Part 30

“…”

As Jiwook approached again to kiss her, Seowoo turned her head away. Jiwook’s eyebrows rose slightly as if displeased. He grabbed her chin with his cold eyes locked onto hers.

“How long are you going to be like this?”

He was still the same.

The look in his eyes, the arrogance in his voice, the scent she loved.

What remained unchanged was the relationship between them. While just looking at each other was enough to make her heart crumble, Jiwook was solely focused on this act. His actions only made her feel more resentful.

Watching silently, Seowoo slowly moved her lips.

“When are you going to stop being like this?”

The words slipped from her lips, but Jiwook’s eyes never wavered.

Once, she loved those eyes filled with certainty.

Just meeting his gaze made her heart flutter. She loved Jiwook’s confident demeanor.

No, even now, she still loves him. That’s why her heart aches so much.

Seowoo’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Until I have you beside me again.”

“…….”

“So, come back to me.”

How can he be so consistent? Even after ten years, Kwon Jiwook remained the same.

When Seowoo didn’t respond while biting her lip, Jiwook lowered his gaze to her lips and added,

“I told you. I feel like punching anyone who even looks at you.”

Especially a kiss. Just imagining someone else’s lips on her lips that he was just sucking a moment ago makes his head spin.

That’s why he didn’t want to watch the drama Seowoo starred in. If it weren’t for that damn article about bed scenes from before, he probably wouldn’t have bothered to watch it. He knew it was just a job, but seeing it with his own eyes felt different.

And yet, because of that bastard who deliberately provoked him today, he ended up tormenting Seowoo again.

He felt pathetic and regretted it, but he couldn’t bear the anxiety of not holding her.

“You still seem unaware of your own feelings. I’m going to keep reminding you until you realize it.”

“…….”

“You give up. I have no intention of doing so.”

***

“I have the documents you requested.”

The secretary placed an envelope on the table. Myeong-hye, who had been wiping her sweat with a dry towel, pushed her eyeglasses up from her nose and rose from her seat to sit on the sofa.

Then she lifted the envelope and spilled everything inside onto the table.

Thunk.

As a photo fell to the floor, Myeong-hye lowered her gaze and reached for it. Seeing it, her brows furrowed slightly.

“This is the actor she’s currently filming with?”

“Yes. He’s the co-star, Ki Sung-hyun. He’s also filming a commercial for K-Car.”

“They seem to get along well.”

Seowoo and Sung-hyun looked quite friendly in the photo.

It was a bit too much for just co-stars.

“Where did they go?”

“I think they went for a drink after filming.”

“That’s unusual.”

Well, even if they weren’t dating, it would be fine as long as they made it seem that way.

Myeong-hye’s hand, flipping through the photos with a nonchalant expression, paused for a moment. In front of her, there was her son, whom she loved endlessly, now in front of a cold-faced Seowoo.

“That’s why I didn’t want him to get married.”

It was pitiful to see her son trailing behind a woman like this.

Tsk.

My son, still behaving like this, was truly pitiful.

But fortunately, unlike her son, Seowoo didn’t seem too pleased with the situation. Seeing her expression in every photo brought a strange sense of relief.

Although she was anxious throughout, given that their relationship was forced, it was somewhat of a relief.

“Hmm.”

Myeong-hye placed the photos back on the table as if tossing them aside. Then, she removed her eyeglasses and set them down beside the photos. Leaning her head back and massaging her neck, Myeong-hye fell into thought for a moment.

“Ha, I feel like I need to draw a clearer line to feel at ease.”

Myeong-hye muttered with her eyes closed, then slowly pushed up her eyelids.

After divorcing and keeping things quiet for a while, the idea of Seowoo getting back into the game didn’t sit well with her. It was especially uncomfortable how Seowoo’s name kept coming up whenever her son’s name was mentioned.

“That guy there.”

“You mean Ki Sung-hyun?”

“Yeah. Him. I might have to see him.”

A way to completely separate that brat from my precious son.

Myeong-hye’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“Arrange a meeting. Somewhere inconspicuous.”

“Understood.”

“Obviously, without Jiwook knowing.”

“Yes.”

The secretary nodded and left the room. Myeong-hye, who had been stretching her neck, glanced back at the photos.

“What a persistent connection.”

How many years has it been?

It was driving her crazy. With an annoyed expression, Myeong-hye swept all the photos back into the envelope.

Then, picking up the phone beside her, she made a call somewhere.

“I’m coming. It’s been too long.”

As she spoke on the phone, Myeong-hye picked up a dry towel and headed towards the flowerpot.

***

Time flew by, and it was finally the first broadcast day.

Along with the first airing, a drama promotion was scheduled to take place. Seowoo was in full preparation mode to attend the drama promotion scheduled for 6 p.m.

“Are you nervous?”

“A little.”

“Why are you nervous? You’ll do well.”

Jung-ah reassured Seowoo while tidying up her outfit.

Not too extravagant, but not too ordinary either.

Jung-ah picked out Seowoo’s outfit with care.

Seowoo was pretty no matter what she wore, but Jung-ah wanted her to look even prettier.

“There you go.”

“Thank you, Jung-ah.”

“You’re welcome. Don’t shake. Don’t be nervous!”

Jung-ah pumped her fist, encouraging Seowoo. Seowoo smiled faintly and nodded in appreciation of her friend’s support.

“Huh.”

Seowoo took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.

It was her first public appearance in about five years. Her nerves were heightened by the fact that it was not only her first broadcast but it would also be streamed live on YouTube.

I feel like I’ll faint after this is all over and I watch the first episode.”

“Yeah. You need to take a break. When do you get a day off if not on days like this?”

Recently, the shooting schedule has been tight, but today, all shootings were canceled.

Not only Seowoo, but all the actors and staff who had been working on the drama finally got a sweet vacation after a long time.

“Should I have Cheongshimhwan too?”

“Wait. I brought one while coming here.”

“Thanks.”

At Seowoo’s words, Jung-ah rummaged through her bag and soon handed her a small bottle.

“I can’t wait for this day to be over.”

“It’ll be over soon.”

Jung-ah replied in a nonchalant tone to Seowoo’s nervousness.

Knock knock.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

“Yes?”

As permission was granted, the door opened, and Sung-hyun popped his head in.

“Are you ready?”

Dressed neatly in a suit, he seemed unusually nervous today. Seowoo got up from her seat and nodded somewhat stiffly.

“Let’s go.”

Sung-hyun reached out his hand towards Seowoo. Seeing his hand, Seowoo hesitated for a moment, but Sung-hyun carefully took her hand.

“It’s business. This is okay, right?”

Taking a small deep breath, Seowoo composed herself.

Hopefully, everything will end smoothly without any incidents.

Seowoo walked nervously alongside Sung-hyun.