Chapter 22: Lurking trouble at the rooftop
The shoot ended successfully and we all went to a local house to eat grilled meat and drink soju.
This sort of treatment, it was my first time experiencing it and it didn't feel bad at all.
It wasn't on the company's budget but the directors. He put this all up by himself and maybe a few other crew members just to welcome us and find an excuse to drink on a weekday, haha.
Everything was going so well and everyone was enjoying themselves but I was confused. I would very much like to know why the twins came along to this joint.
They were shining so much that it was hard to look straight without wearing sunglasses. Literally.
I watched them act friendly to the rest of the crew, exchanging drinks and thanking everyone for having them.
They were such angels. I didn't think they would come because they were shining stars. Yeah, that was my only reason.
They would never criticize this place as a dump even if it looked low compared to where they took me back then when we were in Italy.
"Ah, the stars of the show must drink." Taiha announced, taking up two bottles of soju. He poured me a glass till it was overflowing and then to Seojun and Seojin who were in front of me, he said, "You boys are adults, right?"
"Director, how could you say such a thing?"
"You're so mean. Of course, they're adults."
The crew attacked Taiha and he burst out laughing.
"Relax, I was just pulling ya legs." He tittered and then poured their glasses. "Seojun?" He asked, pouring Seojin's glass and Seojin corrected him with a smile.
"It's Seojin."
"Ah, of course. I knew that." He said and went to the next person, Seojun. "You're definitely Seojun." He said, and Seojun nodded with a smile.
"Yes." He raised his glass respectfully, "Please, take care of me."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll take care of all of you." Taiha said and gulped down directly from the bottle. "It's a feast so bottoms up fellas."
I looked at the glass in my hand. It was overflowing with the respect my Hyung-nim gave me.
I would make sure to drink every last drop.
I went ahead and downed the glass in one go, earning cheers from the crew members.
"Dongwoo Hyung seems to know his stuff." They laughed but I didn't know what I was doing.
Yeah, my head was already spinning and my eyes couldn't see straight. I was a sucker for alcohol.
Oh no, if I couldn't even hold my liquor, how were my babies doing?
I raised my head to see they were doing fine. They were already chugging down the third glass, taking in drinks from their seniors.
Ah, at least they were okay. With a body like theirs, they would be fine. They weren't like me that was just skin and bones, haha.
"Bottoms up." I said with a little shriek and gulped down another glass. I was happy. So happy.
"So, Seojin, I heard you and your brother are from Italy." Someone asked.
"Yes." Seojin answered. "But we're not fully Italians, as you can see. Our father was Korean."
My ears perked up at the mention of that.
"But we look a lot more like our mother." Seojun added and subtly glanced over at me who had his head on the table.
I knew because I could feel his gaze as he spoke. It felt weary.
Was he worried that he could spike me up with his words? Then, I should probably take a short walk outside and clear my head while they talk.
"So, have you lived in Korea before now?" Another asked.
Yeah, the questions from here would definitely revolve around them so it was best if I left before I got triggered.
I stood up and smiled.
"Oh? Dongwoo Hyung? You going out for a smoke?" Doha asked but I shook my head.
"No, I quit smoking." I said, letting a secret slip out of my lips. I looked at the twins worried but didn't even observe their expressions before looking away to leave. "I... I just need to get some fresh air to clear my head."
I messed up. It must be the alcohol. What would the twins think of me if they knew I used to smoke? Ugh, I'm already ruining the innocent image of me they have in their minds.
I clutched my stomach.
So maybe I did drink a little past my limit. One more chug and I would've definitely lost control of my nerves.
I walked up to the roof where most people go to smoke and heard voices.
'Guess there's someone else here.' I thought but it wasn't a concern to me.
I walked towards the balcony, opposite where they were having their conversation, and leaned on it. I just needed to sober up completely before going back in.
'The breeze up here is strong.'
"What are you saying?" The voices grew louder the more I sobered up. I wasn't one to eavesdrop on others' conversations so I decided to mind my business.
The words would just pass through my ear the way they entered, but what I heard after that could not pass through.
"We've been dating for six years, Eunwoo," it was a lady's voice. "When you had nothing but dreams, I thought you were cute and just wanted to date you for your looks."
Wow, that's harsh.
"But then your dreams became reality. You grew big, more handsome, more cool than any other man around but for some reason, I couldn't stick my heart to you." The lady's voice was firm and sharp. She meant it. "I tried to love you because I approached you first but I can't do it anymore."
"What do you mean? You... You said you loved me." The man's voice responded.
"Those were all fake. I told you I loved you because it's what you wanted. I smiled because it's what you wanted. Everything I did... I did it because it was what you wanted. I..." Her voice started shaking. "It was what you wanted. I tricked you from the beginning because so I thought that if I just did what you wanted, what you wished, it would atone for my crime but I can't do this anymore."
It felt like she was about to cry.
"I can't marry you, Sungho. I can't keep deceiving you so I'm going to end it here. Goodbye. Please, don't call me again."
I started hearing steps heading towards the stairs. The lady dashed past without even sparing a glance towards me.
Well, this is something.
I didn't come up here to hear someone's love break to pieces. This is the sort of drama I did not want to get involved in.
But, was that guy okay? His name was Sungho, right? Having dated someone for so long and discovering it was all a lie, was he okay?
"Well, it's not my business." I muttered. "He'll figure it out on his own."
If it were me, I might've just ended my life right there and then.
Wait! My eyes widened. He wouldn't do that, would he? No, he... He wasn't my concern. I should definitely not involve myself with other people's business.
But, what if he really jumped off the roof? My conscience would definitely haunt me.
'Argh, let's just take a peek. I'm sure he's not doing that.'
I followed my instincts and went to see what he was up to, only to find him standing on the railing.
My eyes widened. He really wanted to end his life.
I watched him close his eyes and say,
"Yeonie... I'm sorry if I made life unbearable for you."
Wait, those were goodbye words, right? Ugh! Why did I have to see this? I don't want to be a part of this.
He resigned himself to his fate and was about to throw his body down when my legs moved on their own.
Before I knew it, I was running towards him. I pulled him by the hand and he fell on me, causing us to both land on the floor.
On my first day of work, when I wished for no single drama in my life, I engaged in someone else's business and created drama. Just great.
I definitely did not come to this rooftop for this.