‘So what we know for sure is that you two are dating, am I correct? When did this start?’ He asked.
‘The day after the wrap up party,’ Min Ho replied. ‘It’s almost been a month.’
‘I hope you don’t mind if we ask you more about the two of you, Shin Hye-ssi,’ President Jang continued.
‘It’s okay, I understand,’ she responded.
‘Apart from the night Min Ho went to the restaurant and the night you went to Le Cox, when else did you meet up?’
‘Christmas and New Year. We were in Woo Bin’s party, but I’m pretty certain no one there suspected us of coming together. Anyway, most if not all of the guests were also celebrities,’ Shin Hye explained.
‘Shin Hye met my family just last Sunday,’ Min Ho replied. ‘That’s pretty much it. But of course, we’re in constant contact.’
‘Next. We need to know exactly who know about you two already,’ President Jang told them.
‘Shin Hye, who else were you with in Le Cox?’ President Kim asked.
‘Go Ara, Kang Ha Neul, Kim Bum, and Kim So Eun,’ she replied.
‘And how many of them know about you two?’
‘Kim Bum knows,’ Min Ho replied.
‘I haven’t told the rest yet,’ Shin Hye added. ‘But it’s possible that they also have their own speculations. I can trust them not to say anything though.’
‘I think we’ve also established that both our families already know about our relationship,’ Min Ho told them. ‘Jung Il Woo knows, too. That's all, as far as I know.
‘Okay,’ President Jang replied. ‘Now let me ask you two. Do you have any plans of publicizing your relationship?’
They looked at each other. Shin Hye knew that Min Ho shared her view regarding this, even if they haven’t really talked about it in detail.
‘I think it’s best for both of us to date without public knowledge,’ Shin Hye replied. ‘I’m sure Min Ho oppa feels the same way.’
‘What if the media gets hold of stronger evidence? Are we going to deny the relationship still?’ President Kim asked them.
Shin Hye looked at Min Ho again. She honestly didn’t know. It’s one thing to keep their relationship a secret, but it’s another to lie blatantly to the public in the midst of overwhelming evidence.
‘We’ll cross the bridge when we get there,’ Min Ho replied firmly. ‘For now, I understand that Shin Hye and I have to be careful. I’m sorry that we didn’t tell you about us sooner. This is fairly new and we had hoped to be more comfortable with our situation first before we informed you.’
‘I think I speak for President Jang when I say that we understand,’ President Kim replied. 'You're both adults and you're capable of making these types of decisions, fully aware of all the possible consequences. But I hope you also understand that as your agencies, it's our job to protect you two. It's not enough to just be careful. I think it’s imperative that we distance you two from this issue as much as we can.’
Shin Hye creased her brows. ‘What do you mean, Sajangnim?’
‘If what President Jang said was true, that there is information out there that can possibly start a rumor, then you two need to be as far away from each other as possible. I’m not talking about physical distance, but that your names don’t cross except for articles about your drama.’
‘I agree,’ President Jang interjected. ‘This is also one of the reasons why we called you two here today. As you know, Min Ho’s next activity is his concert. This means that people will be keeping their eyes open, especially the media. I’m sure, Shin Hye-ssi, you understand that you can’t possibly be there.’
‘Ara-yo,’ she replied. ‘I wasn’t planning on attending. Min Ho oppa and I already talked about this.’
‘According to your schedule, you have a few days free during those times, Shin Hye,’ President Kim mentioned. ‘I think it would be for the best if you take time off somewhere. Enjoy a much-needed vacation. It would be good for both of you. That way, there is no possible way to link you with Lee Min Ho-ssi.’
‘Vacation?’ Shin Hye replied, looking at Min Ho. ‘I guess I can do that. I actually was thinking of taking a break anyway…’
‘Does she have to?’ Min Ho asked sternly, cutting Shin Hye off. ‘If people don’t see her at the concert, isn’t that enough already? Why does she have to leave?’
‘Oppa, it’s okay. It’s not a big deal,’ Shin Hye held Min Ho’s hand. ‘I can go with my friends. I promised them a vacation even before we started filming Heirs anyway. Let’s just think of it as the perfect timing, oh?’ She knew that Min Ho was already mad, and she understood why. But she didn’t want any more conflict between them and their agencies than necessary.
‘Are you sure?’ Min Ho asked her softly. ‘Because you don’t have to if you don’t want to.’
She smiled. ‘I want to.’
‘That’s settled then. You don’t have to give us the details of your vacation, Shin Hye-ssi. Just enjoy as much as you can,’ President Jang told her.
Shin Hye nodded her head.
‘Post-drama interviews have been gaining some attention, too,’ President Jang started to say, while he looked at some papers on the table. ‘Since the Heirs mania is slowly dying down in Korea, we can lessen questions about you two. We can control the interviewer, but in the instances we can’t, make sure your answers are as diplomatic as possible.'
'Can we do something about the promotional materials from SBS?' President Kim asked President Jang.
Min Ho frowned. 'Why do we have to do that? What does that have to do with our relationship?'
