90. Dojun & Hae-joo Epilogue (4)

“Hyunseong, I’m nervous.”

“Me too. It feels like ages.”

For the first time in a long time, all the actors gathered at Director Kwak’s office to rehearse. Hae-joo, getting into the car driven by Hyunseong, carefully asked,

“By the way, how has Director Jinhan been doing lately?”

After Chairman Yu’s arrest, his three sons couldn’t escape the criticism of the media and the public. Jinhan only handled the minimum necessary company affairs and mostly stayed secluded. When Hae-joo gave birth, he only sent flowers and gifts.

“I heard he’s been coming to the office lately.”

“I see.”

“They say he’s much quieter than before and has changed.”

Hwang Gyeong-ok and Chairman Yu were still in the midst of their divorce lawsuit. The unprecedented level of asset division was the key issue, drawing public attention.

“There’s a rumor that Director Jinhan is dating, is it true?”

“Isn’t that just a rumor? I heard he mostly stays at home when he’s not at the office.”

“He’ll be fine.”

They finally arrived at Director Kwak’s office and met their fellow actors. While exchanging updates, Yunji, who had arrived earlier, rushed over and greeted Hae-joo warmly.

“You had a baby, but there’s no sign of it at all. That’s amazing.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Here’s a gift.”

“Why did you prepare so much?”

“Because I feel bad.”

Yunji handed the lavishly wrapped large gift basket to Hyunseong. In front of a grateful Hae-joo, Yunji sheepishly smiled simply.

“Why do you feel bad?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Anyway, let’s do well this time too.”

Lately, Yunji was as popular as she used to be. After shedding her wild image and putting in effort, she was regaining her reputation. Director Kwak, standing before the actors, was still the same. He smiled brightly and began listing the upcoming filming schedule.

“While reviewing what we filmed before, there are quite a few scenes in Jeju Island that I’d like to supplement.”

“…!”

“It’s outdoor filming, and I think we’ll have to go down for at least half a month.”

The other actors seemed to accept it. However, Hae-joo couldn’t afford to be away for half a month, leaving her son, Hyun. Her young son was already on her mind. He was still an infant; could she really leave him with someone else? Since Director Kwak had shown her so much consideration last year, she couldn’t ask for it this time.

“No problems, everyone?”

“No.”

Filming preparations proceeded swiftly. They had to complete the schedule within the set period, so there was no room for error. That day, Hae-joo hesitantly opened up to Dojun after he returned from work.

“Dojun, you know, I have to be in Jeju Island for about half a month.”

“Why Jeju Island?”

“Last year, we had to finish things quickly, so it seems we need some additional filming.”

“Half a month...”

“I’ll take the baby and a nanny with me.”

“Why go through all that trouble? I’ll take good care of Hyun.”

“Are you sure?”

“Let’s give it a try.”

Ever since Hyun started rolling over, he crawled all over the house, exploring everything. They couldn’t take their eyes off him for a second and quickly got tired. Even Dojun, the mighty, still found parenting difficult. Just a moment ago, he was shocked when his son peed on him while he was changing his diaper.

“Can I really manage without you...?”

“Don’t worry about home; go and film with a peaceful mind.”

Hae-joo, setting aside her worries for a moment, left for Jeju Island the next day. After work, Dojun sent the nanny home and bathed Hyun with his large hands.

“So far, so good.”

His skill at bathing his young son had improved significantly. Now, if he could just put Hyun to sleep without waking him, it would be perfect. He quickly prepared the formula and vigorously shook the bottle.

“Son, let’s have your milk and then sleep.”

Late at night, Dojun, with his large frame, awkwardly held the baby and put the bottle to his mouth. He was so sleepy that his eyes felt like they would close at any moment, and then a thought suddenly occurred to him.

“How did Father raise me and Yijun all by himself?”

Suddenly, his father seemed great. It was even more so because he could clearly see the future of his son, who was already showing signs of being extraordinary. There was something else that drained Dojun’s energy. Lately, he was so consumed with childcare that he couldn’t remember the last time he held Hae-joo. After the miracle of the hundredth day post-birth, he had enjoyed the joy but hadn’t had a chance since.

“I feel like I’m going to die.”

It wasn’t because of childcare. He was still young, so his desires were still vividly alive, even enough to overcome sleepiness. On a night without Hae-joo, Dojun finally put Hyun to sleep and cautiously took a step. Just as he turned to open the door, he stepped on a noisy toy. This was a disaster.

‘Choo-choo, honk-honk!’

“Wah, wah!”

Hyun woke up after all. It was truly infuriating. Thus, the exhausting days passed relentlessly. A week after Hae-joo left for Jeju Island, even the nanny who had been doing well quit. Initially, three were hired, but after they left one by one, the last remaining one finally gave up. When asked why she was quitting, she said that Hyun was too active, and she simply couldn’t keep up physically. Dojun, who ended up taking his young son to work, made a big decision.

“Director Song, book me a ticket to Jeju Island.”

It wasn’t because childcare was difficult that he was going to Jeju Island. He simply missed Hae-joo. The next day, Dojun took a day off and boarded a flight to Jeju two days later. Director Song couldn’t accompany him as he had to attend to company matters.

When Dojun appeared at Jeju Airport wearing a baby carrier, it caused quite a commotion. Yet, he disregarded it and confidently got into the rented car.

“Son, let’s go find Mom.”

He could have called Hae-joo’s phone, but he deliberately didn’t, fearing it might disturb her. However, this decision soon turned into regret.

“Where on earth is the filming location?”

