OST: Always by Song Joong Ki

January 2013

“I’m going to deliver a food truck to That Winter The Wind Blows' filming location” he announced on one of his visit to Kwang Soo’s house, between beer and fried chicken.

His tall friend only threw a disgusted look on his face then proceeded to gobble another drumstick.

“It’s for In Sung Hyeong”

“Yeah, right” Kwang Soo replied cynically.

They were quiet for a while until Joong Ki added with a defensive tone, “It’s really for In Sung Hyeong”

“I didn’t say anything”

Joong Ki narrowed his eyes, “I know that look. You think I’m getting crazy!”

“I don’t think you’re getting crazy, you paboo. I know you ARE crazy!”

Joong Ki threw him with a couch pillow and Kwang Soo lazily duct away.

**********************************************

On the room designated for her to prepare before filming at The Jade Garden, Hye Kyo’s stylist was putting her make-up on. Suddenly, a loud sound of a group of female voices was heard.

Miss Park got up and peeked at the window to see the commotion.

“Has something happened?” Hye Kyo asked.

“I don’t know. I’ll ask”

Miss Park called one of the crews which she knew was arranging the outdoor set outside.

“I see. Thanks” she said a few seconds later, before hanging up her phone.

“Did you hear anything?”

“Yes. Somebody brought a food truck”

“Really? How nice! Must be In Sung Oppa’s fans”

“He’s an actor too”

“You mean the food truck is for another actor?”

“No, the one who brought it is an actor that is Jo In Sung-ssi’s friend”

“Oh, who is he?”

“Song Joong Ki-ssi”

Her stylist left Hye Kyo and squealed with the assistants who were preparing her clothes, and together they ran to the window.

“Can’t see anything!!! Omo! Is there really Song Joong Ki out there? I love him! He’s so cute!”

“Eonnie, can we go out and see him, please?” the younger assistants asked Miss Park.

“If you’re sure her clothes are ready, you can go”

“It’s  all done, Eonnie!”

“Then go, you can see him”

They squealed louder and with much fuss, hurrying outside of the room and ran to the front yard. But before they went far, they ran back in.

“Omona! You won’t believe this!”

“Can you girls not be so noisy? I need to focus and finish fast here so I can see him too” the stylist warned, seriously putting on Hye Kyo’s eyeliner.

“Song Joong Ki is coming here! He’s asking whether she could see you or not!” the young assistant said with a giddy tone.

“Now that’s a young man that knows manners on treating his sunbae” Miss Park said.

“Hey, you make me sound old!” Hye Kyo argued with a laugh.

And the door was knocked, making the young assistants squealed like they would pop.

“Are you ok with this?” Miss Park asked.

“Sure, why not?”

Miss Park opened the door, and it was indeed Song Joong Ki.

“Annyeonghaseyo. I’m sorry for disturbing. If Song Hye Kyo sunbaenim doesn’t mind, I’d like to greet her”

“How nice of you. She’s still finishing her make-up, but you can come in”

The first time Joong Ki saw her, her stylist was putting on liquid gloss on her lips.

She had to stay still for that, but when she finally could turn, it looked like in slow motion for him.

She saw him then smiled.

“Oh, it’s Nice Guy!” she exclaimed.

GODDAMMITSHE’SSOBEAUTIFULWHATSHOULDIDOI’MSONEARFROMHERWHATSHOULDISAY

“Annyeonghaseyo, Song Joong Ki imnida” he bowed.

“Annyeonghaseyo” she smiled, getting up from her chair, bowing too to reply him and holding out her hand.

“Song Hye Kyo imnida”

“I know, Sunbaenim. I think everyone in the country knows” he said with a smile, carefully accepting her hand and shaking it briefly, before letting it go.

Hye Kyo chuckled, “I watched a few episodes of your drama”

“Wow......jeongmalyo?”

“Ne. You’re good!”

“Aigoo, manhi gamsahamnida. To hear that from someone like you is really –“

“Aniya” she waved her hand to dismiss the praise. “I heard you brought a food truck?”

“Ne. It’s coffee and snack”

“Sounds good! I want to try it too!”

“Uh.....but you just put on your......” he indicated lipstick by pointing at his own lips.

“My stylist is very patient. She’ll help me put it on again after that. One shouldn’t pass on coffee. Are there cakes too?”

“Yes, I think there are cheesecake and blueberry ones”

“Jjinjja? Those are one of my favourites!”

Excitedly, she got up  from her chair and all of a sudden, they were walking side by side to the food truck.

“I’m a big fan of your work Sunbaenim”

“Jeongmalyo? Gamsahamnida”

“I watch all your dramas and movies since I’m a teenager”

“Aigoo, I’m honoured. Thank you so much. Woah, it’s a real food truck!”

She eagerly asked for coffee and cakes from the barista, and she was immediately served of course, although there were many other crews who were waiting for their portion.

“No, no, give them first. I’ll wait for mine”

The barista, who was half dazed, still give her a slice of cheesecake, and she gave it to the crew beside her who was queuing.

“Gwaenchana, I’ll wait. My turn to film is still an hour from now”

Joong Ki was so impressed, but managed to pull himself together. They waited in line until she could get her coffee and cakes. She ate it standing in front of the truck with everyone else, enjoying it immensely and talking to Song Joong Ki all along.

It was really a memorable day for him. A huge, huge leap. She’s incredibly beautiful up close. So beautiful it made his heart jumped faster. He’s surprised that she’s so easy going and cheerful too, welcoming him and talking to him as if he’s an old friend.

He really did make the right decision in bringing the food truck. It’s really worth it to finally meet and talked to her.

****************************************************

“God, she’s so pretty. Really like a Goddess!”

Kwang Soo groaned.

“Go ahead, you can say that for 3000 more times”

“When she first turned around and looked at me, it’s like getting punched in the gut, you know? She’s radiant! She said she watched some episodes of my work, can you believe that? And she’s so cute too, she ate a lot! She said she’s so fair because she’s like a cow and eats like one. God. So insanely pretty!”

Kwang Soo ignored his fanboy rant and focus on the game at hand.

“If I bump into her at the places she hangs out to, will she think I’m weird?”

Kwang Soo inhaled and forced himself to be patient.

“Probably gonna think it’s just a funny coincidence”

“Right. I’m going to start soon”

Kwang Soo finally looked at him with an exasperated expression, “You do like her that much, huh?”

Joong Ki only grinned.

“You really want to try approaching her?”

The concern in his voice made Joong Ki asked, “Do you think it’s impossible?”

“..........if you get her, you’ll be the luckiest fan in Korea. Unless you’ve saved this country in your previous life”

“Are you saying I shouldn’t try?”

“Nah. I’m saying, just go for it. Since, you know, you’ll go to the army soon and you shouldn’t have any regrets”

Joong Ki put his arm on Kwang Soo’s shoulder, “I knew I could always count on you”

*******************************************

It took him only two texts to his friends, In Sung and Ah In, to get the gear rolling.

All he said was only, “Since I’m going to enter the army soon, I don’t want to have any regrets and I really want to do this. Please help me”.

And his friends knew how much he had admired that said most beautiful actress in Korea, so they helped willingly. What they wondered was, why did it take him so long to ask for their help?

Yoo Ah In was in the same agency with Hye Kyo, and he and Joong Ki were closer ever since Sungkyunkwan scandal. In Sung was Hye Kyo’s friend as a veteran in Korean showbiz world and had been close to Joong Ki ever since Frozen Flower.

They always knew how much he admired her, but never brought it up until then.

Once he asked for their help, though, they told him whenever they were going to hang out with her.

All that Hye Kyo knew was that Song Joong Ki coincidentally visited the cafes she liked to go to several times.

