Side Story (Part 2)

“Yoon Seowoo!”

Jung-ah jumped out of the van and approached Seowoo. A smile spread across Seowoo’s face as she spotted Jung-ah. They had occasionally kept in touch, but due to the sporadic schedule after pregnancy, it had been quite a while since they last met.

“Why did you come down already? It’s tough for you now. I told you to call me and I’d come get you. Honestly, you don’t listen.”

“I just came down now.”

Her belly had grown a lot. Jung-ah raised an eyebrow at Seowoo, who had come out first and was waiting.

“Come on, get in. Okay?”

“Stop worrying so much. My condition has been really good lately.”

“Still, be careful. I’m worried, you know.”

“Ugh, quit nagging.”

Seowoo shook her head in frustration. As they got into the van, In-ryul, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, greeted them with a cheerful voice.

“Hey, Noona!”

“It’s been a while, In-ryul.”

“Noona, you’re still beautiful as ever.”

Although he was now working as a road manager for another actor, he happened to have a free schedule and came to pick up Seowoo.

Seeing Inryul and Jung-ah after such a long time was truly delightful. She thought of them even when working. Although it had only been a few months, it felt like a lifetime ago.

“Hmm, you’ve been doing well with your career, haven’t you?”

“No, I’m being sincere.”

“Thank you.”

“Seowoo, I got this for you.”

Jung-ah suddenly handed something to her. Seowoo smiled softly as she saw the item placed on her lap out of nowhere. The box was filled with various items.

“What’s all this?”

“You need to eat all sorts of things when you’re pregnant, right? I mean, you’re probably taking good care of yourself, but still, since I’m going to be the aunt of our little bean cakes, I wanted to take care of you.”

“….”

When she was pregnant with Byul, Jung-ah took care of her like this. Buying supplements, buying food when she couldn’t eat due to morning sickness. 

Of course, they couldn’t meet often since she got married, but seeing Jung-ah, who always took care of her consistently, brought tears to her eyes.

“Why do you look so touched?”

“Thank you.”

“If you’re thankful, then you’re buying me lunch today.”

“Anytime.”

Seowoo knew the blunt remark was just Jeong-a’s way of avoiding the awkwardness of gratitude. She began to examine the items one by one inside the box.

Multivitamins, stretch mark cream, moisturizer, iron supplements, and folic acid. And when she picked up the small envelope at the bottom, Jung-ah snatches it away and puts it back in the box.

“You can look at this when you get home.”

“What is it?”

“A love letter?”

“Come on.”

“It’s embarrassing, just look at it at home! When I’m not around.”

Seowoo nodded in understanding. Jung-ah was also very busy with work. Although she was now in a managerial position, when Seowoo had a schedule, Jung-ah adjusted everything and became her personal manager for the day. Seowoo was truly grateful for her.

“If you feel tired during the shoot, be sure to say so. Don’t push yourself.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell you.”

Seowoo was more concerned about her children being affected by her desire to work than anyone else. Having entered the second trimester and with her morning sickness much improved, her body felt much lighter, allowing her to handle the schedules. Chatting along the way, they soon arrived at the set.

“We’re here. Let’s go.”

“In-ryul, make sure to have lunch.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve been eating well lately.”

In-ryul now seemed more relaxed than when he first started working. Seowoo nodded slightly and got out of the van with Jung-ah. The thought of filming after a long time made her heart race with excitement. Seowoo and Jung-ah walked together.

***

“Thank you for your hard work.”

The shoot, which lasted about 4 hours, was finally over. Thanks to the consideration of the director and the staff, Seowoo was able to finish without any discomfort.

“Seowoo, you did great. Congratulations on your pregnancy again.”

“Thank you.”

The director smiled and greeted her. Director Yoon had worked with her when she was a rookie. Many people treated rookies disrespectfully, but Director Yoon was not one of them. He had always been considerate, then and now.

“When you return, let’s work together again. It’s been a while, and I’m so glad.”

“It’s a promise then.”

“I was worried that you might be too busy, Seowoo. Take care and be safe.”

“Thank you for your hard work. See you next time, director.”

After saying a firm goodbye, Seowoo entered the dressing room.

“Ugh.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. It was so much fun.”

Seowoo stretched and groaned. She was a little tired, but she had enjoyed the four hours of shooting so much that she didn’t even realize how time had flown by.

“Go change your clothes. Let’s go home and rest.”

“Aren’t we going to eat? Let’s eat together. It’s dinner time now.”

“I have a date, you know?”

“Oh, really? With CEO Moon?”

“Yeah.”

After confirming each other’s feelings, Seung-min and Jung-ah were in a smooth relationship. Maybe that’s why, like a fully bloomed flower, Jung-ah’s face seemed to brighten more and more as the days went by.

“It’s a shame. Heo Jung-ah was originally mine.”

“What are you saying? Isn’t yours Kwon Jiwook?”

“Really, you…”

Seowoo shook her head with tears in her eyes. While Jung-ah organized her things, Seowoo changed and brought them to her.

“Let’s rain check on our dinner for now. I’ll come over to your place on my day off.”

“You’re always busy.”

