Chapter 13: Final Filming and a Disturbing Encounter
Months had passed since Jae-min had first stepped onto the set of City of Lies, and now, as he stood in the middle of the bustling soundstage, he could hardly believe how much things had changed. The early days of filming felt like a distant memory—the nervous tension, the constant need for retakes, the uncertainty in his every move. Now, after weeks of hard work, late nights, and endless rehearsals, they were nearing the final stretch.
The production was almost complete, with only a few key scenes left to shoot. The past few months had been a whirlwind of long filming days, and with each passing week, Jae-min had started to find his footing in the world of acting. His character, Tae-seok, had begun as a minor role, the charming playboy reporter, but now, as the drama's plot twisted and deepened, Tae-seok's arc had become more pivotal. His true mission—seeking revenge for his brother's murder—was coming to light, and the tension had been building with each episode.
Today, they were shooting one of the final scenes for Tae-seok's character. It was the moment where everything came to a head—where Tae-seok's secrets would be revealed, his alliances shattered, and his mission laid bare. Jae-min took a deep breath, letting the familiar weight of the character settle over him. He wasn't nervous like he had been in those early days. Now, he was ready.
"All right, places!" the director called out, his voice carrying a hint of excitement.
Ji-won, played by Yoo-ri, stood across from him, her expression hard as steel, ready for the confrontation. The tension between the characters had been building throughout the series, and this scene was the breaking point. Tae-seok, the smooth-talking reporter, had been working against the very powers he pretended to serve, all to get revenge for his brother's death.
"Action!"
Jae-min felt the shift immediately, sliding into character as effortlessly as breathing. Tae-seok's usual smirk was gone, replaced by a solemn, determined look. He took a step forward, his eyes locking onto Ji-won's.
"I guess it was only a matter of time before you figured it out," Tae-seok said, his voice low, almost resigned. "I always knew I wouldn't make it to the end of this game."
Ji-won didn't flinch, her sharp gaze unwavering. "You've been playing both sides from the beginning. You lied to everyone."
Jae-min's lips curled into a bitter smile, his eyes glinting with the pain of Tae-seok's hidden mission. "I wasn't lying to you. Not entirely. I just had other priorities."
He reached into his jacket, pulling out a USB drive—the last piece of evidence he had gathered against the organization that had torn his life apart. The camera zoomed in on the drive, capturing the trembling in his hand, a sign that the weight of this moment was finally getting to him.
"This is everything," Tae-seok said, his voice quieter now, as if the act of giving it up was too heavy to bear. "It's all in here. Every name, every deal, every dirty secret they've been hiding. You can take them down with this."
Ji-won stared at him, her expression unreadable, but the tension in her stance told a different story. Yoo-ri's portrayal of the hardened detective was flawless—her eyes betraying a flicker of uncertainty, the same uncertainty that the audience would feel as they watched the scene unfold.
"And what about you?" Ji-won asked, her voice softer now. "What happens to you once this is out?"
Jae-min's smile faded, his shoulders sagging slightly as he stepped back into the shadows. Tae-seok, the man who had played the part of a careless reporter for so long, was finally showing the cracks beneath his facade.
"I'm done," he said simply. "They know I'm a traitor. They've been after me for weeks. I'm dead whether you use that or not."
Ji-won's eyes widened, fear flashing across her usually stoic face. "Then let's do this together," she urged, stepping closer. "We can take them down. I can protect you."
Tae-seok's lips twitched into a small, bitter smile. "Protect me?" he repeated quietly, his voice tinged with amusement. He appreciated her sincerity, but it was far too late for that. "You still don't get it. They're coming for me no matter what. There's no escape for people like me."
Her frown deepened, and Jae-min could see the flicker of desperation behind her sharp eyes. She truly believed there was a way to save him.
"I can keep you safe," Ji-won said, her voice hard with conviction. "We can bring them down together."
Tae-seok laughed, a soft, bitter sound that carried the weight of a man who had long accepted his fate. "That's not how this works. They're going to kill me, Ji-won. I've known that since the day I started this."
She shook her head, unwilling to accept it. "It doesn't have to end like this."
