Chapter 9
“I’m actually a big fan of yours, PD. Could I get your autograph?”
Just as expected.
Dogyung had never once shown his face on broadcast.
But in a photo a cast member from last season had uploaded, Dogyung was caught in the frame.
He appeared only small, almost like part of the background, yet netizens went wild asking who that handsome man was.
From there, his popularity went beyond simple recognition—he even ended up with a fan café.
The fan café’s name was, unbelievably, “Face Genius PD Cha.”
“I don’t have a signature.”
“Then could we at least take a photo together?”
“I don’t like taking photos.”
“Then…”
“Good work today.”
Dogyung cut her off before the representative could continue.
After being rejected one after another, the representative’s face stiffened awkwardly.
Even so, isn’t that a bit much?
If photos were out of the question, couldn’t he at least give an autograph?
He was so firm that even Hana, watching from the side, felt embarrassed.
“Ah… yes. You worked hard too, PD.”
Deciding that staying wouldn’t change anything, the representative quickly gathered her things and hurried out of the meeting room.
Wondering what his problem was, Hana looked Dogyung up and down.
“She said she’s a fan. Couldn’t you at least give her an autograph?”
At her reproachful tone, Dogyung’s hands, which had been packing up his laptop, came to a stop.
From his hardened gaze, it was clear he didn’t like what she said.
“Why would I bother giving an autograph I don’t even have?”
“You sign things when you pay by card, don’t you? You could’ve just done that! How awkward must she have felt?”
Hana herself was startled by how cold his response was.
“Then you do it.”
“What?”
“You give her an autograph.”
The absurd reply made Hana let out a hollow laugh.
“Want me to take a photo too?”
Hana shuddered as if she’d had enough.
“Wow. The members of the ‘Face Genius PD Cha’ fan club really need to know what you’re actually like.”
“As long as you keep your mouth shut, no one will.”
She couldn’t help but feel sorry for the people who liked him.
Deciding not to argue further, Hana gathered her things in both arms, about to return to her seat.
Click.
At the sound of a shutter, Dogyung’s hand firmly grabbed Hana’s shoulder.
In his other long, outstretched hand was Hana’s phone, the camera still on.
“What was that? Did you just take a picture?”
“Yeah.”
His casual tone left her speechless.
“Why are you taking pictures of people without permission?”
“If weird rumors pop up online later, you can explain that I’m a PD who even takes photos nicely.”
“What?”
Hana’s face crumpled at the ridiculous answer.
“We can’t have problems with our program’s ratings because of me.”
“And you say that after behaving like that?”
Dogyung let out a small snort and shrugged.
“That’s why I even took a picture with you. Now clean up and come out.”
He picked up the things Hana had been holding and walked out of the meeting room.
Hana stared at the frosted glass door after he disappeared, then muttered,
“What is his problem?”
Taking a photo she didn’t even want, then talking about help—what was that about?
“I should delete it.”
Just as she pulled up the photo on her phone, intending to erase it immediately—
[I’m in front of your broadcasting station. I brought the money, so don’t think about ignoring me. Come out.]
It was a message from that jerk.
In front of the station, first thing in the morning.
They really did say the thirsty one digs the well—it fit perfectly.
[I can just transfer it.]
Hana’s finger, about to type, froze in place.
If he was really in front of the station, there was no telling what he might do.
If some absurd rumor spread about Dogyung liking her, it was obvious her life at the station would become difficult.
“Ugh, what a pain.”
She didn’t want to, but it seemed better to go out and see him.
If she ran into Dogyung, she’d definitely get scolded for even dealing with that guy.
So the moment Hana left the meeting room, she headed straight for the elevator.
In the meantime, the jerk sent the name of the café where he was waiting.
“Ah… it’s way too close to the station.”
Making a scene would only put her at a disadvantage.
If she had gone to his company, how would he have acted?
The image formed vividly in her mind, but Hana didn’t change her decision.
As soon as she arrived at the café where he was waiting—
Ugh, what is he doing?
