LEFT WITH WORDS || KIM TAEHYUNG

Chapter 17: The shadow-like me

"I didn't know they had a thing going on" Hobi said, sitting on the bed beside Tae.

"I gave up on her because she's not right for me. I should be happy that she moved on. Then why am i feeling bad?" Tae asked, more to himself.

"Get over it, Tae. Let's sleep early. Tomorrow is a big day" Hobi said. Tae nodded and pulled the bed sheet over him after laying back. 

Hobi turned off the light. 'I'm sorry Tae. But right now sleep is the best diversion' he thought, and closed his eyes.

The following day

Jin approached Chan Woo who was walking out of the restaurant. "We need to talk" he said.

 Chan Woo followed him to the parking lot. Jin leaned against a car and folded his hands. "Okay, time to spill the beans. What are you both playing on our backs?" 

"What do you mean sir? Who both?" Chan Woo asked.

"Drop the innocent act. Most of us already know about it. About the deal you and Mr. Cha make with others."

"W-What deal?" Chan Woo stuttered, with panic already visible on his face.

Jin shifted his hands into the pockets. "Ji-woon, Dong-suk, Jang-mi, Hye-rin....I'm sure you remember the names better than I do"

Chan Woo swallowed in nervousness.

"Mr. Cha takes bribe from those who audition for acting and recommends them to film companies. And you are assisting him in this activity, right?"

"You don't have any proof for what you're speaking" Chan Woo implied

"You are our proof. And today, you are gonna reveal it to everyone"

"Why would I?"

"Because we-" Jin leaned forward to whisper "are gonna make a deal"

The screech of a halting car filled the silence. Jin waited for the engine sound to stop, and continued "let's trade your innocence with your confession. I know that it wasn't you who made those changes in the script"

"Then does it mean... Mr. Cha...?"

"Nope. Not him either. Even I don't know who the real culprit is. But I know that Kim Taehyung was used in order to amend the script"

"Kim Taehyung? You mean the assistant script writer?"

"Yes. Before he gave the script to Mr. Cha, someone blackmailed him to change the script in order to create all this chaos and force the blame upon you. He said that he'll reveal his identity and surrender only if you confess the truth that you and Mr. Cha are hiding from the world. That's what Taehyung wanted me to convey to you" 

Jin allowed Chan Woo to think for a second, and added "Well, what'd you rather be found guilty for? For the wrong you've done? Or for the wrong you haven't?"

"The latter. Because it is lesser of a crime compared to what Mr. Cha and I are involved in"

"Oh! But if i were you, I'd choose otherwise.

Think about it, you'll be bailed after few years if you confess the truth. And then you can continue your life as usual. But instead, if you're blamed for the wrong you haven't done and everyone finds out that you mishandled the script, no film company would ever hire you. Forget film company. In fact, no organization would ever hire you because they wouldn't be able to trust you. You'd be considered to have mishandled a company's project and disrupted their schedule after all."

"Hmph!" Chan Woo rolled his eyes.

Jin scanned his face. "Mr. Cha...he is not really sick, right? I know that you both fought"