24 - The Second is Proficient
This was another ridiculous thing to say. Director Song slowly closed her eyes and opened them again.
“How much have you pushed her?”
“What?”
“How many auditions have you gotten for Heo Yuri in the past few years?”
She had given her countless audition opportunities, but the fact that Yuri had only risen this far meant that Yuri's skills were only at that level.
“Se-ah has only had two or three.”
It was entirely her own ability that allowed her to leap forward by grabbing the hand that was offered. Yuri's face, crumpled with the implication that she hadn't been able to make it until now, was a sight to see. CEO Heo's face wasn't much different.
“Hey! Song Yun-mi!”
“What. Heo Jun-seong.”
No matter how long they had known each other as university seniors, she was fed up with his attitude of not distinguishing between public and private matters. No matter what, this was a company, and to Director Song, Heo Yuri was just an actress under her management. Someone who had nothing to do with her.
When Director Song coldly retorted, CEO Heo roughly cleared his throat and avoided her gaze. And what he said next was even more absurd.
“She’s my daughter.”
“So?”
“Of course, I should give her more opportunities…”
“Why, though?”
Director Song cut off CEO Heo. She didn't want to hear any more. She had already done enough over the years. What more did he want her to do here?
She was speechless at the idea that it was natural because she was his child. If that was the case, he shouldn't have any more actors under his management. She didn't know what kind of mentality he had, wanting to keep all the company members dangling and only raise one. It wasn't like Heo Yuri had outstanding acting skills, nor was she making any persistent efforts.
“Director Song. Let’s not be like this.”
“What do you mean, let’s not be like this?”
“The music video with Director Park, and this web drama with Director Kim Seong-cheol.”
CEO Heo began to argue that those spots were originally for Yuri. She was really sick of it.
“That’s right, Director.”
Even Yuri, who had been quietly watching this conversation, began to support CEO Heo.
“Weren’t you originally going to introduce that dance music video to me? And you were secretly pulling strings for ‘Elite High School Romance Records,’ weren’t you?”
What grounds did she have for saying such ridiculous things?
“Heo Yuri.”
Director Song couldn't hide the sigh that came out as she felt nauseous. When she called her name, Yuri raised her chin as if to say that what she said wasn't wrong.
“You should stop thinking about climbing up by looking for opportunities. Go and practice your acting during this time.”
It was after she heard from Ye-won about how Se-ah practiced her acting. She was someone who practiced so hard that her whole body was bruised for a music video that was only five minutes long.
If someone with talent practiced that hard, there was no way they wouldn't catch the eyes of those involved.
“Director!”
Yuri screamed as if she had been greatly insulted.
“You’re backing the wrong horse right now.”
“Horse?”
She couldn't help but laugh. Had she been watching some political drama on SDS these days? She was dumbfounded by the talk of backing a horse when there wasn't even one to begin with.
“Im Se-ah is going to quit acting.”
Did she think she was a golden rope compared to Im Se-ah? She was fed up with her unfounded confidence.
“Do you think her father will let her continue acting?”
“That’s right. Director Song. Let’s not do the futile thing of watering seeds that won’t grow. Huh?”
Even CEO Heo joined in to persuade her. It was persuasion that almost looked like begging. It seemed that they could see that Se-ah would fly even higher in the future.
“Im Se-ah is so timid. She’ll end up listening to her father.”
At Yuri's words, one of Director Song's eyebrows slightly rose. Timid and would listen to her father? She was just talking to Se-ah a moment ago. Director Song disagreed with Yuri's opinion.
Far from thinking about marriage, she didn't seem to have any intention of quitting acting.
“Is that so?”
“Yes! So please give me more opportunities.”
Yuri chattered on, thinking that Director Song had accepted her opinion.
“How much more recognition has she gained with the Snack Chips commercial this time?”
She had done a commercial and a web drama, so she was showing off, saying that most young people would recognize her. But Director Song wasn't agreeing with Yuri and putting up with that attitude.
She didn't think it was necessary to correct the fact that Se-ah wasn't quitting acting.
If she made them aware of it, they might interfere. She didn't need to make any more enemies when An.B Group might also get involved.
“I understand. Heo Yuri.”
“Then…!”
“There’s a script that came in from Writer Woo Ji-hye, so let’s put in a recommendation for that role.”
At the words she muttered like a sigh, CEO Heo and Yuri's faces immediately brightened. Writer Woo Ji-hye was a star writer of daily evening dramas.
Whenever Writer Woo wrote a work, she was the top contributor to driving viewership for the broadcasting station. She was loved by broadcasting stations and viewers alike for her trustworthy stories and careful casting.
Yuri, who was clapping and happy, twisted her body, saying that she had thought well.
“I’ll bring it to you later.”
“No! Is there any need for that? I can follow you now and receive it!”
It seemed like she was planning to show off to Se-ah. Director Song, who swallowed the snort that was about to come out, nodded slightly and left the CEO's office.
“I’m definitely going to land the lead role this time.”
Yuri was chattering on, saying that the director wouldn't know how hard she practiced.
She walked along, listening absentmindedly, and arrived at her office.
“Director, you’re here?”
