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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Reunion
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2.

Yeon-joo had studied fashion in college and now worked as a freelance fitting model for men’s online clothing stores.

She struggled to keep a steady stream of work, but as with any market, online stores popped up as quickly as they disappeared, forcing her to constantly hustle with her portfolio.

Just when it seemed her career was gaining traction, it would be cut short. It would build, then break, again and again.

Amidst all this, a request came from her close friend, Hae-yeong. It was a phone call from the previous night; a staff member had resigned due to an emergency, and they needed someone to fill in.

‘Yeon-joo. It’s for the junior position on the costume team for an upcoming film. It’s mostly simple tasks, so you’ll be more than capable. Please, just work with us this one time. Huh?’

The mention of a ‘film’ made Yeon-joo briefly think of Eun-seong, but she knew for a fact he was in the United States, so she quickly dismissed the thought.

It’s fine. I can relax. He’s not in Korea.

The past ten years had been a desperate struggle to avoid crossing paths with Eun-seong in any way. But after so much time, she realized that even in the same industry, the odds of running into him were slimmer than a camel passing through the eye of a needle.

Looking back, the years she’d spent running away seemed a little ridiculous. To think she’d been hiding for dear life when there was almost no chance of ever meeting him.

A sudden burst of courage she usually lacked came over her, and last night, Yeon-joo accepted Hae-yeong’s offer. It was the kind of thing she would normally have turned down, but for some strange reason, it had appealed to her.

Perhaps it was because the reality had hit her—she couldn't keep drifting forever and needed a job where she could systematically build her career.

The truth was, she also needed the money right away.

“Yeon-joo, you’re here? Come on in.”

“Wow, Eonni, this is amazing. Your office just reeks of success.”

Arriving at Changrok Entertainment, where her friend Hae-yeong worked, Yeon-joo smiled brightly. Befitting her position as an in-house director, Hae-yeong’s office was on a high floor, offering a wide, open view that was a pleasure to look at.

Moreover, the trophies adorning an entire wall spoke to how successful she was as a fashion director.

“Reeks of success? I have a fear of heights, so this is terrifying for me. Have a seat.”

Hae-yeong was the head director in charge of costumes for the film. She was a big name at Changrok Entertainment, having won last year’s Fashion Influencer Award and this year’s Stylist of the Year Award.

“I can hardly believe you’re the same Eonni who used to get nagged with me while eating my mom’s hangover ramen.”

As Yeon-joo mumbled, scanning the trophies, Hae-yeong let out a soft laugh.

The two had become best friends by chance seven years ago. With their shared major in fashion, they had spent countless nights engaged in passionate conversations.

But despite their shared passion, their current positions were starkly different. Hae-yeong, who had studied abroad, had become a director at a major agency—

while Yeon-joo was just a run-of-the-mill freelancer.

“Oh, right, Eonni. Here’s my resume.”

“Ah. You brought it? I need to give it to HR, so I’ll take it.”

Yeon-joo took out her resume and handed it to Hae-yeong. Although Hae-yeong knew her friend’s work history by heart, she opened the resume bearing the name ‘Go Yeon-joo’ as a matter of courtesy.

「Department of Fashion Design – Withdrew」

Hae-yeong’s gaze fell upon that single line.

Yeon-joo had dropped out of university without graduating. No matter how close they were, it was a private matter, so Hae-yeong had never asked, but she suspected it was because of childbirth.

A wave of bitterness washed over Hae-yeong, and she wrinkled her nose.

“Anyway, Yeon-joo, thank you for coming. You’re going to be a huge help.”

“I’m the one who’s grateful. I know how much you always look out for me, Eonni.”

While Yeon-joo was expressing her gratitude, Hae-yeong asked her secretary to process a payment. A moment later, ten million won was deposited into Yeon-joo’s bank account.

Yeon-joo’s eyes widened when she saw the amount.

“Why so much? You said it was a junior position.”

