HAN JINWOO'S POV
Here we are, I thought as I glanced back at Bae Jiho, only to find her fast asleep. A smile crept onto my face as I watched her peaceful expression. Just then, I noticed her eyelids fluttering; she was waking up. I quickly looked away, not wanting to disturb her tranquility.
"Are we here already?" she mumbled, stretching as she sat up, her voice still thick with sleep. "Yes, we've just arrived," I replied, my heart racing at the sight of her. "Sorry I fell asleep," she said, her cheeks slightly flushed. I shook my head. "You don't have to apologize for that. You must have been tired."
"Well, thank you for the ride home," she said, unfastening her seatbelt. "Thank you for escorting me to dinner," I replied, feeling a sense of warmth at her words. "You owe me a favor, don't forget it," she teased, and I nodded, a grin spreading across my face. "I won't. Just let me know what it is when you're ready." "I will," she assured me. "I should get going then," she added, stepping out of the car. "Good night," she called back, and as I watched her walk away, I placed a hand over my chest, feeling my heart race. "What are you doing, Han Jinwoo?" I murmured to myself, leaning back in my seat, lost in thoughts of her.
*
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BAEJIHO'SPOV
I was jolted awake by the constant clattering coming from the kitchen. "Mia!" I muttered under my breath as I slowly sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I couldn't help but wonder what it was about my kitchen that made her want to experiment with new recipes every Sunday. "I swear, I'm this close to chasing you out of here if you keep interrupting my Sunday sleep session," I said, half-jokingly, as I made my way to the kitchen.
"Good morning... or wait, good afternoon! 1:30, Bae Jiho? That's a new record," she replied with a soft chuckle. I rolled my eyes, a smile creeping onto my face. "It's Sunday, and I don't have anything planned, so I figured I'd catch up on some much-needed sleep." I stood up to grab a glass of water, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.
"What are you making today?" I asked, curious. "Just this peach pie. I remember my granny always making it whenever we visited back then... the taste still lingers in my mouth, but I just can't seem to get it right. I wish she were here... or at least left a recipe somewhere in her will. Mostly, I just wish she were here," she said, her voice tinged with sentiment. I could feel her emotions, and it tugged at my heart.
"Okay," she sighed. "There's plenty of pie if you're hungry. I need to step out and buy more peaches." She grabbed her purse and turned to me with a playful glint in her eye. "And when I get back, you're going to recount every moment of yesterday at the dinner with Han Jinwoo and his family. Every minute. Don't even think about leaving anything out." I chuckled softly, nodding. "Okay, deal." Just then, I paused, noticing the noise and clatter again. "What's that noise and chatter?" I asked, I raising an eyebrow, "Oh, that... someone's moving into the apartment in the corner... the one next to yours," Mia said, and I couldn't help but smirk at the thought. "The haunted apartment?" I questioned, and her laughter filled the room. "You still remember that?" she asked, amusement dancing in her eyes.
"How could I forget? To make sure it stayed vacant for you.. we spun a ghost story and scared away three potential clients," I recalled, and we both burst into laughter. "Right... yet the most horrifying thing is that it costs twice as much as yours, and we never found out why since we never got a tour of it," she added, shaking her head. "But seriously, what makes it cost more?"
I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "I heard it's spacious and luxurious... apparently, I should be thankful they didn't leave out this entire floor just for it, and they managed to make room for mine." Mia chuckled, "So you're at the owner's mercy... they could get angry and ask for an extension, which means you move out," she joked, and I chuckled softly in response. "Well, we better make friends with them. Make sure you take them some pie later," she suggested, and I glanced at the counter, noticing the six pies lined up. "You made all these?" I asked, incredulous. "Yes, and I'm still making more... that's why I'm going to buy peaches," she replied, her excitement evident.
"Okay then, I'll get going," she said, stepping out the door. I couldn't resist the temptation as I grabbed a fork and took a bite of one of the pies...Mmmmhhh... I reminisced, the rich flavors of the pie dancing on my tongue. I couldn't help but wonder how her granny's pies tasted. The thought lingered in my mind as I grabbed another slice and made my way to the sitting room. Settling down on the couch, I turned on my series, the comforting warmth of the pie in my hands making it the perfect binge-watching companion.