It would usually be a dinner hangout with Yoo Ah In and their managers or In Sung’s monthly dinner with friends at private restaurants. Without noticing it, Hye Kyo already dubbed Song Joong Ki as one of her inner circle. Because a friend of her friends were definitely her inner circle.

During the few weeks, Joong Ki had ceased to call her Sunbae and turned to call her “noona”. She saw him as someone nice to talk to and funny, and they had the same views in many ways, especially with work.

His dedication reminded her of her younger days, and it’s fun for her to talk about work with him, since she always noticed his face lightened up whenever they talked about work. Or they talked about their friends. And after some time, it shifted into talking about their views of life in general.

Without really thinking much of it, Hye Kyo turned comfortable with him and perceived him as one of her close friend, which she texted and talked to regularly, having meals together or coffee, though never alone.

The first time Hye Kyo ever texted him, was this, “I had a dream last night. I dreamed I was filming a movie where I was disguised as a man, and I was fighting with somebody using a sword. I think the setting is Joseon era”.

It was early in the morning and when he read the notification, he nearly dropped his phone on his face.

“Maybe you’re seeing into the future. Maybe you really will have a movie like that one day”

He waited and waited and prayed, and she replied, “Haha, really? Korean entertainment world is so stingy for actresses. Roles like these are only for men here. That’s why I go to China sometimes”

“Don’t give up hope, Noona. Or you can always produce your own movie, haha”

That one line got her. That really, really got her. She was lying in bed and suddenly smiled like crazy. No one had ever told her that she could produce her own movie. Even in a joke. She felt he wrote it because he was sure she could do it someday.

“You know, maybe one day I will. But I’m flattered that you think I’m capable”

His reply was cheesy and biased, but he typed it anyway, “Which Korean actress is more capable than you, Noona?”

She smiled wider then, and that compliment really made her day. Ever since then, they became even closer friends.

*******************************************************

One week before he went to the army, Joong Ki held a farewell dinner in his apartment. He invited 11 people that were close to him, including his manager and stylist. His three friends, Kwang Soo, Ah In and In Sung were of course there, with his Haha Hyeong and Song Ji Hyo. Park Boo Young was also there and she was welcomed with enthusiasm by his friends, but the highlight of the party was of course when The Song Hye Kyo arrived with her manager and stylist.

It was a merry night and they all enjoyed it. It ended at midnight when In Sung asked everyone to join him to drink at his favourite private restaurant.

Joong Ki had asked Hye Kyo to stay a bit longer after the party, because he had a special request, he said.

Already feeling very comfortable with him, she asked her manager and stylist to go home first. Her gift to him was a bottle of wine, and they drank it together as they ate cheesecake from her favourite dessert restaurant.

She mumbled like it tasted so awesome, so he asked where did she buy it.

“Serengetea. My favourite dessert restaurant. I need to eat their stuff at least once a week when I’m in town. So, what are you going to tell me? You’re not going to confess your love, right?” she joked then laughed.

But the way Joong Ki stopped munching and the way he looked at her made her laughter died down in a second.

In the next few seconds, he turned from the nice dongsaeng that she knew, to a full-grown man with such longing eyes, and panic rose in .

What is this? What’s happening?

“Noona.....I have a request”

“What is it?”

When I return from the army, can I just call your name, without “noona”?”

“Hm? You can call my name now, I don’t mind”

“No. I need to feel worthy of it”

She frowned because she didn’t understand.

“And will you allow me, to not treat you like a sunbae after the army?”

Hye Kyo could read where this was heading. The way he looked at her was too intense to be friendly, and for the first time since she knew him, she felt like she was finally seeing the full version of him that night.

“Sure. I’ll be happy to feel the same age with you”

The moment felt surreal. She’d never thought they’d ever be in that situation, where they could be something more, but not really. Hye Kyo was genuinely surprised, because in those seconds, she looked back at everything he did for her and everything they talked together.

If she looked above his smooth friendship style, she could finally see he was actually trying to get closer to her for another reason.

“Thank you, Noona. Wish me luck. Please don’t forget me”

“How can I?” she smiled, before drinking the little wine in her glass. “I think we can call this a night?”

She admitted to herself, she was not ready for anything more that might happened if she stayed longer.

“Ne. I’ll call your driver”

He walked her to the apartment’s backdoor and waved, before she drove away.

His heart was warm and full, feeling proud of himself.

Getting this close to his idol since he was fifteen years old - ever since Autumn in My Heart was aired - was the achievement of his life.

God, he loved her. And he’d confess his feelings after he returned from the army. Hopefully she’d give him a chance. The courage to approach her and became her friend the last few months gave him the courage to hope.

And he’d keep on hoping and praying for that in the army.

*************************************************

He really threw himself to his army life, finding peace and fulfilment in doing the same thing like everybody else, and doing it as best as he could.

The lack of time to use his phone was replaced with books. He read as many books as he could in the army, and tried to free his mind from the social media altogether, since he didn’t have much access on it anyway.

There’s a certain lady that filled his mind and heart no matter what he did though, and since he’s used to the feeling, he still could focus well with his duties.

However, real life would return eventually and six months before he was discharged, his company began to send him scripts to choose.

He liked one titled “Descendants of The Sun”. The script was really good. He read it in one night. It’s only until episode four so far, but he felt he wanted to do it.

The next time he had his turn to call somebody, he called his manager, saying he liked the script and asking him to talk to the production house and the writer.

“Have you heard who might play Dr. Kang Moo Yeon?” he asked.

“Ne. It’s still a rumour, but many are talking about it. I heard Song Hye Kyo-ssi would be offered the role”

His heart did a flip and somersault.

********************************************

He began praying to play in the drama together with her, that he could be chosen as Yoo Shi Jin, and she would accept the role as Kang Moo Yeon. He prayed and prayed and prayed inside his heart.

Finally he received a letter from one of the writers, Kim Eun Seok. Without casting, he got the role. Kim Eun Seok wrote, “I wrote it with Actor Song Joong Ki-ssi in mind, so I can’t imagine anyone else playing Captain Yoo Shi Jin. Thank you for accepting the role. Let’s work together and do well in the project”.

Three months after he was first offered the role, Kim Eun Seok finally finished writing the whole 16 episodes of Descendants of The Sun. The story was even better, and Joong Ki was eager to go back to work for Yoo Shi Jin.

A week after he accepted the full script, he was informed that Song Hye Kyo had officially accepted the role of Kang Moo Yeon.

His dream was finally coming true, making him unable to sleep that night.

From then on until his last day at the army, he did his duties with unchallenged fervour. Even his fellow friends asked why he looked so happy all the time, and he would only grin and patted their back.

************************************************

June, 2015

He had warned himself, before he began his service in the army, that after he finished, he might have to start everything from zero again. People might forget him already, and he might have to give extra effort in reaching out to them once more.

But on the day he was discharged, he didn’t have time to feel insecure. He was too excited to start filming Descendants of The Sun with his Goddess. Plus, there were fans who camped in front of the gates since the night before, so he felt confident with everything. He didn’t care about the number, he was just convinced that those who respected his sincerity in acting were still there, ready to welcome him back.

One of the fans who waited for him at the gate was Kim Eun Seok, the writer of the drama. It was a nice surprise, and he was glad to see her.

It was amazing to see his family again. Their parents all hugged him tight. And he hugged his grandmother for a long time. It’s normal to see his mother and grandmother cried, but to see his father had happy tears in his eyes was a rare occassion.

During dinner, he announced to them, “I’m going to play a very interesting drama”.

“Jeongmal? What’s the story?” his father asked.

“I will be a soldier, and the soldier will fall for a doctor. We will go through many hardships together in a foreign country”

“Don’t you want to rest first after getting discharged?” his grandmother inquired.

