CHAPTER 19
1069 Words
“You shouldn’t have let him get away, Joshua.”
The former CEO’s words shocked him.
"Do you know him, Mr. Jung?" he asked.
Asher Jung's face was grim. Joshua can tell that he indeed knows the kid.
"Song Jireon. He assaulted Manager Choi a couple of times and he's been seen around Miss Lee's neighborhood," he explained with a furious expression. "We didn't press any charges because of the kid's condition. His grandparents begged to just pay for the damages instead."
"I've met them," he stated. "They wanted to pay for damages too but I just let it slide. I didn't think he was this... uh... passionate."
"He's an obsessed stalker, Joshua," he corrected. "We've filled a couple of restraining orders but that kid just won't stop. And I see now why my sister agreed to play the part of your estranged girlfriend."
"I didn't know about the sasaeng," he defended. "If only I knew I would have pressed charges—"
"Serena did not want to cause a sudden stir in the media," Asher spoke. "You know how delicate she is. I also did not think that there'd be a problem like this since Serena only has his manager around. And the kid did not lay a hand on Serena."
"I guess the rumors of us dating triggered him," he said. "I just happen to the unlucky guy to suffer an obsessed fan's undying love."
"You're not entirely unlucky," Asher said before taking a sip off his coffee. "Thankfully, my sister was there to save you by claiming to be your girlfriend. And before you ask, someone already told me what happened. I just wanted to confirm things from you."
His mouth went agape as his eyes grew wide. The former CEO just smiled.
"What do you think of my sister, Joshua?" he suddenly asked.
"Um..." he tried to think of the right adjective. If he says that she's pretty or beautiful, he'd thing that he likes her. If he says she's talented, it would come off as if he's stalking her. "...she's good at what she does. She fits well as CEO and executive producer."
Asher raised an eyebrow. He suddenly felt his throat dry up.
"Good at what she does?" his former boss repeated then chuckled. "Clearly you can do better than that, Joshua."
He felt beads of sweat form on his temple.
"From what I saw earlier, you two seem quite close," he teased. "You sure you two are just pretending?"
Again, he started to sweat profusely. Asher laughed.
"I'm just kidding. And I know how my sister can be quite playful. Remember what she did to Veronica?"
Right. Who could forget that one?
"You just have to play along and she'd stop on her own," Mr. Jung explained as he took another sip from his coffee. "And stop being a nervous wreck. She'd eat you alive. Where's the brave Secretary Jeon I know?"
He scratched the back of his nape. How can he evade this topic smoothly?
"Um... she's competent. She has good judgement and makes smart decisions. Though some are rather abrupt, I can't help but agree with them."
"Decisions? Does this have something to do with Ro5e's delayed debut?"
He nodded and explained the current situation of Saerin and the other Ro5e's members.
"Well, Saerin is extremely talented so I guess it's a risk that might be beneficial to the company one day," he stated whilst rubbing his chin. "What does she plan to do with her exposure? Just the collab with Serena and Royal?"
He nodded. "But Miss Manoban's thinking of sending her to that survival group competition."
"If she wins, that means she's to postpone her debut."
"She won't," he replied. "Miss Manoban talked with the show's producers that even if the public votes for her, she would be dropped from the ranking."
"So, you're meaning to say, that even if she wins, they'll manipulate the votes to make it look like she actually lost?"
He nodded. "That would make the public feel sympathetic since Saerin would be a shoe-in for first place."
"Woah. My sister is really a sly, cunning woman," Asher commented utterly impressed. "That would make her debut something the public would look forward to."
"And her song's actually a bop. Producer Min sent a rough cut and it's really something new. It's a mix of EDM, Pop and some Hip-hop."
"I see. So, who'll choreograph for her?"
"Royal's choreographer, DK. He also said that his friend would help him out as well," he shared. "But Miss Manoban haven't finalized that one yet and we're still waiting for her go signal. I personally think that with Miss Manoban's help she could be as good of a dancer as she is—"
It was too late for him to realize what he just spat out. Asher's forehead creased as their gazes locked.
"I uh—"
"You've seen Astrid dance? When?"
"Um... the day when Miss Serena's MV leaked, I happen to pass by the practice rooms and heard music," he started—fidgeting with the piece of paper towel in front of him. "Since it was already late, I thought checking and saw her dancing. And..."
"You saw?" He nodded making Asher sigh. Then he locked gazes with him. "I agree with you. I think with Astrid's guidance, Saerin would be able to dance with a better technique. But that would be impossible."
"Er... If you don't mind me asking, why can't she? I saw her dance beautifully that day—"
"If you did and stayed 'til the end, I'm sure you saw what happened after."
He recalled how she suddenly fell off-balance and how she threw something on the mirror that caused it to instantly shatter. He sighed.
"All dancers lose their balance. I think she just needs to stand back up again."
Now it was Asher's turn to heave a heavy sigh.
"I really wish for that to happen too, Joshua. After everything... I do hope she recovers. I know how much she misses performing. She was born for the stage and seeing her away from it also hurts me," he said making him feel a bit sympathetic.
He could clearly feel how much Asher cares for his sister. He understood. Because even though he and Erika always bicker, he'd do everything in his power just to make her happy or see her smile.
"Joshua, I'm not certain how things might pan out between you and my sister but please promise me that no matter how difficult she can get, please stay by her side," he said—almost pleading.
He looked straight into his former boss' eyes and smiled. He too wanted to see Miss Manoban back in action.
"That won't be a problem."
- Writer
