Chapter 20
“What?”
“Who is it? Just whisper it to me. You know I’m amazing at keeping secrets, right? Hm?”
“It’s not like that.”
Mirae had guessed completely wrong, and Sara’s bristling nerves finally eased.
If Mirae ever found out she’d been going to meetings with production companies alone, it definitely wouldn’t end with just nagging.
“Excuse me.”
Just then, Mugyeom poked his head in after a light knock on the waiting room door.
“Sara Seo. Oh, Manager Jo.”
“Oh my, it’s been a while, Mr. Song.”
“How have you been?”
Mugyeom smiled warmly and exchanged small talk with Mirae.
Before long, Sara’s frequent outings became the topic of conversation.
“Sara seems super busy these days, always meeting friends.”
“Sara? Oh.”
Mugyeom briefly met Sara’s eyes, then answered casually.
“It’s because I kept pestering her to grab drinks with me.”
“Ah, so you had plans with him. Then why not just say so?”
“She’s always like that, you know. Instead of just being honest, she acts like a kid and sulks at you, Manager Jo.”
“When did I ever?”
Sara stuck out her lip, and Mugyeom chuckled low as he playfully pressed a finger against her forehead.
“They’re starting the shoot in five minutes. Get ready and come out.”
“Okay.”
After Mugyeom left, Sara busied herself getting ready.
“Unni, can you grab me a cof— …why are you looking at me like that?”
“So the one you’ve been meeting all the time… is Song Mugyeom?”
“Yeah, you just heard.”
“Then why hide it?”
“When did I ever hide it?”
Sara zipped her padded jacket all the way up, brushing it off casually.
The shoot was indoors, but it was still cold outside.
Mirae’s expression grew more serious. She lowered her voice.
“Don’t tell me…”
“What now?”
“…You like Song Mugyeom?”
“Oh come on, why would Mugyeom oppa even come up here? Don’t you know he has a girlfriend?”
“That’s exactly why it’s a problem. Since he already has a girlfriend, I thought maybe you were keeping quiet and suffering in silence.”
“What nonsense. I told you it’s not like that. I’ve known Mugyeom oppa for years.”
Sara’s firm denials finally softened the suspicion in Mirae’s eyes.
On their way to the filming site, they ran into Seyeon.
It was the first time since that confrontation with Writer Sung. Sara half-expected a fight, but instead, Seyeon greeted her politely and walked past without a word.
Mirae clung close to Sara and muttered,
“What’s this? Kim Seyeon? Did she finally come to her senses?”
“She should’ve gotten the message by now.”
That day’s shoot was smooth but hectic.
Whenever Sara sat down to rest, they’d call her back for makeup touch-ups, a sip of water, then straight into another take. She barely had time to go to the bathroom.
The props team scurried about, setting up for a new scene.
Sara stretched her feet toward a heater to warm up when a shadow fell over her.
“Tough shoot today, huh?”
“Yeah, it is.”
It was Kang Minho.
He played the role of the man who had a crush on Oh Bitna. They had filmed together twice, but things still felt awkward between them.
“But at least in two days we get a break. What will you do on the off day, Sara?”
For some reason, Minho kept approaching Sara every break, chatting like they were close friends.
“I’ll just rest at home.”
“Ah, makes sense. I heard you even take separate vocal training after shoots? That’s really impressive. Just keeping up with filming schedules is exhausting for me.”
He kept rambling on—about filming schedules, about the director’s instructions—chattering nonstop.
It was so much talking that Sara’s head started to ache.
Sensing her stiffening expression, Mugyeom walked over from afar.
“Mind if I run through a scene with Sara real quick?”
“Huh? But the scene with you and Sara isn’t until much later—”
“Let’s just try it now.”
Sara eagerly followed Mugyeom, as if she’d been waiting for the rescue.
Once they had put some distance between themselves and Minho, she muttered,
“He talks even more than before. Does he oil his tongue every night or something?”
“Kang Minho’s always been famous for that—talking too much.”
Mugyeom snickered and whispered,
“Variety show producers must love him. Maybe we should let him handle all the drama promotion.”
Sara sighed.
“Ah, that reminds me—speaking of variety shows. The program Mother’s Taste is being canceled in the upcoming lineup changes. A new pilot is taking its place.”
“So?”
“I think Jisoo picked it up.”
Hearing that familiar name after so long, Sara slowed her steps a little.
“Didn’t Park Jisoo say she was doing an infotainment-variety hybrid and some current affairs documentary?”
“Seems the doc’s wrapping up now.”
“Hyung!”
Mugyeom’s manager came running over, out of breath.
“Pant… The director says we need to reshoot scene 45.”
“What? Scene 45? How many times are we redoing the same thing?”
Even though Mugyeom had already gotten multiple “OKs,” the director kept insisting on retakes, never satisfied.
Sara gestured for him to go.
Mugyeom grumbled but went back to the set.
When the waiting dragged on longer than expected, Sara returned to the waiting room.
She was sipping coffee and looking over her script when her phone, resting on the table, buzzed briefly.
She ignored it, but the buzzing came again, over and over.
Sara finally picked it up.
Traitor
What’s our Sara up to now?
It’s been forever since we last met, right?
Want to hang out with Mugyeom oppa, the three of us?
I miss you sooo much, Sara.
Sara chuckled and opened her messenger app.
The “1” disappeared, and “Traitor” immediately flooded her with laughing squirrel emojis.
Traitor
Wow, you read it.
Traitor…
Traitor.
Nooo! I’ve just been so busy lately, that’s all. Of course I missed you too, Sara~~~
Whatever you ask, I won’t do it.
Traitor.
When did I even ask anything…
So I heard Mother’s Taste got canceled, and your pilot’s taking its slot.
Traitor
Wow, Sara, you’re quick with news. Speaking of which, want to be the first guest on episode 1? I’ll give you the chance before anyone else. You know it’s not something that comes often.
Not doing it.
Traitor
At least think about it before saying no…?
Not doing it.
Traitor
…Wow, you’re amazing at rejecting things. Is there anything you can’t do, Sara? In that sense, can you please—just once—appear as a guest?
Not doing it.
Traitor
I’m typing with both hands right now, Actress Seo. Should I kneel, too? Video call possible.
I said no.
Traitor
Seriously? Why is every answer a no? These five years have felt like a million years! Can’t you shine for us just this once? Even Writer Miyeon says she needs you… Says it HAS to be you… Who else could possibly dare to guest if not Actress Seo Sara!!! She practically burst out in frustration.
Match the episode fee to a thousand.
Traitor
? Sara? If you want a thousand all by yourself, we’ll have to film on the bare floor without even a standee… We already need to pour money into the set.
1,200.
Traitor
Sara!!!! Show some mercy…
1,300.
Traitor
Hey!!!!!!!!! Who pays a guest a thousand? Even the main MC doesn’t get half that.
1,500.
Traitor
1,500… Are we filming a drama? Take 150 while I’m being nice.
????
Is that a threat????
Forget it. Deal’s off. I only gave you a discount ’cause we’re friends.
Traitor
Sigh… I’ll discuss it with the head writer. Actress Seo Sara^^… Your temper’s still something else. Your friend’s in crisis, and you won’t even look her way^^…
??
I was about to offer 800, but wow, I’m shocked. Writer Park Jisoo. Noted: no negotiations under 1,500.
