Vol 3 Ch 29

As is the case with all relationships, the romance between the two was not always smooth sailing. There were days of arguments, days of subtle coldness, and days when Inseop burst into tears due to Wooyeon’s unreasonable jealousy.

 

Generally, all arguments ended within a day. If Inseop apologized first, Wooyeon would accept it readily, or Wooyeon would see Inseop hovering around, unable to apologize, and Wooyeon would kiss him, unable to hold back his laughter.

 

This time was a bit different from usual.

 

Inseop was a little excited to have dinner with Lee Wooyeon for the first time in a few days. These days, the drama Lee Wooyeon is starring in has surpassed the highest viewership ratings for terrestrial broadcasters in the past decade and is breaking records day after day.

 

Everyone gathered their praises, saying that a well-made hit drama with a solid story, not just a melodramatic drama with high viewer ratings, had come out. Especially, Wooyeon’s acting as genius neurosurgeon Seo Wonyoung was highly praised, saying that it had become much more delicate and deep than before. Some even said that other candidates for awards at the year-end awards ceremony shouldn’t even be put on the list.

 

‘Are there only six episodes left to film now?’

 

‘Yes. We have to go right after dinner today.’

 

‘You must be tired. Why did you come all the way here?’

 

‘I came because I wanted to see you.’

 

Wooyeon added with a nonchalant tone, making Inseop blush. Hearing Wooyeon’s words, Inseop, who was poking around the salad under the table, felt nervous, and Wooyeon added, ‘Oh, and don’t watch today’s episode.’

 

‘What? Why? It’s an important part…’

 

Inseop, who is a more passionate viewer than anyone else, asked sullenly.

 

‘A kissing scene comes out.’

 

Wooyeon answered casually. The viewer ratings skyrocketed from the episode where the protagonist, who had almost no emotional expression, began to show some emotions to the female lead.

 

‘…It’s okay. I’ve seen it before.’

 

Inseop replied timidly.

 

‘It’s different from before we were dating.’

 

‘……’

 

‘Anyway, don’t watch it. I don’t want to show it.’

 

‘Okay.’

 

Inseop nodded solemnly. That day, he didn’t watch the drama as Wooyeon instructed. The problem arose a few days later.

 

With only four episodes of the drama left to film, rumors of a romance between Wooyeon and the co-star spread. Because the chemistry between the two characters in the drama was so good, among the fans of the drama, the dominant opinion was that they hoped the two were really dating. Although both actors’ agencies, especially Wooyeon’s agency, quickly announced that they were just good colleagues and that the rumors were groundless, once the rumor of a romance caught fire, it did not dissolve easily. Articles even emerged suggesting that they would announce their marriage after the drama ended.

 

Wooyeon immediately called Inseop and asked, ‘You’re not worried about those stupid articles, are you?’

 

‘I’m fine.’

 

‘Don’t worry about it, it’s just a bunch of psychopaths who can’t distinguish between drama and reality.’

 

Inseop was both grateful and sorry for Wooyeon, who called to explain, even though he hadn’t slept properly for days due to the drama filming schedule. He wanted to ease Wooyeon’s mind. So, he made a mistake that he wouldn’t normally make and said, ‘Maybe they’re just thinking that you two look so good together.’

 

‘……’

 

There was a chilly silence over the phone. Inseop realized his mistake and tried to apologize, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…’ but Wooyeon’s judgment was already distorted.

 

‘I didn’t know you thought that way, Inseop.’

 

‘Wooyeon, I didn’t mean…’

 

‘Let’s talk later. I have to go to the filming.’

 

‘…Okay.’

 

That’s how the call ended. Inseop held his phone and continued to wait for Wooyeon’s call. But the call from Wooyeon never came that day. Inseop, who stayed up all night with bloodshot eyes, sat blankly in front of the television with his phone next to him. Due to his drowsiness and lack of concentration, he didn’t even notice what scene was on the screen.

 

When he suddenly looked up, a scene of Wooyeon kissing his co-star filled the screen.

 

When Wooyeon kissed, he covered his face with his hands and overlapped his lips. When his big fingers swept down his cheeks and neck, expressing tender emotions, Inseop felt so good that his whole body shivered.

 

‘……’

 

It felt strange to see the affectionate expression he used to receive from Wooyeon on the screen. He felt depressed and angry. …It felt like watching a scene he shouldn’t watch. Seeing Wooyeon’s love scene filmed during their relationship was completely different from before. He seemed to understand why Wooyeon told him not to watch that episode.

 

Before he became more depressed, he thought he should turn off the television. At that moment, the TV suddenly turned off.

 

He looked back. Wooyeon, holding the remote control, looked at him expressionlessly.

