HAN JINWOO'S POV
As I stepped into the barbeque restaurant, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement, and I could see the joy lighting up everyone's faces. I glanced back at Jiho, who was seated next to me, and couldn't help but smile at how effortlessly she engaged with the others. Just then, Vivian called for everyone's attention, her voice cutting through the chatter.
"Okay, can I have everyone's attention for just a few minutes?" she said, lifting a glass of wine. "I'm not going to give a long speech because that's not why we're here. Today, we're here to eat, drink, and celebrate!" Cheers erupted, and I felt a sense of camaraderie fill the room.
"Thank you to everyone seated here. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have wrapped things up so quickly and smoothly. You all deserve to be celebrated!" More applause followed her heartfelt words, and she raised her glass high. "A toast to you all!" The room echoed with "Cheers!" as everyone clinked their glasses together.
But then Vivian's gaze landed on me. "What's this? Han Jinwoo, are you seriously drinking water?" Everyone turned to look at me, and I felt a wave of playful pressure. "Well, I can't drink at the moment; someone needs to stay sober," I replied, trying to keep the mood light. "But to make it up to all of you, I promise to buy the first four rounds for everyone gathered here." The cheers grew even louder, and I felt a sense of relief as Vivian nodded, "That's fair enough, I guess." It was shaping up to be a memorable night, and I was ready to enjoy it, even if it meant keeping my drink choice a little more responsible.
As the night wore on, the laughter and chatter around me filled the air, a stark contrast to my quiet corner. I was nursing what felt like my ninth or tenth glass of water—honestly, I had lost count. Just then, Vivian plopped down beside me, a mischievous glint in her eye. "What are you doing sitting alone, boring the hell out of yourself while everyone else is having fun?"
I chuckled, trying to keep the mood light. "I'm actually having my fair share of fun over here." My gaze drifted to her glass of beer, which was filled to the brim. "Oh my goodness, how many of those have you had?" I asked, genuinely curious.
She glanced at her drink, a playful smirk on her face. "Four… or five? I'm not sure. You know I can handle my alcohol. The person you should be worried about is Jiho." She pointed towards her, who was fully immersed in drinking games with the others. I felt a twinge of concern; she was having a blast, but I couldn't shake the worry that tomorrow would hit her hard. "She's just having her share of fun, though she will deeply regret it tomorrow after that hangover headache," I replied, sharing a laugh with Vivian.
Then, out of nowhere, Vivian hit me with a question that caught me completely off guard. "You like her, don't you?" I almost spilled my drink, my heart racing. "What?" I feigned ignorance, hoping to dodge the topic. But Vivian wasn't having it. "Oh, I see… we're playing the acting fool card." Her tone was teasing, and I sighed deeply, my eyes drifting back to Jiho, who was blissfully unaware of the stir of emotions swirling within me. How long could I keep up this charade?
The night dragged on, I could see the unmistakable signs of intoxication in everyone around us. Vivian's secretary chimed in, "Ms. Vivian, I think everyone is pretty much wasted at this point. We can call it a night." Vivian nodded in agreement, "Okay… call each one of the cabs and make sure they get home safely. I'll turn in too."
My attention shifted to Bae Jiho, who was unsteadily rising from her seat, her movements swaying like a leaf in the wind. "I'll be back," I said, my voice laced with urgency as I stood up to follow her. "Bae Jiho!" I called out, but it was as if my voice was lost in the crowd. "Bae Jiho!" I tried again, and this time she turned, her eyes slightly glazed over. "Who?" she questioned, her confusion evident.
"Where are you going?" I asked, concern creeping into my tone as I noticed her eyes drifting. "Washroom…" she mumbled, but then her expression shifted. "I don't feel sooo…" she trailed off, a look of panic crossing her face as she threatened to throw up. "Hey, hey!" I exclaimed, rushing to her side. "That's not the direction to the washroom. Hold onto me, I'll take you there." I grasped her hand gently, leading her through the dimly lit venue to the washroom, my heart racing a little with the responsibility of keeping her safe.
