“I was excited about the thought of sending off a friend.”

That short sentence contained all of Da Jung’s feelings. I know. How could I not? Promises and memories. Things like expectations and excitement were all planted in Da Jung by Jae Ho. He had made her so happy, whispering like a song in her ear before falling asleep.

Jae Ho opened his mouth in a low voice.

“I know. I’m sorry. I was the one who said to go first.”

“…”

“It’s not an excuse, but I had a guest.”

“?”

“Very suddenly, they called when they were right in front of me. I wanted to avoid an awkward situation.”

“Ah… a guest.”

“I wanted Yoon Da Jung to stay away for a moment. I’m sorry I couldn’t think of a better solution.”

“…”

“I’m sorry for treating the promise like it was nothing.”

Each word of apology flew like an arrow.

“Then, you should have said that, why…”

As Jae Ho gently scratched at her sore heart, tears burst out. It felt like the hot lump that had been blocking her chest all day was finally going down. Da Jung bowed her head deeply. It was silly.

She wanted to stop. Would he think she was being overly sensitive over nothing? In fact, they could go to the flower expo anytime, and it was understandable that he had his circumstances. What is this about? It’s nothing.

She had been too expectant, and became too disappointed.

The selfish desire to receive every apology without even clearly defining this relationship felt shameful.

Jae Ho, who had been staring down at Da Jung with her head bowed, spoke to the back of her head.

“That’s why I’m apologizing. Lift your head and look at me.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Then I’ll leave.”

Jae Ho bent his waist sharply to Da Jung’s height and lowered his gaze to her face looking at the floor, finding her lips and kissing them. Soft breaths intermingled between the gently touching lips. Da Jung raised her head in surprise.

“What, are you, doing…!”

“Apologizing.”

Cupping her two cheeks where tear tracks were clearly visible, Jae Ho soothed her.

“Why are you crying.”

His palms were so hot that she couldn’t even question the lips that came and went like an ambush.

“I wasn’t crying.”

She ended up answering petulantly. Jae Ho chuckled and kissed her lightly once more.

“Then what’s this water?”

“It’s saliva.”

Jae Ho laughed loudly. He stepped closer, gently cupped Da Jung’s face, and met her gaze.

“Alright. Let me taste that saliva.”

He lowered his head straight and boldly bit Da Jung’s lips. Unable to withstand his weight, Da Jung stepped back.

Just as she was about to touch the wall, Jae Ho wrapped an arm around her waist. Da Jung skillfully melted into his natural, flowing touch.

Breaths and saliva tangled messily.

“Can I apologize a little longer?”

The lovers’ quarrel came to a ridiculous end.

**

“A university hospital nurse?”

Oh Chae Won, busy with the final stages of filming, briefly got into her van. Kim Young Hoon, the team leader who was already on standby, quickly handed over a tablet. Oh Chae Won narrowed her eyes and expressionlessly examined the data.

Her gaze lingered long on the resume photo labeled . She thought it was quite a pretty face, but deliberately refrained from saying so out loud.

“She’s a nobody.”

Sipping the tea handed by the stylist, she flicked through the data with her finger.

“Oh ho. A fan club executive… Oh, but she’s an orphan? No money and no parents to speak of. A mother lying unconscious, huh.”

“…”

“Hmm.”

“…”

Suddenly Oh Chae Won burst out laughing.

“Wow. Lee Jae Ho is smart, huh?”

She turned on the neck massager and sipped her tea.

“What do you think, Team Leader? Isn’t it interesting?”

“Well… In what way…”

“She’s perfect for playing with and tossing aside.”

“Ah.”

Kim Young Hoon nodded as if understanding what she meant. Oh Chae Won continued excitedly.

“Picking a decent-looking girl from my fans, calling her to the countryside to play and discard. It’s better than getting photographed going in and out of Seoul hotels, right? These types keep their mouths shut too. They think they’re protecting their favorite celebrity.”

“…”

“So this is how he plays with women. Cautious. A girl this poor would probably keep her mouth shut for life if you just toss her a bag when it’s over.”

She recalled the man who exuded presence with his noble gaze on set. A man with a unique aura that couldn’t be approached carelessly. Lee Jae Ho, who never lost his temper during grueling shoots, maintained proper social smiles with everyone, and seemed like a crown prince every moment.

If such a man showed interest and proposed a secret meeting, what woman could resist? She felt like she might drop everything, filming and all, and follow him right now.

Suddenly irritation surged. This woman. How good must it have been? How happy must she be now? Inwardly grinding her teeth, she deliberately spoke more cheerfully.

“He needs somewhere to fulfill his desires. I understand. She’s not even worth being wary of. So, how many toys has she been?”

Oh Chae Won asked bluntly. As if used to this, Team Leader Kim answered without much reaction.

“From what I’ve found out, this is the first.”

Oh Chae Won’s eyebrow twitched for a moment. It was an unexpected answer. The first? That’s impossible. It would have been more comforting if it was the tenth or twentieth meeting.

“The first?”

A slight spasm ran through the corner of her mouth. Team Leader Kim continued.

