In Between the Lines | Completed

Chapter Twenty | Cringey Moments

Vivian Jones

"We need to rewrite the story."

My declaration causes shocked gasps to come from the group in front of me, but I choose to ignore them.

"Du Shin-Il, please bring the car around." I direct my assistant and he simply nods before disappearing out of the room.

I look over at Gong Hoon and Bu Seok who are staring at me, worry and disbelief on their faces respectively.

"Gong Hoon, I expect the company to release a public statement stating the company's apologies and immediate dismissal of Lee Hoon for his reckless behavior. Be explicit in your reasoning as to why this is happening. Do not brush over the facts. If that does not occur in the next hour, I WILL pull my show rights without hesitation. Contact your publicity team if needed. Bu Seok," I turn to my co-writer, "please prepare the crew for a few days of reshoots. I will work on the storyline in the morning to figure out who and what the protagonist will do in response to the storyline changing."

Bu Seok nods and pulls Gong Hoon out of the room. The remaining strangers follow.

Gong Hoon's legal team no doubt.

"Gar Yung-Hee, Lee Young-min," I look at the two remaining guests in my office. "I apologize in advance for putting more work on you the next few weeks while we reshoot and rewrite the series. This is necessary for the show to continue, and I hope you understand."

Gar Yung-Hee nods, "Of course. I think I'll go home now and spend some time with my kids before we start the busy shooting schedule. Please excuse me," she says faintly.

I wave my hand to dismiss them and plop down into my desk chair, the feeling of a major migraine growing in my head.

"Do you need anything Miss Jones? Anything I can help with?" Lee Young-min asks gently.

"Nothing you can help me with," I huff. "This was not how I was planning on spending my evening."

I rest my head on my desk and feel the ball of emotions in my throat threatening to explode out of me. A nasty mix of tears, swear words, and anger.

That would NOT be a pretty picture.

"Will you go back to 'Little Forest' to work on the new script tomorrow?" Lee Young-min questions.

I look up from my desk and see him standing, hands in his pockets, a look of concern on his face.

"Huh?"

"You said you don't have a solid writing spot figured out yet. I was wondering if you'd revisit the coffee shop I brought you too last time to try and hammer out the script changes?"

"Oh, that. I guess it'll be a fine space. I'd work here, but I think Gong Hoon will pester me too much the next few days for me to be too productive."

Lee Young-min nods.

"Yeah, probably not a conducive writing environment. What was your favorite writing spot like back home?" He asks.

I think back to my favorite little hideaway back home with a fond smile.

"It was perfect. It was in a hotel with these huge glass windows on the second floor and I could people watch and get inspiration for characters because of the people walking by. Plus, they always played this super quirky playlist in the background and served the best dirty chai tea in the area.

"They had this lounge with a couch that was so warm and comfy that I could spread out on with my iPad, notebooks, laptop. The manager let me stay for as long as I needed, and the staff was so friendly. They left me on my own, but anytime I was stuck they were happy to strike up a conversation which helped me get out of my writer's block. It was perfect," I sigh.