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“No, why……”
Haejoo was simply stunned.
Jinhan, too, hadn’t known the identity of the guest and nearly spilled the water in his glass.
“That person is CEO Park Dojun, right?”
“Yes.”
Jinhan still harbored ill feelings towards Dojun. He had clashed with him on the day he moved Haejoo’s belongings, making it awkward to face him.
There were many unresolved suspicions surrounding Dojun. With this scandal as an opportunity, Jinhan couldn’t trust anything about him.
He was infuriated by Dojun’s arrogance from the start, acting as if he were Haejoo’s husband and in a superior position.
But to think that the investor Director Kwak had praised so highly was none other than Dojun was simply bewildering.
“Director Yoo Jinhan and Haejoo-ssi are already here.”
“Yes. Welcome.”
“You know this person, right? CEO Park Dojun. And of course, Haejoo-ssi knows him.”
Haejoo and Dojun’s eyes met.
He, in turn, looked at her bewildered expression as if asking why she was looking at him like that.
Jinhan was just as flustered. He stared at Dojun, who offered a handshake first, before belatedly extending his right hand.
“CEO Park Dojun was the main investor for this movie.”
“Jino Group has been actively investing in cultural projects since last year.”
“It seems Haejoo-ssi wasn’t aware of this.”
The atmosphere became awkward.
Director Kwak, sensing the sudden shift in the air, glanced around nervously.
“Haejoo-ssi, you really didn’t know CEO Park was investing?”
“……Yes.”
“CEO Park, why didn’t you say anything?”
Director Kwak playfully asked Dojun.
In response, Dojun relaxed his lips with a gentle smile.
“I heard you were going out for a meal, so I thought I’d use this opportunity to talk.”
“……”
“But somehow, everyone seems unwelcoming towards me.”
“That’s not true. We heard you trusted us until the end for this movie.”
Jinhan quickly changed his expression. As someone in a profession that dealt with people, he didn’t have time to dwell on past emotions.
In any case, Dojun was an important investor who would allow them to film the movie. Therefore, it was only polite to treat him accordingly.
“I didn’t trust GN Entertainment as much as I bet on the actress Lee Haejoo.”
“Of course…… you would.”
Haejoo’s palms grew sweaty at their risky conversation.
She was especially anxious because of Dojun.
It wasn’t that what he said was wrong, but she wondered if he really had to say it in this setting.
“It would have been nice if you had told me beforehand, even yesterday.”
Haejoo spoke awkwardly.
With things being this way, she should sit next to Dojun, not Jinhan.
As expected, Director Kwak naturally looked at the seating arrangement.
“Haejoo-ssi should come over here. A married couple should sit together.”
Haejoo, holding her bag, moved her feet. Jinhan stepped aside, forcing himself to hide his hardening expression.
Regardless, Dojun pulled out a chair and had Haejoo sit down first.
“Give me your bag.”
“Yes.”
Dojun had a unique, unapproachable aura that matched his superior looks.
However, his attitude towards Haejoo was the epitome of kindness.
Jinhan could only scoff inwardly, recalling the Dojun he had encountered a few days ago.
“You two look very good together.”
“Thank you.”
Haejoo was overly polite at Director Kwak’s compliment.
But inside, she was complicatedly entangled due to the bathroom power outage incident last night.
She wasn’t used to this pretense yet. She wanted to feel more comfortable, but being in front of Dojun made it even harder.
Once the seating was roughly settled, Jinhan cautiously broached the subject.
“I have many questions for CEO Park Dojun.”
“Is that so?”
In any case, work was work.
Even if Jinhan didn’t want to admit it, there was no way to deny that he was Haejoo’s husband on paper.
Putting aside his personal feelings, he asked honestly.
“Did you commission Director Kwak for this movie from the start for Haejoo-ssi’s sake?”
Director Kwak was famous for having a distinct worldview. Jinhan brought up the unresolved question because he wasn’t someone whose convictions could be swayed by capital.
“Is Director Kwak someone who would be swayed by others’ opinions?”
“He is, in a way.”
“The script was already out before I invested, and in a chance meeting, he mentioned having Haejoo in mind for the lead role.”
Next to them, Director Kwak chuckled and continued Dojun’s story.
“I was in a situation where I couldn’t find investment for this movie, but CEO Park readily stepped in and saved the day.”
“Director Kwak couldn’t find investment?”
“It’s true that this movie was particularly more niche.”
Jinhan had expected that Dojun was behind everything, directing and leading from the shadows.