“Eyyy, I’ve rested for two years already. I can’t wait to get back to work. Besides, I’m telling you—“ he warned in a boastful voice, “I’m going to work with the absolute prettiest woman in this country this time”

“All your previous co-stars were pretty” his father argued.

“Aniyo, Abeoji. This one is definitely the prettiest of them all”

“Omo! You – you can’t possibly be acting with Song Hye Kyo, right?” his mother asked with a mix of disbelief and awe.

“I will” he grinned.

“Gotjimal!!!” his mother said, too excited now. “You’ve watched all her works since Autumn in My Heart!”

“Omma too, right?”

“And – and you have her poster on your bedroom wall during your high school years!”

“That’s right”

“And now you’re going to – work with her?”

“Ne. I’ve known her personally for some time too actually. We’re friends”

“Why did you never tell me about this???” his mother exploded in curiosity.

“I just have no reason to mention it before, but now I finally do. Wish me luck for that drama”

They all drank for the smooth process of filming the drama with soju.

He couldn’t wait. He really, really couldn’t wait!

********************************************

Hye Kyo was having lunch with her friends when her phone vibrated. She was surprised to see her screen. Song Joong Ki was calling.

“Yeoboseyo?”

“Yeoboseyo. Hye-Kyo-ssi”

She frowned and had to recheck the caller ID. It was indeed Song Joong Ki. But he was calling her – oh, right. His request before he started his army duty was to call her by her name.

“Joong Ki-ssi? How can you call me? Aren’t you in the army?”

“I just got discharged today”

“Omo! Chukkae! Welcome back!”

“Gomawo. We’ll start filming three months from now, right?”

“Ne. I’m looking forward to it”

“Hye Kyo-ssi, you’re in Seoul, right?”

“Ne, why, do you want to meet to discuss the drama?”

“That will be my perfect alibi” he chuckled. “Can we?”

“You want to see me?”

“If you’re not busy”

“I’m so laid-back lately” she laughed, and he had to shut his eyes and inhaled because God, she sounded so good, “We can meet and see each other. When do you have time?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Huh? Tomorrow? Really?”

“Wae, do you have other plans tomorrow, Hye Kyo-ssi?”

“Well, no. What time would you like to meet?”

“Lunch time? At noon? You can choose where we’ll meet”

“Can I text you later? I have to choose one private restaurant near my mother’s house”

“..........actually, can I just come there?”

“Where?”

“Your mother’s house”

“You want to come here? Jinjja?”

“Is that so hard to believe?”

Hye Kyo laughed at that and he laughed too.

“It will be safer, don’t you think? You don’t have to be worried of the press and people taking pictures of us”

“Yah, aren’t you afraid that people might take our pictures too?”

“No, I’ll be glad with that. Besides we’ll work together, it’s normal to discuss first before a drama starts. But I think it will be more comfortable for you if I go to your mother’s house”

“If you can do that, I’ll be grateful”

“What else can I do so you’ll be grateful to me?”

“Mworagoo???”

He laughed at her shocked question.

“Aniya. I’ll see you tomorrow. Text me the address?”

“Ok. See you tomorrow!”

“See you, Hye Kyo-ssi”

He’s grinning like an idiot after he hung up, while she stared at her phone for a while.

“Was that Song Joong Ki-ssi?” her manager, Ellen Park asked.

“Ne”

“Why do you look confused?”

It’s the way he said my name, she thought. He said it like he enjoyed saying it.

“Nothing. He’ll come to Omma’s house tomorrow”

“What time?”

“Noon”

“...........do you want me to order anything?”

“I’ll cook”

“Jinjja?”

“Ne”

“List me the ingredients? I’ll buy it after I drop you home after this”

“Ne, gomawo, Eonnie” she smiled.

******************************************************

When he arrived in Hye Kyo’s mother’s house, he instantly liked the atmosphere. It’s a calming place to be, he concluded. They had never talked about it before, but he was sure she was the one who bought this house for her mother.

“Annyeonghaseyo” he bowed, “I’m sorry for intruding today”

“It’s not intrusion” her mother, who was beautiful still, welcomed him at the door.

“This is a little something for you”

Her mother accepted the paper bag with a wide smile, “You shouldn’t have, but gamsahamnida”

She looked at the content, “Is it juice? Wow, it looks nice, thank you so much”

He had bought six bottles of expensive juice that was famous for its benefits for skin’s health and boosting immunity.

“I’ll drink this with Hye Kyo later”

“It’s for you, not for her” he joked, and her mother laughed.

“Come on in” her mother said, leading him to a spacious sitting room. “You can wait here and watch the TV a bit, Hye Kyo is still cooking, I’m sorry”

“Ne? She’s cooking?”

“Yes. She loves to cook when she has time. I think she’s cooking several dishes so it’s been a while already”

“How long has she been cooking?”

“Two hours”

“Can I see? Maybe I can help her”

“No, you’re her guest. Just wait until she’s done”

“Can I go to your kitchen?”

“What? Really? Oh well, if you say so. I just don’t think you should trouble yourself”

They walked into the kitchen and – he finally saw her again.

“Song Joong Ki-ssi is here” her mother announced.

“What? Omo! Annyeong, Joong Ki-ssi! Welcome back!”

“Annyeong” he smiled happily.

“Hi. It’s great to see you again. And I think I need one more hour to finish this, sorry. Are you starving already?”

“I’m fine. Do you need help?”

“Nope. I can manage. Just wait in the sitting room”

“Shiro. I want to see a Hallyu star cooking”

She laughed at that, an amused, ringing laughter that made him smiled too.

“Suit yourself”

He took off his jacket and walked to the stove. She’s stirring the jjigae and it looked delicious.

“This is for three people or thirty?” he asked, seeing all the finished dishes she laid on one table and the two that were still on the stove.

“Just us and Omma” she grinned, “But well, it’s great to eat lots of tasty meals” she reached out for a clean spoon and took some of the soup, “Help me taste this? Does it taste ok to you?”

He blew on it before tasting it.

“Uhm.......it’s delicious, but........”

“Should I add anything?”

“My mom always makes her budae jjigae spicy but also a little sweet”

“Oh. Ok. Let’s try that”

“You don’t have to—“

“No problem”

She sprinkled sugar into the pot with ease.

“You didn’t use a spoon to measure it?”

“I use my instincts” she answered seriously, as she stirred the jjigae. “Try this again”

“Oh, it’s exactly like my mom’s now”

“It’s good then?”

“It’s fantastic!”

She laughed again before pushing him away.

“I’ll be finished after the japchae is done. Go to the living room”

“I don’t want to” he said, sitting back behind the counter.

“Ahrasseo. Tell me about the army?”

Joong Ki spent the next thirty minutes telling her about his time in the army, while enjoying the view.

She’s wearing a loose t-shirt with denim shorts and her hair was piled up, with an apron on. She’s even more beautiful than he remembered, and she’s looking like a.......wife.

He’s getting ahead of himself and thanked all the deities that she was not a mind reader.

That might be the best thirty minutes of his life, seeing her moved with grace and precision, definitely a pro at cooking, and he felt she’s cooking for him, so it’s a very good present after getting discharged.

They ate well with her mother afterwards, both women kept on telling him to eat more, and he did it gladly, because it really tasted delicious. He ate more that day than he ate last night at his parents’ house.

“If I keep eating at your place, I’ll get fat” Joong Ki claimed as he collapsed on the couch.

Hye Kyo chuckled.

“It’s alright to eat a lot once in a while, before we start to maintain our weight again for the drama. So, are we ready to discuss it?”

“Yes. What do you think about the drama in general?”

“It’s refreshing”

“Because?”

