Big Life

“Ow, go easy.”

“Sorry, did it hurt?”

Bo-Ra was lying on her stomach on her queen-sized bed as the morning sun shone into her apartment. The lady doing a full body massage on her was Yu-Na, from the same agency, ICU Entertainment.ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novelenglish.net . ꜰirᴇ.nᴇt

“I said to do it gently, but you’re not exerting any strength now.”

“Really? Then how about this amount of strength?”

“After massaging my shoulders, help me do my calves as well. I feel sore all over recently due to the overwhelming schedule.”

Yu-Na glared at the back of Bo-Ra's head.

How did she end up being the maid of this bitch? She had no idea that borrowing some money for her living expenses would lead her to become Bo-Ra's maid. It was the worst mistake she had made in her life.

"Unni, you should cheer up."

"They say that even dogs have their days. Your team will do well if you guys debut in winter."

"Yeah… Thanks. I'll have to do my best." Yu-Na replied in a nonchalant tone. Her hands were extremely sore while massaging the calves, but she couldn't stop, nor could she let out a soft groan, eventually finishing the massage.

"Ah, how refreshing. You did great; your massages are the best."

"Let's have some food, unni. I want something light."

"Got it." Yu-Na understood Bo-Ra's meaning and headed to the kitchen. Bo-Ra's proposal meant for Yu-Na to prepare the food, and having something light meant that she wanted chicken breast salad.

Bo-Ra’s phone rang on the table. Bo-Ra cleared her throat and answered the call with a slightly humbled voice.

Bo-Ra bought so many flower pots wasn’t out of her love for flora. It was nothing more than just a means to impress the executives of the agency with her feminine side. She didn’t even care if the flowers withered, and watering the plants had always been Yu-Na’s responsibility.

“Please eat proper lunch. I’m worried since you haven’t been looking good, Director. You won’t be able to concentrate at work. That’s too much; I really mean it. Yes, I’ll see you in the evening. Goodbye.”

Bo-Ra giggled as she hung up the call.

Yu-Na felt a chill down her spine upon hearing that.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Aren’t you going to cook?”

Yu-Na knew that Bo-Ra was on the phone with Director Cho Cheol-Won of See&Good—the parent company of ICU Entertainment.

Bo-Ra’s popularity was growing rather quickly, and she was trying her best to make her heyday since her debut. While appearing in various variety shows, she was even cast as the female lead for a cable channel’s youth drama. Taking on the commercial film for a health drink broadcast on a public cable channel was a bonus, and this was all possible because of Director Cho’s authority.

Yu-Na had already guessed their relationship; both of them were secretly exchanging what they needed. Bo-Ra hadn't mentioned it, but Yu-Na could tell, and she only noticed because of how close she was with Bo-Ra.

“Bo-Ra, it’s done. Come eat.”

Bo-Ra and Yu-Na sat across each other at the dining table. Bo-Ra watched the TV as she ate her salad, which was playing the entertainment news on a cable channel.

“Are you coming back late today?” Yu-Na asked casually.

Bo-Ra smiled without even glancing at Yu-Na. “What do you mean?”

“No, I was just thinking if you’re coming back late or staying out, I won’t have to make extra to store it. Since you’re meeting Director Cho this evening…” Yu-Na caught herself on time and kept quiet immediately.

Bo-Ra’s gaze immediately turned cold and glared at Yu-Na. “Didn’t I warn you not to talk about it?”

Yu-Na’s head bent backward in pain, facing the ceiling, and her face turned pale as a ghost.

“Unni, do you want to die so badly? Is that it?”

Bo-Ra pulled her hair back even rougher and said, “Don’t spout nonsense even when you’re alone. If I catch you again, know that I’ll pull out all your teeth and shove them down your throat. Got it?”

Bo-Ra poked at Yu-Na's front teeth with a fork.

Yu-Na closed her eyes tightly and nodded profusely like a madman.

Bo-Ra looked down at Yu-Na, her face and smile full of venom and cruelty.

"You'd better keep that in mind. If I hear of any strange rumor traveling around, I'll definitely think of you first in my mind." Bo-Ra finished and finally let go of Yu-Na's hair.

Yu-Na shook visibly on the spot; she couldn't even think about fixing her messed-up hair. Meanwhile, Bo-Ra calmly returned to her meal.

The news captions showing on the screen just then read: X Broadcasting Station assistant writer's astonishing exposé, is it true?

However, Bo-Ra didn't see it.

Bo-Ra threw her fork down and picked up her phone.

"Yeah, what is it?"

— Hey, Chae Bo-Ra. You saw the news, right?

Her manager sounded horrified.

Bo-Ra picked up her fork again and asked bluntly, "What news? When did you see me watch the news?"

— D-did… you really do it?

— Did you really ask her to delete Write Ha Jae-Gun's script?

"...?!" Bo-Ra's hand that was holding the phone froze at once.

Yu-Na watched blood drained from Bo-Ra's face.

