Chapter 18

The air in the car was cool from the air conditioner. Gamjeong held her arms with both hands, feeling cold.

Iseong turned down the air and gave a small laugh.

“You always get cold with the AC on in the car. You can’t even take your clothes off, right?”

Ugh. Her face felt hot. The cold was already gone. She started fanning herself with her hands instead.

Along with the heat, something stronger rose inside her.

“Then? Where should we do it?”

“No rush. Come to my house on Saturday.”

She had made a plan for sex. With her friend, Iseong.

It felt so strange and weird.

“Or… do you want to come over today?”

Was Iseong always like this? Once he grabs on, he never lets go?

“No, let’s meet Saturday. I’m going now.”

She quickly opened the car door. But before getting out, she suddenly remembered something like a late assignment.

“Your latest Netplay video did well. It went straight to number one. When’s the next one coming out?”

Iseong looked at her quietly and answered calmly.

“There’s one in three months. Another one later this year. Some still haven’t been scheduled.”

“You’ve been working hard. But… don’t you need to be careful? With so many releases coming, what if bad rumors spread?”

“What about you? Are you okay?”

“What?”

“Working with that jerk Go Dohun and Seoyeora. Because of me… No, never mind.”

Stopping mid-sentence wasn’t like Iseong.

“Because of your greed? What do you mean? My work is my choice.”

“In five months, we’ll start shooting our next project. I’m going to train hard for two months. And then keep training while filming something else. There’s a lot I need to learn.”

So? Gamjeong looked at him, confused. Iseong explained more.

“Even if we’re seen together, people will just think it’s director and actress stuff. If you come to my house, people will think you’re just part of the staff. Most people in the industry already know we’re close friends. Isn’t that enough?”

“…What kind of training?”

“Chinese, Japanese, horseback riding, guns, swords. Oh, and guitar too.”

“Right, I saw the script. The male lead’s skills are crazy. Oh yeah, come to our studio soon for your measurements.”

Iseong smiled slyly. He had found something to tease her with.

“We can do that Saturday too, right? I’ll be taking my clothes off anyway.”

Gamjeong gave him a sharp look and stepped out of the car. Her heart was pounding. Maybe it was from how confusing their relationship had become.

Where were they heading? She couldn’t tell.

“Hoo…”

As always, Iseong sighed as he watched Gamjeong walk away.

Whenever her sharp, angry eyes turned on him, he could never say anything.

Ugh. Why do I always melt when you give me that angry, cute glare?

“I miss you…”

He whispered quietly, then started the engine and drove off again.

Director Jo Hyung-woo was one of Korea’s first-generation stuntmen. Many talented people gathered at the action school he ran.

Among them was Goo Chang-shin, who could be called Jo Hyung-woo’s right-hand man—and also Iseong’s close friend.

When Iseong was still a rookie, Chang-shin had already been in the industry since he was a kid. He invested his time and effort into Iseong.

Whenever he had free time, Iseong would go to the action school. And each time, Chang-shin would stay up all night training with him.

That’s how their bond grew strong. So strong that Chang-shin even noticed Iseong’s one-sided love.

Clang, clang.

While blocking Iseong’s fake sword, Chang-shin pressed in with his own.

“You’re not focused today, huh?”

Ever since Iseong met Gamjeong yesterday, his mind had been drifting like an empty balloon. He couldn’t settle down.

Would Gamjeong really come into his arms? The more he imagined it, the more impossible it felt.

Tomorrow—Saturday—was supposed to be the day Gamjeong married Go Dohun. A day that had once filled him with fear and dread.

But after yesterday, it had changed. Now he was filled with anticipation, not fear.

Gamjeong, in his arms. It still felt unreal, so his mind kept floating.

“Ha. I think I’ll stop for today.”

Iseong lowered his sword. Chang-shin looked at him with suspicious eyes.

“You’re acting high after that Netplay hit? I didn’t think a number one ranking would shake you like this.”

Iseong walked toward the break room with long strides. Chang-shin followed, his big frame moving heavily behind him.

“Oh yeah, how’s that stylist friend of yours? Didn’t she have a wedding coming up?”

The three of them—Chang-shin, Iseong, and Gamjeong—had shared drinks a few times. Chang-shin had quickly picked up on the way Iseong looked at Gamjeong.

He was a sharp guy, so Iseong had been a bit worried.

After that, Chang-shin watched Iseong’s one-sided love like it was both interesting and sad. And he’d check in on it from time to time.

“You okay?”

“The wedding’s been called off.”

“What? Why? Damn… You looked half-dead over that wedding for days. Now your face looks better. Is that why your head’s floating in the clouds?”

As he filled his cup from the water cooler, Iseong changed the subject casually.

“You ride horses, right? I want to get some lessons.”

“Sure, I’ll make time. Ha! So even Iseong is finally getting a chance?”

A chance. Could he really call it that? And if it was, how should he use it?

Could tomorrow be that chance?

Yesterday, he had gone to see Gamjeong because he was worried. She had probably run into Go Dohun and Seo Yeo-ra at work. She must’ve been upset. Emotionally drained.

Go Dohun… One day, I’ll have to lay that guy flat on the ground.

Iseong gulped down his water, thinking of Gamjeong’s face from yesterday. She didn’t seem stressed about Dohun.

Could it be that he was the one causing her pain?

What was her face like when he suddenly suggested a kiss? Her sly eyes had gone wide, her pupils trembling cutely.

“…I’m not sure I should call this a chance just yet.”

Maybe he was just pushing things with selfish desire. Maybe it was just his low, base-level lust.

“Man, don’t say that. Look at your situation. You’ve been in love with her for 29 years. And she almost got married yesterday. This is like Yi Seong-gye almost crossing the river, but then turning back—and founding Joseon.”

“What, you want me to build a country?”

“Plenty of women would thank you if you did. But right now, focus on making her your woman. This is your Uihwa Island moment. A once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

A once-in-a-lifetime chance. But maybe he’d already used it up. He knew that when she said “help me as a friend,” it was her weak spot.

So he took her lips—those soft, breathing lips. Just to ease the desire that had been building for 29 years. Lips he had only dreamed of. The feeling on his tongue had been electrifying.

Her dazed eyes, trembling lips, and flushed cheeks were thrilling. He wanted to touch her again.

He needed another glass of water to cool down the heat rising to his temples. Not just thirst—he needed to cool the craving.

He headed to the shower room. Chang-shin followed with a curious look.

Iseong’s large frame filled the corner of the shower like a statue. As he stood beside him, Chang-shin whistled at his back.

“Wow—how do you keep that perfect shape with no ups and downs? You’re in better condition than me, and I work out every day!”

“Born with it.”

“Ugh, damn you natural muscle guys… Seriously though—how are you the one in a one-sided love? Take this chance and show her what’s up! Be like, ‘I’m not your friend. I’m a man. Bam!’”

Chang-shin struck a dramatic pose in front of the mirror. Iseong chuckled quietly under the stream of water as he washed out the shampoo.

Would that approach work? If he spoke his feelings, Gamjeong would probably run away.

That’s why he chose to show her through actions instead of words.

And if that didn’t work either, then maybe it was time to give up. To stay by her side as just a friend.

Or… maybe she was never really just a friend to him at all. In that case, he’d have to walk away. For good.