“No, it’s okay now. I’ve sorted out some of the busy work. Let’s eat something delicious and have fun before your belly gets even bigger.”

“Sounds good.”

Seowoo smiled and picked up her bag. The tension seemed to have eased now, and fatigue was setting in. She wanted to go home, take a hot shower, and get some rest.

Seowoo and Jung-ah left the set. It was while Jung-ah was putting their luggage in the waiting van that Seowoo heard a familiar voice calling her name.

“Seowoo.”

Seowoo turned around at the sound of her name, and a hint of joy flickered in her eyes when she saw the man.

***

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

It had been a long time since Seowoo had seen Sung-hyun. They hadn’t contacted each other or met since their drama schedules ended.

[I’ll probably never forget the half a year I spent filming with you, Seowoo. Take care. Thank you.]

That was the last text she received from him. When her reconciliation article came out and he had come to terms with his feelings, Seowoo couldn’t find the words to say. She knew his sincerity towards her.

“Yes, and how about you, Sung-hyun?”

“As you can see, I’m doing well. Busy with filming as well.”

A bitter smile formed on Sung-hyun’s lips. Seeing her after so long, she seemed bright and cheerful.

Although he heard snippets of news about her from time to time, Sung-hyun deliberately ignored those stories. Yet, he couldn’t avoid hearing about her through articles from time to time.

Sung-hyun quickly chose his next project and kept himself busy. When she decided to reconcile with Kwon Jiwook and even got pregnant, it was a moment of despair for him, but there was nothing he could do.

She never gave him a chance to have feelings for her in the first place. It was right for him to sort out his feelings on his own. Still, the moments he spent filming with Yoon Seowoo were so enjoyable, and he couldn’t help but think about them. It was hard for a while.

“You look good.”

“Do I?”

At his words, Seowoo lightly tapped her cheek with the back of her hand and smiled softly.

Kwon Jiwook must be treating her well. 

When they were filming, she looked tired and worn out, but now she seemed to have put on some weight and her expression had brightened. It’s a relief to see her looking so well.

A brief awkward silence fell between them.

Although he thought they had finally become closer, it felt like they were further apart than before. Seeing her smiling in front of him, emotions that hadn’t been sorted out surged within him again.

“I’ve heard news about you, Sung-hyun. Is the filming difficult for you?”

“Well, it’s alright. Being busy is probably better.”

Perhaps being busy was a blessing in disguise. And today, he heard that Seowoo was filming at the place he stopped by for an advertisement shoot.

He considered passing by, but he felt like if he didn’t do it today, he wouldn’t have another chance to meet her. So, he waited for Seowoo’s schedule to finish to say hello, ask about her well-being, and finally, see her face

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for what?”

“For helping me wrap up the filming well, and for my successful comeback. I was able to adjust so well.”

“…….”

“I’ve been thinking about you a lot. Seeing your ads on TV makes me so happy.”

Seowoo said, meeting his eyes. He had thought he had forgotten about her a lot by now, but it seemed he was mistaken. Seeing her talking to him in person, his heart still ached in a corner.

“I’ve always wanted to see you again, and I’m glad I did today.”

She pulls at the corners of her mouth and smiles.

She had expressed her gratitude to him numerous times, but it felt like she never had the chance for a proper farewell.

She had vaguely thought that they might meet again someday, and now, seeing him after such a long time, she felt both happy and apologetic. During the time when her self-esteem was at its lowest, he had helped her return, and she was grateful for that.

“Oh.”

Hearing her words, Sung-hyun’s gaze darkened. He had no intention of pursuing anything with her, but seeing Seowoo bidding him farewell made it feel like this was truly the end.

“You make it sound like we’ll never see each other again.”

“No, it’s not like that.”

The few months they spent together flashed before Sung-hyun’s eyes. They had eaten together, delivered lines together, and even felt like they were dating under the guise of filming. It was as if that short time together now felt distant like a dream.

“I’ll always support you. Sometimes, when I pass by, we can say hello, grab coffee, and chat.”

“Sunbae.”

The way he addressed her changed. She stared at Sung-hyun for a moment with her lips pressed together. Sunghyun slowly closes and opens his eyes, then pulls the corners of his mouth into a smile.

“You really mean it, right? Don’t ignore it.”

“Of course.”

“You said we’d have coffee together. You promised.”

“Absolutely.”

“I’m sure you can do that. We grew close during our filming.”

Smiling, Seowoo nodded in confirmation toward Sung-hyun. She felt choked up, thinking that they had finally wrapped things up. She was so grateful to him for being there for her during difficult times. It was clear that her successful return was thanks to Sung-hyun.

“Take care of yourself. Eat well and stay healthy. Don’t get sick.”

“…”

“And have a safe delivery.”

“Thank you.”

“I heard they’re daughters. They must be very beautiful if they take after you, senior.”

Seowoo’s eyes became moist. She could feel his sincerity. She knew what it was like to have feelings for someone. She couldn’t say anything anymore, knowing what it meant to let go of those feelings.

There was a moment of silence. Sung-hyun finished his coffee and gave her a reassuring smile.

“It was nice to see you. Next time, if we have the chance, let’s meet again.”