*
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HANJINWOO'SPOV
"How are you liking it?" Manager Han asked as I wrapped up my quick tour of the apartment. "It's nice... anything other than a hotel is nice for me," I replied, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "You don't have to worry about the press... I diverted their attention, and now they're standing outside some random apartment in Liyan," he reassured me, and I chuckled at the thought. "You can now have some rest and privacy," he added, and I appreciated his efforts. "Thank you," I said sincerely. "It's nothing... I'll leave you to settle in," he said before we hung up.
I let my eyes wander around the space, and my gaze landed on something on the kitchen counter. "Champagne?" I questioned as I moved closer, only to discover it was a bottle of red wine with a note that read, "CONGRATULATIONS ON THE MOVE - HONG JAMIN." "Classic," I thought to myself, a small smile creeping onto my face. I searched for glasses and poured myself a generous amount before making my way to the balcony to take in the night view. As I savored the wine and the scenery, a sudden blackout plunged the apartment into darkness.
"Huh!" I exclaimed, surprised. I thought the place had been expensive; how could there already be a blackout? It wasn't just me—the entire residence was affected. Standing there, hoping the power would return soon, I began to hear someone singing from next door. I didn't mind, allowing the melody to wash over me as I continued to stare into the night. But then, I turned back and saw a glowy, monstrous thing on their face. Panic surged through me, forcing a scream from my lips. Before I could process what was happening, everything went black.
*
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BAEJIHO'SPOV
After my shower, a thought crossed my mind... "Mia!!" I called out, making my way downstairs. I found her still busy at the counter, surrounded by an impressive number of pies. "Should I be worried?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at the mountain of baked goods. "I can't find the taste," she replied, her frustration evident. I sighed and pulled her into an embrace. "Don't worry... it will come to you when you least expect it. For now, you should really get some rest," I reassured her. She nodded, looking a bit more at ease. "I'll take a quick shower," she said, and I smiled at her.
"And after that, we can both slip on those glowy beauty masks," I suggested, hoping to lighten the mood. "The ones that glow in the dark?" she asked, her interest piqued. "Yes! We can turn off the lights and role play as aliens," I added with a playful grin. She chuckled, and I could see the tension melting away. "Fine... I'll go take that shower," she said, heading off.
While I cleared up the kitchen, I couldn't help but wonder how she managed to make so many pies. I safely stored them away, thinking about how much work she put into it. Once she finished her shower, we donned our masks and turned on some music. "Ahhh, this is exactly what I needed," she said, her voice filled with contentment as we enjoyed the pie together. "Are you going to take the rest to your restaurant?" I asked. She nodded, "We can't finish it all, can we?" I agreed, savoring every bite. Just then, the lights suddenly went out, and the music stopped."What!" Mia exclaimed, looking bewildered. I couldn't help but laugh at her glowing mask..."Do I look scary?" Mia asked, pulling some weird expressions that made me chuckle. "Not as scary as me," I replied, matching her energy. "Is it a blackout or...?" she wondered aloud. I stood up to check, slowly making my way to the balcony. As I peered outside, I realized it was indeed a blackout across the entire residence. Just as I turned to head back inside, a scream pierced the silence from next door.
"What!" I exclaimed, startled, as I caught sight of a silhouette on the ground. My heart raced as I remembered the scary mask I had on. "Oh no!" I gasped, realizing I might have scared him into fainting. "Excuse me!" I called out, but there was no response. "Excuse me!" I tried again, growing more anxious.
"Jiho, what's taking you so long?" Mia's voice broke through the tension as she joined me outside. "What are you doing?" she asked, her eyes widening as I pointed to the figure lying face down. "Is that your new neighbor?" she questioned, and I nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and concern. "What's he doing?" she asked, and I sighed, "I might have scared him with the mask earlier..."
