Chapter 15
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 15
"Han-byeol, how—how did you get here?"
Yeon-ju’s face went pale. Shocked by her son's surprise visit, she rushed toward him. The moment she saw Han-byeol holding Hae-young's hand, her legs gave out, and she nearly collapsed.
"What are you doing here? Huh? How did you get here?"
Instead of her usual warm welcome, his mother barraged him with questions, making Han-byeol look sheepish. Seeing this, Hae-young stepped in front of him like a shield.
"I brought him. Han-byeol said he wanted to see the film set."
Letting out a short sigh, Yeon-ju sank to her knees and looked up at them. Her eyes were filled with resentment, but there was no way Han-byeol or Hae-young could understand the true meaning behind her gaze.
"You should have told me. You should have at least called. How could you just show up like this?"
This wasn't just any film set. It was the very place where the boy's father was.
Yeon-ju felt like her heart was about to burst, terrified that Han-byeol might run into Eun-seong. Watching her son casually walk into what felt like a minefield, she couldn't bring herself to smile.
Her face, already stiffer than usual, froze completely into an expression she rarely showed her son.
"Let's go outside first. Okay? Let's just go out and…"
"Why are you acting like this? You're embarrassing him. Han-byeol is my guest today."
As Yeon-ju fussed, Hae-young blocked her path. She was an ally, but in this situation, a terribly unhelpful one.
"That's right, Mom. I'm Auntie's guest. I even filled out a visitor pass to get in. Look."
"Oh, for heaven's sake…"
Her head spun, and a flush quickly spread across her cheeks. She had no idea what she could possibly say to deter the two of them, who were so determined to go inside.
"Hey, Director Jin!"
Just then, a loud voice calling out to Hae-young echoed through the air. Terror filled Yeon-ju's eyes.
"Director!"
As Hae-young waved back, Yeon-ju finally collapsed onto the asphalt. Didn't Eun-seong just say he was going to meet the director?
Not daring to look back, Yeon-ju wore a terrified expression. Han-byeol’s eyes widened at his mother's strange behavior as the director approached them.
"Director Jin, you're here?"
"Yes, Director. The weather is still so gloomy. It looks like it might rain again."
The rain had stopped, but it seemed to only be a temporary reprieve. Han-byeol reached out to help his mother up from the wet ground.
As Yeon-ju meekly got to her feet, Han-byeol patted the dirt off her pants and began to nag.
"Mom, why did you sit on the ground? It's all wet. Are you okay? Isn't it cold?"
"By the way, who is this little guy?" the director asked, looking at Han-byeol.
Hae-young smiled warmly. "He's our youngest stylist's son. He wanted to see the set, so I brought him along."
"Ah, really? You were curious about the set? What grade are you in?"
"Second grade."
When Han-byeol answered, the director let out an impressed "Oho." Summoning her courage, Yeon-ju glanced back and saw that the director was alone. Relieved that Eun-seong was nowhere in sight, she finally let out a long, shaky breath and composed herself.
"Mom, are you okay? Are you sick?"
"No, Mom's fine."
"Ah, so Go Yeon-ju is the mother. Wow, what a handsome boy. Isn't he? He's very handsome."
For some reason, the director kept making small talk while scanning Han-byeol from head to toe.
"But Auntie Hae-young, who is this mister?"
"Han-byeol, this is the director. He's the one who makes the movie."
"Ah. Hello."
When Han-byeol greeted him politely, the director stepped closer and observed him even more intently. He seemed to be gauging the boy’s height, even framing his face with his fingers as if looking through a camera lens. Then, narrowing his eyes, he spoke.
"Is your name Han-byeol?"
"Yes."
"I see. Han-byeol, do you like movies?"
"Pardon? Yes."
Director Park bent his knees to meet the child's eye level. It was rare to get such an instant, strong impression. This felt like nothing short of destiny.
"Han-byeol, would you like to try acting with me?"
* * *
"No. Absolutely not!"
Standing in a nearby open space with Hae-young, Yeon-ju gripped Han-byeol's hand and shook her head firmly. She was adamant, warning him not to even dream of it.
Hae-young tilted her head, confused by Yeon-ju's unusually stubborn and unyielding attitude. It wasn't as if Han-byeol had immediately agreed. Why was she opposing it so vehemently?
"Yeon-ju, calm down."
"No! Absolutely not, no matter what!"
"Yeon-ju?"
Hae-young called her name several times, but Yeon-ju only stared at her son. She pressed Han-byeol for an answer, as if determined to get a firm promise.
"Go Han-byeol. This isn't right. You can't do this. Hurry up and tell me you understand."
"Mom."
"Don't 'Mom' me, just answer. You just need to go to school and study hard—no, you don't even have to study hard. Just enjoy your school life and live like you do now."
"Mom. Mom."
"Han-byeol, answer me. Now."
It was truly bizarre. This was a mother who had never tried to break even her son's minor stubborn streaks, always prioritizing his opinions. She never forced her views on him or resorted to coercive parenting.
"Why aren't you answering? Are you not going to listen to me?"
"Yeon-ju, what on earth is wrong with you? You're acting so strange today."
Unable to watch any longer, Hae-young stepped in to stop her. At that, Yeon-ju pressed a hand to her forehead and squeezed her eyes shut.
The unspoken truth—that the child's father was here—was lodged in her throat, making her feel as if her heart would burst. It was also driving her crazy because she knew how nonsensical her behavior must seem to her son and her friend.
"But Mom, I want to do it."
Yeon-ju truly wanted to cry.
"Can't I? I want to try."