"It does," Tae-seok replied, stepping closer until he was inches from her. His voice softened, losing the bitterness but gaining something gentler. "You're good, Ji-won. Too good for this world. That's why you still think you can save me. But we both know that's not going to happen."
He turned to leave, his back disappearing into the dim alleyway. "They'll come for me," he added over his shoulder, his voice quieter now, almost an afterthought. "But you have what you need to stop them. Use it."
Ji-won opened her mouth to argue, but he was already gone, swallowed by the shadows.
"And... cut!" the director called.
A brief silence followed, heavy with the weight of the scene. Then the tension broke as murmurs rippled across the set.
"That was incredible," one of the crew members whispered. "They nailed it."
Another crew member nodded in agreement, eyes still fixed on the actors. "Yeah, that's going to be one of the big moments. You could feel it."
The director stood up, clapping his hands together. "Great work, everyone! That was fantastic!" he called out. "Both of you, really intense."
Yoo-ri grinned as she walked over to Jae-min, giving him a playful shove. "Where the hell did that come from? You just—" She let out a breath, laughing. "We killed it."
Jae-min gave a small smile, nodding. "Yeah, sunbae. Felt right in the moment."
Yoo-ri shook her head, still impressed. "That was on another level. Seriously. I've worked with seasoned actors who couldn't pull off that kind of intensity."
The director joined them, still energized from the scene. "You both nailed it. The intensity, the tension—it was perfect. That's the kind of performance that sticks with people."
The energy on set buzzed with excitement as the crew reset for the next shot. People were still talking, commenting on how well the scene had come together. It wasn't just about individual performances—it was the way the scene as a whole had landed, the shared feeling of accomplishment. The team had pulled off one of the most critical moments in the drama, and the set hummed with satisfaction.
Jae-min took a deep breath, letting the excitement settle in. He wasn't the same rookie actor he had been at the start of filming, but today wasn't just about him. The whole cast and crew had brought something to life. They'd nailed it, and that was what mattered.
Yoo-ri stretched her arms, a satisfied smile still on her face as she glanced around the set. "Well, we may have killed it, but I've still got the final episode to film," she said, her tone light but with a hint of exhaustion. "The last episode's always the toughest."
Jae-min nodded, leaning against a nearby prop. "Yeah, must be a lot of pressure to wrap up everything, huh?"
She gave him a quick glance, a slight smirk forming. "Yeah, but we're almost there. You know, when we started, I wasn't sure how you'd fit in, with you being so... relaxed." Her smirk grew into a playful grin. "But you've surprised me."
Jae-min grinned back, catching the teasing tone. "I'm glad I could win you over, sunbae."
She rolled her eyes, but the humor remained. "I guess you did. Just don't let it go to your head."
He chuckled. "I'll try my best."
Yoo-ri gave him a nod of approval. "You've grown a lot, Jae-min. I wasn't sure at first, but now you've made Tae-seok your own." Her expression softened for a moment. "You've done well."
Jae-min offered a small, appreciative smile, keeping his tone light. "Thanks. Coming from you, that means a lot."
Yoo-ri brushed it off casually, though her smile lingered. "Anyway, I'll see you at the celebration, right? Don't flake."
"Wouldn't miss it," Jae-min replied, smirking. "You know I'm in it for the free food."
Yoo-ri laughed. "I had a feeling." She pulled out her phone, typing something quickly. "Text me if you hear any updates about the plans. I've still got the final episode to film, so I'll be tied up until then."
"Sure thing," Jae-min said, pulling out his phone briefly. "I'll keep you posted."
Yoo-ri tucked her phone away and gave him a small wave. "Looking forward to seeing how that scene turns out. It's going to be one of the highlights."
Jae-min nodded, still feeling the energy of the day. "Yeah, let's hope so."
With that, Yoo-ri headed off toward the makeup team, leaving Jae-min watching her go. Things had definitely changed since the start of filming. Back then, she'd been all business—composed and professional. But now, their exchanges were easy, relaxed, and full of banter. It felt natural.
As the crew began to reset for the next shot, Jae-min scrolled through his phone, glancing at Yoo-ri's contact saved in his list. It was funny how much had shifted—how he had gone from the new guy to feeling like he belonged.
