Chapter 42 – Is That All You Have to Say? 

Upon hearing the director’s shout, Tae Seo-jun whispered something briefly to Eom So-yeon and gracefully climbed off the bed. 

“Wow, seriously!” 

Yeo Do-soon, who rushed over with excitement, quickly wrapped So-yeon’s bare upper body with a blanket. Her face lit up with a sly grin.  

“That was absolutely nerve-wracking!” 

“What was?” 

“The two of you were so real and cozy under the blanket that it felt like you were really doing something. My heart was pounding like crazy!” 

Whatever Yeo Do-soon had imagined, it was far beyond what So-yeon anticipated, making her feel flustered. She regretted asking. 

Embarrassed, So-yeon quickly changed the subject. 

“Is that all you have to say?” 

“Of course, the acting was amazing too.” 

“Whose?” 

Finally, a bit of tension released, So-yeon squinted at Do-soon as if to demand, ‘Was it Tae Seo-jun or me?’ But even her fierce fan loyalty couldn’t lie.  

“Well, my oppa, of course.” 

“And me?” 

“Hehe, just kidding. Both of you were stunning and beautiful.” 

“Really?” 

“Do I look like someone who lies? If you don’t believe me, why don’t you go over there and confirm it with oppa yourself?” 

When Yeo Do-soon subtly nodded toward Tae Seo-jun, who was reviewing the recently filmed footage with Director Yoon, So-yeon unintentionally met Seo-jun’s gaze. He gave a slight nod in return before continuing his discussion with the director.  

“Director Yoon, Director Tae!” 

Suddenly, Oh Min-jung appeared on set and wedged herself between the two men.  

“I was so curious about today’s shoot that I came straight here after arriving in Cadiz. Is it already over? Oh, is this the footage?” 

Although her scenes were scheduled to begin the next day, she had apparently stopped by out of curiosity. Director Yoon, sensing potential trouble, quickly turned off the monitor showing the footage she was eyeing.  

“Well, there’s nothing special to see. You can watch the edited version later.” 

“But I came all this way. It’d be a shame to leave without seeing anything. Why don’t you show me?” 

“I said, later.” 

Receiving a subtle plea for help from Director Yoon through his glance, Seo-jun smirked slightly.  

“Ms. Oh Min-jung, let’s head back to the lodging.” 

“What? Did you just speak to me, Director Tae?” 

“Who else would it be?” 

Without waiting for a response, Seo-jun began walking ahead. Min-jung, giggling, clung to his arm as they left the set together. 

Not long after, So-yeon also boarded a car to return to the lodging. 

But the image of Tae Seo-jun and Oh Min-jung walking affectionately together lingered in her mind, souring her mood. Her face flushed with heat, and her chest ached as if wounded.  

‘You did well. Just keep it up tomorrow.’ 

Despite spending the entire day together, that single whisper was all he had said to her. Then again, wasn’t he always like this, playing with her emotions? Tae Seo-jun’s lukewarm attitude had persisted since the very first day of filming. 

“Ha! Is that all you have to say?” 

The complaint slipped out of her mouth, fueled by the growing frustration that had intensified since Oh Min-jung’s arrival. 

There were only two days left until the final shoot. 

Overwhelmed by her feelings, So-yeon shut her burning eyes tightly, wishing for that day to come as soon as possible. 

Unaware that her heart was burning with jealousy. 

***

Spain: Day Six of Filming 

The relentless schedule continued, leaving everyone exhausted. Amid the chaos, So-yeon frequently found herself on the verge of tears. 

She had lost count of how many times she had tilted her tear-filled eyes toward the sky, trying to protect the makeup the stylist had painstakingly applied. 

Where had the person gone who once said he wouldn’t give up, no matter how much she pushed him away? Throughout the Cadiz schedule, Seo-jun remained indifferent, but only toward her. 

This made So-yeon feel even more hurt. 

But wasn’t it her own actions that had created this situation? No matter how upset or difficult it was, she had to accept the cold reality with composure. 

However, despite knowing she had brought this upon herself, her frustration grew uncontrollably, like a snowball rolling downhill. The emotions she had been suppressing finally burst today on set, like a dam breaking. 

So-yeon’s tearful performance, combined with Seo-jun’s unchanging indifference, moved everyone on set. Even Director Yoon, who rarely showed emotion, found his eyes misty for a while. 

