Part 11
"Why are you here again?"
Eui-jin was startled when Seung-rok entered his room.
It wasn't common for an active idol like Seung-rok to visit his office directly.
He stood up without thinking, and Seung-rok looked at him expressionlessly.
Then, Seung-rok blurted out, "I remember now. I mean that guy."
He pointed his finger at the name of a Jeju Times journalist who had recently visited Seung-rok's golf course.
That guy had been involved in a scandal—even urinating on the course.
He had also harassed and assaulted a caddy.
Eui-jin frowned.
"So what? Aren't other journalists just as bad? They've done shady things too. Why bother condemning them?" Seung-rok tilted his head.
"That's not my point. I'm not a priest. I wouldn't condemn them. I just don't want to associate with people like that. Not personally or professionally."
After all, that man was the same person Eui-Jin mentioned a few minutes ago.
Inviting Seung-rok to his company's event was strange.
Why did he invite him?
Seung-rok considered two possibilities: either the guy had no interest in the invitation, or he planned to use the event as leverage to mock him in his own way.
The latter seemed more likely.
Still, avoiding the situation felt right to Seung-rok.
When he voiced this opinion, Eui-jin raised an eyebrow.
"Why did you handle the customer issue by yourself? What's the point of having staff? If a tabloid publishes a hit piece about this, what then would happen?"
"They're the ones who messed up; it's fine."
Eui-jin sighed, his tone softer.
"Why take such risks?"
Now, Eui-jin asked as a concerned friend, not as an executive from the label.
Seung-rok couldn't understand his own actions either.
Was it because he was angry at their behavior?
Or perhaps….
Was it because the caddy was 'her'?
He couldn't decipher his own feelings.
"Anyway, let's cancel this one."
"Sure. I'll decline it half-heartedly. If I invite other artists to the event, there shouldn't be any issues."
Hearing those words, Seung-rok felt a sense of helplessness.
Whether he attended or not, it didn't matter much.
The event would continue regardless.
He had no idea what retaliation the journalist—who had an argument with him—might take.
How would he defend himself against potential attacks from the press?
As a seasoned veteran in the entertainment industry, Seung-rok knew from experience that sometimes the best defense was a good offense.
Seung-rok flashed a subtle smile.
"Thank you. I'm counting on you."
He turned and headed somewhere, the sound of wheels dragging a suitcase trailing behind him.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
Eui-jin thought it was strange.
"Already? It's only 3 PM."
Seung-rok shrugged dismissively.
"My schedule for this week is done. I'm tired and need some rest at home. See you."
With those words, he disappeared.
Watching his retreating figure, Eui-jin raised an eyebrow.
Seung-rok was usually a workaholic, practicing until late and sneaking back home in the early hours.
Now, he fled home as soon as his schedule ended.
It was an unexpected behavior.
"Is he secretly hiding a mistress in Jeju or something?" Eui-jin mumbled, half to himself.
***
As Seung-rok rode in the company car toward the airport for his flight to Jeju Island, he engaged in a lengthy conversation with Chairman Park.
Chairman Park was the emperor of handmade Korean burgers.
He was also a legendary figure in the world of self-owned businesses in Korea.
Starting with just one burger joint, he now owned over 100 outlets.
But that wasn't all—Chairman Park had become a nationwide star, appearing on various cooking-related reality shows while still managing his burger business.
What mattered most was that Chairman Park and Seung-rok were close friends.
Seung-rok had even participated in a reality show about opening a burger joint.
The show's main host?
None other than Chairman Park.
Even in rural Indiana, Chairman Park recognized Seung-rok's face, and fans flocked to him.
Chairman Park admired Seung-rok's character and work ethic.
Unlike typical global superstars, Seung-rok remained sincere.
He handled everything by himself, from cleaning restrooms to serving customers.
His abstinence from alcohol meant Seung-rok had less than a few personal connections in the entertainment industry.
Yet Chairman Park gladly invited him to his home, even weekly.
And here was the crucial detail: Chairman Park happened to be one of the organizers of the upcoming "Jeju Biennale," sponsored by the Jeju Times.
Tomorrow, the journalist from the Jeju Times would be playing golf with none other than Chairman Park, the event's host.
"Yes. Well, that's what it seemed… there was an incident."
Seung-rok's call to Chairman Park served one purpose: providing "information" to someone he considered both a close friend and a powerful figure.
Chairman Park listened to Seung-rok's story and simply replied, "Understood," before ending the call.
He had done what he could.
The rest was up to Chairman Park.
