CH39

The taste was crispy, with a fishy and salty flavor rising.

'It's saltier and greasier than what I ate in the future. I have to try to remove the smell as much as possible.'

After all, it was natural since the seaweed was given by a Korean fan to eat with rice.

Eventually, the seaweed snacks became popular in the United States, but he didn't know when.

While Ian was munching on the seaweed, Charlotte's voice reached his ears.

-Honey, are you listening to me?

"I'm listening very well. We were talking about whether to sue the tabloid that wrote the strange article, right?"

-Right! We can't just let it go?!

She chose a strategic cohabitation with the media, spending six hours a day with the paparazzi during her partying days.

The reason she was so upset when she would usually welcome any article, was because Ian was involved.

'It seems she didn't like the novel written by the media.'

He thought they would at most write something like Gavin struggling with horror movies, but he was impressed by their imagination when they spun a whole tale involving Charlotte's exposé and Gavin's next project.

Anyway, he gratefully acknowledged her concern.

"It doesn't matter to me. But if you're going to do it, you should do it quickly."

-Why?

"There's someone else who is even angrier."

Turning his head, Ian saw Gavin, his face turned as red as a boiled octopus.

"I'll sue those bastards! A reasonable settlement? Don't even hope for it if they don't apologize immediately!"

"Did you hear?"

His level of anger seemed enough to split a zombie's head in half.

-Oh my, that's fierce. Okay, I got it. I'll move depending on the situation.

"Thank you for caring."

-It's about my honey, of course. I'll contact you again!

I wonder if this honey talk will stop only when she finds a man.

After hanging up similarly, Gavin slumped down in front of Ian.

"What are you eating, something like black paper? Try to avoid junk food as much as possible."

"It's not paper, it's seaweed. So, did the call go well?"

"The lawyer will handle the rest. Sorry for showing such an ugly scene. It's infuriating to see you dragged into this."

Honestly, Gavin was the biggest victim.

Treated like a sexual offender like Herman and accused of being cast through blackmail, it trampled on the director's pride.

However, Ian felt grateful for Gavin's concern for him first.

"Just hang in there. Once the apology is published, the weird rumors will calm down to some extent."

"It's okay. Even if the apology is published, those who don't want to believe won't believe."

Isn't it like the flat earth theory? There are plenty of people who believe in such things despite all the evidence.

It's a loss to pay attention to what such people who ignore logic, reason, and evidence say.

"Anyway, I'll try my best. How about we don't meet until the issue settles down?"

"Why?"

"There are loads of paparazzi outside. I'm worried it might be tough for you."

"If we suddenly stop meeting, they'll think there's something suspicious, right? I'll handle the paparazzi."

Before regression, he had no connection with the paparazzi.

'They probably want to take pictures of pretty and cool people.'

Paparazzi are people too. There's no reason for them to go around taking pictures of horrible faces.

And the media outlets that would buy such photos even less so.

So, when I was harassed by paparazzi after returning to the past, although it was annoying and unpleasant, it also felt novel.

'It's also fun to figure out how to deal with them.'

The way stars handle paparazzi varies. It was fun to think about which direction to take.

"Still, if it gets tough, make sure to tell me. Don't just keep it to yourself."

"Of course. Ah, it looks like my parents are here. I got a text."

"By the way, you mentioned signing with WBE today, right?"

"That's right."

Unlike other agencies that were passive due to the current issue, WBE was proactive. When we met again, they were more prepared than expected.

"You made a good choice. It's better to have an agency. It'll be helpful when negotiating contracts for works with me, won't it?"

"Oh, are you not holding auditions?"

"I was planning to. But seeing how everyone was vehemently against picking you, made me want to choose you even more."

It's true, you can never predict how things will turn out. Sometimes, those deemed useless can prove to be helpful.

Gavin, smiling fondly at Ian, reached out his hand.

