Chapter 27: Sunset Wishes and Silent Threats

“Bali?”

“You totally forgot, didn’t you?”

“Uh… so….”

I racked my brain, trying to recall why Bali, Indonesia’s famous resort spot, had just come out of Seo Ji-won’s mouth.

Now that I thought about it—though the memory was fuzzy—I vaguely remembered. Last time, after drinking whisky and barging into that fake studio in Mapo, Seo Ji-won had chattered on and on about what you absolutely must eat and do if you go to Bali.

‘No way? So that’s why CEO Hong misunderstood!’

A chilling thought flashed through my mind.

“Wait, was your wish voucher to go to Bali with me?”

“Are you crazy? Why would I waste my wish voucher on going to Bali with you?”

Ah. So it wasn’t.

“Then why do you want to go to Bali, anyway?”

“…….”

Seo Ji-won stared at me with that ‘What kind of idiot is this?’ look.

“Reward vacation.”

“Ah.”

Only then did I remember that CEO Jung Se-hee of Moms Food had promised us a ‘reward vacation’ once certain conditions were met.

And so, we left for the airport.

---

Sunset Beach Bar, Jimbaran Bay Resort, Bali.

Inside the luxurious resort restaurant, a buffet-like spread featured dishes from all over the world and a plethora of fresh seafood caught right off the Balinese coast.

Outside, the barbecue grills never stopped—steak and sausages were continually grilled to serve as the main course of the feast.

The terrace sat right on the edge of the beach, allowing guests to enjoy the gorgeous Balinese seaside views as they dined.

The  production team was indulging in their reward vacation, leisurely enjoying lunch here for a full week.

Everyone was busy devouring the high-class hotel cuisine, but Seo Ji-won sat alone, idly nibbling vegetables from a lonely bowl of salad.

So poised and graceful—everyone, men and women alike, kept sneaking glances at her, unable to hide their admiration.

“Don’t you think Seo Ji-won looks even prettier than during the shoot?”

“Seriously, she was already beautiful, but now she’s got this aura about her.”

“She’s so genuine. She spent the whole week here with us.”

Lead actors Seo Ji-won and Ahn Yu-seok were both so busy these days, you couldn’t turn on a TV or check a YouTube channel without seeing them.

Even Ahn Yu-seok had said it was impossible to come because he was booked all week for a coffee commercial and a variety show shoot.

Seo Ji-won, who should have been even busier, spending a whole week here with everyone was truly unusual.

And yet—

Now, with the aura of a true top star and in the peak of her beauty, Seo Ji-won ignored everyone’s attention and kept poking at her innocent lettuce leaf with a fork, tormenting it.

‘Why the hell isn’t that guy coming out?’

After dragging the hermit out of his studio all the way to Bali, he’d locked his hotel door and hadn’t stepped outside even once.

Six days had already passed like that, and tomorrow, it’d be time to return home.

No matter how much she thought about it, Seo Ji-won, as an actress, couldn’t exactly barge into a hotel room where a man was holed up alone—so she could only feel frustrated.

‘He probably hasn’t even eaten. Maybe I can use “checking if he’s had a meal” as an excuse to go see him?’

While Seo Ji-won rationalized her thoughts, looking for an excuse to go see Lee Jung-hyuk, she heard someone cheerfully call her name.

Hong, Kim the director, and assistant director Park Sang-tae approached Seo Ji-won’s table.

“Ji-won, mind if we sit with you?”

“Of course, CEO. Director Kim, Assistant Director, please have a seat too.”

“Thanks for making time for us, even though you’re busy.”

“I’d been looking forward to this vacation! I worked every day this month, all-nighters, just so I could make it.”

As they exchanged greetings and continued eating, Seo Ji-won noticed the thick stack of papers in Hong’s left hand and asked,

“What’s that? Don’t tell me you’re working even on vacation?”

“Oh, this? It’s writer Lee Jung-hyuk’s next script.”

“Huh? Really?”

At the mention of Lee Jung-hyuk’s new work, not only Seo Ji-won but also Director Kim and Park Sang-tae’s eyes lit up.

Park Sang-tae, in particular, licked his dry lips, clearly coveting the script.

“If you don’t mind, could we have a look too?”

“The writer said it’s okay for us to pass it around internally, so…”

“Come on, we’re all here on reward vacation together—aren’t we all family now?”

“Well, I suppose it’s fine. Just make sure it doesn’t leave this group—it’s top secret.”

Of course, said Park Sang-tae, snatching up the script, putting down his steak knife and fork, and immediately immersing himself in reading.

Seo Ji-won looked at Hong, pouting playfully.

“Can I read it after Assistant Director’s done? I’ll get the writer’s permission separately, okay?”

Seeing her like that, Hong couldn’t help but nod, on the condition she ask Lee Jung-hyuk directly.

Even as everyone finished eating and went out to the beach, Park Sang-tae remained glued to his seat, reading the script to the end.

After quite a while, as the sun began to set, Park Sang-tae finally finished reading and set the script down.

So absorbed by ’s gripping story, he’d lost all sense of time and read it in one go.