“First of all, the background is a romance between a female surgeon and a special forces soldier. I think that’s a first in Korea. And I like the script. It has very interesting lines, super witty. I look forward to the earthquake scene and the rescuing scenes of the victims. It will be very challenging. How about you? What do you think?”

“I read the script non-stop when I received it. Really using all my break time to read it. I like it that much”

“Me too” she smiled.

“I like that the background is in the army. I think I’ll feel really comfortable with it, since my army duty has just finished. Plus Yoo Shi Jin’s character is quite similar to me. I tend to joke too when things get hard”

Hye Kyo chuckled. “Yup, that’s really your habit”

“I’m very direct too with my feelings, like Yoo Shi Jin”

They were sitting crossed legged at the sitting room’s carpet, a glass table between them. And she saw his expression turned into something different for a second, but after that, it’s gone.

She acted like she saw nothing.

“But I’m definitely not as suave as him, hahaha”

“That’s why you’ll play him. You can learn to be more suave” she smiled.

“We’ll meet the writers and director two days from now, right? And the next day would be the first script reading. Then ten days after that we’ll start filming”

“I think so” she answered, looking a little impressed, “Wow, do you memorize the schedule?”

“I guess I’m too excited” he grinned. “Would you like to practice some scenes?”

“It will be great. Let’s try it”

**********************************************

It was already evening when they finally felt tired. Without realizing, they put emotion to their lines. Although they were only reading the dialogues. It felt great.

She was really serious, as if cameras were on them. And though she was reading, her emotion was on point, so he was motivated too. They walked around and used gestures, forgetting the time.

“Both of you, I hate to interrupt, but this is 8 PM. I think you better take a break and have dinner first” her mother pointed out, appearing from another room.

“Wow. 8 PM?” Hye Kyo asked, checking the time on her phone.

“Did we just read the script for 6 hours?” Joong Ki asked.

“I think we just did” she laughed, “You’re good, Joong Ki-ssi” she praised.

“Omo, I got praised by a top class Hallyu Star! Ottoke? Manhi gamsahamnida” he bowed in an exaggerated manner and she laughed hard at that, hitting his shoulder with her script afterwards.

“Wae? Am I wrong?”

“Mwolla! Let’s eat. Didn’t know I’m starving this bad!”

***********************************************

Joong Ki went home after dinner. Hye Kyo’s mother searched for her, and finally found her at the balcony of her bedroom.

“I see that you had a great day”

Surprised, Hye Kyo turned around, “Omma”.

Her mother followed her and stood beside her.

“Song Joong Ki-ssi is a nice guy”

“Ne. He is”

“I watched you two reading your lines earlier. I think he was asking whether he should confess or apologize. Both of you have great chemistry”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ll look forward to watch the drama. I’m sure it will be great”

“It will be my first time working with him”

“But not the first time you’ll work with someone who falls for you”

“Omma!”

Her mother shrugged.

“I guess it’s not a surprise if men have crushes on you. I’m more interested to nice men who’s genuinely into you”

“Omma, you’re getting ahead of yourself”

Her mother stared at her in the way that always made her wanted to apologize.

She whispered “Mianheyo”, so her mother let it go and continued.

“That young man is nice. He’s polite and brought a gift to the mother”

“Isn’t it normal? Ah In does that for you all the time”

“That’s correct, and we both know who Ah In is seeing, and she’s a nice woman, but definitely not you”

Hye Kyo was silent.

“I can differentiate which man is my daughter’s friend and which one is in love with her”

“Using the word “love” on him is too far, I think, Omma”

“Really? How long have you two been close?”

“I......have known him for a while”

“Has he always looked at you like that?”

“.........yes, actually. But since he doesn’t really say anything, I ignore it too”

“Ah. I see”

They were silent for a while, breathing the evening air.

“My dear, don’t let the men who hurt you in the past makes you lose hope in love”

“Omma, don’t” Hye Kyo warned.

“Your father and your past relationships. Don’t let those men make you judge all men. Not everyone will hurt you”

“I’m fine on my own, Omma”

Her mother looked at her and softly said, “Don’t use that dramatic crying face to lie to your mother”.

“Aigoo......”

“I know you’re strong. You’ve done a marvellous job as a daughter. You’ve brought me to a life only a housewife of a millionaire could have. You’ve worked hard for both of us. Growing up without a father have never made you weak. Instead, you hold your chin high and with this small figure of yours, you defeated the whole world. You bought me this house, you bought me my car, you gave me everything that you could. But this little girl of mine,” her mother said, touching her cheek gently, “deserves to be taken care of and protected too”.

“Open your heart, My Dear. When there’s love knocking at your door, don’t turn a blind eye”

Hye Kyo hugged her mother and laid her head on her shoulder. Her mother cradled her left and right, like she always did when she cried in the past. In front of her mother, she could be a child again.

“I don’t want to face the pain of being left alone anymore, Omma........”

“I like this Song Joong Ki of yours”

“He’s not my Song Joong Ki! He’s my friend!”

“Who I think is in love with you. Just open your heart. Go with the flow. You’ll know if he’s the right person or not”

“Algesseumnida” she finally said, sighing and burying her face on her mother’s neck.

***********************************************

Six months then spanned in which they filmed the drama. For Hye Kyo, it was a great experience. Frankly speaking, for experience, she got plenty. But it’s been the first production where she had to film for such a long time and with so many fun people to be around. She was used to minor conflicts, prolonged filming time and unplanned discrepancies.

If there were any worthy difficulties to mention, it was only the situation in Greece. The weather was mostly cold and she couldn’t sleep well for the first few days. It caused her to feel nauseous and cold sweating in their third day, but after a little rest in her van, she insisted to resume filming.

What unnerved her a little was finding Joong Ki at the door of her van, looking like he might flipped out of worry. All her instincts screamed, “That’s not the look of a friend. Retreat calmly NOW, before it’s too late!”.

“Gwaenchana? You look so pale. Shall I tell the director you need to rest today? You can go back to the hotel and rest”

“I’m better. I just can’t sleep well since we got here”

“Why not? Does your manager know?”

“Yep. She tucked me in earlier with a blanket inside the van so I could take a nap for around an hour just now. Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s continue?”

She started to walk back to the filming crew, but he pushed her back to the van.

“Aniya, rest more. You’re unwell”

She caught his arms and gently pushed him away.

“I don’t want to postpone filming. I’m the leading actress here. If I lack behind, it will cause trouble for everyone”

“A leading actress is a human too, you better rest for one day, Hye Kyo-ssi”

“I even already feel bad for postponing our scene for an hour” she smiled, “I will be restless if I know I’m postponing the filming for one day. Let’s return to our set”

Joong Ki admitted defeat and walked beside her to their filming area. “So this is what it’s like to film with a Hallyu star, huh? A very stubborn Hallyu star too”

“Yah!” she laughed, hitting his shoulder with her script, “Stop calling me like that, it’s weird!”

“Wah......you’re really something, Hye Kyo-ssi” he let out.

“Wait. Is that a praise or a scolding?”

“A mix of both” he grinned.

Her manager approached them and walked together with them to the filming area.

“Do you want to resume filming already?”

“Ne”

“Can I say or do anything to make you go back to your van and rest some more?” Ms. Park asked warily.

Hye Kyo chuckled, “Nope. Mian, Eonnie. Saranghaeyo” she half joked, making a love sign with her two hands above her head.

“Aigoo. Fine”

“Does this happen often? Trying to make her listen to you but failing miserably?” Joong Ki asked to Ms. Park.

“Not often, but quite regularly” Ms. Park confessed. “She can be really stubborn when it comes to her work, but well, I can’t complain, she’s sweet most of the time. I’m so worried sometimes, you know?”

“I know, Noona” Joong Ki said, walking closer with the manager all of a sudden, “You can complain about her all you want with me, Noona. I’m all ears”

“Hello, you two, I’m here, you know? Can you not conspire against me?” Hye Kyo pretended to be annoyed.