 

‘Were you watching how well we fit together?’

 

‘No, I just turned it on, and it came out.’

 

Wooyeon sighed softly and bent down to kiss Inseop.

 

‘Did you eat breakfast?’

 

After the extremely short kiss, Wooyeon still asked with the same expressionless face.

 

…his anger hasn’t completely subsided yet.

 

Inseop shook his head silently.

 

‘That’s good. Let’s eat together.’

 

Wooyeon showed the disposable container he had brought.

 

‘You don’t have to sleep? It must have been days of sleeping only a little.’

 

‘I have to eat and go out again.’

 

Inseop realized that Wooyeon had deliberately stopped by to bring him breakfast. Even if he was angry, there was no way he could resist his affection.

 

…How can I like this person more and more?

 

Inseop let out a small sigh.

 

‘You don’t like it?’

 

Inseob shook his head at Lee Wooyeon’s question.

 

‘No. It’s delicious. I love it.’

 

Because the broth was light and clean, Inseop often bought bean sprout rice soup when he had no appetite. Wooyeon swallowed a laugh.

 

‘I know. That’s why I bought it.’

 

Is the anger dissipating a little?

 

Inseop glanced at Wooyeon and moved his spoon.

 

‘When will the filming be finished?’

 

‘There are four episodes left, so it will probably end this week.’

 

‘After it’s finished, you’re going to Hawaii right away.’

 

Wooyeon looked at Inseop with a expression like he was talking nonsense.

 

‘…For a reward vacation.’

 

When a drama with good ratings ends, the production company and the broadcasting company usually send actors on a reward vacation. Ever since Wooyeon’s drama surpassed three episodes, there had been talks of a reward vacation.

 

‘Why do I have to go there?’

 

‘….’

 

Inseop couldn’t say anything.

 

The custom of a reward vacation was a bit subtle. How many actors they included and where they sent them determined the success of the drama. At the drama production presentation, it was to the extent that the actors wished they could go on a reward vacation if the ratings were great.

 

Usually, they would go to Southeast Asia, but this time, it was reported early on that they would go to a luxury resort in Hawaii. This was because the ratings were rising. If the lead actor missed out on an event that attracted so much attention, it would not look good.

 

‘Why?’

 

Wooyeon asked, stopping his spoon.

 

‘…Wouldn’t it be better for you to go?’

 

Wooyeon stared at Inseop, then swallowed a forced laugh. Then he leaned over and brought his face close to Inseop’s nose.

 

‘Do you know when was the last time we had s*x?’

 

‘……!’

 

Inseop’s face turned bright red.

 

The week before, Inseop had packed lunch and visited the filming location. The lunch was an excuse, but he was worried about Wooyeon’s sleep disorder, so he went to see him.

 

As soon as he saw Inseop, Wooyeon grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the van. He kicked out the driver who was sleeping in the driver’s seat, closed the van door, and firmly told him that they had important things to do, so he shouldn’t bother him for three hours.

 

Wooyeon comforted the teary-eyed Inseop, who said that they could get in big trouble if people saw, and they enjoyed s*x in the van for about an hour. The remaining two hours, Inseop cuddled in Wooyeon’s arms and took a short nap.

 

When Inseop blushed just thinking about their time in the van, Wooyeon lightly tapped his chin again, as if urging him to answer quickly.

 

‘Um, about ten days ago…’

 

‘Exactly thirteen days ago. Even now, I’m barely holding back from spreading you open and pounding into you. After work, I’m going to do nothing but have s*x with you for three days, you know that.’

 

‘…’

 

‘Let’s eat.’

 

As Inseop just held onto the spoon, Wooyeon furrowed his eyebrows again and raised his head.

 

‘What’s the problem now?’

 

‘…It’s nothing.’

 

‘It’s clearly written all over your face. Just say it.’

 

‘If you’re not attending because of me… you don’t have to.’

 

‘When did I ever say I wouldn’t attend because of you? After living with me for so many years, do you still see me as a proper human being?’

 

Wooyeon’s lips curled into a smirk.

 

‘Or do you still wish I were a proper human being? So that I could date women and go to drama wrap-up parties with them?’

 

‘No, why would you say that?’

 

As Inseop stuttered in response, Wooyeon swallowed what he wanted to say and let out a sigh.

 

‘Let’s eat.’

 

Although his appetite had disappeared, Inseop forced himself to move the spoon. He didn’t want to waste the food that Lee Woo-yeon had deliberately taken the time to buy for him. That’s why. Unlike usual, he choked down the food forcefully and ended up vomiting right there. Inseop, who vomited several times throughout the day, went to the hospital on his own. While receiving IV fluids, he immediately sent a message to Wooyeon. It was their agreement to never lie about health issues in any situation.