Everyone praised Eom So-yeon’s exceptional acting, but she could only feel the weight of her heavy heart. She knew she would even miss Tae Seo-jun’s cold demeanor once the overseas shoot ended. 

That evening, darkness and silence seemed to descend unusually quickly. 

The day before the final shoot, So-yeon lay in bed early. 

While Tae Seo-jun would remain in Spain for another month to continue filming, Eom So-yeon’s role would conclude the next day, and she was scheduled to leave the morning after that. 

However, she wasn’t returning to Korea. 

Three days ago, a major entertainment news program had aired a behind-the-scenes look at the making of <Master of the Sun>, set to premiere in the summer. Along with that, news about Eom So-yeon also became public. 

This was part of a strategic plan by Go Won-hoo, the CEO of CN Entertainment. The PR team, led by Manager Ju, had moved quickly, believing that the timing was perfect to attract attention to the drama before its official release. They calculated that the lack of public familiarity with So-yeon might actually work in their favor. 

But the judgment of the public could not be underestimated. 

Who is Eom So-yeon? 

So young, and already a single mother? 

A rookie actress landing a supporting role in such a big production? Is she pretty? Can she even act? 

Even at that moment, people were gossiping about her, dissecting every aspect of her life. Returning to Korea now would be akin to pouring fuel on an already raging fire. 

Go Won-hoo had asked Yeo Do-soon to keep So-yeon overseas until the public’s interest settled down. 

Relaying the CEO’s wishes to So-yeon, Do-soon took it as an opportunity to rest and was now lying on the bed, meticulously researching travel destinations in Spain and Europe.  

“Is there anywhere you’d like to visit?” 

Do-soon asked, glancing at her laptop. After some thought, So-yeon replied.  

“Well, wouldn’t it be the same for both of us?” 

“Then I’ll decide, so don’t complain later.” 

“I won’t. As long as you’re there, I’m fine with anywhere.” 

“I feel like I’ve raised a good friend!” 

With a broad grin, Yeo Do-soon turned off her laptop and went to sleep, while Eom So-yeon quietly stepped out of the room.  

Feeling as though her throat was filled with sand and her chest was tight, she made her way to the hotel’s first-floor lobby. 

Despite the late hour, the cafeteria in one corner of the lobby was brightly lit. Craving a warm cup of tea, So-yeon walked toward it but stopped after only a few steps. 

Standing still in the middle of the lobby, her eyes caught sight of Tae Seo-jun seated at a table inside the glass-walled area.  

Instinctively, she hid behind a pillar, her thoughts racing. Peeking out from a safe distance, her heart pounded as she debated whether to approach him. 

‘My filming ends tomorrow, but we’ll still have to meet again for work once we’re back in Korea. I know that the more you like someone, the more you can resent them, but how long am I going to keep shrinking in front of him?’  

Finally, she made up her mind. After all, there was no one around, and even if someone saw, they’d just think it was a chance encounter. 

But she was wrong. 

The table, which she thought was empty except for Tae Seo-jun, was not. He wasn’t alone—he was with Oh Min-jung.  

Late into the night, Tae Seo-jun and Oh Min-jung were sitting together in a cozy atmosphere, exchanging affectionate glances. Their faces were even adorned with bright smiles.  

So, the reason he’s been ignoring me these past few days is because of Oh Min-jung? In Malaga, he ignored me, and here, he was waiting for her? Since when were they this close?  

It would’ve been better if he hadn’t said anything at all. How much hope had I placed in those words? How warm and excited had my heart felt? Watching him approach me with sincerity, how much had I felt both pain and guilt? 

At the same time, she felt a sense of relief. 

Perhaps she didn’t need to feel as guilty toward someone who seemed to be doing just fine without her.  

Even as she tried to calm herself, his fickle attitude was incomprehensible and deeply hurtful. Yet what frustrated her even more was her own yearning for Tae Seo-jun, even in this disappointing moment.  

How can I not love him? Even when he treats me coldly, when he isn’t sincere with me, even when he’s with another woman, I can’t turn away from him…  

That was who she was.  

No matter how much she struggled to free herself from this one-sided love, she always ended up back where she started. Feeling pathetic, So-yeon let out a hollow laugh and turned away.  

