The lingering emotions from the movie didn't subside easily.
Everyone wore expressions as if recalling the events of the Big One. Although the movie didn't directly emphasize patriotism, as it was about Aricans overcoming a disaster that occurred in Arica, a certain amount of "national pride" was present.
In truth, patriotism and family love are indispensable elents in disaster movies. What's important is how naturally and appropriately those elents are woven into the story.
Fortunately, in that respect, this movie was a complete success.
Professor Mohan, who had served as a consultant, was relieved that the earthquake-related scenes were well-executed without errors. Director Farrow is also famous for his attention to detail.
As it was a premiere to which the press was not invited, there were no separate interviews. Interviews with the director and actors were scheduled for the official press screening a few days later.
Anyway, with this, the official schedule was over. I exchanged greetings with the actors who had appeared and got autographs from the actors Ellie liked. And they, in turn, got my autograph.
Before coming, I had asked Taekgyu if he needed any autographs, but as expected, he showed little interest. If he had been interested, he would have co along.
The actors also asked Professor Mohan for autographs and photos. Professor Mohan, though flustered, willingly obliged.
Jennifer Watson, famous as Hollywood's leading sexy actress, subtly asked , "Why didn't the Vice CEO co with you?"
"He's a bit busy these days."
He's currently swamped managing his "admirers."
She smiled with her eyes. "I love Lost Fantasy so much too, I'd really like to et him. Could you possibly give his contact information?"
"..."
So this is the extent of Oh Taekgyu's popularity.
But is she really saying this because she likes Lost Fantasy, or does she have another motive?
The premiere ended late at night.
The film studio had booked hotel rooms for the attending stars. It was ti to go in and sleep, but no one left their seats easily.
As if everyone was reluctant to part ways, they decided to rent a penthouse suite in the hotel for a party, and already, young male and female actors were exchanging glances.
Amber asked , "CEO Kang Jinhoo, why don't you co with us?"
I looked at Professor Mohan beside . "Would you like to go?"
Professor Mohan, startled, waved his hand. "I'm fine. Places like that are for young people to enjoy."
It seed like even the older actors were going just fine.
Honestly, I wanted to go at least once. If not for an opportunity like this, when else would I get to hang out with Hollywood stars?
However, photos of with actresses were already being uploaded. If I needlessly followed them to the party, there was no telling what might happen.
I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but a few won were sending rather sultry gazes my way. Angelina Tinter's stare, in particular, was almost uncomfortably intense.
Others invited a few more tis, but I shook my head. "I'll be leaving first. I have sothing to discuss with Professor Mohan privately."
***
If we went outside unnecessarily, paparazzi lurking everywhere would greet us. So we decided to have a drink at a quiet hotel bar.
Following Professor Mohan's suggestion, I ordered bourbon.
"I rember when you first ca to my lab. Back then, I never imagined that incident would even be made into a movie."
" neither."
Every ti we t, I felt a deep sense of closeness to Professor Mohan. It was probably because we had gone through that hellish ordeal together.
Professor Mohan, too, had a warm expression, as if eting an old friend.
We kept in touch occasionally, but seeing each other face-to-face, we had quite a lot to talk about: movies, earthquakes, business, school, TWR, and so on.
Professor Mohan was well aware of TWR's progress. He said that since he was the one who first introduced Professor Petrov, they still contacted each other frequently.
Once the alcohol had taken so effect, Professor Mohan asked casually, "I've been curious for a while, how does it feel to have that much money?"
"Well, for starters, it's good."
"Haha! Indeed, there's nothing bad about having a lot of money."
"But sotis, I have thoughts like this."
Just a few years ago, I was a penniless young man freshly discharged from the military. Yet, in that short ti, I had amassed a fortune that few could even dream of.
I thought of famous CEOs who had founded large corporations: Bill Gates of MS, Jake Byron of AMZ, and Masayoshi Son of SoftBox, among others. They had planned their businesses and lives from a young age and executed those plans step by step.
But I, with abilities I'd luckily obtained, had sohow ended up in this position.
"Do I truly deserve to possess such wealth?"
"Why do you think that?"
"It's just that I feel if soone else had it, they might have been able to do sothing better. I still don't quite know what I should do with all this money."
Professor Mohan looked at with an intrigued expression. "You once said sothing like this. That I, like my grandmother, might have so kind of foresight."
I nodded. "I did."
His grandmother was a descendant of a Native Arican shaman and had accurately predicted the Big One and its timing. She had passed away now, so there was no way to confirm.
Professor Mohan drained his glass. "Let's assu that's true, and I'll make a prophecy. You will do even greater things in the future. Things more wonderful and imnse than what you've done so far."
"Why do you think so?"
To my question, he smiled gently. "Just a gut feeling, shall we say?"
"For a Caltech professor, that's not very logical."
"Haha, you can think of it as the ramblings of a drunk old man. But if I'm right, you'll have to buy an expensive drink then."
"With pleasure."
I generally disliked science and had little interest in geology, but I felt I'd like to learn from a professor like him.
I recalled what I was like when I had just been discharged from the military.
How different was I now from back then? And what path would I walk in the future?
