Chapter 2 – The Share of the Chosen

Tae Seo-jun originally pursued medical school, gradually following the path to becoming a doctor.

He envisioned a future and a valuable life dealing with life as a surgeon.

However, during his internship, when he had to follow a professor’s order to remove the life support of a brain-dead patient, Seo-jun questioned who could decide life and death for a person.

Should that authority truly belong to a doctor?

No, it does not.

It is a domain of the divine that humans have assigned to themselves, akin to human arrogance ruling over the dignity of life.

At the end of his deep contemplation, Seo-jun took off his white coat and turned away from the university hospital, embarking on a new path as an actor.

From his debut work, he swept various awards with his godly acting skills, capturing the public’s attention, and with his superior physique, he won over many hearts, establishing himself as the undisputed top actor in South Korea.

Such Tae Seo-jun had a lover.

Or rather, he had one.

During the time he was preparing for his debut work and was relatively unknown, he first met her at a movie premiere. She was already one of the fairly successful actresses at the time.

Disguising her desire and possessiveness for the top visual man as innocence, she approached Seo-jun first, and they gradually grew closer without any intense emotions.

During the two years they dated, they kept their relationship private due to her suggestion, considering their professions as celebrities.

When rumors occasionally circulated about her being linked with a second-generation chaebol, Seo-jun didn’t even question her.

Perhaps it was respect for the person he chose. He wanted to believe that her true self was no different from the innocent first impression she gave. At least until he witnessed her cheating a month ago.

Seo-jun confronted his stubbornness on the day the filming schedule was postponed due to bad weather.

His expression turned cold as he saw the scattered clothes from the entrance, and when he saw the underwear of a man and a woman lying in front of the door, he was too dumbfounded to even laugh.

The loud moans and sharp cries coming from the bedroom inside weren’t even surprising compared to the shocking and filthy scene Seo-jun witnessed through the slightly open door.

Her behavior as a lover had been enough to instill trust. So Seo-jun dismissed her rumors as falsehoods born from those envious of her.

But the moment he confirmed her true nature with his own eyes, he felt no disappointment. It wasn’t just because he was suddenly hit hard, but because the disappointment was greater due to the trust he had placed in her.

She was no longer his woman.

Seeing her true self, he felt a sense of liberation, as if the shackles tied to his ankles had been broken. For two years, she had been someone he couldn’t spit out or swallow.

That day, Seo-jun coldly bid her a permanent farewell with indifferent eyes. He resolutely erased her from his life. However, on the other hand, he felt a heavy, suffocating emotion, as if a stone had been placed on his chest.

Regardless of the depth of his feelings, she was somewhat special to Seo-jun. She was the first connection he made on the new path he chose after giving up his life as a doctor.

But the relationship with her, which had been hanging by a thread, was now over.

Once it’s over, it’s over until the end.

But today, exactly a month after it ended, she came to the hotel.

The El Stella luxury hotel, where modernity and grandeur coexist, is owned by Tae Seo-jun’s biological father, Chairman Tae, and Seo-jun’s two brothers manage the hotel business both in Korea and abroad. However, Seo-jun never mentioned his background to anyone.

There are various reasons for this, but one of them is that he disliked the idea of his free life being included in the framework of a second-generation chaebol.

Therefore, she also knew nothing about his family background.

After breaking up with her, Seo-jun had been staying at the El Stella Hotel.

During their relationship, they mostly dated at his home, and he usually stayed home when not working. So it was difficult for her to guess where Tae Seo-jun might be, and she recklessly sought out the CEO of <CN Entertainment>, where he was affiliated.

However, CEO Go Won-hoo was tight-lipped, yielding no results, but instead, she managed to learn his whereabouts by threatening Tae Seo-jun’s road manager, whom she luckily encountered at the company’s main entrance.

Thus, she was able to meet Tae Seo-jun at the lobby of the El Stella Hotel’s VIP floor. However, he tried to pass by as if he didn’t know her at all, and she persistently held onto Seo-jun’s arm, trying to explain that day’s events.

“I must have been momentarily insane. But can’t you overlook it just once? We’re breaking up over one little mistake, and that makes no sense!”

That little mistake.

Of all her pathetic excuses, this was the most annoying. Seo-jun mixed a bit of a sneer into his cold voice and spoke precisely.

“Mistake? As a person, that might happen. But if the same mistake happens multiple times, that means that’s just who you are. Did you think I let it go because I didn’t know it was a lie?”

“L-lie? Let it go, you say?”

“Executive Director Han Seung-jae of <Rian Motors>, notorious for being a drug addict. Was he the only man you fooled around with?”

“Th-that person is just a business relationship. Newcomers aiming for my spot are fiercely rising every day. You know well, Seo-jun, that I have no choice but to survive as an actress in this industry!”

If trusting her was a mistake, then it was a mistake, but now Seo-jun didn’t want to leave any room for repeating such mistakes. He wanted to cut off even the slightest thread of connection.

“You brought another man into the bed that hadn’t even cooled from my warmth, hoping I’d step aside. You repeated that situation as if you enjoyed it. Even after getting caught, you make excuses and expect me to keep being deceived. If you still have more to say to me after all this, you must not be a normal person.”

“Seo-jun, I swear I won’t fool around anymore. I really promise. So just once, just one more time… please…”

Her belated excuses were as dull as a rusty knife with missing teeth. No, her trust, with everything but her breath being lies, had already hit rock bottom.

“Enough. If you’re bored, go find another man. I have an appointment, so I can’t play with you anymore.”

When Seo-jun easily shook off her hand from his arm and spoke, she immediately shouted angrily.