“Sorry. I’m going to spread rumours about you for once” Ms. Park said.

“Eonnie, Joong Ki-ssi doesn’t like to gossip”

“She’s wrong, Noona. I love to gossip. Especially about a Hallyu star like her. Tell me everything”

“Let’s drink together? I’ll tell you some secrets......”

“YAH, YOU TWO!!!”

The director walked to them then, and Hye Kyo stopped her scolding. She had to deny once more the offer to rest and was told to standby at her designated standing point.

“Don’t tell him anything bad!” Hye Kyo warned her manager, as the said woman laughed and gave her a “shoo shoo” hand signal, as she laughed with Joong Ki.

“Dinner on me tonight, Noona?”

“Hahaha! Do you really want to hear more about her that much?”

“Ne” he admitted honestly.

“Ahrasseo. Dinner tonight after I make sure she’s comfortable in her room. Or.......”

Joong Ki raised his eyebrow, “Or?”

“Or we can always gossip about her in front of her, you know? Doesn’t that make us more honest?”

Joong Ki chuckled, “It sounds strange, but it’s a good idea”

“I’ll talk to her, but I guess she’ll agree. Perhaps eating together will make her eat better. She doesn’t have appetite since we arrived here. I guess she’s tired”

“Does she –“

Ms. Park waved her hand to stop his flooding of concern, “She’s fine. She’s just adapting to this place. That’s why I think a good night’s chat would make her better”

“Algesseumnida”

“She said this morning she wanted her favourite asparagus and mushroom cream soup.......” Ms. Park mentioned, as if it’s just some unimportant matter for him, “but the hotel doesn’t have it. It might be nice if she can have it tonight.......”

“I’ll make sure she’ll have it tonight”

“That will be nice” Ms. Park smiled. “It’s your turn soon. Fighting!”

“Gamsahamnida” Joong Ki grinned, bowing a little before running to filming area.

Ms. Park folded her hands.

If it’s really the right time for uri Kyo to try her hands on love again, maybe he’s the person. She’d support anyone that could make her smile that way.........

Amused by her own inner thoughts, Ms. Park went to the mini logistic area where the crews prepared snacks and refreshments for the cast. She took a bottle of mineral water and contemplated which juice to bring to Hye Kyo after the scene was over later.

**************************************************

When Joong Ki entered her suite that night, he arrived with the hotel’s chef, who carried a pot that smelled like heaven.

Hye Kyo immediately walked over to inspect it.

“Omo! Is this what I think it is?”

“Park noona told me you want this, but the hotel doesn’t have it”

“Did he ask you to make this for me?” Hye Kyo asked in English to the chef.

“Yes. He waited while I cooked it. His manager bought the ingredients”

“Wah......daebak! I’ll eat it all, thank you so much!”

“Enjoy it, Miss” the chef smiled after putting the pot in the dining room.

“I’m going to eat all of this. You can go and gossip about me with your Park Noona”

Ms. Park laughed and joined her on the dining table.

The three of them ended up having the soup together while chatting.

Once they were done, Ms. Park announced that she’s tired and wanted to go to bed. It was indeed almost midnight, so her reason was justified. But Hye Kyo was looking at her with a “Please stay” look so she smiled at her.

“Don’t sleep too late, ok? You had a headache this afternoon, remember? And I’m very sleepy too”

“Alright Eonnie. Sweet dreams”

They were both quiet after Miss Park left.

“I guess Eonnie said I want this?”

He nodded.

“Thank you” she smiled, “What should I give you in return?”

“That’s a very dangerous question to ask me, Hye Kyo-ssi”

Her smile disappeared, since he had those shiny eyes back. It’s his look that made her heart wondered whether she should run away or stayed. And then her mother’s voice echoed in her mind, “Open your heart”.

So she stood her ground and didn’t run away that night.

“Why is that?”

“I want a lot in return, so much that I’m afraid you’ll be unwilling to give it to me”

He could read her fear. It was practically obvious enough. But it was inevitable that he’s going to ask her one of these days. He knew that she knew he had feelings for her, and he knew that she’s been afraid to start anything new, because he’s her co-star and co-stars who fell for her gave her too much pain in the past.

“I think I won’t be able to be only a good friend much longer, Hye Kyo-ssi. I’m trying to hold on from being......a good friend who wants more, but being with you everyday makes it harder”

Be brave, she told herself, be brave and maybe I’ll be rewarded.

“You can tell me now” she said softly, “I promise I won’t have a panic attack”

He had imagined a thousand ways to confess to her, but it seemed like fate wanted him to say those words in the most natural manner possible, sitting together around a dining table and with bowls of soup around them. And yet what more could he ask for? Every moment with her was equal to sparks flying in the air with a love song in the background anyway.

“Hye Kyo-ssi, I’ve admired you for a long time. I’m in love with you before we actually even meet. You used to be too far to reach, but now that you’re finally within my reach, I’m not going to waste the chance. I want to be with you. I promise I’ll take care of you and make you happy”

“......chukkae. That was said very smoothly” she praised him with a sweet smile.

“I might collapse later when I step out of your door”

That made them both laughed.

“Can you......wait a little bit longer? A few more days? I’ll answer you soon”

“If the reward is you, I’m willing to wait as long as you need it”

“Omo!” she blushed and covered her lips, “Don’t use those Yoo Shi Jin’s eyes on me! We’re not filming!”

“Mwo??? These are my eyes, not Yoo Shi Jin’s!”

“Ahrasseo, ahrasseo, geut! Geumanhe!”

He was laughing and looking at her like –

“I said stop!” Hye Kyo said out loud, covering his eyes with her hand.

“Yah! What did I do???”

“Your eyes are too much!”

“What? Really?”

“Yes! It’s a struggle to say my lines whenever you look at me like that!!!”

“Jeongmal? But then we’re even”

“Even? How is that?”

“It’s a struggle to say my lines too whenever we’re up close, because you’re too pretty!”

“This is enough cheesiness for one night. I can’t handle more tonight. See you tomorrow”

“I gave you dinner and said you’re too pretty then you kick me out?”

“Yes” she said, pulling him up from his chair and pushing him to the door. “I need to sleep to film well tomorrow. You need to go”

He tripped over the leg of a coffee table and nearly fell but he held on to the back of a couch and she pulled him back to stand too.

All of a sudden, their arms were around each other.

Joong Ki could swear the air stopped flowing. She’s so close and he was holding her and he could still see the concern in her eyes, not wanting him to fall to the floor.

Hye Kyo couldn’t comprehend how for one second she was pushing him to the door and the next second she was in his arms. It got worse when she realized he was looking at her in a dazed expression and his eyes fell from her eyes to her lips.

When she gathered her wits to pull away, he moved forward and kissed her.

“God. You’re so beautiful and I’m so crazily in love with you”

She was too shock to react and he hurried to say “Good night”, before he left the room.

She stood frozen at that exact spot for a while.

He arranged for the chef to cook my favourite soup.

He told me he wanted to be with me.

And he told me he’s crazily in love with me.

She put a hand on her heart and found that it was beating very fast.

It’s been so long since a man could make her feel this way.

She believed he’s sincere. He’s a great guy to be with and since the first time she knew him, she always enjoyed every second they spent together. If she said yes to him, would every time they have, every second, every hour, every year, be just as happy?

She started to believe that it would be. That it could happen. That they could be. Together.

****************************************************

The scene they filmed after his confession the night before was the scene where Kang Moo Yeon said they couldn’t be together after Yoo Shi Jin saved her after being kidnapped by Argus. On the same day, they also filmed the scene where Kang Moo Yeon made up her mind to accept everything about him and they hugged while Shi Jin held two cups of coffee.

