Chapter 15 – A Small Spark  

Jo In-ha wasn’t just pushing Eom So-yeon; he was relentlessly driving her. He criticized her cautious nature, full of thoughts and careful in everything, as if she were an inflexible social misfit.

Yet, Eom So-yeon was just silently enduring it.

There was definitely something between those two.

Tae Seo-jun, who had been listening indifferently to the conversation, felt a discomfort in his chest as he watched So-yeon unable to say anything.

Tae Seo-jun’s sudden involvement in Eom So-yeon’s acting practice, which he had no interest in, was an extension of his unpleasant feelings.

“Why are those who should know better acting this way?”

Seo-jun, mixing a low voice with a long sigh, continued to speak.

“Script leaks are prohibited, and it seems Eom So-yeon is concerned about that, so let’s stop.”

“Pfft…”

Instinctively, Jo In-ha, who found Tae Seo-jun uncomfortable, snickered quietly. But he couldn’t escape Yeo Do-soon’s eyes right in front of him.

Damn it…!

“That’s right, we should keep what needs to be kept! Director’s words are absolutely right!”

Do-soon took advantage of the brief silence to cast her vote for Tae Seo-jun. In other words, it was ‘Go Tae Seo-jun! Jo In-ha, get lost!’

It was biased, but it couldn’t be helped.

As a friend and a fan, she couldn’t just watch Jo In-ha trying to make another move on So-yeon and even sneering at Tae Seo-jun.

“Although the drama filming has already started, Eom So-yeon’s scenes are from the middle of the work, so there’s still time. There are plenty of better directions to take.”

Watching Seo-jun speak, Go Won-hoo’s eyes widened in surprise.

Director Tae, of all people?

It wasn’t like Tae Seo-jun to meddle in others’ affairs without reason. Yet, knowing he wasn’t someone to act thoughtlessly, a flicker of expectation lingered in Won-hoo’s gaze.

“I don’t know what kind of scheming went on between you and Jo In-ha earlier, but it seems the director has been worrying unnecessarily.”

“What!”

A scheme!

An unexpected punch hit the mark like a sudden blow, and In-ha’s face twisted immediately.

In fact, even if he hadn’t seen it like Do-soon, Seo-jun had heard the faint sound of a snort. It was a small gesture of reciprocation. As a result, a sharp current flowed between Seo-jun and In-ha.

“Then, why don’t you do it, Director Tae!”

Alternately glancing at the two men, Go Won-hoo suddenly covered the chilly atmosphere with a new proposal, as if asking why they were acting like this.

“Since Director Tae is the actual counterpart in the drama, having him as Eom So-yeon’s practice partner would be perfect. There’s no worry about script leaks, and it’s a chance to coordinate in advance, so it wouldn’t be bad for Director Tae either.”

Tae Seo-jun had never allocated his time to other actors. At least, not until now. Knowing Tae Seo-jun’s thoroughness with himself and stinginess with others, Won-hoo added 1% sincerity to 99% of his joke.

So-yeon also didn’t expect such a thing and couldn’t even imagine it.

Having someone take her side is a pleasant thing. Moreover, having Tae Seo-jun speak for her made the emotion several times greater. But she didn’t think this man, who was still cold, would go so far as to do that for her.

But what was this twist?

“So, Director Tae, will you do it?”

“…….”

When CEO Go asked again, as if probing, Seo-jun silently raised his thick eyebrows.

Won-hoo knew that expression was a positive signal.

“Really? Can you really do it?”

“There’s no reason I can’t.”

“……!”

With Seo-jun’s voice driving the final nail, So-yeon’s gaze, momentarily surprised and weakened, turned to Seo-jun. And just as she was about to refuse, Won-hoo intercepted her words.

“As you heard, Director Tae, it seems we can coordinate practice times with Director Tae later…”

Even though it was a rare occurrence, there was no reason for Won-hoo not to welcome Seo-jun’s decision, so he pushed his intention firmly, and So-yeon was driven to a point where she couldn’t refuse any further.

