“What is going on with my favorite employee?” Apex asked just as Slash entered his tavern.
Slash pursed his lips. “Did you call me here just for that?”
Apex sighed. “Well, it says here that he’s in another production. A pretty big one, at that.”
“Yes,” Slash answered nonchalantly. “But I believe he’s setting himself up for failure. The higher he is, the bigger his downfall will be. Then, he’ll be able to accomplish his mission in no time.”
“Hmm,” Apex hummed. “Is that so?”
“25 has always been our best employee—that’s why he’s your favorite, right?”
Apex chuckled. “Efficient. Straight to the point. Borderline emotionless.”
“It took him a while to get to that point, didn’t he?” he asked.
Slash nodded. “But, here he is now. He is in his prime. A mission machine. This is a tough one, but I believe 25 will be able to accomplish it.”
“Then, he would come back for another mission.”
A small smirk appeared on Apex’s lips. However, it wasn’t seen as he was wearing a cloak obscuring his entire figure.
“Don’t you think it’s too mean?”
Slash couldn’t help but scoff. “Since when did you care, Apex?”
Apex laughed out loud. “You’re right.” Then, his voice became serious once more. “Just make sure he gets it done on time.”
“I truly don’t want to lose the best employee on this planet.”
“I got it,” Slash muttered.
“You know the consequences of it, right? You don’t want it to happen to 25.”
Slash silently nodded.
***
“There’s nothing, sir,” Assistant Byun said as he entered Mr. Kim’s office.
Mr. Kim stopped munching on the shortbread cookies that his chef had personally made for him—gluten-free, just the way he liked it. The crumbs had fallen on the table, and Assistant Byun quickly cleaned it.
“Nothing?” Mr. Kim asked with raised eyebrows, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Interesting. Really, very interesting.”
Assistant Byun nodded. “It seems that Continuous Dominance had tried something in the past; however, it merely catapulted Zeno Han’s career and destroyed one of their artists instead.”
Mr. Kim chuckled. “Well, those ConDom guys aren’t good at ruining other artists’ careers. They only ruin the ones in their company. Anyway, you truly didn’t find anything? You know that I trust you a lot, don’t I, Assistant Byun?”
The man with glasses nodded once more. “Yes, sir,” he said, pulling out his tablet.
“Unremarkable high school past. No bullying incidents.”
“No work experience except for short gigs like working at convenience stores and construction sites.”
“No reports of bad attitude from staff. He’s the silent type but was described as respectful.”
“There’s one thing here, though.”
Mr. Kim stopped eating once more and focused his attention on Assistant Byun.
“His serving period in the military,” he started off.
“That’s where most men go rogue. It takes away everything from you. Now, tell me. Did he do anything awful during this time?” Mr. Kim asked.
Assistant Byun pushed his glasses up before shaking his head. “It seemed he was a victim, though. He incurred a head injury on the last day of his service.”
“Oh,” Mr. Kim muttered, appearing disappointed. Then, he shrugged, not wanting to dwell on it too much.
“Then, I guess we have to go back to the traditional route.”
Mr. Kim didn’t even have to say anything, but Assistant Byun already understood.
“I’ll put pressure on the production,” he said.
Mr. Kim smiled. “This is why I like you so much, Assistant Byun.”
“Now, go ahead. I don’t want that cousin of mine to come back here making a ruckus.”
“His voice gives me a headache.”
***
“I’m sorry I can’t go with you,” Bobby said, appearing apologetic, turning back to look at Zeno with wide eyes.
“Me too,” Moby chimed from the driver seat.
It had been a week since it was announced that Zeno was going to be Hajin Yi. He had practiced his lines for the first few scenes since then, and he was ready for the part.
Still, he didn’t feel content. There was something bubbling in the pit of his stomach—some kind of uncertainty.
His gut was usually right.
“Just go,” Zeno said, about to leave. However, Bobby held onto his shoulder and gave him a container of some sort.
“My wife prepared it,” Bobby smiled. “She saw how much you liked her candied sweet potatoes, so she made you some. The first read might take all day, so she doesn’t want you to go hungry.”
Zeno was silent for a moment, so Bobby contemplated. “If you don’t want it, then—”
“Give it here,” Zeno said, snatching it from his hands. Of course, he wouldn’t pass up on the chance to eat his beloved root crops.
“We wish we could come with you, but today is Gaby’s recital. We can’t miss it.”
“I understand,” Zeno sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. “I don’t need your company.”
Moby and Bobby shared a knowing look. “You might think that’s the case,” Bobby started off. “But we’re truly worried.”
“You’re an actor from Dreamy Entertainment, and as much as we are proud of our company, we’re afraid you might get bullied.”
Zeno scoffed. As if Zeno would let himself get walked all over.
“Alright, alright. I’ll be careful,” Zeno said to appease their minds. “I’m going now.”
With that, he opened the door and ran out in case Moby and Bobby still had something to say.
Fortunately, there weren’t any fans surrounding the building, so he had no trouble going inside the SK building. As soon as he entered, though, he could feel the workers’ attention.
“Is that him?”
“Zeno Han, right?”
“Have you heard what happened?”
“Poor guy, honestly.”
“He’s quite handsome, don’t you think?”
“What’s the use of being handsome at this point?”
Zeno’s brows slightly furrowed with their statements. He hastened his steps until he arrived at the room where they had their second audition.
This was where their first read was going to take place.
He didn’t hesitate to open the door and step inside. However, as soon as he took a glimpse of what was happening, he already knew that something was strange.
Inside, most of the teams had already gathered, including Oska Baek. He was greeting everyone in the room with a wide smile and handing out what seemed to be expensive sandwiches to the staff and other actors.
“Isn’t this the one that’s always sold out?” Hyunbin Lee asked.
Oska chuckled and nodded. “I got it specially made for today.”
Hyunbin chuckled and patted the younger actors’ back.
Risa, on the other hand, pursed her lips as soon as she saw Zeno. Suho Ryu was staring down at the table while Daeshim PD looked ashamed.
It was then that Oska and Zeno met gazes, and a small smirk appeared on the former’s lips.
That was when Zeno knew that something was truly wrong.
“There’s our Prince Seon!” Oska exclaimed.