Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I have no intention of throwing shade at anyone, so if someone was portrayed in a mildly bad way please know that it is only so the story could follow through with its flow.
The usually quiet and calm cafe is filled with loud chatters of the director and the actors, the equipment causing clatter as the staff set it up. The bystanders were being briefed in one corner, the cashiers and the waiters being instructed with their cues and sequences on another. The assistants, managers and other representatives stood by the monitors, ready to jump into action when needed.
It was basically a typical day for the PBIO cast and staff, rehearsing and filming scenes for the upcoming episodes of the drama. The day had started quite early for everyone, especially for the two main leads, who were already on set as soon as the sun rose up. They had finished quite a few scenes, and now they were having a quick break as the staff rearranges the positioning and angling of the cameras and the mics.
“Tired?” Soo Hyun says, standing awfully close to Yea Ji who was standing in a corner, sipping from her third cup of coffee for the day. She chuckles, taking another sip. “Just a little sleepy.” Other than the drama they were filming, she also had a few ad shoots to finish, giving her a little more than thirty minutes of sleep. With all the fatigue and the emotional deposit she had to put in for her role, along with the mild insomnia, there was pretty much a million thoughts that keep her up at night.
“Maybe I should come over tonight? Hmm? What do you think? We can have take out for dinner, wine, and I’ll stay until you fall asleep.” He says with almost a whisper, inching a tad bit closer, his hand secretly rising up to run over the back of her arm, stopping right at the base of her elbow, gently squeezing. She smiles at the thought, turning to him with a glint in her eyes. She nods lightly, making him grin, squeezing her arm once more before he lets go of her at the sight of a staff member coming towards them.
It has always been like that the past few months ever since filming began. Sure, a few of the staff probably knew about the truth of their status, cast members who’ve grown close to them, the director; but they were professionals. They weren’t going to blatantly hold hands every time they want to and parade their affection to the public. Work is work, and they plan to keep it that way. Their manager was already on the brink of losing it at the inevitable stares they shared and the actions that were so natural to them that it was hard to hold back when they got carried away.
Their company was already doing a marvelous job bending their backs just to conceal and protect the privacy and secrecy of their relationship. They weren’t exactly oblivious of the fact that they give their bosses at least two skull-splitting headaches a day because of the old habits that had become so natural to them that they do it so unconsciously they forget they were so supposed to be holding back. Sometimes Yea Ji forgets not to link her arm around his when they walk together, forgetting to stop herself from fixing the creases on his shirt, to fix the strands of the hair over his forehead. Soo Hyun was getting forgetful as well. Sometimes he doesn’t remember not to inch closer to her after every scene, to ask her if she’s okay. He forgets that’s he shouldn’t keep going to her, to wipe her sweat and to carry her things. Some days were too hard not to get entranced with each other, despite being together for years, they still get drowned in the sea of each other’s orbs.
“Yea Ji, let’s rehearse the scene?” Director Park Shin Woo calls for her with a smile, motioning for her to go over to them at the table where their guest star already sat. Daniel Choi was invited to make a cameo for the episode, and they were about to film a scene of him with Moon Young and Gang Tae. Daniel stands up to greet her as she approaches them, shaking her hand, his hold lingering a little longer than normal. She walked in a room and brought light with her, brightening up the place. She was like sunshine that diminished dark heavy clouds. Anyone who wouldn’t be mesmerized in awe with her presence would be a fool. And Daniel Choi apparently wasn’t one. He was entranced by the beauty she possessed in front of him,
Yea Ji was oblivious of his small advances, offering her a seat, lingering his hand, staring at her longer. She was being naive of the intentional chivalry, mainly because she was uninterested. Soo Hyun doesn’t fail to notice everything though. He was a man too, and he was familiar of the way he acted towards his girl. He was, because he had been like that towards her a good few years ago. He immediately feels his blood boil through his veins, invisible hot steams gushing out of his nostrils.
The punk was trying to test the damn waters.
His eyes set in fiery ablaze as he fixes his eyes on them as they rehearse the scene, the director guiding them about the sequence and correlating reactions. He couldn’t look away despite being given instructions to rehearse his part, giving him the phone prop to use. At that point, it was almost literally impossible for him to divert his attention, because the way that man beside her stole glances at his woman was making him grit his teeth.
“Okay, put your arm around her.” He snaps his head to the director and then to the pair who was seated down. He watches carefully as Daniel puts his arm around her, hand resting on the base of her shoulder. He huffs out a breath as he catches him squeezing her skin lightly.
He swallows a lump in his throat as he walks around, pretending to take photos of whatever as he continues to watch them on the corner of his eyes. He tries to go nearer, flailing his arms wider, making louder noises. He himself has no idea what he was trying to achieve. To make a scene, to distract the directors, to stop rehearsal, he doesn't know. All he knew was that he was trying to alleviate the brewing storm of anger inside of him.
