CHAPTER THREE : A HORRIBLE FIRST ENCOUNTER!

HAN JINWOO'S POV

" I thought that we had agreed on halting all programs...." Manager Hong asked shortly after I had informed him of my participation in Vivian's poster shoot... "What's changed?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. I took a deep breath, knowing I had to explain. "I'm doing this for a friend," I replied, watching as he nodded, accepting my reasoning.

"Well, okay. I'll talk to Vivian Song, and we can discuss the terms and conditions under which you will take part in her poster shoot," he said, and I nodded in agreement, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety. I stood up, ready to leave, but he added, "One more thing... the request for you to change your apartment was accepted. I've already picked one for you. You can go and check it out tomorrow, and I can come with if you want."

I appreciated his offer, but I needed space to think. "No, it's okay... I'll go on my own," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Thank you." As I turned to leave, the weight of my current situation pressed down on me. My apartment was a media circus, swarmed by entertainment news reporters, and now I was stuck in a hotel. I knew I had to get out of there fast before they found me again. The thought of moving to a new place was both a relief and a source of anxiety, but it was necessary. I had to find a way to reclaim my privacy and peace.

*

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BAE JIHO'S POV

We weren't able to go over this yesterday, but I was relieved we could do it today. Manager Kim placed three files in front of me, and I felt a flutter of anticipation. "These are the three projects that made it through company vetting and are deemed suitable for you to participate in," he said, his tone professional yet encouraging.

"I really hope that one of these is a movie script," I thought out loud, my excitement bubbling over. "Oh, sorry... no pressure," I added quickly, feeling a bit sheepish when he chuckled softly. "Yes, one of them is a movie script," he confirmed, and my heart raced. "Though it's a support role, and you won't appear much on screen, but you will have adequate screen time. It's a big production, and hopefully, if you want to take it on, it will get you recognition similar to what you got in 'The Hunted.'" His words were a mix of pleasure and disappointment for me. I wanted to make a mark, but a support role felt like a step back. "Are you willing to?" he asked.

"Can I have some time to read through the script and think about it?" I replied, needing to process everything. He nodded, "Take your time." I sighed deeply, trying to gather my thoughts. "What about the next?" I asked, eager to hear more. "This is from a makeup brand. It's an endorsement, and they would like you to be the face of the brand," he explained. I nodded in understanding, feeling a little more hopeful.

"And finally, the most crucial one, in fact, the most beneficial to you," he said, and I sat up in excitement. "Is it a lead role in a big production?" I questioned eagerly, my heart racing. He shook his head, and my excitement dimmed a little. "It's not... sorry. But it's a chance for you to appear on the book cover of one of Vivian Song's most popular novels, 'CEO's Obsession,'" he replied.... "CEO's Obsession?" I blurted out, surprised. "Didn't that novel come out like two years ago? Why is it only getting a book version now?" I asked, trying to wrap my head around it. Kim shrugged, "We aren't clear on why, but I guess it's because of the recent popularity it's been getting once again."

Curiosity piqued, I leaned in. "So what do I have to do?" I inquired, eager for details. He explained, "You and the male lead he has chosen will take a couple of shots and also make a promotional video for the book. You will be taking these shots while embodying the main characters in the book." I nodded, excitement bubbling up inside me. "That sounds fun! I remember many classmates being obsessed with that book back then."

"Did you read it too?" I asked, half-joking. He chuckled softly, "I never... But I'll give it a go today in preparation for the shoot." I smiled, appreciating his commitment. "So that's a yes?" he pressed. "Yes... I thought the company had already decided?" I replied, a little confused. "Yes, but we wanted to hear your thoughts as well," he clarified.

With a grin, I said, "It's a yes from me too." Kim nodded, looking relieved. "Okay, I'll talk to Vivian Song and discuss the terms and conditions of your participation." I felt a rush of anticipation as I agreed, ready to dive into this new adventure.

*

*

Later that evening, as Manager Kim dropped me off at home, his warning lingered in my mind. "You should be careful of the cabs you use... some of them could be notorious fans," he cautioned. I nodded, taking his words to heart. "I'll keep that in mind," I replied, unfastening my seatbelt. "Thank you for the ride home." I turned to leave, waving goodbye. "Good night."