"Is he unconscious?" she exclaimed, her voice rising. "Quiet down, yes he is. I'm trying to wake him up, but I didn't think my voice was loud enough to reach him." I explained, glancing at the neighbor's door. Mia looked around, then declared, "I'll go knock at his door. Wait here." As she left, a crazy idea crossed my mind. "No... we can't do this; it's risky," I thought to myself, feeling the weight of the situation....But then again... I had to check if he was okay. I remembered hearing about a man who died from fright after watching a horror film. This felt like a similar situation—people could really die from fear. My heart raced as I made up my mind. Our balconies were connected by a narrow ledge, and I could cross it like a bridge to reach him. Taking a deep breath, I slowly walked across, my heart pounding in my chest. Thankfully, I made it to the other side, and as I shone my light on him, I realized it was indeed a guy.
"Excuse me!!" I called out, my voice shaky. "Excuse me!" I flipped him over, and that's when I got the shock of my life. "Han Jinwoo!" I gasped, my hand flying to cover my mouth. What was he doing here? My mind raced with questions as I sat there in disbelief. Just then, I heard banging on the door. It could be Mia. I rushed to open it, and when I did, her eyes widened in surprise. "Jiho! What... how?" she stammered as she stepped inside. "Did you!" she exclaimed, a sigh escaping her lips. "How is he?"
"Still unconscious," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "Is he still outside on the balcony?" she asked, and I nodded, still frozen from the earlier revelation. "Let's go and get him in here," she urged, but I couldn't move. "What are you doing?" she questioned, her brow furrowing in confusion. "It's Han Jinwoo," I muttered under my breath, still in shock. "What?" she asked.."It's Han Jinwoo..." I said, my voice rising slightly, and I could see her gasp in shock. "The Han Jinwoo?" she asked incredulously, and I nodded in confirmation.
"Look, first let's get him inside and then leave this place," she insisted as the electricity finally flickered back on. "Thank goodness... let's hurry," Mia added, turning to make her way out. But then, a scream escaped her lips, freezing me in my tracks.
"What?!" I exclaimed, following her gaze, and there he was—Han Jinwoo, standing there, staring at us with an unreadable expression. "Who...?" he asked, and I let out a deep sigh. This situation just kept spiraling out of control....
"Have some water," I said, offering the glass to Han Jinwoo, who was looking at me with an expression I couldn't quite read...."So, you're telling me you live next door, and that you wore this scary mask that glows in the dark? That's what I saw and it scared me so much that I fainted?" he asked, and I nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and annoyance.
"And since you couldn't let yourself into my house, you decided to go over the balcony to check on me. When you figured out it was me, you let your friend in, and that's when I finally woke up," he continued, and I nodded again, feeling the weight of the situation.
"So, in short, you tried to kill me for the second time," he said, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice. I scoffed, incredulous. "I unintentionally harmed you! Don't use such dramatic words. Look, I'm really sorry. I swear I won't wear those glowing masks again for the rest of my life, and I'll try to stay out of your sight," I replied, hoping to diffuse the tension.
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "How can you do that? We're neighbors. We have Vivian's poster shoot in two days. We're in the same career line," he pointed out, and I nodded, realizing he was right.
"Look, I really am sorry," I added earnestly.
"Sorry won't cut it. You need to take responsibility for your actions," he said with a grin, raising my eyebrows in disbelief.
"How am I supposed to do that?" I questioned, feeling a mix of frustration and curiosity.
"I'm hungry. Treat me to a meal, and I'll tell you," he said, that infuriating smirk still on his face. I glared at him, realizing he was enjoying this a bit too much...."Or else..." he began, but I cut him off, my mind racing.
"I'll do it...I'll treat you to anything you want to eat," I blurted out, feeling a mix of exasperation and determination. He stood up, downing the last of the water, and I couldn't help but notice the way he carried himself with that effortless confidence.
"I'll go and change," he said, striding out of the room. I let out a heavy sigh, realizing just how deep I had dug myself into this awkward situation. The thought of treating him to a meal felt like a small price to pay to smooth things over.
