Part 14

“You worked hard.”

“What hard work? You were the one acting; you must be tired.”

Jung-ah smiled reassuringly. 

Towards the end of the shooting, Jung-ah appeared quite exhausted too. It was comforting to have a friend ready to step in whenever needed, though seeing her stressed face made Seowoo feel both sorry and grateful.

“Yawn.”

Seowoo yawned deeply, sinking into the seat. Throughout the shoot, Seowoo had been busy checking her phone whenever she had a moment because Jiwook would text now and then.

Trying to be indifferent, she had tried to erase him from her mind, but it was not something she could control. 

Seowoo grabbed her phone from her bag and checked for incoming texts.

[I’ll come to your place when it’s over. Call me].

It was his last message. 

What should I reply? 

It felt awkward to call and say she was done, but not replying felt wrong too. 

She didn’t want to seem too desperate but it seemed too late for that though.

Still, there were things that lingered on her mind – Jiwook’s family background and his mother, Myeong-hye.

“Sigh.”

The mere thought was suffocating.

Even if things got better with Jiwook, recalling Myeong-hye’s threatening demeanor made her feel as if she couldn’t breathe.

“…”

After a moment of hesitation, Seowoo slowly started typing on her phone.

[I’m done and heading home now.]

Was that too blunt? 

She had never been sweet in her replies to him, so imagining being affectionate was out of the question. 

Seowoo laid her phone aside, thinking this was the best she could do. Then, the phone near the driver’s seat started vibrating loudly.

“It’s the CEO.”

In-ryul, who was driving, spoke up. Both Jung-ah and Seowoo in the backseat turned their eyes to look at him.

“What’s going on?”

“Pick up the phone, Inryul.”

At Seowoo’s prompt, In-ryul pressed the call button.

“Yes, sir.”

• Where is Seowoo now?

“I’m right here, Sir.”

Listening to the conversation, Seowoo spoke up, puzzled by Seung-min’s urgent tone.

“Check the news. Seowoo, a dating rumor has broken out.”

***

Though she intended to go straight to the company, reporters were already swarming, Seung-min informed her, so Seowoo reluctantly headed home instead.

“Ah.”

Seowoo’s face turned cold as she read the tablet. 

What on earth was going on? 

Even seeing it with her own eyes, it’s clear that this is something outrageous.

[Drama love blooms into reality]

[Popular male actor falls in love with his ideal type]

[Started seeing each other with interest before the drama shooting…]

Since she had been meeting Jiwook occasionally after their reunion, she assumed the scandal was about them. But instead, it was with Sung-hyun.

“Ha.”

Seowoo scoffed as she scrolled quickly. There was no stopping the pursuing reporters, but the articles seemed overly provocative.

“Since when…”

Have they been following him? 

She couldn’t believe it.

When Sung-hyun came near her house after finishing a fan meeting, when they went to eat together, when he visited her in the hospital.

And a picture of Sung-hyun carrying Seowoo during the shoot was prominently featured as the main photo.

To anyone, it looked as though they were definitely in a romantic relationship.

The articles were detailed, and marked with times.

Then her phone vibrated. Seowoo checked the caller and quickly answered.

“Oppa.”

• The reporter who first released the article can’t be contacted.

Following that article, more were rapidly published. Seowoo sighed deeply, her breathing becoming irregular with extreme stress.

“What should we do?”

• Tell the truth. You’re not really seeing each other, right?

“It’s not true. Really, it’s not.”

• When have you been meeting and hanging out with him then?

Seung-min’s voice rose in frustration. 

Seowoo felt utterly wronged. 

Was it necessary to explain myself even though I hadn’t done anything on purpose? 

This industry was notorious for fabricating stories, something Seung-min knew all too well…

“We just thought we should get along and get to know each other more since we have to work together…We just had dinner a few times. That’s really all.”

• So are you seeing Kwon Jiwook now?

“…”

Hearing Jiwook’s name left her speechless. He was only the company president doing a fact check, but she didn’t know what to say.

