The Italian evening as the sun was setting.

Yoo Jung Hwa was waiting for someone’s contact in a suite room of a hotel in downtown Milan.

Drrrr, drrrr.

“Yes. Please speak.”

Jung Hwa’s appearance as she quietly listened to the sound from her cell phone was just like a wax figure.

She was dumbfounded by the report that the location of the mansion in Malaga where Tae Seo Jun was staying could not be determined at all.

Jung Hwa, who hung up the phone without any reply, slowly closed and opened her eyes, brought the coffee cup to her mouth and swallowed it bitterly as if drinking herbal medicine.

Even after breaking up with him, she had dealt with numerous men, but not a single man had satisfied her as a lover.

Except for Tae Seo Jun, who was perfect even in bed with his visuals that captivated both eyes and mind at once. That’s probably why she couldn’t forget him, but she thought that no matter how perfect a man he was, he was still lacking in wealth.

However, Jung Hwa, who belatedly realized that that misjudgment was the biggest mistake in her life, was simply outraged at Tae Seo Jun who had deceived her so perfectly while they were dating.

It was never an exaggeration when he cursed that there was nothing but debt every time he faced his biological father.

He had to maintain a glamorous lifestyle befitting a top star, and he had to silence the journalists who knew about his promiscuous private life. But that money was just a drop in the bucket. Compared to his entire fortune that was stripped away by the threats of his biological father who was more vicious than the devil.

Jung Hwa’s financial state had dried up like a rice paddy cracking in a drought, to the extent that she had to borrow large sums from acquaintances. Using extreme methods on Yoo Byung Hwan was also part of that revenge.

But that too was half a failure.

What should I do now? Some are born with silver spoons or gold spoons, but I’m not even a dirt spoon, I’m worse than a twig floating in muddy water. Does my life, which has gone wrong from the first button, have to be like this until the end? Isn’t my misfortune due to having the wrong parents!

As she was bitterly lamenting her situation, the story she heard from behind her was quite surprising.

Her hands and feet trembled at Tae Seo Jun’s enormous true nature, which was so astonishing that it wouldn’t be strange to faint on the spot. In that state, Jung Hwa escaped from Hotel Estella and hurriedly ran to the airport to catch a flight to Europe.

She had been invited to the Milan Collection opening the next day, but she had no intention of attending from the beginning.

She couldn’t be leisurely clapping her hands at a fashion show when debt collectors could come flying in at any moment. But Jung Hwa, who had found hope in despair, was already a daughter-in-law of a chaebol family in her heart.

Also, being in Italy would make it easier to move to Spain as soon as Tae Seo Jun’s whereabouts were discovered. That calculation had prompted her European trip.

Yesterday, when she arrived in Milan, Jung Hwa spent a large sum of money to hire someone. Because she had to meet Tae Seo Jun quickly. Although it was late, it seemed like God had given her one last chance with a slight wink.

But, he’s not there?

Can’t find him?

Why! He’s a man who stands out wherever he goes, so why on earth!

She needed to know where he was so she could go find him right away and grab his thighs or bite her tongue and collapse in front of him, but even that was impossible because he was such a veiled man.

But she couldn’t just sit idly by either, so after much thought, she suddenly stood up from where she was sitting.

Thud, crash!

At the same time, the coffee cup in her hand fell to the floor.

“Unnie!”

The manager who was checking the schedule next to Jung Hwa jumped up in surprise. However, Jung Hwa, who didn’t even glance at the person next to her whether she fainted or not, only said what she had to say.

“I’m going out for a bit.”

“Where are you going at this late hour…?”

“I’m feeling stuffy, so I’m going to get some fresh air. You go to sleep first.”

As she left the room, Jung Hwa put on her outer clothes and sunglasses and called someone in front of the elevator.

“Could you come out to the sky lounge? Let’s have a drink.”

-I was just feeling bored too, so that’s perfect.

“I’ll be there first, so take your time coming.”

-How could I keep the top actress waiting? I’ll hurry over.

The Milan Collection was held today.

The man Jung Hwa spoke to was Jo In Ha, who had stood on the finale stage of that fashion show.

She neatly combed her long hair dried with a hair dryer and tied it in one.

So Yeon, who put pearl earrings on her earlobes, stood up from the chair and put on a form-fitting miniskirt and white blouse instead of a bathrobe. Next, she even wore high heels that she doesn’t usually wear.

Now all that’s left is to open the door and go out, but So Yeon paced back and forth between the bed and the tea table before suddenly looking at her reflection in the mirror.

Her nervous eyes were the same as her heart where excitement and fear coexisted. Her lightly made-up face had a vitality that had never been there before. Somehow today, her appearance didn’t seem like her own.

That’s how she felt.

