IWDAR Chapter 29

Tae-uk’s cold eyes stared at Do-hoon through the rearview mirror, sharp as knives. Though unsure why, Do-hoon felt a prickle of guilt, sensing he’d made a mistake.

 

“Why is Secretary Choi taking care of Han Wooyoung’s meals?”

 

“Sir?”

 

“And how did Secretary Choi know Han Wooyoung just arrived?”

 

“Ah, I just received a message from Wooyoung…”

 

“A message?”

 

“Yes, a text message.”

 

Tae-uk tilted his head slowly and extended a hand toward Do-hoon. The gesture was so similar to when he received documents for approval, prompted Do-hoon to instinctively hand over his phone.

 

Tae-uk stared at Wooyoung’s message for a long time. Though just a few lines of text, it felt as if Wooyoung’s characteristically gentle voice was flowing into his ears. The brazenly confiscated phone contained more messages from Wooyoung, beside the one he received today.

 

Thank you again today, Mr. Do-hoon.

Thank you for the ride, Mr. Do-hoon.

Drive safely and have a good night. ^^

The CEO and I will enjoy the food you gave us.

Thank you.

 

Han Wooyoung seemed endlessly grateful, showering Do-hoon with thanks every time he received a favor. Watching this, Tae-uk’s lips curled into a slanted smile. The chilling expression made Do-hoon tense involuntarily. That kind of expression was proof that Tae-uk’s mood had plummeted.

 

“You two seem to have gotten quite close.”

 

“Since we’ve been together often, naturally there have been more opportunities to talk…”

 

“At this rate, if you even have dinner together today, you might develop feelings for each other.”

 

“…”

 

Do-hoon closed his mouth at the sharp tone and stared straight ahead. In truth, Do-hoon’s feelings toward Wooyoung were a mixture of pity and endearment. Having been by Tae-uk’s side for a long time, Do-hoon was well aware of the man’s torment by the evil spirit. 

 

He also knew that to be free of it, Tae-uk needed to be intimate with a male born in the year of the rabbit under a specific age. 

 

How could he not feel sorry for Wooyoung, who was destined to be the sacrifice for all of this?

 

The boy, who knew nothing and was simply basking in the sweet favors showered upon him. He had already suffered so much at a young age, caught by a malicious agency without parents, and escaping that only to land in Tae-uk’s grasp…

 

“I told you to take good care of him, but that didn’t mean getting unnecessarily close.”

 

“Yes, I’ll be careful, sir. I apologize.”

 

“Then stop with the useless chatter and let’s go.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Do-hoon suppressed his complicated feelings. Of course, ON Entertainment was vastly superior to Lilac (or whatever that agency was called), the difference being night and day. Yet, he wondered if all this had truly happened according to Wooyoung’s will. 

 

Despite this, Do-hoon found it difficult to tear his eyes away from the receding ON Entertainment building. Do-hoon had planned to have lunch with Wooyoung today to ease the boy’s tension. Today was the day all the Eden members were meeting together.

 

‘The planning team said there was a big fight between the members recently.’

 

With the atmosphere already strained, Dohun worried whether Wooyoung, who suddenly appeared as a new member overnight, would fit in well.

 

Tae-uk should also be well aware of this… He couldn’t read any emotion from Tae-uk, who simply stared out the window with an impassive face. He couldn’t fathom what Taeuk was thinking.

 

｡ﾟ•┈꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱┈•  ｡ﾟ

 

“Wooyoung, are you here?”

 

Wooyoung bowed to Manager Park, who waved at him. Manager Park, initially sharp and wary on their first meeting, had softened considerably since Wooyoung officially signed the contract and became a full-fledged debut team member.

 

Of course, that didn’t mean she’d fully opened up to Wooyoung, but after a few conversations with the diligent and kind Wooyoung, it was hard to dislike him.

 

“Hello, Manager Park.”

 

Manager Park, who nodded briefly, furrowed her brows upon seeing Wooyoung up close.

