Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 38

The next morning, I walked into Arc's living room, where Ji-hye was finishing up the final touches on Arc's makeup. He was scheduled for an appearance on a talk show, and Ji-hye was carefully applying the last bit of powder, making sure he looked perfect for the camera.

I was still trying to shake off the early morning fog when Ji-hoon walked in, holding a phone in his hand. He looked at me briefly before addressing me directly.

"라일라, 드레스 갖고 있어?(Lila, do you have a dress with you?)" he asked.

I furrowed my brow in confusion. "왜 드레스가 필요할까요?(Why would I need a dress?)"

Ji-hoon sighed, clearly anticipating my question. "방금 스튜디오에서 전화가 왔어요. 번역가의 몸이 좋지 않아 귀하의 개입이 필요합니다.(The studio just called. Their translator is unwell, and they need you to step in.)"

I blinked, processing this. "나는 이미 Arc와 함께 가고 있습니다. 번역해도 상관 없지만 왜 드레스가 필요한지 모르겠습니다.(I'm already going along with Arc. I don't mind translating, but I don't understand why I need a dress.)"

Jihoon sighed, clearly trying to remain calm. "라이브 관객 쇼예요, Lila. 진행자는 번역가를 자신과 함께 앉게 하고 화면에 나오는 번역을 하게 합니다. 그러기 위해서는 보기 좋게 보여야 합니다.(It's a live audience show, Lila. The host makes the translator sit with her and do the translations on-screen. You'll need to look presentable for that.)"

I frowned. "나는 카메라에 출연하는 데 동의한 적이 없습니다. 방금 번역을 돕기로 동의했습니다.(I never agreed to appearing on camera. I just agreed to help with the translation.)"

Jihoon's face tightened. "알아요. 하지만 선택의 여지가 없어요. 스튜디오에는 누군가가 필요하며 특히 화면에 번역가를 원합니다.(I know, but we don't have a choice. The studio needs someone, and they specifically want the translator on screen.)"

Before I could respond, Arc's voice broke through the conversation. "Lila가 카메라에 찍히기를 원하지 않는다면, 우리는 그들에게 알릴 수 있습니다. 그들은 화면에 통역사를 원하지만 불편할 경우 통역사를 제공해야 합니다. 우리는 쇼에 번역가를 약속한 적이 없습니다.(If Lila doesn't want to go on camera, then we can just inform them. They want a translator on screen, but they'll have to provide one if she's not comfortable. We never promised a translator for the show.)"

Ji-hye, who had just finished Arc's makeup, stood up and chimed in. "타이밍이 좀 안맞는 것 같지 않나요? 아크와 번역가의 열애설이 나오자 번역가가 갑자기 몸이 아프다고요?(Don't you think the timing is a little off? The translator suddenly gets sick just as the rumors about Arc and his translator dating come out?)"

Ji-hoon hesitated, nodding reluctantly. "제가 생각해도 의심스럽습니다. 하지만 그들이 묻는 질문으로 인해 저는 Arc가 번역가 없이 쇼에 출연하는 것을 원하지 않습니다. 이야기를 통제할 누군가가 필요해요.(Even I feel like it's suspicious. But with the questions they'll ask, I don't want Arc to go on the show without a translator. We need someone there to control the narrative.)"

Ji-hye looked at Ji-hoon with concern. "진행자는 분명 두 사람의 열애설을 확고히 하려고 노력할 것입니다.(The host is definitely going to try to solidify the rumors of them dating.)"

"알아요(I know)," Ji-hoon said with a sigh. "하지만 릴라를 보내지 않으면 뭔가 숨기려는 것처럼 보일 것 같아요. 그들은 그렇게 할 것입니다.(But if we don't send Lila, it'll look like we're trying to hide something. They'll spin it that way.)"