As we settled into our seats at the neighborhood convenience store, I couldn't help but notice Han Jinwoo scanning the place, a clear look of displeasure etched on his face. "This was the only place that was open at this time, plus it's the only spot private enough for you to eat in peace," I explained, trying to justify our choice. He turned to me, his expression skeptical.
"By 'meal,' you mean these noodles?" he questioned, his tone laced with sarcasm as he picked up his chopsticks. I could only nod in response.
"Aren't you going to eat?" he asked, noticing my lack of an order.
"It's okay... I've already had so much to eat," I said, recalling the peach pies I'd indulged in earlier. "You can eat." I watched as he began slurping his noodles, and I could see his expression shift with each bite. He was clearly enjoying them.
"So how do I take responsibility for you?" I asked, curious about what he would say. He looked up at me, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
"I don't know," he replied, raising an eyebrow. "Can I answer you after I eat?"
I nodded, leaning back in my seat and observing him.
"I'll go and get some water," I said, standing up. But as I did, he grabbed my hand, stopping me in my tracks.
"It's okay... I don't need any," he insisted, but I chuckled softly.
"The water is mine... not yours," I replied, and he finally let go of my hand.
After picking out a water bottle, I headed to the counter to pay. That's when I noticed the counter manager trying to sneak a picture of Han Jinwoo. "Excuse me..." I called out, startling her so much that she dropped her phone..."It's rude to take pictures of someone without their permission... delete them," I said firmly, watching the counter manager glare at me. I could see the fear creeping into her expression as I added, "Or we can settle this at the police station." I added.."No... I'll delete them," she replied quickly, her hands trembling slightly as she complied. I kept my gaze steady, making sure she understood the seriousness of the situation. "You better not take any after I leave... because if I see them posted, I know where to find you," I warned, and she nodded vigorously.
After swiping my card, I turned to leave, but a voice caught my attention. "Are you a fan?" I looked back to see Han Jinwoo addressing the girl.
"Yes," she answered, her excitement palpable.
"Well, secretly taking photos is something stalkers do, not fans. As a fan, you're meant to respect my privacy or approach me and ask for a photo," he explained, his tone calm yet assertive. The girl nodded, clearly understanding.
"Let's take one... I'll excuse you this one time," he said, and her face lit up with joy.
"Can you please take one for us?" he asked me, and I nodded, capturing the moment on my phone.
"Thank you so much, Han Jinwoo! I promise I won't take any secret photos again," she said, her gratitude evident as he nodded in acknowledgment.
"Okay... let's go," he said, and we turned to leave. I was genuinely impressed with how he handled the situation—so composed and respectful, yet firm.
As we walked away, I turned to him and asked, "You're done with your meal, so can you now tell me how I can take responsibility for you?" He stopped in his tracks and turned to face me, the corner of his mouth lifting in a slight smile, "Maybe for one last time... I'll let you off the hook," he said, as a smile creep onto my face. " But don't get too comfortable...Don't be too happy just yet... those were the first two strikes. One more, and you'll really have to take responsibility for me." He warned as I nodded, "Don't worry... there won't be a third time," I replied with determination.
He raised an eyebrow, his playful smirk still in place. "I can't be so sure when it comes to you, Bae Jiho." He teased "Don't worry... I'll make sure that there isn't a third time," I said with a smile. Just as I turned to leave, I almost collided with a lamp post. In an instant, he pulled me out of harm's way, and suddenly, we were standing so close together. My head rested against his chest, and I couldn't tell if it was my heart racing or his.
"Are you okay?" he asked, breaking the tension as I pulled away. "Yes... I'm fine, thank you," I replied, a bit anxious. "You should look where you're going," he warned, and I nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and warmth. "Let's go," he added, and I slowly followed behind him.
*
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"This is me..." I said as we arrived at my apartment, feeling a mix of relief and hesitation. "Right... good night," he replied, and I couldn't help but feel a slight ache in my chest as I answered, "Good night." I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.
