Chapter Text
Hyun Bin with his manager and team arrived at the venue 30 minutes ahead of time. He’s known to be the “Punctual CEO” of VAST Entertainment after all. It’s a habit he’s proud of, even if his manager would often complain and scold him about it.
Really? This early? Hyun Bin smirks, hearing the mock exasperation of Mr. Manager in his head.
He have tendencies. Sometimes it’s just too early.
A while ago, he had officially met Lee Jong Suk; the director of the new film he’s working on. They had a brief chat before he was called by a staff.
He sits on a couch in the hotel’s private reception and placed his satchel on the coffee table. The sight of staffs preparing for the upcoming script reading oddly eases his nerves. After all, the fast-paced celebrity life is what he’s used to.
Having a lot of spare time to kill, he tries to relax to reserve the much needed socializing energy for later.
Hyun Bin is a man of few words, and of modesty. Everyone in South Korea is probably aware of that by now, especially the fan girls who find his quiet nature admirable.
Good heavens the fan girls. He learned the hard way not to be totally open in public in regards to his attitude, opinions and personal life. The media can be painfully dramatic and scrutinising if you're not careful.
“Daepyonim,” his secretary almost whispers, afraid to interrupt the pondering state of her boss. Hyun Bin shrugs momentarily and give the secretary a questioning look.
“You should answer your phone,”
He takes out his phone from his satchel and instantly recognized the caller. 7 missed calls. He nods his thanks to the secretary and pressed the call button.
“Sena?”
“Hey. Busy? You’re not answering your phone,” his girlfriend replied, calm and collected.
“Yeah, I was… I’m sorry for that. Why did you call?”
“Well, I was wondering if we could go to dinner later. My treat.” from the opposite line, Chae Sena is fidgeting from sheer nervousness and anticipation. Hyun Bin’s lack of response only made it worse.
She chuckled nervously, “Um. You see, I have an overseas shooting 3 days from now and my schedule is equipped by then. Only if you’re available, no pressure.”
“I’ll see what I can do, can’t give false promises” He massaged his forehead, “Just text me the address. I can’t message you the whole afternoon.”
“It’s okay Bin.”
There’s a long pause, both anxious on what to say next. He knew Chae Sena is disappointed. Again.
He swallowed the painful lump in his throat. Hyun Bin not in the mood for negativity today, the pressure of making time is draining him.
As much as it sounds selfish, he wants to focus on work now more than anything. For all he knew, this might be the greatest break he have been waiting for in years.
In terms of being a good boyfriend though, it’s a jerk move.
He should at least try, he promised to be a responsible partner to her. Screw it, he will think of an alternative to settle this.
“Sena-”
She hangs up.
Dumbfounded, he stares at the small screen for who knows how long. Should I call her back? What should I say? Not much of a thinker, are we Kim Tae Pyung?
He rubs the back of his neck to ease the forming stress. Twelve canceled dates including two postponed visits to her parents, now turns thirteen.
I’ll deal with this later, he swears.
Hyun Bin tucks a lock of his medium-length hair behind his ear and sighs. He desperately needs a haircut, but the production team apparently prefers him to grow it. He might as well keep his 5’o clock stubble like what he had from the film the Swindlers, just in case they'll need that edgy look again.
The Negotiation. For what he initially knows, he’ll play the villain of the story. The first villain character he’ll play after a long while - we’re talking about a creepy stalker minor role in his 2003 TV debut.
Which by the way, is 'hella embarrassing.
Hyun Bin always had that “action figure” and hero image in films and dramas, but him accepting the villain role surprises everyone even himself.
Deep down he knows, the reason apart from the interesting script is the talent he’s eager to work with. Being told by his celebrity peers and the constant positive media attention towards that person also sparked his curiosity.
The exact reason might be the one causing ruckus and snapping of cameras outside. He stood up, adjusted the sleeves of his white shirt and give his hair a quick hand comb.
The door opened and staffs began to swarm to greet his fellow lead cast. No, she deserves a better recognition than that.
Son Ye Jin.
Melodrama Queen, The Box-office actress.
She’s exactly what he last saw her, though her hair is a lot shorter.
One rare lazy Tuesday night at his penthouse, he finally had the nerve to turn on his TV and watch on a local channel. He seldom have time for TV, only uses it whenever Chae Sena, or his friends or family are around.
It so happens that The Last Princess was airing, followed by The Pirates; both award-winning films of Son Ye Jin.
He never left the couch the entirety of both films. Okay, maybe just to pee or to grab another can of beer, but that doesn’t count.
Also, how could he forget A Moment to Remember, and the amazing performance she had with Jung Woo Sung.
A Moment to Remember have every right to be called a Breakthrough. Watching it on it’s VIP Premiere only solidified his reasons, and on the same night became one of the films that made him aspire to be better at his profession.
Now, the chances are too sunny and bright. To deny a project with an exceptional actress is a painful miss.
More than anything, he’s curious of what this woman has to offer, how her mind works, what acting techniques she usually applies, how she collaborates with the team,
Why is she simply the best at what she does.
He’s curious of her, period.
Dressed in a modest black dress and black wedges, she merrily greets the staffs and crew around her. Her short hair is tied in a ponytail and her cheeks pink from being exposed to the afternoon heat.
Lee Jung Suk approached her and they interact comfortably instantly. Hyun Bin stares at them both, all eyes and ears as if trying to cipher what they’re saying. The director motions his hand towards him and smirks.
In a split second, her eyes meet his and she smiles.
Her smile. Why does her eyes arch like that?
She walk towards him and Hyun Bin did too eventually, extending his hand for a formal greeting.
“Hyun Bin-ssi, nice to finally work with you,” she greets politely while offering her hand in return.
“Same here Son-bae,”
She clasps her hands then smiled again, “Come on, you don’t have to be formal around me,”
That smile is more dazzling up close, he thought.
He shakes his head and chuckles to himself. “Whatever you say Son-bae. Thank you for accepting this project.”
“I’m the one who should be thankful. To be honest, I was surprised when you agreed to this. First time villain can be challenging, I’m excited on what you’re going to show us. Never been a villain myself.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“Sure you will, you’re one of the best actors there is after all,” Son Ye Jin says casually, as if stating the most obvious thing in the world.
To be called the best by someone who everyone is looking up to felt… nice. He doesn’t even have the words to counter that, he just bows his head and give a tight-lip smile.
A man, probably with the same age as him approached her and called out, “We’re about to start in 5 minutes Jinnie,”
“Alright! Be there in a minute.” Ye jin returns her attention to him, “Shall we?”
“Yeah, you go ahead.”
She smiles again and catches up with the man, who’s most likely her manager from the way they bicker, or just because Hyun Bin is good at one of few other things… Eavesdropping.
“How was she?” Lee Jung Suk asks from behind, making the actor jump a little.
“She’s great.” he said, sounding more like a question than a remark. “I mean, what do you expect? She’s that good for a reason.”
“I know, and so are you. That’s why I can’t wait to start filming.” the director says with a hint of enthusiasm. “Come on, let’s head inside.”
He walks ahead of Hyun Bin but stops suddenly to face him again.
“Just so you know, Son Ye Jin-ssi cuts her hair just for this project.”
If this doesn’t baffle him more, Hyun Bin have no idea what will.