Yongsun stayed in Jeju for almost a week, the eagerness to go back to Seoul was constantly on her mind. The harsh cold winds that came while she was shooting outdoors wasn’t helping either in helping her get through the long shooting hours.

Byulyi’s calls to her was constant, however it was usually short. As for how busy Byulyi was, it was something that Yongsun could never ever imagine. Yongsun for one, would never take the initiative to call her, perhaps of her guilty conscience, she feared that Byulyi would feel uneasiness in inappropriate situations.

It was the last day of shoot, after they ended it started raining heavily. Yongsun alongside with Wheein was on their way back to the hostel in the production van. As they travelled along the road, suddenly the driver made an emergency brake. They almost got into an accident with another car which came out suddenly from an alley. The driver cursed on the spot, shortly after he got out of the car with an umbrella, checking to see if there were any damages to the car.

Yongsun’s wrist suffered some pain due to the sudden impact she held onto the seat suddenly during the emergency break. After checking on Wheein, Yongsun turned her attention back to the front. Suddenly, she was reminded back then when she was in Byulyi’s car, in a similar situation. She remembered when Byulyi was soaked wet to her skin, she remembered the moment when they shared an umbrella under the heavy rain, she remembered how close Byulyi pulled her in to her body just so she wouldn’t get wet.

Yongsun remembered the close proximity between the both of them under the heavy rain, in the moment, the yearn for Byulyi was so strong that she couldn’t control herself. She quickly took out her phone and boldly dialed her number, it was the first time Yongsun took the initiative to call Byulyi, perhaps, it could turn out as a surprise for her.

“Hello?” Her voice was clear, but the background was noisy, as if everyone around her were all talking at the same time.

Yongsun didn’t know what to say, so she simply replied. “Hello…”

“Is anything the matter?” Her tone was of a professional one, totally emotionless.

“Nothing.” Yongsun could only reply upon hearing Byulyi’s tone.

“I’m in a meeting, I’ll contact you later.”

“Okay.”

Byulyi hung up immediately. Yongsun could only imagine what was going on in the meeting room, Byulyi putting back her phone in her pocket, put on her expression again as she leaned back in the chair as if nothing happened.

At that moment, Yongsun looked at the marks that was drawn by the ongoing rain on the window of the car, her mood was suddenly upset. She can’t blame Byulyi right, of course she can’t blame her. But when Yongsun realised that she wasn’t the one that was most valued by Byulyi, she can’t help but to feel disappointed. A human’s heart, is always greedy, always selfish.

“Unnie, you alright?” Wheein’s concern came from the side.

Not turning her head, Yongsun continued to stare at the window, looking at how the rain dribbles down the window. “Yeah…”

The driver came back to the car after awhile and continued driving. It was another silent journey throughout. Almost 20 minutes later, Yongsun’s phone vibrated in her hand, it was Byulyi.

Yongsun did not pick up, as though trying to tell Byulyi that she had important things to do now too.

The vibration did not stop, after another 2 missed calls, it finally stopped. Shortly after, Yongsun received a message. “Sorry in cery bsuy.” The typos were obvious, once again Yongsun imagined Byulyi to be in the middle of something, while trying to appease her. She can’t help but to think that while sending her this message, Byulyi was definitely not smiling at her phone. Was she concerned, frustrated, or annoyed?

***

After dinner while packing her luggage, Byulyi’s call came once again.

Yongsun finally decided to answer the call, afterall they’re not in some high school relationship, even if there were some dissatisfaction, there needs to be a limit. However, she didn’t say anything when she answered. There were some silence, it was an awkward silence.

“Are you angry?” Byulyi asked in a gentle tone.

“No, I put my phone on vibration and left it in my bag, I didn’t realised it.” Yongsun lied.

“Then why didn’t you call me back?”

“I was afraid that it might inconvenient.”

“Sorry, when you called I was in a meeting with the logistics department.”

“It’s okay, I know you’re busy.”

“I’m glad you called me, you’ve never once called me, other than work issues.” Byulyi finally said that.

Yongsun laughed, but it was slightly forced.

“Oh yes, Hyejin told me Yonghye wants to resign. She asked me how she should handle it.”

Yongsun was surprised, “She’s resigning? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Do you want to ask her about it? If she wants to go to another company or try something else, I can handle it for it.”

“It’s so easy now because of what we are now.” Yongsun sighed, “Think of the times when I had to nicely ask you so many times last time just to let Yonghye go.”

“Back then it didn’t look like you came to talk to me nicely. You look more like you’re here to pick a fight with me.” Byulyi softly laughed over the phone.

“Really? Was I that fierce?”

“Yeah, and shortly after in the elevator when you told me Hyunsik was your ex, it really shocked me.”

“I’m an honest person.” Yongsun was somewhat embarrassed.

“I’m so jealous of him, he got to meet you first.” A sudden remark from Byulyi threw Yongsun off.

“Would there be a difference?”

“Of course, if I met you a few years ago, my plans and arrangements would be completely different from now.”

Yongsun was silent. It was a topic that was meaningless to carry any discussions.

“How’s your shoot? You should be coming back soon.” Byulyi was sensitive, she changed the topic immediately.

“Tomorrow’s flight.”

“What time are you reaching?”

“4 in the afternoon.”

“I should be free to pick you up.”

“No!” Yongsun hurriedly declined. “Do not pick me up!”

“Yong, why do you always refuse my arrangement?”