“It’s nothing. It just seems like a lot because you’re getting it as a lump sum.”

“Still, it’s too much.”

“Didn’t you say your apartment deposit was going up by ten million won?”

As Yeon-joo’s lips parted slightly, Hae-yeong waved her hand dismissively.

“I just took a little bit out of my own cut. I’ve had so many meals at your mother’s place, I have to pay her back somehow.”

“Pay her back with ten million won? Don’t be embarrassing.”

With the unexpectedly large sum deposited all at once, Yeon-joo could only fidget with her phone. Her job wasn’t stable enough to get a loan for the deposit, and she had been at a loss. She was incredibly grateful to Hae-yeong for being so considerate of her situation.

As if to change the subject, Hae-yeong glanced at her watch and stood up.

“Alright, let’s talk more on the way.”

“Yes, Eonni. I mean, Isanim.”

Hearing the change in address right after the deposit, Hae-yeong gave her a playful glare.

Hae-yeong, opting to drive herself, went down to the underground parking garage and got into an imported luxury car, a common sight in Gangnam.

After transferring the deposit money to her mother’s account and sending a message, Yeon-joo fastened her seatbelt and spoke.

“So, Isanim, what kind of movie is it?”

“It’s an action film. And the lineup is unbelievable. The budget is massive.”

Hae-yeong showed her pride in the project, saying that a host of incredible people were involved.

The cast was a who’s who of actors that would make anyone’s jaw drop, and Hae-yeong’s eyes sparkled as she glanced at Yeon-joo.

“The lead actor is Im Eun-seong.”

“...What?”

What? Yeon-joo’s face was one of utter shock. No, it quickly turned deathly pale.

Finding Yeon-joo’s reaction amusing, Hae-yeong laughed out loud. She assumed her friend was simply stunned by the star power of a name like Im Eun-seong.

“What, shocked because he’s such a top-tier star? It has to be someone of his caliber to make the work exciting. You think I’d take on just any project?”

“Ah...”

“We’re on our way to Im Eun-seong’s fitting right now. Don’t be too starstruck when you see him. You have to keep a straight face.”

One shock piled on top of another. With a blank expression, as if all thought had been wiped from her mind, Yeon-joo swallowed hard.

“I-I-Im Eun-seong... wasn’t he in the, the U.S.?”

Why is he here? He’s supposed to be in the States.

“Ah, that. It’s still confidential, but he returned to Korea a little while ago. The official announcement hasn’t been made yet, so everyone’s keeping it quiet.”

A shock ran through her, as if her entire body were cracking apart. Unable to even close her gaping mouth, Yeon-joo squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again.

So that’s why I wanted this job so badly. A job I’d always turned down, yet this time, I desperately wanted it. Were you waiting for me?

“Yeon-joo, you must be a fan of his, huh? You even knew he was in the U.S. Have you been looking up articles about him?”

“Ah, no... I mean, no. I just happened to see it somewhere.”

Her heart felt like it was about to be torn apart by anxiety.

He was someone she absolutely, under no circumstances, could ever meet.

“He’s seriously handsome, though. When you look at Im Eun-seong, you really understand what it means to live off your looks.”

He was the former lover from her vivid memories.

Because he was Han-byeol's father, a secret no one knew.

***

While Yeon-joo’s heart was burning to a crisp, they arrived at Eun-seong’s agency.

Hae-yeong stepped away to take a work call, leaving Yeon-joo alone in the large office.

【 Yeonildam Entertainment 】

The office, emblazoned with a grand logo, had a vastly different atmosphere from Hae-yeong’s, which she had visited just a short while ago.

It was a world of opulence. The desires of the CEO, Tae-gon, were evident everywhere, and a large-scale model car, a rarity, was on display, identical to the real thing.

It was a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster, one of Tae-gon’s prized possessions, and the vehicle, made of tiny bricks, had taken a staggering 4,000 hours to build.

Photos of Eun-seong fanned out on either side of the meticulously detailed model, and Yeon-joo found herself staring at them.

