Chapter 9
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 9
"You. What the hell are you doing here?"
His sharp, hostile tone startled anyone within earshot.
The staff members who had stopped with him turned to look at Tae-gon and Yeon-ju. Those who had been in the industry for a while knew that this man was Min Tae-gon, the CEO of Yeonildam Entertainment.
It was beyond them why someone of his god-like status was accosting a new rookie from the costume team, but they knew ignorance was bliss in situations like this.
"I asked what you're doing here. Why are you here? Huh?"
Sensing the palpable tension, the staff quickly made themselves scarce. Tae-gon’s eyes locked onto the staff ID lanyard hanging around Yeon-ju's neck.
"Jin Chang-rok's team? Did you follow Director Jin here?"
"Hello, CEO Min."
"Ha."
Tae-gon let out a derisive scoff as Yeon-ju greeted him.
Compared to Tae-gon, who was visibly flustered, Yeon-ju remained calm. She knew there was no way to avoid running into him forever and had expected this day would eventually come.
"I'm working as a rookie on the costume team. I look forward to working with you."
"What? A rookie? The costume team? Ha, this is driving me insane."
Tae-gon's face flushed red with disbelief.
Over the past ten years, he had become a man draped in luxury brands from head to toe—a far cry from the days when he wore a cheap hiking jacket like a uniform.
That wasn't the only thing that had changed. His dark, sharp eyes now harbored the raw ambition he had cultivated over the years. He was a man whose ambition had long since devoured his dreams. Thanks to Eun-seong, Tae-gon had achieved much and grasped even more.
"You. Have you seen Eun-seong?" Tae-gon glared at her, demanding a straight answer.
Yeon-ju met his gaze before quietly parting her lips.
"I have."
"When? Where? What did you talk about?"
"I took his measurements during the fitting. That was all."
"What else? You must have exchanged pleasantries. What did you say?"
"We didn't."
As Yeon-ju answered curtly, Tae-gon let out a heavy sigh. It wasn't just that the ghost of a ten-year-old fling had reappeared; he was worried about what ulterior motives she might have for showing up in Eun-seong's life now.
Or perhaps he was afraid she would tell Eun-seong that he, the CEO, was the one who had torn them apart all those years ago. Keeping Yeon-ju here was like inviting disaster.
'Yeon-ju, you've had your fun. Now let Eun-seong go.'
The memory of that day surfaced in both their minds simultaneously. It was the starting point of his success and her misery—an incident impossible for either of them to forget.
As if reading Tae-gon’s anxious thoughts, Yeon-ju spoke first. It was an answer she had pondered for days.
"You don't have to worry. What could I possibly do to him now?"
"……."
"As long as you don't confront me like this, CEO Min, I can focus on my work. I'm asking this of you."
"A favor? Don't make me laugh."
Tae-gon scoffed, his eyes sweeping over her with utter disdain. He then pointed a finger at her, his expression making it clear he would never let her stay.
"How dare you tell me what to do? Do you think you're in any position to be handling Eun-seong's fittings?"
"……."
"Go pack your bags. I'm firing you right now."
In Tae-gon's mind, Yeon-ju was already a scheming woman with hidden motives.
Determined to keep her away from Eun-seong, he turned on his heel. But after a few steps, he spun back around and snatched the shoes Yeon-ju was holding.
"I said pack your bags. Right now. Unless you want to be humiliated in front of everyone."
Declaring that someone like her wasn't even worth his time, Tae-gon stormed off. Yeon-ju stood frozen, letting out one heavy breath after another.
She had expected this. She knew Tae-gon wouldn't welcome her and had even considered the possibility of being fired. But she never imagined she'd be thrown out before the first day of shooting had even begun.
What are you doing? If you came here to work, then work. Don't just stand there.
In that moment, she could almost hear Eun-seong's voice. Blinking, Yeon-ju turned as if possessed and walked after Tae-gon.
Seeing her follow, Tae-gon stopped and stared. Yeon-ju took back the shoes he had snatched from her.
"I might be humiliated, and I might be fired, but right now, I'm on the clock. I'll be taking the shoes."
"Ha."
"Excuse me."
Yeon-ju bowed politely, as if nothing had happened, and walked away. Tae-gon watched in sheer disbelief as she headed straight for the dressing room where Eun-seong was waiting.
"Sigh…"
Tae-gon let out a long sigh, trying to suppress his explosive rage.
Eun-seong's ex-girlfriend, on his set. It was absolutely maddening.
* * *
"Eun-seong, are the preparations going well?"
"Ah, Director."
Director Park Hyeong-uk, the film's director, stopped by while Eun-seong was in the middle of makeup. Eun-seong, who had been lost in thought with his eyes closed, opened them as the director pulled up a chair beside him.
"How are you feeling? The staff are all raving about those Gongjindan pills you gave them. They said they're bursting with energy."
Eun-seong let out a dry chuckle as the director joked about the power of the traditional medicine.
"What's your gut feeling? Think this one will do well? Any signs of a mega-hit?"
"Why ask me? The one behind the camera should know best."
"Look at you, dodging the question. Anyway, the first day is always nerve-wracking. My neck gets stiff from the tension every time we start a new project."
"That's why I told you to take some Gongjindan."
"I did. That wore off ages ago."
Director Park Hyeong-uk and Eun-seong had already worked together on three films. Eun-seong was a fan of Director Park's signature genre style, and Director Park loved the raw charm of actor Im Eun-seong. They were a well-matched duo who rarely had friction on set. The actor never questioned the director's vision, and the director never doubted the actor's performance.
