade her. Now really, I really don't understand. Well, she does have something going on today. I'll get you started so come with me if you have time."

"Where?"

Chief Lee Janghyun led the way as he replied,

"To her home."

{1} Originally 'goldfish p.o.o.p', which is used to indicate how she sticks to Jung Sunwoo. Changed to puppy dog.

{2} Bear bile is apparently used in some traditional Chinese medicine, probably doesn't taste great. Also, the soup is technically beef-bone soup, but I changed it to bear soup to hopefully preserve some more of the meaning. Obviously, it still doesn't make sense (it's not supposed to), but I tried.

/ /

Chapter 177: Who is His Person (9)

TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir

"How do you feel?"

"I feel good."

"You feel good? You feel about getting rejected by Son Chaeyoung?"

"No, the riding experience."

I replied while feeling the plush ma.s.sage chair. I had ridden in those commonly known as 'celebrity vans' as a manager, but this was the best I've been in. It didn't smell of food or dusty, and it was as comfortable as a cozy loft.

If I had something like this, Lee Songha would be less exhausted during overnight shoots.

I looked around the van before meeting Chief Lee Janghyun's gaze.

"You seem calm to have to leisure to judge the driving experience on your way to Son Chaeyoung."

"It's not like I'm going to die."

Though it was a disaster area.

Chief Lee Janghyun wrinkled his nose like he was trying not to snort.

"Your head's going to fly if you approach her like you would Lee Songha. If Lee Songha's a flowery mountain, Son Chaeyoung's a minefield. There's no countdown. She'll just explode. She wasn't this bad before, but she's become crazy after her contract renewal. f.u.c.k, even I've become crazy. Suffering this s.h.i.+t because I said I could manage her."

He seemed to have suffered quite the hards.h.i.+p to swear like that. I had heard there was a chief from Team 2 who clung to the Team 2 Leader's ankles, saying that he couldn't take it any longer, after volunteering to handle Son Chaeyoung. Was it him?

"Well, anyways. There isn't anyone who's gotten used to Son Chaeyoung as quick as me."

Chief Lee Janghyun shrugged.

"I'll give you some tips, so remember what I do. Only then will you be able to talk to Son Chaeyoung."

He acted like he was being very considerate of me with every remark.

What was he planning?

The majority of times people made a move against me p.i.s.sed me off, but occasionally, it was interesting. This was the latter. His gaze was th.o.r.n.y when we met in the outdoor smoking area.

Well, it seemed like he was helping me because he wanted something from me.

He seemed to notice I was examining him as he coughed. Then he checked his pockets. Amongst the miscellaneous items such as cigarettes, lighter, and name card, he took out a piece of gum. He quickly blew a bubble after putting the gum in his mouth.

"Do you want one?"

"I'm fine."

"People who don't know think that managers who chew gum look like thugs, but a lot of baseball players chew gum too. It helps release some of your tension. It'll be helpful if actors had some before a shoot."

Chief Lee Janghyun glanced at me.

"But about Lee Songha."

"Songha?"

"You're busy because you're already taking care of so many people. Isn't that why you hastily found a temporary manager for Nam Joyoon? You'll be even busier with Son Chaeyoung, so I don't think you'll be able to handle all of Lee Songha's schedule by yourself."

Aha, Lee Songha?

I was wonder what he was aiming for by acting so considerate.

Who he really wanted to make a move on was Lee Songha and I was just the bridge to her?

"Then who usually fills in?"

"I try my best to take care of Songha's schedule myself. Kwanwoo or Chief Kim Hyunjo fills in when I really can't make it. If they are both busy, then our team leader fills in sometimes."

"And what if the Team 3 Leader is busy? Why it seemed like he was busy with Blackout's overseas concerts."

"You seem interested in our team."

"Well, even if we aren't in the same team, we are all part of the same family."

"When even the Team 3 Leader can't fill in, I adjust her schedule…"

"I."

Chief Lee Janghyun cut in hastily,

"Have some free time. Jungkyun, who I'm managing right now, is going to mandatory military service soon. If you don't have someone to fill in for you for Lee Songha's schedule, then I think I can help you out."

Desire was visible in his voice and on his face.

I covered my smirk with a laugh.

I felt it again. That unpleasant feeling. While it wasn't as bad as with CEO Baek Hansung, it wasn't so light that I could simply ignore it. Was a switch flipped? There were countless people who wanted Lee Songha, what was I supposed to do if it made me feel unpleasant?

