The arrest of the best-selling author, Do Daewon, exploded on every communication channel nationwide. It had been the talk of the country for a week. The citizens expressed their opinions about it, and most of them didn’t believe it. His fans flooded him with unending support as the police held him in the station.
Dong-sun looked at the Television while falling in line in the convenience store. He was so focused on filming and has heard nothing from Mee Yoon. The news shocked him more than anyone else.
The cashier examined him, trying to figure out the familiar face under a white cap. Dong-sun placed the cups of ramyeon without looking at her.
“Excuse me, are you Yang Hajoon? The one on the drama Captivated?” the cashier asked. She was a skinny part-time worker at the store. She has a boy's haircut with deep dimples showing as she speaks.
Dong-sun flashed a little smile, enough to take her breath away. His screen name was Yang Hajoon, and his debut as an actor was successful. The cashier giggled and pulled out her phone.
“Oh my god, can I take a photo with you?”
Dong-sun leaned forward. “Sure.”
“Thank you so much, Oppa! Can I have your signature? It will be my last request and don’t bother to pay. It’s on me.” She winked.
“I cannot allow that, miss.”
“If you insist, I won’t resist.” She lent him a ballpen.
“Where should I sign?”
The cashier roamed her eyes to find her notebook. “Gosh, I can’t find my diary. I left your merchandise at home. If only I knew you’d come.”
“It’s alright. Let me buy a face mask.” Dong-sun removed his cap and wrote a signature on it.
He placed the cap on her head and said, “Here. It’s yours.”
Dong-sun then wore the face mask. The cashier held the cap with gleaming eyes.
“This is for me? Oh my gosh. Thank you!” She blushed.
Dong-sun winked. “I’ll go ahead.”
The cashier almost collapsed but managed to shout, “I love you, Oppa! Come again!”
Dong-sun went inside the van. He had a driver so his manager could monitor him. There were rules he needed to follow to maintain his career as a newbie. First, he must not reveal himself to the public and avoid any social gatherings. Second, he must not speak about any issues to stay out of trouble. Third, he must keep his religious beliefs and opinions about current events to himself. Fourth, they forbid him to date anyone unless it’s favorable for his career.
“Mr. Lee, can you stop the car at the nearby apartment building?” Dong-sun said to his driver.
“Why? I thought we are not allowed to stop by places we’re not supposed to be?”
“Please, Mr. Lee. I promise I won’t take long. This is urgent. I’ll be careful.”
The car stopped a few blocks away from the building. “Thanks, Mr. Lee.”
“Wait a minute.” Mr. Lee gave him sunglasses and a cap.
“The Vispatch might be lurking around. Stay low-key,” Mr. Lee added.
Vispatch is the biggest paparazzi in the nation. Their specialty is spreading dating rumors.
Afterward, Dong-sun arrived at Mee Yoon’s doorstep.
“What are you doing here, Mr. Yang Hajoon?” she asked.
“I heard about Daewon’s case. I’m worried about you.”
“Oh, please. Don’t sympathize with me. I am not your fan.”
She left him with no choice but to push the door and barged in.
“Hey, what are you doing? I can charge you with trespassing, you know?”
Dong-sun crossed his legs as he sat on the couch. “Go on. I guess you have a knack for putting guys around you in jail.”
Her brows furrowed. “This isn’t funny.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here. Your life is in danger if Daewon isn’t the killer. He could be walking around and watching you.”
“Do you think he isn’t the killer?”
“The evidence is pointing at him as of the moment. Also, your brother is taking care of the case. You know how he is. It’s hard to clean up Daewon’s mess.”
Mee Yoon sat across from him.
“I hope he is the killer,” Dong-sun said.
Mee Yoon wrinkled her nose. “What?”
“If he is the murderer, the killings will stop. The people won’t be afraid anymore, and you’ll be safe. Don’t you think so?”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this from you,” she said while shaking her head.
“So you don’t want your ex to be the killer? Do you love him that much?” He smirked.
“We are not going back together. We never did.”
He nodded. “Now, I get it. You don’t want him to be the killer because you will not be able to accept that you transformed him into a monster.”
Mee Yoon grabbed the glass of water on the table and splashed it on his face. “Is this how fame turned you into?”
Dong-sun combed his fingers through his wet hair. “This is how you turned me into, Seo Mee Yoon. You dumped me like trash when all I did was—” Mee Yoon stood up.
“I don’t want to hear it. Get out.”
Dong-sun was about to walk out when Youngsoo entered. Their eyes locked for seconds.
“Who… is he?”
Mee Yoon rubbed her neck. “He is…”
“Ah, I remember!”
Dong-sun’s hands trembled.
“Isn’t he the famous actor, Yang Hajoon?”
Dong-sun breathed a deep sigh. “Yes.”
“Wow. This is my first time seeing you in person and you look dazzling,” Youngsoo said while shaking his hand. Mee Yoon looked away.
“Mee Yoon, why don’t you make us some coffee? Let him stay for a while. This won’t happen every day. I want to cherish this moment.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I can’t stay for too long. My driver is waiting outside,” Dong-sun said.
“Oh, come on. Just this once. I’m your biggest fan!” Youngsoo pulled his arms and guided him back to the sofa.
“Why are you here, by the way? Do you have a thing with Mee Yoon?”
“No,” Dong-sun and Mee Yoon said as she placed two cups of coffee on the table.
“Okay, chill. You shouldn’t sound defensive when you deny something true.”
“Oppa,” Mee Yoon said in a hushed tone and made a distorted face to threaten him.
“Do you know I am a prosecutor?”
“Of course. I’ve seen you on the television. You are quite popular too, especially with middle-aged women.”
“Mr. Yang, I am your fan but it doesn’t mean you can insult me like that.”
Dong-sun froze as if a thunderbolt hit him.
“I’m just kidding. You are really cute.” Youngsoo chuckled. Mee Yoon and Dong-sun faked a peal of laughter.
“Don’t talk to him like that, Oppa. He might not come back.”
“Stop convincing me that you are a thing, sis.”
Dong-sun cleared his throat.
“Anyway, do you know what prosecutors do?”
“Prosecutors must follow the law in criminal cases, defend the rights of everyone taking part in the procedures, respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and maintain public safety.”
Dong-sun wrapped his hands around the mug.
“Prosecutors in many nations also use their discretion to apply and define criminal policy, which includes adjusting to social and societal developments,” he added.
“That’s right. Also, prosecutors pay attention to detail.”
Mee Yoon gulped. “Oppa, why are you talking about your profession right now? Is it important?”
Youngsoo gazed at her. “Of course, to emphasize that I know when someone is lying to my face.”
A dark aura flowed around Youngsoo as he displayed a stern look.
“So tell me, Mr. Yang Hajoon,” he sipped the cup of coffee and stared straight into Dong-sun’s eyes, “why do you look exactly like Park Jin Ae?”