Seo Jun had the car stop in front of the park.

“Why aren’t you going into the company…”

“What if people recognize you and swarm around you in a crowd?”

Bong (manager) and Park Sung Ho in the back seat chimed in with bewildered expressions.

It was already shocking that he had been going to CN every day without fail for the past few days, but today he was adding shock upon shock by saying he would take a walk in the crowded park and telling them not to follow.

“The weather is nice. I’m not a child, I’ll walk a bit and then go to the company, so don’t worry about me.”

After finishing his words, Seo Jun got out of the car in informal attire, having taken off his suit. Wearing light loafers and a white shirt over distressed jeans, he exuded an undeniably classic elegance even in his casual appearance.

Seo Jun put on the white corduroy jacket he was holding, spreading it behind his back like wings, and walked away from the car with long strides while adjusting his collar.

Bong (manager) and Park Sung Ho, who had been at a loss, eventually drove the car towards the CN Entertainment building.

Seo Jun entered a quiet park walkway and began to walk leisurely.

The gentle breeze rustling the leaves seemed to welcome him with a fresh woody scent.

A life where everything was in his hands from before birth, even things that couldn’t be obtained through painful effort. Tae Seo Jun, extraordinary from birth, was accustomed to perfection. And his future life would also be nothing short of perfect.

But perhaps that certainty was too much and became boring? Seo Jun chose a completely different path from his brothers who only thought of inheriting the family business. And now, he is walking a path that shines brighter than anyone else’s without regret.

‘Shouldn’t you get married now too?’

When he stopped by the family home in Gahoe-dong on the day he returned to Korea from the Middle East, Seo Jun just quietly laughed off his mother’s nagging.

He wasn’t against marriage, but one experience of deceiving or being deceived in a relationship was enough. Moreover, he had no intention of centering his life around marriage, which was prone to becoming a mud fight even when breaking up.

‘If you don’t like marriage, why don’t you make a child somewhere before you die. One would be good, two would be even better, wouldn’t it?’

He laughed out loud at his father’s urging, who had rarely put aside his dignity. For such a person to say such nonsense. Thinking about how desperate he must have felt to almost send his child ahead.

But why did she suddenly come to mind then? Moreover, it was at a time when he couldn’t even imagine encountering Eom So Yeon again so soon after being discharged from the military.

And what about that dinner the other night? After pretending to be shy, at some point didn’t she play with my hand, my heart as if they were her own?

‘Ms. Eom So Yeon, do you perhaps still have feelings for me?’

‘Oh my, what are you saying? It’s, it’s the alcohol! When I drink, I tend to grab anyone’s hand.’

‘Anyone?’

‘Ah, no, that’s not it…’

‘Then did you do this with Jo In Ha too?’

‘What I just said was nonsense because I’m tipsy. I’ve never done this with anyone but you, Director! It’s because I drank after a long time, can’t you let it slide?’

‘What if I don’t want to let it slide?’

‘Are you being petty? I didn’t think you were that kind of man, Director.’

‘What kind of man did you think I was?’

‘Well, handsome and cool and gentlemanly and sexy… Oh no, what am I saying…’

Her lips, which she bit stubbornly after blurting out whatever came to mind in embarrassment, looked so tempting. Everything about her looked pretty. So much that I wanted to hug her and kiss her wildly.

Looking back now, I must have had quite the patience to hold back from being madly attracted to Eom So Yeon.

Anyway, it seems Eom So Yeon doesn’t dislike me either… What? Doesn’t dislike me? Am I, Tae Seo Jun, feeling relieved at such an uncertain guess? And because of just that small woman?

Although he was irritated at becoming more and more unlike himself day by day, Seo Jun decided to watch Eom So Yeon a bit longer. Until this terrible obsession subsided even a little. Because the more he dealt with her, the more intriguing she became.

“…”

A soft laugh escaped between his lips with a snicker. It had been a while since a pleased smile formed on his face so naturally. Seo Jun, who had even stopped his slow steps, unconsciously looked up, tilting his head back.

At the canopy formed by the long branches stretching from the trees.

At the azure sky visible through the gaps.

His unusually deep eyes squinted slightly at the brilliant light.