As I walked toward the apartment building, I reflected on how I had moved here last December. The apartment was a reward for my success in "The Hunted," and the company covered everything. It was secluded and private; I doubted I had ever met any of my neighbors during my time here.

I approached the elevator and stepped inside, pressing the button for my floor. Just as the doors began to close, they opened again, and a figure stepped in. He stood out with his all-black outfit, a mask covering his face, and a cap pulled low. It was the kind of look that screamed "mysterious," but honestly, he resembled a starter pack for serial killers in K-dramas. I half-joked to myself that all he needed was a weapon to complete the ensemble. An eerie feeling washed over me with just the two of us in the elevator.

Finally, the elevator dinged, and I stepped out, letting out a sigh of relief. But just as I did, he followed me out. I quickened my pace....I felt a surge of caution wash over me, prompting me to pull out my pepper spray, just in case. As I walked quickly, I felt something drop from my bag, but I didn't have the courage to stop and pick it up. Suddenly, a voice pierced the silence. "Excuse me..." It came from the man behind me. My heart raced; why was he calling out to me? I couldn't think of a good reason, so instead of stopping to hear him out, I quickened my pace even more.

When I finally found a chance, I ducked into a small hiding spot where I could still see him. My heart pounded in my chest as I scanned my surroundings and spotted a large log. An idea sprang to mind. Once he turned away, I swung the log and struck him in the back of the head. It was only after he hit the ground that my mind fully caught up with what I had just done. "Oh God!" I exclaimed, dropping the log from my hands. "Oh my goodness..." I stared down at him, panic rising. "What should I do?"

Kneeling beside him, I muttered to myself, "Let's identify him first." I took off his cap and then the mask, and to my shock, it was none other than Han Jinwoo—the famous actor. My heart raced even faster. As I processed this revelation, I noticed something else in his hands. I leaned closer and realized it was my little notebook—the same one that had fallen from my bag earlier. "Oh no... I think I made a big mistake," I whispered to myself, standing up and running my fingers through my hair in frustration. "What do I do?" I questioned, staring at him in disbelief, my mind racing with the implications of what had just happened.

*

*

As I paced back and forth in the living room, my heart raced with anxiety. Mia's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. "Jiho sweetie can you please tell me why Han Jinwoo is lying in your living room?" she asked, her eyes wide with confusion. I felt a jolt of panic as I turned to face her, startled by the urgency in her tone.

"Okay, long story cut short... I thought he was a stalker, so I hit him over the head with a log..." I blurted out, my voice trembling. The look on Mia's face shifted from confusion to shock. "What? Is he dead?" she gasped, checking his pulse. Relief washed over me when she confirmed he was alive, but my mind was still racing with the implications of what I had done.

"What do I do when he wakes up?" I questioned, feeling the weight of my mistake pressing down on me. "I should have left him where I hit him," I muttered, pacing faster. Mia grabbed my arm, trying to steady me. "Jiho... relax," she urged, guiding me to breathe in and out. I focused on her words, but the worry clawed at me. "Did he see your face?" she asked, and I thought back to the moments before the chaos. "No... I don't think so. His cap was pulled down, and when I hit him, he was facing the other way," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "Good," Mia said, a plan forming in her mind. "We can just tell him you found him lying down and helped him back here." But then the thought hit me, "What about cameras? The hallway we were in had cameras..." My stomach twisted at the thought of being caught..."Okay, this is going to be a problem," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos. "But I can head to the security room and figure something out. Remember Mr. Lee? The one whose daughter's wedding I catered for? He's on duty, and I'm sure he can help." Her reassurance was a small comfort as she urged me to pull myself together. "You just stay here and wait for Han Jinwoo to wake up," she instructed before walking away, leaving me alone with the unconscious figure beside me.

"Why didn't I think this through?" I thought, anxiety gnawing at me as I sat down next to him. "You're still alive, right?" I murmured, placing my fingers gently on the side of his neck to check for a pulse. I let out a sigh of relief when I felt the steady rhythm beneath my fingertips. But just as I began to relax, he groaned, signaling that he was waking up. Panic surged through me again. What was I going to tell him?