This neatly resolved the issue of Eom So-yeon’s practice partner.

However, Jo In-ha, who was left looking at the roof like a dog chasing a chicken, expressed his dissatisfaction with a sullen voice and a sour expression.

“Isn’t Director Tae already filming the drama? The lead won’t have time to concern himself with a mere supporting role.”

“Well. That’s my business, so why would you have any reason to meddle?”

Seo-jun didn’t bother to hide his smirk.

“Jo In-ha, shouldn’t you focus on your work instead? Constantly picking subpar scripts and failing to meet basic viewership expectations despite being called the ‘hidden card’ of Chungmuro—how’s that anyone else’s fault but your own?”

Jo In-ha’s rudeness towards Eom So-yeon earlier was quite displeasing. However, Eom So-yeon’s passive response to it was even more irritating.

Seo-jun didn’t forget to add a fitting mockery along with his reprimand.

“That’s probably in your nature too.”

“!”

At the last remark, In-ha’s brow furrowed tightly.

The harsh criticism, followed by his own words coming back like a boomerang to strike at his weak spot, left him speechless. But In-ha couldn’t retort or say anything.

No matter how much he mulled it over, there was nothing inherently wrong with what was said.

***

Ding.

The message from Seo-jun inviting her for tea arrived just as So-yeon was leaving the cafeteria, having seen Do-soon off, and was just reaching the practice room.

Reading the words telling her to come to the director’s office made So-yeon’s heart skip a beat.

In the few seconds that followed, she hesitated countless times about whether to go or not.

Her heart, which had been fluttering strangely since the cafeteria, now seemed broken or frozen.

But her legs, as if they weren’t her own, moved swiftly like a well-trained puppy, and she found herself standing in front of the director’s office door.

Knock, knock.

After knocking, So-yeon entered and immediately locked eyes with Tae Seo-jun, who was sitting upright in a swivel chair.

Meeting his cold gaze, So-yeon instinctively tensed up, barely managing to return her narrowing shoulders to their place as she spoke first.

“I’m here…”

“Regardless of day or night, you should come when I call, can you do that?”

He seemed angry for some reason, cutting her off mid-sentence and getting straight to the point without even offering her a seat, making it seem like he hadn’t called her just for tea.

“What…?”

“Do I need to say it twice? It means you should match my schedule, Eom So-yeon.”

It was natural to adjust her practice time to his. Since he was already filming the drama, even making time was burdensome for him. She had unconsciously thought she would do so if he asked.

But why did she feel so disappointed?

Was it because he wasn’t treating her warmly like last week? Because there wasn’t even a faint warmth in his voice that spoke as if it was obvious?

Beyond that, countless reasons that couldn’t be put into words weighed down So-yeon’s lips.

‘Let’s not cry just anywhere with that face.’

‘What’s wrong with my face?’

‘Because it’s pretty?’

On that winter night when snowflakes were falling, she cherished the tender voice and warm touch that had comforted her wounded heart.

But So-yeon knew too.

Tae Seo-jun was someone from a world far away, someone she couldn’t dare to desire. The kindness that existed in her memory was limited to that day. She knew she wouldn’t see him like that again. No, she knew from the start that he was no more than a mirage that didn’t exist in this world.

“You don’t have to answer.”

Seo-jun stood up from the chair and looked out the window. The thorough indifference emanating from his back was more than enough to prove that he was a cold person from the start.

“Eom So-yeon is the ‘eul’ who must unconditionally follow my will.”

“…….”

Of course, you are the ‘gap,’ and I’m in a position where even ‘eul’ is too much. But do you know that emphasizing that makes you look a bit childish?

