IAOSL 32

Chapter 32

Acting Practice

“Are we allowed to stay here?”

“I contacted the CEO, and he said he’ll be here shortly. Until then, he asked me to escort both of you to his office, so I believe you can stay here.”

At Sangwoo’s words, Arin glanced around before nodding in understanding.

Throughout my conversation with Sangwoo, Arin had kept her face hidden behind a mask. Only after confirming that Sangwoo had left the room and closed the door behind him did she pull the mask down to her chin.

“Wow, I thought I was going to suffocate.”

Apparently, being unable to say a word had been frustrating. Arin let out a long breath with a huff.

Watching her wrinkle her face in irritation, I asked,

“But why did Taewook come looking for me this early in the morning?”

“Ah, well, that’s a little complicated to explain…”

Arin dragged out the end of her sentence while cautiously watching my reaction.

Her behavior was unusual enough that I simply stared at her. After letting out a deep sigh, she finally opened her mouth.

“No, actually…”

Knock knock.

Just as Arin was about to speak, another knock sounded at the door, and she hurriedly pulled her mask back up.

She even pulled her hat down lower and covered part of her face with her hand.

I was baffled.

Did something really happen?

I considered asking, but Arin was so focused on avoiding Sangwoo that she wouldn’t even meet my eyes. In the end, I just shrugged.

It seemed Sangwoo had brought drinks for both Arin and me. He set two cups down on the table.

“Thank yo— no, wait. What’s this?”

Yesterday he had served fragrant coffee, but today he placed down a teacup filled with a reddish-colored drink.

The floral scent drifting from the tea made my face unconsciously scrunch up.

Watching my reaction, Sangwoo spoke in a stiff voice.

“The tea bags Choi Jihoon left yesterday.”

“…Ah.”

Only after hearing his blunt answer did I remember what had happened the day before.

I awkwardly smiled as I recalled Sangwoo getting lightly scolded by Jihoon for serving the wrong drink.

Judging by his expression, Sangwoo was remembering the same scene.

His face remained stiff.

Looking at me smiling sheepishly, he let out a shallow sigh and added,

“If you had told me beforehand, that mistake wouldn’t have happened.”

“Huh?”

“The last time, you made coffee for me yourself, and since Han Gyeoul also drank it, I assumed she enjoyed coffee as well.”

“…Ah.”

“If I had known she couldn’t drink it, I wouldn’t have carelessly served coffee in front of her friend.”

His sulky complaint left me with nothing to say except laugh.

How was I supposed to explain that I practically lived on coffee because of my years preparing for civil service exams, while my sister couldn’t even touch the stuff?

And because Jihoon knew the real Han Gyeoul, he naturally assumed I couldn’t drink coffee either.

Seeing me only smile without answering, Sangwoo eventually gave up, offered a brief greeting, and left the office.

Click.

As the door shut, yesterday’s events once again flooded my thoughts.

“Wait, by Choi Jihoon, do you mean actor Choi Jihoon?”

At some point, Arin had already removed her mask again. Sinking into the sofa, she reached for her cup.

She blew gently over the steaming coffee.

Then she took a sip with a slurp.

The rich aroma of coffee drifted through the room, making my mouth inexplicably dry.

I nodded.

“That’s right. Him.”

“…”

“He’s my sister’s only friend.”

“Your sister?”

“Han Gyeoul.”

At my casual answer and shrug, Arin frowned before suddenly letting out an “Ah.”

Looking embarrassed, she cautiously added,

“You know, right? It’s not that I forgot. It’s just that your face is completely Winter unnie’s… I mean, your appearance… well, anyway, that’s why.”

“I know. I understand.”

Even though I answered lightly, Arin still seemed bothered and kept glancing around awkwardly.

Pretending not to notice, I pointed at her coffee.

“But did you finish that coffee?”

“Why?”

“Want to switch drinks?”

“Huh?”

At my suggestion, Arin frowned and subtly pulled the coffee closer to herself.

I deliberately sighed dramatically.

“The truth is, I’m basically addicted to caffeine. It became a habit while studying for exams.”

“…”

“But my sister—if she drinks coffee, the caffeine makes her heart…”

“Her heart…?”

So that was it! That was the reason!

Finally discovering the cause of my arrhythmia felt like a huge weight lifting from my chest.

Right. That made much more sense.

There was no way I had actually fallen for Joo Taewook—

“Good grief. I must’ve lost my mind.”

“…Han Gyeoul?”

“No matter how much it was just a passing thought, that was ridiculous.”

“What have you been doing over there talking to yourself?”

At Arin’s question, I shook my head.

“It’s nothing.”

Arin looked suspicious but eventually sighed and exchanged her coffee with my tea.

Watching me immediately slurp down the coffee as though someone might steal it, she shook her head.

“By the way, Han Gyeoul.”

“…?”

“Do you want people to recognize you as Han Yeoreum?”

“What do you mean?”

At my question, Arin glanced at my face before lifting the teacup to her lips.

“It feels like you don’t really realize that you have to live as Han Gyeoul now.”