“Don’t tell me… you mean you have a new woman? Stop saying ridiculous things and please give me just one more chance! No matter what others said, you always believed in me until the end! That’s love!”

A broken relationship can’t be mended no matter what you do, yet she was absurdly screaming and insisting while holding onto the shattered pieces.

Maybe it needs to be broken further for this relationship to end.

Seo-jun spoke coldly.

“Don’t be mistaken. I’m tired of you. Yes, I have a girlfriend. I’m very fond of her. So don’t hold any more regrets and go your way.”

“Lies! What kind of man are you, Tae Seo-jun, to meet another woman in just a month? It’s not true!”

Of course, it wasn’t true. But if necessary, he could say even more.

It’s an attachment that must be severed, even if it causes bleeding.

Leaving her behind, Seojun immediately headed for the cocktail bar. There were plenty of women here who could pretend to be his girlfriend. But unusually today, the whole hall seemed empty, which if anything, was a variable.

The reason Tae Seo-jun approached Eom So-yeon was simple.

Because she was alone.

Sitting with a cocktail in front of her and just looking out the window didn’t seem like she was waiting for anyone.

But there were a few other women similar to her. Yet, it was only Eom So-yeon who caught his eye so distinctly, and his approach to her was an inexplicable development.

Telling a woman he met for the first time that she was pretty was an objective fact that slipped out without him realizing it. However, the atmosphere didn’t suit his purpose. He needed a woman with a somewhat strong vibe, but up close, she had large, soft eyes and a delicate appearance.

But what does it matter?

As long as he can make it clear to the woman who has become a part of his past that their relationship is over, it’s already over.

That’s all there was to it.

***

“You seem to have mistaken me for someone else…”

“What if I saw correctly?”

“Wh-who are you…”

“Me? You should know.”

Yes, she does know. It’s none other than Tae Seo-jun! If you’re Korean. No, if you’re someone who communicates with the current civilization, you can’t not know him! A former doctor turned actor, currently one of the top-class stars enjoying immense popularity!

But why is such an amazing actor approaching me? Why is someone like him doing this when we don’t even know each other! Could it be that he’s lost his mind?

However, it seemed like her heart was the one that had gone mad.

The man she had only seen on screen was right in front of her, even staring at her with eyes dripping with sweetness.

So-yeon, whose heart was pounding so hard that it seemed to stop, looked up at the fantastically handsome features with fearful, no, almost tearful eyes. But no matter how much she looked at him, this moment felt too unreal.

“Please help me.”

Seo-jun brought his lips close to So-yeon’s ear, which was bowed, and whispered softly.

“An annoying situation has arisen.”

The alluring scent of the man that lingered at the tip of her nose overwhelmed her rationality in an instant, and the devilish breath that touched her earlobe seeped into her brain like a poison, paralyzing her entire body. Above all, the strong presence of Tae Seo-jun, whom she encountered in person, was something she couldn’t ignore.

Seo-jun briefly explained his situation, and So-yeon kept feeling dizzy while listening.

“…”

Ah, I don’t understand at all. What is this situation, and what is he talking about?

Peeking through the gap under the man’s arm, So-yeon spotted a woman standing idly a few steps away.

Judging by the way she was looking in this direction, it seemed to be her, but with her face covered by a mask and sunglasses, it was hard to tell who she was, though the atmosphere she exuded was certainly that of a celebrity.

So, the person he wants to avoid because she’s troublesome is that woman?

What was it that stirred her curiosity about someone else’s romantic entanglement? She didn’t need to rack her brain to easily figure it out.

Tae Seo-jun, a box office guarantee ticket that easily surpasses ten million viewers once released. His large and solid build is optimized for action, and his perfect mask, which feels at odds with his sturdy body, is the most beautiful among both male and female actors.

Heartthrob. How many people wouldn’t be tempted by someone like him?

For actresses who frequent the screen, standing in front of the camera with Tae Seo-jun even once would be a dream. It’s the same for So-yeon, but could she even dare to consider a man like him when all she ever played were supporting roles or background characters?

That’s why.

It was urgent for him, but she was the one pressed for time.

In the short minute, So-yeon struggled to come to terms with herself. This opportunity would never come again, and where else could she match acting breaths with this man in reality? It might be a windfall. No, it’s definitely a stroke of luck.

So-yeon asked with a mix of generosity and self-interest.

“If I help…?”

Her round, gentle eyes were very serious. Perhaps it was because of the baby powder scent that subtly tickled her nose. Seo-jun’s deep lips stretched slightly as he looked down at So-yeon’s pretty yet cute slender face.

“I’ll do one thing for you. Whatever it is.”

As his lips moved softly, So-yeon exhaled her tense breath through her nose.

Whatever… you say? What do you think I’ll wish for!

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t that too much?”

“I asked for too much.”

Whether it was because Tae Seo-jun was extraordinary, or because getting rid of that woman was that desperate, or maybe both, she wouldn’t know even if she thought until her brain dried up, but So-yeon readily accepted.

The request and the deal that was a proposal. Tae Seo-jun’s temptation, whether it was luck or misfortune.

“Alright. I’ll help! What should I do?”

Leaning a little closer to her, Seo-jun spoke in a voice sweeter than chocolate.

“Be my girlfriend. Just for today.”

Am I enchanted, or have I gone mad?

The aftermath is solely the responsibility of the one who chooses.

Accepting even that, So-yeon boldly placed her lips on his cheek. Then her small, plump lips parted from him with a smooch.

“…Is this okay?”

Her eyes sparkled brightly as if she were opening a door she hadn’t opened before.