Fate is Gathering (2)
Standing near Miso, Yoo-Jin smiled softly at us as she held the script in her hands. Glancing over, I noticed Miso's cheeks slightly puffed up in a pout.
'Wait. Could it be? Did the two boys have a change of heart?'
I decided to visit Miso's kindergarten soon to talk to the two boys myself.
'How could their love change so quickly!? How dare they hurt Miso's feelings!'
But before addressing the issue, it was important to cheer Miso up first.
"Miso?"
Miso slowly turned her head toward me when I called her name. "Yes?"
"Do you have any places you want to visit? I think I'll be getting a break soon. Shall we go somewhere together?"
Miso suddenly sat up and looked at me with sparkling eyes, pondering where to go. At that moment, Yoo-Jin mouthed silently.
'Snow sleds and Cherry Blossom?'
I figured that Miso must have read the articles of Cherry Blossom that were uploaded yesterday.
"Miso, how about we go to a snow sled park?"
Miso's face lit up with joy, making me glad I brought it up. "Really?"
"Of course. Should we make a pinky promise?"
Miso came over and hooked her little finger with mine. "Pinky promise! Uncle Yoon-Ho, you're the best!"
As Miso bounced around happily, Yoo-Jin set her script aside and hugged Miso. "Wow, good for you, Miso! You're going to the sled park, huh?"
"Yes! Hehe."
"How happy are you out of ten?"
Miso stretched her arms wide in a big circle. "Eleven out of ten!"
I was a bit concerned that Yoo-Jin would get recognized but thought that we could disguise her identity with ski clothes and goggles. Come to think of it, it had been a long time since I last went sledding by myself. The thought of being able to go to the sled park again made me feel grateful for traveling back in time.
While Miso was in the washroom, Yoo-Jin, who had been reading her script, asked. "But oppa, are you sure it's okay to spend your break with us? You have been spending so much time on us that you hardly have much time for yourself, and now you're even going to spend your break with us..."
Yoo-Jin was concerned that I had no time for myself, after dedicating almost all my time to them.
"Don't worry. I'm going because I want to go. And besides, I don't have anyone else to spend time with."
"Still, you should get some rest..." Yoo-Jin looked apologetic.
But ever since I saved Miso, my longstanding insomnia had disappeared. Seeing Miso always made me feel more relaxed and sleep better.
"It's okay, don't worry about it."
"Alright. Then I'll give you a treat at the sled park."
"Wow, such generosity from a highly paid actress!"
Yoo-Jin playfully waved her hands, still not used to the idea of being addressed as an actress. "Oh, stop it. I heard you're the one who asked for higher pay for that ad. It's all thanks to you. Also, you know I'm not used to being called an actress."
When Miso returned from the washroom and saw us laughing, she asked. "Mom, why are you laughing?"
Yoo-Jin simply smiled at Miso who complained it wasn't fair that we were having fun without her. "It's a secret."
Miso's cheeks puffed up like an angry pufferfish.
"Hmph!"
Clearly, she wasn't happy about being left out of the fun conversation. Yoo-Jin then tickled Miso to lighten the mood.
"We were just talking about buying you lots of treats at the sled park~."
Miso's puffy cheeks deflated in an instant and she burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Mom, stop, it tickles!"
Moments like these made my life worth living. I spent the entire day helping Yoo-Jin practice her script and assisting Miso with her picture diary. Thanks to this, Miso told me about what happened with those two boys who confessed to her.
"Jin-Goo and Chul-Min secretly told Jeong-Yeon they love her too! Then, Jeong-Yeon said she loves them both as well!"
When Miso fumed, I exhaled with frustration.
'Man, these kids and their love stories are no joke!'
"I can't believe those boys! So, what did you do?"
When I asked with curiosity, Miso answered in an angry voice. "I told them I won't play with them anymore."
Miso looked quite determined as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Good for you, Miso. You really need to draw the line in such situations."
Miso nodded proudly, before declaring her punishment for the boys. "So I'm not going to talk to them for two days."
'Huh? Just two days? Miso, don't you think you're being too forgiving?'
***
The next day at work, Gu Seong-Cheol called me over as soon as I arrived.
"If Lee Tae-Poong really has camera shyness… let's give Kim Dong-Soo a taste of his own medicine."
Permission was granted—but I had only one day to secure Lee Tae-Poong's recruitment.
"You made the right decision, sir."
"Just remember, let's start with a one-year short-term contract. Do you think he will accept that?"
The offer was only a short-term contract, but I wasn't disappointed as this was expected. After all, the company couldn't risk spending lots of money just based on my words.
"I'm sure he will," I affirmed.
"Alright, then. Team Lead Oh, did you get the contact number?"
"Yes, Mr. Gu. I got Mr. Lee Tae-Poong's personal number from a colleague at his previous agency."
"Great. Let's call him. Tell him we'd like to meet regarding a recruitment offer."
When Oh Duk-Gu called Lee Tae-Poong, his slow voice came over the phone after a few rings.
"Hello, this is Team Lead Oh Duk-Gu from Hoop Entertainment."
-Hoop?
"Yes, I'm Team Lead Oh Duk-Gu from Hoop's Actor Division 2."
-Oh, I see…
Oh Duk-Gu explained our intention to discuss a contract, revealing that we know Lee Tae-Poong's current situation with his agency very well. "We can accommodate your requests as much as possible… So could we meet to talk?"
Lee Tae-Poong hesitated but soon asked a question.
-Could you perhaps also recruit my talent agent as well?
Thanks to my heads-up, Oh Duk-Gu responded without hesitation. "Of course. Whether it's a professional talent agent, family member, or friend, we can accommodate one person—though we'll need to discuss the salary."
Lee Tae-Poong's voice brightened.
-Then how about meeting up tomorrow afternoon at 3 PM?
But I shook my head at Oh Duk-Gu. According to my planner, Kim Dong-Soo was still scheduled to meet Lee Tae-Poong tomorrow at 1 PM.
[Everyday V10]
[Date: January 14, 2020]
-01:00 PM Cheongdam-dong H Villa, Lee Tae-Poong recruitment meeting.
Kim Dong-Soo would undoubtedly offer Lee Tae-Poong a significantly higher amount than what we could propose. We had to meet Lee Tae-Poong today or he might end up signing with Kim Dong-Soo.
Oh Duk-Gu saw my gesture and responded. "We would like to meet you today if possible. We won't take up too much of your time."
Lee Tae-Poong remained silent for a moment.
-Then, could you come right now? I have an appointment in three hours.
"We'll leave immediately."
-Okay. I'll be waiting.
When the call ended, I quickly gathered my belongings.
"Take this just in case. I got them from the legal division."