“…”

“Honestly, it’s such an unbelievable story that very few people would believe it even if you told them. But if you’ve truly decided to live as Han Gyeoul from now on, you need to be more careful.”

“…”

“Sometimes small suspicions pile up until they become certainty.”

Slurp.

Arin drank from the reddish tea.

A slight frown appeared on her face as she set the cup down.

“Ugh. This isn’t my style either.”

She looked at my lowered gaze and sighed softly.

After hesitating for a moment, she spoke gently.

“Don’t make it complicated. Just think of it as acting practice.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Act as Han Gyeoul. Acting isn’t actually that complicated. The key is understanding the character and becoming one with them.”

“…”

“Sometimes a tiny detail can completely capture people’s hearts.”

She continued calmly before glancing at me.

Seeing my puzzled expression, she went on.

“For example, if you were really Han Gyeoul, what kind of expression do you think she’d have while drinking this tea?”

“…”

“The real Han Gyeoul. Han Yeoreum’s older sister.”

At those words, my sister’s face immediately came to mind.

The image of her carefully brewing countless flower teas whose names I could never remember and savoring them with a happy smile.

“Ah. I understand what you’re saying.”

“That’s all I mean.”

“…”

“Honestly, from my perspective, it’s amazing nobody around you has noticed something strange. You’re obviously different.”

“True.”

“…”

“It’s a strange feeling.”

At my added remark, Arin once again wore an expression that seemed to say, Oops.

Pretending not to notice her careful glances, I took another sip of coffee.

For some reason, the coffee that normally tasted rich and comforting now tasted bitter.

I set the cup down.

Seeing Arin looking guilty, I changed the subject.

“Anyway, why did Taewook come looking for me?”

“…Well.”

At my casual question, Arin suddenly looked flustered.

“I hope you won’t misunderstand.”

“Okay. Go ahead.”

Taking a deep breath, Arin squeezed her eyes shut and blurted out,

“I think I might end up in a dating scandal with your husband.”

At that moment, my heart dropped with a heavy thud.

“One condition: there will be completely separate personal spaces in the house.”

It had been one of the conditions he himself had insisted on.

He didn’t want emotions getting tangled up in a marriage that had begun as a contract.

And part of him definitely hadn’t wanted Gyeoul intruding too deeply into his life.

“Let’s write a contract.”

“Pardon?”

“We’re only getting married because we both want something. I’d rather not have unnecessary emotions involved.”

He wanted to sew shut whichever mouth had uttered those words.

Though it was far too late for regrets now.

Taewook glared at the marriage contract lying on his desk as though he wanted to tear it apart before finally shoving it into a drawer.

The idiot trapped inside a pitfall of his own making was none other than himself.

Just thinking about it made his head pound.

“If you want to know whether she’s sleeping well or not, the only way is to sleep beside her.”

The words Doctor Min had left behind kept replaying endlessly in his mind.

He wasn’t some teenage boy, so why did a single sentence keep bringing Gyeoul’s face to mind?

The image of her clear, innocent face refused to leave him alone.

Letting out a quiet sigh, Taewook left the room.

He threw on the coat draped over the sofa and hurried outside.

Just then, his phone began ringing loudly.

[PD Choi Youngseok]

“Hello, PD Choi. This is Joo Taewook.”

—President Joo! You’ve been doing well lately, right?

“Yes. More or less.”

Taewook stepped into the elevator while answering casually.

As the elevator descended rapidly toward the parking garage, Youngseok’s voice came through with a hint of hesitation.

—Actually, the reason I called today is… I’ve been assigned to a new pilot variety program.

“A variety show?”

—Yes. Something like a newlywed observation program. We’re thinking of casting real married couples.

Taewook immediately sensed where the conversation was heading and remained silent.

Sensing his reaction, Youngseok hurriedly continued.

—It’s probably difficult, right? Han Gyeoul’s health condition and all, and you’re not exactly a celebrity yourself.

“I appreciate the offer, but there are quite a few complications.”

—Of course, of course. I only thought that if you’re considering Han Gyeoul’s comeback, starting with a variety show might be a good idea.

“I understand. But I can’t give you an answer immediately. Let me think it over and contact you later.”

—Ah, of course! Take your time and let me know. I’ll be waiting!

“Thank you. Goodbye.”

After hanging up, Taewook shoved the phone back into his coat pocket with visible irritation.

Image rehabilitation?

A comeback?

It sounded nice on the surface, but who didn’t know what they were really after?

Noise marketing.

That was what they wanted.

There wasn’t anyone in the entertainment industry right now with more public impact than Han Gyeoul.

With a scowl, Taewook headed toward his car.

Just then, his phone rang again.

Pulling it from his pocket, he saw Sangwoo’s name and answered.

“Yes, Secretary Lee.”

—Sir, we have a visitor at the company.

“Are you referring to Kim Arin?”

—No. Choi Jihoon is here.

“Who did you say?”

—Actor Choi Jihoon came to the agency again.

A name he hadn’t expected to hear again so soon.

Taewook’s expression darkened.

Starting the car and fastening his seatbelt, he gritted his teeth and said,

“I’ll be there immediately.”