Chapter 31 – A Man Who Breaks All the Rules  

The two people facing each other at the long dining table continued their dinner, exchanging light questions and answers.

“I saw it while coming down the stairs. Is the portrait hanging about halfway down the stairs of you and your family?”

“It’s a painting from when I was very young. You recognized my face?”

“Your face looks the same now as it did then, so it would be strange not to recognize it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

So-yeon nodded once and replied briefly.

She was startled because Tae Seo-jun’s childhood appearance looked so much like her son. But she couldn’t say that out loud.

“You eat well. Does it suit your taste?”

Seo-jun placed his cutlery neatly on the edge of his plate and picked up a crystal glass filled with red liquid.

“There’s no like or dislike when it comes to beef steak. Besides, I always gratefully eat meat anytime.”

Though she spoke as if it was no big deal, it tasted exceptionally good today. Her plate was already clean, proving her point.

But it was understandable. During the long journey, sleep was shallow, and meals were unsatisfying. Because of that, her basic human survival instincts, namely sleep and appetite, were engaged.

However, So-yeon had heard from the white butler she met in front of the dining room that the dinner time was delayed because the young master had instructed not to wake her from her deep sleep, which made her blush up to her ears.

It felt like she had been caught by Seo-jun as both a sleepyhead and a big eater in quick succession.

So-yeon washed away her embarrassment by sipping a bit of red wine and diverted the conversation focused on her to a different direction.

“You’ve been speaking informally for a while. Even when others are around.”

“I prefer comfort. Why, does my way of speaking bother you?”

Seo-jun’s Adam’s apple moved seductively every time he spoke. As if scolding her gaze that had unconsciously stopped there, So-yeon slightly furrowed her brows and took another sip of wine.

However, against her will, her gaze drifted lower and stopped on his broad, muscular chest, which was undeniably masculine.

Seo-jun was perfectly elegant in a white silk shirt and black slacks. Moreover, the well-toned chest peeking through the three unbuttoned buttons of his shirt was nothing short of tempting.

Did this man even know?

What he was doing to her right now.

How much he was captivating her without doing anything.

How his alluring gaze was pulling her into a dangerously enticing place.

This was the endless human desire. Once her lack of sleep was satisfied, she was hungry. Once that hunger was satisfied, another desire began to dominate all her thoughts.

So-yeon finally tore her gaze away from his chest and shook her head as she spoke.

“Bother me? I was just curious.”

In truth, she liked it. The low voice that penetrated her ears. The elegant speech and the enigmatic smile lingering on his distinct lips made So-yeon feel incredibly good.

“It doesn’t sound bad…”

As long as she was curious, it meant she was constantly thinking of him.

Seo-jun tilted his glass and gently swallowed the red wine with his red lips.

The butler and two servants entered the dining room.

Seo-jun, rising from the table with So-yeon, expressed thanks for the delicious meal and acknowledged the servants for their hard work until late, instructing them to leave for the day.

His Spanish was as fluent as that of a native speaker. Indeed, what could a person with both brains and wealth not do? They say the environment shapes the person. There was no need to be surprised.

Seo-jun didn’t seem to care about the eyes of others as he boldly took So-yeon’s hand and left the dining room.

The place Seo-jun led So-yeon to was a quiet study on the first floor.

It seemed they were going to practice the script there.

Seo-jun seated So-yeon in an armchair near the fireplace, where someone had already kindled a cozy fire. He then sat beside her. The distance between them was so close that if not for the armrest, their bodies might have touched.

After a while, Seo-jun placed his elbow on his crossed leg, holding the script in his hand, and So-yeon, like him, kept her eyes on the script. A period of silence ensued as they each reviewed their roles.

The silver osmanthus that bloomed profusely in the garden of his family’s home in Gahoe-dong every fall.

The scent, resembling that flower, tickled Seo-jun’s sense of smell.

He knew it was a sweet scent, but today it felt even sweeter, which was annoyingly pleasant. Yet, it was a scent he didn’t want to distance himself from; rather, he wanted to greedily inhale it all until it disappeared.

“Do you swim well?”

Seo-jun’s first question since entering the study was about the underwater filming. Naturally, So-yeon, who had been considering that part, smiled and answered.

“I’m not bad at it. But the scene is quite long, and I don’t know how I’ll endure underwater.”

