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The gathering Yoonji arranged was none other than a drinking party.
Haejoo, who got sick even after a few glasses of champagne, instinctively shook her head.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t drink at all.”
-Does it make sense to just sit still like this?
“......”
-If this movie falls through, I’m really finished!
Yoonji almost sobbed.
The way she was breathing roughly, Haejoo could sense an unprecedented desperation.
-It looks like Yoo Jinhan might even step in as the investor for that movie.
“What did the director say to you, Sunbae-nim?”
-He said if he invests, he’ll re-lineup the actors from scratch. And then he mentioned you.
“Me?”
-If you’re out, everyone from our agency is out.
It was like a drowning person trying to pull others down with them, and Haejoo felt troubled.
With Director Kwak and now Yoonji acting like this, Haejoo was under a lot of pressure.
-I’ll apologize for what happened at the fashion show. It was my fault. Really!
“Sunbae-nim...”
-Please, just save me this time, okay?
“Why do you think the director is doing this?”
-That’s what I’m wondering too. The two of you were on good terms!
Yoonji didn’t seem to know about the condition that Haejoo had to divorce Dojun after a year.
That part was a kind of secret promise only Haejoo and Jinhan knew.
-The reason Yoo Jinhan is acting like this is because of you, right, Haejoo?
Haejoo had already learned a lot about Dojun.
They weren’t the kind of couple who would break up for good just because of a divorce.
“I have had some disagreements with the director recently.”
Why was Jinhan being so impatient?
Why was he pushing her, who barely took one step after carefully testing every stepping stone?
-See? My hunch was right.
“I’ll try to meet with the director myself.”
Just then, Dojun knocked and entered the room.
Holding a blanket, he very naturally settled down on the floor. Then, he stared at Haejoo, whose expression was stiff.
Haejoo got up, holding her phone.
She was about to go downstairs to make a call when Dojun grabbed her.
“Do it here.”
Reluctantly, she sat back down.
On the other end of the phone, an excited Yoonji was talking non-stop.
-Even if you go alone, he probably won’t meet you. He’s changed overnight.
Jinhan had become a different person these past few days. His usual kindness had vanished without a trace, and even the office staff were watching their every move.
-Don’t do that, just come out when I arrange a meeting. You don’t have to drink.
“......”
-Are you listening?
“Yes.”
-It’s Yoo Jinhan’s birthday the day after tomorrow. We’re all gathering, so you have to come too.
“If it’s that kind of gathering... okay.”
-Please, I’m begging you, talk to Yoo Jinhan that day and sort things out. Okay?
“Yes.”
Haejoo couldn’t hide the feeling that she had suddenly become a criminal.
As soon as she hung up, she buried her face in her knees.
“What’s wrong?”
“It seems the director is very angry. Director Kwak also called, asking what was going on...”
Haejoo honestly told him about her conversation with Director Kwak.
His consecutive sighs were filled with worry.
“Is Yoo Jinhan powerful enough to change the lead actress with just one word?”
“He does have GN backing him, after all.”
Those Jinhan had discovered and nurtured were dominating the film industry.
Starting a few years ago, he had debuted an idol group that had conquered the US Billboard charts.
He was soon to be promoted to CEO of GN Entertainment.
Jinhan’s name itself held immense brand power.
Haejoo, who had received his special favor more than anyone else, had long been the target of jealousy among her fellow actors.
“Even enough to change investors who have already been decided?”
“If he’s determined, wouldn’t it be possible?”
“So, to prevent that from happening, we have to get divorced?”
“That’s what the director wants.”
“What about your feelings?”
Haejoo glared at Dojun and then lay down on the bed.
Perhaps it was just her imagination, but Dojun’s house felt more familiar than Jinhan’s apartment, where she had lived for two years.
The spacious bed and the tree branches visible outside the window added to the coziness.
“There’s something I said when I rejected the director’s feelings.”
“What was it?”
“I said I’m someone who can’t love.”
“Doesn’t exactly surprise me.”
“Why not?”
“Just figured.”
His reaction to the same words was different from Jinhan’s.
Rather flustered, Haejoo looked down at Dojun, who was lying on the floor below the bed.
“Why did you think that?”
“You’ve been treated like that by your own mother since you were a kid. Of course you wouldn’t be normal.”
“......”
“It’s a miracle you’re still alive.”