"You're back!" Mia exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. I shot her a glare, trying to keep my annoyance in check. "Come on... he asked me to leave," she said, referring to earlier when Han Jinwoo had wanted me to explain the situation to him. "It's okay... I settled it," I replied, trying to brush it off. But then I added, "And now I must find a way to stay away from Han Jinwoo."
"But you have that Vivian poster shoot in two days," she reminded me, raising an eyebrow. "Well, I can avoid him until then and then find a way to avoid him again after... I can't take a third strike," I said, feeling a sense of determination. "I'll go and get some rest," I concluded, heading to my room.
The next two days went surprisingly well; I was doing a good job of avoiding Han Jinwoo. It almost felt like he was the one avoiding me, which was a strange twist. But then came the day of Vivian's poster shoot. "I'm sorry, Jiho, I don't think I will be able to pick you up and drop you off at the shooting site, so how about you take a taxi... on me," Manager Kim explained, and I nodded. "It's okay... I'll find a taxi," I replied, not wanting to make a fuss."Okay then, I'll meet you there," he said as I reached for my phone to order a taxi. Just as I did, a car pulled up in front of me—a familiar car. My heart raced as I recognized it: Han Jinwoo's car! Panic set in, and I instinctively looked for an escape route. But before I could move, a voice called out, "Ms. Bae Jiho!" I turned around to see a man stepping out of Han Jinwoo's car...I glanced at him with a mix of curiosity and anxiety swirling within me. "I am Si Chen, Han Jinwoo's assistant for today. Are you heading to the shooting site? Let's head there together," he said with a friendly smile. I nodded, feeling a bit relieved. "Nice to meet you... and I've called a taxi... it will be here in..." I trailed off, staring at the app that showed I was still 50th in the queue.
Si Chen noticed my hesitation. "I don't think you will be able to get a taxi soon, considering the time..." he persisted, and I sighed, realizing he was right. Just then, I heard a familiar voice from the car. "Just get in... or else you will be late." It was Han Jinwoo, and my heart raced at the thought of getting into that car. I hesitated for a moment, but with no sign of a taxi arriving anytime soon, I decided to climb into the back seat. Thankfully, Han Jinwoo was seated in the passenger seat, and I felt a mix of emotions wash over me.
"Good morning," he greeted me, his tone casual. "Good morning," I replied, trying to keep my composure. Then he asked, "Are you by any chance avoiding me, Ms. Bae Jiho?" My cheeks flushed at the question. "What? No..." I stammered, feeling flustered. He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Really? Because I've noticed a similar pattern these days."
I took a deep breath, trying to sound nonchalant. "Well, our schedules just didn't let our paths align, which is for the better because I wouldn't want a third strike." His smirk widened, and my heart raced at his response. "Is that what this is? Okay... good luck with that." He had a way of making everything feel charged. Then he shifted the conversation, asking, "By the way, did you have breakfast?"
"No, I'll get some at the site," I replied, hoping to steer the conversation away. But he surprised me with his next words. "Have mine." I shook my head quickly. "No, you don't have to..." I started, but he interrupted me, "He ordered more than I could eat... plus there's milk in this coffee, and I'm not a fan of milk, so have the breakfast," he said, and I hesitated for a moment. But I couldn't resist his kindness. "Thank you," I replied as he handed me the khaki envelope and the cup of coffee.
When I peered into the envelope, my eyes widened at the sight of the chocolate-crusted doughnuts inside. "What about these? I mean, the doughnuts... there are many, so how about we share them?" I suggested, hoping he'd agree. "No... have them," he insisted, and I thought to myself, "Okay, if you say so." I picked one up, taking a bite and savoring the rich flavor that melted in my mouth.
