Black Label [EN]: Chapter 280

Black Label Extra Story 31

Power Film, the production company, was buzzing with activity.

“There isn’t anyone dumb enough not to know how big ‘this project’ is, right?”

At Tommy’s shout, the employees moved busily, packing filming equipment and preparing for the business trip.

“If we finish this project well, we’ll never have to suffer from financial difficulties again!”

At his cry, one of the employees zipped up a bag full of various filming equipment and asked in a low voice.

“What kind of project is it?”

Another employee cautiously answered.

“You know Lee, right?”

The employee who had asked the question nodded vigorously.

“If you’re talking about the fashion designer Lee, how could I not know? Your hit piece was a documentary about Lee, wasn’t it, sir?”

He tentatively asked, then paused, repeating, “Huh?”

“Could it be that Lee is….”

Silence fell between them….

“Lee is preparing to launch a new brand, and it seems they’ve asked us to produce a documentary about the process.”

“Good heavens….”

“Isn’t this a project big enough to make a fuss about? It will definitely solve the company’s financial problems in one go.”

The employee nodded several times in a row, staring intently at Tommy, the excited CEO of Power Film.

“No offense, but you look like an incredibly amazing person. I thought you were just a chain smoker who smoked all day….”

The employee who explained the project looked at Tommy with a gaze mixed with a hint of sadness.

“Did you know?”

“What?”

“About the CEO.”

He shrugged and added.

“He didn’t used to smoke.”

“What?”

“When he was at the broadcasting station.”

“Good heavens….”

“Reality made him smoke.”

Anyway….

“Pack your bags! Quickly! Pack your bags quickly!”

Tommy was very excited.

* * *

The next day, evening.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked softly on Jaesung’s office door.

Jaesung’s hand, which had been turning over documents, stopped momentarily.

Could it be the documentary team?

Jaesung shook his head.

He had sent the email just a day ago.

‘They said they haven’t even replied yet.’

It wasn’t just an email asking for a ‘request,’ so they must be putting a lot of effort into writing a reply by now.

He had requested everything from the expected running time to a brief concept and composition, as well as materials similar to the treatment of the video to be produced.

‘There’s no way they’ve arrived already.’

Then, could it be the secretary?

“Come in.”

Jaesung said, keeping his eyes fixed on the documents he had spread out. As soon as he finished speaking, the door began to open, and a familiar voice was heard.

“Daddy!”

It was Jaesung’s daughter, Yul.

“What’s wrong?”

Yul handed him a sandwich she was holding….

“Daddy, were you hungry?”

“I was just getting hungry….”

“Yeah, Yul brought it.”

Ashlynn followed right behind.

“I came by because I thought you might be working without eating, after just going out for a walk.”

“You shouldn’t have bothered….”

“No matter how busy you are, you should eat.”

After speaking, she glanced around the office and said casually.

“I thought it would be a mess, but the office is quite clean?”

“Well, the staff who manage it clean it every day….”

“Okay, we’ll head back now, so you can get back to work.”

Yul hugged Jaesung’s leg tightly, as if she didn’t want to leave….

“Why don’t you sit down for a bit since you’re here?”

“Aren’t you busy?”

“Time is something you can make if you need it.”

So, the three family members sat huddled together on the sofa in the center of the office.

“Yul, I’ll enjoy the food.”

It was the moment Jaesung took a bite of the sandwich.

“Daddy, Yul heard that a zoo will be built at the daycare soon.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, they said pandas, tigers, and even crocodiles will come.”

The zoo construction, which he had requested by promising a donation to the principal of *Mom School* (*daycare*) with his dedicated tax accountant, seemed to be progressing smoothly.

“Wow, Yul must be excited….”

Jaesung pretended not to know, and Ashlynn gave him a look.

She had scolded him for making such a fuss that day.

“And they said we’ll be doing a lot of fun studies soon. Like learning foreign languages, ballet, swimming, and even how to ride horses.”

On the other hand, Jaesung felt rewarded seeing Yul, who would be able to receive various types of education thanks to the donation.

‘Yeah, money is meant to be spent….’

Since he himself was so busy that he had no time to spend it, he usually felt vicarious satisfaction by spending money on things directly related to improving his family’s quality of life.

“Daddy, what should I do?”

“Huh?”

“Yul will do it for you.”

After speaking, Yul jumped off the sofa and toddled towards Jaesung’s office side table to look around….

“Yul, I thought you promised to be quiet since this is Daddy’s workplace?”

Ashlynn warned in a stern tone, but Yul ignored her and examined the documents.

“Daddy, should I do this?”

“Huh?”

“Yul will do it for you.”

Jaesung, who was chewing on a mouthful of sandwich, mumbled, “Huh?”

“Daddy, Yul will do everything today.”

“Can Yul do it?”

“But you have to play with Yul tomorrow.”

Then she asked back with a look full of anticipation.

“Okay?”

Jaesung’s eyes wavered.

“Uh, well….”

He couldn’t help but feel dazed, as if he had been hit hard on the back of the head with a hammer.