Dojun knew exactly why Haejoo had no choice but to be this way.
Their first meeting on the rooftop railing had been a tremendous shock to Dojun as well. Even now, thinking about it sent shivers down his spine.
“Don’t die. If you’re really going to die, die in front of me.”
“Why?”
“So I can die with you.”
Haejoo reached her hand down from the bed and lightly grabbed Dojun’s hair. Then she pulled it hard.
“Ouch!”
“What do you mean, die together? You’re talking nonsense.”
“Why can’t I die?”
“Then who will take care of Uncle?”
Seeing that Haejoo was even worried about President Park in this situation, it seemed she wouldn’t die.
Though he didn’t say it, Dojun felt a sense of relief.
“If I can’t die, you can’t die either.”
“I’m a fool who can’t even love, so why are you holding onto me so tightly, Dojun-ssi?”
“Who said anyone was expecting you to be loved?”
Haejoo felt like cold water had been thrown on her unexpectedly.
The unchangingly indifferent Dojun murmured to himself.
“Just receive. I’m also a fool who can only do this much.”
“What if I leave you then?”
“The only time you’ll leave me is when I have nothing left to give you.”
“That means...”
“When I’m completely ruined, or when I get a serious illness like Yijun.”
“Why would you say such things?”
“Exactly! So don’t rush to get a divorce by setting a specific deadline.”
Haejoo lay on her back, looking at the ceiling.
He reached out and turned off the lights, leaving only the bedside lamp on.
“The day I can no longer protect you... let’s part ways then.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah.”
“Even if we can never see each other again?”
“It’ll hurt, I guess.”
“What if I meet someone else?”
“I might kill that bastard.”
“Forget it. Never mind.”
Dojun chuckled softly.
“Who was the person who called?”
“It was Yoonji Sunbae.”
Haejoo summarized her conversation with Yoonji.
Her heart felt heavy and rotten with complicated emotions.
“The day after tomorrow is Yoo Jinhan’s birthday?”
“Yes, they’re all gathering, and they want me to talk to him and sort things out.”
“Do you think Yoo Jinhan will listen if you talk to him?”
“I have to try anything.”
“So you’re going?”
“It would be troublesome if Yoonji Sunbae gets hurt because of me.”
It would be tiring if things went wrong with Yoonji.
She knew many people and was a talkative type, so Haejoo had to at least pretend to make an effort.
“Yoo Jinhan won’t budge that easily.”
“You only talk about despairing things.”
“Because it’s the truth.”
“I’m going to sleep now.”
“Around when?”
“Pardon?”
“......Around when will we be able to sleep in the same bed?”
Dojun turned his back and lay down.
He didn’t know what kind of expression Haejoo was making right now, but there was something he definitely wanted to say.
“Haejoo-ya.”
“Yes.”
“Shall we date?”
“......!”
“You don’t have to give love. Just quietly receive it.”
Haejoo couldn’t say anything.
It wasn’t because she had nothing to say.
It was as if she had been thrown into the high sky; her ears went numb, and her limbs wouldn’t move.
Then, her breath hitched in her throat.
She tried to breathe evenly, her chest heaving, but it didn’t work well.
“Good night.”
He said good night with his back turned.
Perhaps he hadn’t expected an answer in the first place, as the conversation ended just like that.
Deep in the night, only Haejoo wandered restlessly.
As she melted into the world Dojun had stirred, her eyes closed on their own.
________________________________________
Dojun had taken Monday off, so he was incredibly busy the next day.
He even stopped by President Park’s hospital in the morning just to check on his condition before going to work.
On the other hand, Haejoo was deep in thought.
Yoonji had left a message on her phone, telling her to come to K Club by 7 PM on Wednesday.
“I should at least try.”
Haejoo, having made time, stopped by the luxury goods section of a department store.
Considering Jinhan’s usual preferences, she chose an expensive watch.
However, there was someone who bothered her throughout her shopping.
While the clerk was wrapping Jinhan’s watch, Haejoo ended up looking at other products as well.
‘When is Dojun-ssi’s birthday?’
On a whim, Haejoo sent Dojun a text message.
He seemed busy, so she didn’t expect a reply.
[I’m at the department store now. Is there anything you need?]
[Not really.]
[Tell me if you want something while I’m buying. Otherwise, you’ll never have it.]
