Beyond the Sunset

Chapter VI

"Help... somebody, help!"

My heart was pounding in horror upon seeing blood covering her hands. Her face was pale, and her eyes were almost shutting. Her retching was loud and intense, and her blood splattered onto the sink. The sight of blood coming out of her mouth made my stomach turn.

I held her on her shoulders, and before I could thoroughly process the situation, she already lost her consciousness.

"Lee Joo Bin, wake up." I gently shook her but to no avail, I gained no response from her. I carefully laid her on the floor and open the door to call for help.

Upon opening the door, I saw Soo Hyun who was just about to knock.

"Is everything alright?" He asked.

"No. Lee Joo Bin..."

I was too stunned to speak that I could no longer explain to him what happened. Soo Hyun called for help. Soon enough, Joo Bin's manager arrived. They immediately brought her to the nearest hospital.

"It's okay now. Her manager called to tell that she's safe now and she already regained consciousness." Soo Hyun offered me a glass of water and rubbed my back to make me feel better.

"What exactly happened to her?" I was dead worried because I have never seen someone vomit blood like that.

"It is suspected severe case of ulcer. She's still under observation though. Her manager also told the staff that she's feeling bad for what had happened. Hence, her team is asking us to continue with the rest of the activities planned for tonight."

"Are you sure that proceeding with the wrap-up party is an appropriate thing to do?" I didn't want to be so insensitive about happened to our co-actor. She fell ill and it seemed off to continue with the second party planned.

"Let's just wait for our PD's orders."

To grant Joo Bin's request and to avoid the unnecessary buzz with the media about her health, the director and the producers decided to continue the event. Everyone was even given a gag order about what transpired.

Right after the airing of the 15th episode, some actors and staff already bid their goodbyes due to various reasons. Kwak Dong Yeon, Kim Soo Hyun and I decided that we'll attend the second part of the program.

Before heading out, I stopped Kim Soo Hyun and pulled him to where only the two of us would hear whatever I was about to say.

"Can you wait for me before going in later at the resto bar?"

Kim Soo Hyun looked a bit confused, but still he granted to my request. "Of course, I will always wait for you. But you're not fine, are you? Are you still flustered with what happened to Joo Bin?"

I tried not to sound like a paranoid but I guess, the look on my face said it all. I shook my head no. Though I felt bad for Joo Bin, it was somehow a relief that it was just her who entered the bathroom. I still couldn't dismiss the fear that someone might be following me.

"No. It's not about that. I just want to keep you close." I lied and smiled, giving him the assurance that nothing was really bothering me.

We left the place and proceeded to the next venue on separate vehicles. He called me when he arrived at the resto. And as agreed, he waited for me and we went inside together.

Considering that there were lesser people who attended the second round, we were much freer and more intimate. I could freely close the gap between us and rest my head on his shoulder without having any fear that someone might upload photos of us online.