It was the sunlight of early spring, even more dazzling because of the good weather.

Three days ago, there was a drama production meeting.

The event, where the director, writer, and all the cast members gathered together, proceeded smoothly overall.

The atmosphere of encouraging each other with kind smiles mixed with strong camaraderie wasn’t bad either.

However, if there was a flaw, it would probably have been Eom So Yeon’s mistake of stuttering her lines twice during the script reading.

But that wasn’t due to So Yeon’s lack of skill. Unknown to everyone else, it was because of Tae Seo Jun’s mischievous prank of tapping So Yeon’s leg under the table.

Isn’t Tae Seo Jun the one who wears dignity and propriety like armor over his entire body? So Yeon was even more flustered because she hadn’t expected such a person to play such a trick.

Other than that, the entire meeting proceeded naturally like flowing water.

But the problem occurred the next day.

I don’t know whose mouth it started from, but Eom So Yeon’s unproven acting skills became a controversy for this work as well. Moreover, even her mistake during the reading became gossip and was spoken ill of by people.

So Yeon, who often found herself on the chopping block before even starting work, would only give a bitter smile with her spirits dampened each time.

But this time was different. Although a helpless laugh came out at the absurd talk, she didn’t lose confidence. So Yeon was just diligently preparing her part, using each day frugally.

Because she wasn’t someone who obsessed over luck or easily became discouraged.

Looking back at the times when she couldn’t take a single step forward in the face of overwhelming situations, this was just a light trial that could be endured.

So Yeon, who had spent all morning building up her physical strength at the fitness center used only by CN’s celebrities, was practicing her pronunciation in the actors’ practice room again today.

“So Yeon, let’s have lunch.”

Do Soon, who slightly opened the sliding glass door, poked her face in and smiled broadly.

“When did you come? I thought you said you didn’t have to come to the company today.”

“The style team said your costume turned out pretty, so I dropped by. I couldn’t wait to see it.”

“So, did you see it?”

“Yeah. It’s no joke. It really looked like a princess dress.”

Do Soon said as she entered the practice room and perched on the edge of the desk.

“Oh Min Jung didn’t show up? I was worried she might be harassing you again.”

“Oh my, was our Do Soon that worried?”

“Is it just worry? If she does it again, I was going to either pull her hair out, bite her hard, or flatten her nose.”

“As expected of Yeo Do Soon.”

So Yeon, who was sitting in a chair with her arms crossed looking up at Do Soon, had a face without makeup except for pink lipstick.

“Oh Min Jung is in hell right now.”

“With that personality, she probably wouldn’t go to heaven either, but you don’t mean she’s dead, right?”

Although the difference between lead and supporting roles is huge, So Yeon’s role as So Yeohwa from the past in was an impactful one.

While it was a relatively small part in terms of the overall work, the scenes that Eom So Yeon had to portray carried more weight than the lead role.

Oh Min Jung, who was displeased with this fact, seemed to need to throw a tantrum to feel better, but So Yeon, who had grown thick-skinned to the jealousy and envy of those around her, didn’t seem to mind much.

“It’s not that, but it’s probably similar. She went into special training for martial arts. She’ll be busy just filming action scenes starting tomorrow. It means we won’t have to run into each other except during the Spain shoot.”

As So Yeon spoke with a bright expression, Do Soon, who had heard the most welcome news, jumped off the desk.

“Oh, really? That’s great!”

“So let’s just go eat comfortably! I was really hungry too.”

So Yeon smiled brightly as she led Do Soon towards the cafeteria.

The company cafeteria was quiet on a weekday afternoon.

So Yeon and Do Soon ended up sitting at a table where three men were eating. Gu Won Hoo casually invited the two women to sit down as they were about to sit elsewhere with their trays.

Seo Jun, seemingly not interested in eating, was staring blankly without touching his chopsticks. At Eom So Yeon sitting across from him, quietly eating. At her small lips focused only on chewing.

Cough!

So Yeon coughed as she choked. Just as she was drinking water, feeling like something she had forced down was stuck, Seo Jun touched So Yeon’s foot like he did during the meeting.

“…!”

Mr. Tae Seo Jun, why do you keep doing this to make me uncomfortable!