He raised his hand high to signal his location.
With a stiff expression, Hana approached and sat across from him.
“Thanks for coming out—”
“I’m busy. Just give me the money and go.”
She cut him off immediately.
Annoyance flickered in his slightly furrowed brows, yet he handed her an envelope without losing his temper.
Taking it, Hana shook her head in disbelief.
“If you could pay it back this easily, why did you make me waste so much emotional energy?”
She thought this would finally be the end.
Huh? What’s this?
The envelope felt strangely thin.
She wondered if she was imagining it, but as soon as he noticed her expression change, he offered an excuse.
“There’s nowhere for me to get money from. I scraped together everything I had.”
Hearing that, Hana opened the envelope and checked the cash inside.
“Ha.”
There was only five hundred thousand won.
She couldn’t hold it in anymore, and her anger spilled out.
“I told you to sell the ring and bring the money.”
“How can I ask for something back after I already gave it as a gift?”
“Looks like you’re not even broken up yet.”
The jerk seemed at a loss for words, chewing on his lip.
Rolling his eyes as if searching for another excuse, he leaned his upper body toward Hana.
“I’ll be honest.”
“What.”
“I’m planning to marry her.”
“…What?”
Was that something he should be saying to her?
It was so absurd she wondered if she’d misheard.
“You know my complex about being poor. She’s from a rich family, and that’s what drew me in.”
“Just because your mouth is open doesn’t mean everything that comes out should be words—!”
If they hadn’t been in front of the broadcasting station, something really might have happened.
Hana swallowed her rage, her lips trembling.
“With someone like her, three million won would be nothing. It’d be faster than me selling my place to pay you back. I’m busy working—when would I have time to sell a house and look for another one?”
“That’s your problem!”
Suddenly, he slammed his clenched fist down on the table with a bang.
“So stop talking about cheating or two-timing like last time, and just wait quietly. That’s why I came.”
At the outrageous demand, Hana let out a hollow laugh.
“Watch what you say. Just because words come out of your mouth doesn’t mean they’re all acceptable.”
As she snapped back sharply, he tapped the table irritably with his fingers.
“If I clear things up with her and things go well again, I’ll give you interest on top of it. That’s good for both of us, right? When did you say you urgently needed that money? Why are you suddenly acting like a debt collector? Anyone would think I borrowed from loan sharks.”
The anger boiling up from deep inside her surged through her entire body like a storm.
Hana finally couldn’t hold back anymore—she slammed the table and stood up.
“You’re not even human.”
“What did you say?”
She’d tried to be careful since they were near the station, but this was beyond tolerable.
He’d probably come here thinking that way too.
“You cheat, and you’re still this shameless?”
Her sharp shout made him snap back just as fiercely.
“And you! Going in and out of a house alone with a guy you call a ‘friend’—what right do you have to talk? You said he was just a friend, but how do I know what you two did? You’re the one who cheated first!”
She should never have engaged with him.
She could feel the eyes of everyone in the café turning toward them at the heated argument.
Even so, there were things she had to say.
“After I caught you cheating, did you ever once sincerely apologize to me?”
“Apologize to me first for having that kind of relationship with him. Then I will.”
Wow. Right to the end.
Seeing there was no point talking to someone she couldn’t reason with, Hana stood up abruptly.
“Don’t ever come looking for me again.”
Just as she turned away, his voice clung to the back of her head.
“Running away because you feel guilty?”
It was so ridiculous she almost laughed.
“Do you avoid shit because you’re scared? No, you avoid it because it’s filthy.”
“You—!”
“If you come looking for me again, I’ll report you. Keep that in mind.”
Her tightly clenched hands were trembling, but Hana said everything she needed to say and stormed out of the café.
She had no idea why things like this kept happening to her.
I lived a decent life.
Biting her lip until it turned pale, she struggled to hold back the tears welling up.
It was something she’d never even imagined before, but in broad daylight, she found herself craving a drink.