Before long, we arrived at the shooting site. "You can both get out from here... I'll park the car," Si Chen said, and I quickly stepped out, followed by Han Jinwoo. "Shall we?" he asked, and I nodded, feeling his gaze linger on me. "Yes," I replied, suddenly aware of the crumbs on my face. "You have some crumbs here," he pointed out, reaching towards my mouth. I panicked and quickly covered my mouth with my hand. "I'll clean it myself," I insisted, watching him raise his eyebrows in surprise as he withdrew his hand. I hastily wiped my mouth, feeling a bit flustered. "Let's go," I said, walking ahead of him, trying to shake off the embarrassment.
*
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As we arrived, I spotted Hana, Vivian's assistant, waiting for us with a warm smile. "Good morning," she greeted cheerfully. "Good morning... Isn't Vivian here yet?" Han Jinwoo asked, glancing around. "She'll be here in a few minutes. For now, I was asked to show you to your resting rooms where you can get ready," she explained. We nodded in agreement, and she continued, "Okay, let's go."
Following her, I took in our surroundings, and soon we reached our rooms. "This will be your resting room, Ms. Bae Jiho, and this one is yours, Mr. Han Jinwoo," Hana said, gesturing to the rooms that stood directly opposite each other. I noticed how close they were, a small comfort amidst the anticipation. "You may head in now. The makeup and stylist team will be with you shortly. If you have any requests, feel free to let me know," she concluded before turning to leave.
Left alone with Han Jinwoo, an awkward silence settled between us. I felt the need to break it. "I'll get going then," I said, quickly opening the door to my room and stepping inside, eager to find some solitude before the day unfolded.
*
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HANJINWOO'SPOV
"Hear you go," Si Chen said as he handed me a cup of coffee. "Thank you," I replied, taking it from him. "Can I get dressed after I have this real quick?" I asked my stylist. "Okay," she answered. "I have prepared all the clothes for you. Just slip them on after you're done." She assured me before turning to leave.
I settled into a chair and took a sip of the coffee, only to pause. "Why isn't there any milk?" I questioned, noticing the absence. Si Chen shrugged, "You said earlier that the reason you couldn't drink the coffee this morning was because it had milk, so I figured..." He trailed off, realization dawning on him. "You were lying so that Ms. Bae Jiho could have it," he added, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I'll go and get you another one right away."
"It's okay... the shoot is almost starting. I'll dress up," I replied, not wanting to hold him up. I noticed the hesitance on his face, so I added, "Don't worry, I won't fire you over a cup of coffee." That seemed to ease him a bit. "I'll let you get ready then," he said before rushing out. I took another sip of the coffee, contemplating, "I'll just drink it anyway." But then I thought, "Or maybe not," and set it aside.
After I got ready, I heard a knock on the door. "Vivian!" I exclaimed upon seeing her. "Are you ready?" she asked, glancing at me expectantly. "Pretty much," I replied. "Well then hurry! I'll check on Bae Jiho," she said, turning to knock on her door just as it swung open before she could...Bae Jiho stepped out, her eyes lighting up as she exclaimed, "Vivian!" A smile spread across her face. "Oh hey! I was just checking to see if you're ready," Vivian replied, her tone upbeat. "I am... I'm ready," Jiho responded, and as she spoke, her gaze drifted toward me. For a fleeting moment, our eyes locked, but she quickly looked away, leaving me caught in the moment, unable to break my stare.
"Okay then, we shall both head to the shoot. You finish up and meet us in five minutes," Vivian instructed, and it snapped me out of my thoughts. "I'm ready. I'll go with you," I said, closing the door behind me with a sense of determination.
"Are you?" Vivian asked, her voice teasing as she unexpectedly extended her arm to help fix my bow tie. I instinctively took a step back, feeling a mix of surprise and pride. "I'll do it," I insisted, wanting to take control of my own appearance. I followed slowly behind them.
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BAEJIHO'SPOV
Arriving at the shoot, my heart raced as I took in the bustling scene around me—the equipment, the staff, everything buzzing with energy. "Okay, so we are going to start with single shots of both of you, then we'll have couple shots of you in these outfits. After that, you'll go and change, and we'll repeat the process. Finally, we'll shoot a short promotional video," Vivian briefed us, and I nodded, trying to absorb all the information. "Okay then, rest up in the meantime," she added, turning to join the rest of the staff as they prepared for the shoot.