 

Thinking that he would check later since Wooyeon was filming, Inseop fell asleep as he was. When he woke up to a cautious voice from a nurse as she gently woke him up when all the IV fluids had been administered, Inseop blinked his eyes a couple of times.

 

‘Are you okay?’

 

Wooyeon’s voice was heard as he sat by the bedside. Inseop quickly sat up.

 

‘You should lie down. There’s still a little left.’

 

Wooyeon checked the IV bag and said.

 

‘…Why, aren’t you still filming?’

 

Wooyeon’s expression twisted sharply.

 

‘Is that important right now?’

 

There were two weeks’ worth of footage left. It was considered the final stretch. Inseop didn’t know what to do at the thought that Wooyeon rushed over from filming because of a simple upset stomach.

 

‘I just feel a little sick. It’s nothing serious.’

 

‘You…’

 

Wooyeon’s jaw tightened firmly. Staring at Inseop like that, Wooyeon stood up from his seat.

 

‘I’ll go put this away.’

 

After receiving all the IV fluids, Inseop returned home. Even at home, the frosty atmosphere between them didn’t seem to thaw.

 

You shouldn’t be here. …Shouldn’t you be leaving by now?

 

Unable to say anything and nervously glancing at each other, Inseop eventually rushed back to the bathroom to vomit again. Wooyeon’s expression, who was patting Inseop’s back, also hardened gradually.

 

‘Inseop, let’s get you admitted. I’ll take care of your belongings….’

 

Inseop, who rinsed his mouth with water, grabbed Wooyeon’s arm.

 

‘It’s just an upset stomach. That’s all.’

 

‘Are you a doctor?’

 

‘…’

 

‘Get admitted right away and get examined.’

 

Wooyeon showed an almost obsessive hypersensitive reaction to Inseop’s health issues. If he caught a cold and coughed, Wooyeon would take him to get chest X-rays, and if he vomited due to indigestion, he would admit him to the hospital. This was already the fifth time he had been admitted this year.

 

Every time, Inseop felt too sorry, as if he were giving trauma to Wooyeon. And he felt embarrassed and disliked his weak body.

 

‘Then I’ll go alone. I’ll let you know the test results once they’re out, so for now, go to the filming set….’

 

The expression disappeared from Wooyeon’s face. After staring at Inseop for a while, Wooyeon spoke up.

 

‘I don’t mind ditching the drama right now.’

 

‘…!’

 

‘Why? You think I can’t do it?’

 

Wooyeon took out his phone from his pocket. Inseop held his arm, looking serious.

 

‘Please don’t.’

 

Two works were already stopped midway because of him. If it were another actor, they would never have set foot in this industry again. N Company still hadn’t lifted the implicit ban on appearances. The face of CEO Kim, who said that if the atmosphere improved with this project, the ban would be lifted, came to mind.

 

‘You said you like me even if I quit my job, so it doesn’t matter, right?

 

‘It doesn’t matter.’

 

‘But why do you act like that?’

 

‘…Even if it’s not acting, you don’t always have to be so extreme about everything.’

 

Even if he quit being an actor, it wouldn’t matter. But it didn’t end there. He couldn’t handle everything in such an extreme way every time and this behaviour wasn’t something that should be dragged out for years, so Inseop thought he shouldn’t retreat this time.

 

‘Extreme?’

 

Wooyeon tilted his head, repeating Inseop’s words.

 

‘Am I being extreme?’

 

‘…’

 

‘I don’t know since I’m broken here, so tell me, Inseop. Am I being extreme?’

 

Wooyeon tapped his temple with his finger, smiling.

 

He didn’t want to argue anymore.

 

Inseop lowered his head.

 

‘…I’ll try not to get sick. I’m sorry.’

 

‘Does trying make it okay?’

 

Eventually, tears welled up in Inseop’s eyes. He was sorry. He was embarrassed. He disliked his weak body, and he slightly resented Wooyeon for poking at that part.

 

‘Don’t cry. I… Dammit.’

 

Wooyeon tried to wipe Inseop’s tears but withdrew his hand and cursed. He hastily brushed his hair, leaving Inseop behind. Shortly after, the manager came to the house.

 

‘Lee Wooyeon asked me to take Inseop to the hospital. Is everything okay?’

 

Asked cautiously by the manager, Inseop apologized profusely for causing trouble and said he was fine. That day, he went to the hospital with the manager, received tests, heard that there were no abnormalities, and returned home. Inseop took a picture of the test results and sent them to Wooyeon.

 

[I’m glad. I probably won’t be able to come home for a while because of filming. Call me if you feel sick.]

 

That was all the reply he received from Wooyeon.

 

It happened three days ago.