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Chapter 30
Sara’s mind had become far more complicated than before.
That was why, unlike earlier, words of rejection didn’t immediately tumble out of her mouth.
The image of Eunyeong, who had just left, resurfaced in her mind.
“Don’t worry too much, I’ll provide all the budget you need. If you want, we can even proceed without any PPL or product placements.”
“Are you serious? You’d invest in a movie just to become my so-called contract lover or whatever? This isn’t just pocket change.”
“For me, nothing is easier than solving problems with money.”
“Ha.”
“Aren’t you going to eat that?”
His tone wasn’t exactly pressuring, but it felt that way.
Sara stuffed strawberries into her mouth.
They tasted exactly the same as before, but now they felt dry and gritty, like chewing sand.
Her head was so full of thoughts she couldn’t organize them. What should she choose?
Perhaps sensing her hesitation, he said generously:
“You don’t have to decide right away. Want some pineapple?”
“I lost my appetite.”
“That won’t do. You need to eat well if you want to recover quickly.”
He spoke so warmly as he laid out all the other fruits on the table.
Cherries, mangoes, dragon fruit, pear, hallabong tangerines…
It was like a fruit expo, piled high regardless of season or origin.
“Do you like any of these?”
Things I like.
Sara’s life had changed drastically after meeting Eunyeong.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she was reborn.
Even the idea of “liking” something had come after meeting her.
She learned strawberries were delicious, that family could be warm—all through Eunyeong.
“I’ll do it.”
“Do what?”
“The contract relationship. With you, Yoon Seungtae.”
He had finally gotten the answer he so wanted, yet Seungtae didn’t look pleased.
Instead of joy, his eyes held a faint suspicion.
“Why do you look like that?”
“Are you serious?”
He asked again, clearly not trusting such a quick acceptance.
“Were you serious when you proposed this to me?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’m serious too. In exchange for your movie investment, I’ll be your time-limited lover.”
Once she made her decision, the noise and confusion inside her calmed down.
Her composure left Seungtae slightly unsettled.
“You’re deciding this quickly?”
“Why? You kept pressing me, but now that I agree, you doubt me? Fine, forget it. If you don’t want to, then whatever.”
“No, I like it. As for the contract… let’s draw it up the next time we meet.”
“But can I add a few conditions of my own?”
“Tell me.”
His tone was generous, but also carried a smug undertone—like he was thinking let’s hear what you’ve got.
Sara answered as sweetly as she could.
“Like I said before, if our relationship leaks to the press, my image is done for. Honestly, I’d lose far more than I gain from this arrangement, so if possible…”
“I understand. I’d feel the same way in your position.”
“Thanks for understanding. Then I’ll leave that issue to you.”
“Anything else?”
“How far are you planning to go with skinship…?”
“How far are you willing to allow it?”
Their eyes met.
Seungtae had answered with a question.
Sara thought carefully before replying.
“I guess… linking arms?”
“Ah.”
“What?”
“Usually, skinship starts with kissing, doesn’t it?”
“…Kissing? Ha. You said before I’m not your type. What, now you suddenly want to kiss me?”
“Just close your eyes.”
The response was plain and simple, but hearing it made Sara’s blood pressure spike.
She jumped up and shouted:
“No way! What? Close my eyes? While kissing me? How dare you—!”
She practically hopped like a frog, glaring daggers at him, which made Seungtae burst into rare loud laughter.
“So if we keep our eyes open, kissing is fine?”
“Not a chance, so drop that idea.”
Sara snapped back.
“Fine. We can put that in writing later too.”
He had already gotten what he wanted.
Details could always be sorted out and agreed upon in the future.
With a relaxed smile, he smoothly changed the subject.
“How’s the drama filming going?”
“What do you mean how? I have to start again tomorrow.”
Sara replied flatly.
He frowned, not expecting that answer.
“Tomorrow? How can you work twelve-plus hours a day in your condition?”
“It’s not like I was stabbed or fell off a building. I just fainted, that’s all. Honestly, being hospitalized is already overkill.”
She clicked her tongue, looking at the hospital gown she was wearing.
Even when she had a fever over 38°C for three days straight, she toughed it out with just Tylenol. And now, just because she collapsed, she had to be hospitalized and take time off filming?
Other actors would definitely laugh at her.
“Seo Sara. Didn’t you hear the doctor? He clearly said it was a cerebral hemorrhage…”
“Oh, that. The doctor said I’m fine.”
He had suggested an MRI or CT scan or something, but that had long since slipped out of Sara’s mind.
Her head was a bit sore, but otherwise she didn’t feel particularly unwell.
Realizing she meant it, Seungtae’s tone hardened.
“When doctors say you’re fine, that doesn’t mean you should stand on set working for ten hours the next day.”
“Yoon Seungtae.”
Sara looked him straight in the eyes and said seriously:
“Maybe you don’t get it because you’re older, but I’m twenty-seven. I can still chew rocks if I have to.”
“…True. Twenty-seven is about the age for chewing rocks.”
The corner of his mouth twisted slightly.
“Exactly. So don’t worry so much. I’ve got bigger headaches—like how to make up for the scenes we missed today. If I can’t shoot tomorrow either, the drama will have to skip airing next week.”
“So what if it takes a break for a week? It’s not like Kim Seyeon has been showing up on set anyway.”
“What?”
He hadn’t meant to let that slip.
Realizing his mistake, Seungtae shut his mouth.
Sara’s eyes widened.
“Seyeon hasn’t been showing up? Why?”
“I don’t know the reason.”
“Then how do you even know that? Did the director tell you? Ugh, whatever. It’s exhausting asking. You probably already know why I ended up in the hospital too, don’t you?”
“Who knows.”
He shrugged, dodging the question.
But since Seyeon’s name had come up, it was obvious he already knew everything.
So Sara decided there was no point hiding anything.
“I’ve been in this industry ten years, but it feels like every day a new lunatic appears.”
“I did hear you had a fight with Kim Seyeon.”
“Fight? It was one-sided. She got drunk and went off on me.”
“She was drinking, too?”
“Oh, you didn’t hear that part? It was a total mess. She kicked the company van, shouted at me about who the hell I was to lecture her, eyes blazing as she came at me.”
Sara clicked her tongue.
She had met plenty of crazy fellow actors over the years, but Seyeon was definitely top-tier.
Sure, actors had power struggles. On the surface they’d smile and laugh, then bad-mouth each other behind the scenes.
But someone blowing up so openly, unable to contain their temper—that was a first.
“What the hell does she think gives her the right…”
“Kang Doohyun, probably.”
“Kang Doohyun? Oh, right. Seongdo Daily.”
She finally recalled where she’d heard the name.
“Of course. She’s got a powerful backer.”
“So do you.”
“What?”
“A powerful backer.”
He smiled lightly as he said it. Sara instantly scowled and retorted:
“Don’t say that.”
“Say what?”
“That I’ve got a backer. The only reason I agreed to this contract relationship with you is for the movie investment. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Her firm tone made Seungtae flinch slightly.
And she wasn’t wrong—between them, it really was just a trade: movie funding for a fake relationship.
“Fair enough.”
“I know you meant it kindly. But there’s no such thing as kindness without strings attached. If you receive, you also have to give.”
Her message was clear: what she could offer was a show-window couple, nothing beyond that.
Seungtae accepted it easily with a nod.
“Understood. I’ll make sure never to be your strong backer.”
“Well… you don’t have to say never.”
“Anyway, I was worried about Seyeon spreading weird rumors to reporters, but let’s just ignore that too.”