Even though he’d missed out on an entire afternoon of activities in Bali’s stunning natural scenery and emerald sea, he didn’t regret it at all.

 was so captivating, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the script of his life.

Director Kim, who’d already returned from swimming at the beach, called out to him from afar, but Park Sang-tae was so lost in thought he didn’t notice.

Kim just smiled quietly and then silently headed back to his own room.

---

Bali is an island south of the equator—dry season when it’s summer in Korea, rainy season when it’s winter.

Now in rainy season, Bali’s temperature had topped 35 degrees Celsius, making it hard to go outside.

Sudden squalls would often pour down, and the combination of sweat and rainwater meant even a slight brush against someone nearby could have messy consequences—a dangerous time indeed.

To avoid such risks, as soon as I arrived at the hotel CEO Jung Se-hee had booked, I unpacked and locked my door.

Curtains drawn, all the lights off.

I sat at the desk in the room, opened my laptop.

I set up an environment almost no different from my studio, and, losing all track of time, I threw myself into writing scripts for days on end.

Knock, knock, knock—

While I was deep into writing , I heard someone knocking at my door.

With a small sigh, I got up and opened it.

Standing outside was Seo Ji-won, face hidden by a cap and sunglasses, wearing a black cropped tank top under a white see-through bolero cardigan.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Writer.”

Seo Ji-won took off her sunglasses and smiled brightly. My mood softened a little, but I kept my expression calm.

“What are you here for?”

“You need to eat. If you don’t come down soon, you’ll miss the meal.”

It was just after 5, meaning lunch was about over, but I could just go to the dining bar opening at 6.

“I’ll eat later tonight. Don’t worry.”

Just as I was about to close the door, Seo Ji-won quickly stuck her foot in to stop me.

“I’m using my wish voucher. Right now.”

“Wish voucher? On me? For what?”

“Hmm, I’ll tell you if you come out with me first.”

“Hm. Fine, wait a sec.”

I wondered if I should put on something else, since I was just in a black T-shirt and shorts, but the weather was hot and humid anyway, so I just grabbed my wallet and phone and headed out.

Seo Ji-won shot me a glare, but I just shrugged as if to say, “What can you do?” and headed for the hotel elevator.

Before we got in, Seo Ji-won pulled her cap down and put her sunglasses back on.

Even though it was just the two of us inside, it seemed she still cared about being recognized.

“Ahem, why don’t you take off those sunglasses?”

“Why? Don’t they suit me? They’re brand new, you know.”

“It’s just… wearing sunglasses in the evening is even more suspicious. You’ll stand out.”

She shot me another sharp look but stubbornly kept her sunglasses on.

Outside, Bali’s evening was much cooler than the day.

The sun hadn’t fully set, and with just a one-hour time difference from Korea, I didn’t feel too tired.

‘Not as hot as I thought.’

I didn’t show it, but as soon as I stepped outside, the exotic Balinese evening scenery was rather to my liking.

“So, where are we going?”

“I wanted to check out the night market. I found a famous one nearby on YouTube before coming here.”

Outside the hotel, taxis were already lined up at the front gate.

As we got in, the driver asked in English with a strong Indonesian accent,

“Where shell we go?”

“We want to go to Jimbaran market.”

“Ok.”

I glanced at Seo Ji-won, impressed by her natural English accent. She grinned and put her hand on her hip.

“Wow, you speak English pretty well!”

“I used to be an idol, you know. I toured overseas all the time.”

After a ten-minute ride, we saw bright lights clustered in the distance.

When the driver said we’d arrived, we got out to see a night market packed with locals.

‘Not many tourists here.’

She’d probably picked a local market just in case, since Seo Ji-won was getting so much buzz lately.

There were plenty of street stalls selling all sorts of food and drinks, and from the piles of fish for sale, it looked like a popular fish market among locals too.

“Writer, buy me this.”

“I thought you were an idol—you must be rich.”

“Come on, it’s not even expensive.”

“Fine, ask for two.”

We each got a cup of cool, sweet fresh mango juice, blended with ice, and strolled leisurely through the night market.

Fried bananas covered in sugar and chocolate—pisang goreng.

Nasi campur, the “people’s meal” of Bali, where you could try all sorts of local side dishes.

All sorts of exotic foods were on offer for as little as 1,000 or 2,000 won.

Letting Seo Ji-won lead the way, sampling a little of this and that, I found myself full, and the beer I’d had along the way was making me pleasantly tipsy.

Seo Ji-won ate her way through the night market foods with impressive gusto.

‘Didn’t she say she was just eating salad to watch her figure?’

Sure enough, she ended up patting her now-bulging little belly, whining that she was too stuffed to walk.

To help digest, we took a stroll along nearby Jimbaran Beach.

Over the Indian Ocean, the sunset was beginning.

Seeing the blazing red sunset, so different from Korea, I couldn’t help but let out a gasp of wonder.

“Aren’t you glad you came out instead of staying in your room?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Should we sit for a bit?”

We sat side by side on a bench along the shore, silently watching the sun sink into the sea.

‘Sometimes it’s nice to recharge like this.’

