Part 28 

“Thank you for your hard work.”

With a business-like smile, Jiwook extended his right hand toward Sung-hyun. Sung-hyun, who had been silently observing, shook Jiwook’s hand.

“Thanks to you, the shoot went smoothly.”

Thanks to you.

It was a quite meaningful statement. One corner of Jiwook’s mouth curled up slightly.

From the first meeting, Sung-hyun’s attitude hadn’t exactly pleased him, but a professional was a professional. Thanks to Sung-hyun’s affable personality, the atmosphere on set had been very pleasant throughout the shoot, despite Jiwook’s initial reservations.

Sung-hyun had finished the ad shoot without showing any signs of exhaustion, despite presumably coming straight from filming a drama. 

From the client’s perspective, it was incredibly satisfying.

“It’s already 4 in the morning, you must be tired.”

“It’s nothing out of the ordinary. I’m fine.”

Sung-hyun replied nonchalantly, taking off his jacket and handing it to the stylist next to him.

“You probably haven’t eaten. How about a meal?”

“Alcohol seems like a good idea.”

Jiwook chuckled unexpectedly at the response.

“I thought you had a shoot tomorrow.”

“Seowoo will be shooting first, and fortunately, my shoot is in the afternoon.”

Jiwook’s eyes sparkled sharply at the mention of Seowoo’s name, which had just escaped Sung-hyun’s lips.

“If you let me know the location, I’ll head straight there.”

“Of course.”

After Sung-hyun spoke, he left with the staff. Jiwook quietly watched Sung-hyun’s retreating figure, his hand in his pocket.

After a moment of contemplation, Jiwook lifted his phone and made a call.

•  Yes, General Manager.

“Seowoo.”

• She’s at home.

Jiwook sent Cheol-hoon to Seowoo’s house.

‘Anyway, since there’s still some time left until the end of the commercial shoot, you can take your time coming. I’ll send my secretary to your house.’

It was a one-sided notice, so he thought she might not come, but considering Yoon Seowoo’s personality, she probably wouldn’t ignore it until the end.

Jiwook checked the time on his wristwatch. Several hours had passed since he made the call earlier.

“Keep waiting.”

• Yes, understood.

Even if she didn’t come, it didn’t matter.

After all, Sung-hyun was the main target.

Jiwook walked away, his expression blank.

***

Jiwook and Sung-hyun arrived at a famous lounge bar in Cheongdam. Since it was close to dawn, the bar was relatively quiet.

“We’ll get things ready for you.”

A staff member set whiskey and straight glasses in front of them, along with some snacks.

After exchanging drinks, Sung-hyun raised his whiskey glass to Jiwook. Jiwook, who had been quietly gazing at the glass, chuckled softly and clinked his glass against Sung-hyun’s.

Clunk-

Both men drained their glasses at the same time. Jiwook then lifted the bottle and refilled his own glass before pouring some into Sung-hyun’s glass.

An invisible tension filled the air.

“The atmosphere here is nice.”

Sung-hyun was the first to break the silence. He looked around before speaking.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I know you’re busy, but you took the time to buy me a drink. I’m honored.”

Sung-hyun’s words flowed smoothly.

Despite being three years younger than Seowoo, Sung-hyun didn’t seem intimidated by Jiwook’s presence.

Perhaps it was because of his youthful confidence that Jiwook couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“I’d like to drink as much as I can, but I have a kissing scene with Seowoo tomorrow.”

With a casual remark, Sung-hyun caught Jiwook off guard. Even though Jiwook’s gaze turned cold, Sung-hyun continued nonchalantly.

“It would be awkward if I smelled like alcohol.”

Sung-hyun met Jiwook’s eyes and smirked.

He really hit the nail on the head.

Jiwook chuckled dryly and took a sip of his drink.

“You’re quite rude.”

“What aspect of me do you find rude?”

“I can’t name just one.”

“Oh, I see.”

Sung-hyun nodded, as if he could understand.

An awkward air filled the air between them. They weren’t on good terms to begin with, but when Seowoo’s name came up, the atmosphere froze instantly.

Jiwook wondered what was going through the kid’s head when he said he had a kissing scene in front of her ex-husband.

Why would he cross the line to such an extent?

“I tend to get deeply immersed when I get into my work.”

Sung-hyun’s gaze deepened. Jiwook’s piercing gaze was fixed on him.

“I mentioned it to her before we started. That I tend to get overly involved.”

Seowoo was a senior he was very curious about.

Among male actors in South Korea, he thinks there wasn’t anyone who didn’t want to work with Yoon Seowoo.

