Chapter 19: Controversy

The next morning dawned.

For breakfast, I made spicy chicken stew with the leftover chicken from yesterday.

Since the kids didn’t like spicy food, I added ketchup to give it a richer, sweeter flavor.

“Wow… Uncle, you’re really good at cooking.”

Thanks for saying that.

I looked at the completely empty pot.

I thought I’d made plenty, but now it seemed like I’d made too little.

The kids eat more than I expected.

Since they didn’t eat much chicken last night, they might’ve been hungrier this morning.

“Uncle! What’re we doing today?”

Hmm… not sure. What should we do?

I picked up the empty dishes and spoke.

I’ve got to go somewhere today, so maybe you can hang out at Marcello’s…

At that moment—

-Ring ring ring!

My phone suddenly buzzed in my pocket.

Hold on.

I set the dishes in the sink and pulled out my phone.

The screen showed Loony’s name.

What’s up?

I answered casually.

“Hey, Author. It’s me.”

Yeah, what’s going on?

“It’s not a big deal, but… did you know your daughter posted a photo on SNS yesterday?”

Of course. The group photo and one with just me and her, right? Why?

“Well…”

Loony hesitated, sounding troubled.

“People are talking because you have kids now. They’re demanding an explanation.”

An explanation?

“Yeah… some are saying they’re your hidden kids.”

Hmm.

Yuri clearly wrote “uncle” in her post, didn’t she?

Hidden kids?

“The ‘uncle’ part was noticed, but some are saying you had a kid in high school and abandoned them, or that you’re their real dad but calling yourself ‘uncle’ to avoid responsibility. Ridiculous hate comments are pouring in.”

I’m not even that kind of writer… just ignore them. It’ll die down soon.

I didn’t want to explain the details of my relationship with the kids.

I just wanted to live quietly.

“Still, you should clarify. We’re addressing it on our end, but it’d be better if you said something directly.”

Hmm.

Since taking in the kids, I’d made a few resolutions.

One was to ensure they wouldn’t suffer because of me.

But reality wasn’t so simple.

“You can’t think of yourself as just an ordinary writer. With Papa’s film production starting soon, investors want a quick resolution to this.”

Sigh…

Those darn investors.

Film adaptations involve huge sums of money.

A writer’s image plays a big role in production, so investors don’t take kindly to controversies like this.

Fine, I get it.

If I were any other writer, people might let it slide, but since I kept such a low profile, these tabloid-like rumors were spreading.

I decided to post a clarification saying they’re my nieces, not adopted kids.

“Thank you, Author.”

No big deal.

“Oh, and Papa’s team is holding official casting tonight. The script’s done, so you should receive it by evening.”

Got it.

“Also, Director André wants to meet you in the States before shooting starts. What do you think?”

Hmm.

“He even said he’d like you to be involved in the casting.”

Casting too?

André Verber, a French director, was already an established figure.

Known for creating deep, intense atmospheres, his film Miracle of 24 Days won an Academy Award, praised for its emotional portrayal of a young man trapped in a cave.

He’s always been a fan of mine…

André frequently posted praise for my work on SNS.

Some called him a “successful fanboy.”

When he secured the rights to Papa, he posted about throwing a wild party.

“He also said he wants to contact you personally.”

“…”

After signing the rights contract, I met André.

He later posted on SNS that he felt like he’d fallen in love with a man, looking at me with adoring eyes the whole time.

Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming.

Alright… I’ll go to the States with the kids. I’ll let you know the timing by tonight.

“Got it. Haha. Oh, and Author…”

Yes?

“Have you been writing…?”

His tone was cautious.

Dealing with a writer in a slump, he had to tread carefully.

Well… I might sit at the computer again soon.

“Really? Got it! Let me know when you decide on a time!”

Sure.

I hung up and looked at my phone for a moment before turning to the kids.

Hey, kids.

“Yes?”

Do you like the States?

The kids tilted their heads in confusion.

***

After washing the dishes, Yongsu posted on SNS.

ID: @AdeleLouis4747  

[Photo of a computer tower]  

They’re my sister’s daughters.  

Explanation done.

The post was classic Yongsu.

Some called it too casual, but those familiar with Adele Louis weren’t surprised.

His posts were always like this.

“Sister’s daughters? Then why a computer photo?”

“Is this about yesterday’s photo? But why a computer?”

“We saw the kids’ faces in the group photo… why post a computer?”

“Such a half-hearted explanation. Expected, though.”

“Didn’t care if they’re nieces or daughters. Just tell us when the next work’s coming!”

“Three years waiting for an SNS post, and it’s this? Damn, I thought it was about a new work.”

“Knew it’d be like this. This guy ignored women so much people thought he was gay.”

“Got excited for a new post… just tell us about the next work!”

Comments piled up, most demanding a new work.

Adele Louis was a writer immune to gossip.

Despite Hollywood actors and models hitting on him, he always brushed them off, so most didn’t believe the rumors.

“But a computer photo? That’s new. He usually posts food when he’s annoyed about clarifying.”

“Adele Louis rarely posts anything but food.”

“A computer out of nowhere?”

Some fixated on the computer photo.

Even if he posted carelessly, they figured there was a reason Adele Louis chose a computer.

“Is he… preparing a new work?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why else post a computer? Maybe he’s signaling he’s working on something new.”

“Could be!”

“Finally out of his slump? I knew I believed in him!”

“Adele Louis writes like no one else. If he’s preparing a new work, maybe May or June release?”

“Thought he quit writing after that big fight at the party. I believed in him!”

Fans cheered at the hint of a new work.

There was no solid proof, but seeing a writer they thought would never write again preparing something new was thrilling.

But one person wasn’t smiling—she tilted her head in thought.

Nicole stared blankly at the SNS post.

“Nieces… I didn’t think so.”

When she met Adele Louis on the plane, the way he looked at the kids wasn’t like an uncle—it was closer to a father’s gaze.

No, it wasn’t quite that either.

It was like a fragile deer protecting its fawns.

“Is there some story behind it…?”

Nicole sighed quietly as she looked at the post.

Whatever… I got rejected.

There was no need to keep dwelling on someone who rejected her.

Nicole had been hit on by countless men but never cared much.

After a few relationships in high school, she’d stayed single.

Yet, for the first time, she mustered the courage to give Adele Louis her SNS ID.

Is he really not interested in dating?

About eight years ago, when Adele Louis was rising to fame, a rumor followed him: that he was gay.

It was debunked, though.

At fan meetings and signings, women threw themselves at him—some even asked for signatures on their underwear in person.

But Adele Louis was always indifferent, his face cold.

When the gay rumors got out of hand, he posted on SNS that he liked women, putting an end to it.

“Haa…”

Nicole sighed quietly and slumped onto the table.

As her first time hitting on a guy, she couldn’t help feeling hurt, no matter how hard she tried to act unaffected.

Being rejected stung, no matter the reason.

I knew it’d happen…

Adele Louis had turned down advances from beauties.

Nicole expected rejection when she gave him her ID, but the reality of it hit hard.

I really liked him…

It wasn’t just as a fan of his work.

Seeing the way he looked at the kids, she found herself writing her SNS ID on that note.

It was a new feeling for her.

-Ding!

As she wallowed in disappointment, her phone chimed.

Slumped on the table, Nicole cautiously lifted her head to check it.

A notification glowed on the dark screen.

[@AdeleLouis4747: Hello.]

“…!”

Nicole jolted, grabbing her phone.