Chapter 905. Crank Up 2

“Still, it’s good that he’s adapting,” Gaeul said as she looked at the two dogs stuck to each other like glue.

There had been no accidents for the past week. The Pit Bull had to fight because of people’s selfish desires. She wouldn’t be able to blame it even if he bared its fangs according to his instincts, but thankfully, it didn’t cause any trouble. In fact, it even felt like the Pit Bull was losing against Woofie. Even now, it didn’t shirk away from Woofie’s slight bite on its front paw, wanting to play with it. Perhaps it might have discerned the hierarchy here in that short time for the sake of survival; that it should not cause harm to the pitifully weak dog in front of it. From how it was taking glances at Maru and her from time to time, the prediction didn’t seem too far off the mark.

“Woofie, don’t bully him. He’s sick.”

She scolded Woofie, as she kept bothering the Pit Bull’s cone. As Woofie was extremely quick-witted, she soon stopped.

“I feel like she listens to you more than she does to me.”

“Didn’t you know? Her owner had changed a long time ago.”

“So even the dog knows that I’m servile to you, huh? What a pitiful life.”

“You aren’t that servile to me.”

She handed the empty bowl of snacks to Maru who was standing up with the empty mug.

“So, when does your shoot begin?”

Maru replied after reaching the kitchen sink,

“Originally, it was early November.”

“But the thirtieth is right around the corner?”

“It seems like the camera team and acoustics team that the director wants have been delayed. That’s why we’re starting late too. This will change depending on the situation, but I think it’ll be mid-December at the earliest?”

“That’s right around the time I receive my paid vacation.”

This week was the last week of shooting Doctor’s Office, next week would be the final episode and the after party, and the week after that would be when she leaves the country. Gaeul thought about her schedule in her head.

“Philippines was it?”

“Yeah. I already have a headache because of that. I wish I had two bodies.”

Although Doctors had once caught up and even reversed the viewing rate, it had been flipped again after the recent episodes. The refreshing reversal episode of Kang Giwoo after the revelation of the true villain behind the curtain must have enraptured the viewers. Thanks to this, she was in the middle of a literal flood of commercials, photo shoots, and interview requests. This was compounded with the fact that the final episode was coming. She couldn’t just do whatever she wanted either, as all these requests came through someone she knew, and there were also some of them which had been agreed upon beforehand. Having no choice, she was digesting her recent schedule while having to reduce her sleep. It was also the reason she was staying at home without doing anything on days like today when she had a full break after nearly two weeks. She had to save up any energy to go around in order to digest the near triathlon level of schedules starting early tomorrow.

“You should earn a lot while you still can.”

Maru returned from the kitchen and massaged her back. He was really good at massaging the sore parts without her having to tell him.

“I would have some leisure if I didn’t go on that vacation. Oh, press a bit harder on that part.”

Her shoulders felt refreshed as though cold water was poured on them. Maru would probably be successful even if his occupation was a massager.

“I saw on the news before that some actors don’t go on those paid vacations because they’re too busy. Why don’t you pull out as well? It’s somewhat funny to exhaust yourself just to go on a vacation.”

“I want to do that too, but I can’t really do that. Paid vacation is ultimately an extension of business after all. Not only that, the production company and the TV station are both paying for the trip, so it is rather unsettling to pull out.”

“Would you be hated if you pull out?”

“If that was it, then I would have pulled out. But they told me that the budget might be shaved off if the main actors are not going and maybe even canceled outright if many of them don’t go. The senior actors all have busy schedules but have decided to go for the sake of the staff who worked hard.”

“I can feel the great will of those higher-ups at the TV station wishing to squeeze every last drop from you. Journalists will write articles about the paid vacation, and that will naturally lead to more publicity.”

“Exactly. Also, we managed to gain this much after being vocal. At first, they told us that the supporting actors, managers, and stylists won’t get their plane tickets paid for, so we, the main actors, and the writer said that we wouldn’t go either if that were the case, and then they changed their minds. The director discreetly took our side as well. From what I heard, they already sold out all the ad spots, sold overseas licensing rights, and earned a lot of money. They’re so petty.”

Before, Gaeul couldn’t understand why some celebrities were embarrassed to go on holiday, but now she could sympathize. It was supposed to be a paid vacation thanking everyone for their work, but things would be really awry if some had their plane tickets paid for while others didn’t. She could understand that overseas travel was expensive, but she didn’t like grading people until the end and differentiating them. There was a senior actor who did not participate in afterparties after hearing about the paid vacation. He was barely persuaded in the end, but if things didn’t go well, only the staff might be there at the afterparty.

“Aren’t you hearing anything about vacation on your side? Usually, people start talking about it 3 to 4 weeks before the last episode airs.”

“Nothing yet. From what you said though, it might be better off not going. How is it? Feel refreshed yet?”

