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Chapter 35 – So Alike
‘We’ll be filming for about a week. After editing, it’ll air as a two-hour special.’
‘There’ll even be cameras in the bedroom. So at least for that week, sleeping separately like we are now won’t be possible.’
His casual words echoed in her mind as if they were nothing significant.
The corners of his lips lifting lazily, the mischievous gleam in his eyes as though he had seized the perfect opportunity—they kept disturbing her thoughts.
“Then could you read this line here… Han Gyeoul?”
“…Ah, sorry. What did you say?”
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. What did you say?”
Embarrassed, she asked again.
Arin lowered the script she had been holding and crossed her arms.
Feeling awkward under the tilted gaze directed at her, Gyeoul quietly avoided eye contact.
“Is it because I heard you’re appearing in that Lunar New Year pilot variety show?”
Arin’s words hit the mark so perfectly that Gyeoul’s eyes widened.
“Did Taewook tell you?”
“Honestly, even if CEO Joo hadn’t, anyone could’ve figured it out.”
“…?”
“The entire broadcasting industry is already talking about it. To be fair, making a comeback less than three months after that accident is a pretty shocking move.”
“…”
“They’re keeping it quiet for now, but if CEO Joo lifted a finger, articles would flood out instantly.”
Arin casually sipped her coffee.
Taewook had handled everything far faster than expected.
At this point, it almost felt like he was making sure there would be no turning back.
The uneasy feeling only grew stronger.
As Gyeoul scratched her cheek uneasily, Arin adjusted her sunglasses and asked,
“Is something bothering you?”
“Does it show?”
“Very obviously.”
Arin’s blunt answer made her smile awkwardly.
Watching Arin sink back into the sofa, Gyeoul glanced around before shrugging.
“To be honest… I don’t really know.”
“What don’t you know?”
“I understand that I need to change my image for this project, and that appearing on a variety show is probably the fastest and easiest way.”
“…”
“But for some reason… it feels like warning bells keep going off in my head.”
They always had.
The more time she spent with Taewook, the more emotions and thoughts she couldn’t understand tangled together inside her mind.
She wondered if spending less time with him would help, but even that wasn’t easy.
Taewook had originally suggested commuting together only until they hired a new manager.
Now she was beginning to wonder if he even intended to hire one.
“Are you bothered by CEO Joo?”
Arin asked so naturally that Gyeoul could only blink in surprise.
Arin silently waited for an answer.
As she did, Taewook’s relaxed expression surfaced in Gyeoul’s mind yet again.
Annoyed that his face kept invading her thoughts at every possible moment, she buried herself into the sofa.
“I’d be lying if I said he doesn’t bother me at all.”
“…”
“To be honest, of course he does. I have no idea what he’s thinking, and the way his attitude has changed bothers me too.”
“…”
“And on top of that, why did he choose a newlywed observation show of all things?”
“…”
“Well… I know I’m not really in a position to be picky right now.”
“So you don’t have absolutely no feelings?”
“Huh?”
Arin pushed her slipping sunglasses back up with one finger.
Seeing Gyeoul’s surprised expression, the corner of her lips curled upward playfully.
“I get it. Honestly, CEO Joo is attractive, isn’t he?”
“…”
“He’s handsome, capable, has a great body… his personality is kind of terrible, but there are plenty of people who like that type these days.”
“Really?”
“Of course. If there are ten women in the world, there are ten different tastes. Surely at least one of them would like someone like CEO Joo.”
“Haha.”
“Though personally, my type is Prosecutor Kim.”
Arin added matter-of-factly.
Gyeoul couldn’t help but laugh.
Watching her laugh, Arin pointed dramatically at her sunglasses.
“Do you know why I came wearing sunglasses today?”
“Did you cry?”
It was meant as a joke.
But apparently she had guessed correctly.
Arin pouted in dissatisfaction.
The way her lips moved under her breath made it seem as though she were muttering curses.
“Seriously, how can someone have so little empathy? When someone says something like that, aren’t you supposed to at least pretend to be worried before asking?”
“Ah, sorry. I honestly never imagined that was the reason.”
“…”
“So… why did you cry?”
Smiling awkwardly, Gyeoul asked again.
Arin bit her lip for a moment as though choosing her words.
After quietly fiddling with her fingernails, she finally spoke in an even voice.
“I realized all over again just how amazing that person is, and it made me so angry that I cried.”
“…That person?”
“Yes. The one who’s Han Gyeoul now, and used to be Han Yeoreum.”
“…”
“Just meeting you a few times was enough for me to understand why Prosecutor Kim fell for you.”
“…”
“Once I understood that, I felt so frustrated and unfair… but at the same time I understood it too, and that’s why I cried.”
“…Ah.”
“And even after all that, the fact that I still can’t give up on Prosecutor Kim is honestly ridiculous.”
Hearing Arin speak so calmly, Gyeoul couldn’t think of anything to say.
Perhaps Arin hadn’t expected a response.
She suddenly held up her palm.
“Don’t comfort me! If you do, I’ll just feel even more pathetic.”
“…”
“And honestly, it’s not like I wanted to fall for someone who liked you. When I first started liking him, I didn’t even know you two were dating.”
“…”
“After that… after you died… well, anyway! They say a man’s first love stays with him until the grave, right? Now I have to compete against someone who doesn’t even exist anymore, and it’s already making my head hurt.”