Seung-rok could only guess how Chairman Park would handle the situation based on his usual demeanor.
Perhaps, before disembarking from the plane, Chairman Park would have everything neatly sorted out.
***
"Welcome back."
Upon reaching Jeju Island, as always, the manager greeted Seung-rok.
The manager was there to pick up Seung-rok, who couldn't drive.
"Why did you arrive earlier than usual?"
Seung-rok glanced at the manager and changed the subject.
"How's Hayeon?"
"Your sister is fine as usual."
Even when they were alone, the manager always referred to Hayeon as "your sister."
He was cautious, fearing someone might overhear their conversation.
Such discretion was one reason Seung-rok trusted him.
However, there was a downside: sometimes the manager delved too deeply into Seung-rok's private life due to this sensitivity.
"How was the lesson? It was her first golf session. Did she adapt well?"
The manager pondered briefly, carefully choosing his words.
"She played more calmly during the round than usual. Not excited—just composed."
"Is that a bad thing?"
In Seung-rok's memories, Hayeon was always enthusiastic and excited when playing golf.
Even when she complained about practicing at home, her passion remained.
At least when they went to the golf course together, she was thrilled.
The only issue was her constant urge to pose for photos.
Her current reaction seemed less positive than usual.
The manager answered cautiously.
"The atmosphere seemed better than when you two played. It seemed more… natural."
Natural.
Seung-rok pondered the meaning.
Honestly, he didn't quite understand.
She was a teacher, a stranger she'd just met.
How could Hayeon feel more comfortable with her than with her father?
Then it occurred to him: why not call her directly?
Thanks to his recent "action," she could finally relax this weekend.
Just then, he glanced ahead and squinted.
A familiar Mini Cooper entered the parking lot.
To Seung-rok, it was unmistakably Mina's car.
Purposefully, he hid behind a pillar, waiting for Mina's car to stop.
Why was he doing this?
He wasn't entirely sure.
As Mina skillfully reversed her car, Seung-rok stepped forward.
"Teacher."
"What???!"
Mina's near-scream echoed through the window.
"How did you know I'd be here?"
Seung-rok tilted his head.
"I didn't. Just a coincidence."
***
"What???!"
I was genuinely surprised.
Calming my racing heart, I sat down with Seung-rok at a café near the airport.
Our main topic of conversation, of course, was Hayeon.
But now that the first week had passed, there was nothing particularly unusual to share.
Hayeon's swing was clean, and there were no signs of her disliking golf more than expected.
I reported this matter-of-factly.
Honestly, I didn't sense much enthusiasm for golf from her.
Seung-rok then posed a difficult question: "Does my sister… have talent for golf?"
It was a challenging question, but luckily, I believed Hayeon did have some talent.
Still, even if she didn't, what could I do?
How could a private tutor tell the paying guardian that their child lacked talent?
It would be like advising self-harm.
Yet I didn't want to lie to the parents either.
Carefully, I responded, "Well, honestly, she's doing remarkably well compared to others her age. But it's too early to determine whether she has talent."
It was an honest answer from my perspective.
Seung-rok's expression stiffened momentarily, and he changed the subject.
"Your weekend plans got canceled, it seems."
This man.
He clearly knew about the "forced" golf appointment I had this weekend.
He also knew that is was canceled abruptly.
Was he my stalker?
"How did you know?" I asked, trying not to show my discomfort.
Seung-rok maintained his poker face.
"I mentioned it before. When someone blacklisted tries to book a golf reservation, the information is shared among golf courses."
"Ah!"
Finally, I understood the current situation.
His interest wasn't in me; it was in the two gentlemen.
They were already on Seung-rok's blacklist.
So, the golf course owner had also received the information.
"I see. But how did you know it was canceled?"
"Because I'm acquainted with Chairman Park. I contacted him because I didn't want my friend to be associated with suspicious characters. That's all."
As I listened, I was shocked.
Chairman Park was like the emperor of the Korean restaurant scene.
The fact that this man had connections with him continued to surprise me.
"Do you know Chairman Park?"
"We became friends while appearing on a show together."
His nonchalant response revealed more about Seung-rok.
He was younger than me, yet he was no ordinary layman—a global star, in fact.
Then, out of the blue, he said, "Teacher, why not come to our house?"
"Huh?"
Again?
Was this man a reincarnated ghost haunting to live with me?
But before I could react, Seung-rok continued, "Not to live together. We have a separate guest house. It won't be inconvenient."
A different house?
So he was NOT asking to live with him?