Hyun was fussy, probably tired from the flight. The weather was also incomparably hotter than Seoul, so he canceled the search for Hae-joo and stopped at a hotel first. He must have made a foolish move. He wanted to surprise Hae-joo because she missed Hyun, but reality was not so kind.

“Should I go back to Seoul?”

He just left a message for Hae-joo saying he was at the Jeju hotel. Dojun was so exhausted that he fell sound asleep next to Hyun as soon as the baby drifted off. In the late afternoon, the Jeju breeze drifted through the hotel terrace. Dojun stirred as the refreshing scent tickled his skin. Blinking his eyes in a daze, the familiar scent penetrated to his heart.

“Hae-joo?”

He sat up abruptly, and indeed, Hae-joo was right before his eyes. She caressed his pale face and bit his hot lips, slipping between his teeth. For a moment, Dojun wondered if he was dreaming. It was only when a soft warmth flowed down his throat that he fully awoke. Now was the time for passion to take over.

“Are we doing this?”

Unbelievably, Hae-joo was truly here. As late afternoon turned into evening, the sun set over the Jeju sky, and dusk deepened. Dojun felt hazy. The reddish light stained the air and the bedsheets, making it feel unreal. Hae-joo’s ripe kiss comforted Dojun for a long time. Telling him he worked hard, and now they could be together.

“Can you be here right now?”

Dojun asked, his lips still pressed against hers. Due to the film’s production being halted for a year, Hae-joo was currently on a tight schedule. Despite his question, his body felt utterly languid. With their bold actions of exploring each other’s mouths, Dojun gradually leaned back onto the bed.

“I made time to come see you, Dojun.”

“So you have to go back?”

He knew it was obvious, but he couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Dojun, his energy completely drained, flopped down. Then his heart sank when he didn’t see Hyun, who had been sleeping soundly beside him.

“Hyun!”

“Hyunseong is watching him.”

“He’s watching the baby?”

“I asked him to for a little while, so get some rest now.”

Since the baby was still young, he was reluctant to leave him with others. Even though they had nannies, they had tried to take care of Hyun themselves as much as possible.

“It’s good to see your face like this.”

“You worked hard.”

Hae-joo climbed onto his waist and sat down. Dojun reached out and stroked her smoothly curved legs.

“Your touch, Dojun, always feels so greedy.”

“Does it?”

“Like a desire for more.”

“Thanks for noticing.”

Dojun was still robust, and his superior looks shone. Just looking at him was a tremendous stimulant for Hae-joo. Unfortunately, the time to go was approaching. Filming was scheduled to end late tonight again. The longing Hae-joo felt for Dojun, which couldn’t be satisfied through phone calls, was finally about to be filled. The thought of turning back now made her inexplicably emotional.

“How can I leave you like this?”

“I won’t go anywhere, I’ll be here.”

“You don’t have to go to Seoul?”

“I’m thinking of staying here for a few days and working.”

At Dojun’s words about staying in Jeju Island, her emotions spread uncontrollably. The desperation they hadn’t known when they had abundance made them even more poignant. Hae-joo’s hand, stroking Dojun’s head, slipped down and touched his strong neckline. At that moment, it absorbed his scent and pulsed with excitement. The unwavering sun thus found solace in Hae-joo’s embrace.

“I feel alive now, Hae-joo.”

Dojun’s husky whisper pushed away the empty air. In the darkened hotel room, only the sunset, seeping through the glass wall, illuminated the two. The reddish hues were mysterious, as if foreshadowing the coming night. He lifted his head and cupped Hae-joo’s cheek. He was drawn into her clear eyes and couldn’t resist, pressing his lips against hers. Her delicate breaths made Dojun’s chest warm. A mixture of burning smiles and desperation around their lips made him cling to her irresistibly.

“Never move away from my side again.”

Dojun was someone who couldn’t live without Hae-joo. At this moment, it was no different from receiving life from God. A deep longing tightened its grip on him. Just when he felt like he could die without regret, he finally chuckled with relief.

“I don’t want to let you go.”

“Am I a fish caught by you, Dojun?”

“Perhaps. In a slightly different sense.”

“A different sense?”

“Because no one else but me will be able to get close to you anyway.”

“That’s just like you.”

Just then, Hyunseong sent a message saying they had to leave. Neatly dressed, the two went down to the hotel lobby. Hyunseong put Hyun in a stroller rented from the hotel and showed him around. He was quite good with children, earning Dojun’s unstinting praise.

“You’re good with kids.”

“Thanks to my older brothers, I have five young nephews.”

Dojun stayed at the hotel in Jeju, working. In the meantime, Director Song hired and sent two nannies, giving them free weekends. These nannies were true professionals and didn’t quit easily. Thanks to them, Dojun could also focus on his work. Director Kwak’s film progressed smoothly, speeding up production by traveling between Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. On a day in late autumn, the main filming finally concluded. After post-production throughout the winter, the film’s main trailer was released in spring.

“Excellent.”

“You’re too kind. It’s all thanks to CEO Park.”

Two years after the start of his first film shoot, Director Kwak held a VIP premiere. The trailer alone generated high expectations and caused a stir overseas. For this premiere, renowned filmmakers and selected audiences were invited. Dojun and Hae-joo arrived at the theater for the premiere and walked the red carpet.

“Everyone, here are the stars of this film, Lee Hae-joo, and the investor, CEO Park Dojun!”

An outdoor stage event was held before the film premiere. The cast members entered one by one and were interviewed by the host.

“There were many trials until the film was completed. How do you feel?”

Hae-joo took the microphone. She briefly met Dojun’s gaze beside her and then shared her thoughts.