How troublesome.

I hid my inner thoughts and made a fake business smile.

"I'll definitely ask when that happens."

Though it never will.

The van stopped its drive around a luxurious residential area. When thinking about Son Chaeyoung, I imagined a white house on top of a hill, but her real house was a private house like ones you saw in dramas.{1} I didn't know if it was to protect her private life, but the wall around her house was as tall as a fortress. Ivy covered the red brick wall, and plenty of trees shot up above the wall.

"Wait a little. I'm going to call her. Her phone should be on now."

Chief Lee Janghyun called her. As he said, Son Chaeyoung's phone seemed to be on because I could hear it ring. He shrugged as if he was showing off.

10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute. She still didn't pick up.

Chief Lee Janghyun hung up and called her again.

"She normally answers after five tries."

"Five tries?"

"Yes, and if you wait in the van for a long while. Ah, she doesn't let other people into her home. If you wait in the van, she'll open the door at the exact time we need to leave. Even if she doesn't care about anything else, she follows her schedule to a tee. That's why you need to have a schedule if you want to talk to her."

She didn't answer the second time. I asked on his third attempt,

"Then why do you come so early? You just need to come at the exact time for her schedule."

"Now really, that's not it. Even if she followed her schedule to a tee until yesterday, she might decide not to today. You can't a.s.sume or predict Son Chaeyoung's actions. They aren't correct. You don't even know this. Without me, you would have had your head against the wall."

Chief Lee Janghyun clicked his tongue.

This felt like I returned to when I was a new recruit.

"Look here. She's going to answer now."

Chief Lee Janghyun made his fifth attempt.

His phone rang… continuously.

Taken aback, he tried to look over the wall.

"Why isn't she answering? She should be answering."

"You definitely can't a.s.sume or predict her actions."

"f.u.c.k, why is she acting like this on the day I came to get her?!"

She didn't answer on his sixth and seventh attempt either.

Chief Lee Janghyun rubbed his face and groaned.

"First, wait. I'll try to ask Chief Jo for help…!"

"I'll try calling her."

I said, taking my phone out.

"Who? Chief Jo?"

"No, Ms. Son Chaeyoung."

Chief Lee Janghyun snorted.

"Sure, go for it."

While he was on the phone with Chief Jo, I tried calling Son Chaeyoung.

I was waiting for it to ring when I suddenly heard a voice.

-What is it?

What the heck? Was she holding her phone?

I simply flinched because this happened before, but Chief Lee Janghyun turned his head so quickly he almost hit his nose on his headrest.

-What is it? Am I on speaker like last time?

"Nope."

-Then why did you call me? Did you see someone like me on the street?

"That's not it. I'm in front of your house right now."

Her voice paused. When I checked my phone, she had already hung up.

Chief Lee Janghyun asked with a fl.u.s.tered expression,

"What happened? What did she say?"

"She just hung up."

"Ah, then I'll try calling her again. She might have picked up because she thought it was me. Well, since she picked up, she'll probably come out if we wait…"

He was saying with a mix of relief and bitterness when the door suddenly opened.

Son Chaeyoung came out and looked around. This was the only car waiting outside. Son Chaeyoung came over. I checked her hands for a knife or something. That was how murderous her aura was.

Chief Lee Janghyun made weird gestures before almost rolling out of the van. I got off after him. Stopping in her tracks, Son Chaeyoung crossed her arms. Then her gaze alternated between Chief Lee Janghyun and me.

"Ms. Chaeyoung!"

He finally seemed to come to his senses as Chief Lee Janghyun approached her in a friendly manner.

"You're already done getting ready…"

"Why did you come here?"

"I have some business with you."

I replied because I thought she was asking me.

"What kind of business?"

"Your next project. This issue has been handed to me, so I was hoping to talk to you."

"You, fu-!"

Son Chaeyoung stomped the ground. Chief Lee Janghyun quickly two steps away from me like there was a landmine. Son Chaeyoung glared at him before looking back at me.

"Come in. I think it'll get loud."

Chief Lee Janghyun suddenly raised his head.

"Huh? In your house?"

"I think the police might come if we talk outside. Are you okay with that?"

"Of course not!"

Chief Lee Janghyun gave me a sympathetic look. He continued,

"Then should I come in.."

"Chief Lee."

Son Chaeyoung cut him off with a smile.

"I'm dying for some ripe persimmons. Can you buy me some?"

"Ripe persimmons? Persimmons?"