"Han-byeol…"
"That's right, Yeon-ju. Let's just take some time to think about it. We shouldn't oppose it so blindly, at least not right away."
A long, heavy sigh escaped her. Her heart crumbled at the thought that she was finally being punished for her past choices. Her lips felt dry and parched, and the heat pooling in her head rushed to her eyes, making them sting.
"What are you so worried about? Huh, Yeon-ju? Han-byeol has you and me. Right? I'm Director Jin Hae-young. I can take good care of him."
"But Mom, if you tell me not to, I won't."
Yeon-ju slowly opened her eyes. Han-byeol shook his head as if it were no big deal.
"I don't have to do it. I don't want to if it makes you sad. So don't worry."
So don't worry.
They were words a child should never have to say, telling his own mother not to worry, to be at ease.
Han-byeol gently caressed the back of his mother's hand. Stroking her cold skin, he hooked his pinky finger with hers.
It was a promise.
"I won't do it. So don't worry, Mom. I understand."
Feeling like she would collapse if she didn't sit down, Yeon-ju knelt and hugged Han-byeol tightly. As a mother with no right to make excuses, she was terrified of this invisible vortex of fate—terrified that some higher power might take her son by the hand and lead him straight to that man. She feared this was all part of a divine plan.
"It's Mom's fault. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry…"
"No, Mom. But aren't you busy? Is it okay for you to stay with me like this?"
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"
The mother and son held each other for a long time. Hae-young turned away, letting out a deep sigh as she looked up at the dark, cloudy sky, which showed no signs of clearing.
* * *
After showing him around the set, Hae-young took Han-byeol home. Yeon-ju, who still had to return the sponsored clothing, stayed behind to tidy up the waiting room. Although she didn't strictly need to clean up by herself, she was the type to proactively handle tasks typically assigned to the youngest staff members. She didn't want to hear people say she wasn't acting her age, and the thought of being accused of throwing her weight around just because she was close to Hae-young was even more horrifying.
Only after peeling the labels off the discarded water bottles and sorting them for recycling did Yeon-ju drag her luggage outside. The rain had started again, and the film set was quiet, as most of the crew had already left.
"I really wish I could teleport."
Yeon-ju slipped her phone into her bag, opened her umbrella, and took a deep breath to steel herself. She began to walk, holding the luggage as close as possible to keep the clothes from getting wet. The rain drummed heavily against her umbrella. She tried to walk quickly, but the heavy bag forced her into short, restricted steps.
She was about to pass through the main gate, leaving the parking lot behind her.
An unfamiliar car horn sounded, and Yeon-ju stepped aside. A sedan splashed through the puddles, drove past her, and then stopped a short distance ahead. Entirely focused on her heavy luggage, Yeon-ju didn't notice.
"Get in."
The voice cut through the sound of the rain. Yeon-ju looked up. Her eyes widened as she met the gaze of Eun-seong, who was looking at her through the half-open driver's side window.
"Why are you still here? I thought you left."
"Just get in."
His manager, Dong-hwan, was nowhere to be seen, and this wasn't the large van he normally used for work. When Yeon-ju stood frozen, unsure of what to do, Eun-seong’s brow furrowed. He got out of the car. As he reached for her luggage, she quickly stepped back.
"Please, just go. You don't have to help me."
"If we stand here arguing, we're just going to put on a show for everyone. Is that what you want?"
"…Ah."
Flustered, Yeon-ju quickly moved. As she climbed into the passenger seat, Eun-seong carelessly tossed the sponsored clothing into the back.
"Th-that shouldn't get wrinkled!"
"Don't worry about it. If it gets wrinkled, it's on me."
"They specifically told me to bring it back in pristine condition!"
"Who's going to say anything to me over a wrinkled piece of clothing? You? Or that rude store clerk?"
Eun-seong got back into the driver's seat, shaking water from his hair. Yeon-ju clamped her mouth shut. The windshield wipers swept back and forth, clearing away the rain, as he gripped the steering wheel.
"Where's Dong-hwan?"
"He left first."
"What about the van? Don't you usually take the van?"
"If the manager left, the van left. Isn't that obvious?"
Then where did this car come from?
Fearing he would get angry if she pressed further, Yeon-ju swallowed her question. Eun-seong let out a heavy sigh and started the car.
"Don't you have a car?"
"It broke down, so I scrapped it. A few months ago."
"How can you use public transportation when there are barely any buses out here?"
"I still managed to commute just fine without being late."
"Of course you did."
His tone was laced with condescension.
She had no idea why he was still in the parking lot when he had clearly left the set long ago, nor why he was giving her a ride. A warning light flashed in her heart. Had he been waiting for her? Yeon-ju buckled her seatbelt and let out a silent breath.
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
"Ah, not yet?"
Darkness was already falling, yet he hadn't eaten a single thing. Yeon-ju looked at him in disbelief, wondering if he was even human. Then, as if possessed, she opened her bag and pulled out a few small chocolates.
"They're chocolates. Would you like some?"
"Unwrap them."
"Okay."
As she peeled off the plastic, Eun-seong held out his hand. She dropped the chocolates into his palm, and he popped them into his mouth.
Even though she knew she wouldn't touch him if she sat normally, Yeon-ju unconsciously hunched her shoulders. Staring straight ahead, tense and still, she did nothing but breathe.
The conversation died, which was only natural. In a situation like this, starting one would have felt even more awkward.
"I have a question. No, something to say."
The frantic rhythm of the windshield wipers had been a welcome distraction from the heavy silence. Just as she was thinking that, his voice cut through it.
Yeon-ju's face froze. She slowly closed and opened her eyes.
"I'd prefer it if your son didn't appear in the movie."