20. Chapter Twenty Park

Chapter Twenty: Park

P eople don't realize how difficult acting is, particularly on the days when filming gets backed up and work days stretch to seventeen and eighteen hours. I'm somewhat used to it and have learned to push through, but poor Spin's still new to the grind. P'Big is known for being a perfectionist who works marathon hours. The director of the other bl Spin did—P'Sun—is said to work the actors pretty hard, but Love Time only consisted of eight twenty-minute episodes, and, as a secondary character, Spin didn't have half the scenes he has in Heartbeat , which has a very tight schedule with twelve forty-five minute episodes to film. In the past few weeks, Spin's fallen asleep in the makeup chair more times than I can count, and once he even nodded off during a meeting, his head falling onto my shoulder. Khun Lee took a video and put it on social media, and fans went wild over it.

I suspect Daeng and Aod are screwing on the regular, judging by the way Aod's glued to Daeng's side. I'm just waiting for it all to fall apart. Because it will. Daeng never stays with anybody long. The problem is, Aod is Daeng's partner for this series, and they have to be together for the entire filming and promotion process. As long as they don't screw things up for the rest of us, I'm going to keep myself out of it, but if Daeng keeps sending Spin those interested looks, I'll make him regret it.

Sighing, I lean my head on the back of the couch and rest my eyes. P'Big told us this morning that filming is ahead of schedule, which is good news—it means we can finally slow down a little. Beside me, Spin's fallen asleep while we wait for Daeng and Aod to finish filming a scene. Smiling, I gently adjust Spin's head so it won't fall forward and wake him up, patting the soft, dark hair before removing my hand. I know he's been fighting more than exhaustion. He told me that Daw gave Kiet an ultimatum, and that Kiet picked Daw over their friendship. Although Spin's only mentioned it once, I can tell he's upset.

Spin's ringtone begins playing BTS's Boy With Love , and he jerks awake. Looking down at his phone, he stares at the screen, an odd look on his face.

"Spin?" I ask.

He glances at me, then slowly swipes his thumb across the bottom before lifting the phone to his ear.

"Hello," he says softly.

The male voice I hear on the other line swearing, asking why Spin is never where he's supposed to be when he's looking for him, has me on my feet.

"Why are you looking for me?" Spin asks, voice and expression devoid of emotion.

"I'm your father; I don't have to tell you why I'm looking for you. Where are you? "

His father? Spin told me his father left when Spin was eighteen. Do they keep in touch?

"I'm at work," Spin says.

"Work!" his father bellows loudly enough to cause two staff members nearby to turn their heads. "Where the hell do you work? I'm coming over there. I can't get in the damn apartment."

"How did you know where I live?" Spin asks in that same wooden voice he's been using.

"I have friends in this city who keep an eye on you. For instance, I know you're sending your sister to that high-priced art school. Where the hell did you get the money for that?"

"Pah, what do you want?" Spin asks, exhaustion leaking into his tone.

"What kind of way is that to speak to your father, boy? I ought to take my belt to you. That always shut you up."

"Hang up on him and block him," I tell Spin.

Spin looks at me, eyes widening.

"You don't have to take that abuse from him. You're an adult, and he left you and your sister years ago. He probably wants money."

"Who's that talking to you, boy? Is that your lover? You still got those perversions? You're one sick fuck, you know that?"

Watching Spin's face lose all color, I take his phone out of his hand and push the disconnect button, then turn it off. When I look at him again, my heart falls when I see tears in his eyes.

"Why couldn't he just stay away? I haven't heard from him in seven years ."

With the worst timing ever, P'Big strides into the room. "We're finished with the scene outside." He stops in front of us, looking with concern at Spin, who surreptitiously wipes his cheeks. "Is there a problem?" P'Big asks, looking at me when Spin doesn' t answer.

"Personal matter," I say. "He'll be fine."

P'Big looks like he wants to say something more but instead nods. "Meet on the office set in ten," he says before striding away.

Pulling some tissues out of a box, I hand them to Spin, moving my body to shield him from the prying eyes of others in the room.

"I'll be okay," Spin says, voice wobbly, swiping at the tears that keep flowing. "I'll go to the restroom and get a hold of myself."

I get up a couple minutes after he does and follow him.

In the restroom, I find Spin sobbing in the corner. Without speaking, I wrap my arms around him and pull him against my chest.

"Everything's going to be okay," I promise, although I don't know that. What if his father's waiting for Spin when he gets home? What if his father hurts him? "Hey, why don't you stay with me tonight? Anya would love that." I would love that.

What about riding that fine line, Park?

But this is something I'd offer to any of my friends. If I had friends, that is.

Untangling himself from my arms, Spin turns on the water faucet and begins splashing his face. I get some paper towels ready and hand them to him when he's finished. Whoever is assigned to do his makeup today is not going to be happy.

"Thanks," he says.

"I mean it. Stay with me tonight. I don't want you going home if your father's going to be there to harass you. Please?" I beg when he doesn't look like he's going to relent. I've found that Spin can be very stubborn about what he considers to be his responsibilities. "At least just for tonight until you can think about the situation."

Pressing his lips together, Spin takes a deep breath and lets it out. "Okay. Thank you."

Relief pours over me. Spin will be safe, at least for tonight.