“I’m used to freedom, I don’t need someone else to specially take care of me.” Yongsun answered, but in reality, what Yongsun was refusing was what represented Byulyi. Her authority, her status, her wealth, all of these was what Yongsun shouldn’t be enjoying. Yet how could Yongsun frankly tell Byulyi her true thoughts?

Byulyi seemed helpless and frustrated, yet she kept a half joking half serious tone. “I just want to please you, but it seems like it’s difficult to please you.”

“With our relationship now, I don’t think you have to please me?” Yongsun replied in an ambiguous tone.

“No,” Byulyi replied softly. “Towards you, I’m always thinking how to please you.”

Yongsun smiled, the sweetness travelled all the way to her heart, the original trace of slight resentment vanished immediately. This woman here, lofty and wealthy, yet she could bring down herself to say such meek words towards Yongsun. Be it whether it’s true of false, it had made Yongsun fully satisfied.

After a lingering goodbye with Byulyi, Yongsun was reminded about Yonghye. Immediately she called Yonghye, after what seemed like a long time, Yonghye finally answered. “Unnie, you’re back?” Yonghye sounded excited, there were loud music in her background.

“No I’m only coming back tomorrow noon. It’s late, where are you?”

“I’m in the club, Hyunsik oppa brought me here. I’ve met Eric oppa and his girlfriend too!”

Annoyance showed on Yongsun’s face, “Why are you hanging around with them? Hurry up and go home.”

“Alright, chill. I’ll go home soon.”

“Oh yeah, I heard you’re resigning? When was this?”

“Remember I told you I was studying for the civil service entrance exams? I’ve passed the written exams! Hyunsik oppa said he’ll help me to get through the face interviews, of course I have to resign!”

“It’s not something that’s confirmed yet, why did you have to resign first? What if you don’t pass the interviews?” Frustration was in Yongsun’s tone.

“Hyunsik oppa said it wouldn’t be a problem. Unnie, how did you know I was about to resign?”

“I have my ways!” Yongsun prevaricated, then firmly ordered Yonghye to go home within an hour. “Call me with the house phone when you’re back!”

“Alright alright. Oh yes! Eric oppa’s girlfriend is quite pretty. He even told me that you dumped him, since when the both of you were in a relationship?” Yonghye was laughing over the phone.

“You need to stop hanging out with the both of them, both of them really says nothing but nonsense. Go home soon and don’t drink too much!”

“Okay, okay, okay!” Yonghye hung up the phone.

Yongsun shook her phone harshly to vent her frustrations, suddenly she was worried about Eric might blabber something that should not be said if he’s drunk. She wanted to call him to warn him, but she gave up quickly. How can she say this? What is her position to say this? She was nothing but just a thief caught by Eric, she can’t say anything, except to leave her fate to the heavens.

If to say at Byulyi’s side, Sandeul is like a minefield. Whereas on Yongsun’s side, Yonghye is like an unknown time bomb, no one knows when it will detonate suddenly. All Yongsun could do is to pray that the day would come later, or not come at all.

***

Yongsun walked out of the immigration point with Wheein. She was greeted by Hyejin and Hyunkyu amongst the crowd. Hyunkyu wasn’t supposed to start work today, but Yongsun couldn’t refuse the company’s arrangement. It almost took all of Yongsun to strongly protest for Hyunkyu and Hyunsoek to follow Jeju, claiming that they would just cause awkwardness between her and the production team. However, this didn’t stop Byulyi from sending Hyunkyu to pick Yongsun up at the airport, refusing for her to take a cab back.

Walking towards them, Wheein immediately found herself in the embrace of Hyejin. Yongsun was honestly jealous of that. “I’ll send Wheein back unnie, Hyunkyu will send you back.”

Yongsun nodded and bided her goodbye, Hyunkyu then took Yongsun’s luggage and led her towards their transport. “Sorry, you weren’t supposed to start work today. I’ve already said I can go back on my own.” Yongsun was apologetic, she knew that up to yesterday Hyunkyu was still working for Byulyi, today had meant to be a rest day before he officially starts working for her tomorrow.

“You should just accept Miss Moon’s good intentions.” Hyunkyu said while grinning.

Yongsun could only smile.

After getting into the car, Hyunkyu dialed Byulyi’s number and reported to her that he had already picked Yongsun up. Then he passed the phone to Yongsun.

“Is everything alright?” Byulyi showed concern immediately.

“It’s good, thank you.”

Chuckling over the phone, “Between the both of us, it seems like we’re saying too much thank you.”

“I shall not thank you then.” Yongsun turned her tone to a emotionless one immediately.

Byulyi laughed, Yongsun really liked the laughing Byulyi. “Do you have time to meet tonight?”

“I promised Yonghye I’ll be home for dinner tonight. My brother would be home too, I’ve not seen him ever since he went to Egypt. After dinner I’ll call you.”

“Alright, I’ll wait for your call.” Byulyi hung up.

At this time, the car was already speeding on the highway. Yongsun handed the phone back to Hyunkyu.

Hyunkyu sheepishly smiled, “How do you feel recently?”

Yongsun blushed, embarrassingly, “It’s okay.”

“Yongsun,” Hyunkyu was serious all of a sudden. “I want to thank you.”

“Hm? Why?”

“Honestly, I’ve worked for Miss Moon for quite some time. I’ve never seen her so happy ever since she came back to Korea. The last time I’ve really saw her smile