Phoenix : TPB || PJM 🔛

Chapter 7 : Silent wars

Chan Heo : What are you thinking about?

Mr.Baek : (-sighs-) Uh, it's just... nothing important.

Chan Heo waited, feeling he would continue.

Mr.Baek : Well, there's a movie I was doing. And somehow got to know the last set design is on Dan Hwa. I was really excited to see her on the set. But I couldn't find her. After looking into it, turns out she dropped out from this project.

While he poured out his brief account on the lesson-expectations lead you to disappointment, their freshly steaming hot food was served on the table. They calmly waited to regain the privacy, to continue on.

Mr.Baek : Anyways, I get this feeling that it must be me, that she dropped out of it.

Chan Heo : Ay, Uncle In Ho. I am pretty sure that's not the case. Did you ever know why she chose to go in the set productions in the first place?

Mr.Baek : Oh, wasn't that her dream to become a set designer?

Chan Heo : Well, yes. But, there was a solid reason that made her turn to this whole another realm.

Anything associated with his daughter, Mr.Baek would put aside the world-to listen to it with the best interest and curiosity.

Mr.Baek : Oh, tell me. What is it about?

Chan Heo : Dad told me about it on your birthday last time. When she was younger, you use to tell her about the sets and stages you would act and perform, if I am correct.

Mr.Baek : Oh, right. (-chuckles-) She would whine to go to those pretty cafés. So, I had to tell her that it didn't exist for real and that it was temporarily made for the scene. (-scoffs-) Who was I kidding? These complicated answers to a six year old? I was a heck of a father, wasn't I?

Both passed on a gentle grin that spewed a hint of urbanity, the one they were trained on-to give in interviews and/or formal meetings. So used to practicing it on a daily basis, that it was their normal.

Chan Heo : Dan-ie was a sharp child. She understood you even in that age.

Mr.Baek : Right! She got the brains. But, is this why she wanted to do it? Because she naturally grew to like the sets?

Chan Heo : Rather, she grew to like them because she saw you more in those sets than with herself. Therefore, Dan-ie slowly started to wish and make them for you. Just so, she could have you closer and see more often.

Mr.Baek : Wow, ha~ (-trying hard to control his emotions-) Hyung said these to you?

Chan Heo : (-nods-) Dad even said that Dan Hwa used to talk about you everytime when she was younger. He also added that sometimes, he would envy you. "That little girl was all about her father,"  to quote his exact words.

Mr.Baek : Stop. You are not helping these tears.

Chan Heo : (-chuckles-) But, truly though, I wonder what happened to her now. She has become rude and hardly even talks to you.

Mr.Baek : It was me. I changed her. She was always so giving to me but I could never see that. She must've been tired of it now.

The dine suddenly transformed, sombre and sullen. Noticing his nephew in a brood and poking into his meat carelessly, Mr.Baek broke the silence with a smile.

Mr.Baek : Let's just eat.

Chan Heo : Yeah? Yes, sure.

Few days passed by, and the morning finally dawned upon their lives when the Drama shooting commenced.