Gaeul waved her arm and said that she was refreshed, thanking him.

“Since you’re going, have a good rest.”

“I will. I think I will be able to if I could push Kang Giwoo to one side.”

“Looks like you’ll have many things to watch out for during this vacation.”

“Still, it’s a good thing that he has been staying quiet ever since I came out strong last time. Rather, it’s the old woman that I’m more concerned about these days.”

“The old woman? Lee Miyoon?”

Gaeul nodded.

“Is she picking a fight with you again?”

“No, I’d rather she did. It’s even more suspicious because she’s not saying anything to me.”

“Maybe she finally realized that the girl known as Han Gaeul will not fall down no matter how much she tries?”

“If that was the case, then I would be celebrating. But it doesn’t feel like that. I met her yesterday during the shoot, but she just glared at me once before walking past. Normally, when we make eye contact like that, she would nag me about the way I open my eyes, how I don’t greet her properly, followed by how terrible my acting is, but she just went on her way as though she was chased by something. I even had to follow where that woman was going with my eyes, to see if she wasn’t possessed by a ghost or something.”

“So the one who always picks a fight with you has started to ignore you recently, right?”

“Unpleasantly so. At this point, it’s making me worried. She might be preparing a big one after leaving me alone for a while.”

“Or maybe she became so busy that she doesn’t have time to dawdle with you. Anyway, it’s a good thing that she’s not picking a fight with you. Or what, did you get affectionate after all those interactions? You feel bitter because the one who bullied you has suddenly stopped?”

“You really need a beating.”

She raised her index finger and poked Maru’s flank relentlessly. There was no hate-turned-affection at all, but there was her intuition that she had developed for years. She could tell what was on Lee Miyoon’s mind better than most people. Recently, Lee Miyoon was very strange. It should have been her joy to trot around everywhere on the shooting set with her head held proud, but for the past few days, she looked frantic as though she had left her stove on back at home. Leaving aside everything, her acting was something that even Gaeul had to acknowledge, but yesterday, Lee Miyoon made 10 NGs in a row. That was the first time such a thing happened. Even the director paused the shoot.

“Don’t think too deeply about it. Just think that a wicked woman has finally gotten her retribution.”

Gaeul spoke as she recalled Lee Miyoon shaking her legs while holding her phone anxiously,

“I’d be so glad if that was the case.”

* * *

“What do you mean by that?”

Lee Miyoon barely held back from throwing her phone in anger.

-Old woman, it’s over so stop calling me. You’re way too naggy.

“Hey, you little son of a….”

-Did I come out of your stomach or what? Don’t call me a son. You know, I have a really patient personality to have endured all your curses for over a decade. Had it been anyone else, you’d have a few sashimi knives stuck through your stomach.

“Where the fuck are you?! WHERE?!”

-If I tell you, then what? You’ll come here? This is Japan. Come if you want. But old woman, keep this in mind. Five to six tourists go missing in Japan every year. You’d better bring your will when you come here. Once you’re deemed missing, I’ll personally deliver that letter to your family in about five years. No wait, maybe your family will be the most delighted after hearing your demise? I mean, you have a lot of money saved up, don’t you?

“Who do you think you’re talking to, you fucking bastard of….”

Lee Miyoon clenched her teeth and looked at the staff member who appeared in front of her. He was a clumsy-looking man. When she glared at him, he bowed before immediately going away.

“Head manager Park, calm down and listen to me.”

-It is you who needs calming down, not me.

“Haven’t you heard from the chairman? To put everything back into place?”

-You silly woman. Are you asking because you really don’t know?

“What do you mean?”

-How do you think I came to Japan to work in the first place? The setup here is all done thanks to our new president Hong.

“As I said, the chairman himself told Hong Janghae that prick to stop.”

-You really can’t get this through your thick head, huh? Well, I guess that’s not surprising considering you’ve lost everything. I was also out of my mind when my business rights were ripped off from me by a guy I trusted. I could see why people would daze out like an idiot. You’re exactly like that right now, old woman. Think about it. Do you think president Hong really has the guts to do this by himself? No, absolutely not. Listen to me carefully. You were abandoned. You were a lost cause the moment you went against your owner for more feed when you’re just a hunting dog. You should’ve held back a little. Or maybe have a smarter head.

“HEY!”

The call ended. Lee Miyoon collapsed on the spot. She could not contact any of her business partners or any of her customers. The people who had called her saying that they got a call from the chairman and that she should feel at ease had all broken contact in an instant. During the ten days she waited smugly like a military officer who was given commanding rights, Hong Janghae had finished off everything. What she received from the chairman was not some commanding rights. It was poison.

“Lee Miyoon won’t go down that easily, you know? I am not going down like this.”

She pushed herself off the ground. Drink the poison and die? Not happening. That would just fulfill the desire of someone else. Lee Miyoon calmed down her breathing and returned to the set.

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