I watched as he slowly opened his eyes, wincing and groaning from the pain in the back of his head. My heart raced, and I felt the weight of the moment pressing down on me. I had to come up with something, anything, to explain what had happened, but my mind was a blank slate. All I could do was brace myself for his reaction, hoping that whatever came next wouldn't be as disastrous as the situation already was.

*

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HAN JINWOO'S POV

"I'll check the apartment out first. I'll let you know what I think later on," I told Manager Hong as I stepped into the apartment building. As I made my way to the elevator, I caught a glimpse of a familiar face. "Bae Jiho!" I thought, excitement bubbling up inside me.

When the elevator doors opened, I was surprised to find out we were headed to the same floor. I stepped out, and as I walked, I noticed her quickening her pace, almost as if she were trying to escape something. I glanced behind me, and it was just the two of us. That's when it hit me—given how I was dressed, she might think I was up to no good. "Oh my goodness, does she think I am...?" I scoffed at the absurdity of it all.

Just then, I saw her reach for her bag and drop something. "Excuse me!" I called out, breaking the silence, but my voice seemed to startle her even more, and she hurried away. I picked up her notebook, intending to return it, but when I turned back, she was nowhere in sight. I looked around in confusion, ready to give up and continue on my way, when suddenly, something hit me on the head. As I struggled to stay upright, I caught a glimpse of Bae Jiho standing there, wielding a log. And then, everything went black as I collapsed, unconscious.

*

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I groaned as pain throbbed at the back of my head, struggling to wake up. The last thing I remembered was a flash of Bae Jiho standing there, wielding a log. I could hardly believe it. As I slowly opened my eyes, I spotted someone, but their features were blurry. "Bae Jiho?" I thought to myself, squinting to see better.

"Are you awake?" she asked, rushing over to me. I could barely nod, and then she held out her fingers. "How many fingers are these?" she asked, and I almost chuckled, but the pain prevented me from doing so. "What?" I managed to whisper.

"You are at my house," she said, and I glanced around, trying to take in my surroundings. "Who?" I added, still confused. She sat down closer, her expression serious. "My name is Bae Jiho," she said. "Who am I?" I questioned teasingly, but her reaction was immediate. She stood up in shock. "What!" she exclaimed. "Hey! Han Jinwoo..." she continued, panic creeping into her voice. "What do you mean who are you? You are Han Jinwoo!" I noticed the worry etched on her face.

"What's going on...?" she muttered to herself, and I could hear the concern in her tone. "Should I take him to the hospital?" she murmured, loud enough for me to catch. "What am I doing here?" I asked, pushing myself to sit up, feeling disoriented. "Oh, I brought you here," she replied quickly. "Do you remember who you are?"

"Yes..." I said slowly, trying to piece it all together. "It's all coming back to me." I saw her sigh with relief, but I wasn't done. "You didn't answer my question... what am I doing here?" I pressed, still feeling a mix of confusion and concern....."Last thing I remember was someone hitting me with a log..." I added.. I couldn't help but add, "I couldn't have been you by any chance..." as I scanned her face for any hint of honesty.

She stared at me for a moment before responding, "No... I found you lying unconscious in the hallway and brought you into my house." Her words felt off, and I scoffed, not buying her story. "Are you sure...?" I pressed, watching her expressions closely.

"Yes..." she insisted, sticking to her lie. The tension in the room thickened as I continued, "Do you need to go to the hospital? The hit on your head must have been fatal, and you might need some medical help." I chuckled softly, finding the situation absurd. "Weren't you supposed to take me to the hospital the moment you found me? If the hit was fatal and you didn't, I could be dead by now."

She hesitated, a flicker of fear crossing her face. "Well, I was afraid... I mean, you are Han Jinwoo. If I took you to the hospital, then I'd be asked a lot of questions."

I scoffed again, shaking my head. "Why would you worry about questions? You could just tell them what you told me—that you found me lying unconscious in the hallway. Unless you have something else to hide." The intensity between us grew, and I realized I didn't even know why she was lying. Maybe I was just enjoying the teasing.