She wanted to confront him right away, but So Yeon held back because she felt guilty deep down. Her precious child had become the fuel for her life, allowing her to endure well until now. And she had come this far with that strength. But she knew that it was a great sin she had committed.

So Yeon, who had lowered her raised eyes, stared at Seo Jun for a long time. He was smirking with his lips curved up, meeting her gaze as if amused.

So Yeon shifted her gaze to glance at the others. Wondering if anyone had seen their brief eye battle where they bit at each other.

There was a part So Yeon didn’t understand.

All last week, he had called her to his office to apply medicine to the wound she had gotten in the pantry. Although it was a wound that would heal cleanly in just a week, he faithfully kept his word to look after it until it healed completely, and she had scurried over every time he called.

She thought he was a kind person then, but from the day after there was no need for treatment, he suddenly turned cold and ignored her. But then he played footsie during the meeting and now again, so she didn’t know which tune to dance to.

Am I the only one who knows this side of Tae Seo Jun?

The more she thought about it, the more exasperated So Yeon felt, and she even found him detestable.

Seo Jun seemed to find So Yeon’s reaction, unable to do this or that, quite amusing as he cleared away his untouched tray with a nonchalant expression and sat back down at the table.

Just then, Won Hoo, who had finished eating, looked at So Yeon and spoke.

“I have a proposal for Ms. Eom So Yeon.”

“A proposal?”

“Yes. I’m not forcing you, but Jo In Ha here wants to help you, so how about the two of you try working together?”

The CEO was talking about one-on-one training.

So Yeon desperately needed that aspect too, but Jo In Ha was out of the question. Since learning of Senior Jo’s feelings, she had avoided unnecessary contact with him within appropriate boundaries, so being alone with him was still burdensome.

“Ah, I…”

However, So Yeon couldn’t answer readily.

Jo In Ha was one of the few acquaintances in the harsh entertainment industry with whom she could still ask about each other’s well-being. She didn’t want to destroy the amicable relationship they had maintained with difficulty overnight.

At this moment, Do Soon, who knew her friend’s difficult situation better than anyone, stepped in boldly.

“That won’t do! Even if they’re not doing the same work, So Yeon feels very burdened by excessive consideration from anyone. In the same vein, no matter how close she is with Senior Jo In Ha, she won’t want to be indebted unnecessarily. So Yeon, am I right?”

So Yeon nodded carefully, but Jo In Ha was not one to back down so easily.

“I’ve heard there are quite a few people biting at you. I know you’re trying hard because of that, but just practicing alone facing a wall isn’t everything, you know?”

As In Ha tried to persuade her, revealing his blatant goodwill strongly, So Yeon spoke in a calm manner.

“If I had needed help earlier, I would have requested it from the instructors at CN Academy. Why wouldn’t I know that you’re trying to be considerate with good intentions, senior? But I’ll just gratefully accept your feelings. I can’t take up your precious time. I’ll take care of my own work.”

Although her tone was gentle, Eom So Yeon was now, as before. No, she was building an even higher wall against him than before. He had pretended not to know this for a long time, but feeling it couldn’t go on like this anymore, In Ha wanted to try breaking down that wall with this opportunity.

But being rejected even for that, it was inevitable that nothing good would come out of his mouth that had lost its composure.

“Acting is also an exchange between actors, but it’s just not in Eom So Yeon’s nature, is it? That’s why there’s no one to take your side either. How long do you think you can endure alone in this field where people tear you apart more viciously if you stay quiet?”

“Senior…”

So Yeon’s face hardened with humiliation.

But In Ha pressed So Yeon further with an aggressive tone.

“Is that all? It’s because you can’t even give and take what’s needed appropriately that you can’t avoid struggling. Everything you do gets tangled up and unpleasant incidents never cease. With your situation and that personality, what more can you do? By now, shouldn’t you know yourself? The biggest problem in your life is your own closed-minded thinking.”

“…”

It hurt more when someone close jabbed at a sore spot.

Moreover, Tae Seo Jun was here too, wasn’t he?

So Yeon, feeling as if her shabby bare face had been exposed in front of him, could only lower her gaze that seemed about to crumble to her fingertips.