Chapter 133:
"But a compensation?"
"Yes. Chairman said that if I make it possible for Hyemin to speak, he'll grant whatever I want."
"So?"
"As compensation, please acknowledge me. As Hyemin's lover."
""
"I request it."
Just as before, Jinseok's voice was firm. It was exactly as in the script. However, for some reason, Park Jinmo felt that Jinseok's acting was a bit different from the script.
Now, Kang, actor, is It's just a request, but practically, he's informing me.'
In the script, the swindler' is supposed to be confident but earnestly plead with the chairman.
However, now Jinseok was informing, not pleading. Giving notice that he would take the daughter away.
It was different acting from what the script demanded. Yet, Park Jinmo felt that Jinseok's acting was closer to the correct answer than the script.
The reason was something Park Jinmo couldn't precisely grasp. Perhaps, throughout Jinseok's portrayal of the swindler,' glimpses of an undaunted, dignified figure were seen, regardless of the situation.
His script interpretation is truly excellent.'
Having admired Jinseok's acting, Park Jinmo continued his own performance.
"So, is it acknowledging your relationship with my daughter as compensation?"
"Yes. At that time, the Chairman definitely said he would do anything if you could."
"Surely. But, do you remember the condition I added afterward? I said the relationship with my daughter should be no more than friends"
While Park Jinmo was speaking, Jinseok interjected.
"I agree. The condition is that it shouldn't go beyond friendship. But isn't that only during the contract period'?"
""
"A little while ago, Hyemin said something. It was a brief word, but there will be more in the future. So, this request is over. I am entitled to the reward."
Park Jinmo stared at Jinseok without saying anything.
A mix of discomfort at having his words cut off and irritation that he couldn't refute the swindler's words swirled within him.
In his heart, he wanted to strike the swindler who had cleverly violated the promise. However, he couldn't. If he made a mistake, his daughter, who had just regained her voice, might fall into silence again.
For a while, Park Jinmo glared at Jinseok and spoke with a growl.
"The discussion about compensation will have to wait until we confirm whether Hyemin can speak."
Reflecting on these words, Jinseok asked, "If you confirm that Ms. Hyemin can speak, will you acknowledge me?"
"If that's the compensation you desire. Even if I don't acknowledge you, I won't be able to stop you at least. But"
"But?"
"If you turn out to be a swindler who deceived hundreds or thousands of people and approached yourself as a request'"
Park Jinmo finished his sentence with a cryptic and meaningful tone.
"Whether Hyemin will acknowledge you or not, I don't know."
""
"Regardless, it's unrelated to me."
***
The sunset that had filled the roadside disappeared, and the atmosphere in front of Yeo Jaeyoon's house was now dimly lit. Using the bright streetlamp as a makeshift spotlight, the staff were preparing for the next scene.
I was sitting a little away from them, sipping the coffee that Jang Sunho had brought.
"No matter how challenging the neighborhood is for filming, shooting so many scenes like this is quite a forced march."
Jang Sunho put his hands in his pockets, slightly frowned, and said, "Haha, still, isn't it better to shoot everything at once rather than coming back and forth multiple times?"
"Fortunately, it is, but"
"Also, most of the scenes today are where I appear, so I didn't have to wait for filming much. Shooting without waiting is really pleasant."
He was sincere. While other actors might not know, I found waiting on the set to be the most challenging.
When I wasn't used to filming, it was difficult because of the continuous tension, and after getting used to shooting a bit, it was tough due to my eagerness to show my acting quickly.'
"But today, unusually, it's coffee, not green juice?"
"Since today's shoot seems quite demanding, I thought you might feel exhausted. I prepared it. But since you don't seem to find it very challenging, from next time"
"I'm extremely tired. If it weren't for this, I might have fainted."
""
Before Jang Sunho could say anything else, I quickly blurted out what I had to say. Seeing me like that, Jang Sunho glanced at me with a wry smile.
Even amid such conversation, the staff continued to bustle around, and it seemed like the preparations for filming were gradually coming to an end. Watching that scene, I envisioned the next one in my mind.
How would Kim Faith have said it?'
After the con artist who confessed to Moon Hyemin clashed with the chairman and revealed his true identity to Moon Hyemin, there was a scene where he confessed. Naturally, he couldn't casually say, I am a con artist.' Despite hesitating and resorting to lies, as a con artist, he had to express sincere feelings toward the other person.
"It's one minute before filming!"
At that moment, the staff's voice echoed. I put down the coffee and the script, then said to Jang Sunho, "I'll go get ready."
"Yes, since it's the last shoot today, I hope you'll fight until the end."
"Haha, sure."
Under the bright streetlamp, in front of the large gate, I stood where several cameras were focused, closing my eyes.
It seemed like the staff had already finished preparing, as everyone was still, and only the sound of leaves rustling in the wind was audible.
"Action!"
***
Under the streetlamp, it's the front of Lee Hyemin's house. About an hour ago, it's where Kim Faith confessed to Lee Hyemin.
Why did I confess like that?'
Certainly, today Kim Faith came to the end of his relationship with Lee Hyemin. However, by speaking from the heart, their connection deepened instead.
Acting on the impulse of the heart rather than the mind was something Kim Faith had never done before in his life. Because of thator thanks to thatKim Faith found himself in the most critical situation of his life.
Facing the crisis of having to tell the person he truly loved that all the memories between them were lies.