“I’m losing my mind...”

Her mother had already sent the deposit money to the landlord, so she had no way of paying Hae-yeong back. It was also difficult to suddenly invent a reason to back out, saying she couldn’t do it less than an hour after promising to work hard. But did she have the nerve to face Eun-seong? Not at all.

Sighs escaped her uncontrollably. The reality of having to introduce herself as a junior stylist to her top-tier, bigger-than-life ex-boyfriend felt like a sick joke, and a hollow laugh escaped her.

And he wasn't just any ex-boyfriend. He was Han-byeol’s father.

Her thoughts ground to a halt; nothing came to mind. She had neither the courage to run nor the courage to stay.

As she stood there, unable to do either, time ticked steadily by, and the door opened.

She wished it were Hae-yeong, who had said she would arrive before Eun-seong, but unfortunately, the person who appeared was Eun-seong himself.

“Ah...”

The moment their eyes met, reality felt so distant it was as if she had stepped into a dream.

Yeon-joo let out an involuntary gasp and rose awkwardly to her feet. Her terrified body was frozen, and it felt as though tears might burst forth at any moment.

Just as her body was about to explode with uncontrollable emotions, Eun-seong, who had taken a step or two, stopped dead in his tracks. Recognizing her instantly, his expression faltered for a moment.

Just as a boundary of time seemed to form between them, the manager, who had followed him in unaware, stepped in front of Yeon-joo and spoke quickly.

It was a welcome interruption.

“You’re from Changrok, right? I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“Ah, y-yes. That’s right. I’m Go Yeon-joo. Um... Our director is just...”

“Yes, yes. I saw her on the phone. Hyeongnim, this way, please.”

The manager gestured to the sofa, and Eun-seong, who had been momentarily lost in thought, began to move again.

As Yeon-joo hesitated, her hands clenched tightly, Eun-seong strode past her and sat down on the sofa.

“It’s been a while.”

“Huh? Hyeongnim, you know her?”

“Of course not.”

Eun-seong gave an ambiguous reply and lowered his head again, causing the manager to look back and forth between them. Her face flushed red, Yeon-joo was unable to respond and could only nod.

Realizing the manager’s gaze on Yeon-joo was filled with suspicion, Eun-seong spoke in an indifferent tone.

“A junior from college. Barely know her.”

“Ah. A junior of yours, Hyeongnim. I see.”

“Coffee for me.”

“Yes, Hyeongnim.”

The manager left the office, and the two of them were alone.

Yeon-joo kept her lips pressed tightly together, her breathing shallow. The air felt thin, as if deprived of oxygen, and she thought she might collapse if she remained standing.

Her head was pounding, and her vision blurred until she could hardly distinguish anything.

“Why is Director Jin so late? She said to meet at two.”

When Hae-yeong still hadn’t returned by five past two, Eun-seong checked the time and muttered to himself.

Eun-seong, who had been looking down at his phone, lifted his head and looked at Yeon-joo.

“You came here to work with Director Jin?”

“What? Ah, yes. I’ve joined the team for this new film.”

“Impressive. In more ways than one.”

After his meaningful reply, Eun-seong stood up from his seat.

He glanced at the small bag that clearly contained fitting equipment, then took off his jacket. Without hesitation, he unbuttoned his shirt, one by one, and stripped it off.

Tossing the shirt carelessly onto the sofa, Eun-seong spread his arms. His upper body, already more than sufficiently muscular, was perfectly defined, each muscle sculpted and pronounced.

He looked at her, his face devoid of any past emotion. The moment she met his clear, brilliant gaze—a gaze that could elicit admiration with a single glance—Yeon-joo couldn’t help but pull out a thought she had long buried in her heart.

Right. There was a time she had believed she could never escape him, no matter what she did.

“What are you doing? If you’re here to work, then get to it. Don’t just stand there.”

Because he was like a man born to capture everyone’s heart.

“Come closer.”