Once outside, I stood guard, my mind racing with thoughts of how to keep her from getting into any more trouble. "Be careful," I advised, half-worried and half-amused at the situation. A few minutes later, a loud scream pierced through the air. "Ahhh…" Panic surged through me as I rushed into the washroom, breathless with concern. "What?" I questioned, my heart pounding. She pointed at the mirror, her eyes wide with fear. "What's that scary thing?" she asked, her gaze fixed on her own reflection, a messy version of herself with hair falling into her face. I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the moment. Here she was, scared of her own reflection, and I was struck by how endearing she was, even in this chaotic state..."That's not a monster... that's you," I said, watching as she pulled the hair away from her face. Her eyes widened with realization. "Me... that's me," she exclaimed, a spark of excitement lighting up her features. Then, she turned to me, curiosity evident in her gaze. "Who are you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Me?" I echoed, a hint of confusion creeping in. "Han Jinwoo... I am Han Jinwoo," I replied, trying to assert my identity. She nodded, but then her expression shifted. "No... you're not," she countered, and I scoffed, my patience fraying slightly. "I am!" I insisted, but she took a step closer, surprising me as she cupped my face in her hands.
"Han Jinwoo..." she murmured, her eyes searching mine, and then she added, "You... I must stay away from you." My heart raced at her words, a mix of confusion and intrigue washing over me. "Why?" I asked, genuinely perplexed.
"You, you, you are dangerous..." she replied, a hint of seriousness in her tone. "You keep making my heart race... it races so much, I'm afraid it might combust." Her admission sent a thrill through me, and I couldn't help but question, "I do?" She nodded, her gaze unwavering. "You are a dangerous person... I must stay away from you."
As she stepped aside, I felt a strange mix of concern and amusement. "Be careful," I warned her, but she shook her head defiantly. "No, don't touch me... I can walk on my own." But just as she said that, she slipped and fell. "Bae Jiho!" I called out, rushing to her side. My mind raced, realizing just how unpredictable she could be when she drank. "Woah... she really doesn't go crazy when she drinks," I thought to myself, bracing for whatever chaos might unfold next.
"Where were you guys?" Vivian asked as I walked in, Bae Jiho leaning against me for support. "She had to use the washroom," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual. Vivian's expression shifted, a playful glint in her eye. "Well, I've sent almost everyone home... I've also called a cab for Jiho, so let's escort her there."
I felt a surge of protectiveness and quickly interjected, "No! I'll take her home." Vivian raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. "Oh? You'll take her home?" she teased, clearly enjoying this little development.
I took a breath, trying to sound nonchalant. "I mean, we happen to stay in the same residence. It'll be easier if I take her home... I can make sure she arrives safely." Vivian chuckled, clearly amused by my earnestness. "It's okay, you don't need to explain yourself. She's all yours... just take her home safely."
"Do you want me to help you carry her?" she asked, and I nodded, even though I felt I could manage. "I can manage," I replied, trying to sound confident. But Vivian's laughter rang out again, teasing me. "Wow, Han Jinwoo, you're not doing a good job hiding how you feel."
As she headed off, I couldn't help but mutter to myself, "Right... what am I doing? Did I get drunk from the water as well?" I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. With a deep breath, I lifted Bae Jiho and made my way to the car, her weight oddly comforting as I slid her into the passenger seat.
The drive was quiet, the night air filled with anticipation and uncertainty. I focused on the road, but my mind kept drifting back to her—how she leaned against me, the way her laughter echoed in my head. I just hoped I could get her home safely, and maybe, just maybe, figure out what this all meant for us.
Upon arrival at her place, "Thank you so much for dropping her off," her friend said, and I nodded, my gaze lingering on Bae Jiho as I processed the night. "I'll get going then," I replied, turning to leave but suddenly halting. "She had quite a lot to drink, so..." I began, only to be interrupted by her friend.
"I'll take good care of her," she assured me, her tone confident. I nodded again, a smile creeping onto my face, feeling a mix of relief and something else—something more significant. "Okay... I'll get going then," I said, stepping away, but the weight of the moment lingered.
Once home, I peeled off the day's exhaustion with a hot shower, letting the water wash over me. Yet, as the steam filled the bathroom, Bae Jiho's words echoed in my mind: "You keep making my heart race... it races so much I'm afraid it might combust." Did she really mean it? The thought sent my heart into a frenzy, mirroring the very feelings she had described.
"Ahhh, she's driving me crazy," I muttered, shaking my head as I continued my shower, grappling with the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. Each drop of water felt like a reminder of her laughter, her warmth, and the undeniable connection that was beginning to take shape between us.
