Chapter 29 – I Might Use You  

The house, decorated in a charming way, was neat and tidy.

Her parents were in Canada, and her two older sisters, who had become independent early, were overseas and in Jeju Island. This was information that Seo-jun had learned long ago.

The house had about six rooms, and the open kitchen and living room were spacious enough for a large family to live comfortably.

With just a brief look around, Seo-jun could understand Eom So-yeon’s living environment and how she had been living.

Still, there didn’t seem to be anything unusual here…

So why had he been in such a rush to come all the way to her house? If something felt off, he could have simply confirmed it over the phone.

Lately, Seo-jun had been annoyed with himself for acting so impulsively.

When Tae Seo-jun’s car entered the apartment complex, Seo-jun, who was in the back seat, noticed a man looking up at So-yeon’s house. The man was wearing biker attire and a helmet, but his stance alone was enough to identify him as Jo In-ha.

Even though his behavior of hanging around the practice room was already suspicious, the fact that he continued to linger around Eom So-yeon was far beyond normal.

Realizing it was not something to overlook, Seo-jun went to the spot where Jo In-ha had been as soon as he got out of the car, but he was already gone.

Feeling uneasy and with the elevator stuck on an upper floor, Seo-jun sprinted up to the 15th floor. He had previously noted the apartment number, so his fast steps were unhesitant.

When he reached Eom So-yeon’s door, what caught his eye was the front door, open wide enough for a fist to fit through.

The external door closer wasn’t functioning, but why it was broken was unclear.

Seo-jun encountered an unexpected sight as he passed through the entrance and inner door to the living room.

Even though the door was open, it was inappropriate to just enter someone else’s house without a sound, but hearing Eom So-yeon’s tearful voice clearly, Seo-jun couldn’t bring himself to make his presence known.

Why did he feel that way then?

Why did his mood feel strange? Why did his chest feel so tight?

Why did the child’s voice coming from the device affect him, and why did it matter if Eom So-yeon was tearfully talking to her son far away?

It felt like something sharp had pierced deep into his heart and lodged there. Still vividly feeling those inexplicable emotions, Seo-jun added a cynical smile to his expression and spoke.

“I saw Jo In-ha. He was looking up at your house from the front of this building.”

“That can’t be.”

So-yeon, who had brought two cups of lemon tea from the kitchen, placed them on the table and sat down quietly on the living room floor.

In contrast, Seo-jun, who had taken over the sofa, assumed a more relaxed posture than the homeowner. He briefly frowned, displeased that she didn’t sit next to him, but So-yeon pretended not to notice and continued speaking.

“Maybe he has an acquaintance nearby. Senior Jo doesn’t know my house. He’s not that kind of person, so don’t suspect him for no reason.”

Once again, So-yeon defended Jo In-ha.

She knew well that he genuinely cared for her and that dismissing his concerns with a few words was due to her own inferiority complex.

Late last night, Jo In-ha had called.

The moment she answered, he had bombarded her with questions about the child, speaking in a reproachful tone, as if she were some tragic figure who had betrayed him. His attitude was completely unlike his usual self.

Regardless of who had told him, the truth had come from her own lips, so she had to deal with the consequences. But there was no reason for her to endure criticism from Jo In-ha. Deciding that further conversation was pointless, So-yeon had ended the call without saying much.

However, even after that, In-ha called several times, and So-yeon blocked his number. Perhaps that’s why he was angry and came to find her.

So-yeon couldn’t easily tell Tae Seo-jun about this. Jo In-ha was one of the few people she was close to, but more importantly, since the problem stemmed from her, it was her responsibility to handle it.

Seo-jun, who had been observing her stubbornness, knew why she thought that way.

“It’s a warning to be cautious.”

As Seo-jun mixed a quiet sigh with his low voice, the corners of So-yeon’s lips slightly lifted.

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Though she answered obediently, her delicate fingertips were constantly fidgeting. It was contradictory to her usual demeanor with him, but she felt closer to Tae Seo-jun, who was worried about her, and was simply happy at that moment.

“But… did you hear everything earlier?”

“Well, the babbling child’s voice was very cute. Your mother’s voice, filled with nothing but concern for her child, was deeply moving and Eom So-yeon, your steadfast held back your tears well.”

“……”

Ah, so he really heard everything…

Nodding her head, So-yeon clenched her fists tightly.

She needed to say what she couldn’t answer yesterday, but her eyes, unable to find the right timing, wandered around, avoiding Seo-jun.

It was as if Seo-jun read her mind, as he brought up the main topic.

“I was a bit excited.”

“About what…”

“I was very curious all night about what your answer would be.”

“Ah…”

Though she had already made up her mind, another conflict swirled in So-yeon’s head.

Could I avoid regret? More importantly, was I ready to handle Tae Seo-jun?

But So-yeon couldn’t stop the intense desire that had already formed.

“I might use you. Is that okay?”

“……”

What was she talking about now? Was she asking for something more than a blank check?

Raising his thick eyebrows, Seo-jun let out a slight laugh with his handsome lips.

Perhaps she was a woman more wicked than a villain, wearing the guise of an innocent lamb. However, even Eom So-yeon piqued Seo-jun’s interest.

“Go ahead. I’m confident I can handle it.”

“In that case, fine. I’ll do as you say, Director.”

She knew that the word “use” carried a negative connotation. Even so, she sought his permission in advance as a sort of insurance. His agreement gave her an escape route.