His emotions ran wild that day. When he asked, “Are you breaking up with me?” he really wanted to cry. Hye Kyo delivered the scene splendidly, and he took everything into heart. The script didn’t say Yoo Shi Jin should have tears in his eyes at that scene, but it happened, because his feelings were overflowing.

When Moo Yeon decided she wanted to be with Shi Jin, Joong Ki hugged her with all his heart, feeling that he couldn’t differentiate his emotion for work or for real anymore.

It was beyond the request of the script, and the director praised him with, “Good job for the two scenes. Great display of your emotion”

“Thank you. It’s the effect of working with a great actress, I guess”

The director was shocked with his answer, but didn’t continue the conversation, as Joong Ki walked away to recover from the scene.

*********************************************************

When they left for filming in Greece, he had been constantly working with her for three months. He was deeply in love with her before it started, but as he lived and breathe by her side, he became desperately in love with her.

He had relationships in the past, and he had loved them all during the time they were together. But never before had his feelings mixed with admiration this much.

That he was awed everyday and more and more by her beauty, it was expected.

What he didn’t expect was to fall for her character and personality even more.

They were friends before. Good friends, even, but due to the limited time they spent together, there were still many things of her that he didn’t know.

However, seeing each other for Descendants of the Sun for months made him knew her better, and man, did he love what he discovered.

She was apparently a very nice person. He knew all along that she was nice, but didn’t know before how she interacted in a filming scene. She’s nice to everyone, from the director to the junior staff who brought her coffee.

She talked with the cleaning service that swept their dressing room.

She asked her manager and stylists whether they already had meals or not. He might heard her advised them to rest more than them advising her to rest.

When a staff dropped something, she wouldn’t mind being on her knees to help picking up their things......

Things happened that solidified his feelings for her, but one thing stuck in his mind. One that he would never forget, and something he hadn’t shared with her yet.

One afternoon, the day they began to start filming the earthquake rescue scene, a young junior staff crossed the filming set carrying a dozen safety helmets for the cast to wear. Another junior staff was carrying several stretchers alone. They were both hurrying to opposite directions, and the one who carried the stretchers bumped the girl who was carrying the helmets and all the helmets she was carrying fell to the ground.

“I’m sorry. I’m already late bringing this! Sorry, I really can’t help you!” the man hurried along to the set he was obliged to take care of, as the girl sighed and knelt to gather the helmets.

And then another woman appeared to help picking up the helmets.

It was Hye Kyo. She knelt on the ground and picked them up.

“Sunbaenim, andwaeyo, there’s no need, you’ll get dirty—“

“Aigoo, I hope you don’t have to clean this up all over again!” she said, giving the helmets to the girl, “Where do you have to take this?”

“Aniyo, I’ll take it myself. You don’t have to—“

The director called Hye Kyo then to continue filming her scene right then.

“I’m sorry, I have to go. Will you be ok?”

The girl could only nod, as Hye Kyo said, “See you around!” and ran to her filming location.

Joong Ki coincidentally witnessed the scene because he was passing the field to another set.

He saw the young staff stared at Hye Kyo’s back for a while, and she turned then caught him looking at her.

Joong Ki walked to the girl and found that her face was wet with tears.

“Are you all right?”

“Did you see Song Hye Kyo Sunbaenim just now?”

“Ne” he answered.

“She talked to me” the girl said with more tears, “She – she helped me picked up these – did you see that, Sunbaenim?”

“Ne”

“I’m her big fan. Have been for a long time. And she—she talked to me and helped me” she smiled between her tears. Then she bowed low to him, mumbling, “I have to run” before she hurried and resumed her work.

Yet, what he witnessed stayed in his mind. It was possibly something that he’d never forget.

Hye Kyo touched people’s hearts so easily. She often forgot what a big star she was and made people amazed by her simple sincerity.

Wasn’t he doomed to love her? How could he escape after knowing what’s behind her superstar status?

********************************************

In those months of filming, Hye Kyo was living one of the best times of her life, while also feeling as if she was watching herself from outside her body.

Like she always thought, she already felt that Joong Ki liked her even before he was enlisted in the army. She knew being closer to him with the shooting would make her prone to seeing the better sides of him, and that she was in danger for liking him back.

It’s hard to NOT fall for him, really.

She thought she was fed up with the matter of the heart. Her past was too painful and too frustrating. She wanted love, vaguely, at the back of her mind, but she was set to focus on herself and her career for the time being.

Until the drama happened.

First she was memorizing the script, then the next thing she knew, she worked day by day with him. It’s like daydreaming, and when she’s focused again, she realized she was happy.

That the very moment she would ever want was – there.

Filming a piece of work that she loved, with dedicated people and side by side with......

Him.

When she stopped to observe herself and her state of being, she was indeed happy. That most of the time she was with him, she was laughing, or talking excitedly, or listening attentively. There was never a bad day, and she wondered whether it was because of the high quality of the filming, or because she worked with him.

Or was it because knowing she was deeply liked by someone? Knowing you were liked was something very energizing.

The way he looked at her, talked to her and treated her in general made her felt..........more precious? More beautiful, more meaningful........more...........

More.

She liked the way he made her felt better about herself.

She liked how her heart fluttered when he looked at her.

She liked the different tone he used when he’s talking with her.

He made her felt special, and that was something she had been wanting for a long time.

It’s also hard to NOT fall for him, because he’s such a genuinely good guy.

It’s not something that could be easily described, but he was not an actor that asked for a certain complicated mix of latte to be ready for him every morning before filming.

He was not the kind of leading actor who enjoyed making their director and crew to wait for him to arrive for a group dinner to start their meal. He was the type who was always on time on every dinner and wouldn’t even touch his chopsticks before the director started eating.

After a week of filming, he called many of the crews who worked for them by their name.

He’s the kind of actor that would beg for one more take when he thought he didn’t deliver a performance that was up to his own (obviously very high) standard.

He blended in so easily, and it’s heart-warming to watch. On camera, he’s the leading actor. But off camera, he’s “one of the guys”. That’s why all the actors and actresses plus all the crews felt he was their important friend.

He was special.

They were special, she thought, one night in Greece, after she understood it was useless to run from fate.

Her fear of getting hurt again was not as strong as her wish to fulfil all the happy ending promises his eyes told.

Once she decided to open her heart, puzzles fell to the right places. It flew so smoothly to one direction.

And in simple ways too.

Before their last day of filming in Greece, during a dinner between the director, the cinematographer, and the main cast, she experienced a moment that told her, “This is it”.

The others were talking between themselves, and they were sitting apart a few chairs away. When she finished talking with Lim Hyeo Seon, she turned around and found him looking at her.

And she smiled at him. She said nothing, but she remembered speaking inside her heart, “I feel the same way too”.

Joong Ki then looked down to his phone and typed something.

Her own phone then beeped. He was texting her, “Can I come to your room later? I need to talk to you. It doesn’t have to be long”.

It doesn’t have to be long felt like “But it could be longer if you’ll let me”.

She replied an “Ok” and they smiled at each other again before returning to the conversation they left off with other people at the table.

****************************************************

Joong Ki expected to see her manager casually drinking tea while watching TV in Hye Kyo’s suite, but he was wrong. She wasn’t there.

The woman of his dreams was on her own, all smiles and looking a little nervous.

He declined her offer to get him something to drink, so she sat on the couch and he sat after her, and their conversation started.

“I think you know what I’m about to say” he started.

“I do. But it will be nice if you actually ask the question once more”

“Ahrasseo. Here goes” he said, inhaling, “Hye Kyo-ssi, can we please be together? I have a lot of reasons why, but the main point is, I need you. I can’t imagine ever loving anyone else better than you”

“........you know what I’m about to answer, right?”