"Then, you'll have to perform well enough to dismiss all the nonsense that's being circulated about you, right?"

"Of course. Specializing in proving those people wrong is my forte."

He had weathered through criticisms about why someone with his looks is an actor with his skills.

If it's about proving his skills, he was well-experienced in doing so.

As the two shook hands on their promise and headed to the parking lot, a barrage of shutter sounds followed them.

"Director! Ian! Was there a suspicious deal?"

"Where are you two going? Are you going to meet Charlotte?!"

Ignoring the dozen or so paparazzi, Ian got into his parents' car, and Gavin gave them a knowing wink.

"I'll handle them here. You go on carefully."

"Thank you."

Ian appreciated Gavin's effort to prevent the paparazzi from obstructing their vehicle.

While Gavin distracted the paparazzi, Dylan cheerfully suggested,

"Son! Should I buy you a pair of sunglasses? Maybe get one for myself as a bonus."

"Why would you buy one for yourself? You have one at home."

"Maybe for when the oil splatters in the kitchen? It'd hurt if it got in my eyes."

"Stop talking nonsense. Just drive properly."

Amidst the playful banter with his parents, the car arrived at the WBE headquarters, where Austin and others were waiting in the conference room.

"You've arrived. Please, have a seat."

Ian waved at Nick, who responded with a shy wave, clearly embarrassed.

Feeling a sense of crisis that the contract might once again slip through his fingers in favor of Nick, Austin quickly clapped his hands and hurried on.

"Did you thoroughly review the contract with your lawyer?"

"Yes, they said there was nothing problematic. They mentioned it's quite favorable for a child actor contract."

"Ha ha ha, didn't I tell you? What we want is to build a long-term good relationship."

Austin was not the type to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, especially when looking forward to more from an actor like Ian in the future.

The contract was practically ready for signing, and it was swiftly concluded with Dylan acting as the legal guardian.

Once the contract was signed, Austin smiled brightly.

"Thank you for trusting and entrusting us. We'll do our best to ensure you have no regrets."

"Please take good care of me. So, what happens next?"

"Just continue to work hard on your shootings. In the meantime, we'll release an article about officially signing the contract and start looking for auditions you can join."

Ian was satisfied to hear they would immediately start looking for important auditions, but then he suddenly remembered.

"You do know there are a lot of paparazzi following me around, right? Could I possibly get some basic information about them?"

"Um… It's not difficult."

Maintaining a certain relationship with paparazzi for publicity and knowing they could easily obtain their information through the agency,

"The problem is why you're asking."

Austin was wary of what Ian might do, understanding the difficult relationship stars have with paparazzi, which often crosses the line into severe invasions of privacy.

"Still, stars and paparazzi have a symbiotic relationship. Building a good relationship can be beneficial. As hard as it might be, it's best to maintain a positive relationship."

"I know. That's why I'm asking."

While Austin was skeptical even as he agreed to provide the information, Ian felt unjustly suspected.

"I intend to get along with them."

"..."

"Nick, you believe me, right? I want to get along."

"…Of course. I'm very curious to see how close you'll get."

See? Nick believes me.

It seems he will have to become incredibly close to the paparazzi to clear this misunderstanding.

That night, after receiving the information from WBE, Ian was filled with determination.

Despite the flash not bothering him at all, it wasn't easy.

When Ian stepped out and the paparazzi saw him wearing sunglasses, they grimaced in frustration.

"No good."

With the sunglasses on, no matter how much they flashed, it was pointless. The paparazzi, grumbling about their bad luck as they took photos, flinched when they saw Ian walking towards them.

"Why is he coming over?"

Instead of getting into a car, he walked out towards them.

Ian, standing in front of the confused paparazzi, warmly greeted the one in front.

"Good morning, Mr. Matthew Smith! It's a lot of work from early in the morning, isn't it?"

'Huh? He got my name right.'

Matthew, thrown into confusion, managed a bewildered response.