Seowoo bit her lip and took a deep breath.

• I’ll issue a rebuttal article. Just so you know. I’ll hang up.

Beep.

The call ended before she could reply. Seowoo sat on the sofa and shut her eyes tightly. 

Being involved in a scandal was an inevitable part of being a celebrity, but considering the ongoing drama, it was indeed a headache.

They had just started getting comfortable with each other.

Not only was it awkward, but it was also uncomfortable as she had to be more careful with even the smallest of actions with him.

Ding-dong.

Just then, the bell rang. Seowoo jumped in surprise and quickly walked over to check her wallpad.

“Ha.”

It was Jiwook, coming to her place as he had texted. She wished she had told him not to come. With a sigh, Seowoo opened the door. As she walked down the hallway, Jiwook entered through the front door.

“…”

Managing her expression was not easy. Seowoo lingered stiffly by the entrance. 

Without a word, Jiwook kicked off his shoes, walked in, took her hand, and led her into the living room.

He must have known already. With his secretary by his side and his knack for staying informed, he surely would have been aware before he arrived.

“Have you had dinner?”

He was still in his suit, presumably just off work. Unable to look him in the eye, Seowoo fixed her gaze on his tie. Then Jiwook gently grabbed her chin and tilted it up.

Their gazes locked. Confronted by him so directly, her mind went blank. As if she had committed a sin, Seowoo bit her lip, unsure of what to say.

“I heard some things on the way here.”

“…”

“Explain it to me.”

His gaze had turned colder, tightening the feeling in her chest. 

Seowoo’s eyes flickered. Jiwook arched one eyebrow and tilted his head.

“Say it wasn’t anything.”

“…”

“I believe there was nothing between you two. But I want to hear it from you. So tell me.”

That fucker.

Sung-hyun had been getting on his nerves since he’d been running around in front of him without blinking an eye. It had always irked him when Sung-hyun was in her presence.

On his way to her place, after receiving a call from his secretary, Jiwook pulled into the parking lot and checked the article.

The reason Jiwook didn’t watch the drama Seowoo starred in was that he didn’t want to see her with another man because he felt that her place was always his.

Jiwook didn’t want to see her whispering love, hugging, and kissing another man, even if it was just for work.

But seeing the timeline where Yoon Seowoo and Ki Sung-hyun were together, scenes from the drama began to overlap in his mind. 

Right down to him running while carrying a fallen Seowoo.

Holy sh*t. What a perfect drama.

He stared at her, trying to suppress his anger.

“There’s nothing between us.”

Seowoo spoke in a voice full of injustice. 

It really wasn’t anything. Just drama co-stars. That was all.

It was her first comeback project, and she was grateful to Sung-hyun for being so approachable, so they just had a few meals together.

“It’s all just a misunderstanding. I see how it could look that way. I’ve seen the article too. But that’s all just… really just made-up stuff.”

It was a deliberately crafted article.

While she felt unjust as she explained, there was nothing else she could do. Watching silently, Jiwook let go of her chin, and a look of dismay spread across Seowoo’s face.

“Alright.”

“Jiwook.”

“I’ll believe you. You say it’s nothing.”

He knew it wasn’t true, but he can’t help this unsettling feeling.

It wasn’t her fault, so Jiwook did his best to suppress his anger. He furrowed his brow and loosely untied his tie.

He hadn’t come to accuse her.

He just wanted to see her face. Wanted to be with her tonight too. So he waited for her shooting to end.

An awkward silence fell in the living room.

After a moment of silence, he relaxed his brow and looked down at her.

“It’s late, get some rest.”

Was he only here just to see my face?

Seowoo quickly grabbed his sleeve.

“Wait…”

Ding-dong.

Suddenly, the sound of the doorbell rang through the living room. Jiwook and Seowoo’s eyes both shot towards the source. 

Jiwook’s brow furrowed instantly upon seeing the face on the wall pad.