Yoon: You didn’t have to do that.
Hart: I wanted to. It’s the next best thing to baking them for you personally. I think they’d be stale by the time they arrived at your place.
I laugh. Heads turn, and I clear my throat, embarrassed.
“Are you ready to go on?” Sang asks, frowning.
“Yes.” I place my phone in my pocket.
“You’ve spent a lot of time on your phone recently. I don’t think your head is in the right place.”
“Have any of my appearances or filmings been lacking?” The young boy I once was trembles on the inside, anxious for talking back.
“Not yet.” Sang narrows his eyes.
“And they won’t.”
He holds out his hand. “Give it to me. I don’t want you distracted.”
I tense. This isn’t the K-Pop days. “I’ll keep it on silent.”
His lips purse. “Now,” he snaps. “Are you questioning my judgment?”
I shake my head. “Then you remember my rules. To do what I ask without question.”
When I was too young and new to know what was best for myself. I hand the phone over, fuming.
“Time to take our places.” The show’s assistant says with a smile. I follow her out and lose myself in the role I’m meant to play. The moment I return, I see the fury in Sang’s eyes.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
“About what?” I ask.
“Your little American waiting in the wings to ruin everything we’ve worked so hard to accomplish.”
“What?”
“This is how it starts. They pretend to be your friend. Gain your trust and exploit you. Do you remember what happened before?”
Shame sends heat to my cheeks and neck. “Hart is not Chung.”
“Because you’re such a great judge of character now? Huh? I keep you safe. I make the decisions for you and guide you. How can I do that if you no longer stick to the script I create, huh?” He kicks my shin, and I wince and duck my head.
“We’re friends.” I grit my teeth. Hart brings a bit of joy to every day. I don’t want to go without that.
“For now.” Sang scowls. “I have plans for you and Jiwoo.”
“What are you talking about?” This is the first time I’ve heard of this new scheme.
“The fans want to see you together. We need to give them that.”
“No. I don’t feel that way about her.” I shake my head. She’s like a sister at best.
“No one is asking you to. We make sure you’re pictured out together for non-work-related things. The fans will draw their own conclusions.”
“Why do we need to do that?”
“To keep them interested.” He tsks. “This will sell.”