Part 6

“The filming starts tomorrow, right?”

Jiwook asked while driving, but Seowoo didn’t respond.

Following yesterday’s confession, she hadn’t spoken a single word. It was uncomfortable being held, but she had no choice but to remain in that state due to him not letting go, eventually falling asleep unknowingly.

In the morning, upon the doctor’s approval, she could go home. Although Jung-ah had come, Jiwook politely sent her back, insisting on taking Seowoo himself.

“You should get some more rest, I’m worried.”

Because of Jiwook, she had to eat all of her breakfast. She had no choice but to comply as he spoon-fed her.

“Sigh.”

A sigh escaped her, revealing her stifling emotions as she looked out the window.

“You should stay home and rest today.”

He seemed unperturbed by her lack of response. Soon, his car arrived at the underground parking lot. As soon as it was parked, Seowoo got out of the car and walked over to the trunk.

Jiwook, who had gotten out of the driver’s seat, walked over, opened the trunk, and took her luggage.

“Let me take it.”

“I’ll carry it.”

“I’ll carry it myself.”

“I’ll just come up. I’ll just help with the luggage then leave.”

Jiwook grabbed her hand reaching for the bag and interlaced their fingers, making it hard for her to pull away.

He led her, walking with sure steps—perhaps because he had been here before.

“Open it.”

“……”

They quickly reached the front door, and he nodded at her. Following along almost reflexively, Seowoo looked up at him.

“The house…”

“I’ll just leave it behind.”

Her last shred of pride.

If he started coming in and out of her home, it would be hard to control. That’s why she didn’t want to open up her home, but Jiwook was trying to cross that line now.

After much hesitation, she opened the door. With the sound of the door unlocking, Jiwook pulled the front door open and strode into the house, setting the luggage down on the sofa.

Seowoo twisted her hand free from his grip and looked away.

“I’ll come after work.”

“……What?”

“Is that not okay?”

His audacity is astounding.

Seowoo’s brow furrowed deeply.

“I told you just before. I don’t want you coming to my house.”

“So, is it okay if I see you outside the house?”

“That’s not what I mean…”

Feeling like she was being toyed with, Seowoo trailed off, furrowing her brow. Jiwook let out a slight laugh and brushed her hair back from her face, leaving Seowoo looking flustered.

“I asked Jung-ah earlier, and she said the filming starts tomorrow. So rest up today.”

Seowoo didn’t respond.

“Since you’ll be busy from tomorrow, give me some of your time today.”

“……”

“Go on a date with me.”

The corner of Jiwook’s mouth curled up as he looked at her.

***

Seowoo sat on the living room sofa, staring blankly into space. 

She had spent the day without much thought after Jiwook left her house. She picked up the script but couldn’t concentrate.

‘Since you’ll be busy from tomorrow, give me some of your time today.’

‘Go on a date with me.’

No matter how hard she tried to focus elsewhere, it was futile. 

Her gaze kept drifting as she looked at the clock on the wall.

“…It’s almost 6 PM.”

His usual returning hours were between 6 and 7 PM, though he’d never once adhered to that during their marriage. And now he suddenly asked for some of her time.

“A date?”

Seowoo muttered to herself as she pondered his words.

Has that word ever existed between Jiwook and me?

The closest thing might have been was a few meals they shared during college.

“I think he’s really coming.”

Jiwook was different this time. 

Since he had uttered the word ‘date,’ there was a real chance he might just show up. 

Her heart began to beat irregularly.

“Ah, I don’t know.”

She felt pathetic for being so shaken by every word he said. 

Seowoo flopped down on the sofa and sighed as she stared at the ceiling. In the midst of her reverie, her phone vibrated.

Startled, she picked it up and checked the caller ID.

“Wow, that’s surprising.”

She exhaled softly and slid her finger over the screen to unlock it.

“Yeah.”

• Are you resting well?

It was Seung-min’s voice, full of concern. 

