Minjae took a seat across from Donghyun. He didn’t bother to answer his question. He just stayed silent as he watched the man blink in confusion. The unreadable expression on Donghyun’s face made Minjae uneasy, but he forced himself to smile.
"I’ve been looking for you, hyung." Minjae admitted honestly, his tone was light but firm. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the table.
"Why do you want to et ?" Donghyun’s brows furrowed, his gaze turned wary. He has never t soone as eager as this, and it was odd in so way.
"It’s because you didn’t answer my question, hyung," Minjae uttered. He knew he was being shaless right now, but he had no choice.
It was now or never.
"You really…" Donghyun loudly sighed as he rubbed the corner of his temples. "I thought I already made it clear to you two days ago. I don’t even know you so why would I bother accepting your offer?"
"I don’t accept no as an answer." Minjae determinedly uttered, shaking his head. "I really want you to be my manager, Hyung. You’re the only one I could think of, who will be perfect for the job."
"Then I think you have the wrong person. I run a restaurant. I don’t work in entertainnt." Donghyun scoffed, crossing his arms.
If this man didn’t want to back down, then so did he.
When Juwon died, Donghyun had already made a decision to quit the industry. He had no plans to get back, not this sooner. He didn’t have the confidence, and most importantly, he didn’t want to return.
Deep inside, he knew that he still felt guilty about what happened. He was still blaming himself, and the only thing he could do now was to move away from the industry that had beco his lifeline, together with Juwon.
This way, he won’t feel as guilty as he had once felt.
"I know you do, hyung…" Minjae’s voice trailed off. He leaned forward slightly and with a creased forehead, "You’ve taken care of one of the biggest stars in our country."
"Not anymore. Things have changed, and so have I." Donghyun shook his head.
Minjae let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head.
"Donghyun hyung, I wouldn’t be here if I thought you weren’t capable. You were one of the best managers back then. You understand this industry better than anyone."
"That was a long ti ago…" Donghyun exhaled slowly and looked away. An unknown feeling surfaced in his heart when he suddenly thought of Juwon.
"Really, hyung?" Minjae questioned, eyeing him suspiciously.
He knew that Donghyun liked his job. When he asked for his advice regarding his plan to retire, he saw how visibly sad he was.
Donghyun’s lips pressed into a thin line. He couldn’t bring himself to answer the question. He just stayed silent as his eyes watched Minjae carefully, wanting to know what he would say next.
"I know you, hyung," Minjae continued. "You don’t just walk away from sothing you’re passionate about. I get that you have your reasons, but I also know that if you really wanted nothing to do with this world, you wouldn’t even entertain my offer."
Donghyun remained silent and Minjae took that as a sign to push further.
"I need soone I can trust," Minjae admitted honestly. He heavily sighed as his shoulders drooped down.
"I’m still new in this industry that I can’t bring myself to trust anyone yet. But you? You’re different. You have been in this industry for so long. You know the ins and outs. I need soone like you to have my back."
"Why ?" Donghyun frustratedly muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. "You could find any manager, soone younger and more in tune with the industry today."
"Because I believe in you. Because I know you’ll always be honest with , and you won’t just tell what I want to hear..." Minjae’s expression softened. "More importantly, you’re the best damn manager I’ve ever known."
Minjae spoke as if he had known Donghyun for so long. It made Donghyun wonder. How could this man just speak easily like that?
Donghyun looked at Minjae with a piercing gaze. He hesitated, clearly torn between what happened a month ago and what he thought of himself.
"Do you think Juwon hyung will be happy to see you like that?" As if Minjae dropped a bomb. Donghyun’s body froze after hearing the na he had never wanted to hear again.
Donghyun’s fingers curled slightly. He hesitated as a mory surfaced.
It was Juwon, smiling at him after they discussed for so long his plans to retire.
"No matter what happens, hyung, promise you’ll keep doing what you love."
"Didn’t you promise him you’d live your life and continue in the industry even if he would retire?"
"H-How did you—" Donghyun’s eyes widened. His fingers trembled slightly as his heart raced a beat.
"He must be so disappointed, hyung," Minjae uttered as he disappointingly shook his head.
"You don’t have the right to say that to ." Donghyun’s eyes beca sharp as he glared at Minjae. He didn’t like the tone of his voice at all.
He thought that the young man was just determined. He didn’t know that he was actually desperate that hat he had to ntion the na of Juwon, whom he had worked for years.
Despite the change in Donghyun’s voice, Minjae just smiled. He had to put senses in Donghyun’s mind. It was the only way.
"Well then, hyung. I’ll give you ti to think about it," Minjae said, standing up. However, before he left, he eyed Doghyun, and with seriousness, "Don’t you want to get back to those people who badmouthed Juwon in his wake? All of those people who took Juwon’s death as an opportunity?"
"..."
Donghyun beca silent.
"Don’t take too long, hyung," Minjae uttered. "Please think of it carefully."
With that, Minjae gave Donghyun a small bow of respect before turning to leave, hoping that this ti, the man would give him an answer.
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A/N: 2 chapters per day update will start in March.
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