“The staff will handle it on set, but it’s a scene that could become dangerous, so you should be thoroughly prepared. Let’s practice it tomorrow.”

“Can we really do that? I was worried because it’s been so long since I went into the water.”

“Once it’s ingrained in your body, it doesn’t easily fade. It’s imprinted in your instincts the moment you get used to it.”

Right in front of the mansion was a yacht dock. Though it was in the distance, So-yeon had glimpsed the magnificent yacht moored there through the window. It was much larger than a regular yacht.

Even though she hadn’t come to enjoy herself, Seo-jun’s suggestion excited her. Just imagining the white yacht floating on the blue sea made her heart race like a child waiting for a picnic.

However, as So-yeon skimmed through the underwater scene, she suddenly couldn’t continue reading the next part.

The scene depicted So Yeo-hwa sinking underwater and slowly dying, but more than dying, the part where she had to express deep emotions while sharing an affectionate kiss with Ki Cheon-yul before dying seemed daunting to imagine.

She wasn’t unaware, but watching that scene in front of Tae Seo-jun made her face flush with heat, and she fidgeted with the script, mumbling softly.

“Th-there’s supposed to be a line here…”

But no matter where she looked, the script was filled with intense love scenes, leaving So-yeon increasingly flustered, her face turning even redder.

In <Master of the Sun>, Eom So-yeon’s main role was to portray a deep melodrama.

Even sharing intimate scenes in bed with Ki Cheon-yul multiple times. In other words, to convey the romance in the drama, it was Eom So-yeon, the rookie actress, not Oh Min-jung, who had to navigate the precarious boundaries.

Watching So-yeon fumble alone as she searched for the sections to practice with him today, Seo-jun chuckled as if he found it amusing.

“Why, are you not confident?”

“W-what?”

“Kissing me.”

Seo-jun’s intense gaze clung to her small, plump lips as if they were stuck like magnets.

“Well, I can just leave it to my future self…”

Seo-jun leaned forward, bringing his face close to hers, and chuckled.

“Just?”

“N-no, why are you picking on my words? I’m saying that real experience is more important than practice.”

“Practice is important too. But Eom So-yeon, you’re already looking for a hole to crawl into. Like omeone who’s probably had their fair share of kisses but is acting all shy.”

“……!”

What was this man saying! 

But she couldn’t refute it. Her first and last kiss was four years ago, which wasn’t something to boast about.

So-yeon’s stiff expression, having been caught off guard, didn’t easily relax.

“Someone like that is talking about real experience? Are you saying you want to half-heartedly pretend and make the staff suffer throughout the filming? Is that the attitude of an actor who wants to work hard? Who’s going to take responsibility for the low-quality performance that doesn’t match the drama invested with hundreds of billions?”

“……”

Who else but me? If I couldn’t deliver my role properly, there would be no second chances for me.

His words were a hundred percent correct. The sharpness of Seo-jun’s words made So-yeon tighten her lips.

“In acting, the real you doesn’t exist. Isn’t that the mindset of a professional actor? Who was it that said they’d use me? It’s acting. This is when you should really use me.”

“……”

All his words were right, but he also knew that her hesitation wasn’t just because of acting. Her small hands clenched into fists, not wanting to be mocked any further.

“Fine! I’ll do it!”

As So-yeon raised her voice, Seo-jun unfolded his crossed legs with a leisurely smile and leaned back, crossing his arms as if watching what she would do.

“Then, go ahead.”

Closing his eyes meant he would stay still, so she could do as she wished. At least as determined as she was now. If she wanted to be a professional actor, she should match that resolve.

“I’ll do it, but…”

Approaching Seo-jun, So-yeon bent over and said,

“I’ll do it, but… don’t open your eyes, okay?”

So-yeon’s breath was trembling slightly, as were her eyelashes

“If that’s what you want.”

However, Seo-jun’s expression was as calm as a still surface. His smooth voice was the same.

But why me? Why am I the only one trembling like a fool when he’s so unaffected? It’s just a kiss. It’s not like my lips are going to melt away. Besides, it’s just practice.

“Okay.”

With a deep breath, So-yeon lightly pressed her lips against Seo-jun’s. And as she gently pressed,

“!”

“!”

Had I underestimated what a kiss entailed? 

The moment their lips touched, So-yeon was startled. What she had intended to be a brief kiss had gone deeper than expected. The sensation pulled her in as though she were being absorbed, and her heart plummeted with a loud thud.