The tall stack of scripts had been reduced by half, indicating that she had been reviewing them quite a bit. Yuri's expression stiffened when she saw the stacked scripts. She didn't seem to have seen this stack of scripts earlier. Se-ah and Ye-won's expressions weren't very welcoming either, as they looked at the uninvited guest, Yuri.
“This is it. I’m just recommending you, it’s up to Yuri to get the role.”
“……”
Director Song found one of the scripts stacked on the other side and handed it to Yuri. Yuri raised the corners of her lips again at the name ‘Woo Ji-hye’ written on the cover of the script.
“Thank you, Director. A script by Writer Woo Ji-hye!”
She said the writer's name, pronouncing each syllable clearly, and hugged the script tightly.
“Amazing method acting.”
At Ye-won's unconsciously uttered words, Yuri's eyes turned fierce. She walked over, making a clacking sound, and picked up any script on the table.
“Sigh. I’ll have to work hard?”
Yuri was saying that it didn't matter how many scripts came in, they were useless, and threw them down one by one as she looked at them.
“Please leave now. Heo Yuri.”
“Ah, I’ll prepare well for the audition!”
Yuri stuck out her tongue and left the director's office, acting cute.
“Ugh, what a pain.”
Ye-won shook her head, looking at Se-ah's reaction. Se-ah was just organizing the scattered scripts.
Director Song looked at the calm Se-ah and thought to herself. She would quickly start an entertainment company and take her with her on the day her contract ended.
After reviewing the scripts to some extent, it was evening.
“You’re going straight home, right?”
“Yes, Unnie.”
Se-ah answered Ye-won and packed a few scripts. She was thinking of looking at a few more works before deciding.
“Take this too, Se-ah.”
“This is…”
It was the script by Writer Woo Ji-hye that Yuri had taken earlier.
“It originally came in for Se-ah.”
Director Song said that she was going to give it to her after she had looked at all the other scripts. She said that when people saw the name of a famous writer, they wouldn't be able to see the other scripts. That was right. She smiled and agreed with Director Song's opinion.
“They’ve offered her the lead role, so if Se-ah says she’ll do it, there will be a preliminary meeting right away.”
“What about Heo Yuri?”
“You’re not worried, are you?”
“Of course not.”
When she showed her disgust, Director Song laughed, saying that she was asking just in case, even though it was unlikely.
She informed her that she would be auditioning for that work, so she might get a role as one of the supporting characters. She also advised her that she would be hanging around and making things distracting, but there were always people like that, so she shouldn't be swayed.
“Thank you, Director.”
Director Song's lips turned up comfortably as she watched Se-ah listen attentively and say goodbye.
“Go in and get some rest.”
“Yes. I’ll see you again next time.”
Se-ah bowed deeply and left the director's office with Ye-won. She was reminded of when she first asked Director Song to let her audition. She never dreamed that she would become so close to Director Song at that time.
She was just desperately trying to grab at straws. Director Song had become her strong supporter.
“Se-ah, I’ll go get the car.”
When the elevator doors opened on the first floor, Ye-won suddenly said she would get the car and pushed Se-ah out into the lobby. Before she could ask why, Se-ah's eyes caught sight of Yuri standing outside the revolving door of the lobby.
Yuri handed her bag to her manager, who opened the door for her, and got into the car.
It was as if she could hear Ye-won shouting, ‘I’ll treat my celebrity actress like a celebrity!’ She seemed to know what she was trying to do, and a smile bloomed. She didn't have to do this. She didn't think of that as treating her like an actress.
“I can’t stop her, really.”
It seemed that she was quite upset about the situation where Yuri had been acting cheeky earlier. Anyway, she had also received Writer Woo Ji-hye's script. Moreover, it was for the lead role.
“……?”
Someone suddenly grabbed Se-ah's arm as she was walking with a slight smile on her face. A bouquet of flowers was placed in her arms as she was forcibly turned around. As she accepted it in a daze, she saw.
“Park Ji-man?”
“It’s been a while.”
A face she didn't want to see again was standing there. Ji-man was smiling even though she was openly making a face of dislike. How did he know that she was at her agency at this time?
“Coming here like this without permission. It’s very unpleasant.”
She could only assume that he was still close to CEO Heo, as he had been in her past life. She felt nauseous thinking about how the two of them had gossiped about her and laid out their plans.
What right did they have to try to design her life like this?
She took a step back and dropped the bouquet of flowers that she had been forced to hold. Without avoiding Ji-man's gaze. He was smirking instead of being displeased.
“I said it last time, but I’ll say it again. I’m interested in you. Let’s meet up first.”
Right. She had temporarily forgotten what kind of woman this man liked.
He was a man who liked women like Heo Yuri. He was a man who would be interested even if she openly threw away the bouquet of flowers he gave her in front of him. But she had no intention of reacting as docilely as before.
“I’ll say it again too.”
She took a long sigh and said clearly. Please understand.
“I don’t want to.”
She coldly retorted and turned around, and saw Ye-won parking the car outside the lobby and getting out. Ye-won looked very flustered. Se-ah smiled at Ye-won as if to say it was okay.
“Then are you interested in Do Geon-ha?”
Her steps stopped at Ji-man's mutterings that pierced the back of her head.
