“The owner of Elstella Hotel, Chairman Tae, is your father, right?”

“….!”

Seo Jun’s gaze wavered momentarily at So Yeon’s words. He was surprised she knew so much about his family, but he didn’t ask how long she had known. In this situation, where he might lose her forever, such curiosity was meaningless.

“I had no idea that even among chaebols, he was that immensely powerful.”

“That’s impressive insight, but is that really a reason why we can’t be together?”

“I don’t want to be involved in the secret life of a director. Just Seo Jun alone is overwhelming and makes my heart race. I can’t handle being involved with South Korea’s top chaebol family.”

“Being wealthy isn’t a crime.”

“I can avoid it though. People with such wealth can do anything.”

The conversation revealed the depth of their complex situation, each struggling with their own reasons and emotions in the face of their relationship’s uncertain future.
So Yeon’s words suggested she feared someone from her family might be digging into her past. Despite her status as a film actress, she knew her family wouldn’t resort to illegal means.

What’s with this woman? Has she watched too many dramatic movies or read such novels? Pondering over So Yeon’s words, Seo Jun couldn’t help but laugh.

“That won’t happen.”

“That’s your opinion. No matter how secretly we meet, a long tail gets stepped on.”

“Then let it be stepped on.”

“That’s your opinion. No one knows what will happen until it actually does. It’s best we end our relationship here.”

“No. It’s not right. I won’t end it. I can’t. You need to think again.”

“I’ve already made up my mind. It was you who said we should spend a few days together. You also promised to step back cleanly if I didn’t like it. You need to keep your promise.”

“…….”

Seo Jun knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he didn’t expect her to be this difficult.

She’s incredibly articulate.

Firmly replying to every point, not giving in.

Seo Jun sighed, his expression neither too heavy nor too light, just a slight smirk mixed with a relaxed look.

“Let’s both think about it some more.”

Cádiz, with its dense array of white buildings and long alleyways, lies against the rough Atlantic Ocean.

Seo Jun and So Yeon arrived at a downtown hotel near the port with large cruise ships visible, around two in the afternoon.

Amid the hospitality of the hotel staff and drama production team, Seo Jun was assigned a luxurious special room with a great view, while the relatively unknown So Yeon got a small room on a lower floor.

Given the disparity in their status, the different treatment was expected, but So Yeon, overshadowed by Seo Jun’s glamour, couldn’t say anything to him amidst the crew’s watchful eyes and had to find her way to her room alone.

Seo Jun subtly gestured he’d escort her to her room, but that was out of the question. From the concierge desk at the hotel entrance, people were eyeing them curiously, wondering why they were together.

Any further suspicion could lead to consequences solely her responsibility. How would she handle such scrutiny?

She knew if the crew and actors started gossiping, it wouldn’t be the renowned actor Seo Jun who’d suffer, but her, seen as a powerless and easy target.

Acknowledging the harsh reality of their vast differences, So Yeon had no choice but to ignore Seo Jun’s persistent gaze.

Her room was modest and a bit dreary, despite being clean and sanitary. As soon as she entered the space she’d be staying in for a week, she sat on the edge of one of the slightly worn single beds.

The aged dressing table attached to the wardrobe and the arch-shaped window, dark even in broad daylight due to the nearby building, added to the room’s bleakness.

In this unfamiliar environment, So Yeon gazed around aimlessly, then looked down at her tightly clenched hand.

The grand mansion in Malaga.

The breathtakingly beautiful scenery and the intensely thrilling romance.

The heart-fluttering moments caused by the hand he wouldn’t let go of throughout the journey.

All of that was over now.

The solitude of this space seemed to confirm it.
Now, it’s time to let go of Tae Seo Jun. Bury the memories of the days spent with him deep in your heart. You’ve been greedy enough, so from now on, you should walk your path confidently. Enduring the hardships of today will make tomorrow less difficult.

So, don’t lose yourself in sorrowful emotions. It’s not the time for that.

“Oops!”

Realizing she had been lost in thought, So Yeon quickly unpacked her travel bag and called Se Ah.

“Where are you?”

[Dash] Me? I’m on my way from Seville Airport to Cádiz.

“When will you arrive?”

[Dash] I left 30 minutes ago, so it’ll probably take another hour. Why, do you miss me?

“Yes, terribly.”

[Dash] But why do you sound so lifeless? Did the director behave rudely?

Se Ah, well-aware of Tae Seo Jun’s notorious temperament from fan club and company stories, suspected his behavior might be the cause of So Yeon’s dejected voice.

[Dash] That man, really! I asked him to be nice! Oh, well… When you meet me later, you can complain about him all you want. You’re my best friend, so it’s okay for you.

“Alright, just come safely.”

[Dash] Okay!

Hearing her friend’s hearty voice, So Yeon finally felt like she was returning to her own life. Especially knowing Se Ah was always there for her was both comforting and reassuring.

After the call, So Yeon held the script in her hand, given to her by an assistant writer who met her right outside the room, saying it was the revised version.

She needed to check it quickly as the content of tomorrow’s shooting had changed. However, as she read through, her expression turned grave.

Her face flushed red, and an exasperated sigh escaped her lips.

“Ah, why is this…?”

The script remained the same, but the setting and concept had slightly changed. What surprised her was the inclusion of new, more explicit scenes.

Shaking her head in disbelief, So Yeon continued reading. The scenes got heavier and more intense as she went on.

Thankfully, the exposure was limited to her back and shoulders, which was manageable. She might even be grateful for the increased prominence of her character.

The problem was, not even 30 minutes after parting from Tae Seo Jun, she already missed him terribly. And once that longing started, it grew uncontrollable with each breath.

So Yeon, please don’t do this…

She had to admonish herself.

She knew better than to be greedy here. If she wavered, her resolved decisions could crumble, potentially causing her to lose Hyun Woo as well.

Gradually, a reddish tint appeared around So Yeon’s eyes.

The sadness of wanting to run to him but being unable to do so was overwhelming.