Call My Name by the Stars

CHAPTER 15 pt.1- Telephone Lines

"I shouldn't have said that. No matter how bad the situation was, I really shouldn't have said that," guilt and regret were the emotions that only came after.

"Shut up," he heard her voice trembling as she said that and the twisting tugged even more. He dared not say another word, but she looked back at him.

Her face was red, unwell, and her eyes bulged, "Are you having fun? Does all this seem like a big joke to you? Good for you, you must be really happy to see me suffer 6 years of my life because of you. You must think this is interesting, right? Isn't it fascinating to see someone whose life you ruined living a new life with a new identity? If so, then fine, you got what you wanted now. Are you satisfied? Is it enough?"

No words came out. They shouldn't in the first place.

She stepped closer to him, and spoke slower, but her words were still clear despite her wavering at the tip. She was always strong.

"That's right, we're the same. We both never changed. But are you proud of that? Are you not ashamed? You're really no different from how you used to be. You always have your stupid delusions hovering around you. You have no conscience, you remain unaffected. Then that's where we're different. You rest comfortably in your fancy home, and I get treated like a fucking criminal over something you did."

He turned mute. Her words were always piercing, but he knew she probably endured a hundred times more because of him.

"Why? Am I wrong? Did you ever stop to think why I'm even trying to change my identity? It's because of useless irresponsible scums like you who put all the blame on someone powerless. You think I'm overreacting don't you? But you know what's really funny? Even one month after the news came out, your fans have never stopped tormenting me. My dream schools that I got accepted to, rejected my application at the last minute because of how scandalous my sole name was."

"Right, lash it out on me. That way, we'll both feel better."

"And what did you do? Nothing."

Jaeryeong held his breath.

"You did, absolutely, fucking nothing. After what happened, you even lied on your own. You couldn't take responsibility for that stupid unconsented kiss, you were careless with the reporters on your own, but you leave me no choice but to take all your company's weight. And that's why I hate you even more. I just hate you so much, Park Jaeryeong. To me, hearing your name itself is a taboo. An unlucky omen. That's what you are to me."

The 25 year old Baek Jooah lashed out her 6 yeared piled up anger on the 25 year old Park Jaeryeong, a mirror of the helpless 19 year old Baek Jooah to the helpless 19 year old Kang Min.

He already sensed this would be their last conversation, "...Sorry, I didn't mean what I said a while ago, I really don't feel that way, it was wrong and childish of me, I was just trying to get you to-"

"Enough. I don't want to hear anything else from you. The fact that you're standing here initiating a conversation with me in the first place is already a mistake. You really can't take the hint. Ignorance is a sin. You're the first person I want to avoid, and you're the last person I want to see. Even now, do I have to state it out loud for you to understand? Don't try to ruin me again while I'm already happily settling with my life, forgetting everyone."

The knocks on the door finally interrupted their conversation, and Jooah left him while he still took them all in, he was still on the spot.

Jooah went for the door when Jaeryeong called her again, "Jooah-"

She snapped back immediately, "Don't ever call me by that name again!"

The door swung open at the right time, Yeonsoo and several staff by the entrance suddenly stopped chattering and stared stunned at Hyojin and Jaeryeong facing each other while the atmosphere felt heavy.