Thank you all for the ideas and contributions. All the prompts from the three previous chapters are still open. I'm collecting, reviewing them and if they will work, I will be including them.
Choi Young woke and turned to kiss Eun Soo, only to find the space next to him empty. His eyes searched for her and he cringed, as he found her humming while putting up a huge poster of Lee Min Ho on the wall above the desk. She lovingly straightened the corners and even winked at the image and waved, "Anyo", smiling and giggling like a three year-old. Choi Young almost puked and growled, turning away to stare at a pleasantly naked wall by the bed.
He felt her cold hands sneaking under his t-shirt and shivered as her nimble fingers rubbed his stomach to get warm. He quieted her hand by pressing his palm on top of it.
"Are you awake, sweetie?" Eun Soo whispered in his ear. "Good morning." And snuggled up to him for their usual morning hug. They had a bit of time today and she was glad they could enjoy leisurely cuddling.
"I saw you did not waste any time," he mentioned sarcastically and when she tried to turn him toward her, simply flexed the muscles, becoming like unmovable rock.
"Stranger, what's up?" She was not easily deterred and climbed over him flush against the wall to face the man who was not in a good mood.
"The poster. I don't need to stare at his face at home, I get enough of him at work." He practically pouted, so unfitting for a Woodalchi General.
Eun Soo laughed, "Next thing I know you will have me choose between his poster or you, right?"
"How did you guess?" he was genuinely surprised and lifted up on the elbow, starting at her.
"Because despite your mighty warrior background, you are as stupid as any other jealous man."
"Are you insulting me now?" he did not sound as angry as playful and she caught the moment to kiss him wrapping tightly around his lips and tasting the plump skin.
"Imja," he tried to protest. "I am serious. Why can't you respect my feelings?"
"Because the only way you can get over it, if you trust me and see that my innocent crush on the boy is nothing else, but that. Have you ever seen a beautiful painting?"
"Yes."
"It is like that for me. There is something universally beautiful about his face and it makes me happy, especially after meeting him and learning that he is such a nice guy. And don't forget. He is the one who wants to be like you. I told you – you are the only man for me!"
That was settled (for now) and after some sweetness in bed, they got up to get ready for work.
Eun Soo found a studio pass left on the table and put it into her purse before leaving, anticipating Choi Young's annoyance and surprise when she would drop by for an unexpected visit.
Choi Young was looking forward to today. They were filming horse riding and chase, and he missed the feeling of the animal's heat beneath him and flight above the ground as the horse would carry him. He had a natural affinity for horses and children. Since he did not have much opportunity to be around kids, his love for horses allowed him to show the softer and more affectionate side of him, which otherwise had no other outlet. Only now he thought with sadness about his faithful stallion whom he abandoned by the Hwata's gate. He was sure, the guys would take care of his horse, but still…
So today should be fun. He wondered how good the boy was and whether they could go riding together. It would be great to have a companion, since he has not been on the horse it seemed like for ages…
However, with this jealously that was silly, but persistent, he now harbored mixed feelings toward the young actor. The General liked him and he even started to respect him for his hardworking attitude, sensitivity and thoughtfulness.
However, the poster was bugging Choi Young. He felt the eyes follow him about the room wherever he moved, and the gaze mocking him from the back. He came up to the desk and picked up a marker Eun Soo had in a bucket with pens and pencils.
The urge was too strong and Choi Young uncapped the pen revealing a thick black tip.
"That will do."
And not very talented in arts, Choi Young added a crooked mustache to the smugly smiling handsome Lee Min Ho's face.
"That's better."
It indeed made him feel better and he laughed out loud, now satisfied with this needed addition.
"Will see whether this 'beauty' will make you happy, Imja," he smirked.
He stepped away from the poster, admiring his handy work, as the door opened, and Hee Jun's head stuck inside, "Dude, are you ready? They sent the car for us."
"Yes, yes, in a minute," waved him off Choi Young unusually lax toward Hee Jun who did not knock.
"Do you like?" he nodded toward the poster. "Come on in, don't just stay there."
"Dude!" Hee Jun had no words. "That is too sick, man! I had no idea, you can loose it like the rest of us. So you are human after all." The guy was excited and beaming.