 

“Have you gained weight?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Startled, Wooyoung lightly touched his round cheeks. He’d tried to control his eating after Ha-jin’s warning, but lately, he’d been struggling. 

 

After being constantly forced to starve or eat less, now, without anyone monitoring his diet, he kept putting food in his mouth. He’d had a hearty bowl of clear sundubu jjigae for breakfast. 

 

The soft tofu seasoned with soy sauce, not the usual red pepper paste, was so delicious that Wooyoung had forgotten he was meeting Ha-jin later and had another extra half bowl. The housekeeper’s cooking was too good.

 

‘I wish the CEO could have eaten it too…’

 

Wooyoung swallowed a sigh, ashamed of himself for thinking of Tae-uk even while being scolded. After their conversation the other day, it had become difficult to see Tae-uk. 

 

He didn’t want to assume, but the thought that Tae-uk was intentionally avoiding him made him feel down. Tae-uk had seemed very angry that day. 

 

Yet, he had politely told Wooyoung to go in and get some rest. He hadn’t told him what he truly wanted or what Wooyoung needed to do.

 

‘I really wanted to do what the CEO wanted.’

 

If they could each get what they wanted, perhaps they wouldn’t have to be involved with each other any further. 

 

Wooyoung wished for that day to come quickly. That way, this unexpected burgeoning feeling in his heart wouldn’t grow any larger.

 

‘It’s still okay.’

 

Yes, it was still okay.

 

“Let’s have you greet the other members and then weigh yourself immediately. I’ve told you countless times that you need to maintain a very lean figure because you have chubby cheeks.”

 

“I’m sorry…”

 

He was used to managing his diet, but it was still painful to restrict himself after having enjoyed eating freely. Especially since he’d experienced the joy of eating during the few weeks he spent with Tae-uk. 

 

Perhaps concerned by Wooyoung’s dejected expression, Manager Park sighed after a moment of frowning.

 

“Just bear with it until the photoshoot. After that, as long as you manage yourself well, I won’t bother you much about what you eat outside of promotions. It’s your debut, so it’s better to appear in the best possible condition on camera.”

 

“Yes, I can do it.”

 

“…Okay.”

 

She didn’t know why she felt guilty every time she talked to him. Shaking her head, Ha-jin led Wooyoung down to the basement practice room.

 

“You said you already greeted Sunwoo, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“The other members are around Sunwoo’s age, so it shouldn’t be difficult to get along.”

 

Even as she said this, Ha-jin seemed somewhat uncomfortable. 

 

Or rather, preoccupied with something. 

 

Wooyoung felt a flicker of curiosity about her attitude, but he quietly followed her to the practice room. He had only ever been to the upper floors where the CEO’s office was or where the planning team was located, so it was his first time in the basement, and he felt a slight thrill. 

 

Above all, he still couldn’t believe he was about to meet the Eden members, whom he had always considered a distant, separate entity.

 

ON Entertainment had a stylish interior overall, and that extended to the practice rooms where the trainees spent most of their time was no exception. Noticing the slight tension on Wooyoung’s face, Ha-jin smiled.

 

“Don’t be nervous. They’re all just like you.”

 

Saying so, Ha-jin knocked on the practice room door and went straight in.

 

 The loud music thumping inside stopped abruptly with Ha-jin and Wooyoung’s entrance.

 

“Could everyone stop practicing for a moment and gather here?”

 

Hajin called out to the boys who were in the middle of practice. There were five of them in total. The first one whose eyes met Wooyoung’s was Sunwoo. Wooyoung smiled faintly at Sunwoo, who winked playfully.

 

“As you’ve been informed, this is the new friend you’ll be working with. His name is Han Wooyoung, and he’s a special recruit, so he’s definitely skilled. I hope you all learn from each other, creating good synergy.”

 

After the manager’s perfunctory introduction, Wooyoung intended to introduce himself right away. He would have, if not for the frosty atmosphere that involuntarily held him silent.