"Soo Hyun-ssi, move a bit." The director slides past him, moving closer to the pair on the table. He slowly backs away, eyes fixed on Yea Ji. She was intently listening to the instructions, nodding her head, smiling and trying to pitch her own ideas. It was as if she was completely oblivious to the treacherous advances, but he knew she wasn't. Of course she noticed, but she was too kind for her own good. He knows she was trying to convince herself that it was only for the scene, that the skinship of their shoulders pressed against each other was essential for the time being. He knew it too, but he was just too jealous to admit it.
But he was on the brink of losing it. The punk was talking to her too closely, smiling at her too intentionally. And the small talk he was trying to initiate was making his nerves tremble in annoyance.
Making his way back, he catches Yea Ji's eyes on him and he takes the opportunity to give her a knowing look. The wildfire that spread over his pupils immediately sent her the message. She knew he was bothered with the close proximity and invading touches on her. She didn't mind it initially, it was part of the scene, but she wasn't totally blind of his added intentions. It made her slightly queasy, her sense of awareness multiplying tenfold. He didn’t seem like someone who would intentionally harass her, he was just merely showing his interest. But she had to be professional about it, just until they finish the scene.
She inches further away at the sight of Soo Hyun's glare, it was the least she could do to ease his discomfort. She glances at him, telepathically telling him it was okay. He lets out a sigh and walks the other direction, making his way to stand in the corner.
"Okay, hands on waist." Soo Hyun watches carefully as Daniel's hand slides down the back, reaching just below her breast, too high above her waist. His head almost explodes in fury.
"Ah, chincha. This punk is asking for it." He takes heavy steps towards them, fueld with nothing but agitation at the sight if his violating touch. Before he could go any further though, Manager Ryu was already in front of him, lowkey pushing him back.
"You don't want to be in the news tomorrow for beating up a guest star, Yea Ji wouldn't appreciate it also. Back down." His manager whispers, giving him a serious look. He let's out a breath and looks up, biting the bottom of his lip as he backs away.
Their manager was right. They've gotten this far without anyone exposing the truth of their relationship, thus being able to enjoy each other's presence without worry of their privacy and safety. Too many people have worked hard for them, both of them, had worked hard to keep this relationship as discreet and as private as possible. They wouldn't have survived this long, not getting as strong as they are if it wasn't for all their efforts. He wasn't about to waste all of those just because he was jealous and burning with anger and utter resentment.
He tries to cool himself down, giving his attention on his emotions. He had to be Gang Tae right now, he had to be professional. He is a professional. When they started filming, everything thankfully played out smoothly, but Gang Tae may have displayed a tad bit more jealousy than what was needed of him. He couldn't help but let a part of him lace through his acting as he took the damned photos of them, Daniel's hand still positioned on an area he definitely did not approve of.
"I think you went a little too much, but I think it's good. It highlighted Gang Tae's hidden feelings for Moon Young that were surfacing out of his control. Good job." The director pats his shoulder, filling him with accolades for his stellar performance, as usual. "Okay, I think that's a wrap here. Let's prep to move to the next location." His voice thunders, sending everyone on synchronized movements as they pack up.
"You were really great." Daniel muses at Yea Ji, offering a hand for her stand up. She politely takes it, smiling at him as she mutters a soft thank you. “You did pretty great yourself. Thank you for agreeing to guest in the episode.” She smiles at him, talking to him formally and being mindful of their safe distance. She didn’t want him to get the wrong idea.
“Oh, it was a pleasure. It’s an honor to guest in such a great show, and to act alongside with such a beautiful woman like you.” He smiles at her, coy giddiness in his eyes. She only nods politely. “Thank you, Sunbaenim.”
“Sunbaenim? Oh, you should speak to me informally. Uhm, I was also wondering if----” Before he could even push through with the courageous move he was finally making, Soo Hyun cuts him off when he slides right in between them, hand stretching out to reach for Yea Ji’s micro bag on the table. He glances at her once, and then turns his full attention towards Daniel.
“Choi Daniel, it was a pleasure to have you.” He pretends to be fond of his presence despite the storm of anger and fury surging through his being. They shake hands, exchanging a few accolades and thanks. Daniel attempted to pick up from he left off with Yea Ji but Soo Hyun was already, very obviously, grabbing her hand and taking her with him as he leaves. “Yea Ji-ah, let’s go.” Giving emphasis on the casuality of his tone.
“You’re holding my hand.” Yea Ji whispers as he brings them to a hidden corner, behind the black curtains and the monitors. He doesn’t speak as they stop, huffing a steamy breath as he turns to her with pure frustration in his eyes. The vexation buried deep in his face stuns her for a second. He was clearly so agitated his ears were blushing red. “Kinchana?” She asks, her eyes looking at him nonchalantly.