Joong Ki chuckled, “I hope so, but it will be better if you say it. I’m dying to hear it”

She knew he’s waiting, and that each second must felt horribly long until she answered, but what she actually did was reaching out for his hand, saying nothing.

She held it, and he held her hand back.

She slowly entwined their fingers together, and he looked down at their joined hands.

He swore he had never felt more touched than that moment in his life. Nothing he had ever experienced equalled to those seconds where she reached for his hand.

“This means yes, right?” he whispered.

“Ne”

He pulled her gently to him and she slowly fell into his embrace.

For a minute he held her silently like that and he held her waist gently, as if he’s an astronomer holding a small twinkling star in his hand.

“I love you” he exclaimed, his voice thick with emotion, “I’ve really loved you for a long time”

“I’m a lucky woman then”

“I’m one hundred times luckier. Maybe I really did save a nation in my previous life”

Hye Kyo laughed because it’s his dialog in the drama.

And then her laugh died when he held her cheeks.

“Are you sure about this? Because after tonight, you won’t ever get rid of me” he warned.

“I’m sure. You gave no chance for doubt”

He touched her face with his fingertips, marvelling at how beautiful she was.

“God. You’re so pretty........”

“You’re so handsome too.....” she whispered, her hands holding his face in return.

“I’m never going to let you go” he vowed, before holding her hands and kissed her fingers and the insides of her palms.

“Good. I need someone who’ll never leave me alone”

“You’ve found that man already” he said, before softly kissing her lips.

He spent the next hour kissing and cradling her in his arms, swallowing her sighs and savouring the sweet taste of the milky skin around .

“Can I stay with you tonight?”

“Um........”

“I’m not going to do anything. Just please, let me stay here with you tonight”

“........I don’t want to see you go either”

When he looked shocked, she continued, “Well, we’ll work together tomorrow, but........I also want to be with you tonight”

They climbed her bed and hugged each other. And then they started talking..........

****************************************************

“I’m very curious about one thing” she exclaimed out loud, lying on her side and propping herself with one hand.

“What is it?”

“After you came to the filming location of That Winter The Wind Blows, we met several times on cafes, remember?”

“Uh huh”

“Were those really coincidences? Or..........”

“Or what?” he challenged her.

“Or......did you really plan to be there to – see me?”

He chuckled.

“Which one do you think?”

“You tell me. I’m the curious one here”

“.........of course it’s the second option” he smiled. “I asked Ah In and In Sung hyeong to update me of all your hang out plans. Since you mostly hangs out with them, he could always gave me the heads up”

She was speechless.

“I know it’s crazy. But if I wasn’t crazy, I wouldn’t be able to get closer to you and be your friend”

She lied there in her t-shirt and loose pants, staring wide-eyed at him.

“Wae? Am I scaring you?”

“No. I’m – flattered, I guess. You went so far to –“

“Get close to you? I’m surprised I’m the only one. I guess you’re just on such a high level that other guys could only admire you from afar and never dared to actually make a move. All the better for me, then”

She’s so happy to hear it, she snuggled closer to him.

He smiled and hugged her happily, brushing their noses together, before kissing her forehead.

***************************************************

They didn’t really tell people that they had started their relationship. But the ones closest to them in the filming set noticed it.

On the morning after he stayed at her suite, Hye Kyo gave Joong Ki his phone. “You left it on the coffee table”

“Gomawo. Aigoo, you’ve grown prettier since I left you two hours ago”

She laughed and hit his shoulder and when they turned, Kim Min Suk was there.

They thought they were alone, but apparently not, and obviously, the young man heard and saw everything.

“You two are.......”

Joong Ki and Hye Kyo shared a look before he nodded, “Yeah”.

“Omo!”

“But please, don’t tell anyone!”

“I won’t! But – wow! Chukkaeyo! This is daebak!”

Joong Ki agreed with an “I know” and Hye Kyo laughed, then the other cast and crew began to arrive.

*******************************************************

Even Ms. Park and Hye Kyo’s stylist Lee Hye Young knew only because they saw Joong Ki arriving at Hye Kyo’s suite again the next night, before they flew back to Seoul the next day.

Only Kim Min Suk, Ms. Park and his manager knew their secret for two weeks, until Joong Ki was injured during the filming of an action scene.

Hye Kyo was getting ready at the hospital for Haesung team scene, and when she heard it, she immediately cried. The cast were sitting together for lunch, and the call was from Joong Ki’s manager.

The shock and the real tears and her panicking question of “How bad was he injured? Can he talk to me? Are you taking him to a hospital?” were definitely questions of a concerned lover.

The other cast of Haesung Team were shocked and concerned too, but they were more interested to witness the scene unfolding in front of them. That these two amazing people had turned into a couple.

To make her mind more peaceful, Ms. Park immediately arranged a van to pick Hye Kyo up and drove them to the hospital Joong Ki was brought to.

After she ran out, Onew, Lee Seung Jun, Seo Jong Yeon, Park Hwan Hee and Hyun Jyu Ni gushed.

“Oh my God, I think they’re together now!”

“She wouldn’t be that panicked if they’re only friends!”

“Daeeeeeeebak!!!”

“Awww, they make such an awesome couple!”

In the meantime, Hye Kyo arrived at the hospital where they admitted Joong Ki, but her manager tried to coax her to just wait for news in her van at the parking lot. It would be too scandalous if the news spread that only 30 minutes after Joong Ki was injured, Song Hye Kyo rushed to the hospital to see him.

“Jebalyo, I need to see him. Please arrange it, Eonnie, jebal”

With a heavy heart, Ms. Park finally arranged it. She made sure herself where was the room Joong K. The director and the cast of Alpha Team were there, so Ms. Park told Jin Goo that Hye Kyo would visit, and that she begged everyone to be as normal as possible when she entered the room, so it wouldn’t cause a scene and make the nurses and people outside the room curious.

They were sitting in Joong Ki’s VVIP hospital room anyway, so there shouldn’t be any fuss, except that the Alpha Team crew were all very surprised to hear that Song Hye Kyo rushed there only a short time after knowing Joong Ki was injured.

But the heart of a worried lover couldn’t be silenced, especially if she’s Song Hye Kyo. So Ms. Park returned to the parking lot, picked her up from the van, and escorted her to the floor and room where Joong Ki was.

She had time only to notice that there were no strangers in the VVIP hospital room, only the director and the Alpha Team, before she rushed to him.

“How hurt are you? What did the doctor say?”

Joong Ki looked at her for a second and his heart went out to her that very instant.

She was obviously trying not to cry harder, looking very worried and distraught. The fact that she risked everything to immediately come to see him told him a lot. His feeling was definitely answered.

“You shouldn’t be here” he said, reaching for her hand in an attempt to make her calm down.

“I know. But I’m so worried. I have to see you!”

“It’s just some bone fractures”

“Just some bone fractures???” she exclaimed in an unnaturally high voice, “Where is it? Is it bad? Are you going to recover???”

“On my hand and leg. And yes, I will recover. The doctor said I just need to avoid doing anything laborious for three or four months. I’m fine. You’re not. You’re shaking. Come sit down”

So she finally sat down on the bed, and he was busy patting her hand, but her tears didn’t stop and only fell more.

“I’m – the first sentence your manager said was “Joong Ki had an accident” and I – I thought of the worst –“

Joong Ki glared at his manager who grimaced at his own choice of words

 “I’ll deal with you later” Joong Ki warned, before giving his attention back to his pretty lover.

“I’m fine. I’m fine, really. Please stop crying. I’m sorry for worrying you. Come here”

Hye Kyo hugged him hard and cried on his shoulder, as Joong Ki hugged her in return, making soothing circles on her back.

