After parting ways with Ji-hyeok, Yeoreum finally wrote a reply.

[I have a prior engagement today. Please contact me at least a day in advance in the future.]

She felt her firmly built emotional barriers crumbling bit by bit since meeting Tae-seok. It was dangerous. She had spent much time and effort constructing those barriers.

[I told you to come today. It’s imperative.]

Tae-seok blatantly disregarded Yeoreum’s efforts, asserting his presence. The strength in her hand, holding the bag of bread, loosened. What should she do? She didn’t want to go, but no alternative came to mind.

After entering her house and placing the bread on the dining table, Yeoreum sat down on the sofa.

The afternoon sun illuminated a pot of Alocasia plants. She wondered if the plant was doing well after its recent pruning as she noticed a new leaf sprouting. She contemplated whether to water it again.

Too much water was bad, as was too little. Too much sunlight or too little was also harmful.

Last time, she had overwatered it and had to trim the roots. This time, she decided to err on the side of less water. It should only be watered once a week. Realizing it had only been three days, she retracted her thoughts.

Eventually, she got up from her seat. It was a significant effort.

A sigh escaped her lips.

[Star Icon]

As the sun set in the afternoon, the doorbell rang.

[Dash] Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

A victorious smile played on Tae-seok’s lips. Regardless, Yeoreum didn’t have the will or courage to defy his wishes. He was certain of that now.

He had received a call from Manager Hong a little earlier. The broadcasting station decided to delay the schedule by a month. Everything was falling into place according to Tae-seok’s plans.

Tae-seok opened the door.

“Ah.”

Not everything went according to his plans, though. Like his heart, which beat uncontrollably.

Yeoreum was different from the last time. Tae-seok had unconsciously expected her usual black hair tie but felt like he had been hit from behind. Her light brown hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders. She wore a fluttering pink blouse and a pleated skirt that fell below her knees. A simple outfit, but she looked elegant and beautiful. Tae-seok’s mood soured again.

“Please come in.”

Her appearance, probably due to the engagement she had mentioned earlier, irked him. Cheon Ji-hyeok.

“I would prefer if you prioritized my requests over your other engagements.”

As soon as Yeoreum sat on the sofa, sharp remarks poured out.

“There are hundreds of staff members relying on this drama. Everyone is waiting for Writer Choi Yeoreum’s script. Aren’t you in a pressing situation?”

Yeoreum didn’t reply. She breathed so quietly, almost inaudibly.

“Remember, whenever I call, it’s strictly for professional reasons.”

“Yes.”

Her quiet, soft response.

That infuriating quietness. Since when had she become so demure?

“Oppa! Finally finished! Check the script for me. It was really tough. Hurry and review it!”

“Let’s hug first, Yeoreum. It’s been 2 weeks. I missed you so much. It was killing me.”

“Uh? Wait. No. You promised to check it as soon as I came! Script first! Move your face away.”

“Oh, I lost. Bring the script.”

The once adoring woman no longer smiles. Was her smiling face back then real, or is her calm demeanor now the real her? He wondered how much of her behavior towards him had been genuine.

“Always come when I call you.”

“…….”

“For work. Work. Answer me.”

“…….”

“Writer Choi Yeoreum.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t give a definite response as I don’t know how the situation will unfold.”

“Difficult.”

“I only want to make promises I can keep.”

“I love you.”

“I’ll be by your side forever.”
“We should never break up.”

In this space, the passionate exchanges between lovers scattered like crumbs in the air. All those sweet, secretive, daring, and hidden words ultimately went unfulfilled. Tae-seok let out a cynical laugh.

“So.”

“……”

“Did you keep any of your promises?”

Eventually, it came to this. Yeoreum, sitting demurely as if she wouldn’t provoke him, had the skill to push him to his limits. Innocent, he thought. He was almost fooled again.

Was it all image-making? That unimpressive eco-bag.

Tae-seok coldly scanned a few of Yeoreum’s belongings with his eyes and laughed. Even amidst this, Yeoreum’s gaze remained unchanged. What was going through her mind?

Yeoreum didn’t respond. She clams up when the situation turns against her. Displeasing as it was, Tae-seok decided not to press further and started talking about work. He couldn’t just play word games forever.

“Hand me the script.”

Yeoreum fumbled for the script.

“How far have you gotten?”

“Up to episode 8.”

“You’re pushing hard. But if it’s a mess like last time, there’s no point.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“You know.”

As he flipped through the script, Tae-seok sarcastically remarked without taking his eyes off it.

“You seem to know a lot, Writer Choi Yeoreum.”