Even while grumbling, Arin carefully chose her words so Gyeoul wouldn’t be hurt.
It was strangely adorable.
Perhaps she had been smiling too warmly while watching her.
Arin looked at her with obvious dissatisfaction before letting out a shallow sigh.
“Anyway, what I’m trying to say is… people’s hearts don’t always do what they want.”
“…”
“If you’re holding yourself back from CEO Joo because of your sister, then I don’t think you need to feel guilty.”
“…”
“The truth is, your sister really did marry CEO Joo because she loved him—”
“I know.”
Gyeoul cut her off.
Arin frowned in surprise.
Looking at her, Gyeoul smiled faintly.
“It’s true that I’m confused because his attitude has changed. And it’s true that my sister is on my mind.”
“…”
“But guilt and regret aren’t the only reasons I’m trying to keep my distance from Taewook.”
“Han Gyeoul.”
“I just don’t make anyone into someone special.”
“…”
“Because the more special that person becomes… the harder it is for me.”
“You don’t have to overthink it. Since it’s an observational variety show, just act naturally.”
“I understand. It’s just been such a long time since I appeared on television, so I’m not sure I’ll do well.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. If filming becomes too difficult, we can always edit those parts out later.”
“Thank you for being so understanding.”
“No, thank you for agreeing to appear. Honestly, you’re the hardest person to cast these days.”
Despite Chief Producer Choi’s blunt remark, Gyeoul continued smiling brightly.
She greeted each staff member politely, asking for their support.
There was even an air of composure about her.
Would she really be alright?
It was true that changing her image was necessary if she wanted the drama she desired.
Right now, Han Gyeoul was merely the pitiful woman who had lost her younger sister in a tragic accident.
There was no trace of the bright and lovable heroine image anywhere.
Still, Taewook had never intended for her to return this soon.
He had accepted Jihoon’s proposal after being repeatedly provoked, and now he regretted that impulsive decision.
He had even suggested postponing her comeback a little longer.
But Gyeoul had been unexpectedly stubborn.
“I was the one who said I wanted to do this. I can’t throw away an opportunity with my own hands. I’ll do it. There are definitely things I don’t like about it, but it can’t be helped.”
Even while glaring in dissatisfaction at the thought of sharing the same bedroom, she had obediently agreed.
Her transparent emotions amused him enough that he couldn’t stop smiling.
“Oh right, Gyeoul. I heard you know Arin?”
“Yes. She’s helped me a lot.”
“I ran into her at the station the other day, and she kept asking me to take good care of you, Gyeoul.”
Talking with the head writer, Gyeoul looked genuinely surprised.
Hearing Arin’s name by chance reminded Taewook of the pitying expression she had worn a few days ago.
“It must be difficult for you too, CEO.”
“What do you mean?”
“Healing someone’s wounds is already difficult enough. Changing the way they think… that must be even harder.”
What on earth had she meant?
She was the kind of woman whose words were every bit as impossible to understand as her thoughts.
“Then, CEO Joo, shall we begin filming?”
“Ah, yes. Let’s proceed.”
“We’ll conduct individual interviews first, then another round on the final filming day.”
At Yeongseok’s words, Taewook nodded.
Receiving his immediate approval, Yeongseok hurried away after asking him to wait a moment.
Watching Gyeoul quietly, Taewook casually gestured toward Sangwoo.
Understanding the signal, Sangwoo hurriedly ushered Gyeoul’s stylist, Soyeon, into the filming area.
As Soyeon passed him and walked toward Gyeoul, an inexplicable sense of déjà vu washed over Taewook.
It felt as though he had seen her somewhere before.
“Unnie, let me touch up your makeup.”
“Okay. Thanks, Soyeon.”
Closing her eyes, Gyeoul entrusted her face to Soyeon.
The gentle touch fixing her smudged makeup eased some of the tension she had been carrying.
“So, Unnie… this schedule lasts a whole week?”
“Yeah. That’s what they said.”
“Th-then… will I be staying here too?”
“Hm?”
“I mean… will I have to stay here the whole time?”
“Ah…”
Gyeoul smiled softly and shook her head.
Soyeon looked just as inexperienced and awkward as she herself felt, making her seem oddly approachable.
“I only heard a rough explanation from the PD earlier. Since it’s a newlywed observation show, you’ll probably need to handle my makeup, but I don’t think you’ll have to stay with us twenty-four hours a day.”
“Oh… I see.”
“Yeah. This is my first time filming something like this too, so I’m not completely sure. I’ll ask Taewook later and let you know.”
Soyeon quietly nodded.
After watching her for a moment, Gyeoul stood up.
Right then, the head writer approached and pointed toward the living room.
“Gyeoul, let’s film your interview first!”
“Okay! See you later, Soyeon.”
She lightly patted Soyeon’s shoulder as she walked past.
Then, suddenly, she felt a strange sense of discomfort.
Without realizing it, she turned around.
Soyeon looked back at her in surprise.
“What is it, Unnie?”
“Hm? Ah… it’s nothing.”
For just a moment…
She thought they looked alike.
Her build.
Her style.
Everything resembled that woman.
The woman who had walked past her memorial altar.
For some reason, Soyeon looked uncannily similar to her.
