Chapter 19

“I’m sorry, but make a wise choice for Taewan, Miss  Hayeon.” Tae-wan’s manager quietly called her, without Tae-wan’s knowledge and said with a sorry expression.

After seeing her face several times, he rubbed his palm as if he were nervous.

“It’s not easy for me to say something like this. However, the managing director knows that Taewan is dating you. The managing director said that if you two break up, he will give Taewan a better work and a better chance…but Taewan is being stubborn.”

“… … .”

“You know it well. You worked as a model and saw what the entertainment world is like.

If a male actor who just debuted has a lover, who would like it. That’s fatal. So… I mean, you know what I mean?” The manager said with a sorry expression.

He continued to talk gibberish after that. Every time that happened, Hayeon felt like her whole body was pushed back. The manager said,’Please take care of me.’ Hayeon felt like she became such an impurity caught in Kang Tae-wan’s life that should have been pure.

In the end, the manager left, avoiding Ha-yeon’s eyes, who couldn’t say anything.

Ha-yeon, who was left alone, did not think of anything. She wanted to see his dream come true, but he said she had to leave to do that. Is it because it feels like a tremendous contradiction? It was so dark that a drop of tears did not come out. Hayeon, who was sitting in Odokani, woke up reluctantly to say that the business was over from a part-time job student.

That night, Tae-wan knocked on the door with his fist. When she opened the door, Tae-wan looked upset and said,’MaeYou said you met your brother.’ He was gasping to see if he had been running.

She couldn’t figure out how  he knew, but she couldn’t hide it because it seemed he had already found out.

“Huh.”

“But why aren’t you talking?” As Tae-wan plucked the shawl off, he asked.

“Just. It wasn’t a big deal.” The whole time she said that, her mouth was scratching. Actually, it was a big deal, Taewan. She wanted to say so.

“What did you say?” Tae-wan still asked with an angry face.

“I didn’t say anything. We just drank tea.”

“Why is my brother drinking tea with you?”

“Because we know each other.” Ha-yeon groaned. There wasn’t a word out of her mouth saying,’Would you like to break up with you?’ When she spoke those words, it seemed that the words would become seeds and become reality. She didn’t want that. She hated it so much. Instead, she swept her long drooping hair and lowered her eyes. While Ha-yeon couldn’t say anything for a while, Tae-wan said abruptly. “Let’s go to a movie together this Christmas.” It was a low and solid voice as usual. Ha-yeon froze when he spoke.

As he slowly raised his head, he was staring straight, as if when he had breathed roughly. He reached out and grabbed Ha-yeon’s hand.

“We will go on a trip together next spring. Let’s go overseas next year to travel.”

“… … .”

“And I will come to your house to sleep tomorrow.” His expression of promises was determined.

As if all the promises he was talking about would catch the love that was about to be scattered, he made numerous promises after that. Ha-yeon stood still and listened to his promises.

Ha-yeon nodded as she heard the words that they would get married someday and have children. She lowered her head as she tried to cry. The tip of her nose, which she couldn’t hide, turned red.

“… Huh. OK.” Then, quietly, she held Tae-Wan’s hand.

It’s a hand to let go, but she couldn’t. It doesn’t matter if others see her as an impurity that has intervened in Taewan’s life. If Kang Tae-wan still needed her, that was enough. Most of the promises made by Kang Tae-wan that day were not fulfilled.

The film he shot was released on Christmas that year. The movie theater had a poster with his face on it, so they watched a movie together at home. As the movie went well, Tae-wan’s recognition rose even further.

They gave up on domestic travel and instead spent time at home without moving for 3 days and 2 nights. They couldn’t travel abroad. The assistant manager and the manager were secretly meeting, and his every move, as a new actor, was being monitored.

Eventually, she couldn’t do anything to accumulate memories, but it was fun. Kang Tae-wan was in the place where he reached out. When he lowered his head, he smelled of flesh, and when he opened his eyes, there were eyes that smiled. To feel the warmth. She was satisfied just by confirming that her presence was engraved under his warm skin.

As time passed, Tae-Wan’s recognition grew more and more. The more so, Hayeon gradually hid her existence. She didn’t contact him until he called first. She was worried that he would contact the manager first and see the manager. He didn’t reveal to anyone he met with the fact that he was dating. She didn’t even do a couple items in case it would get caught by reporters with good taste.

She also moved to the same building as Taewan. After returning home, he turned on the lights in his house, went downstairs to her house, stayed with her, and then went upstairs again when it was time for the manager to come. When the embarrassing situation of the manager arriving earlier than usual and making a phone call, Ha-yeon handed the fire extinguishing agent prepared in advance in his hand.

“They say they bought it from nearby because they couldn’t digest it.” Even making good excuses.

“Well, do it like this.” Tae-wan laughed, grabbed the digestive medicine, and went upstairs.

Ha-yeon stood in front of the door that Tae-wan had closed and listened to the sound of footsteps moving away. She could only do this. All she can do is hide her existence thoroughly. Because there was only that. He expressed love by hiding it. Their meetings were increasingly limited to their home. All anniversaries took place at home. Late at night, walking around the house was the only deviation. What is left to Ha-yeon is to wait for him all the time. That was it.