chapter 22

Nayeon smiled awkwardly at a voice that was so cold that it became embarrassing. “I’m kidding, brother. Why are you so bothered?”

“That kind of joke would create a scandal. You know what this industry is like.”

“I know. I’m still careful. You know that scandals are more fatal to female actors than male actors.” As Nayeon laughed awkwardly, Taewan’s expression settled.

It was miserable, as if pushed by an invisible hand, but she was not foolish enough to express herself. Taewan looked down at Nayeon from above. Is it because of his colder eyes than usual? It felt much more daunting.

“Okay. If you know so well, be more careful.”

“… … .”

“It was inevitable that all of your colleagues couldn’t come out in one place asking you to eat with your colleagues. By the way, there was a reporter in that store. On that day, you fell, so I folded my arms to ask for support.”

“… … .”

“It may be a coincidence, but it’s hard to see it as a coincidence to others.” Nayeon’s face turned red at Taewan’s words.

No matter how many signals she sent, Tae-wan didn’t respond. She wanted to give him room to think, to prevent her pride from being hurt before the confession.

However, even though she knew all the circumstances, Nayeon didn’t know that Taewan was pretending to not understand.

“I don’t want to lose my colleague.” Nayeon’s face turned red due to Taewan’s refusal, and she was so hot to the end of her ears.

Colleague. He said he couldn’t see her at all as a woman.

As if there was no reason to watch anymore, Tae-wan turned his gaze coldly.

“Then, brother, have you been pretending not to know?” Nayeon asked, looking at his side face.

“Uh.”

“Why?”

“Because I thought You would quit doing it.”

“… … .”

“That was my way of caring for my colleagues.”

“Then why are you pretending to know all of a sudden today?”

“I didn’t feel the need to be considerate anymore.”

“… … .”

“I’m tired of pretending I don’t know.” Tae-wan recognized that he was talking too much.

But once opened, lips did not close. What’s done is done. The thought that Ha-yeon asked him to break up due to the scandal with Na-yeon came up.

At Tae-wan’s words, Nayeon bite her lower lip.

“That’s too much, oppa.”

“From my point of view, even though I pretended not to know this much, I think it’s too much that you keep trying.” At Taewan’s cruel answer, Nayeon couldn’t take it anymore and turned around.

As she walked away from the set with a staggering step, the staff who had been glancing at them murmured. After a while, Nayeon asked for a 10-minute break because of her condition.

“Aren’t the two dating?”

“Did they break up then?”

“Didn’t they fight?” The staff gathered to gossip.

Their gaze turned to Tae-Wan, who is standing in the middle of the set under a light like hot sunlight. He stood with his head down and without motion. His gaze on the floor  and not moving at all.

“But why does it seem like Kang Tae-wan was broken up with.” Someone mumbled.

“Yeah. Did the two break up?” Someone else sympathized.

The staff grumbled again.

“Ha, that guy.”

After listening to the stories of the staff wandering around, Jaewon sighed and looked at Kang Tae-wan.

Even if he didn’t hear why Nayeon was upset, it was worth knowing the situation. The guy who has always been modestly caring for Nayeon and pretending not to know her heart came out cold, so Nayeon must have been embarrassed. It was something he didn’t know why Tae-wan, who had been holding up well, suddenly changed.

Jae-won approached Tae-Wan, then stopped there when he saw his side face. Kang Tae-wan was standing tall. He was looking at the floor as if he didn’t know that the filming had been paused. He existed here, but didn’t seem to realize he was there. Trapped in his own world. No sound, no light could penetrate his world. Whatever the director said, he didn’t hear it.

* * *