"I don't!" she replied, her voice rising with frustration. "I already told you everything." I nodded, trying to push myself up, but the pain held me back..."I'll bring you a glass of water..." she said, and I settled back, taking in my surroundings. As I glanced around her house, a thought crossed my mind: "Junho didn't tell me that his celebrity crush was also a hitman—or hitwoman." A smile crept onto my face at the absurdity of it all.

Just then, I noticed something on the side table—a photo of her. "Here is your water," she said, handing me a glass. "Thank you," I replied, taking a sip. "Can you help me with one more thing?" I asked, watching her expression shift to curiosity.

"Help show me to the building's security room," I said, and her eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" she questioned, clearly taken aback. "I mean, I got hit on the head by someone still roaming freely out there, probably waiting to take a hit at me again... I need to do something," I explained, enjoying the way her face turned pale. This was getting too fun as I saw her fumble between telling me the truth and sticking to her lie.

"I don't think the security guard will be able to help you out," she said, but I sighed and leaned back, pushing further. "Then help me to the police station." The saucer in her hands dropped, shattering on the floor. "What!" she exclaimed again, and I couldn't help but smirk at her reaction. "Are you okay...?" I asked as she squatted down to pick up the broken pieces.

"I am fine," she replied, but I could see the tension in her movements. "Be careful with those," I said, carefully watching her as she picked up the shards, intrigued by the chaos unfolding between us.

*

*

After she finished picking up the broken pieces, she returned and sat across from me. "Look, I don't want to get involved in any of this, so I don't think I can help you go to the police station," she said, her expression serious. I couldn't help but chuckle in disbelief at her words.

"Why are you laughing?" she questioned, a hint of annoyance creeping into her voice as I stretched and stood up. "If someone saw you, they would think you had something to do with this," I commented, watching her stand up too, a mix of defensiveness and concern on her face.

"Well, I didn't," she replied, and I could see the tension in her posture. "Now that you mention it, I've actually recalled something else," I said, enjoying the way her expression shifted with curiosity. "What?" she asked, her interest piqued. I smiled, relishing the moment. "I had an appointment... I should get going now." I placed the glass of water on the table and turned to leave.

"Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital?" she asked, concern lacing her voice as I glanced back at her. "I know my body better than anyone, even the doctors, and I am fine," I replied, scanning the room. "Where are my shoes?" I questioned, and she rushed over, placing them in front of me.

"Thank you," I said as I slipped them on. "Thank you for helping me out," I added, noticing her stare—a mix of emotions I couldn't quite decipher. "I'll get going," I said, turning to leave when she called out to me.

"Wait a minute," she said, and I turned back, intrigued. "I did it," she confessed, and I was taken aback. "Did what?" I feigned ignorance, but my heart raced with anticipation. "I hit you over the head with the log," she admitted, her words hanging in the air between us.... "Okay" I replied as I watched her face twist in disbelief.." Okay!" She exclaimed and I couldn't help but smirk a little. "I already knew... I just thought you were going to hold on to your lie a little longer, but you cracked pretty quickly." She scoffed, clearly flustered. "How did you know?" she asked.

"I saw you as I fell down after the hit," I replied, noticing the embarrassment creeping into her expression. "I am really sorry..." she managed to say, and I chuckled softly. "I'm just glad I'm alive," I assured her. "I'll get going now..." I started to turn away, but then she called out, "Wait!" I turned back, curious. "What? Any more confessions for me?"

"Aren't you going to file charges?" she questioned, and I raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to?" I asked, watching as she shook her head. "No..." she replied softly. "Then I won't. Just make sure that next time you mistake someone for a stalker or serial killer, you check your facts before swinging a log at them," I said, a teasing grin on my face.

"I'll get going... thank you for everything... including sparing my life," I added, turning to leave. Just as I reached for the door, someone burst in from outside. "Good news, Jiho! I managed to clear the footage... has he woken up?" A woman entered, and when she saw me, her eyes widened in shock.

BAE JIHO'S POV

"Wait, so you confessed to him!" Mia exclaimed, and I nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief. "I think he used a bit of reverse psychology on me," I admitted.

