Chapter 10
Logan didn’t seem like he had come to Korea just to follow Inah; he truly looked like he was here to work.
After the hectic first greeting that day, Inah hadn’t even had a proper look at his face.
She had invited him to her home several times to have dinner with Chan and I-Hye, but he kept declining, citing meetings with other production companies.
In the U.S., he had spent every day like an unemployed person, yet seeing him work this hard here was a first.
Rather than forcing him to join her, Inah left a message telling him to let her know when he had time, and she focused on her work day and night.
“Are you okay?”
Hwi furrowed his brows in concern as he handed her water and medicine.
Inah offered him a faint smile, signaling that she was fine, then swallowed the medicine in one gulp.
With a soft gulp, she exhaled deeply as if steadying her breath.
Seeing the cold sweat forming on her forehead, Hwi spoke again.
“Aren’t you overdoing it lately? You’re going to collapse. The work is important, but you have to take care of yourself too.”
“I didn’t sleep well last night. But thanks to you, I’ll survive.”
It was true that her nerves had been on edge because of the project lately, but Inah knew very well that the biggest reason was Dohyun, so she gave a bitter smile.
At that moment, someone knocked on Hwi’s office door.
“Director… oh? And the producer is here too?”
Seorin entered and spotted Inah sitting there, smiling brightly.
For some reason, the sight of Dohyun and Seorin being friendly popped into Inah’s mind, and she offered an awkward smile in return.
Seorin reached into her bag and pulled out two envelopes, handing one to Inah and one to Hwi.
“Perfect timing. I wanted to give one to you as well, Director.”
“What’s this?”
“The film we shot last year is about to be released. We’re holding a preview, and I wanted to invite both of you.”
“Ah, congratulations.”
When Inah offered her congratulations, Seorin explained that the life of the character she played in the film was similar to the lead she was portraying in the musical, and she really hoped they could attend.
Inah, looking contemplative, didn’t respond immediately. Seorin, sensing her hesitation, cautiously continued.
“I’d really love for you to come… It would help promote the musical if both the director and the producer came…”
“Of course we’ll go. It’s our actor’s work… We’ll definitely be there to support you.”
Though she said it aloud, Inah felt a wave of worry. Being a preview, there would certainly be many people and journalists.
Although she had once dreamed of becoming a musical actress and loved performing in front of people, once she decided to pursue directing, she became much more cautious about being in the public eye.
Her first work in the U.S. had attracted attention, and even when she received requests for interviews, she had insisted that her identity remain completely confidential.
Seeing Inah’s slightly stiff expression, Seorin smiled even brighter and said she would head to the rehearsal room first, leaving the office.
As soon as Seorin left, Hwi nudged Inah in the elbow.
“What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why are you being so prickly with Seorin?”
“Me?”
Inah widened her eyes and shook her head, as if to deny it. Hwi narrowed his eyes and looked toward the door Seorin had exited, continuing.
“Don’t do this too. You’ve seemed troubled lately.”
“Why?”
“Didn’t you see the article? They said casting the lead was a mistake… Even musical fans are talking…”
Inah furrowed her brows, feeling exasperated.
“They went through the same audition as everyone else. How can they say such nonsense?”
“Even if we think that, you can’t satisfy everyone. And it’s her first lead role, so people are bound to talk.”
Hearing Hwi, Inah recalled Seorin’s lack of confidence during recent rehearsals and sighed deeply. She wondered if she had neglected the actors while focusing only on the issues immediately in front of her, and the thought stung sharply.
The preview Seorin invited them to was indeed a VIP event, crowded with celebrities, journalists, and fans.
Even though Inah arrived slightly early, she hesitated when she saw how packed the theater was.
“The waiting room…”
She looked around to find the waiting room location Seorin had texted her, appearing somewhat uneasy in the crowded space.
Determined to quickly greet Seorin and head to the screening, Inah hurried through the chaotic photo wall.
However, a familiar name from behind made her turn her head instinctively.
“Baek Dohyun, please look here!”
“One heart pose, please!”
Dohyun, having started appearing on broadcasts recently, stood at the photo wall as journalists shouted his name.
Seeing him smile brightly under all eyes, Inah’s thoughts—ones she had always suppressed—began surfacing, and her expression stiffened.
If, just maybe, she hadn’t quit acting as he had suggested recently, she could have been there, smiling brightly beside him.
They had shared the same dreams and rehearsed together, but Inah had ultimately chosen to be behind the stage rather than in front of it.
She didn’t regret the choice, yet a strange heaviness settled over her.
Fearing she might meet Dohyun’s gaze, she turned her back to the photo wall and walked the other way, her steps unusually heavy.
Knock. Knock.
Inah’s tense fingers rapped lightly on Seorin’s waiting room door.
Hearing Seorin’s voice inside, Inah forced a small smile.
The door clicked open, and Seorin, sitting inside, beamed upon seeing her.
Her smile was, as always, clear and pure.
“Seorin, congratulations on your film release. This is my first time at an event like this. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Of course! Come in.”
Seorin tugged at Inah’s arm with friendly ease. Inah awkwardly returned the gesture with a smile.
Looking around the waiting room, Inah noticed a pile of gifts, probably from well-wishers. Her own gift felt modest in comparison, making her hesitate.
“Oh… and this…”
Before coming to the theater, Inah had picked out a gift for Seorin at a department store: a modestly priced, pleasantly scented hand cream. She handed it over, sneaking a glance at Seorin.
“It’s a small gift to celebrate your film release.”
Seorin’s smile immediately brightened.
“Oh my! How did you know my hand cream was running out? Thank you so much.”
After Seorin’s gratitude, a brief silence fell between them.
Though they had seen each other almost daily during rehearsals, being alone together for the first time felt awkward, and Inah hesitated before speaking.
“Ah, and the director…”
“Yes, I heard. He had an important meeting and said he couldn’t come. Too bad, but there’s nothing we can do.”
“Ah, I see…”
With Hwi’s update ending the conversation, Inah decided it was time to leave.
At that moment, a soft knock came from behind her.
Seorin greeted the person entering over Inah’s shoulder.
“Oh? Oppa!”
Seorin smiled even brighter as Dohyun entered.
Spotting Inah at the door, he paused briefly, then stepped inside to greet her.
“The director is here too?”
“Just greet each other comfortably. Seorin, enjoy the film.”
From the moment he confessed he hadn’t forgotten her—or perhaps from the near-kiss in the car—Inah’s heart always raced around him, prompting her to run away again today.
As she left the waiting room, Dohyun seemed to call her name, but she ignored it, leaving the space as if she hadn’t heard.
Her heart, oblivious to reason, began to pound rapidly once more.