But after hearing the explanation, it sounded plausible.
“I was quite surprised when I heard that Haejoo-ssi and CEO Park were a couple. I even wondered if you approached me on purpose, haha!”
Director Kwak’s easygoing laughter eased the atmosphere somewhat.
Jinhan also nodded, gesturing to the restaurant staff who were watching them.
“Let’s order first. What would you like to eat?”
“They have a course menu here.”
“Then let’s go with the lunch course. Haejoo-ssi, is that alright?”
Haejoo, who had been dazed, flinched.
She was more surprised by Dojun tapping her shoe with his toe than by Jinhan calling her.
“Y-yes, of course. I like that too.”
They ordered, and the appetizer came out right away. Just as everyone picked up their utensils, Director Kwak reminisced about the past and began to speak.
“Talking about it now, I was on edge when the marriage scandal broke out for Haejoo-ssi.”
“I know, right?”
“But CEO Park here said it was okay and told us to proceed.”
“Yes……”
Haejoo chewed the food in her mouth and glanced at Dojun.
“So, there was a reason why you kept wanting to lower the movie’s rating, CEO Park?”
At the teasing question, a faint smile spread across Dojun’s lips. He put down his utensils and replied in a detached voice.
“No matter how much acting it is, what kind of man would want to see his wife mixing with another man?”
Dojun’s piercing gaze was directed at Jinhan.
He had heard from Director Kwak on the way here that Jinhan had played a part in Haejoo taking the role of Sohee.
Dojun telling Director Kwak to lower the movie’s rating was a measure for commercial viability. Investment wasn’t a donation, so naturally, profit had to be considered.
Only after deciding on the investment did he learn that Haejoo was being considered for the female lead.
If he hadn’t asked to lower the movie’s rating beforehand, it would have been a close call.
“If you lower the movie’s rating too much, it might be better commercially, but it’s true that it damages the movie’s unique color.”
Jinhan didn’t back down either.
He had recommended the script to Haejoo because he was fascinated by the pre-revised version.
To appeal to film festivals, a bold direction was needed.
Especially for Haejoo, who was riding a wave of success as an actress, it was indeed regrettable.
“You’re talking as if I’m some kind of ruthless investor.”
“I was just stating my opinion.”
“Do you cherish Haejoo?”
“Of course. Haejoo-ssi is someone I discovered and debuted, so she’s precious to me.”
“Then shouldn’t you cherish her sincerely?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just because you take off clothes doesn’t make it art.”
“……!”
“Once she has fully developed her skills and has an eye for choosing her own projects, I will also respect Haejoo’s choices.”
Jinhan was at a loss for words.
Dojun’s calmly reasoned rebuttal was quite persuasive.
Pressuring Haejoo to take the role of Sohee during yesterday’s meeting with Director Kwak was a short-sighted action.
“I wasn’t considerate of Haejoo-ssi in that regard.”
“Please continue to take good care of Haejoo in the future, Director Yoo Jinhan.”
Haejoo also didn’t know Dojun was thinking this deeply.
When he had mentioned divorce and said no to romance, she had felt rebellious. She thought he was just asserting his rights as her husband without even knowing much about movies.
But now that she saw it, Dojun’s foresight was even admirable.
Even the appetizer that had tasted bland now felt comforting, warming Haejoo’s empty stomach.
On the other hand, Jinhan, sitting across from her, kept drinking water. He didn’t seem to particularly enjoy the delicious-looking dishes either.
“Director, is the food not to your liking?”
“It’s delicious. Haejoo-ssi, you should eat quickly too.”
The conversation naturally shifted to the movie.
Director Kwak revealed his plans to hold auditions for the actors he had in mind as candidates.
During the conversation, Dojun moved the lamb from his plate to Haejoo’s.
Haejoo was flustered and didn’t know what to do at the unexpected gesture.
“You like lamb, don’t you? Eat.”
Jinhan also knew that Haejoo liked grilled lamb.
He would often buy it for her under various pretenses, but for Dojun to know her taste…
How on earth?
Haejoo had many questions she wanted to ask, but she remained silent for now.
“Thank you.”
Jinhan across from her didn’t look well. He kept drinking water as Dojun put his arm over the back of Haejoo’s chair.
A while later, the complicated and subtle meal was roughly over.
Haejoo wiped her mouth with a napkin and excused herself from those seated.
“I’ll go fix my makeup.”
“Excuse me too!”
Haejoo and Director Kwak moved away from the table and went to their respective restrooms.