"Woah, that was intense! I've pictured plenty of moments where I get to meet Han Jinwoo, but this wasn't one of them... ahh, it was so embarrassing," she said, burying her head into a pillow and groaning. I tried to lighten the mood. "At least now we know he'll never forget you."

She glared at me. "Yes, because he will remember me as the accomplice to the girl who almost murdered him with a log." I scoffed, disbelief washing over me. "Murder is a strong word..." I defended myself, but the weight of the day was starting to wear me down. "Today has been a long day... I need a shower," I said, standing up and turning to leave when Mia suddenly screamed, "Oh my goodness!"

I rushed back to her. "What?" I questioned, my heart racing. "Blood!" she exclaimed, and panic surged through me. "Was he bleeding?" she asked, and I realized I hadn't checked. "Oh my goodness, Jiho, this is more serious than I thought," she said, and I immediately rushed out.

He was in terrible condition, and I had left him alone. As I checked around, the sound of an ambulance echoed in my ears. I hurried to see what was happening, and there he was, being carried in. "This is bad..." I muttered to myself, standing amidst the chatter and chaos that surrounded me, feeling a knot of worry tighten in my stomach.

*

*

"I should have taken him to the hospital, at least forcefully, or hit him on the head again and dragged him there," I muttered to myself, pacing back and forth across the room. "But I was so cowardly, selfishly thinking about getting out of the situation. Now who knows what's happening? He could be lying in the hospital with a blood clot, a concussion, or whatever other damages come from getting your head hurt..."

"Jiho!" Mia called out, her voice cutting through my spiraling thoughts. "Jiho!!" She added, trying to pull me back to reality. "He's going to be okay..."

I finally sank into a chair, letting out a heavy sigh. "How sure are we about that?" I questioned, my voice tinged with doubt. Mia sighed in response, clearly feeling the weight of the situation too.

"He was taken to Qingzhen City Hospital, right?" she asked, and I nodded. "Yes," I replied, my heart still racing. "I have a friend at the hospital. I'll call him and ask him to help me follow up on his condition... and then get back to us," she suggested, determination in her voice. I nodded again, grateful for her initiative.

"I'll connect with him right now," she added, leaving the room with her phone in hand. I was left there, wallowing in worry, hoping desperately that he was alright.

*

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HAN JINWOO'S POV

As I struggled to sit up, a wave of weakness washed over me, and I could barely keep my eyes open. "How did this happen?" Manager Hong's voice cut through the fog in my mind. I tried to explain, "I already told you...I tripped and hit my head. I don't remember anything afterwards."

His gaze was sharp, filled with concern. "Why? Do you think I got myself into some kind of trouble?" I shot back, feeling a mix of frustration and defensiveness. "Can you blame me for thinking that way when trouble is all you get yourself into?" he retorted, and I scoffed at his words. "Look, that's what happened...now can you at least let me rest? I can barely lift my head right now."

He sighed, clearly torn between worry and irritation. "I'll go and buy you something to eat...any requests?" he asked, but before I could respond, he added, "And don't you dare talk about spicy hotpot." I rolled my eyes, "Just buy me anything then," I replied, my disappointment evident in my tone. "Make sure to get some good rest," he said as he left the room. I couldn't help but wonder, what was with him? I tried to sit up again, feeling the weight of his concern lingering in the air.

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BAE JIHO'S POV

"Seriously, Jiho...what are we even doing here?" Mia's voice broke through the sterile atmosphere of the hospital as I scanned my surroundings. "My friend Cleary told us that he's doing okay," she added, trying to reassure me.

"Yes, but I still need to check things out myself," I replied, feeling the weight of my concern pressing down on me. She sighed, her expression a mix of disbelief and annoyance. "You know, for someone who says they don't care about him and that you're not his fan, you sure are caring a lot right now."

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt at her words. "It's because he's in this condition because of me, and my conscience won't let me rest knowing that I didn't check if he's fine." I glanced at her, searching for understanding. "What was the room number again?"