He had been trying to be mindful….

How much must she have felt his absence as a father to offer to do his work for him, asking to spend tomorrow together?

Jaesung carefully put the sandwich down on the side table and immediately approached Yul, who was sitting on the office chair, kicking her legs….

“Yul.”

He immediately held Yul in his arms.

“Yes?”

He looked into his daughter’s eyes for a moment.

“Once Daddy finishes all the work he’s doing now, I’ll play with Yul a lot.”

“Really?”

“Of course, we’ll go to the amusement park, go to the swimming pool together, and do whatever you want to do together.”

“Wow….”

Jaesung added again.

“Can you wait until then?”

“I can wait.”

“Okay, just wait until then.”

At those words, Ashlynn spoke softly, looking worried.

“Are you really going to be okay?”

Knowing Jaesung’s murderous schedule well, she thought it was highly unlikely that this promise would be kept.

“If this project goes well, I should be able to rest for at least a month, right?”

“A month?”

“Since the new brand launch is next season anyway, I can do it in conjunction with the Wallflower new season.”

Ashlynn replied again.

“Don’t worry too much or feel pressured.”

“Huh?”

“Kids Yul’s age just naturally like their dads….”

She trailed off, then added after a moment.

“Even if you played with her every day, she’d probably still whine that she wants to play more, right?”

“Still, I….”

“And we’ve really been together every day for the past few years, right?”

That was actually more of a problem.

“Since the living conditions have suddenly changed, it seems like it could be quite confusing for her.”

Ashlynn whispered softly.

“She’s just being clingy.”

“Huh?”

“She’s probably happy these days, you know?”

She smiled.

“Ever since she started going to Mom School [a type of daycare], she’s been busy reviewing what she learned all day and talking about what she did.”

“Really?”

“She’s so busy even when she comes home, you know? Drawing, watching TV animations, combing her dolls’ hair….”

She continued.

“She’ll be happy to be your daughter.”

“I hope so….”

“Of course, she’ll definitely be proud.”

Then, she took Yul, who was hugging Jaesung tightly and rubbing her face against his chest….

“Yul, let’s go home now.”

“No! I want to stay more!”

“No, we have to go home now.”

“Yul wants to stay more.”

“You want to play with Daddy, right?”

“Yeah, Yul wants to play with Daddy.”

“You can only play together after he finishes work.”

Ashlynn looked Yul in the eyes and asked again.

“If we want him to finish work quickly, we should leave so he can concentrate, right?”

“Yeah….”

“So, let’s go home and play with Mommy. I’ll give you snacks and read you a fairy tale ten times.”

Only then did Yul’s expression brighten.

“Yay-!”

Jaesung, who had exchanged hugs with the two women, personally opened the office door for them.

“Lee, see you later.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

After the two of them left Jaesung’s office.

“Hoo-.”

Because the sudden silence felt so unfamiliar, Jaesung sighed deeply for a moment.

Just as he was about to sit back at his desk and start looking through the mountain of documents piled up like a mountain.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door again.

“Ashlynn?”

Could it be that she had left something behind?

Jaesung mumbled, looking around.

“Did you leave something behind?”

Then, a deep voice was heard from beyond the door.

“May I come in?”

Jaesung frowned slightly and asked back.

“Who is it?”

The next moment.

“It’s Tommy.”

Jaesung paused for a moment, repeating “Tommy?” Then he immediately continued.

“You may come in.”

It was the name of the CEO of Power Film, the production company that had requested the documentary, and a reporter who had once collaborated with him a long time ago.

“Lee!”

He, who had gained weight and grown a thick beard unlike how he looked years ago, hugged Jaesung as soon as he entered the office….

“Tommy, you’ve changed a lot?”

At those words, Tommy didn’t let go of Jaesung and replied in a trembling voice.

“Yes, the harsh world has made me change….”

“Pardon?”

“If it’s not too much to ask, can I just stay like this for a moment?”

Jaesung was taken aback.

“No, could you please let go?”

Tommy immediately replied in a subdued voice, “Ah, yes….” and stepped back.

“How did you get here so quickly?”

“I left as soon as I received the email.”

Jaesung asked back.

“I haven’t made a decision to commission the production yet….”

At those words, Tommy immediately replied.

“I know. I checked the email from Wallflower [Lee’s company] and saw that you asked about the approximate running time, concept, and composition.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I thought it would be better to explain it in person with the PPT [PowerPoint] materials I prepared, rather than writing it in an email.”

Jaesung asked again.

“So, you flew all the way to France for a commission that hasn’t even been confirmed yet?”

It seemed as if he had brought not only himself but all the staff who would be involved in the filming.

‘Why already….’

At those words, Tommy nodded and continued.

“Because….”

Silence flowed for a moment.

“I’m desperate.”

Jaesung, who had guessed his situation with just one word, muttered briefly, “Oh dear,” and immediately sat down in the best seat on the sofa.

“Let’s check the materials first.”

At those words, Tommy looked at his staff and urged.

“Quickly connect the beam projector!”

A sudden PPT presentation began.