Tonight, no matter what, she must confess who the child’s father is.

And she will take one step closer to him and show him her love that she has been so desperate to hide until now.

And so she will love Tae Seo Jun to her heart’s content.

It was because she couldn’t easily believe or imagine herself acting according to that resolution.

.

.

.

Seo Jun, who had finished preparing to go to the Sunset Carnival, alternately looked at the table clock and the door with his low gaze as he stretched his long legs on the antique sofa.

His half-lying posture looked leisurely, but his heart waiting for So Yeon to come over to his room was fluttering like a spring breeze blowing.

Tick tock, as the second hand of the clock moved, the movement of his black pupils also became busy.

Had there ever been a time in Tae Seo Jun’s history when he had waited for someone so anxiously? Also, had there ever been a time when he wanted someone so much? Even Tae Seo Jun, to whom both of these things were unfamiliar, seemed to be helpless today.

She said she would come, so she will come soon, and even if she wants to run away, there’s nowhere else to go or hole to escape from in this unfamiliar place. Yet why does he keep feeling impatient?

It probably also played a part that it was taking somewhat longer than the expected time.

Seo Jun, who suddenly got up from the sofa, let out an absurd chuckle and walked briskly to the door of the master room and stared at the doorknob. And he slowly reached out his hand to the doorknob.

That’s when it happened.

Knock, knock.

Pause.

The dull wooden echo stopped all of Seo Jun’s movements.

However, in that brief moment, his Adam’s apple twitched a couple of times. Although he knew who was knocking, his body, which had been waiting for her all along, showed joy as if by reflex. As an extension of that reaction, Seo Jun flung open the door.

“I’m here.”

“I know.”

So Yeon stood there and said.

“Did you wait?”

“Is it Eom So Yeon’s hobby to ask while knowing?”

Seo Jun, who responded moderately, frowned slightly. It was because he didn’t like his heart pounding loudly at her newly shy attitude.

Seo Jun, who moved one step out of the master room, held out his hand with a gesture to hurry up. It meant he would escort her until they got to the car.

So Yeon, who was drawn to his extremely gentlemanly attitude, took his hand and blushed slightly.

Meanwhile, Seo Jun’s gaze swept from her feet in high heels all the way up and stopped at her head for a while.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“This.”

When So Yeon asked in a shy tone, Seo Jun simply untied the ribbon that loosely tied her hair with one touch. Because of that, So Yeon’s rich and glossy hair covered her shoulders like a curtain.

“This is much better.”

Seo Jun, who praised what his hand had done, waved the yellow ribbon hooked on his finger and put it in his pants pocket.

“Was my appearance that terrible?”

“A bit.”

Seo Jun was deliberately being mischievous to hide his trembling heart.

“You’re too honest. Making me embarrassed…”

She had deliberately chosen the yellow ribbon he liked. Although it was a small part, So Yeon’s clear eyes became indifferent as if her sincerity had been ignored. Her lips were even pouting. Seo Jun, who focused on her face, showed his white teeth neatly and said.

“You should have just come without taking time to dress up and put on makeup. Wasn’t that time a waste?”

His words were reproachful even as he smiled. However, his last words were affectionate enough to overturn even her disappointed feelings.

“Eom So Yeon is prettiest when she doesn’t do anything.”

“…”

He says I’m pretty. Her indifferent face turned bright red as if it would burst at this unexpected gain.

So Yeon still didn’t know. That Seo Jun’s cold brain only recognized Eom So Yeon as a woman.

But she seemed to know how to melt him gently.

“…pa.”

“What?”

“Oppa.”

As if returning the sudden compliment she had received. So Yeon called him in a clear voice.

“Seo Jun oppa.”

It’s a title that Yeo Do Soon uses habitually, but So Yeon needed tremendous courage. Still, she wanted to call him that at least once.

“…”

Is this what dazzling cuteness is?

What is this sweet language penetrating his ears? Isn’t even her blushing face calling him ‘oppa’ lovely? Seo Jun, whose heart was properly pierced by So Yeon’s deliberate aegyo, had a blank expression for a moment.

However, his gaze fixed on her was very hot and clear.

“Do you dislike it when I call you like this?”

“…”

Why would I dislike it? I like it so much I’m going crazy.

Seo Jun led her small hand with a stylish smile and went down the stairs walking along the corridor matching So Yeon’s pace.

Jung Hwa met Jo In Ha at the fashion show venue.

It goes without saying that he was useful to Jung Hwa, who was only thinking about making Tae Seo Jun her man again, as he knew all the internal affairs of CN Entertainment.

The two, who had worked together several times before on advertisements and movies, and were even staying at the same hotel, had dinner together.

