Ji Hyun was busy cuddling her 6 month old niece singing all the songs she could muster to put baby Jinny to sleep. She’s staying with her sister Min hy, who was then married to an American-Korean lawyer, in a house so big, just the thought of cleaning it is enough to tire her, so she settled on taking care Jinny. Minhy was out buying pantry supplies and baby supplies from the near-by supermarket. 

“Is Jinny asleep now?” said Minhy panting, with a truck load of grocery in her arms.

“Of course…I just sang all the lullabies I know…she really got annoyed and chose to sleep” chuckling Ji Hyun said

“Did she finish her bottle?” Minhy asked again

“Yeh! Yeh!” Ji hyun answered thoughtfully

“Aigoo! You know how to mix baby formula now…what you need now is a husband!” Minhy teased

“Unnie, the instructions were written at the back of the container and I happen to know how to read…Wait I forgot to add milk…I only gave her water” Ji hyun exclaimed

“Yah!” Minhy exclaimed

“Just kidding!” Ji hyun said while chuckling

Just then her phone rang. “Oh manager-nim, what’s up?” Ji hyun answered

“Ji hyun-ah, you are on a school break right?” her manager asked

“Yes…I happen to complete early this time and Christmas time is just around the corner…Why?” Ji hyun asked

“We need you here for 6 days…Hera wants you to renew your contract with them and shoot their Christmas Ad” his manager explained

“Woah! You mean like right now?” Ji hyun asked bewildered

“Contract signing will be on the 16^th Dec and the story conference for the Ad follows” said her manager

“So I need to take the earliest flight tomorrow to make it on time for the Contract signing…why didn’t you call me yesterday…you’re really good at last minute advises” Ji hyun whined

“Sorry…they just informed me yesterday…really sorry” her manager explained “Ah! Ji hyun-ah…”he continued

“Weh!...anymore bombs?”Ji hyun asked

“Have you heard the news lately?...They were all over the internet?”her manager cautiously asked

“What news?....I’m just resurrected from the dead with my research…I didn’t even have time to update my SNS why? What?” Ji hyun excitedly asked

“Chang Wook-sshi….”he carefully began

“Manager-nim!” Ji hyun interrupted

“Ah I just thought you’ll be interested…” he continued

“No! I’m not” Ji hyun answered with resolve

“Oh ok…sorry” his manager dismissed

“What is it about?.....”Ji hyun asked carefully so as not to sound pushy

“Oh it’s just about …his latest movie and drama, were a big hit! Daebak!” he continued “Nothing much…that’s it….I just thought you want to hear about it” her manager hesitantly replied

“Ah…wasn’t it expected? I know from the start that he’ll do well…I’m happy for him” she said sincerely “That’s the reason why I fell for him…the raw passion in his eyes when at work was infectious…he is driven and very meticulous in his craft…he had her with that…and he still does” she bitterly thought

“Ji hyun-ah,…. hello?” his manager called

“Ah, yes…sorry….let me just rearrange my plans and I’ll see you tomorrow night okay?” she managed to say

“Ok…say hi to Minhy and Jinny for me okay…It’s cold here now be prepared ok…bye?” with this his manager ended the conversation

Ji hyun distractedly hang up…...”Oppa, seems like I have to be under the same sky with you tomorrow…I hope we’ll not cross our paths…I honestly don’t want to burden you with my presence!....” she whispered to herself

Her mind drifted back to the first call Chang Wook did which was right after his 5 week training in the Military, Ji hyun changed her number right after for she’s too afraid to hear what he’ll say. The letters he sent every month were all returned. She doesn’t want those letters affect her resolve….No the truth is she’s scared to see the word “let’s break up” again….and die another painful death.

“Ji hyun-ah…what’s the matter?”Minhy softly asked breaking her reverie

“Oh nothing I was just mentally rearranging my schedule, I have to go back to Korea tomorrow, contract signing and new CF…I’ll be gone for 6 days” Ji hyun said distractedly

“Oh okay, want me to help you with your suitcase…?”Min hy asked

“No I can manage thank you…just take care of Jinny, Imo has to work….Ah I have to start packing right?” Ji hyun replied with a heavy sigh she stood up

“Neo gwaenchanh ni?”Min hy worriedly asked 

“Yes, of course I’m alright…?” she managed to reply with a weak smile 

Ji hyun went straight to her bedroom to start packing, leaving Minhy thinking “I know you’re not alright, you’re not ready to face your fears… Ji Chang Wook…you’re still hurting and it hurts me too. I thought you’ll be able to get over him by being here but no…you still love him…I really miss your smile Ji hyun-ah” 