I looked around, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me, my fingers rubbing together nervously. Suddenly, Han Jinwoo stepped closer. "Give me your hand," he said, and I looked up at him, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "What?" I exclaimed. "Your hand," he repeated, gently taking it and placing something in my palm...I opened my fingers to reveal a piece of chocolate. "What is this?" I questioned, glancing at him quizzically.
He smiled, his expression reassuring. "You look nervous. Chocolate helps me whenever I feel that way. Just concentrate on the flavor and sweetness, and you'll feel relief," he explained. Encouraged by his words, I unwrapped the chocolate and placed it in my mouth. Following his instructions, I focused on the taste, and slowly, I could feel the tension easing. "How are you feeling?" he asked, and I nodded, a small smile creeping onto my face. "Kind of better... do you have more?" I asked, my enthusiasm bubbling over. He chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "Careful now, it can become an addiction," he warned, reaching into his pocket to pull out another piece..."Last one..." He said, handing me a piece of chocolate, " Thank you.." I said "Do you always keep chocolates in your pockets?" I teased, "On special occasions," he replied..."Do you ever need to use them in situations like these?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity. Han Jinwoo looked at me, and for a moment, I could see the nerves flickering behind his confident demeanor. "I've already taken five by now," he admitted, a hint of vulnerability creeping into his tone. "It's been a while since I did this, considering I've been on hiatus, so just like you, I'm nervous as well."
In that moment, I realized how closely our feelings aligned. We were both stepping back into the spotlight after a break, and the weight of expectations was heavy on our shoulders. "We're not so different, Bae Jiho," he said, extending his fist toward me. "So let's rely on each other to get through today's shoot."
I felt a smile tug at my lips as I bumped his fist. "Okay," I replied, the warmth of his support wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. "Let's rely on each other." There was something reassuring in that gesture, a silent promise that we would face the challenges ahead together, and it made the nervousness feel a little more manageable.
Just then, Vivian called out, "Jiho, Jinwoo, we're ready for you!" My heart raced with anticipation. "Good luck!" Han Jinwoo whispered with a smirk as he headed off for his shots. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the nerves. "Jiho!" Vivian called again, and I hurried over, ready to jump into the spotlight.
"You can relax," Will, the photographer, said, and I focused on my breathing. As I stepped into the frame, the initial nerves crept in, but as the shoot progressed, I started to feel more at ease. Before I knew it, it was over, and now we were moving on to the couple shots.
"Still nervous? " Jinwoo asked, his teasing smile making me laugh. "I still have a piece of chocolate left," he added, and I couldn't help but respond, "I thought you said I'd get addicted." "I mean, you could... that way I can start charging you for them. I get money, and you get your chocolates," he joked, and I chuckled softly, feeling the tension fade away as we prepared for the next round of shots.
"Let's begin..." the photographer announced, guiding us through the various poses. Normally, I would have felt a surge of exhilaration ..but Han Jinwoo's presence made everything feel so much more comfortable. After we wrapped up the first set of couple shots, it was time for a quick change of outfits—at least for me. Jinwoo simply loosened his tie, unbuttoned his collar, and shrugged off his coat, while I slipped into a sleek black dress with a daring slit on the side.
As I made my way back to the shooting area, I could feel everyone's eyes on me—everyone, including Han Jinwoo's. "Now that's my Amy," Vivian remarked, referring to me as the female lead in her novel. "Okay, Amy and Trevor, let's get ready for the next couple of shots," she instructed, and we took our positions.
"Let's start," Will said, and I felt a rush of anticipation. "For this pose, Han Jinwoo, I want you to place your hands around Bae Jiho's waist. Jiho, you'll wrap your arms around his neck, and the magic will happen when you look up at him and he looks down at you with a smile." We nodded, understanding the direction. "Remember to look natural," he added, and I turned to face Jinwoo.