Jung Hwa’s ears perked up when she heard something she hadn’t paid attention to before due to her urgent state of mind. How could she not be affected by the fact that the woman currently with Tae Seo Jun in Malaga was said to be Eom So Yeon? Just like 4 years ago, it was as if a similar situation was being replayed like déjà vu. Anyway, what kind of bad relationship was it that this girl kept getting in the way persistently.

The only thing that made Jung Hwa feel somewhat relieved was Jo In Ha’s attitude. His eyes were moist up to under his eyes as he talked about visiting the filming location in Spain to meet Eom So Yeon as soon as he finished his schedule in Milan, which seemed to indicate they were not just casual acquaintances.

Jo In Ha appeared at the sky lounge when Jung Hwa was taking a sip of brown cognac.

“You really came quickly.”

“Have you been deceived all your life? Didn’t I say I would hurry?”

Jung Hwa handed him a newly filled glass of alcohol as he sat down across the table.

The drinking session that started from then had been going on for about an hour. The two were getting pleasantly tipsy to just the right degree.

As In Ha lifted his glass and downed the cognac in one gulp, Jung Hwa, who had been staring at him, took advantage of the relaxed atmosphere to casually mention that she had been Tae Seo Jun’s girlfriend in the past and would likely start again with him soon.

Of course, it was just her own wish, but In Ha’s expression brightened considerably. She felt like she understood what that meant, and it seemed like a feeling of sympathy.

“You said earlier during dinner that you’re going to Spain as soon as you finish work here.”

“I did.”

“Actually, I want to go to cheer him on too, but I’m hesitant. You may know this, but Seo Jun really hates drawing attention. I don’t have any particularly close friends besides that man, so I’m not sure what to do…”

As Jung Hwa trailed off as if troubled, In Ha suddenly twitched the corners of his mouth and said.

“If that’s what you’re worried about, why don’t you come with me? It’ll be a week from now because of the photo shoot I’m working on now.”

“Hmm… I don’t have any particular schedule for a while… But would that be okay?”

“Why not? Let’s do that.”

“Then, shall we? It wouldn’t be bad to rest in Italy for the first time in a long while during the wait.”

Jung Hwa, who had given up on going to Malaga early on, had decided to go to Cadiz before leaving the room.

And now that she was going to be accompanied by Jo In Ha, she had a plausible excuse not to be awkward in front of the people at the filming location when she suddenly went to find him.

It was around the time when the purpose of setting up this drinking session was more or less achieved.

“Wow! Who do we have here? Isn’t it Jo In Ha? Oh my, Yoo Jung Hwa too?”

The woman who approached their table with a loud voice was none other than Oh Min Jung.

Before joining the local filming team in Spain, she had stopped by Milan to hoard European luxury goods she had been eyeing, so not only her manager but also Min Jung’s hands were full of famous brand shopping bags.

“May I join you?”

“Of course.”

“…”

At Jung Hwa’s permission and In Ha’s nod, Min Jung quickly handed the shopping bags she was holding to her manager and sent him to the room before sitting down.

“By any chance, you two… this isn’t a secret overseas date or anything, right?”

Min Jung, who took a sip of water first as if her throat was dry from going around duty-free shops all day, mixed suspicion and playfulness in her gaze, and In Ha and Jung Hwa frowned at the same time.

“No way.”

“My goodness, do we look like that?”

“Hehe, it’s fine if not.”

Although they had brushed past each other at beauty shops and various places and were acquainted, it was the first time Min Jung had encountered Jung Hwa this closely. Min Jung, who developed a desire to become close with Jung Hwa, who was undoubtedly the best among actresses, suddenly asked.

“By the way, can I call you unnie?”

“Well. We’re practically meeting for the first time, isn’t that too fast?”

Jung Hwa replied with an inscrutable, blank expression.

“Oh, do you dislike it? I’m sorry if I was rude.”

Not everyone is like that, but for the most part, regardless of personality, to survive as an actress, one must traditionally have a strong spirit. And when it comes to a strong spirit, I don’t usually lose either. But Yoo Jung Hwa was indescribably strong.

As Min Jung, who was spontaneously intimidated, quietly lowered her tail, Jung Hwa rounded her eyebrows and said,

“I never said that.”

“You rejected it, didn’t you?”

“No, I didn’t. I’ve already dropped the formalities.”

“Ha, I thought… Elder sister!”

Min Jung, who was now slightly relieved of her tension, shouted loudly and looked at Jung Hwa as if she was annoying. Of course, it was Oh Min Jung’s unique way of expressing familiarity.

“Yes. I like it when you call me that. It’s like I’ve gained a sister I didn’t have.”

Jung Hwa’s bright red lips wore a strange smile as she finished speaking.

Although Oh Min Jung is famous for being simple and ignorant in the entertainment industry, there would be some utility value in keeping her close.