"Whatever do you mean?" asked Choi Young clueless to how childish he looked now in front of the man who idolized him.
"I think it is missing something," he squinted at the poster. "Oh, I know" and added and scruffy goatee. "Tell me your honest opinion."
"Eun Soo - Noona will give you the third degree. Man, I love you, dude, but she will not let it go, I promise. Remember, how I could guarantee you when you get some?"
"Yes," Hee Jun was never wrong about those things in Choi Young's experience. "So what?"
"Well, I know about the other side of the coin. The opposite – things chicks hate and will make you pay for by not letting you near them. They have ways to torture you… I can't begin to tell."
"What? Refuse my affection?" Choi Young stared indignantly at his friend, frowning at such impossibility. "Neh, Eun Soo and I we …" he caught himself talking about something personal inappropriately. That is what this boy had done to him! He was losing all propriety! But Hee Jun was always right about women, so he had to listen whether he liked it or not. "Your advice?" he asked, sounding more like himself.
"Take it down and get a new one for her, so that she never finds out."
"Ask him for a third one?" It was too much. He already had to humiliate himself yesterday.
"How about I will do that for you. I will find a way, don't worry."
"Thanks, man. I owe you one," and to his own surprise, Choi Young heartily hugged Hee Jun, rendering him speechless to even savor the brief moment of affection till the General quickly pushed him off and knitted his brows, coughing to get a sterner voice.
"Well, I'll get ready, wait outside. Did not I tell you to knock?" he grumbled.
He took last glance at the picture and sighed. He did like it so! He tore the poster off the wall and with great pleasure sliced it in pieces with the end of the sword, making quick slashing movements, chuckling that his skills was not lost yet. He put the pieces into the waste basket, tied the top of the plastic bag and took it with him to eliminate all the evidence of his momentary lapse of judgment to throw outside.
The van arrived at the gates and the general noticed a long line of men, winding all the way around the corner with the guards boarding them out from the road by temporary fencing. "Hee Jun-ah, what is going on?"
"It is the extras. When they need a lot of people, they make crowd out of the extras. Anybody can apply, they get paid very little, but get a chance to have their name be shown in credits. A lot of young actors start that way."
"Ahh.. So anybody can just apply."
"Yes. They will pick you by the body type and age, give you a costume, simple instructions and you are set."
"Amusing," he murmured. As usual strange and meaningless ways of the movie business were entertaining.
As the van drove past the gates, he thought he saw something, that put him on high alert.
"Driver, can you turn around please, I need to check something," he called.
"I can't, sorry."
Choi Young strained his neck looking to the back, as he thought he saw the black hat of the assassin he would recognize anywhere. With so many strange people allowed on the set, he could easily sneak in unnoticed. His body tensed and the fingers curled around the scabbard of his sword.
"Dude, what's wrong?" The manager was observant and saw how quickly his mood has changed.
"My presence here may put everybody in grave danger. I'm thinking of cancelling for today." Choi Young was dead serious. His eyes darkened with worry and paranoia, which has not resurfaced for days, turned on his hyper vigilant mode.
"We can't man. There is no way. I'm surprised, you are the responsible type usually."
"Hee Jun-ah, tell me exactly the schedule for today, minute by minute. Also I require a detailed map of the studio and all the shoot locations immediately." If he could not leave, than he had to get ready for anything. There was not much time to prepare, and it was up to him whether others might be harmed or not.
Hee Jun had learned to listen and follow when Choi Young was like that. In fact, like Lee Min Ho observed, nobody could refuse the General's orders when he was in his commanding role. The manager did not question and pulled out the schedule, while making phone calls and stopping by the office to grab the detailed map Choi Young requested.
Choi Young attentively scanned the map of the studio grounds, muttering to himself, "This could be a good defensive point. We need to reduce crowding… I think if I can arrange to be separate from the crew, I can always send the boy away, so that he is not in the way…"
"Hee Jun, I need to speak with the stunt coordinator and the director now." The low soft directive freaked Hee Jun out, and used his own skills to cajole anybody to do anything in order to please his Hyung.
Thank you all for reading. Please review, love to read your comments. They truly brighten up my days and make all the time spent writing worth while.