'Min Ho-yah, we're just being careful here. At the end of the day, SBS and the production team still has the final say. We're just going to make sure that we don't fan the flames,' President Jang answered, before turning to President Kim. 'I have to check. They're releasing the DVD cut soon so we can request that both agencies be part of the final screening.'
Shin Hye closed her eyes and leaned her head on her palm. She was alone in the board room as the men had more to talk about. Min Ho had gone out for a bit to grab coffee for the two of them. She didn’t know it was going to be that stressful – just talking about how to avoid getting caught. She wondered if other celebrity couples had to go through so much.
‘Are you okay?’
She opened her eyes and saw Min Ho sit next to her, as he put two coffee cups on the table. She looked up at him and smiled.
‘My head hurts a little.’
He went nearer and put his palm on her forehead and neck, as if checking her temperature. When everything seemed fine, he caressed her cheek. ‘I’m sorry.’
She frowned faintly. ‘Why do you keep saying sorry for things that you shouldn't be sorry for? This isn’t your fault, oppa,’ she put her hand on his.
‘Then why do I feel shitty?’ He replied weakly. ‘I feel like I’m causing you trouble.’
Shin Hye looked him in the eye. ‘We knew this was going to happen sooner or later. I willingly signed up for this, oppa. You didn’t force me to do anything.’
Min Ho pulled her into a hug. ‘Just tell me when it gets hard for you, okay?’
She put her arms around his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder. ‘If you promise to tell me if it gets hard for you, too.’
When they pulled away, Min Ho cupped her cheek and kissed her. Shin Hye closed her eyes and savoured the moment. For some reason, she felt a pang of sadness. As if at the pit of her stomach, she knew it was just going to get harder. She honestly wanted to just melt into his arms and forget everything.
‘Are you crying?’ Min Ho asked as he pushed her off gently to look at her face.
Shin Hye opened her eyes and realized that there were tears on her cheeks. She wiped them away and chuckled in between sobs. ‘Meoya… I don’t know why I’m like this.’ She looked at him and saw that he had a grave expression. She tried to stop the tears but they just kept falling. ‘Oppa, seriously, I’m not doing this on purpose.’
Min Ho wiped her cheeks with his fingers as he studied her face. ‘I guess your tears can’t lie,’ he told her gently.
Shin Hye looked down and bit her lip. ‘We’re going to be okay, right?’ Her voice was trembling.
Min Ho hugged her again, and this time, Shin Hye could feel that he was doing it with all his might. She hugged him back, unwilling to let go.
‘We’re going to be more than okay,’ Min Ho said. ‘We’re going to be very happy.’
‘So what we know for sure is that you two are dating, am I correct? When did this start?’ He asked.
‘The day after the wrap up party,’ Min Ho replied. ‘It’s almost been a month.’
‘I hope you don’t mind if we ask you more about the two of you, Shin Hye-ssi,’ President Jang continued.
‘It’s okay, I understand,’ she responded.
‘Apart from the night Min Ho went to the restaurant and the night you went to Le Cox, when else did you meet up?’
‘Christmas and New Year. We were in Woo Bin’s party, but I’m pretty certain no one there suspected us of coming together. Anyway, most if not all of the guests were also celebrities,’ Shin Hye explained.
‘Shin Hye met my family just last Sunday,’ Min Ho replied. ‘That’s pretty much it. But of course, we’re in constant contact.’
‘Next. We need to know exactly who know about you two already,’ President Jang told them.
‘Shin Hye, who else were you with in Le Cox?’ President Kim asked.
‘Go Ara, Kang Ha Neul, Kim Bum, and Kim So Eun,’ she replied.
‘And how many of them know about you two?’
‘Kim Bum knows,’ Min Ho replied.
‘I haven’t told the rest yet,’ Shin Hye added. ‘But it’s possible that they also have their own speculations. I can trust them not to say anything though.’
‘I think we’ve also established that both our families already know about our relationship,’ Min Ho told them. ‘Jung Il Woo knows, too. That's all, as far as I know.
‘Okay,’ President Jang replied. ‘Now let me ask you two. Do you have any plans of publicizing your relationship?’
They looked at each other. Shin Hye knew that Min Ho shared her view regarding this, even if they haven’t really talked about it in detail.
‘I think it’s best for both of us to date without public knowledge,’ Shin Hye replied. ‘I’m sure Min Ho oppa feels the same way.’
‘What if the media gets hold of stronger evidence? Are we going to deny the relationship still?’ President Kim asked them.
Shin Hye looked at Min Ho again. She honestly didn’t know. It’s one thing to keep their relationship a secret, but it’s another to lie blatantly to the public in the midst of overwhelming evidence.
‘We’ll cross the bridge when we get there,’ Min Ho replied firmly. ‘For now, I understand that Shin Hye and I have to be careful. I’m sorry that we didn’t tell you about us sooner. This is fairly new and we had hoped to be more comfortable with our situation first before we informed you.’
‘I think I speak for President Jang when I say that we understand,’ President Kim replied. 'You're both adults and you're capable of making these types of decisions, fully aware of all the possible consequences. But I hope you also understand that as your agencies, it's our job to protect you two. It's not enough to just be careful. I think it’s imperative that we distance you two from this issue as much as we can.’