[Just don’t get a divorce.]
[I’ll just pick something myself.]
Dojun didn’t particularly like dressing up.
There were many nice accessories in his dressing room, but he always wore the same things.
After some thought, two gift ideas came to mind.
“I’ll take one more watch.”
This time, she chose a men’s watch that matched Haejoo’s preferences.
It was a new item that cost more than Jinhan’s.
After wrapping it, she headed to the lingerie store.
The store manager and clerk recognized Haejoo and approached her, startled.
“Welcome.”
“I’d like to buy some underwear for my husband.”
She said what she needed naturally, but her insides were trembling.
Trying to do something she had never done before wasn’t easy.
“What kind of style are you looking for?”
“Briefs are fine, and pajamas are okay too.”
“A lot of couples buy matching pajamas these days.”
“Leave those aside... show me them.”
Haejoo and Dojun had been a married couple for a whopping three years.
To others, Haejoo had to be a wife deeply loved by her devoted husband.
So, matching pajamas couldn’t be a problem.
Haejoo inwardly regretted coming in but followed the staff’s guidance.
“How about these? They’re very popular pajamas.”
“Yes, just give me those.”
Embarrassed, she didn’t look properly and just asked for them.
Somehow, Haejoo ended up choosing Dojun’s briefs and matching pajamas. She put the watch she was going to give Dojun inside and finished wrapping it.
“Thank you.”
She had even bought men’s underwear; life was full of surprises.
With a blush rising on her face, Haejoo quickly left the department store.
“Oh, right, I didn’t even ask for the size.”
Dojun was tall and had a good build. He was well-toned from exercise, and his physique was overwhelming.
She debated whether to go back, check the size, and exchange it.
But the thought of repeating the embarrassing situation she had just endured made her whole body twist.
Finally, inner conflict arose.
After repeatedly agonizing over whether this was the best she could do, she concluded that she would just give it to him.
That night, Haejoo fell asleep while waiting for Dojun.
He finished work past midnight and left early in the morning before Haejoo even woke up.
“The gift is still there.”
She had placed the gift on the bed in his room, but it was still there.
He hadn’t even touched it, and she felt a little disappointed.
She wondered if he didn’t like it or if he hadn’t seen it, and all sorts of thoughts crossed her mind.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have bought it.”
Haejoo took the gift to her room and carelessly tossed it on the bed. Then, she repeatedly worried about her appointment with Yoonji that evening.
“Even if I go to the company, the director probably won’t meet me.”
A day passed quickly.
Haejoo, dressed in appropriate attire, called a taxi.
K Club was located in a very large downtown area, and parking lots suitable for expensive cars were far away. Planning to just take care of her business and leave, she got into the taxi and told the driver her destination.
“Please go to K Club.”
The taxi Haejoo was in immediately crossed the hill and headed towards Seoul.
________________________________________
At the same time, Yoonji arrived at K Club with a cake and went to the reserved room.
Several actors from the same agency were already there.
“Unnie, you’re here?”
“Yoonji, long time no see.”
“Hey, is the director really coming?”
Everyone said something as Yoonji appeared.
Various kinds of alcohol and snacks filled the large table.
“Haejoo said she’s coming, so he probably will too.”
Yoonji had also pre-ordered Jinhan’s favorite whiskey and cocktails. Then, looking visibly tired, she leaned back in her chair.
“Is it because of Lee Haejoo that the director has changed so much lately?”
“Looks like it.”
“What’s really going on between them? I thought she was dating the director until her scandal broke.”
“Really?”
“The director used to go in and out of Haejoo’s place all the time. What else would a young couple be doing?”
Yoonji didn’t join the conversation of her colleagues.
As she took a beer to quench her thirst, actress Seonyoung sneered.
“She sucked all the sweetness out of the director and went to a rich husband, who would like that?”
“But wasn’t that unavoidable? Haejoo...”
“Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve heard things too.”
“What is it?”
“I heard she went into the marriage agreeing to divorce President Park after a year, but her attitude has completely changed?”
“Unbelievable.”
“What’s a girl who can’t even drink doing here? She’ll just ruin the mood.”
Yoonji had been busy with recent auditions and didn’t know about this.
Feeling inexplicably anxious, she quietly sipped her beer.
Just then, the room door burst open, and the real protagonist of the evening arrived.
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