"Relax," he whispered, and I nodded, trying to shake off any lingering nerves. Just then, he asked, "May I?" as he gently placed his hands around my waist, and I wrapped my arms around his neck as instructed. We locked eyes... In that moment with our gazes locked onto each other, the world around us faded into oblivion. It was as if time stood still, leaving just the two of us suspended in this intimate bubble. My heart raced uncontrollably, each beat echoing in my ears, while a warm flush crept up my cheeks. Jinwoo's hands on my waist sent a delightful shiver coursing through my body, igniting something deep within me.
As I watched his lips curve into a gentle smile, I felt an involuntary smile tugging at my own lips in response. It was a shared moment of unspoken connection, a silent understanding that made everything else seem trivial. In that instant, all the nerves and distractions melted away, leaving only the electric chemistry between us, pulsing with every breath we took. I was lost in his gaze, captivated by the warmth and sincerity that radiated from him..."Okay, nice!" Will's voice sliced through my reverie, jolting me back to reality. I reluctantly pulled away from Han Jinwoo, who mirrored my actions, and I felt a twinge of disappointment as our moment ended. Will quickly briefed us on the next poses, but my mind began to drift again, lost in a world of my own as we moved through each shot.
With every click of the camera, I found myself slipping deeper into the character I was meant to portray, fully immersing in the emotions and nuances that brought the story to life. After we wrapped up the photos, we transitioned into shooting the promotional video, reenacting the pivotal scenes from the novel.
"Okay! Let's take a break from here and get back to it after our meal," the director announced, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. As we all filed out to grab some much-needed rest, I couldn't shake the feeling that the connection I felt with Jinwoo lingered in the air.
*
*
As I sat there, my mind still on the shoot, Manager Kim approached me, a lunch box in his hands. "Take this," he said, handing it over. I couldn't help but ask, "When did you get here?"
"While you were shooting the couple shots," he replied casually. "Gladly," he added, and I raised an eyebrow at him. "I got to see the electric chemistry and tension between you and Han Jinwoo... damn, everyone was talking about it behind the scenes." My gaze drifted back to Han Jinwoo, who was eating his meal, and I felt a mix of confusion and embarrassment.
"Do you...?" Manager Kim started, but I cut him off, my voice firm. "I don't... we have a strictly professional relationship." He looked unfazed and continued, "I was asking if you want some water. I am going to get some." My face heated up with embarrassment, and I almost screamed at myself for how I reacted. "Yes... I want some. Let me go and get it," I offered, standing up quickly to escape the awkwardness and wash off the embarrassment.
After our short break, we finally wrapped up the shoot, and the air was filled with cheers and applause. "Congratulations on the wrap," Vivian said, handing both me and Han Jinwoo a bouquet of flowers. "Thank you," we both replied, smiles spreading across our faces.
"Let's take a photo to commemorate this moment," she suggested. "First, take one of you two together, then I'll join in, and finally, we'll get one with the entire team." We followed her instructions, lining up for the pictures, capturing the joy of the day.
*
*
"Thank you, everyone, for your dedication," Vivian began, her voice ringing out. "I didn't think we would actually make it, but we got the shooting done in one day, and it's all thanks to your hard work." Applause erupted again, and I felt a swell of pride. "That being said, I'd like to treat you all to some barbeque and wine or beer to celebrate the completion of the shoot," she added, and the cheers grew even louder.
"Congratulations, partner," Han Jinwoo said, and a soft chuckle escaped my lips. "Congratulations to you too, and thank you," I replied, feeling a warm flutter in my chest.
"Thank you for what?" he asked, his curiosity piqued, and I could see the intrigue in his eyes. "For the chocolates and the guidance during the shoot," I admitted, watching his smile deepen at my words.
"I'm glad I could be of help," he replied, and in that moment, we simply stared at each other. My heart raced again, caught in the intensity of the moment, as if the world around us faded away. It was just the two of us, sharing an unspoken connection that felt electric....The lines between professionalism and something more blurring in that charged moment. Throughout the shoot, I had kept drifting into my own emotions, and now, standing there with him, it felt even more intense.
*
*
*