The contract signing went smoothly and they proceeded to the story board conference of the Christmas Ad also for Hera. After the conference, “Manager-nim…do you know who will be my partner in this ad? Seems like it has been discussed individually…you have any idea?” puzzled Ji hyun asked “weird isn’t it” she continued

“No…I was just informed that he will not be able to attend today’s conference cause of other commitments…don’t worry you’ll see him tomorrow…since the story is not complicated…It’ll be easy” her manager shunned

“Okay! I’m starved…feed me!” she said cutely

“Arasseo!” her manager chuckled

The Ad is about two star struck lovers who after being apart from each other finally met. The back ground is whimsical and romantic.

“Ji hyun-ah it’s been a long time” Mi Yung Unnie exclaimed

“Unnie!” Ji hyun cried, she run towards her and hugged her excitedly

“You’ve grown prettier…what did you eat?” Mi Yung said teasingly

“Really? I was resurrected from the dead with my research…maybe that did the trick” Ji hyun mused

“Let’s see…Uh! This will complete your character” Mi Yung showed her a white flowing translucent long dress with tiny pastel flower prints.

“Woah! It’s dreamy” Ji hyun said smiling

Mi Yung Unnie was so happy to see Ji hyun again. She missed her cheekiness and liveliness but something went amiss…her sincere smile. The kind of smile that lifts up the corners of her eyes, radiant and infectious enough to warm a cold heart…was lost! She thought with a sigh

Jihyun enters the set looking ethereal heads were turning on her direction as she glides. She suddenly stopped on her track and threads carefully as she saw a familiar figure talking to the director, as she came closer…he looked at her…Ji Chang Wook…he’s here…she held her breath and walk slowly towards them….It was like a scene in a movie, so surreal…he was there in the flesh, standing beside the director staring at her…his eyes were just like the way she had of him in her memories…he was there as vivid as the star gazing at her…drinking her being, touching her soul…she felt her heart stopped beating , she felt dizzy…she stopped herself for a second “What am I doing? Get your grip…you’re no longer the 22 yr star struck dreamer who was held helpless under his gaze. Get moving! Be the pro that you are” she firmly reprimanded herself

She took a deep breath and managed a friendly smile and a greeting “Annyeonghaseyo! “ she smiled warmly and politely bowed.

“Ye Annyeonghaseyo!” the director said as he bowed

“Ye….Annyeonghaseyo…” Chang Wook stammered, still gazing at her too shock to move.

“Ok let’s practice the scenario…” the director said, he look at them left and right “Are you both alright?” he continued, he felt like a referee standing in the middle of two opponents holding a battle of gazes. “Ehem!” the director cleared his throat which broke the stifling atmosphere.

“Ah, Ye…director let’s proceed” Ji hyun said with an apologetic smile

Chang Wook was half listening, half staring at her. “He hasn’t change a bit “ Jihyun noted thoughtfully. The way he took Ji hyun into his arm and embraced her was the same way he was in her memories. The kiss that will mark the ending of the CF was full of warmth, Ji hyun was having a hard time mustering all her strength not to cry.

“This is just work. He doesn’t have anything to do with me anymore. I don’t know him. I hate him!” she repeated over and over again in her mind but her body betrayed her…she wants him…she needs him…his touch, embrace and kiss were all that she dreamed of. “God please give me strength to get through with this…please” she fervently prayed.

After the shoot, she hurriedly thanked the staff and bowed herself out, dashing outside for some fresh air…the need to breathe is her priority right now, the voices she’s hearing now was starting to fade away. She felt dizzy and needs to escape.

“Ji hyun-ah” Chang Wook sofly called her name

She turned to look where the voice was coming from, as if she didn’t recognize who it was…she politely bowed down and said “I’m sorry…Ji Chang Wook-sshi, I’m really in a hurry. I still have a flight to catch” she smiled meekly and continued “Some other time okay?” bowing again, she hurriedly turned her back and walk towards the parking lot.

She quickly opened the door of the van and slumped with a heavy sigh “Yah! Are you crazy? You want to die now? What did you just do to me? You wanted me to believe that this just happened…a chance encounter? Is that it?” she frantically said to her manager

“I’m sorry, I know I should have told you first…but I’m aware that you’ll not agree to do it if you knew…I’m really sorry” replied his manager meekly

She composed herself. She didn’t want to let her emotions melt her last resolve. She let out a warm heavy breathe and said “Let’s go…go as far as you can take me…just take me away from here now!” she then closed her eyes as tears flowed freely….