Was it the tight tension that caused this?

So Yeon felt dizzy, as if her surroundings were spinning, and suddenly her body, which had been steady, seemed to lose strength. A premonition that closing her eyes now might mean never opening them again made her force her eyes wide open.

But her increasingly heavy eyelids overpowered her will, and they slowly closed.

“Stop being stubborn and come to me.”

Seo Jun was about to whisper this into So Yeon’s ear when it happened.

Indeed, Seo Jun had uncharacteristically sent his usual car and the two men with it back to the hotel, and instead mingled with other actors in a large van. He even boldly took the seat next to where Ye Do Soon should be sitting, right beside So Yeon.

Thanks to this, Do Soon was having fun chatting with fellow managers in the back seat.

Watching So Yeon nodding off, Seo Jun couldn’t help but smirk.

Ever since he noticed his father’s men circling around him, he had been cautious with every move. He had to act indifferent, pretending not to want to embrace her at every moment, making those times feel futile.

While So Yeon’s occasional flustered reactions were amusing, it wasn’t entirely enjoyable. Staying away from her felt like a punishment for himself.

Feeling he had given enough time for thought, Seo Jun eagerly awaited tonight. He wanted to dine alone with her, discussing the future. The deep glances she occasionally threw at him gave him confidence.

But now, she would be out of his sight for a while. Waiting any longer seemed pointless in front of his longing. He wanted her answer now.

But she fell asleep as soon as she got in the car…

Soon, the actors, including So Yeon and Seo Jun, disembarked from the van upon arriving at the hotel.

“Ms. So Yeon.”

Seo Jun called out to the still fast-asleep So Yeon. As if it was her specialty to wake So Yeon, Do Soon quickly approached from the back seat.

“I’ll take her down.”

Shortly after, Do Soon, laden with bags, swiftly entered the hotel, and So Yeon, having just stepped onto the sidewalk, froze as if turned to ice. It was because she found herself directly facing Seo Jun, who was near the hotel’s revolving door, engaged in conversation with the film crew.

What should she say? Should she just coolly shake hands in this public place, or…

She felt she should say a final goodbye to him, but how and what to say was a dilemma. Just as So Yeon was about to take a step forward,

“I think I’ve grown fond of you, So Yeon. It’s hard to say goodbye, even though we’ll see each other again in Korea.”

A veteran actress, who played Seo Jun’s servant in the drama, approached So Yeon, expressing her regret.

“I feel the same way. Thank you all for being so kind to me. My filming is over, but I’ll visit you at the Ilsan set.”

“That would be nice. You’re leaving for Korea tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”

The trivialities of delaying her return to Korea seemed unnecessary to mention. With a reluctant expression, So Yeon slightly shortened her words. As the middle-aged actress looked wistfully at So Yeon, she glanced at Oh Min Jung, who was closely attached to Seo Jun, and spoke in a slightly lower tone.
The triviality of delaying her return to Korea was unnecessary to mention. With a wistful expression, So Yeon curtailed her words. The middle-aged actress, glancing at Oh Min Jung clinging to Tae Seo Jun, spoke in a slightly lower voice.

“No matter how well Min Jung acts, here So Yeon was the real protagonist. From creating the atmosphere to immersing in acting, you were the best. Initially, I was skeptical, thinking you were just a pretty face, but you proved us all wrong. I think so too.”

“Oh, that’s too much praise.”

Though it was just a compliment, it wasn’t unpleasant to hear. So Yeon smiled shyly, but her smile soon faded.

“Look! Isn’t that Yu Jung Hwa and Jo In Ha over there? Look!”

Someone’s voice directed everyone’s attention towards Seo Jun and Min Jung. So Yeon’s eyes also caught sight of Jung Hwa and In Ha.

Seeing Jung Hwa triggered memories of a series of nightmarish events, causing So Yeon’s heart to race abnormally fast, freezing her in place.

“Have you been well, Seo Jun?”

The charming smile Jung Hwa wore as she casually addressed Seo Jun was captivating.

But the moment Jung Hwa’s voice reached her, So Yeon’s attention was drawn to Seo Jun’s eyes, which flickered once and then calmed. That alone told her everything. Seo Jun still couldn’t ignore Jung Hwa.

To So Yeon, it appeared that way.

Four years ago, Seo Jun seemed like he would do anything to forget Jung Hwa. Jung Hwa blackmailed her, bringing up how she pretended to be his girlfriend until recently.

Moreover, So Yeon realized anew that the relationship between those two hadn’t ended in any form.

“Jung Hwa, didn’t you come to see me?”

Min Jung snapped at Jung Hwa, who wasn’t paying her any attention. Of course, it was just Min Jung’s way of expressing closeness.

“Maybe.”

“Why answer like that? You’re disappointing me!”

Aware of this, Jung Hwa humorously and warmly patted Min Jung’s back.