Chapter 40 – For My Child and Myself

The day to leave Malaga had finally come.

The fountain in front of the entrance shot streams of water high into the cloudless blue sky.

“Adiós, hasta pronto. (Goodbye, see you again.)”

As Tae Seo-jun and Eom So-yeon got into the sedan, the butler and all the staff standing at the bottom of the stairs bid them farewell.

“Adiós, dar gracias. (Goodbye, thank you for everything.)”

Seo-jun also returned their farewell and gently pressed the accelerator.

So-yeon waved her hand continuously toward the mansion and the people standing in front of it until they reached the main gate. Only then did she close the car window and sit properly in her seat.

When did I realize that Eom So-yeon had such a friendly and gentle personality? 

Seo-jun thought he must have instinctively felt it the first time he saw her. Her youthful face, smiling so brightly, was so adorable and lovely.

Recalling his first impression of her, a natural curve formed on Seo-jun’s lips.

“What are you thinking about, smiling by yourself like that?”

Before he knew it, So-yeon’s gaze had landed on his well-sculpted face.

“You.”

Seo-jun’s answer was short and clear.

“…….”

But So-yeon’s expression seemed somehow complicated.

What on earth had they done here? Was it because of the dulled sense of reality during their stay at the mansion? So-yeon was still fiercely battling with herself, unable to let go of her lingering feelings.

But, as the clock struck midnight, Cinderella’s time dancing with the prince to a waltz had also come to an end.

Now was the time to return to harsh reality.

Although Seo-jun seemed unwilling to end their relationship, So-yeon, who had been continuously shaken during their time here, had no choice but to put her feelings aside.

From now on, she resolved to see Tae Seo-jun only as a colleague. She vowed never to feel sorrow or pain from longing for him again. She would not foolishly anticipate or torment herself with false hopes. For her child and herself, she would look straight ahead and walk confidently forward.

These were the resolutions Eom So-yeon had made from the very beginning.

More than anything, So-yeon knew well that greed was more perilous than doing nothing at all. She feared that, if she wasn’t careful, she might lose her precious family and the small happiness she cherished.

These thoughts constantly blocked her heart, which kept flowing toward him. They repeatedly broke her legs, which wanted to run to him.

“I can hear the gears turning in your head. I’d have to be deaf not to notice.”

While driving, Seo-jun glanced at So-yeon and spoke playfully.

“Pardon?”

“I’ve thought about it too, but no, that’s not going to happen.”

“Are you talking about our relationship?”

“Yes. You’re thinking about the end, aren’t you? But it won’t end that way. I’ve never made a losing deal.”

Last night, Seo-jun had told her he wanted to continue their relationship, but she had only repeated that she couldn’t.

And that struggle was continuing even now.

“…….”

So-yeon’s wandering gaze stopped on his large, elongated hands gripping the steering wheel.

Seo-jun turned on the audio.

Gentle music filled the silence in the car, and after a while, he spoke again.

“Eom So-yeon, do you drive well?”

“Why?”

“I was thinking of borrowing your hands for a bit.”

The destination, Cadiz, wasn’t close to where they were. Assuming he meant they should take turns driving, So-yeon apologized first.

“I’m sorry. I was so distracted that I left my international driver’s license at home.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Seo-jun, who had moved to the passenger seat, intertwined his thick fingers tightly between hers, pressing in deeply.

“Why…….”

“Do I need a reason to want to?”

“…….”

Unable to either grip his hand tightly or push it away, So-yeon’s face gradually turned a rosy shade.

***

While driving on the highway, they stopped at a small rest area.

After refueling the car’s empty diesel tank, Tae Seo-jun and Eom So-yeon had lunch at an outdoor table in the restaurant. Later, while replenishing their caffeine levels with coffee, their conversation reignited, leaving Seo-jun visibly angry.

“Right now, I feel like I’m hitting a wall.”

“…….”

“Why do you keep saying no? Frankly, Eom So-yeon, you’re not a married woman, and as you said, does being a single mother mean you can’t meet a man?”