Director Park was giving Eun-seong a last-minute pep talk when the door opened and Yeon-ju walked in. Carrying a pair of shoes, she paused when she saw the director.
"Ah, I'll be leaving soon. Go ahead and do what you need to do."
As the director gestured for her to continue, Yeon-ju bowed politely and set the shoes down.
Eun-seong silently watched her reflection in the mirror. He observed her back—her earlobes were flushed bright red and her neck was blotchy, clear signs of an emotional storm. He forced his gaze back to the front.
Even so, his eyes kept drifting back to her. Director Park's voice, speaking right beside him, grew faint and distant.
"You shouldn't put too much force into that part. But if you relax too much, you'll lose that cool factor. Just the right amount. You know what I mean? Moderation."
In the mirror, Yeon-ju picked up a steam iron and began smoothing out the clothes that had wrinkled in transit. As if she couldn't hear a thing, she maintained a deep, calm composure, her hands moving in silence.
Her eyes were large, but her irises were so dark and encompassing that the whites barely showed. Her gaze was dry and hollow now, but Eun-seong remembered how easily she used to smile. When she did, her eyes would curve into soft crescents.
"Anyway, Eun-seong, it won't be easy. I might have to talk to the martial arts director again. No matter how much I think about it, the scale of it… sigh, it's a real headache."
…There was a time when he would have done anything just to see that smile, desperate to make her happy.
I melted myself down to shape your smile—a feat the man I am today could never perform, something I can barely even comprehend.
"Hey, Eun-seong. Are you listening to me?"
When Director Park nudged him, Eun-seong simply nodded. He let out a long breath and finally tore his eyes from the mirror.
He thought he had held up well all this time. In an industry teeming with people trying to manipulate and break him, he had held his ground. But his instincts screamed that the one person who could shake him more violently than anyone else had just appeared.
"Come out when you're ready. Let's give it our all today."
"Got it."
I will not be shaken.
Just as she said, we're a thing of the past, worse than strangers. Even if that smile never returns to your face, I will never melt myself down for you again.
Once the director left, Yeon-ju slipped out of the room as well. Watching her quietly close the door behind her, Eun-seong let out a dry sigh.
* * *
Preparations for the first shoot were completed without a hitch.
With rehearsals and camera tests complete, the staff stood by in their positions, waiting for filming to begin. Since nearly half of the movie consisted of action scenes, the very first scene was an intense one. A medical support team and a private ambulance were on standby in case of any accidents.
After Hae-young finished the fitting, Yeon-ju smoothed out the wrinkles on Eun-seong's costume and wiped the tiniest speck of dust from his shoes.
Looking down at Yeon-ju as she knelt before him, Eun-seong tilted his head back. This unfamiliar reality felt more like a scene from a movie.
"Get a grip. I'm the one filming, so why are you the one who's nervous?"
Eun-seong finally spoke, unable to watch her hands tremble as she brushed dust from his jacket.
Yeon-ju, whose mind was still consumed by her encounter with Tae-gon, looked up. Their eyes met for an instant, and Eun-seong's brow twitched.
It was an event from ten years ago, yet it felt like a lifetime of memories. Her gaze, simultaneously innocent and toxic, was still difficult for him to handle.
Just as Eun-seong, drawn by an inexplicable pull, was about to part his lips—
"Are we all set?"
The makeup chief opened the door and walked in.
Yeon-ju stepped back as the chief scanned Eun-seong with hawk-like eyes. After a final check for any discrepancies from the concept art, she spoke in a cheerful, slightly raised tone.
"You're always handsome, but you look exceptionally dashing today, Eun-seong."
Whether it was Hae-young or the makeup chief, industry veterans were in a league of their own. They knew how to manage an actor's mood and boost their confidence before a shoot—a crucial part of their job.
Eun-seong remained silent, swallowing hard. If the chief had walked in a moment later, he might have made a huge mistake.
He had almost asked her how she had been. With their memories now just outdated, unsightly ruins, what right did he have to ask? Eun-seong took another deep breath to steady himself.
"And who might you be? I haven't seen your face before," the chief asked, looking at Yeon-ju.
As Yeon-ju greeted her, the chief dabbed a bit more concealer onto Eun-seong's face and smiled.
"Ah, you're with Director Jin's team. I thought you were a supporting actress. You're far too pretty for this line of work, hmm?"
Having quickly picked up on Eun-seong's foul mood, the chief shifted her attention to Yeon-ju, trying to lighten the atmosphere with casual conversation.
"How old are you, dear?"
"I'm thirty-two."
"Our rookie started a bit late, huh? But they say the moment you think it's too late is actually the perfect time to start. You can do anything except be a child model. Hang in there."
"Yes. Thank you."
"Are you married?"
At the sudden question, Yeon-ju's lips parted slightly. Eun-seong, who had kept his eyes closed while the chief worked on him, snapped them open.
A brief silence stretched between them. In the time it took to wait for her answer, his Adam's apple bobbed heavily, and her fingertips went cold.
"Yes."
"Ah, I see. I thought you were single. Eun-seong, young people these days take such good care of themselves. They all look like actors."
Though he wished the conversation would end, the chief, finding the silence awkward, spoke up again.
"You seem like the type who wouldn't have kids. Do you have any?"
Eun-seong closed his eyes again.