Chief Lee Janghyun's mouth gaped.

"Don't persimmons ripen in the fall? How can I find that this early spring?"

"If I knew, I would have already bought some. Do you think I'd be waiting until I'm dying for them?"

"Why do you want to eat them all of a sudden?"

"I don't know. Maybe it's morning sickness."

The moment I look at Son Chaeyoung's belly in shock…

"Ms. Chaeyoung! You can't say stuff like that in public! What if it becomes a rumor…!"

"Why? Do you think I'm joking?"

"If you're not joking, then…! Do-don't tell me you're serious?"

Chief Lee Janghyun's gaze fell on Son Chaeyoung's flat belly that was covered by her loose s.h.i.+rt.

"I'm joking. But I'm serious about the ripe persimmons."

Son Chaeyoung said in a temperamental fas.h.i.+on. After sending Chief Lee Janghyun off did she go back in her house. Her steps were so fierce that I felt like their vibrations could even reach me. I ma.s.saged my neck as I entered behind her. As expected, this wasn't something I could do for a long time.

Her living room was multiple times bigger than my apartment. Her photos were hung up on the walls. They weren't from a photoshoot but were rather stills from her projects. From back when she was a child actress to Mermaid out of Water. This place didn't feel like a home, instead, it was closer to a gallery filled with all of Son Chaeyoung's acting roles.

My attention focused on them momentarily. Enough that I forgot about Son Chaeyoung.

"Look here. How can you focus on something else in this situation? What are you looking at!"

"The photos."

"Look at them after we talk! Don't you remember what I told you before? Are you a goldfish?"

The goldfish were somewhere else.

"I told you to refuse no matter what. I told you to say that you won't be my manager!"

"I don't remember answering."

"What did you say?"

"Why do I have to listen to you?"

"What?"

Son Chaeyoung huffed like this was ridiculous.

I didn't think she'd offer me a seat, so I leaned against the wall.

"You didn't give me a proper explanation and it wasn't a request either. Is there a reason why I should listen to whatever you say? Rather, the CEO offered proper compensation with this request. That's why I decided to do it."

"Compensation?"

Son Chaeyoung fiercely came up to me. Her eyes, which emitted sparks, were right in front of me.

"What did the CEO say he'll give you? How enticing was it for someone as stuck up as you to come see me? When you said that you weren't interested in me and had no plans of driving me in your van? You acted like someone with a single-minded obsession, yet does your head churn because he wags some compensation in front of you?"

"I think you're misunderstanding something here."

"What?!"

"The CEO asked me to persuade you into doing another project. I'm not becoming your manager."

I would have refused if it was something like that. Why would I want to see more of your unsightly appearance?

It had only been five minutes since we've met, yet I've already started to regret it. The sweet compensation CEO Baek Hansung offered and the vision I had seen twice began to blur. Staying with Son Chaeyoung made my soul feel like it was growing moldy.

Son Chaeyoung frowned. Her glossy lips twisted.

"Oh, what to do? I'm sorry, no, I'm not sorry, but I have no plans on choosing my next project no matter what you do."

"Well then, there's nothing I can do about that. I don't plan on doing anything."

I replied with a shrug. Son Chaeyoung's eyelashes flickered.

"Still, I think I should at least act like it."

"… Act like what?"

"It hasn't been half a day since I told the CEO, director, and the Team 2 Leader that I would try to persuade you, so I should at least look like I'm trying. Image what would happen to my image if I gave up right away. Well, if you change your mind and choose your next project in the meantime, that's better for me."

"I'm not going to!"

"Okay then."

"What the h.e.l.l? You…!"

My phone began to ring as Son Chaeyoung yelled.

It was from Lee Songha.

As soon as I checked her name, Son Chaeyoung, who was right in front of me, saw her name as well.

Son Chaeyoung laughed cunningly.

"Does Lee Songha know that you're here acting like this?"

"No."

Her outstretched hand aimed for my phone like a hawk striking at its prey. However, she missed. When I raised my phone above my head, Son Chaeyoung huffed,

"d.a.m.n it, you're quick."

"I had quadruplets who acted like that. Even they didn't act like this since entering elementary school. What are you doing?"

While I was speaking, Son Chaeyoung was staring at my phone. As if it had become my weakness. The phone continued to vibrate. I took two to three steps away from Son Chaeyoung before answering the phone.

"Hey, Songha."

{1} 'White house on top of a hill' usually refers to a psychiatric hospital.

/ /