“…….”

She had told him that when her child, currently in her parents’ care, returned to Korea, she would focus solely on raising her child and working. And that wasn’t just an excuse; it was her honest truth.

For So-yeon, protecting her child was her top priority. She didn’t want to create even the slightest possibility of losing her child.

Unable to answer Seo-jun’s questions any longer, So-yeon chose to remain silent.

“Is it because you still can’t forget that man—the father of your child?”

“It’s not because of him.”

Seo-jun was displeased with her silence. His pride couldn’t tolerate it, and impulsive words he wouldn’t normally say burst out. But why did she react so quickly when that man was mentioned?

His dark eyes burned with sparks.

Anger surged within him.

He wanted to abandon the filming and everything else, find that bastard he didn’t even know, and destroy him.

Jealousy toward the man who was the father of her child consumed Seo-jun, driving him to the brink of madness.

Do you still like that bastard who abandoned you?

Say it!

Say you’ve forgotten that bastard completely!

Say there’s no other man in your mind, that it’s only me, that you’re clinging to me!

He couldn’t voice such excessive demands or insane thoughts. Seo-jun stared at the mountainous scenery surrounding them, trying to calm his turbulent emotions.

“If you want to push me away, give me a valid reason.”

Hearing Seo-jun’s words, So-yeon realized she had been trying to awkwardly back out, and she began to speak frankly.

“Tae Seo-jun, you and I don’t suit each other. I’ve thought so from the beginning. That thought grew even stronger after seeing the portrait hanging in the mansion.”

“And why is that?”

“Your father is Chairman Tae, the owner of El Stella Hotel, isn’t he?”

“……!”

At her words, Seo-jun’s gaze faltered for a brief moment. He was surprised that she knew so much about his family tree. But he didn’t ask when she had found out. In this situation, where he might lose Eom So-yeon forever, such curiosity was meaningless.

“I knew you were wealthy, but I didn’t realize you were part of such an enormous conglomerate.”

“You’ve got a keen eye, but does that really mean we can’t be together?”

“I don’t want to get caught up in the secretive private life of an executive like you. Tae Seo-jun, you alone is intimidating enough to make my heart race, but I can’t handle the number-one conglomerate in Korea.”

“Being wealthy isn’t a crime.”

“It may not be a crime, but it’s something I want to avoid. People with that level of wealth can do anything they want.”

What So-yeon meant was that someone from his family might already be digging into her background. Even if they didn’t approve of him being an actor, they weren’t the type to engage in illegal activities.

What’s with this woman? Has she read too many trashy novels or seen too many melodramas?

Seo-jun, mulling over her words, couldn’t help but laugh.

“That won’t happen.”

“That’s just what you think. No matter how secretly we meet, a long tail will eventually get caught.”

“Then let it get caught.”

“That’s just what you think. Until something happens, no one knows what might occur. It’s best to tie things off here.”

“No. It’s not best. I won’t end this. I can’t end this. Think it over again.”

“I’ve already made up my mind. You’re the one who said we’d only spend a few days together. You also promised to back off if I said no. You should keep your promise.”

“Ha…….”

He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he hadn’t realized she would be this difficult.

And she was so eloquent.

She countered every word, never backing down.

Seo-jun sighed, his expression neither heavy nor light. His relaxed gaze carried a faint smile.

“Let’s think about it a bit more. You and I both.”

***

Cádiz, with its densely packed white buildings and long alleyways, was a place where the rough Atlantic Ocean met the land.

Tae Seo-jun and Eom So-yeon arrived at a hotel in the city around two in the afternoon, not far from the port where large cruise ships could be seen.

Amid the hospitality of the hotel staff and the drama production team, Tae Seo-jun was assigned a luxurious special room with a great view, while the relatively unknown Eom So-yeon received a small room on a lower floor.

It was natural that he would be treated differently as a top-tier actor, but overshadowed by Seo-jun’s glamorous presence, So-yeon couldn’t say anything to him, feeling conscious of the filming crew as she headed to her room alone.