After she had drawn a line saying she still had feelings for Jiwook, Seung-min hadn’t said anything more about their relationship.

She appreciated and felt guilty for his consideration.

“Yes, I’m really taking it easy.”

• There have been lots of articles about you collapsing. You need to take care of yourself.

“I’m sorry, oppa.”

• You don’t need to apologize to me. There’s not much left of the drama shooting, so hang in there a little longer.

“Hmm.”

Seung-min was someone who worried about her more than anyone else. 

And then, one person naturally came to mind.

Jung-ah might still be suffering from heartache…

Seowoo couldn’t intervene and could only watch.

• Seowoo.

“Hmm?”

He called her name and paused for a moment. In the brief silence, she blinked and waited for him to speak.

• Never mind. I’ll tell you next time.

“What is it?”

• It’s nothing.

“You’re dull.”

Seowoo chuckled as she teased him.

“Oh, right. It’s Jung-ah’s birthday next week.”

• I know.

“Just in case you forgot because you were busy. Glad to hear you remember.”

• Do well in the shoot tomorrow. I’ll contact you again.

“Thanks.”

After the brief call ended, Seowoo clutched her phone and thought.

“What should I give her as a gift?”

She always felt grateful to Jung-ah and wanted to give her something. If it involved Seung-min, it would be perfect for her. 

But she couldn’t force Seung-min to sit with her, so Seowoo could only watch.

People’s feelings aren’t something that can be conjured up by encouragement from others.

Just then, the cell phone in her hand vibrated briefly again.

[I’m leaving work now. Will arrive in 20 minutes.]

A look of perplexity spread across Seowoo’s face.

***

“This would be prettier.”

“What are you doing now……”

Seowoo looked at him with a bewildered face. However, Jiwook, as if seeing no problem, nonchalantly handed her a dress.

“You look prettier in this since you’re pale. Come out wearing it.”

Seowoo, who always had an interest in clothes, had plenty of them even without Jiwook buying any.

Of course, she hardly went shopping for a few years after they divorced.

Despite that, receiving a dress from Jiwook was a first. She couldn’t quite grasp the situation no matter how hard she thought about it.

“Did you pick this out yourself?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“From the office.”

His personal shopper had selected a few options and brought them to him.

He was too busy to even go to a department store himself. So he chose from those brought to him.

What was absurd was that the clothes he picked perfectly matched her usual taste.

Surprisingly.

“You like this kind of thing.”

“Me?”

“No?”

“No.”

She didn’t want to agree, so Seowoo pretended otherwise.

The color, fabric and even the smallest details of the dress were so aligned with her taste that it wouldn’t seem out of place among the clothes in her home dressing room.

Although she denied it, Jiwook clearly didn’t believe her.

He smirked and then spoke.

“If you’re going to lie, at least try not to show it. Just wear it. Or should I help you put it on?”

“What?”

“You can let me help.”

“No!”

As Jiwook reached for the hem of her T-shirt, Seowoo jumped back in shock, retreating a couple of steps. Then he tilted his head with a meaningful smile.

“Don’t be so surprised. I’m someone who knows every scar on your body, even those not visible.”

“……”

Her ears turned red with his blunt words. She glared at him with pursed lips, and his eyes curved into a slick smile.

“Come on, wear it. We don’t have much time.”

“Why did you get me this?”

“I bought this so you wouldn’t refuse to go out with me.”

“What does that mean……”

Jiwook picked up a shopping bag nearby and took out a box. Seowoo’s gaze followed his hands.

“I thought you might refuse to go out unless I did something like this.”

He opened the box to reveal a pair of shoes adorned with beads. Then he kneeled down in front of her with one knee bent.

“Foot.”

“……”

As Jiwook reached out toward her foot, Seowoo flinched and stepped back five steps. Then he looked up, one eyebrow raised.

“Are you going to keep stepping back?”

“Why are you doing things you’ve never done before……”

“What?”

“…….”