A Night Soaked With You - Chapter 50
While his mind was tangled with the thoughts of what had just happened, Yeong-won was smiling as if nothing had occurred.
One of their companions, oblivious to Tae-geon’s mood, chuckled and spoke up.
“You’re right. I was worried when I heard Yeong-won was playing the lead, but it seems I was just being overly cautious. She’s a natural at acting, and her unique charm. She’s truly a hidden gem, isn’t she? Ha-ha.”
“If this movie takes off, there’ll be so many love calls for her. I hope she won’t forget about us then.”
Laughter echoed around them at the playful comment, and they didn’t stop there, continuing to shower Yeong-won with praise.
They spoke of her beauty and grace, and how her acting was better than that of most top actresses.
While the success of the movie was still uncertain, they were sure they’d found a treasure in her.
But Tae-geon didn’t even smile. He couldn’t.
The scene unfolding before him was rubbing him the wrong way, gnawing at his nerves.
Finally, someone noticed his strange mood and asked, “Are you okay, Tae-geon?”
“Is something wrong?”
Tae-geon didn’t answer. He simply continued to coldly stare at Yeong-won and In-woo.
Sensing something off, another companion ventured a guess.
“……Now that I think about it, they do seem to be getting along quite well.”
“That’s true. They even filmed a drama together in the past.”
“With all these reporters around, if a scandal breaks out, it could be bad for the movie. I should go over and remind them to be careful.”
In that moment, Tae-geon’s gaze shifted to the man who had mentioned stepping in. The middle-aged man, now under that cold stare, straightened up in surprise.
Tae-geon asked coldly,
“What exactly do you plan on saying?”
“Eh? Well…….”
“Are you going to tell the lead actors not to talk to each other? Or that they shouldn’t drink at a party?”
The atmosphere grew tense. The middle-aged man stammered and lowered his gaze.
He had clearly chosen the wrong moment to interfere.
Tae-geon’s eyes returned to Yeong-won, piercing her with an even colder look.
Ha-ha. Ho-ho. It felt as though the distant laughter from across the room was echoing straight to him.
In fact, the words Tae-geon had just spoken to the man were also directed at himself.
To remind himself how petty his actions were.
To suppress the impulse to rush over and throw In-woo aside.
And in that moment, as if sensing something, Yeong-won glanced over at him.
Her gaze met his in the air.
Her chestnut-colored eyes widened in surprise. She blinked twice, then quickly turned away to avoid looking at him.
She had turned her back on him.
Yeong-won then continued to talk to In-woo.
Her pale, wet eyes closed delicately, her cheeks flushed a soft peach hue as she smiled at him.
The rage that had been consuming Tae-geon cooled instantly, and his heart sank to a cold, still place.
It was as if he had been doused with ice water out of nowhere, leaving him frozen in place.
Tae-geon stood there for a long while, unmoving, as the people around him noticed his odd behavior and began to stare.
Yet, Yeong-won never once looked back at him.
◇ ◆ ◇
‘What kind of dress is this, so uncomfortable? In the movie, the character just rips the hem and walks around casually. Should I just do that too?’
Yeong-won impulsively gripped the skirt, ready to tear it. But before she could apply any force, she gave up.
‘……Am I going to end up buried in debt? I’m already drowning in it.’
Even with her hazy, alcohol-addled thoughts, she realized it was something she shouldn’t do.
She needed to go home quickly. Her grandmother would be worried.
Following the long stretch of streetlights, Yeong-won stumbled along.
‘What a jerk.’
She knew he was a jerk, but for some reason, she couldn’t figure out why she felt so hurt.
That thing he called an investment.
The one who told her to act properly.
Somehow, she felt her heart shattering into pieces. No, maybe it was just that she was angry because he had caught her at her most embarrassed.
Trying to shake off the melancholy, Yeong-won glanced around. She couldn’t see a taxi anywhere, and her legs were beginning to ache.
Yeong-won pulled her phone from her clutch to call a taxi when she felt a presence behind her. Turning around, she saw a dark sedan with tinted windows following her. The window of the car aligned with hers rolled down, revealing Tae-geon.
He kept his eyes forward as he spoke.
“Get in.”
“I’m not getting in.”
The commanding tone irritated Yeong-won, and she retorted sharply.
“Don’t make me say it twice. If you want me to get in, I will.”
“Why would you ask for my opinion on someone like me? Just throw me in the trunk.”
Angry, Yeong-won shot back at him, and Tae-geon lifted his gaze to stare at her intensely.
“Should I do that?”
His look was one that made it seem like he might actually pick her up and throw her in the car right then and there.