“Kinchana?” He throws the same question, pointing to himself in disbelief. “Don’t ask me if I’m okay, are you okay?” He huffs a breath, looking away for a second as he bit the inside of his cheek. “He was obviously trying to make a move on you, he’s staring at you like you’re red meat. And damn it, this is your waist.” He places his hands on her waist. “Not here.” He raises it up to the same position Daniel was touching a while ago, just below the side of her breasts. “What, was he trying to cup a free feel?” He huffs another breath, flicking his tongue against his chest, backing away as he places his hands on either side of his hips.
“Soo Hyun-ah, it was just part of the scene. And you know me, you think I’d allow him to violate me?” He looks at her again, another huff of a breath escaping his lips. She was right though, she wasn’t some damsel in distress. She knew how to protect herself mentally, and physically. He’d got his own fare share of her physical strength a few times, and he personally knew how hard she throw a punch and maybe a kick as well. But it still doesn’t change the fact that he was fuming mad.
“Was ‘you should talk to me informally’ part of the scene too?” He raises his eyebrows, huffing through his nose. “It took me so long to have you speak to me casually, and this guy just tries to have you calling him oppa after spending barely an hour with you.” He mumbles under his breath, looking down at his feet before he looks up at the ceiling as memories of the early stages of their relationship fill his mind. He had to endure almost a year of being ‘friends’ and being called sunbaenim and then to Soo Hyun-ssi before she started to withdraw from the formalities. He wooed her for so long, he’s not gonna let some punk to just sway him away.
He bites his lips, his chest heaving up and down as he tries to calm himself down. He looks at her, calm wavering over him when he sees her smile. “Boya? Why are you smiling?” She grins, crossing her arms over her chest. “You’re jealous.” She says coyly, her gummy smile emerging. He huffs another breath and furrows his brow, defensively looking away. She wasn’t wrong, but he wasn’t going to admit that. “Whatever.” He mumbles, stealing glances at her as she maintains her cheeky grin.
She raises her brow and chuckles, walking over to him closer. Running her hands carefully over the back of his red ears and down to his neck, she smiles at him, tilting her head. “Calm down, Mr. Kim Soo Hyun. It’s nothing.” She slides her arms around his torso, holding him close as she grins at him. “Your ears are so red they might just explode.” She chortles, looking up at him. She looked so small against him, his height towering over her petite figure. Seeing her close like this immediately calms the turbulent vicious waters in him. She was his tranquility, his warmth in a cold stormy day.
He releases a sigh and hugs her back, holding her close and tight. He leans in and buries his face on her neck, snuggling in her skin, inhaling her sweet scent of flowers on a spring day. “I’m not jealous.” He mumbles, pressing the side of his face against hers. She chuckles, playfully rolling her eyes. “Uhuh.”
“Yea Ji-ssi, you’re car is. . . .ready.” One of her assistants stammer at the sight them, finding them in their small corner after looking for her. Yea Ji mildly jolts in his hold, letting him go, slightly pushing against his chest. He reluctantly lets go of her, the sight of his manager’s stoic face welcoming him. “I’ll be there.” Yea Ji attempts to make her way when he holds her hand in his, tight and secure. “She’s riding with me.” He announces authoritatively, pulling her with him. Manager Ryu could only sigh and pinch the bridge of his nose.
Seated at the back of his car, he leans against the door on the far side from her. He had the most obnoxious pout on his face, arms crossed over his chest, brows furrowed as he spaced out. Yea Ji could only grin and chuckle, shaking her head. Letting out a breath, she reaches for his shoulder, squeezing. “Are you sure, you’re not jealous?” She playfully raises her brow and smirks at him. He looks at her, his chest heaving up and down, trying to repress himself until he couldn’t anymore. He grunts, flailing his arms, hitting his thights. “Fine! Maybe a little.” He leans back against his seat, slamming hard, arms back across his chest.
“What would you feel if you see someone holding what’s yours?” He mumbles like a sulking toddler. She smiles, inching closer, pulling his arm so he was drawn against her. Sighing, he surrender to her, basically curling up against her side, burying his head on the crook of her neck as he drapes his arm over her thin torso. She giggles as she cradles him like her big baby, running a hand over his defined arms.
“There, you said it. I’m yours.You’re stuck with me, you can’t get rid of me anytime soon because I’m all yours.” She chuckles as he holds her tighter. Her other hand rises up his head, her fingers caressing his hair as she presses her cheek against it. “Chill, baby. We’re going to have dinner tonight, right? Take out, wine, and maybe I might not let you go home tonight.” When he looks up at her, she unleashes a cheeky wink, making him chuckle. Completely calm, he shakes his head and brings her closer, smothering her neck with light kisses. She chuckles. “I almost forgot I have to take care of a jealous big baby.” She smiles, pinning his hair back from his forehead, pressing a warm kiss.