Shin Hye creased her brows. ‘What do you mean, Sajangnim?’
‘If what President Jang said was true, that there is information out there that can possibly start a rumor, then you two need to be as far away from each other as possible. I’m not talking about physical distance, but that your names don’t cross except for articles about your drama.’
‘I agree,’ President Jang interjected. ‘This is also one of the reasons why we called you two here today. As you know, Min Ho’s next activity is his concert. This means that people will be keeping their eyes open, especially the media. I’m sure, Shin Hye-ssi, you understand that you can’t possibly be there.’
‘Ara-yo,’ she replied. ‘I wasn’t planning on attending. Min Ho oppa and I already talked about this.’
‘According to your schedule, you have a few days free during those times, Shin Hye,’ President Kim mentioned. ‘I think it would be for the best if you take time off somewhere. Enjoy a much-needed vacation. It would be good for both of you. That way, there is no possible way to link you with Lee Min Ho-ssi.’
‘Vacation?’ Shin Hye replied, looking at Min Ho. ‘I guess I can do that. I actually was thinking of taking a break anyway…’
‘Does she have to?’ Min Ho asked sternly, cutting Shin Hye off. ‘If people don’t see her at the concert, isn’t that enough already? Why does she have to leave?’
‘Oppa, it’s okay. It’s not a big deal,’ Shin Hye held Min Ho’s hand. ‘I can go with my friends. I promised them a vacation even before we started filming Heirs anyway. Let’s just think of it as the perfect timing, oh?’ She knew that Min Ho was already mad, and she understood why. But she didn’t want any more conflict between them and their agencies than necessary.
‘Are you sure?’ Min Ho asked her softly. ‘Because you don’t have to if you don’t want to.’
She smiled. ‘I want to.’
‘That’s settled then. You don’t have to give us the details of your vacation, Shin Hye-ssi. Just enjoy as much as you can,’ President Jang told her.
Shin Hye nodded her head.
‘Post-drama interviews have been gaining some attention, too,’ President Jang started to say, while he looked at some papers on the table. ‘Since the Heirs mania is slowly dying down in Korea, we can lessen questions about you two. We can control the interviewer, but in the instances we can’t, make sure your answers are as diplomatic as possible.'
'Can we do something about the promotional materials from SBS?' President Kim asked President Jang.
Min Ho frowned. 'Why do we have to do that? What does that have to do with our relationship?'
'Min Ho-yah, we're just being careful here. At the end of the day, SBS and the production team still has the final say. We're just going to make sure that we don't fan the flames,' President Jang answered, before turning to President Kim. 'I have to check. They're releasing the DVD cut soon so we can request that both agencies be part of the final screening.'
Shin Hye closed her eyes and leaned her head on her palm. She was alone in the board room as the men had more to talk about. Min Ho had gone out for a bit to grab coffee for the two of them. She didn’t know it was going to be that stressful – just talking about how to avoid getting caught. She wondered if other celebrity couples had to go through so much.
‘Are you okay?’
She opened her eyes and saw Min Ho sit next to her, as he put two coffee cups on the table. She looked up at him and smiled.
‘My head hurts a little.’
He went nearer and put his palm on her forehead and neck, as if checking her temperature. When everything seemed fine, he caressed her cheek. ‘I’m sorry.’
She frowned faintly. ‘Why do you keep saying sorry for things that you shouldn't be sorry for? This isn’t your fault, oppa,’ she put her hand on his.
‘Then why do I feel shitty?’ He replied weakly. ‘I feel like I’m causing you trouble.’
Shin Hye looked him in the eye. ‘We knew this was going to happen sooner or later. I willingly signed up for this, oppa. You didn’t force me to do anything.’
Min Ho pulled her into a hug. ‘Just tell me when it gets hard for you, okay?’
She put her arms around his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder. ‘If you promise to tell me if it gets hard for you, too.’
When they pulled away, Min Ho cupped her cheek and kissed her. Shin Hye closed her eyes and savoured the moment. For some reason, she felt a pang of sadness. As if at the pit of her stomach, she knew it was just going to get harder. She honestly wanted to just melt into his arms and forget everything.
‘Are you crying?’ Min Ho asked as he pushed her off gently to look at her face.
Shin Hye opened her eyes and realized that there were tears on her cheeks. She wiped them away and chuckled in between sobs. ‘Meoya… I don’t know why I’m like this.’ She looked at him and saw that he had a grave expression. She tried to stop the tears but they just kept falling. ‘Oppa, seriously, I’m not doing this on purpose.’
Min Ho wiped her cheeks with his fingers as he studied her face. ‘I guess your tears can’t lie,’ he told her gently.
Shin Hye looked down and bit her lip. ‘We’re going to be okay, right?’ Her voice was trembling.
Min Ho hugged her again, and this time, Shin Hye could feel that he was doing it with all his might. She hugged him back, unwilling to let go.
‘We’re going to be more than okay,’ Min Ho said. ‘We’re going to be very happy.’
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