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BAE JIHO'S POV
I groaned as I stirred awake, the sunlight piercing through my curtains, and my head throbbed with the aftermath of last night's indulgence. "I'll never drink again," I promised myself, struggling to sit up and shake off the haze. As I made my way to the kitchen, the familiar scent of Mia's hangover soup greeted me, a beacon of hope for my battered state.
"Good morning," I managed, plopping down at the table and eyeing the steaming bowl, desperate for relief. "Good morning," she replied cheerfully, though I could tell she was trying to hide her amusement. "How are you feeling?" she asked, and I sighed dramatically. "Like I'm going to die."
"Well, you should have thought twice before you had that much to drink," she teased, and I took a sip of the soup. To my surprise, it was delightful, coaxing me to take another spoonful. Just as I began to feel a little better, Mia dropped a bombshell. "Do you know who brought you home last night?"
I squinted, trying to sift through the fog of my memory. "Uhhhmmm, manager Kim?" I guessed, but she only smiled wider.
"Han Jinwoo!" she exclaimed, and I nearly choked on my soup. "What?" I sputtered, my heart racing at the thought. "Han Jinwoo brought you home last night," she clarified, and my mind raced with questions.
"How?" I asked, still trying to piece it all together.
"What do you mean how? He drove you home and then carried you inside… and guess what you did?" she continued, her eyes sparkling with mischief. My curiosity peaked, and I leaned in closer.
"What?" I pressed, my heart pounding in anticipation.
"You grabbed his collar and…" she started, and I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as I braced myself for whatever embarrassing revelation was about to come next...I could hardly believe what Mia was saying. "And you pulled him closer to your face... Ahhhhhhhhhh, it was such an intense moment," she exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.
I screamed, "STOPPPPPP!" The last thing I wanted was to relive whatever embarrassing episode I had put myself through last night.
"What?" she asked, feigning innocence. "I don't want to hear it," I shot back, standing up and grabbing a hangover drink, desperate for some fresh air. I stumbled out to the balcony, trying to shake off the anxiety that clung to me like a heavy fog. As I gulped down the drink, I thought about how I must have embarrassed myself in front of Han Jinwoo. Sighing, I turned to leave when I caught sight of him, leaning casually against the railing, his gaze locked onto me.
"Omg!" I gasped, startled. His smile was disarming, and my heart raced uncontrollably. "Good morning," he said, and I felt fragments of last night rushing back—most of them cringeworthy. "Good morning," I managed to reply before bolting back inside, my cheeks burning.
"What's up with you?" Mia called after me, but I couldn't even respond. I dashed to my room, my mind racing with thoughts. "Oh my goodness, Jiho, what's wrong with you?" I thought, burying my face in my pillow and groaning. The tension of the night before hung in the air like an unspoken secret, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had made a complete fool of myself.
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"Are you planning to avoid him again?" Mia asked as I hurriedly got ready for work the next day. "Yes... I AM pretty good at that," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but her sigh told me she wasn't buying it. "Is something going on between the two of you?" she pressed, and I felt a rush of panic.
"What? What could be going on between us? We're just work partners," I shot back defensively, but the glare she gave me said it all. "I mean, seeing how you're being so defensive tells me otherwise. Do you by any chance have—" she started, but I cut her off. "No! I don't!" I insisted, feeling flustered. "I should get going... I have a meeting to attend in an hour," I added, bolting out the door before she could ask me anything else.
As I made my way to the elevator, I pressed the button and felt a sinking feeling in my stomach when I spotted him—Han Jinwoo. "Good morning," he said, and I instinctively turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me inside the elevator. "Are you avoiding me again?" he asked, his voice low, and my heart raced.
"No... I forgot my phone and was going back to get it," I stammered, but he chuckled softly, pointing at the device already resting in my hands. "Oh... how did it get there?" I mumbled, heat flooding my cheeks.
"Do you remember what you said to me that night?" he leaned in closer, whispering in my ear. "What?" I questioned, my mind racing. "Did I say anything important?" I asked, and he raised an eyebrow, shifting to stand directly in front of me. The tension was thick, and I could feel my heart pounding, wondering just how much I had revealed...."Are we really going to do this?" he asked, his gaze searching for mine, but I could feel the weight of the night pressing down on me. "I really don't remember anything from that night," I repeated, noticing the smirk on his face. "Okay... I'll take your word for it," he said, stepping back into his space. All I could think was how I wished this elevator ride would just end.
