REVENGE.
Woori was aware that Park Seoham only wanted to make her his manager for revenge.
It was obvious that he was planning to make her life a living hell by making a slave out of her.
And, honestly, Park Seoham had the right to do that.
But…
"I told you that you have to work for me for the rest of your life if you want to atone for your sins," Park Seoham said coldly while glaring at her. "What part of that makes you think that I'm proposing to you?"
"The part where you said you wanted me to work for you for the rest of my life," Woori said, tilting her head to one side. "I do get what you mean by that, Park Seoham-ssi. But as an actor who has done several hit rom-com series, you should know by now that forced proximity between ex-lovers could lead to a second chance romance."
"Forced proximity? What are you talking about?"
"Forced proximity is a common trope in romance where characters are compelled by either external circumstances to share a physical space, or extended time together— which makes them unable to avoid each other," Woori explained bluntly. "If I become your manager, then we'll have more opportunities to interact. And what if sparks fly again?"
Park Seoham looked stupefied by Woori's explanation, and then his face became cold. "You're still not taking me seriously, are you?"
"No, I'm taking this seriously— and this is why I'm telling you that making me your manager is a bad idea."
"And who are you to tell me what to do? I get to decide how I want you to suffer," Park Seoham said bitterly. "Plus, what makes you think that I still have feelings for you? I've always known you're a bit of a narcissist, and it seems like you haven't changed at all."
"The way you yelled my name earlier made me think you still care about me."
"Anyone who saw someone jump off the roof would have done the same."
"So, you're saying you have no feelings for me anymore?"
"The only thing I feel for you is anger."
"Understandable," Woori said, nodding. "But are you sure you want me to be your manager?"
Park Seoham scoffed. "Like I said, I get to decide how I want you to suffer—"
"I still like you, Park Seoham," Woori said, cutting Park Seoham off since he was starting to sound like a broken record. "If you're okay with that, then go ahead and hire me as your manager."
"Joo Woori, do you think you still have the right to like me?"
"No, I don't have the right to like you. I know I shouldn't have confessed, but you keep saying how you want to see me suffer. That's why I'm telling you that I still like you— to show you that I've been suffering for the past eleven years."
Park Seoham smirked bitterly. "How would I know that? You disappeared on me— you abandoned me when I needed you the most."
Woori had so many things she wanted to say.
But she knew whatever would come out of her mouth would only sound like a lame excuse, so she just kept quiet this time.
I've already said things I shouldn't have anyway.
"I want to see you suffer this time," Park Seoham said coldly before turning his back on Woori. "So, stay by my side as my manager— spend your life loving someone who'll never love you back again."
Woori smiled bitterly. "Yeah, I deserve that kind of suffering."
***
"HELLO, Woori-ssi."
Woori was ready to leave the hospital when CEO Kim Yisook of Blue Diamond Avenue visited her.
"We've already taken care of your hospital bills, so please don't worry about that."
Whew.
Woori was glad to hear that.
I would have thrown a tantrum if I had to pay for the private room I didn't ask for.
"Thank you, ma'am," Woori said, and then she pointed at the table for two in the room's mini living room. "Please have a seat. It seems like you have something important to discuss with me."
After all, the CEO was holding a brown envelope.
"Yes, it's about your job offer," CEO Kim Yisook said while sitting in the chair. "I heard from our Park Seoham-ssi that you'll be his new manager from now on."
"I didn't really want to, but I had no choice but to accept the job," Woori said while sitting across from the CEO's seat. "Park Seoham-ssi wants me to be his manager, and I'm in no position to turn him down."
"Did you really agree to work for free?"
"Excuse me?"
"Park Seoham-ssi said you'll work for free," CEO Kim Yisook said, smiling apologetically at Woori as she dropped the next bomb: "Park Seoham-ssi said all your salaries while working as his manager would be donated to an organization that fights against scams."
Oh.
'Against scams,' huh?
"If Park Seoham-ssi puts it that way, then I can't complain."
"Are you okay with that?"
"It's for a good cause."
"I suppose you really don't need an extra source of income, Artist Jeans."
"It's not that I don't need it…" Woori trailed off, and then she gasped softly when she realized what the CEO had just called her. "I'm not Artist Jeans, ma'am. My name is Joo Woori."
CEO Kim Yisook just smiled.
Ah, I can't fool her.
"How did you find out, ma'am?"
"Just a hunch. And the fact that my gut feeling is almost never wrong," CEO Kim Yisook said, smiling. "Are you not going to tell our Park Seoham-ssi that you are the creator of the masterpiece that saved his career?"
"No, ma'am— I have no intention of taking credit for Park Seoham's success. It was all him, after all," Woori said, and then she looked at CEO Kim Yisook straight in the eye. "Please keep this a secret from Park Seoham."
***
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