Once the two had completely disappeared, Jinhan directly asked Dojun.
“Are you doing this on purpose in front of me?”
“Do I look that free?”
Jinhan leaned back in his chair.
He had held back when Haejoo was present, but not anymore.
“How much do you know about Haejoo-ssi?”
“Probably more than Director Yoo Jinhan.”
“I’ve known Haejoo-ssi since she was struggling to make a living with part-time jobs.”
“I’ve known her for three years? No, that’s not right. I’ve known Haejoo for much longer than that.”
“CEO Park Dojun has only maintained a marital relationship with Haejoo-ssi; you haven’t lived together. But I’ve been with Haejoo-ssi through every little thing she’s done.”
Dojun tapped the unused utensils on the table. The cold air that lingered around his lips reached Jinhan as well.
“If it weren’t for me, Director Yoo Jinhan wouldn’t have even met Haejoo.”
“……!”
“Do you know the lack Haejoo has?”
“Please be respectful.”
“You wouldn’t know even if you were reborn.”
As Dojun spoke informally, a dark red vein throbbed in Jinhan’s neck. If things continued like this, it seemed he would have to become the same kind of dog to be understood.
“Know? Park Dojun, what are you going to do?”
In that instant, the sound from the utensils in Dojun’s hand stopped.
Dojun, having even removed the faint smile that lingered on his lips, spoke the words he had wanted to say all along.
“Haejoo is my wife. She’s not someone you can covet.”
“I heard you had to get married because of Haejoo-ssi’s mother’s debt? Is Haejoo-ssi still CEO Park Dojun’s wife even now?”
“Of course.”
“Why?”
“Because there will be no divorce with Haejoo.”
“That’s a different promise!”
“I never promised anything from the start. I only said I would watch.”
Just then, Director Kwak returned to the table.
Having been oblivious, he cautiously asked, sensing the chilly atmosphere at the table.
“What were you two talking about?”
Jinhan avoided answering, 괜히 smoothing his collar. In contrast, Dojun’s face held a relaxed expression.
“Ah, it’s a call from the office. Just a moment.”
Director Kwak took his phone and hurriedly left the table.
As if waiting for this, Jinhan asked a question filled with emotion.
“CEO Park Dojun, didn’t you only live for your own success when Haejoo-ssi was struggling so much?”
“Why do you think that success was necessary?”
“What?”
“You’ll find out later. The reason why it took time for me to meet Haejoo again.”
With Dojun’s meaningful words, the verbal sparring ended.
Haejoo had returned to her seat.
Director Kwak, having quickly ended his call, also finished his conversation, and Jinhan got up.
“Shall we go now?”
He acted as if nothing had happened. Dojun, quietly nodding, stood up and took Haejoo’s car keys.
“I’ll drive. I left my car at the office.”
“Okay.”
Across from them, Jinhan put on his suit jacket.
He checked the time and then held onto Haejoo.
“Haejoo-ssi, you haven’t forgotten what you promised me after the meal, have you?”
“Ah, that.”
“CEO Park Dojun, I will take Haejoo-ssi home later.”
Dojun’s brow furrowed.
He hadn’t known Haejoo had other plans besides lunch, so he asked directly.
“What’s going on?”
“The director separately…….”
“There’s a charity fashion show coming up soon, and there are many things to decide on, starting with the outfits.”
Jinhan interrupted Haejoo’s answer.
Haejoo looked at him questioningly, as it was a schedule she didn’t know about.
“I was busy and forgot to tell Haejoo-ssi. Minhee-ssi has brought a lot of outfits to the office right now.”
“Really?”
Since it was for work, Dojun couldn’t forcibly hold onto Haejoo. Even though he didn’t trust Jinhan’s words, he backed down.
“Drive yourself.”
“Didn’t you say you don’t have your car, Dojun-ssi?”
“I can take a taxi.”
After leaving the restaurant, Director Kwak said he was busy and left first.
Before getting into his parked car, Jinhan gave Dojun a final greeting.
“The meal was enjoyable today, CEO Park Dojun. ……See you at the office, Haejoo-ssi.”
“Yes, Director.”
Jinhan’s car also left the restaurant parking lot.
Haejoo asked Dojun with an awkward expression.
“Are you really okay with me taking a taxi?”
“Don’t go.”
“Yes?”
“I said, don’t go.”
Haejoo couldn’t say anything and tightly gripped the car keys.
“Don’t go to that bastard, Lee Haejoo.”
It was Dojun’s request, and his command.
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