Part 19

[Answer the phone. If you don’t want me to go to you, stop avoiding me.]

“Ha.”

Seowoo sighed deeply and buried herself in her beanbag.

A message came from Jiwook. After rejecting his call straight away, she soon received a text with somewhat threatening undertones.

It was so ridiculous.

She knew he wasn’t exactly the most considerate person, but he was still as unpredictable as ever.

“Why now…….”

For two years, he lived like he didn’t care, just like any other guy.

She couldn’t believe it.

She had no intention of getting back together with him, but it was pathetic to see herself freaking out over a text or a phone call.

“Why do I have to dream that dream?”

Seowoo squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her throbbing temples. Since returning home from work, she had been in this state all along. She didn’t even feel like eating anything.

Come to think of it, all she had eaten today was a cup of coffee that Jung-ah had brought down for her.

“Haah.”

I wish there was more work to do.

She had too much free time. Her mind kept getting filled with unnecessary thoughts.

“I should eat something.”

I shouldn’t go without a meal.

Seowoo slowly got up from the beanbag and made her way across the living room.

Ding dong.

It happened as she passed through the living room to the kitchen. The sudden ringing of the doorbell made her steps abruptly stop. In that fleeting moment, her heart started beating irregularly out of anxiety.

Ding dong.

As she approached the wallpad, she saw Seung-min’s face standing outside the building’s entrance. She pressed the unlock button.

It seemed like he was bothered by their argument earlier. As he walked towards the front door, he pressed the doorbell again.

Ding dong.

Seowoo opened the door and faced him. Seung-min stood there, looking embarrassed.

“You probably haven’t eaten. Have this.”

He extended his hand with the shopping bag in front of her, still looking elsewhere.

“Did you go to the restaurant right away?”

“Yeah. I just came to give you this.”

“Why are you in such a rush? It’s not like you’ve committed a crime. Have a cup of tea before you go.”

Without purposely accepting what he gave her, Seung-min followed her quietly as she entered. She pressed the button on the electric kettle and took out teacups.

“Why so uptight? You’re not even sitting down.”

In response to her sarcastic remark, Seung-min unbuttoned his jacket and sat down at the dining table. She brought two cups of jasmine tea and placed a teacup in front of him before sitting across from him.

“I got you something you like.”

“What is it?”

“Sundubu stew.” (Korean Spicy Soft Tofu Stew)

Knowing that she enjoyed Korean food, he had gone to the restaurant she liked and brought back takeout. Seung-min knew well that she hadn’t even had lunch and had gone straight home. 

So he ended up having to eat alone with Jung-ah. He couldn’t work all afternoon because he felt uncomfortable.

Realizing that he wouldn’t be able to sleep if he didn’t solve it today, Seung-min left work and came to her house.

“I was actually going to eat now since I hadn’t eaten yet. I’ll eat soon.”

“I’m sorry.”

After taking a sip of tea, Seung-min immediately apologized. He knew how difficult it had been for Seowoo all this time. And it was all because of Jiwook.

But now that she was finally determined to come back, he wondered if he was shaking her resolve.

“Oh, no. You were just worried about me.”

“That’s true.”

“But you seemed really angry. You surprised me.”

To get so angry over that much…

Seowoo gave a wry smile as she wrapped her hands around her tea cup.

“Don’t worry. I really want to do well in this drama.”

“Seowoo.”

“I’m saying you don’t need to worry about me messing things up. It’s not like I made the decision to come back easily.”

And she had no intention of getting back together with Jiwook.

Forget about the past and return to being the actress she used to be, deeply immersed in her work.

 “Although I’m worried. I took too long a break, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do well.”

“Why worry? You’ve always done well.”

“That was years ago. But still, I’ll do my best.”

Seowoo smiled, pulling the corners of her lips. Seung-min silently watched her like that.

For Yoon Seowoo to laugh like this.

He knew more than anyone the difficult times she endured.

Like a staircase, she climbed step by step, shining at the top.

The radiant figure of Yoon Seowoo was dazzling.

“Yes, you can. You can do it.”

His tone was full of confidence. Yet having someone like him believing in her beside her made her feel secure.

Jung-ah and Seung-min are like family to her, and they’re not just acquaintances.

“I saw Hyo-ryung earlier, and she was cute.”

“She auditioned a lot and finally got the role. She’s like you when you were in your twenties.”

“That’s what Jung-ah said earlier. I didn’t think I was that pretty back then though.”

Even without makeup, just wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

She was a junior whose fresh and youthful appearance naturally drew people’s attention. It was astonishing how someone could shine so brightly. Watching Hyo-ryung, Seowoo briefly reflected on her younger self.

“You were even prettier.”

Seung-min spoke sincerely without even realizing it.

Because it was true.

Even now, she was beautiful, but back then, Yoon Seowoo was dazzling.

“Our CEO always knows how to boost my morale. I’m grateful.”

“It’s true.”

“Thank you. Let’s definitely have a meal together next time.”

She had avoided it because it was uncomfortable, but Seowoo had been concerned the whole time. That’s why she was grateful that he came to resolve it first.

“Have it before the dishes get cold. I bought your favorite seafood soft tofu stew.”

“It sounds delicious.”

“And there’s also potato pancakes, so eat up quickly. I’ll be going.”

Seung-min finished his remaining tea and stood up. Still, seeing her face made him feel like his head had been cleared.

As he walked out of the kitchen and down the hall, Seowoo followed behind him.

“Take care.”

“I’ll call you when you have a schedule.”

Just then, the doorbell rang.

“Is anyone coming?”

“No. I don’t think so. Someone must have rung it wrong.”

“Check it out. If anything happens, call right away. I’ll go.”

“I’ll just walk down to the parking lot with you.”

“It’s okay. Don’t come out.”

Despite his strong resistance, Seowoo had no choice but to stand in front of the entrance.

“Get some rest.”

“Yeah. Thanks, oppa.”

Seowoo waved her hand towards him. In the meantime, the doorbell rang again.

“Open it while I’m here, it might be a reporter, and it’s better than being alone.”

Grabbing her as she headed to check the wallpad, Seung-min said, stopping her.

“Wait. Let’s see who it is.”

Hesitantly, Seowoo walked over to the viewing window at the front door, her face stiffening as she looked out. Seung-min’s eyebrows arched as he watched from behind.

“Who is it?”

“…”

“Seowoo.”

How on earth did he manage to come up here?