"Uh, yeah?"

"Your daughter is three years old, right? A dad has to be strong. Oh, and her birthday is coming up soon, isn't it?"

Matthew felt a chill. Ian knew not only his name but also his daughter.

Bypassing the trembling Matthew, Ian's gaze moved on.

"Oh, did you know Mr. Taylor's child and yours are the same age? You live nearby; they might even go to the same kindergarten."

Taylor's face turned pale.

As Taylor backed away, a colleague next to him cautiously asked.

"Do you… know about me too?"

"Mr. Colton Wood, you're not married yet, right? Ah! Your mother's birthday was last week, wasn't it? Make sure to take good care of her. You'll regret it otherwise. Ask anyone else; I know all about you!"

None could smile at Ian's cheerful grin.

With grim faces, the paparazzi lowered their cameras, and Colton, gathering courage, asked with a trembling voice.

"…Why did you memorize that?"

Ian smiled as if it was the most natural question.

"I memorized it because I want to get along with you. Shall we become friends?"

After a brief silence, with sullen faces, they apologized.

"We're sorry. We were wrong."

The paparazzi, realizing that even a smiling child could be frightening, apologized and disappeared.

Left alone, Ian shrugged at Chloe's astonished look.

"This method doesn't work on paparazzi. It worked well with the staff though. Maybe because they're more curious? Hmm, maybe I should try giving them something to eat next time?"

"…I doubt that will work."

'Ah, it's not easy.'

He wanted to become friends with the paparazzi to boast to Nick.

Swallowing his disappointment, Ian headed to the set of Invisible Children and opened the final script.

The conflict between the protagonist's group and the gang led to a catastrophe, and zombies flooded into their underground refuge.

The adults fled to the surface, leaving the injured Noah alone in the subway to lure the zombies, marking the season's end.

It seemed like Noah's death was certain, but,

"I guess I won't die. I have a contract for the next season."

Arriving at the set, Ian sensed an unusually bustling atmosphere today.

He asked the second assistant director,

"The mood seems off today. Is it because shooting is almost over?"

"Ah! No, it's because a distinguished guest has arrived. That's why."

"A distinguished guest?"

Curious about who the visitor was, Ian entered and saw the showrunner, Caitlin, conversing with an elderly man.

Seeing Ian, Caitlin beamed and gestured him over.

"Ian! You're just in time. This gentleman here wanted to meet you."

The sharp-eyed elderly man, with a keen gaze, extended his hand.

"I'm Landon A. Middleton, a director and producer."

The elderly man's voice was clear and compelling.

Upon hearing the name, he could immediately understand why the atmosphere on set was so buoyant.

"Hello, I'm Ian Pryce. You're the director famous for horror, right? You've made some amazing zombie and monster movies."

"No need to explain further, it seems."

The director had been dealing with creature features for a long time and was highly respected in the field.

To the staff working on the zombie drama, he was virtually a superstar.

"But, why did you want to see me?"

It was curious why such a person would seek him out.

He thought maybe he wanted to start a new movie, but the answer that came back was unexpected.

"Davis, I heard you've been getting along with that dreadful person."

"Is that so?"

"I wanted to tell you not to get too close. He's a bad person."

Bad? Director Gavin?

Ian's eyes widened, and Landon frowned deeply.

"He's a person who lacks the basics of being a filmmaker. I can understand ignoring an entire screening I invited him to. If he's busy, that happens. But."

"But what?"

As if getting angry just thinking about that time, he clenched his fist tightly.

"He talked in front of me as if he had seen a movie he hadn't watched. If that's not insulting, what is!"

"What movie was it?"

"A zombie movie. It's also a work that laid the foundation for making dramas like this."

Gavin and a zombie movie.

Understanding the entire situation, Ian nodded his head.

"…Wow, he is a bad person."

Gavin was in the wrong. If you're going to deceive, at least do it well.

Ian clicked his tongue.