Back in her room, she collapsed onto the bed like a lifeless body, clutching her chaotic emotions. 

No matter how tightly she shut her eyes, sleep wouldn’t come. Her body burned like it was on fire, as if sharp hooks were piercing through her entire being. But to So-yeon, such a fever felt trivial.  

To protect what’s precious, you sometimes have to let go of what’s precious. 

She knew she had to cut him out, even if it meant carving into her flesh and scraping her bones.  

The emotional pain was far harder to endure than her burning body. All night long, she exhaled heavy, heated breaths in silence.  

***

Before she knew it, the night had passed, and an unusually bright morning arrived.  

Although the drama production team’s schedule in Spain was only just beginning, So-yeon was preparing for her final scene. 

The weather had been sunny all week, but the sea, affected by abnormal climate conditions, remained cold, with high waves. This had delayed the underwater scenes, which should’ve been completed earlier.  

Today, however, there was no room for further delays due to the tight overseas shooting schedule.  

To mitigate the risks, a medium-sized cruise ship and several large boats equipped with state-of-the-art filming equipment had been deployed to the open sea an hour earlier.  

Just as she had seen in the café yesterday, Oh Min-jung followed Tae Seo-jun around on the ship. Seo-jun, who hadn’t even glanced at So-yeon, responded readily whenever Min-jung asked him something.  

Watching the two of them, who seemed so close, So-yeon couldn’t help but notice. She bit the inside of her lip, wishing for this agonizing time to pass quickly.  

The actors who would soon enter the water were only two: So-yeon and Seo-jun.  

“Ms. Eom So-yeon, please move to your position if you’re ready!” 

At the booming voice of the crew member, everyone’s attention turned to So-yeon, who had just finished with the makeup artist and was moving swiftly.  

Seo-jun, who also needed to enter the water soon, was heading to his position.  

As the two walked in opposite directions, their paths crossed for a brief moment. A wave caused the ship to rock, and So-yeon, slightly unsteady, brushed against Seo-jun’s shoulder. Their eyes met.  

“You know accidents happen when you’re too tense, right?” 

“……”  

Was this concern coming from a senior actor?  

Since arriving in Cadiz, he had shown her such extreme indifference that his words now didn’t melt the icy layer that had formed in her heart. Without responding, So-yeon continued to her designated spot.  

Finally, a woman in a red dress stood at the bow of the ship.  

Her veil fluttered in the sea breeze, revealing her face. Tears welled up in So-yeon’s large, round eyes. As a single tear rolled down her pale cheek, her body leaned forward, and she plunged into the deep blue sea.  

SPLASH!  

The veil, dislodged during her fall, flew away like a phoenix, while So-yeon disappeared beneath the white spray.  

Then, in an instant, the strong currents swept her body away. 

At that moment, a man swam rapidly toward her from afar. With his strong, graceful physique, Tae Seo-jun wrapped his arms around So-yeon’s small frame. Feeling protected, she instinctively clung to him. 

Their subsequent kiss, tender and heartfelt, resembled that of lovers.  

Even as they shared breaths underwater, So-yeon couldn’t read Seo-jun’s emotions. She briefly lost focus as the current carried them, nearly causing an NG. But Seo-jun’s timely arrival saved the scene, leaving no room for other thoughts.  

Together, they sank deeper into the ocean, becoming mere specks in the water.  

Moments later…  

“Huff, huff…”  

Breaking the surface, So-yeon gasped for air.  

Seo-jun surfaced shortly after, and the waiting crew quickly pulled both actors onto a small boat.  

“Alright, Ms. Oh Min-jung, your turn!”  

With So-yeon and Seo-jun’s scene completed, Director Cho called out.  

“Ugh, it’s cold! Gosh…”  

Reluctantly, Min-jung grimaced as she entered the water, clearly displeased with even a brief dip. Within seconds, her seaweed-like hair emerged above the surface.  

“Pwah!”  

As Min-jung’s face filled the camera frame, the rolling cameras came to a synchronized halt.  

Thus, the underwater shoot concluded successfully.  

“Good work, everyone! Let’s head back to shore quickly—some people are struggling with seasickness!”  

The footage shot today would be used multiple times throughout the drama, from the beginning to the end, and even in between. The crew had poured their hearts into it, and the results were better than expected.  

Director Yoon’s voice was louder than usual, reflecting his satisfaction.