Then, I felt something lightly bump my right shoulder.

Turning my head, I saw Seo Ji-won resting her head on my shoulder.

Her eyes were hidden behind her sunglasses, but I could hear the gentle, even sound of her breathing.

She must have been exhausted from the Bali trip.

Feeling slightly awkward, I wondered if I should wake her, but knowing how hard she’d worked lately just to come to Bali, I decided to let her rest a little longer.

So we sat there, watching the fading sunset.

I could feel Seo Ji-won fidgeting slightly on my shoulder.

“Mmm….”

Seo Ji-won still hadn’t said her wish.

I hadn’t received my Godflix wish voucher yet either.

But watching the sunset sink slowly beyond the Indian Ocean’s horizon, I quietly made a wish to have more moments like this in the future.

Thus, the last night in Bali passed.

---

Meanwhile, at the penthouse office on the top floor of CL Media headquarters.

With an all-black wood-tone interior and black marble floors, the CEO’s office was so dark that even at noon it felt like night. Chief Secretary Gwak Ga-hyo had been summoned and hurried up.

Arriving, Gwak took a deep breath, straightened his tie, and knocked at the large double doors.

From inside, a sharp voice barked, “Come in.” As soon as he heard the answer, Gwak entered the room—barely in the door before he could greet anyone—

CRASH!

A large crystal glass shattered at Gwak’s feet, glass shards scattering everywhere.

Heels clicking loudly, Jeon Min-jung stormed over, shrieking,

“How could you mess this up?!”

“I’m sorry.”

Shards of glass lay dangerously close to Gwak Ga-hyo’s feet as he stood like a criminal awaiting punishment.

Jeon Min-jung came right up and jabbed her fist into his chest.

“You said you’d take care of it. My company—our whole group—backed you with production and operating expenses.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You might not have gotten above 20%, but at least you should have held on to first place in the time slot, right? Isn’t that so?”

“I’m sorr—”

“Don’t say you’re sorry!”

Min-jung, clearly fuming, massaged the back of her neck, closed her eyes, and continued.

“Never mind excuses. What are you going to do about it?”

“Yes. First, we’re going to bill Park Tae-won’s side for penalties and claim company-level damages. And in Park Eun-sook’s case, we’ll set her signing bonus as conditional, so at least—”

“No, not that basic stuff. Ugh… Why are you so dense today, Chief Gwak?”

“I’m sorry. Whatever you order, I’ll do it, even if it costs me my life.”

Just then, a flat, low baritone sounded from behind Min-jung.

“Min-jung, that’s enough.”

“Oppa.”

A man stood up from the huge, solid ebony desk at the far end of the office.

Well over 180cm tall, dressed in a perfectly fitted brown suit, hair slicked back with pomade—it was Vice Chairman Jeon Young-jun.

“How long has Chief Gwak been with our company?”

As Young-jun strolled out from behind the desk, the forty-something Gwak answered stiffly.

“Yes, it’s been seventeen years now.”

“That’s a long time. Practically a founding member.”

Jeon Young-jun soothed the agitated Min-jung by gently touching her waist, then turned toward Gwak.

As he approached, Young-jun’s shoes crunched on the glass shards at Gwak’s feet.

“Do you know why I made you chief secretary of CL Media?”

“Thanks to your generosity, I was lucky enough…”

Unable to meet Young-jun’s eyes, Gwak lowered his head as Young-jun smiled thinly.

“No, I chose you because of your eyes.”

“My… eyes, sir?”

Finally making eye contact, Gwak was at a loss, as Young-jun’s smile faded.

“Yes, those eyes that never flinch from filth. I like that.”

Gulp—

Gwak’s Adam’s apple bobbed with a swallow.

“I don’t think it’s right to cut people loose over a single mistake, without giving them another chance. That’s cold.”

“……”

“Chief Gwak. I’ll give you one more chance.”

“Yes, Vice Chairman.”

The kind look on Young-jun’s face hardened; he clenched his jaw.

“Get rid of Lee Jung-hyuk from this industry. Make sure he can never write again. Make sure he can’t even brush up against CL.”

“Yes. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“How much time do you need?”

“By… by the end of the year, no matter what.”

“That gives you ten months.”

“Ahem. I’ll take care of it—no matter what—by the first half.”

“Use whatever methods you do best. Dirty and nasty. Okay?”

Suddenly smiling again, Young-jun patted Gwak on the shoulder.

“Get to work.”

“Thank you. I won’t let you down.”

“Good.”

As soon as Gwak left, Min-jung hurried over in her heels and hugged Young-jun tightly from behind.

“Oppa, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry, Min-jung.”

Young-jun gently turned around to face her, resting his hand on her lower back.

“I’m so annoyed. What if that bastard gets big-headed and tries to challenge us? What if he exposes our relationship in the industry…?”

“That will never happen. And it can’t.”

“I’m so anxious, I’ve been breaking out. Look at this.”

Min-jung pointed to a barely visible mark under her cheek, pouting.

Young-jun cupped her face, stroking the back of her neck.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he’s so ruined, he can’t even open his mouth.”