Seo-jun hinted that he would take her to her room, but that would truly be impossible. From the moment they entered the hotel, the concierge desk staff had been watching them with puzzled looks, as if questioning why the two appeared together.

There were no particular suspicions beyond that, but if, by chance, something were to come out of it, it would clearly be her burden alone. How could she bear their gazes?

The person who would be mercilessly scrutinized by the filming staff and actors wouldn’t be the great actor Tae Seo-jun, but rather her, the rookie who seemed weak and easy to pick on.

That was the reality, and So-yeon reminded herself of the significant gap between them, forcing herself to look away from Seo-jun’s intense gaze.

The cleanliness and hygiene of the room were acceptable, but it was somewhat shabby and dreary. As soon as So-yeon stepped into the space she would occupy for a week, she perched on the edge of one of the two single beds.

The two beds, stained by time, and an old dressing table attached to the built-in closet made the room feel dark enough that she had to turn on the lights even in broad daylight due to the nearby building blocking the arched window.

Feeling overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment, So-yeon looked around aimlessly before glancing down at her tightly clenched hands.

The grand mansion in Malaga.

The beautiful scenery and the thrilling, dizzying secret love.

Her heart had fluttered and wavered because of those hands that he never let go of during the journey here.

Now, all of that was over.

This solitary space seemed to tell her something.

It was time to let go of Tae Seo-jun. To bury the memories of the days spent with him deep in her heart. She had indulged in enough greed; it was time to walk her own path confidently. If she endured this difficult day well, tomorrow would be less challenging.

So she told herself not to be lost in sorrowful feelings. This was not the time for that.

“Ah!”

Snapping back to reality, So-yeon hurriedly unpacked her suitcase and called Yeo Do-soon.

“Where are you?”

– Me? I’m on my way from Seville Airport to Cádiz.

“When will you arrive?”

– I left thirty minutes ago, so I think it’ll take about another hour. Why, do you miss me?

“Yeah. A lot.”

– But why does your voice sound weak? Did oppa treat you harshly?

“…….”

Yeo Do-soon, who heard all sorts of stories both inside and outside the fan club and company, knew very well about Tae Seo-jun’s notoriously prickly personality. Moreover, hearing So-yeon’s drooping voice, Do-soon immediately speculated that something was wrong.

– This guy! I asked him to be nice! Oh, really… When I see you later, feel free to vent about oppa. You can say whatever you want about him, because you’re my favorite friend.

“Okay, just be careful on your way here.”

– Got it!

Hearing her friend’s hearty voice, So-yeon finally felt like she was back in her life. Above all, she was grateful for Yeo Do-soon, who always stood by her side.

After finishing the call, So-yeon found a script in her hands. It was the revised script that the assistant writer she had met right in front of her room had handed to her.

Since the content of the filming scheduled for the next day had changed, she needed to check it quickly. However, her expression as she read through the script was not good.

Her face turned so red it seemed about to burst, and soon a bewildered sigh escaped her red lips.

“Why is this happening…?”

She had been told that the lines remained the same but that the situational concept had shifted slightly, yet she found an unexpectedly explicit scene inserted.

So-yeon chuckled nervously, thinking, “No way,” as she turned to the next page. But the scenes became even more intense than before, making her head spin.

At least the level of exposure was limited to her back and shoulders, so it wasn’t entirely unmanageable. Perhaps she should feel grateful for the increased character significance instead.

The problem was that even though it had barely been thirty minutes since she had parted from him, she already missed Tae Seo-jun intensely. And once that longing had begun, it grew uncontrollably with each breath she took.

Eom So-yeon, please don’t do this…

So-yeon could only chastise herself.

She knew well that she shouldn’t be greedy any longer. If she wavered even slightly, her resolve might crumble, and she could risk losing Hyun-woo too.

Before she knew it, a reddish hue had settled around her eyes.

Even if she wanted to run to him, it was now a sorrow she could no longer afford.