“Pretty impressive. I never really expected you to pass.”
“You weren’t hoping for me to fail, were you?”
Kim Eun-ha quietly swallowed her laughter. She took a sip of the coffee in front of her, enjoying a moment of leisure, then slowly continued speaking.
“Now that you’ve successfully completed the task I gave you, you deserve a fitting reward, right?”
“That’s okay. What you’ve done for me so far is more than enough.”
This was my sincere feeling, without any exaggeration. From her perspective, it was merely part of an investment, and even that wasn’t a large amount of money.
‘Value is always relative, after all.’
Just take the house Kim Eun-ha lent to me, for example. If I had tried to get a country house without her help, I would have been overwhelmed just trying to come up with the deposit.
Not to mention the chance to audition for a main role in a project that was half-expected to succeed was like a dream come true for me.
However, Kim Eun-ha shook her head.
As if that alone was not enough to satisfy her.
“Is there really nothing you want?”
“Then, is it okay if I decide on something myself?”
“I’ll move your father’s hospital room.”
Caught off guard by this unexpected offer, I flinched. Seemingly waiting for my reaction, her smile grew wider.
“I heard that your father was moved from the ICU to a general ward due to a cerebral hemorrhage, for some reason. I also know that despite ongoing treatment, there hasn’t been much progress.”
Kim Eun-ha’s words struck a sore spot. It felt like my chest was constricted, making it hard to breathe.
Although she vaguely mentioned ‘some reason’, ultimately, the issue was money and connections.
My father, suffering from hemiplegia, was unable to move on his own and needed a caregiver 24 hours a day.
‘I somehow managed the ICU expenses with health insurance, but…’
The problem was the number of hospital beds.
The ICU had very limited space, and the number of patients was only increasing. Eventually, he had to be moved to a general ward.
As a result, my mother had to quit her job and started living in the hospital with my father.
‘That’s when hell started.’
The couple, who were barely paying off debts with both incomes, retired at the same time, naturally leaving the burden to the rest of the family.
My younger sibling had just started college and was barely managing on their own. So, the responsibility fell entirely on the eldest son.
Despite juggling various part-time jobs and losing sleep, it was a life like a hamster wheel, merely maintaining the status quo. Kim Eun-ha was declaring that she would break this vicious cycle of dire poverty.
“I’ll move your father to the VVIP room of a hospital used by our group. The facilities and staff are, of course, the best in the country, and intensive care is guaranteed.”
“Obviously, it’ll be much more comfortable and stable than the general ward he’s currently in. Especially, your mother, who’s living there with him, will feel a big difference.”
“It’s an offer I can’t refuse.”
“Then I’ll take it as your acceptance and proceed.”
Kim Eun-ha immediately picked up the phone to speak with her secretary. The call was brief, as if she had already informed them of the situation.
“It’s all set. A private ambulance prepared by our side will transport your father today. Upon arrival at the hospital, we’ll start with a thorough examination.”
Kim Eun-ha wore a faint smile. Facing her expression, an indescribable sense of déjà vu washed over me.
Although she called it a ‘reward’, could there really be no hidden intention behind it?
‘Of course, it could simply be a way to tame me.’
There aren’t many better ways to train not just pets but people as well. Indeed, I was already feeling deep gratitude towards her.
In the past few days, as I continuously analyzed the script and played the role of Kang Joo-heon, the heir to a chaebol family, I started to become curious about her true intentions.
‘It’s too valuable a card to use right now.’
Frankly speaking, there is no greater vulnerability for me at this moment than my parents.
Having already achieved the goal of securing a role, there could be no better offer for me than the one to move my father’s hospital room.
In other words, it means she has a way to control me effectively. But why would she hand it to me so easily?
‘Is she trying to make me feel indebted?’
It’s not entirely out of the question.
But the timing is too early.
If it were Kang Joo-heon, he would have waited for the moment I was most desperate, like if my father’s life was in danger.
Of course, it could be an intention to exert pressure by moving my parents to a hospital under her influence, but Kim Eun-ha doesn’t seem that simple.
“You seem deep in thought.”
“I’m curious why Eun-ha ssi is making such a losing deal. Honestly, just the audition opportunity was enough reward for me in this case.”
“Maybe I like you, Woo-ju ssi?”
Kim Eun-ha laughed softly at my immediate response. I was quite serious though. After a moment, she composed herself and continued.
“Hmm… So, are you saying that I’ve carelessly used a valuable bargaining chip in dealing with you?”
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
This is the unchanging truth I’ve learned through hard experiences all my life. If you gain something, you must pay an equivalent price.
Especially coming from her, who is more meticulous in calculations than anyone, this bait. Without careful consideration, I can’t predict what might happen in the future.
“It’s a bit disappointing. Don’t you trust me?”
“I act this way because I recognize Eun-ha ssi’s capabilities. I believe every action, word, and gesture of yours is meaningful.”