As Jae-min left the filming set, his footsteps echoed softly in the quiet night. The excitement from earlier still buzzed in his chest, but now that the cameras were off, all he could think about was getting home. He fished his keys out of his pocket as he made his way to his motorbike, which was parked just around the corner, near a dimly lit alley. The night air was cool, and the city felt quieter than usual, with only the distant hum of traffic and the occasional flicker of streetlights.
Just as he neared the alley, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen. Unknown number. Jae-min frowned, unlocking the phone and reading the message.
"I saw you again today. You looked so good... I can't wait for us to be together soon."
His jaw tightened. He didn't need to guess who it was—So-ra had never stopped. Ever since the note at his door, her behavior had escalated in a way that was impossible to ignore. She had been stalking him, sending pictures of him out and about: at the café, leaving the studio, even on his way to meet friends. Each message was more unsettling than the last.
Jae-min shoved the phone back into his pocket, shaking his head in frustration. She was relentless, crossing boundaries that had long been shattered.
I seriously need to change my number, he thought, already tired of this never-ending game.
As he rounded the corner, he spotted his motorbike parked near the alley. It wasn't until he got closer that he noticed someone sitting on it, their figure barely illuminated by the dim streetlight. Jae-min's eyes narrowed, the first flicker of suspicion creeping into his thoughts. The person was wearing his helmet, the visor down, obscuring their face. For a moment, he just stared, a sense of recognition slowly settling in as he took in the petite figure and trendy clothes.
Something about her body shape, her posture... it clicked.
"So-ra?" Jae-min called out, his voice edged with irritation as he stepped closer. "What are you doing?"
The figure didn't respond at first, but then, with a slow, deliberate movement, she lifted her hands and took off the helmet, revealing short black hair with pink highlights hidden beneath. Her wide, dark eyes gleamed under the streetlight, her lips pulling into a smile that was almost too sweet.
"Surprise," she said softly, her voice dripping with an unsettling sweetness.
Jae-min sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he stopped a few feet away from her. "Really? You're sitting on my bike now?" His tone was flat, the irritation clear in his voice. "You need to stop this, So-ra. Seriously."
So-ra's smile didn't falter. She took another step forward, her expression softening, almost tender. "You don't mean that," she whispered, her words light, as though his protests carried no weight. Before Jae-min could react, she closed the distance between them, her small frame pressing against him as her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
The size difference was striking. So-ra, barely reaching his chest, clung to him with surprising force despite her petite stature, her head only coming up to his upper stomach.
Jae-min froze for a second, his muscles tensing at the sudden contact. "Hey—get off." He grabbed her wrists, her small hands dwarfed in his grip, and with a sharp tug, he peeled her off and stepped back, his expression dark with disgust. "What the hell's wrong with you?"
So-ra stumbled slightly as he pulled her away, then looked up at him with wide, glassy eyes, her lower lip trembling just enough to seem convincing. She cradled one wrist dramatically, as if he'd hurt her. "Jae-min… you're hurting me," she said softly, her voice wavering.
In the dim light of the alley, anyone passing by would have seen a tall man towering over a much smaller girl, looking as if he was bullying her. And So-ra knew it. The hint of a smirk flickered in her eyes for just a second before it vanished, replaced with a look of hurt innocence.
So-ra's eyes gleamed with something darker. She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "If I screamed right now, what do you think people would see, Jae-min?" Her tone was sweet, but there was an unmistakable threat beneath it.
Before Jae-min could respond, So-ra inhaled sharply, as if about to scream. Instinctively, Jae-min's hand shot out, covering her mouth, his palm pressing firmly over her lips.
Her eyes widened for a brief moment, the tension palpable between them. But instead of being afraid or startled, a slow, twisted smile crept into her eyes. The warmth of her breath against his hand sent a shiver down her spine—only, it wasn't fear she felt. It was satisfaction. She leaned into his touch, her body going slack with an unsettling ease, as if she had been waiting for this.
"Mmm..." She moaned softly against his hand, her eyes half-closing, her lips brushing against his palm in a disturbingly sensual manner. Jae-min's jaw tightened, his irritation growing as she began to suck lightly on the edge of his thumb, making the moment even more intimate than it should've been.