“Moreover, that pension seems to have been hastily purchased to meet Yoon Da Jung.”

She had a bad feeling. Oh Chae Won’s mood instantly hit rock bottom.

“What do you mean? I don’t understand well? Are you saying it’s some deep relationship?”

“I apologize. There are guards around Lee Jae Ho, so I couldn’t find out more details. However, it seems Lee Jae Ho has been continuously monitoring the fan cafe where Yoon Da Jung is active.”

Oh Chae Won chewed on her lips. The stylist hinted that she should take care of them, but she didn’t listen properly.

“No. That can’t be. How could an orphan worse than a beggar even be worthy of being next to the heir who will inherit the entire Tae Myung Group?”

As it wasn’t a question expecting an answer, Team Leader Kim remained silent.

“…Still, I should nip this in the bud. Find out more details about this woman.”

Time was running out. Oh Seok Tae had started forcing a political marriage, saying that since he allowed her to become an actress, she should at least follow his wishes for marriage. There were moderately wealthy and well-connected chaebol sons, but Oh Chae Won wasn’t satisfied with any of them.

While the men were drooling over the prospect of Oh Chae Won as a blind date partner, Oh Chae Won had no intention of even having a cup of tea with these mediocrities.

“And please keep track of Lee Jae Ho’s future schedule as well.”

**

Seeing the caller, Jae Ho excused himself to Da Jung.

“Wait in the living room for a moment.”

He went into the room and answered the phone, and a shout came first.

[It’s been well over ten years already! Why are you still having nightmares!]

Jae Ho now roughly understood his grandfather’s way of speaking. When he was concerned, he raised his voice first. If he had known this from the beginning, he would have been less hurt, but when he was young, he had no leisure to grasp his grandfather’s personality. At the time, Jae Ho was overwhelmed just trying to adapt to the house in Pyeongchang-dong.

“Manager Choi is really quick.”

[Jae Ho. No matter what anyone says, that incident was fortunate for you. This old man thinks so. It’s something I might be cursed by the dead for saying, but there are times I’m grateful for that accident. Because I was able to find you.]

“…How can an accident be fortunate?”

[You could have lived your whole life poor without knowing your bloodline! I too might have closed my eyes without knowing of my grandson’s existence. Thanks to that accident, you returned to your rightful place.]

The faces of his friends flicker in the flames. Jae Ho closed his eyes briefly and apologized. Even though he speaks so badly, his true feelings are the opposite. He makes large donations every year on the anniversary. So please don’t misunderstand, he asked his friends for understanding.

“Why did you call?”

[Don’t have nightmares. Forget those memories now. The entire Tae Myung Group is your world. Bury the painful memories and think only of the future.]

“…Well. My world isn’t particularly Tae Myung though.”

Jae Ho glanced towards the living room where Da Jung was waiting. She would be sitting demurely. Perhaps blushing as she mulled over the earlier kiss. Da Jung, my world.

[Foolish boy.]

There was a moment of silence.

The names of his friends came to mind. Names he could never forget until he died. Kim Mu Hyeok, Lee Dong Hyun, Joo Si Hoo, boys with such names. Boys still wearing navy school uniforms in Jae Ho’s heart.

He tried not to recall one heavy name that he couldn’t even bring up inwardly.

Yoon Woo Jung.

“Save the nagging for when we meet next week, Grandfather. I’m busy.”

The call ended.

The boy he had tried not to think of finally walked out and stood beside Jae Ho. A friend who was like a brother, and sometimes a parent. That friend was an unimaginable support for the unfortunate teenage boy. At that time, Yoon Woo Jung was everything in Lee Jae Ho’s life.

“…I’m sorry.”

The beautiful boy smiled brightly.

“Woo Jung. I’m so sorry to you…”

The debt piled in his heart only sank deeper with no way to repay it.

**

A few days passed.

“I might return at dawn. Pack warm clothes. I have blankets and heat packs.”

“Where are you going?”

Da Jung got into the car, holding another down jacket.

On the day they shared a deep kiss under the pretext of an apology, Jae Ho said as soon as their lips parted. That this wasn’t actually an apology. The real apology was planned for a night when many stars were out.

Da Jung hit his chest twice, annoyed with him.

She almost got into trouble again when he grabbed her wrist, tickled by that skinship, but Da Jung finally succeeded in pushing him away. And today came.

“Let’s go. It’s late.”

“Aren’t you going to tell me where we’re going?”

The car started with the sound of small stones being crushed. As the car headlights shone brightly on the unlit road, a few moths flew in. The sound of insects mixed with the wind came from afar.

It was a beautiful country road.

Jae Ho said with a smile.

“We’re going to see the stars.”

“Stars?”

Who said the countryside nights were quiet? Insects are crying, waves are crashing, and above all, her heart is beating like this.

“I used to come to Taean often. There’s a beach only I know. A place where stars pour down.”

What will happen to us tonight?

Looking at the side profile of the man focused on driving, her heart raced for no reason.

“How far is it?”

She asked, seeing the man who had set off without even setting the navigation. Jae Ho gauged the distance for a moment before answering.

“30 minutes.”