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On days when there was a script study, there was no shortage of conversation at Director Kang Woo-hyun’s house. After the serious and passionate study sessions, the atmosphere would change, and the group would chat happily, bouncing between various topics.
“Yesterday, I went to the set with PD Song, and I was so excited to see how amazing our mansion is being built! Look, I took pictures of it for every room.”
Director Kang proudly showed the actors the pictures he had taken of the set.
Since the movie *Cream Mansion* revolved around mysterious events happening among the residents of a mansion, most of the scenes were shot on set. Shooting on set was much more convenient since it was less affected by changes in the time of day or the weather, and everyone was welcoming that aspect of the production. Of course, in Kang Woo-hyun’s films, the real focus wasn’t the set but the acting itself. He was a director who wouldn’t settle for mediocre performances.
“And remember the ritual I mentioned for our movie? It’s finally scheduled for next week. The person coming is very busy, so it took a lot of time to coordinate.”
Director Kang waved his hand, acting a bit dramatic, and continued.
“Because of the ritual, there won’t be a script study next week, so just keep that in mind. But even though there’s no study, don’t slack off on your script research and acting practice.”
Once the topic of the ritual came up, the actors’ attention shifted completely from the set pictures to the ritual. It seemed that Kang’s warning went unheard as a couple of actors began whispering among themselves.
“Director, I heard the person coming for the ritual is very famous.”
Kim Yi-jung’s voice caught everyone’s attention.
“They say regular people can’t even make a reservation. They only accept new guests through introductions from existing customers… Is there any way you could help me get a business card?”
“Oh? Yi-jung, you’re interested in that sort of thing? I thought today’s generation would just treat shamanism as old-fashioned.”
Director Kang seemed pleased by Kim Yi-jung’s interest.
“My parents are both uninterested in that kind of thing, but one of my distant relatives is a shaman. We weren’t very close, but we lived nearby, so we kept in touch, and for some reason, I’ve always felt comfortable with them. I move on days without bad luck, I go to check my fortune at the beginning of the year… Oh, and before important auditions, I always ask the fortune teller what I should wear or carry with me.”
“Really? So, did you do that for your *Cream Mansion* audition?”
“They told me to wear a blue outfit and white shoes, so I did, and I got the part.”
A world of their own quickly formed between Kim Yi-jung and Director Kang, and no one else could easily join in.
It was somewhat surprising to Choi Hong-seo that Kim Yi-jung was interested in shamanism. She had always seemed like someone who would prefer tarot readings over consulting a shaman.
“Come on, it wasn’t because of that that you got the part, Yi-jung. It’s because of your acting skills. If auditions could be won with that kind of thing, there wouldn’t be a single actor in this industry struggling.”
The one who interrupted their conversation was Seo Jun-young.
“That stuff is fine as a bit of fun, but if you take it too seriously, it’s a bit much. It’s not scientifically proven, after all.”
Though he seemed curious as he listened to their conversation, Seo Jun-young shook his head, talking about science. Kim Yi-jung, who had been looking at him with a bored expression, suddenly tilted her head and smiled slyly.
“Senior, you seem to know a lot about science?”
“......”
“As far as I know, your academic performance wasn’t that impressive, though.”
Everyone looked at Kim Yi-jung’s reply with a mix of interest, though they tried not to show it outwardly.
Choi Hong-seo had learned that Kim Yi-jung was dating the son of a famous car company owner. A scandal broke out when they were photographed by paparazzi, but unlike most scandals involving chaebols and celebrities, they openly acknowledged their relationship and enjoyed public dates.
Seo Jun-young, who was a bit reckless with his words, was careful not to treat Kim Yi-jung too casually. After all, he was someone who naturally became humble around those with power.
“Okay, does everyone have time after this?”
The atmosphere shifted when the supervising PD, who had briefly stepped away, returned.
“Our investor, Vice President Lee Hae-seong… no, he asked to host a company dinner.”
When Lee Hae-seong’s name came up, Choi Hong-seo froze for a moment, unsure of when the right time to get up would be. On the other hand, everyone else cheered and seemed excited.
“The investor is treating us to a nice meal, so please try to attend. If anyone can’t make it, let me know. I’ll send you the location via messenger, so just head there.”
Before the PD finished speaking, everyone quickly got up, excited and bustling around. Some gathered their things, others called their managers to arrange for a car, and some even wondered if they should cancel previous appointments. They were all looking forward to the dinner hosted by Lee Hae-seong, the investor of ARA.
Among them, Choi Hong-seo, who was slowly putting the script into his bag, heard Park Dong-ha’s cheerful voice at his ear.
“PD, so Vice President Lee will be coming to the dinner, right?”
“Yes, he’s coming directly there.”
“It’s great! I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t see him during the study session today, but this works out perfectly.”
“What? Dong-ha, did you get close to Vice President Lee?”
“No, not really… I just briefly talked about movies when I was invited to his house last time. I wanted to tell him what I thought of the movie he recommended, but I couldn’t meet him last time.”