The moment the moist sensation touched his lips, Seo-jun’s brow twitched.

He thought a kiss was just a kiss, but the closed view before his eyes suddenly flashed.

It felt like the pit of his stomach dropped.

Though he’d had plenty of opportunities to kiss before, none had ever led to an actual kiss.

This was, therefore, their first kiss since reuniting.

How could it not evoke a reaction? How could it not affect him?

However, quickly regaining his composure, Seo-jun tilted his head slightly and slowly opened his eyes. True to the title of a kissing expert, he didn’t forget to give advice on the kissing scene.

“Considering the angle the camera comes in, you should tilt like this to make it look convincing.”

“I told you not to open your eyes…!”

So-yeon’s mouth, which let out a shallow breath, was blocked again before she could utter a few words.

The heat spreading from Seo-jun’s skin was transmitted to So-yeon. Her body temperature also rose rapidly, indistinguishable from whose heat had ignited first. Even if it was just acting practice, this was a real kiss.

Nonetheless, So-yeon wrapped her arms around Seo-jun’s neck without retreating. Although the awkward posture made her back tingle, the moment his lips touched hers, she wanted more.

“Is it okay like this?”

“……”

What kind of question was that after already doing it? 

Instead of answering, Seo-jun gently placed his large hand on her waist. And at that moment—

“Oh, oh no!”

Everything collapsed in an instant. So-yeon’s weakened legs gave out, and she ended up sitting on Seo-jun’s thigh. She had practically fallen into his lap.

Unable to stand up or continue sitting, So-yeon cautiously observed Seo-jun’s expression and spoke.

“Shall we stop here for today?”

“……”

His eyebrows lifted as if to do as she pleased, but the thick veins on the back of Seo-jun’s hand were already prominently bulging. Contrary to reason, his instincts didn’t want to miss this moment, this chance.

“This position is fine, though. Why not try again?”

“Again…?”

“It’s my first time being someone’s practice partner.”

Seo-jun slowly rubbed his thumb across So-yeon’s lips, which glistened with moisture.

“So, you should give it your all…”

So-yeon’s heart pounded like a giant stomping its feet, unable to resist Seo-jun’s blatant seduction. He was her unforgettable first love, the father of her child, and her ultimate love—someone she wouldn’t regret giving everything to.

The two gazes entangled in the air intertwined intensely.

Seo-jun’s vision and mind were filled with only one person, Eom So-yeon.

“Eom So-yeon…”

Had he reached the end of his patience? A strong desire swirled in his deeply sunken dark eyes.

“I’m going crazy. Because of you. So…”

Today, you’ll have to take responsibility for me.

He pulled her slender waist close without leaving any gaps. With one hand cradling the back of her neck and head, Seo-jun was on the verge of capturing her small lips in one swift motion.

“Wait…”

“……?”

What stopped the beast-like desire was, amusingly, a single delicate fingertip. So-yeon placed her finger gently on Seo-jun’s lips and said,

“Let’s save it for tomorrow. Who practices like this? No matter how rushed you are, shaking me up like this on the first day here is against the rules.”

Tae Seo-jun, who had confessed his feelings for her, had made So-yeon’s heart flutter uncontrollably. But if they didn’t stop now, she felt like she would completely lose control. Still, leaving room for “tomorrow” was her way of revealing her true feelings, no matter how hard she tried to hide them.

As if to seize that opportunity, Seo-jun exhaled warm breath between her lips and said,

“Actually, it’s been a while since I’ve kissed, so I need the practice too.”

“Do you expect me to believe that?”

“Doubt is a sickness. It’s clearly written in the script, so there’s no reason not to trust me. If you think I’m just trying to shake you up, you can stop me.”

“……”

What kind of nerve is this…

He really knew how to confuse her with his words.

So-yeon, who found it impossible to resist the temptation of a man who broke all the rules, couldn’t say anything. Her heart wanted him so much, but her head insisted on stopping him with plausible excuses. While So-yeon’s heart and mind were at odds,

As her heart and mind waged war, Seo-jun suddenly lifted her and placed her on the mahogany desk.Then, he boldly kissed her again. Unable to resist the relentless man who gave her no room to breathe, So-yeon clung to his shirt tightly.

As if letting go would truly be the end of her.