"It's a VIP room on the top floor, with guards outside. You won't be able to make it in," she warned, her tone serious. But as my gaze fell on a couple of nurses bustling about, an idea began to form. "I'll at least try," I said, my confidence bubbling up.

"Oh no, don't tell me you're going for that cliché," Mia exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief as I nodded, already feeling the adrenaline kick in. Before I knew it, I was donned in a nurse's uniform, a mask covering my face, and a tray of who-knows-what in my hands.

"This is a bad idea," Mia cautioned, but I sighed, feeling a mix of determination and anxiety. "I know, but I have to do this." I turned away from her, leaving her behind as I made my way to the VIP room floor. The real question loomed in my mind: how was I planning to get in?

The plan was simple: I would confidently stride over to the guards and assert that I was there to observe him. But, as fate would have it, things weren't going quite as planned.

"A nurse was already here a few minutes ago," one of the guards stated, and a wave of anxiety washed over me. I had to think quickly. "I am the nurse in charge of observing him at this time of day... it's right here on my schedule," I insisted, pointing to some random pieces of paper I had hastily grabbed. "So, will you let me do my job real quick?" I added, trying to push past them, but they stopped me.

"We shall let you in... for now. Identify yourself," one of the guards demanded, and I felt my heart race. Raising an eyebrow, I tried to maintain my composure. "Take off your face mask and show us your work ID," they insisted. Panic surged within me; I couldn't do that.

"If you can't identify yourself, then you should leave," the guards concluded, and I stood there, nerves on edge. Just when I thought I was out of options, a voice called from inside the room, seemingly belonging to Han Jinwoo.

"Let her in," he said firmly. The guard protested, "But sir, she hasn't identified herself," but was quickly cut off. "She's a nurse. What else do you want her to explain? Let her in," Jinwoo insisted, leaving the guards with no choice but to comply.

As I stepped into the room, relief flooded over me when I saw him—alive and standing. "What are you doing? Didn't you come to observe me? Please do," he said, and I was reminded of my role as a nurse, ready to play the part...."Yes... okay..." I replied, staring at the tray of medical supplies before me, feeling completely out of my depth despite having watched countless medical K-dramas over the years. "How are you feeling?" I asked, picking up what looked like a patient file.

"Well, I'd like to say fine, but my head has been feeling heavy... I've been experiencing dizziness and drowsiness, and I think I've been hearing a ringing," he said, and my heart sank with worry. "I'll go get the doctor right now," I said, my voice turning serious.

Suddenly, he burst into laughter, catching me off guard. "What?" I asked, confusion written all over my face. "Seriously, Bae Jiho, you are quite an interesting person," he said, and I felt a jolt of surprise at his recognition of who I was.

"How?" I exclaimed, my mind racing. "Your voice and that..." he explained, standing up and walking toward me. "And your awful lying skills," he added with a teasing grin. I scoffed, trying to regain my composure. "What are you doing here, Bae Jiho?" he asked, and I quickly pulled off my mask.

"I came to check up on you. You left my place while you were seriously injured, and I'm really sorry that I chose to save myself instead of taking you to the hospital," I said sincerely, meeting his gaze. He stared at me for a moment before responding.

"Yah, that was foolish of you," he replied, and I nodded in agreement, feeling the weight of his words. "But I'm fine... this time, I really am," he assured me, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

"Well, I've checked up on you so..I'll get going then... get some rest," I said, lifting the tray and turning to leave..."Bae Jiho!!" he called out, "Aren't you forgetting something?" He gestured for me to put on my mask. "Oh... thank you," i said, quickly slipping it on. "Get well soon," I added as she hurried out of my ward.

As I walked away, I was relieved he was okay, but I hoped this would be the last time our paths crossed under such circumstances. I couldn't help but think about how stressful the day had been for both of us.

Meeting Mia in the lobby. "So... how did it go?" She asked, and I couldnt help let out a deep sigh. "He's doing okay," I replied, with a sense the exhaustion in my voice...." Let's take you home.." Mia said as she grabbed onto me and we both headed out of the hospital..Today had been a whirlwind, and while I was glad he was recovering, I still held onto some reservations about him from our last encounter a few years ago. But knowing he was okay brought me some comfort.

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