Though Park Dong-ha claimed he wasn’t close to Lee Hae-seong, he subtly revealed that he had shared a conversation unrelated to *Cream Mansion* with the vice president. But the tone wasn’t boastful; rather, it had an innocent pride, almost like a child. This made the supervising PD and those around them view his words affectionately.
Movie talk...
As Lee Hae-seong was grilling meat in front of the barbecue grill, Park Dong-ha seemed to talk to him for a long time, and it appeared that they had discussed movies. It was probably during that time that he had invited him to the birthday party.
Something in her chest ached, as if someone was forcing open her ribcage. Even though she had seen and heard everything—the fact that *Choi Hong-seo* was still the only one in his heart, even though he was receiving such precious love—she felt jealous just because Park Dong-ha had had that conversation with him alone. She was embarrassed by her own feelings.
If she didn’t want to share him, then she shouldn’t have let him go. *You let him go.*
It was one thing for her heart to feel jealousy uncontrollably, but she didn’t have the right to express it.
Choi Hong-seo, with her bag strap crossing her chest, hesitantly approached the supervising PD.
“PD, I think I’ll have to skip the dinner.”
“...Hye-an, why? Are you not feeling well again?”
The PD looked at her with a concerned expression, carefully studying her face. As Kim Yi-jung, who was passing by on her way to the dinner venue, overheard the conversation, she quietly approached and spoke.
“Hye-an, you’re skipping the dinner?”
“I’m not feeling well, so I think it would be better for me to rest at home.”
“Too bad. I can’t even persuade you to come since you’re not feeling well.”
“I’m not weak.”
“Didn’t you collapse in the bathroom?”
“That was a special case, but normally I’m strong.”
“Hmmm…”
Kim Yi-jung frowned, as if not entirely trusting her, and clicked her tongue. Then, she lightly patted Choi Hong-seo’s shoulder.
“If you even have the slightest cold, you need to take care of yourself. Get some good rest, then.”
It seemed a bit funny that she wasn’t saying anything more, but after telling Park Dong-ha she couldn’t make it to the dinner, she took a car driven by Yong-jae and headed down to Pyeongchang-dong.
Saying she wasn’t feeling well wasn’t entirely a lie. After all, both physical and emotional conditions played a role in how she felt.
A few days ago, ARA Group had successfully completed its separation from Han-seo Group. She had seen the news article with a picture of Lee Hae-seong visiting the Han-seo Holdings building.
But Lee Hae-seong was not wearing the tie that *Yun Hye-an* had given him.
In front of the flashing cameras, Lee Hae-seong stepped out of the back of a sedan, expressionless, buttoning his jacket.
With a suit so dark it was almost black, the tie he had chosen was the one *Choi Hong-seo* had given him.
She had checked it several times through the photos and videos, and it was undeniably that tie.
It was the tie she had bought at the duty-free shop on the way back from Ho Chi Minh, intending to gift it to him.
She had felt that the gift might seem insignificant to someone who could get anything he wanted, but she knew he wouldn’t judge the value of a gift based on such things.
“Did you pick this out thinking of me?”
He had looked so moved, as if he had gained the entire world over such a small gift as a tie.
“It’s really beautiful.”
And that was when they had shared their first proper kiss in his car.
A normal first kiss, exchanging feelings and connecting with the person they liked—something most people experience at least once.
And on the day that everyone said would be the most important moment in ARA Group’s history, it was that tie he chose.
It seemed like his answer to *Yun Hye-an*’s gift.
Her heart still belonged only to *Choi Hong-seo*, and there was no place for *Yun Hye-an*. It was a clear answer, louder than words, that no substitute was needed. Her feelings for him were only tied to *Choi Hong-seo*. Anything else had no meaning.
She thought about how happy and undeserved this love was.
Lee Hae-seong still loved *Choi Hong-seo*. He loved her so deeply.
So perhaps the pain in his chest was because of that happiness. His love was as painful as it was happy.
When you try to fit something too big into something too small, the small thing can tear or break. That’s why it hurt. His love was simply too big for her narrow heart.
“Hyung, should we stop somewhere and get dinner to take home?”
Yong-jae’s voice came from the driver’s seat, and Choi Hong-seo closed her eyes slowly. She didn’t think she could answer in a nonchalant voice.
“Are you going to sleep?”
When she didn’t respond again, Yong-jae quietly lowered the volume of the radio. After the DJ introduced the song in a soothing voice, a clear, pure voice of a young boy followed. Choi Hong-seo unconsciously listened to the fairy-tale-like melody and lyrics, bitterly smiling to herself so that Yong-jae wouldn’t notice.
People say that when the lyrics of a popular song seem to be about your life, it means you’re in love. It seemed that she was no exception. The song's lyrics made her want to pray.
In this unbelievable dream, she wished she could ask for endless courage and wisdom to protect him and stay by his side...