Chapter 31

"I am a fan, Writer Na Bo Bae."

Bo Bae, who was about to leave, froze in her tracks.

'Did I hear that right?'

Bo Bae looked at Ho Rang with eyes full of doubt. He was clearly looking at her, reaching out his hand for a handshake, acting as if he truly were her fan.

Disconcerted and unsure of how to react, she hesitated until Ho Rang stepped closer and took her hand. He spoke with a gaze filled with sincerity.

"I truly love your work, Writer Na Bo Bae."

With those words, the eyes of everyone nearby shifted toward Bo Bae. Ju Hee and Producer Jang were no exception.

Watching this, Ju Hee asked with a look of discomfort on her face.

"You know Writer Na Bo Bae?"

Her tone implied, 'How could you possibly know such an obscure writer?'

"Yes. I know her well."

His voice was calm yet firm.

"How?"

Ju Hee asked back as if she couldn't believe it. It was as if she were protesting, 'How can you be a fan of an unknown writer like her instead of me?'

"By chance, I came across the work Writer Na Bo Bae is currently writing. It was incredibly intriguing. It was so entertaining that it's incomparable to any other work I've seen so far."

Ho Rang emphasized the words "any other work" while glancing at Ju Hee. Ju Hee, who always thought she was the best in the world, bit her lip in dissatisfaction at his words.

"I felt like sponsoring it if Writer Na Bo Bae's drama ever gets produced."

Producer Jang’s face brightened at those words. Bo Bae’s current project was something Producer Jang was looking over due to a personal connection, and the higher-ups were showing a fairly positive response. Of course, there was still a lot that needed work.

But for Ho Rang to bring up sponsorship first... Ho Rang had never offered sponsorship voluntarily before. Usually, broadcasting stations practically begged him for it, and even then, he would meticulously check the scripts and only sponsor works he deemed would have high viewership ratings. For such a picky man to mention sponsorship first, it felt like an opportunity that would never come again.

"Are... are you serious?"

"If possible, I'd like to provide locations ranging from shopping centers to resorts. Ah, regarding the resort, you can choose any of our locations worldwide."

"World... worldwide?"

At Ho Rang’s words, Producer Jang’s mind was already filled with thoughts of Bo Bae’s drama.

Tae Seong Resort, known as the most beautiful in the world, had never been opened for broadcasting. It was an extremely private place, occasionally seen on social media when global celebrities stayed there for vacations. It wasn't a place you could go just because you had money; it was reserved for a very small number of members. And he was offering that as a location?

"If you ever decide to produce Writer Na Bo Bae's work, please give me a call."

"Yes! I certainly will! Absolutely!"

