EXTRA(S)
EXTRA I
Three o'clock in the afternoon, a tea shop.
Director Kim favored old-fashioned, historical-style buildings, so every time she invited Irene out to drink tea, she always chose old tea shops built next to rivers, where just stepping on the wooden stairs would make them creak and groan.
"But as I count with my fingers, when would the season arrive?" Jun Cotton was sitting in the corner next to the window, admiring the scenic views outside, "It's a pity you didn't get that award in the end."
"Isn't it because you suddenly had something come up and couldn't attend, Director Kim? It's rare to come across such a good opportunity. If you had been at the venue, then maybe I could've gotten it."
Jun Cotton raised his lips in a smile that was not quite a smile before turning his head to look at the left hand that Irene was using to hold the teacup.
"Anyway, it seems like you had other gains, so it's not as if you suffered."
Irene picked up the clay teapot and poured them both tea, not the least bit shy about showing off the silver-white ring on her finger.
"It's just a key ring, that's all."
That ring's design was extremely plain and simple, with no engravings or jewels, looking quite ordinary, but because it was placed on Irene's left ring finger, if the gossip magazine reporters caught wind of it, it'd definitely cause a huge commotion.
"No matter what kind of ring it is, it's still enough to ensnare you."
"Why aren't you saying that it was me who ensnared a certain someone?" Irene laughed as she raised a brow.
Jun Cotton was able to hear the unspoken implications in that and made an understanding sound in affirmation. From his bag, he then pulled out a pink envelope and threw it carelessly at Irene.
"That's right, I invited you out today mostly because of this."
"A wedding invitation? Who's getting married?"
"...Me."
Irene startled and, for a time, couldn't suppress her astonishment. She quickly ripped open that envelope and hurriedly skimmed through the details of the invitation. The groom's name truly was Jun Cotton's, and the bride was actually—
"Jisoo Kim? Why is it her?"
"She's been acting in my new film recently." Director Kim's attitude was pleased and unhurried, "'Familiarity breeds fondness,' this reasoning should be enough."
"But she..."
Irene wasn't unfamiliar with Jisoo Kim. In the past, she had filmed with her and seen how Kang Seulgi pursued her. She had also heard about how she seemed to have an ambiguous relationship with certain popular celebrities...
"Congratulations. The two of you are very suited to one another." Irene quickly realized her own position and swallowed back the words she had half-spoken. These words were said without much belief behind it.
"In this world, when people get married, some do it because of love, while others for benefits. As for me and Miss Kim... we're each getting what we want." Naturally, Jun Cotton was also able to hear that, but he actually let out a rare laugh.
Irene couldn't guess the reason why Jun Cotton was marrying Jisoo Kim, and the other clearly also didn't want to explain further, even lifting a hand to glance at a wristwatch.
"I still have an appointment with someone else for dinner tonight, so I'll leave first."
"Yes, let's talk again next time."
After the two people waved their hands and said their goodbyes, Jun Cotton grabbed his bag and walked out the door. His natural babyface combined with his careless T-shirt and sneakers made him look like a college student who had just reached the age of majority.
But his eyes looked like they had experienced all the vicissitudes of life.
As Irene thought, she spun the ring on her left hand. She then grabbed her cellphone and sent Lisa a message, saying that she'd return home to eat dinner.
Last week, she had moved out from her old apartment in order to live together with Lisa. The location of the new house was chosen very well, right between Irene's restaurant and Lisa's office, so it was quite convenient for the both of them.
This consolation prize was within Irene's calculations.
The only thing that surprised her was the "key ring" that came along with the house keys.
Once Lisa had trapped her with that silver-white ring, she even revealed a smug expression, as if really satisfied about the speed of her own actions, not having allowed Irene to steal the march on her.
"How is it? Have I improved?"
"Yes, after a few more months of practice, you can become a chef at my restaurant."
"So you met with Director Kim today?"
"That's right. He's been quite busy recently, so it took him a lot just to find the time."
As Lisa chatted idly with Irene, her gaze kept continuously falling to Irene's finger.
Irene naturally knew what she was looking at and laughingly held up that left hand.
"You've already looked at this for more than half a month, and it's still not enough?"
"Who let you refuse to wear it every day?"
"I've had work these last few days, and so I'm constantly running into reporters everywhere. Miss Manoban, do you want to make headlines in the entertainment section?"
"That's also fine." Lisa pulled over Irene's left hand and started kissing from the other's fingertips before finally touching that silver-white ring. "It'll let everyone know that you're mine."
Upon hearing that, Irene laughed out loud.
Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω
EXTRA II
"Chal-kak!"
"Chal-kak!"
The light from the camera flash was piercing to the eyes.