— Hey! Bo-Ra! Did you really ask her to do that? Did you really try to throw off the project from its original schedule and tell her that you'd let her join Writer Ko's one-act play that was in preparation?! Why aren't you answering me?!

"I-I know nothing about it. Where is this nonsense coming from?"

— An assistant writer by the name of Won Ji-Yeon. She revealed her real name and uploaded a post about it. The original post was deleted two hours after it was uploaded, but it's already all over social media!

Bo-Ra headed to her laptop. She didn't even have to look up a keyword on Navin's search engine.

Chae Bo-Ra deletes Ha Jae-Gun's manuscript.

Assistant writer Won Ji-Yeon and Chae Bo-Ra's relationship.

Assistant writer's exposé.

A variation of keywords occupied the top search rankings. It was the same on all social media sites as well.

There were thousands of comments posted in real-time under the post that was linked to Ji-Yeon's exposé.

- Bo-Ra Unni isn't this type of person. She would feel hurt even cutting flower stalks, so she doesn't even do flower arrangements.

- If this is real then it's really;;; I had quite a relatively good impression of her recently. Even if she couldn't act, I still thought she was a good person;;;

- Fuck kekekeke she's fucking scary if this is real. Deleting the entire manuscript kekekeke she's great at execution.

- Cheer up, Bo-Ra unni. The truth will reveal itself soon. I hope you will show the bitterness of this society to the original poster who spread such malicious rumors about you.

- Stans should just go away. Chae Bo-Ra is getting much more criticism because of you guys. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill, and just wait quietly.

- Why would something like this erupt just when the protests are going on? Am I the only one feeling uncomfortable here? T.T

- Honestly speaking, I think this is defamation without evidence. She looked quite natural on the show when helping out the less fortunate. Those were actions that could not be done if they weren't from her heart. I believe in Bo-Ra.

Just then, her manager's urgent voice came through the phone again.

— Bo-Ra, what are you going to do? Huh? Dong-Ah Osaka called as well. If this incident is true, they will be canceling the commercial contract. Not just the commercial, but also all the programs that you're on…

"No! It's not me!" Bo-Ra wailed on the phone. Her hateful gaze glared at the screen, and she grumbled, "Upload a short post using my account. And I'm going to sue her."

— S-Sue? Who?

"Of course, I'm suing that bitch Won Ji-Yeon! I'll sue her for defamation and everything else that applies! I didn't do anything wrong! She must be doing this just because I treated her coldly before, so I'll make sure to let her pay the price! Contact Attorney Kim Seung-Gook at once!"

— A-alright. Bo-Ra, I'll go over to your place first. Let's talk in person. I'll be there in twenty minutes.

Bo-Ra hung up the call and returned to the kitchen, then reached out her hand.

"Give me your phone."

"O-okay…"

Bo-Ra used Yu-Na's phone to call Won Ji-Yeon.

However, the mechanical voice told her that the phone was turned off.

Enraged, Bo-Ra threw her salad bowl with a loud roar.

***

"Yeah."

Park Do-Joon did not check the caller's name and answered without hesitation, as no one else would call him right before the show started aside from Lee Chae-Rin.

— Oppa, are you already home?

— I didn't call because of that. You haven't read the news on the internet, right?

"Why? What's wrong?"

— It's about Ha Jae-Gun oppa. You'll know once you enter Navin.

Chae-Rin avoided explaining it right away. Park Do-Joon sensed the strange feeling from her and lowered the volume of the TV.

"Alright, I'll take a look and call you again."

— I'm saying this in advance, but please don't get angry after reading it.

"Whatever it is, let's hang up first."

Park Do-Joon hung up the call and accessed the search engine. His eyes widened as soon as he saw the real-time search rankings. The entire nation was in a blaze from the expose by assistant writer Won Ji-Yeon.

Park Do-Joon's teeth were chattering in anger.

He had already seen Bo-Ra's character long ago, and it wasn't hard for him to see the truth from his perspective. He treated the humiliation that Ha Jae-Gun had experienced as his own, and it had always been weighing down on him.

Just then, Park Do-Joon flinched.

The voice coming from the TV was awfully familiar. His jaws dropped open when he watched the screen.

“Ha Jae-Gun…?”

“...I originally had stage anxiety, but my close friend played a big role in my decision to appear on this corner. All of you must have known this for some time, but that friend often watched this show with his older brother when he was still young. His older brother has passed, but he still makes sure to catch this program despite his busy schedule.”

Park Do-Joon covered his mouth in shock. He locked eyes with Ha Jae-Gun on the TV. His closest best friend in this world was speaking in a gentle tone with the most comfortable smile.

A bitter smile crept onto Park Do-Joon’s face. He was thrilled to see the surprise gift prepared for him. Although he wanted to continue watching the episode today, he had no choice but to turn off the TV for now.

“I’m sorry for watching a rebroadcast of your first appearance, my friend.”

Park Do-Joon got out of the sofa and picked up his phone immediately. After a short while, his manager, Woo Tae-Bong, answered the call.

“Hyung, please come over to my place.”