“I want to try method acting,” Zeno declared during dinner as if it were the most casual thing in the world.
The table turned silent, and even Maxie stopped munching on her food, all turning to him with curious expressions.
“What do you mean?” Eli asked.
“Method acting. A type of acting technique where you embody the character fully. You become them.”
“Oh, so that’s what it means,” Doha muttered. Then, he turned to Zeno. “Why, though?”
Zeno pursed his lips. Well, his acting skills had been stagnant since The Forsaken Prince ended. It was getting harder and harder to upgrade this particular skill now that he was known in the industry. Aside from that, though, it was also another way to gain closure from Victor.
After finding out that his punishment was permanent death, Zeno was actually quite stunned.
He didn’t know how to feel. That was a first.
Most of the time, he felt he was on top of things. If something came, then he would be prepared for it.
However, dying at this moment didn’t feel right for him, so he needed to accomplish this mission at all costs.
“It would help me become a great actor,” he finally responded.
Eli tilted his head. “You’re already great, though.”
Minji quickly covered Eli’s mouth. “That’s good! What do you need us to do?” she exclaimed excitedly. “Do you want us to play a role with you?”
Eli glared at Minji, still with her hand over his mouth.
“Yes, actually,” Zeno said. “I need you especially,” he added, pertaining to Minji.
Minji’s cheeks reddened, and she tucked her hair behind her ears. “Me?” she shyly asked.
“Yeah, I need you to act pregnant.”
“WHAT?”
The room was even more stunned than Zeno’s first suggestion.
“Pregnant?” Minji exclaimed, placing her hands over her abdomen. “I mean—I think I’m still too young for it. I don’t even have the proper experience. I’ve never had anyone shove their dick—”
“That’s enough,” Eli said, shaking his head. “Why do you need her to act pregnant?”
“Because I want to act like a father,” Zeno answered.
“Do you have an upcoming role as a father?” Doha asked.
Zeno shook his head. They were silent for quite some time before Doha gasped loudly.
“Perhaps… did you get someone pregnant?”
“No,” Zeno clicked his tongue. “It’s all just an act.”
“I want to visit a birthing clinic.”
The more Zeno spoke, the more confused they became.
Method acting? Minji being pregnant? A birthing clinic?
“Specifically, the one in this neighborhood,” Zeno continued, shoving his phone toward them to show the location.
They all leaned forward to look at it.
“This looks awfully,” Minji started off.
“Sad,” they said at the same time before turning to Zeno once more.
“Why do you even want to go to such a place?”
“Are you in or out?” Zeno asked, sighing and running his fingers through his hair.
“I’m in!” Doha exclaimed. “That sounds exciting! Besides, after Zeno gave me the gym, I could even sleep on the train tracks for him.”
“I’m in, too,” Minji excitedly chimed. “If it will make Zeno an ever better actor than he already is, then I’m down for it!”
They then turned to Eli, who still had a suspicious look in his eyes. Why the heck were they agreeing so easily with such a bizarre plan?
“Oh, wait,” Minji chuckled. “What role are you going to play, Zeno?”
“Your boyfriend. The one who got you pregnant,” he said without blinking an eye.
That caused both Eli and Minji to choke on their food.
“Hubby?” Minji exclaimed, already in character.
“It doesn’t have to be me, though,” Zeno added, focusing on Eli. “If you want, you can be Minji’s husband. I can just instruct you if you want.”
Eli turned to Minji, who suddenly had a disappointed look on her face. He let out a small sigh before shaking his head.
“Whatever,” he muttered, drinking some water. “Do what you want. I still don’t understand why you’re doing this, but you haven’t done anything without a good reason.”
“Good,” Zeno said with a small, satisfied smile, “because you’re going to be the one guiding Minji with her lines.”
***
After a night-long planning session, the gang of four was finally in front of the sad-looking birthing clinic located on the outskirts of Seoul. Zeno had rented an old car, one that was suspiciously too cheap, but they still arrived in one piece.
The facilities seemed quite beat up, but there was already a line of mothers outside.
“You probably still work here, right?” Zeno muttered to himself. Minji glanced at him and couldn’t help but feel giddy.
She didn’t have a baby bump just yet because they were planning on entering as a new couple with a fresh pregnancy.
Meanwhile, inside the old car, Eli and Doha were equipped with tech materials that seemed way too legit. They had a speaker and a monitor that transcribed real-time conversations on the screen.
Minji and Zeno were wearing small in-ears and microphones so Eli could help them, specifically Minji, with the script.
It was written by Zeno yesterday night, and it was of great quality despite the short time he created it.
“Where did you even get this equipment?” Eli asked, intrigued by the set-up.
“From one of my gym bro friends. He used to be an IT specialist at Google.”
Eli paused and turned to Doha, who appeared like he didn’t think this was a big deal.
“One’s a lawyer, one’s an IT. Yet you guys are staying in that small excuse of a gym.”
“Well, not anymore!” Doha exclaimed. “We’re pitching in money to improve the place Zeno got us. He lent us these easily because he’s thankful to Zeno, too.”
Eli shook his head. “You know what? Hell yeah.”
With that, they focused their attention back on the monitor.
The line was moving pretty slowly, but after a couple more minutes, they were finally at the front of the line. There were three small rooms inside the facility, and Zeno’s gaze focused on the one in the very middle.
Raya.
A small, nostalgic smile appeared on Zeno’s lips.
So, you really are still here.
Victor’s wife.