Page 70 of Flip the Script


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“Well, you’re doing that no matter what, aren’t you?” I blurt out, unable to keep quiet any longer. “We read the final script. You killed both of our characters off.”

“Hana,” hisses Sophia. “Please.”

Mr. Kim raises his eyebrows and interlaces his fingers in front of him on his desk.

“Ah yes, Hana-ssi,” Mr. Kim says, his voice dangerously low. “Having you on the show was definitely a calculated risk on my part. I wasn’t sure about having an American on board, but Director Cha assured me you were the best fit for the role.”

I make a mental note to bring Director Cha a gift if weever resume shooting. He’s so tough-love with us on set that it’s hard to remember that underneath the grumbling and mean-mugging, he’s a nice guy.

Mr. Kim looks out at all of us. “In any case, I have a proposition. The show is almost over, after all, so it’s probably best we continue.”

Minjee and I share a look. Could he really be letting us go on with the show?

“But,” Mr. Kim says sharply, pointing at first Minjee and then me. “Thiscannot continue. End your relationship at once or I will permanently cease production of the show. I cannot have you two gallivanting around in an immoral fashion. Yes, halting the show without properly completing it would be a major inconvenience on the company, but it is a smaller price to pay compared to the drastic consequences of the public finding out about you two.”

I’m about to protest when Sophia steps in front of me again.

“Understood,” she says. “I will discuss things with my client and let you know of our decision. I’m assuming you will require Hana and Minjee to sign some sort of legal document agreeing to cease their relations?”

Mr. Kim harrumphs. “Of course. It’s not like you can trust kids these days.”

“My client and I will let you know as well,” Mr. Baek says after a pointed look from Sophia. “Have a good day, sir.”

Sophia practically steers the three of us out of Mr. Kim’s office and into a nearby conference room.

“Okay,” she says after shutting the door behind us. “So at least he’s giving us an ultimatum.”

“At least?” I hiss. “He’s a crusty old homophobe! How is anything he said a good thing?”

Mr. Baek scoffs. “Please control your client, Miss Sophia. She should recognize a generous proposition when she sees one.”

Sophia fixes Mr. Baek with a steely glare, making him shrink back like a turtle in its shell.

“Never tell me how to handle my clients,” she says. “And may I remind you that it’s the rash behavior ofyourclient that got us in this mess in the first place?”

They look like they’re about to bicker again, so I spread out my hands in a gesture of peace. “Look, guys. I know I’m American and whatever, but Mr. Kim really can’t do this to us, right? He can’t just stop a show when we’re so close to being finished?”

Mr. Baek scoffs. “You don’t get it, do you? He owns a huge chunk of the company, so he can do whatever he wants. And it’s not uncommon for entertainment company heads to shut down a relationship. You forget that in the music industry, companies ban their talent from dating, period.”

I look down at my feet, remembering what Bryan said about his K-pop contract forbidding him from actually dating anyone.

“So that’s it, then?” I ask. “We can’t do anything?”

Minjee speaks up then, after remaining quiet this entire time. “Hana, I appreciate how much you care about us. And believe me, I care too. But I can’t help but think of the cast and crew members who will be affected if the show randomly gets canceled like this. So maybe it’s best if we break up.”

Pain shoots through my chest. I understand what Minjee is saying, but I still can’t stop the hurt.

This can’t be how our relationship ends, I think.We just started dating!

I slowly shake my head.

“No,” I say. “I mean, okay, I agree. We shouldn’t let the show get canceled, especially when so many people depend on it. But I’m not letting him win so easily. There’s got to be some way!”

No one says anything for a few beats, and Sophia’s phone chirps.

“It’s Mr. Kim,” she says. “He said he’s giving us forty-eight hours. If, at the end of forty-eight hours, you and Minjee don’t sign the legal document agreeing to break up, he’s going to officially cease the production ofFated Destiny.”

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