Irene gasped, using all her strength just to narrow her eyes. She couldn't even muster up the strength to move her fingers. The blurry figures before her eyes swayed to and fro. Was it three people or four people? Her mind was a complete mess, and she couldn't get a clear count even after trying several times.
She knew this was an effect of the drugs.
She had been too arrogant. She had clearly known that these people didn't have good intentions, yet she had still carelessly drunk the water that the other party handed to her.
Actually, hadn't she been a fool more than this once? Because she had been in a hurry to earn money to pay back her debt, she had believed another person's deceitful, flowery words and jumped headfirst without thought into the entertainment circle. Ever since then, it was already predetermined that she wouldn't be able to escape.
Who could she blame?
The only one she could blame was herself. It was her who was too stupid and foolish, who wasn't strong enough, so much so that she had fallen into someone else's hands.
Thinking up to this point, Irene couldn't help but close her eyes, her lips lifting up into a soft smile.
"What? Suddenly not struggling anymore?"
"Have the drugs started taking effect?"
"Hold down her arms and legs!"
Rough palms explored her chest, and those urgent breaths slowly approached.
Irene didn't move, keeping her eyes closed as she calmly waited. When those hot breaths hit her cheeks, she suddenly snapped open her eyes and took the initiative to present her lips. A haze obscured her gaze, she threw herself into the kiss, her tongue entangling to lick and suck. Once the other party was fully immersed in it, she suddenly and ferociously bit down—
"Ah!"
The moment that scream sounded, Irene flipped around and took the chance to roll off the sofa. The last of her strength had already been long used up, and at this time, she couldn't even stand steadily, so she could only roll and crawl towards the door.
"Shit, hurry and stop her!"
"Don't let her run!"
Buzzing filled Irene's ears, and she persistently crashed and slammed into things in her rush forward. Some caught up and grabbed her limbs, so she heedlessly swung around her fists, punching this way and that. She didn't know if her ferocious appearance had scared them or what, but in the end, she really did manage to escape out of the room.
Outside the door was the dazzling and luxurious hallway of a hotel.
At this time, the drugs had fully taken effect, and Irene had to use the walls as support as she walked forward, step by step.
One step, two steps, three steps...
Just a bit more and she'd reach the elevator at the end of the hallway. But the light from the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling were far too dazzling, and those brilliant rays made Irene's head spin. Her steps faltered, and she fell heavily onto the ground.
She stared blankly as the elevator doors closed.
Her body seemed to have been submerged deeply in a muddy swamp, and she no longer had the energy to get back up again.
She...
"Are you all right? Are you hurt?"
A gentle voice sounded next to her ear, making Irene think that she was hallucinating.
The first thing that appeared before her eyes were a pair of shoes, then some expensive business suit and coat, and finally an elegant and beautiful hand—a hand that was being held out towards her.
Irene had always been as stubborn as could be. If ever she had a moment of weakness, then it was probably right at this very moment.
No matter whether it was real or fake, she still firmly grabbed ahold of that hand.
"Can you stand?" That low voice sounded especially pleasant.
Irene nodded, using the other's help to support herself, struggling to stand up. It was only that her footing was still unsteady, so she ended up stumbling and pitching forward. Fortunately, she fell into that person's arms.
That person then let out a low laugh. That laugh was gentle and pleasing, without an ounce of scorn.
"Do you need to use the elevator? Which floor?"
"Ah." Only then did Irene sober up, and she hurried to say, "First floor! I need to escape quickly... from this place."
"Mn, I also happen to be going the same way."
That person supported her into the elevator. After pressing the correct floor, the other carelessly swept her gaze over.
Irene had escaped in a hurry just now and was wearing only a tattered shirt, the ruined state of it making her look quite forlorn, with ambiguous red marks visible all over her neck.
That person had clearly seen all of this but didn't say a word about it. She simply, as natural as could be, took off her coat and softly draped it over Irene's body.
A slight, lingering warmth permeated the coat.
Irene's heart trembled, and she rigidly held onto the hem of her clothes, biting her lips.
"Thank you..."
That person smiled even more cheerfully and reached out a hand to pinch Irene's chin, her fingers slowly stroking the new injuries on her face. The person's tone was as gentle as the spring wind.
"If you want to protect yourself, then the first thing you should learn is how to smile."
***
November 4 years ago, I joined this platform, as I decided to write about Lisa - Irene, which I know very well--this is unpopular ship--, I found Irene as my imaginary friend, I often "talk" to her on what should I write, what scenes should I make? and this small ship brings me peace with slow growth. However, at some point, I thought maybe most of you not interested in this ship anymore and so yeah, I don't know what to do. Thank you for all of you who sticks on this thing.
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