- Holy, all those nominations from one show?
- This has never happened before, right?
- How did In-Su Kim and Su-Jin James not get nominated?
- Lol, those two were the main attraction of the show before it aired, and now they don’t even get a nomination.
- Fatty McFatty Beelzebub got a nomination, but not the other two?
- Does it make sense that this idiot won the Best Actor award?
- How did my dear Ha-Joon not win?
- The bribe payment didn’t go through, I think.
- I think these were the right winners.
- I knew it! Knew BSPH would win!
- Everyone knew that.
- I wanted to see Ellie Arnold and Quinn together.
- Why was Averie Auclair not there? Does he think he is too good for this?
- I bet he paid his way into getting the award!
- Are you stupid? Why would he not show up after doing that?
- I don’t know, ask his manager!
As soon as Averie won, he received messages from acquaintances, new and old. Among them, NeRen was the most enthusiastic.
They were at the ceremony and pestered him about why he wasn’t there.
Feeling daring, Peter sent a photo of himself kissing Averie’s award.
’I will melt that thing.’
"Look at this," Min-Ha said.
The female lead from An Everlasting Romance posted an apology on her social media account for her absence at the award ceremony.
Another actor from a different drama had done the same. His apology was especially long.
"Are they afraid of how they are seen?"
"Good thing your fans aren’t like that." Hyerin slapped him on the shoulder. "They don’t require this kind of attention, even though they go ballistic while defending you."
She said that last part quietly. Even in her own apartment, she was afraid of being heard by them.
"Well," Averie scoffed, his nose mighty high in the air. "They know I wouldn’t give two shits if they threw a tantrum."
"You know, you have been using coarse language too much these days."
"You have been using bad words often. Don’t deny it."
"Really, now?" He frowned. "I wasn’t before. Your company has ruined me, Rin."
"Of course, it’s my fault."
Suddenly, Hyerin’s phone rang.
There was too much noise in the room, so she went out for a bit.
"A boyfriend, right?" Min-Ha asked.
"There’s no way she is capable of finding one," Averie scoffed. "Hell, I could get a boyfriend before either of you. And if she does have one, he isn’t doing a good job. She never looks one bit relaxed."
Averie grinned. "You know very well what I mean."
Once the call was over, Hyerin returned. She looked solemn but was greeted with impish expressions.
"So, what did he say?" Min-Ha asked.
"How did you know it was a man?"
"Wait, really?" Averie was stunned. "Do you like him?"
"I don’t know. That’s a weird question."
"You don’t know?" Averie looked almost amused. "So, you are just stringing him along? What a harpy you are. I am proud of you."
Hyerin could sense a misunderstanding.
"The call was from CBC."
"They were inquiring about you."
Averie sat her down and asked, "Tell me in detail."
The call was from a manager at CBC headquarters.
"For a mockumentary? Do they make those still?"
"Yes, they said they needed someone to host the show."
Averie played with his hair. "Why me?"
"I don’t know." She avoided eye contact. "They mentioned that the board of executives has approved it. I got the impression that they liked your interview at the BSPH press conference."
"When I insulted An Everlasting Romance?"
"Yes, I think they want to see more of that."
The good actor rubbed his chin. "Oh ho, they have good taste."
Hyerin’s phone rang again.
"Here’s the proposal."
She opened a document attached to the latest email she received and read out the most important parts.
"...and it will involve visiting various sites, interviewing experts or random people, and delivering dry humor."
She cleared her throat and looked up.
"They are in a hurry. They need an urgent decision."
"What?" Hyerin stood up. "Don’t make such a rash decision. We shouldn’t take up a project after reading only the proposal. Plus, what about that French project?"
"That one will take time. It’s barely entering pre-production." He looked out the window. "It’s perfect for passing time. It isn’t acting, so I don’t have to exert myself too much."
’Insulting others in the name of humor?’ Averie grinned sinisterly. ’That’s like getting paid for a hobby. This will be fun.’
"If we accept, we will have to leave for London soon. Is that alright with you?" she asked, worried.
"Are you serious? That’s even better!"
’Get me away from these police investigations.’
"Set up a meeting, Rin." He turned towards Min-Ha. "Pack our bags, beautiful. We are leaving the country."
"Yes, sir!" The girl looked ready to party. "What about bikinis, sir?"
"Not for me, thank you," he said modestly. "The tan marks aren’t for me."
That was a ridiculous thing to say. Tan marks in a place without the sun?
"What colors should I pack?"
"Colors?" Averie made a disgusted face. "We are going to London. Pack everything dreary and depressing. All dark colors, nothing cheerful. Pack raincoats and umbrellas, you hear me?"
He pulled Hyerin closer. "Now remember: there are only two kinds of people in London. The first kind insults you with obscure and rather funny vocabulary. These are the common people."
"Should we be wary of them?"
"They sound aggressive but never do anything aggressive. The second kind is the pretentious kind. They will drink tea and talk behind your back. These are the people you need to be wary of."
"Always dunk biscuits in tea."
"Don’t ask questions! Dunk biscuits in tea."
The next day, Ellie Arnold delivered the Best Actor award to Averie.
"Why didn’t my friend Peter deliver it?"
"He was afraid of you," the girl answered while shivering.
"Why?" Averie asked nonchalantly.
He was holding a brick behind his back.