And these were all said and done while the director and the Alpha Team cast were witnessing.

You didn’t have to be a genius to understand what’s happening between the two leading cast.

“Somebody please give her some water” Joong Ki asked, and Ahn Bo Hyun helped to pour a glass of water from the glass and jug beside the bed.

Hye Kyo mumbled a “Gomawoyo” and drank up the water, before trying to stop crying.

“I think we better give them some privacy” Jin Goo finally said, and they all agreed.

“We’ll talk tomorrow about the continuation of filming” the director told Joong Ki. “Right now, just please recover well”

“Ne. Gamsahamnida”

***********************************************

If there was a standard procedure in falling in love, it might be that once you see some quality in that special someone, it’s enough to make you love that person for years, or even for a lifetime.

Joong Ki thought it was really unfair how Hye Kyo gave him a reason to fall for her harder every. Single. Day.

The beginning of their relationship felt unreal for him. He knew that he had never wanted anything else beside being her man. He still couldn’t completely believe that she loved him too. He was quite sure that she liked him a lot. But love? He doubted it. Maybe after a year or two. Maybe after he worked harder to secure her heart. Yet not now, not that easy.

She proved him wrong, of course.

After he was injured, she called him several times a day, as she was filming her solo scenes. He had long planned to support her and be there on the filming location when she was supposed to film the grieving scene where Moo Yeon mourned for Shi Jin. However, he couldn’t be there.

He felt sorry too, that everyone had to wait for him to get better.

The blessing, if he’s allowed to call it that way, was the way Hye Kyo constantly called and texted him.

“How are you feeling now?”

“Have you eaten?”

“Have you taken your medicine?”

“Why are you not sleeping? The doctor told you to rest”

He answered everything with a patience that seemed to stretch very far for her.

Something really touched him though.

Two weeks after he rested, he decided to return to filming. He told her that in his apartment, when she visited to see how he was doing.

And she turned furious in a matter of several seconds.

“Rest a bit more. Rest for two more weeks. Get back to work exactly one month after you’re injured”

“I can’t. I don’t want to make everybody else wait for me longer”

“Joong Ki-ssi, you’re injured. It’s normal for you to wait a bit –“

“No. Ok?”

“Yah, listen to me –“

“No. I’ll resume filming the day after tomorrow”

“You’re still under medication!”

“I’ll drink it diligently on set”

“You’re told not to do anything laborious!”

“They will arrange so I can do the easier scenes first”

“Have they printed the new filming schedule for you?”

“Ne”

“Give it to me, I want to see it!”

Joong Ki took his phone and gave it to her.

She clicked the screen and read.

“Solo scene for Lee Joong Ki, infiltrating Argus’s place? There will be action scenes, right?”

“........ne”

“And you’ll do it three days from now? Shouldn’t you postpone a bit more?”

“No. I’m already behind schedule”

“Postpone the filming for that scene and do the easier ones!”

“After that scene is filmed, I’ll be able to feel relieved. That’s the last difficult scene for Yoo Shi Jin”

“But not this week!”

“I’m going to do it”

“YAH, NEON NAPPEUN NAMJA!!!”

He was shocked. She was screaming so loudly, and he had never seen her that emotional before. But she was even more shocked with herself. She didn’t realize she was already crying too, out of anger.

They were silent for a while, both very aghast with her extreme display of concern.

And then he realized, she wouldn’t panic that much if she didn’t love him.

Then he chuckled.

“Yah, yeppeun yeoja. Nado saranghae”

They were standing and facing each other in his sitting room.

She “Hemph!” after hearing that, and let him approached then hugged her with his healthy hand.

“Don’t be worried. I’ll be fine. The crews will arrange everything to not endanger my condition. I trust them. You should, too”

She sighed heavily and put her forehead on his shoulder.

“Thank you for worrying about me this much. I’m honestly going to fly, haha”

“This is not funny!” she grumbled.

“An angry Hye Kyo-ssi is pretty too”

“Don’t think flirting can solve this!”

“I know it won’t. I’m just telling the truth”

“Are you really going to be alright?”

“Ne. I will. I promise”

She huffed and he looked at her intently.

“.........what?” Hye Kyo asked suspiciously.

“Are you too angry to be kissed?”

“Ne!”

But he kissed her anyway.

And she melted nevertheless.

****************************************************

In a natural phase, their close friends finally knew that they had started their relationship.

Joong Ki personally visited Kwang Soo’s place to tell him that.

And Lee Kwang Soo had the nerve to doubt him.

“..........that easy? Really? Gotjimal!!!”

Joong Ki was so annoyed that he video called Hye Kyo right that second and told her to tell Kwang Soo directly.

Holding Joong Ki’s phone and seeing Hye Kyo on screen, Kwang Soo praised “Aigoo, manhi yeppeuda! But sunbaenim, is my paboo chingoo telling the truth?”

Hye Kyo laughed, “About what?”

“That you two are together now?”

“Huh? I’ve never heard of that”

Kwang Soo turned to Joong Ki with an “I knew it!” look as Joong Ki yelled “Yah!!! Micheosso?”

“Yah, how can you talk to her like that??? No wonder she –“

And Hye Kyo laughed again, before saying, “Aniya. Sorry. I just couldn’t resist. Kwang Soo-ssi, Joong Ki is right. We are together now”

“That’s impossible!!!”

“It’s possible. It’s happening now”

“Omo!!!”

“Do you believe me now?” Joong Ki asked his friend, while taking his phone back.

“Thanks. Sorry for disturbing you. I’ll text you before I go to your place later”

“Ne. Have a good time with Kwang Soo-ssi”

“Neeee”

Kwang Soo looked at him with a strange expression afterwards.

“What?”

“Can’t believe you finally did it” he said with wonder.

Joong Ki grinned, “Me too, sometimes”.

“This is crazy. Congratulations! Let’s drink more beer! We need to celebrate this!”

*************************************************

Finishing all the filming of Descendants of The Sun left them all with a sweet after taste. A wide bond expanded, making many of them have more good friends. They were all glad for that.

Escalating fame, skyrocketing price for CF, and an impossibly tight schedule for Joong Ki followed in April after the final episode was aired. But January and February were definitely their honeymoon as a new couple.

The hype then was Cheese In The Trap, and no one seemed to pay attention to either Songs, as they took a break from work.

Needless to say, they spent all the time they could with each other. He followed her to New York and familiarized himself with her favourite property.

She glowed like a porcelain statue lighted by fireflies.

He thanked all the higher power that gave him the chance, but also all those times he told himself to be brave and chase her.

Their love story began.

So sweet, so right and so meant for each other.

Definitely, they were songs that were composed in harmony, made to blend with each other and so attuned.

Which song was playing in their heart?

Only each other, of course.

***************************************************

Author’s Note:

Instead of wearing down, my fever for Song2 couple get higher and higher.

Writing this fic has been pure pleasure from the first sentence to the last. I made this in.......three weeks, I think.

I was inspired by the Song2 couple forum. Love all the spazzing posts there.

It’s a long weekend thanks to public holiday in Indonesia. I am drowned in fangirling, as usual. My allergy has calmed down to a manageable level too, thank God.

Just watched Ada Apa Dengan Cinta 2 two days ago. A local love story that is continued 14 years after the first movie. I love it immensely!

Also, I’d like to thank all the readers who follow me from my LJ to this AFF account. Thank you for reading my Yongseo stories since 2010, and thank you too, for reading my fics here.

Hoping that Song2 couple would be able to win Baeksang Arts Awards!

I’m already planning my next Song2 fic so we’ll meet again in another story soon.

Thank you for reading!

ATTENTION:

I forbid anyone to copy a part or an entirety of this fic anywhere else. If you wish to discuss about this fic, please just link it, not copy it.