Even if she couldn’t resist his temptation and acted impulsively for a moment, she needed a shield for that time.

“But it can’t be one-sided. If I ever say no, you’ll stop, right?”

“Of course.”

The moment they confirmed each other’s feelings, they would either become lovers or end things completely—such was the condition.

So-yeon, who readily accepted the proposal, took a sip of lemon tea.

Seo-jun, with a lighter expression, looked at So-yeon, dressed and adorned in yellow, and casually remarked.

“Does that guy have the same taste as you?”

“Huh? What guy?”

“I mean your son, Eom So-yeon.”

“……”

At his words, So-yeon blinked her large eyes slowly. Calling such a tiny child a “guy” and asking about his preferences felt a bit strange to her.

“Since he was a baby, he’d smile whenever he saw yellow, and as he grew, he became particularly attached to this color.”

“Really? I was like that with yellow when I was little too.”

“!”

Gasp! Was a preference for color genetic? 

Caught off guard, So-yeon quickly hid her flustered expression and rambled on with random words.

“D-did you eat? I mean, lunch. And, uh, having such a big man sitting in my living room all of a sudden—it really startled me! Next time, at least call before you come over.”

“If you’re upset, you can do the same. Feel free to barge into my house. That way, it’s fair.”

“……”

Almost blurting out an agreement without realizing it, So-yeon quickly closed her half-open lips and bit them shut. As a result, dimples formed on both cheeks.

Seo-jun, whose gaze was caught by those cute dimples, spoke in a plain tone.

“What about going today?”

“W-why would I go to your house, Director?

“No, not there.”

Seo-jun pulled something out of his inner jacket pocket and handed it to So-yeon.

“I’m talking about going here.”

“……?”

The rectangular paper envelope with a sky-blue background and white letters was unmistakably an airline ticket. Upon receiving it, So-yeon checked the writing inside.

“This… this is a ticket to Spain?”

“It’s for tonight’s flight. Since you’ve accepted my proposal, you have to come with me, Eom So-yeon.”

“T-tonight?”

“Right now.”

As she stared intently at Seo-jun’s face, who suddenly suggested leaving the country, So-yeon’s eyes widened to their maximum.

***

Without a steady income, So-yeon supplemented her living expenses with a card her mother gave her.

Then, when she was cast in a drama, the money deposited into her account was the largest sum she had ever earned. If she continued to work steadily, her income would increase even more.

Knowing that, she understood it would be much easier to raise her four-year-old son, who was under her parents’ care in Canada, proudly on her own. That realization became the driving force behind her determination to do well in this drama.

She decided to pour every ounce of her energy into her role, choosing dedication over giving up.

The same applied to Tae Seo-jun.

Being involved with him once more wasn’t a crime, was it? Instead of worrying and fearing prematurely, she decided to confront her love, explore the future, and if she could truly be with him until the end, she would say what needed to be said and take responsibility for what needed to be taken care of.

However, the mistake of hiding the child’s existence was a separate issue. One day, she would have to deeply apologize to Tae Seo-jun.

But even if the sin was great, So-yeon had room for excuses.

When she first found out she was pregnant, meeting Tae Seo-jun wasn’t easy. Moreover, wasn’t he enlisting at that time? And as more than three years passed, the opportunity to speak the truth slipped away.

Additionally, even if she revealed the truth later, the person most troubled would be Tae Seo-jun, wouldn’t it? Even if she told him who the child’s biological father was, he might be extremely perplexed.

That’s why telling the truth required extra caution.

With this, as she prepared to leave for Spain, So-yeon meticulously ensured she had a reason to be with Tae Seo-jun and came out of her room, dragging a large suitcase.

Coincidentally, Do-soon, who had returned from her house, was entering the living room.

“Gasp!”

What was going on! Why was the Director here…!

Startled, Do-soon stopped in her tracks and plopped down on the floor. It was because she saw Tae Seo-jun sitting on the sofa in a pose as splendid as a still cut from a photo shoot.

Truly surprised, Do-soon couldn’t speak for a while.

And shortly after.

Although the main location shooting would start in a week, half of the drama production team had already left for the location. Using jet lag adjustment and condition management as excuses, So-yeon explained to Do-soon why she decided to leave for Spain with Tae Seo-jun today.

“So that’s how it happened. There was one seat left on the special flight today, and it would be a shame to miss it. Since I have to go anyway, it seems better in many ways to move with the Director first.”

“Even so, leaving suddenly?”

“Actually, it’s not sudden; the Director mentioned it before, but I forgot.”

Hoo…

What a sweet, smooth lie. It slipped out so naturally and believably that even So-yeon felt impressed with herself. Meanwhile, Seo-jun, inwardly amused, had to stifle a laugh.

Still bewildered, Do-soon blinked and looked at Seo-jun.

“So, I’m going to join the filming team later, and you two are heading to Spain now?”

“That’s correct, Yeo Do-soon.”

“No wonder I wanted to pack my luggage in advance; something like this happened.”

As if she had completely forgotten how startled she was just a moment ago, Do-soon spoke demurely like a refined lady.

“So-yeon may seem composed, but she tends to act recklessly. Please, Director, take good care of her. Until I arrive, please make sure nothing happens to her. If you do, I’ll be forever grateful.”

“Of course.”

“……”

She’s more reckless than I am, yet she’s saying this?

Feeling guilty for deceiving her friend, So-yeon couldn’t help but let out a helpless laugh at Do-soon’s unusually serious demeanor.