Annoyed, Jae-min's hand moved from her mouth to her cheeks, firmly holding her in place. His eyes were cool, steady, and dismissive, as though he was simply managing a problem. But to So-ra, the sensation of his hands on her skin was something far more intimate.
Her body shivered under his grip, and she let out a soft, breathy moan, her lips parting slightly. "Mmm... just like before," she whispered, her voice sultry. "You always knew how to handle me."
Jae-min's eyes narrowed. He was tired of her games. "So-ra, stop," he said, his voice low and firm, trying to diffuse the situation before it spiraled any further.
But So-ra only leaned into his touch, her eyes half-lidded with a dangerous mix of lust and obsession. "Don't pretend you don't miss it," she murmured, her voice a whisper of temptation. "You used to love this, Jae-min. The way you'd hold me down... choke me until I couldn't breathe. You still want it. You still want me."
Jae-min's jaw clenched as she twisted the memory of their past intimacy into something dark and manipulative. She was trying to provoke him, push him into reacting.
"Enough," he said sharply, but before he could let go, So-ra made her move.
She lunged at him, arms snaking around his neck, pressing her body against his. Her lips aimed for his, desperate for that connection, for that spark of intimacy she craved. But Jae-min didn't hesitate. His reflexes kicked in, and he caught her wrists, stopping her cold before she could get any closer.
Her body pressed against him, her small frame struggling against his hold, but Jae-min remained steady, his grip unyielding.
"Oh, yes... that's it," So-ra breathed out, her voice low and filled with twisted pleasure. "Hold me like that... just like before." She twisted in his grasp, her breath hot against his chest as she smiled up at him, her eyes dark with desire. "You know you want to."
Jae-min's patience was wearing thin. He tightened his hold on her wrists, keeping her at a distance as she continued to writhe in his grip, a smug grin spreading across her face.
"You're really losing it, So-ra," Jae-min muttered, his tone cold. He released her wrists and stepped back, letting her fall out of his grasp. She stumbled slightly but quickly regained her balance, her eyes still locked on him, gleaming with satisfaction.
"You think you can just walk away?" So-ra taunted, her voice rising in a mix of amusement and desperation. "You think you're done with me?"
Jae-min shook his head, already stepping back toward his bike. "I am done with you," he said, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument. "This isn't happening. Not now, not ever."
So-ra's eyes narrowed as she watched him move away, her lips curling into a dark smile. "You'll come back," she whispered, though her voice was barely audible over the roar of his bike as he started the engine.
Without another word, Jae-min drove off, the sound of the motorbike drowning out any further attempts from So-ra to keep him there. But even as he left her standing in the alley, her obsessive gaze lingered on him, watching him disappear into the night.
Jae-min didn't flinch, his expression flat, unimpressed. "You're not going to scream, So-ra. This little act isn't going to work on me." His voice was calm, dismissive, as if her threat was nothing more than an annoying buzz in his ear.
For a brief moment, frustration flashed across her face, quickly masked by her sickeningly sweet smile. "I just wanted to hold you," she murmured, still cradling her wrist like a wounded bird.
Jae-min shook his head, already regretting engaging her. "You're out of your mind, So-ra. This isn't normal. You need to stop."
Her smile faded, replaced by a steely glint in her eyes—sharp, calculating. "I'm not the one out of my mind, Jae-min. I'm doing all of this for us. Can't you see? We belong together. No one else can have you like I do."
Jae-min rolled his eyes, his patience worn thin. He stepped toward his bike. "Yeah, no, we don't. Get off my bike, and don't show up again. I'm not playing this game anymore."
So-ra remained still, her eyes following his every move, her expression unreadable now. She didn't argue, didn't fight, just watched him with a calm intensity that made his skin crawl. For a moment, he thought she might actually listen, but the way she stood there, silently calculating, left him unsettled.
Without another word, he turned away and swung his leg over the bike, the tension in the air still thick between them. As he glanced back, she hadn't moved an inch, her eyes locked onto him like a predator watching prey.
"Don't follow me," Jae-min called back, his voice firm. He started the engine without waiting for a reply, the roar of his motorbike breaking the eerie silence as he sped off into the night.