I was about to take a drink when I realized my glass was empty. "How about so brandy?"
***
Professor Mohan got drunk first, and the drinking session naturally ca to an end.
I first escorted him to his room and then went up to mine. The presidential suite, at 70 pyeong (approximately 2,500 sq ft), was excessively large for one person.
Without even changing, I lay on the bed and searched for articles related to the charity party and the premiere. As I was scanning through the articles, my phone rang.
I quickly answered. Ellie's voice ca through.
[What are you doing?]
"Lying on the bed alone. But aren't you working right now?"
[I just got off work and am on my way ho. Looks like you're having so much fun there you've lost track of ti.]
"Fun? I was so bored."
[What's it like eting Hollywood stars you've only seen in movies in person?]
"n and won alike, regardless of their looks, they had a charm that just captivated people."
[True. It's because they have that charm that they can command such huge appearance fees in that competitive market.]
"Ah! Everyone's pronunciation was so good, it made reflect on how bad my English is."
In fact, since I hadn't studied abroad or worked for a foreign company, my English pronunciation was just so-so. Aricans would probably find it a bit awkward-sounding.
It's hard to fix it ticulously now, so I'm just letting it be. As long as communication works, isn't that enough?
For reference, unlike , Ellie speaks with a sophisticated British accent.
[Be honest. Who was the prettiest?]
There were indeed several beauties who would make your eyes pop. But saying that directly would be foolish, right?
"There was no woman prettier than Ellie."
[Hmm, for soone saying that, you looked quite friendly in the photos.]
Many articles about the charity party had already been posted. There were many pictures of too. So were taken by reporters, and others were reposted from what actors had taken and uploaded to social dia.
But besides those, there were also photos secretly taken by paparazzi. Depending on the angle, my conversations with other actresses could look as if we were affectionate lovers.
As expected, tabloids and internet news sites reported this sensationally, like gossip.
"By the 'law of conservation of trash reporters', trash reporters exist in every country, you know."
[But did you drink alcohol?]
"Yes. I was drinking with Professor Mohan just now, just the two of us."
When I ntioned that others were partying in the penthouse, Ellie asked, [Jinhoo, why didn't you go?]
"With neither Taekgyu nor Ellie here, what would I do going alone? So I ca back to my hotel room quietly like this."
[Good boy.]
"Ah! I got autographs from the stars Ellie likes. I'll bring them back safely."
[More than that, I want to see Jinhoo soon.]
" too."
Hearing her voice made really want to see her. It would have been nice if we had co together.
Ellie said jokingly, [Then, shall I co see you now?]
I also joked back, "Good idea. When will you arrive?"
Ding-dong!
At that mont, the room's doorbell rang. Could it be that Ellie had secretly taken a vacation and co to Arica? To surprise ?
Ellie, sounding confused, asked , [Who is it at this hour?]
A smile spread across my face. "Well, who could it be?"
Saying that, I swung the door wide open. A tall, slender beauty stood in front of it.
As I stood there, flustered, she smiled and said, "Hey, Jinhoo! Good. You have not slept yet."
Her attire was a slip-like dress with such a deep plunge that her chest was almost entirely exposed. Was this the "cleavage-baring look" I'd only heard about?
I'd occasionally seen actresses wear such things at award ceremonies or events, but this was the first ti seeing it in person.
Moreover, the skirt was so short it was hard to tell if it was a dress or just a very long top. And where on earth had she ditched her shoes and co barefoot?
She held a champagne bottle in her hand and, seemingly very drunk, was having trouble even steadying herself.
I recalled an article I'd seen before. It was about how the Tinter Group heiress, Angelina Tinter, while very drunk, had barged into the hotel room of a man she fancied, but was humiliated because he didn't open the door.
Still, seeing her attire today, a thought crossed my mind. Hadn't she probably succeeded far more often than she failed?
Anyway, to think sothing like this would happen to . You really do see all sorts of things if you live long enough.
While I was frozen for a mont, Ellie's angry voice ca from over the phone. [Who is that in front of you right now?]
I told Ellie her na. "Um, it's Angelina Tinter."
[I knew it.]
"No, it's not like that..."
Ellie said, as if sighing, [I know. I've heard the rumors too.]
"..."
Just how famous is this woman?
[Put her on.]
"I'll send her away myself."
Ellie said in an angry voice, [Now.]
"Alright."
I had no choice but to hand her the phone. "You’ve got a call."
"Who is it?"
"You will see."
Angelina took the phone. "Hello. This is she."
She, who had greeted with a laugh in a drunken voice, soon turned deathly pale. Then, as if terrified, her whole body began to tremble.
"Are you okay?"
"Kyaaak!"
She dropped the phone and then fled as if escaping. In the process, she carefully took the champagne bottle she had brought with her.
Fortunately, the hotel corridor was carpeted, and the smartphone made by Seosung Electronics was quite sturdy.
I picked up the phone. The call was still connected.
"What did you say?"
Ellie said with a laugh, [It's better if Jinhoo doesn't know.]
"..."
[TL/n: Many might wonder this line is translated wrong "Hello. This is she." but no. This line was written in English in the raw files the sa way so I decided to keep it without changing anything]
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