Although it hadn’t been long since they met, Jiwook’s curiosity and interest in Sung-hyun were steadily growing.

“So you’re in the midst of being overly involved.”

Jiwook reiterated Sung-hyun’s words, muttering them again.

“Yes.”

Sung-hyun emptied his glass and tilted his head sharply to face Jiwook.

“I have something I’m curious about.”

As if to say go ahead, Jiwook nodded.

“Are you here as Yoon Seowoo’s ex-husband, or…”

“….”

“Are you here as the head of K Group, the company I’m contracted with?”

“Ex-husband… That’s amusing.”

Jiwook mused over the word.

Finally revealing his thoughts, Jiwook chuckled in disbelief. Sung-hyun looked at him sharply in response.

“Why do I have to answer such a ridiculous question?”

Jiwook shook his tie and loosened it.

Although it was a prepared meeting, Sung-hyun seemed unabashed, almost as if he had nothing to lose.

“I just wanted to give you a warning, not as Yoon Seowoo’s ex-husband, but as her husband.”

With his smirk wiped away, a sharp, piercing gaze was directed at Sung-hyun. Nevertheless, Sung-hyun met Jiwook’s gaze without avoiding it.

“I wonder why you keep scratching the surface, thinking lightly of the relationship between me and Seowoo.”

Jiwook paused for a moment. Sung-hyun was crossing the line from being just another actor who worked with her.

Jiwook had to make it clear.

“If you’re interested, feel free to try. Shake Seowoo up or something.”

As if it didn’t matter at all, it was like saying there was nothing to shake even if you tried. Her feelings for Jiwook wouldn’t waver.

Seeing Jiwook’s arrogant demeanor, Sung-hyun started to feel resentful. He couldn’t understand why Jiwook, who had divorced her two years ago, was still lingering around her.

“I wonder what you’d do if she really came to me.”

Sung-hyun retorted with a sarcastic smile. But there was not a hint of wavering on Jiwook’s face.

“We’re planning to get back together.”

“Does Seowoo feel the same way?”

“You want to know?”

“…….”

“Well, she’s just arriving. If you’re curious, you can ask her yourself.”

Jiwook lightly nodded towards the entrance. As Sung-hyun turned his head, sure enough, Seowoo was walking in.

Sung-hyun stared at her as if mesmerized.

They had parted just a few hours ago, yet he felt so happy to see her now.

Without realizing it, a heavy feeling came over him.

Sung-hyun guessed it was somewhere between respect, liking, and curiosity, but it wasn’t that. His feelings were finally clear.

Seowoo approached silently.

“What brings you here?”

Sung-hyun tilted his head to look at Seowoo, his voice different from before.

On the other hand, Seowoo’s expression was not so favorable.

“You have a shoot tomorrow, is it okay to have a drink?”

Seowoo asked in a worried voice, not even looking at Jiwook. Jiwook picked up the bottle and filled his glass anyway.

“Should I stop drinking then? If you say so, Seowoo, I’ll stop.”

Seowoo snatched the glass from Sung-hyun’s hand, then set it down on the table and pushed it away from him.

“Considering you’ll be shooting ads until dawn, you must be tired, so you should get going.”

“I’m fine, really.”

“Come on.”

Jiwook, who had been silently listening, felt a cold twist in his stomach. It felt like his insides were turning at her gentle voice.

“Alright. Did you wake up in the middle of the night? You said you couldn’t sleep well, but did you manage to rest today?”

So much fuss.

With a throbbing headache, Jiwook clenched his jaw. As if Jiwook wasn’t even there, the two were engaged in affectionate conversation.

With the intention of seeing how far things would go, Jiwook quietly drank his alcohol.

“I napped for a bit. Go on, go home.”

Sung-hyun’s face was filled with exhaustion. Seeing someone busy with shooting and still being fed alcohol made her angry.

It was also infuriating that she was even brought here. Seowoo eventually had to come here after being informed that Jiwook’s secretary had been at the parking lot all along.

Sung-hyun stood up and picked up his jacket.

“Thanks for the drink. Next time, I’ll buy.”

“It’s a shame, I wanted to talk to you more.”

“Maybe another time, I’m too busy filming a drama right now.”

Sung-hyun gave Jiwook a quick nod and stood in front of Seowoo.

“I’ll see you in the afternoon.”

After exchanging affectionate farewells with Seowoo, Sung-hyun left first.

Thud.

A moment later, after draining his last glass, Jiwook got up from his seat and grabbed Seowoo’s wrist.

“Come with me.”