For a moment, Kim Eun-ha’s expression turned cold. Or rather, it revealed her true self.
Her gaze was emotionless, like a machine.
It’s a familiar feeling.
It’s the same look I always try to emulate when I practice in front of the mirror.
“You’re being mischievous.”
Of course, that moment was extremely fleeting. Kim Eun-ha soon wore a gentle smile again, as if nothing happened.
“It’s refreshing to be treated this way. Usually, people try to undermine me just because I’m a woman.”
At this moment, I thought that Kim Eun-ha might be more suited to acting than I am. Her smile was so natural that even I could be fooled.
“Ah, well. I did ask everyone to act in front of me, but I didn’t expect it to apply to me too. A clear mistake.”
“If the princess wishes, I can be a retriever too.”
“No, I like it this way. It’s more fun to tame someone appropriately. Especially those who think they’re smart.”
“Being too careless can get you bitten. Grrr-”
“···You’re really funny.”
As I playfully growled, Kim Eun-ha burst into laughter. That smile, unlike the previous ones, seemed genuinely real.
Thanks to that, the previously heavy atmosphere in the room lightened up significantly. Kim Eun-ha then continued in a more relaxed tone.
“Then, come with me somewhere.”
“Is that an order, or a request?”
“Then I’m happy to follow.”
“Even without knowing what it is?”
“Does knowing give me the right to refuse?”
Kim Eun-ha shook her head in a resigned manner at my clever response. She then added more seriously.
“We’re going to be photographed for a setup shot.”
“Yes. By now, the rumors must have spread throughout our group. That Kim Eun-ha has gone crazy over a man, giving away a house and a card. It’s caused quite a stir.”
As she spoke, Kim Eun-ha’s brow furrowed slightly. It seemed the interference from relatives was more serious than I thought.
“I thought you brought me to the department store deliberately, aiming for this.”
“That’s right. But it’s still annoying. It’s as if they’re stalkers, hiring so many paparazzi, I can’t even guess how many.”
Hearing this, I couldn’t help but exclaim. Now I understood why Kim Eun-ha suddenly wanted to move my parents’ hospital room.
“So that’s why you moved my parents’ hospital room.”
“It’s much harder to access the VVIP room than a general ward. It’s also easier for me to manage.”
“Thank you for everything.”
“Better late than never.”
“···Really shameless, aren’t you?”
Despite her grumbling words, Kim Eun-ha’s expression seemed somewhat softened, suggesting she wasn’t too displeased.
“In return, I’ll thoroughly fulfill any option you wish for this weekend. It looks like the drama will need a bit more time anyway.”
From what I heard from writer Jung Ha-rin, the script reading for “Peaceful Chaebol Life” wouldn’t start until next month.
The production costs were resolved with Kim Eun-ha’s participation, and the scheduling was easily completed.
However, the casting of main actors, apart from the role of Kang Joo-heon, had not yet been finalized.
“Sounds like you would have refused if you were busy filming?”
“Still, work and personal life should be separated.”
“Which one is work for you?”
Even as I turned my head away, sharp glances kept piercing me.
If it weren’t for my thick-skinned skills honed over years of part-time jobs, I might have been riddled like a beehive by now.
“Don’t change the subject.”
“The point is to use the paparazzi to our advantage. Let’s have a showy date this weekend to solidify our relationship, shall we?”
“···Whether it’s work or personal, Eun-ha ssi is my top priority.”
“Hehe. Then, shall we go on a date?”
Finally, Kim Eun-ha smiled brightly and took out her tablet. Watching her, I thought she had an innocent side, almost childlike.
‘…Could that really be?’
The searing sound of gunfire pierced my ears, even through the headset.
Being a former driver in the military, I was familiar with this noise due to mandatory participation in shooting training. But the problem was who was making that noise.
“Is this what they call a date?”
“What did you just say?”
Kim Eun-ha spoke as she hung the headset around her neck. In her hand, she held a silver revolver gleaming under the lights.
The name: Smith & Wesson 686.
It uses the particularly powerful .357 Magnum bullets, considered suitable for advanced users. Apparently, it has a 96% stopping power against people.
“It’s my first time shooting a handgun, but it’s more fun than I thought.”
“Right? The stress just flies away with each shot. Especially if you imagine shooting at the face of someone you hate…”
Kim Eun-ha rambled on excitedly, her demeanor resembling a child engrossed in toys. If only the object in her hand weren’t a real gun, it would have been quite adorable.
“Are you listening to me?”
“Of course. The history of the Magnum is quite fascinating.”
“That’s right. According to statistics…”
I nodded along to whatever Kim Eun-ha said. Looking at the target she shot, no other thoughts came to mind.
Six bullets precisely lodged in the forehead of the target. Fresh chapters posted on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
From what I saw, her bullets had a 100% stopping power against people.