Producer Jang bowed ninety degrees toward Ho Rang, while Ju Hee, having completely lost face, could only clench her teeth, unable to even justify the cost of her expensive hair appointment.

~~~~

"Mr. Baek Ho Rang!"

Bo Bae called out to Ho Rang, who was walking ahead, but he kept walking without looking back. Why were his legs so long? She could never catch up to him at a normal pace. Bo Bae quickened her steps to reach him.

"Excuse me, Mr. Baek Ho Rang! Whoa, whoa!"

But her high heels finally caused trouble. Moving quickly in unfamiliar shoes made her lose her balance and stumble.

"Whoa!"

Just as Bo Bae was about to fall, Ho Rang reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist. Bo Bae’s heart throbbed with surprise. Ho Rang’s eyes were full of worry as he asked if she was okay, while Bo Bae’s eyes, as she replied she was fine, began to spark with an inexplicable, subtle emotion.

"Why are you so clumsy?"

Blunt words jumped out, contrary to his heart. Ho Rang immediately regretted his tone, but he couldn't take back what was already said.

"It's because your legs are so long, Mr. Baek Ho Rang. You didn't even answer when I called."

"Did you call? I didn't hear you."

After claiming to be her fan at the set, Ho Rang had finished his business with Producer Jang and headed straight out. He had been walking towards the parking lot without looking back.

"What's wrong? Are you mad at me?"

Bo Bae was incredibly grateful to Ho Rang. Her mental state had been shredded because of Ju Hee, but thanks to him, she could finally walk with her head held high. Whether what he said was true or not, hearing someone like Baek Ho Rang say he was a fan gave her immense strength.

Yet, she couldn't understand why he was acting like someone who was angry.

"Who was that woman earlier?"

"Who? Ju Hee?"

"Right? The writer for this drama. Kang Ju Hee?"

"Yes. That's right."

"See if I ever sponsor that writer's drama again."

Bo Bae was startled by his tone. It sounded as if he were planning a petty revenge out of spite, something that didn't suit him at all.

What was even more baffling was that he had no reason to feel that way. He hadn't shared a long conversation with Ju Hee, and it seemed like they had just met for the first time.

"Why?"

"How do you know that writer?"

"We went to the drama academy together in the past."

"Are you close?"

"No. Not really. She's not my style."

"Good. Don't hang out with women like that."

"Pardon? Why?"

'How can he keep getting more childish?' Bo Bae smiled as if amused, and as Ho Rang opened the passenger door for her, he said.

"She has no manners. When did I ever say I was her fan? I never said such a thing."

"Did you... hear our conversation?"

"I couldn't hear your voice. I only heard hers. Why is her voice so loud? It's piercing."

Bo Bae chuckled, understanding what he meant. Ju Hee's voice had always been loud.

"But, why did you say those things? You're not even my fan."

When Bo Bae said this with a smile, Ho Rang looked down at her without a word.

"You're not my fan, so why did you pretend to be? You were the one who criticized my manuscript so harshly for not being interesting. And why mention sponsorship? Did you see Producer Jang’s face earlier? He was so happy thinking it was real. How are you going to handle the aftermath?"

Bo Bae laughed bitterly. She knew well why Ho Rang had taken her side. Even though they were just acquaintances, he must have felt sorry for her being bullied by Ju Hee. So, he took on the role of the knight in shining armor.

'Because he felt sorry for me, because he pitied me.'

Just as she was starting to feel small, she heard his voice.

"Don't misunderstand."

Ho Rang's voice sounded cold.

"...."

"You know my style. I'm not the type to say things I don't mean."

"..."

Bo Bae lifted her head to look up at him. His eyes seemed to be speaking the truth, they clearly were, but she didn't know why. He had definitely criticized her work, saying it was boring, and said he wouldn't sponsor something that wouldn't succeed.

So why...?

"I never said your drama was boring. I said the romantic scenes between the leads were a mess. Since we've already started, I'm going to make your drama a success. Didn't I tell you? Once I start something, I see it through to the end."

'But this is my personal matter. He doesn't have to go this far...'

"Sit here for a second."

Ho Rang made her sit in the passenger seat.

"Why?"

"Just sit when I tell you to."

Ho Rang replied bluntly to her question and headed to the trunk. A moment later, he reappeared with a first-aid kit in his hand.

"Are you hurt? Why the kit?"

Bo Bae asked, but Ho Rang didn't answer and knelt on one knee in front of her.

"Give me your foot."

"Why my foot?"

"Just listen to me for once."

Instead of answering, Ho Rang pulled off the high heels Bo Bae was wearing, revealing her white, slender feet.

"Why are you taking off my shoes?"

Embarrassed, Bo Bae tried to pull her foot back, but Ho Rang tightened his grip.

"Why are you so foolish? Why were you enduring this until your feet ended up like this?"

As he said, Bo Bae's heels were a mess. The skin was peeled off, and blood and fluid were oozing out. Ho Rang frowned as if he were the one in pain and began to apply ointment, even blowing gently on the wounds.

"Wear comfortable shoes starting tomorrow."

"I don't want to. I'm going to wear the shoes you bought me, Mr. Baek Ho Rang."

"Then should I go to the department store right now and sweep up every pair of sneakers they have?"

She had made a joke, but his serious response forced Bo Bae to stay silent.

His touch on her heels was incredibly soft. Ho Rang was as careful as if he were handling a baby.

'Really, why is this man doing this? What if I end up really liking him and start coming onto him?'

"Mr. Baek Ho Rang."

"Go ahead."

"Why are you being so nice to me lately?"

"..."

"What if I end up liking you because of this?"

For a moment, Ho Rang’s hand stopped moving as he applied the medicine. Not noticing it, Bo Bae continued.

"What if I start following you around saying I like you? You won't be able to handle me then, right? Even if you scream for a 10m restraining order, it won't matter. What if I just stick to you and won't let go? Why are you being so nice to me?"

'You're making me want to fall for you. Why are you so kind?'

Perhaps she had already fallen for him. Perhaps he had already carved a place in her heart. That might be why she wrote while thinking of him every night and woke up thinking of him every morning.

But, she absolutely shouldn't. It was a contract relationship with a fixed ending, and this iron-clad man would never accept her feelings.

"So don't be so nice to me. What if I really fall for you? So from now on, to me..."

"Do it."

"Pardon?"

His head was lowered as he applied the medicine, so she couldn't hear his voice clearly. But it seemed like he had said something.

As Bo Bae blinked her large eyes, Ho Rang raised his head and locked eyes with her. Then, he spoke very clearly.

"Go ahead and like me."

"What does that mean...?"

"I'm going to do the same, so you should, too."

Bo Bae’s eyes shook violently, unable to process what he had just said.

[This novel is completed with 65 chapters on morningstar website.

The drama adaptation of this novel will premiere on 9th October.]