"Are you sick?" Manager Kim asked, handing me a cup of coffee, concern etched on his face. "No..." I shot back, but he pressed on. "Well, your cheeks are heated," he pointed out. I interrupted him, "It's nothing... I'm just feeling really hot." His confusion was evident, but I wanted to steer the conversation back to business. "Well, let's go back to discussing business... do I have any new offers?" I asked, my heart racing with anticipation.
"Well, not yet..." he replied, and a sigh escaped my lips. "I don't get it... I thought I did well in Hunted. How come I'm not getting any roles?" I felt disappointment wash over me. "The industry works in mysterious ways. It's not that you haven't gotten any roles; it's just that you haven't received any that are notable enough for the company," he explained.
I could feel the urgency rising within me. "I need work... a lot of it. That's the only way to get this off my mind." "What are you getting off your mind?" he asked, curiosity piqued. "Nothing..." I replied too quickly, desperation creeping in. "Look, I'll do anything—ad shoots, commercials, and more," I added, hoping to convey my determination.
"Well, something came to the table for you yesterday," he said, and I sat up straight, excitement flickering in my eyes. "What?" I asked eagerly. "A cameo appearance," he replied, and my heart sank. I sighed with disappointment, realizing that I craved so much more than just a cameo..."Hey, hear me out before you sulk... it isn't just a simple cameo; it's more like a guest role," he said, and I could feel my heart start to race as I listened intently. "It's for Song Jia's upcoming movie, 'Forever My Love.' It's a coming-of-age film that shows love transitioning from teenage years all the way to adulthood, and you are needed to play Song Jia's young version."
I was intrigued. "Look, it's a crucial role since you'll be the first character the audience gets introduced to. You're going to have lots of decent scenes, too. So maybe I phrased it wrong; it's not a cameo but more of a guest supporting role. The production is huge—Song Jia is a famous actress, and she chose you herself. You'll need to audition to keep it fair, but I trust you'll be able to land the role."
I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "It sounds good, but I'll need to see the script," I replied, wanting to be sure before diving in. "Yes, I already have everything prepared," he said, eager to share. "Go read through the script and get back to me. The audition will be held in two weeks." I nodded again, a sigh escaping me as I thought about this incredible opportunity. "Okay," I said, ready to take the next step.
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HAN JINWOO'S POV
"What do you think a woman means when she says you make her heart race?" I asked, genuinely curious. I mean, there could only be two reasons... one, because she likes you, and two, because you scare her. "Well, maybe three... she could be suffering from a heart condition." Junho replied as I shot him a glare.. "What? I studied with this kid last semester, and he always felt his heart racing. They checked him, and it turned out he had a medical condition," he explained, and I scoffed in disbelief. How were we both on completely different wavelengths right now?
"I'm not talking about a medical condition," I replied, watching as he nodded in understanding.
"Oh, then it must be that you scare her," he said, and I glared at him again.
"Look, Jinwoo, I love you, but you can be scary sometimes," he retorted, and I couldn't help but scoff.
"What are you even talking about?" I questioned, genuinely baffled.
"Who is this woman anyway?" he pressed, and a smile crept onto my face at the thought of Bae Jiho.
"Who? I can't help you analyze this unless you tell me," he insisted, desperation creeping into his voice. Just then, his phone chimed, and as he picked it up, I leaned in closer.
"Come on, tell me," he urged, and I started to say, "It's noth—" but he cut me off.
"O.M.G!" he exclaimed, eyes widening. "This can't be true, can it?" he asked, staring at his phone.
"What's wrong?" I asked, my curiosity piqued...Bae Jiho is dating someone?" Junho blurted out, and I felt a jolt of surprise run through me. "What are you talking about?" I replied, trying to mask my sudden unease as he turned to face me, his eyes wide with realization.
"You!" he exclaimed, and I was taken aback. "Me?" I questioned, my mind racing.
"You and Bae Jiho are dating?" he pressed, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.
"What?" I stammered, completely confused by everything happening in that moment. I needed to process this—was there something I didn't know?
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