In Between the Lines | Completed

Chapter Nineteen | Rewrite

Vivian Jones

After what I could only assume were a series of swear words and berations, I found myself riding shotgun in Lee Young-min's car with his mother in the back seat, the feeling of her watchful eyes causing a prickle on my neck.

"Are you sure she wouldn't rather be up front?" I ask him quietly.

He says something in hurried Korean and a snappy reply comes back from his mother.

"I'm sure," he says dryly.

"I feel bad."

"She rides in the back even when no one is riding in the passenger seat. Says it makes her feel important."

I'm not sure if he's joking or not so I don't respond; instead, I choose to focus on the drive and taking in the scenery to the restaurant they had selected.

"We're not going anywhere too fancy, are we? I dressed for the weather, not necessarily dinner out with guests."

I twiddle my thumbs in my lap, biting my lip. The lack of conversation is unnerving, as well as Lee Hyun-Ae's occasional murmurs to Lee Young-min in Korean.

Lee Young-min lets out a chuckle, "No, nothing fancy at all. We're going to our family's favorite chicken restaurant. One of my dad's extended relatives owns it and we try and go a couple of times a year. Today is one of those times."

"And you're sure I'm not intrud—"

Lee Young-min reaches over and grabs my fidgeting hands.

"If I have to explain one more time that you're worrying about joining us to my mother, THEN we will have something to worry about as she will start to cry. Please stop asking if you're intruding and relax. Watching Eomeoni shed fake tears like some movie star is not a fun experience. Trust me, 20 plus years as a guilt-ridden son has taught me that at least."

I let out a chuckle and grin, "Noted. I'll keep that in mind for my own kid."

Lee Hyun-Ae says something from behind me and I feel Lee Young-min tense. I look down and realize, quite to both of our surprise, that he still has his hand around mine.

Like a hot coal, he pulls his hand back and I cross my arms, heat filling my cheeks.

"Uhh, hmm, uhh, Eomeoni was wanting to know if you are working on your next novel?"

"Oh! Yes, I am! My editor is hoping we can get it to editing before the end of the show's production so we can do a pre-sale launch the day of the last episode airing. If we hit our goal, we'll launch the first editions the following day to stores in Korea first and then back in America."

Lee Young-min acts as translator and relays my words to Lee Hyun-Ae.

"Why Korea first?" He asks. "Isn't it a bigger deal in America?"

I sigh, "Yeah, that's what Charles asked as well. My editor doesn't agree with my decision to publish the book in Korea first, but I thought it would be a nice 'thank you' to the viewers of 'Behind the Scenes' to get the first glimpse at the new series."

"Ahh, I see."

"Yeah, but Charles is letting me do it so I guess I should be grateful he's not arguing or blowing up my phone with 100 reasons to come back home."

"You and your editor are close?"

I snort, "Close might be an understatement. I met him in college, and we've been thicker than thieves since. He's been an integral part of my writing career...I wouldn't be here without him." My words grow soft as I think of the man working quite literally 'Behind the Scenes' to make my career a success and I pull out my phone to shoot him a quick text.