If I don't reveal it, will the chairman expose my identity? No. The chairman wouldn't do such a risky thing to his daughter. It could cause significant harm to his daughter's feelings.'
If he kept his mouth shut, everything might be resolved. He could continue acting as the cool and kind person' to Lee Hyemin for the rest of his life, just as he had done so far. But Kim Faith couldn't do that.
He knew that if he revealed his identity, Lee Hyemin wouldn't just hate him but might harbor resentment. Despite knowing this, he couldn't lie to Lee Hyemin any longer.
Unlike anyone else, at least not to Lee Hyemin.
Kim Faith took a step toward the front door.
And just as he was about to press the bell
Clank!
A sound came from inside, unlocking the gate. Startled by the sudden noise, Kim Faith stepped back, and from inside, Lee Hyemin peeked her head out.
Then, she handed him a note.
I saw you standing outside.
If you came, why didn't you call? Why are you just standing there?
"Ah"
Come to think of it, I could have just made a call. There was no need to ring the bell earlier.'
Was his mind so tangled that he couldn't think of such a simple thing? He laughed lightly, even finding it ridiculous when he thought about it.
Seeing his laughter, Lee Hyemin started to write something on the note to show him but then decided to take it back.
Then, as if she had made a significant decision, she took a deep breath and calmly asked,
"Why did you come?"
Although she hesitated in her words, the tone wasn't unfriendly. Kim Faith knew she was, in fact, very glad. She was just not skilled in expressing it.
In a cute demeanor visible only to himself, Kim Faith found himself almost smiling involuntarily.
However, soon the question "Why did you come?" made him feel flustered as he pondered how to answer.
He took deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling repeatedly.
When the cold air filled his lungs, courage surged, but as it gradually turned warm again, the courage faded away.
Yet, Kim Faith knew he had to confess once again. A confession revealing his true identity.
And the sooner, the better.
Kim Faith parted his lips, heavier than they had ever been.
Unable to decide on the exact words to say, Kim Faith felt that the more he contemplated, the further away he got from the right answer. It was an attempt to say what came to mind at the moment.
"There was a child who lost their parents at the age of twelve. All they had were a clever mind, quick wit compared to others, and a delicately handsome face. Oh, and there was also the debt left by the parents."
At the sudden story, Lee Hyemin raised an eyebrow. However, Kim Faith continued without providing detailed explanations.
"To escape from the loan shark, that child did whatever it took. They clung to construction sites where they weren't even acknowledged, trying to earn money, and even stole food and goods from the market. Naturally, with such meager earnings, the interest was accumulating faster than repaying the debt."
""
"Then, when the child turned eighteen, they happened to witness something strange. A ragged man in a shabby suit, claiming to be a government official, was sweeping the market floor, muttering something about hygiene management. Anyway, after seeing that, the child decided to become a government official. It seemed impressive, you know."
Kim Faith continued the story with realistic details, even adding nuances to his speech.
"However, the child didn't have time to study for the civil service exam. The loan shark would come knocking every day, and there was no food to eat right away. So, instead of studying for the civil service exam, the child decided to study being a civil servant' itself. And they began mimicking a government official."
"While mimicking a government official, the child quickly paid off the debt. And as soon as the debt was repaid, the child decided to stop mimicking a government official. After all, mimicking a government official wasn't something one could do for a long time."
"Instead, they started other scams. Deceiving people who were aiming for a windfall, taking money under the pretext of investment, or deceiving land that wasn't theirs as if it were."
After speaking for a while, Kim Faith, who had been looking at Lee Hyemin's reaction, lifted his head. Then, he looked directly into Lee Hyemin's eyes and continued.
"So, to this guy who lived without a trace of conscience, a remarkable request came in. It was a request to open the heart of a wealthy family's daughter. The pay was good, and it didn't seem like a difficult task, so he accepted."
"."
"But contrary to what that guy thought, this request wasn't easy. It was supposed to be an easy task, handling a mute rich girl and opening her heart with some gentle play, but she turned out to be anything but typical. She wasn't an ordinary adversary. The con artist who had never failed even once found himself cornered until the brink of failure. So, you know what he did?"
"He didn't know what was going on in his head, but he suddenly confessed. Now, looking back, he doesn't even want to think about what a disgrace it was. But what's even funnier is"
Having said this much, Lee Hyemin could now understand what Kim Faith was trying to convey.
The expression on Lee Hyemin's face, reflected in Kim Faith's eyes, was indescribable.
"What's even funnier is that in response to that guy's accidental confession, the girl properly responded for the first time. And that was the beginning of everything."
"That guy started mimicking being in love with the wealthy girl. Just like when he mimicked being a government official when he was young. They went out together, pretended to have fun somewhere, and pretended to enjoy eating disliked food together."
"As if he actually liked her."
After finishing his words, Kim Faith took a deep breath again. Unlike before, his expression was now clear, and Lee Hyemin, in turn, was feeling a sense of sadness.
Was Kim Faith also feeling sad as those emotions were conveyed? Or was he saddened by the thought that someone he loved was sad because of him?
Kim Faith's eyes also turned red. However, knowing that if he cried now, he wouldn't be able to say everything he needed to say, he forced back the tears and spoke.
"There were some deviations, but everything went according to his plan. However, as is the case with all stories in the world, problems arise."
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