My Guide // ON HOLD

Chapter 8

Somin's POV

"Hello?" I greeted my manager who called me in the morning. "Somin? Can you hear me?" Mr Kim asked with a slightly noisy background.

"Yes, I can," I answered before continuing. "Why are you calling me so early in the morning? Did I miss a schedule?" I questioned with curiousity.

I could hear him shift to a quieter place as the noise reduced. "Oh no, don't worry," He cleared his throat. "I know you just finished Running Man shooting yesterday but I just got a call from a reality show and I was wondering if you are okay being a guest?" He continued.

My eyes widened, surprised since I don't usually get invited to a reality show. "Oh wow. What reality show is it?" I was slightly nervous at the thought of having to be entertaining for the viewers.

After all, I'm still a newbie. "It's 'My Little Old Boy'," Mr Kim announced. I frowned slightly. Isn't that the reality show with Jongkook sunbae as one of the cast?

"I know it's sudden but don't worry. The shooting of that show is in 2 weeks so you can take your time and decide whether you want to accept the invitation," He added.

"I don't know.." I trailed off,unsure. "Will the celebrities casted in that reality show know the guests who will come to watch?" I smoothly asked without referring to Jongkook sunbae.

"Yeah," He answered. "But great news, Jongkook-ssi will accompany you on the show if you're joining, since he's your guide after all," He continued.

What? How was that great news? I'd feel like a kid with my babysitter. "Manager-nim, can you give me time to think about it? How about next week? Can I give you my answer then? I'm still new to these...reality shows," I timidly gave an excuse.

"Well, alright. I get where you are coming from. I'm sorry to put on so much pressure on you. Then, tell me by next week, alright? Don't think too much about it. I just want you to feel comfortable as a guest," Mr Kim kindly comforted.

"It's all good. You're a manager after all so we have to be professional about matters like this. Thank you, Mr Kim. I promise to give you my answer in a week," I stated to keep my words.

"Alright. Well, that's about it then. I'll fetch you at 4pm later on for the drama script reading, yeah?" He confirmed.

"Yep, see you then," We said our goodbyes and I hung up. Well, I guess it's also a good time to promote my new drama on a TV show too, right?

Jongkook's POV

I groaned as the alarm woke me up. I glanced at it, showing 9am. I sat up from my bed and rubbed my eyes. My black-coloured room made my eyes droop once again until I knocked myself out of it. It happens everyday yet, I still do not bother to repaint my room.

I planned to meet my parents at 10am for breakfast. After showering and grabbing an apple to get me through the hour, I quickly grabbed my necessary items and head out to buy a few groceries for my parents.

Walking up the stairs to level 5 for a light exercise, I held onto the groceries carefully. I knocked on my parents door, waiting for the door to open.

"Oh, Jongkook-ah. Come in," My father greeted me with a warm smile as always. I greeted him back as his eyes laid upon the groceries. "You always do this. The fridge is about to explode from all the groceries you buy for us," He added, opening the door for me.

"It's fine, dad. You know it's what I always do for you guys," I stated, placing the groceries on the kitchen counter. "Where is mom?" I asked as I looked at the dishes set up on the table already but no one else was present.

"Oh, she went to the room since she got a call from the reality show you star in," My father answered.

"You mean 'My Little Old Boy'? I've never gotten any calls from them today," I was confused as to why my mother would receive a call from the staffs.

My father just shrugged. "Hyeseon-ah! Are you done?" My father called out to her from the dining table as he sat down.

I heard some mumbles before my parent's room door opened. "Yes, I'm back," My mother put on a wide smile as I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Oh Jongkook, you're here," My mother pat my back and sat down across my father. I sat beside her like I always do during family dining.

"So? What was that about?" I asked her as I fiddled with my utensils. My father was curious too and awaited for my mother's reply.

"The staffs from 'My Little Old Boy' just informed me that you might have to join the other mothers' and I for the shooting next two weeks. They haven't even inform you?" My mother casually answered as she scooped the sundubu jjigae (korean soft tofu stew) for my father and I.

"What? Why?" I was dazed from such information. I didn't know about it at all.

"It's because of a woman called Somin? I hope she'll accept the invitation,though. She sounds nice from what I heard," My mother rambled on.

"Isn't she the new casting member from Running Man?" My father added and I just nodded.

On the other hand, I'm just bewildered. "She's going to this reality show? But why am I involved too?" I had so many questions.

"She might. It's not confirmed yet. Plus,you are her guide, aren't you? It's your duty to introduce her to different reality shows too," My mother said.

"Well, this is going to be embarassing," I blurted out. My father cocked an eyebrow as my mother just smiled.

"You guys get along well?" She asked. I cringed inwardly, reminscing yesterday's small argument with Somin. "Sure," I replied.

"You two are definitely awkward then," My mother concluded. My father let out a small chuckle as he shreded the kimchi jeon (kimchi pancake) into bite size for each of us.

I just kept quiet as I poured water for myself and my parents. "Well, it'll get better. You've been good with women, aren't you?" She teased.

"Mom. Not every women I'm working with is a potential spouse," I firmly stated.

"And not every men your age already has a spouse. Is that what you're saying?" She mocked in a half-joking manner. I just sighed. The same conversation again and again.

"Well, let's eat, shall we?" My father ended the conversation as all of us picked up our utensils. My father changed the subject with him talking about a market sale he had seen the other day.

The little thought of what my mother had said about Somin invited to be a guest, lingered in my mind and I was sure to call 'My Little Old Boy' staffs to confirm such information.