(T/N: In Korean business culture, the terms ‘갑’ (gap) and ‘을’ (eul) are used to describe the power dynamics in contracts and relationships. ‘Gap’ refers to the party with more power or authority, typically the one who sets the terms, while ‘Eul’ refers to the party with less power, often having to follow the terms set by the ‘Gap.’ In this context, Tae Seo-jun is asserting his dominance over Eom So-yeon, emphasizing that she must follow his lead.)

Her tear-filled eyes turned red. Just as she slowly exhaled her pent-up breath, overwhelmed by the sudden surge of emotions, Seo-jun turned from the window and approached So-yeon with long strides.

The chilling energy brought her to her senses, and So-yeon, with her light brown eyes trembling slightly, stared intently at his face.

“…….”

“…….”

Seo-jun gazed deeply into her large eyes, which were clear yet filled with longing.

What are those sad eyes?

Are you upset because I crushed that annoying bastard in one go? Is that why you’re so pitifully crying?

And you’re doing that in front of me…!

Eom So-yeon, who sat silently without any rebuttal to Jo In-ha in the cafeteria, had the same eyes now. He couldn’t help but know that Jo In-ha’s arrogant attitude stemmed from deep feelings for this woman.

It was because of that.

Sparks crackled in his heart.

It felt like a hot flame was swirling through the blood vessels of his entire body, scorching his chest until it smelled like burning.

It was intense jealousy.

However, since it was an unfamiliar emotion he had never felt even once in his life, Seo-jun was simply displeased. Covering his muddled mind with a cold laugh, he asked.

“You seem dissatisfied with something; is it because of Jo In-ha?”

“…….”

So-yeon bit her lower lip tightly, not wanting to explain the meaning of her tears.

She understood that he was in a bad mood because he had to take responsibility for her out of necessity, but his crooked attitude, mentioning Jo In-ha, felt like mockery of her utterly pathetic self.

There was no trace of the vague excitement or anticipation she had carried with her before entering this place on So-yeon’s transparent face. Only self-reproach for having gotten unnecessarily excited lingered.

“Then, what is it? Could it possibly be because of me?”

“Yes, that’s right. I don’t understand why you stepped in if you were going to get angry like this.”

When Seo-jun persistently asked, she poured out the words bottled in her heart, squeezing her fists.

“Aren’t you being too much? I couldn’t even speak up properly, and I’m the fool for that. But was my helping a little bit so upsetting to you? Are we not even close enough for something like that?”

“Is there anything between you and me? Or was there ever?”

His deep eyes, momentarily glancing at the small fist trembling with tension, subtly furrowed.

“Why wouldn’t there be?”

“!”

As if pouncing, Seo-jun leaned his head forward, causing So-yeon’s shoulders to flinch and her back to stiffen.

“And what are you, constantly tensing up in front of me? It really gets on my nerves. Even now, are you saying there’s absolutely nothing between us?”

She thought he would say there wasn’t, but his lips, now close to her, insisted that there was indeed something between them.

“…….”

So-yeon quietly looked up at the flawless face without a single blemish.

His expression, suppressing fiery anger, was cold enough to be chilling, but the black eyes gazing at her emitted a strong heat, as if desperately wanting something.

What could it be? What is he yearning for? Could it be… me?

The questions that trailed one after another inflated her deflated and crumpled expectations to the fullest. Like a dying ember reigniting.

And that spark flew in an unexpected direction.

“Why do you keep speaking informally! You’re all over the place, it’s confusing!”

“…….”

Seo-jun suddenly chuckled.

Her expression, counterattacking with round eyes, was very serious, but she was asking about something completely unrelated, making it impossible not to laugh.

Indeed, she was a woman with an excellent talent for unnecessary combativeness and dodging questions.

“Was that bothering you too?”

“Can you at least be consistent?”

“Why should I? If you’re upset about it, then Ms. Eom So-yeon, why don’t you speak informally too?”

“Huh…!”

Look at him, doing whatever he wants!

So-yeon pouted her lips but felt relieved inside.

After all, she had avoided a serious situation.