Chapter Twenty-Nine: My Heartache

In the end, Cha Eun-sang did not attend Kim Tan’s birthday party. She simply couldn’t understand why she was invited to such a high-society event—did he not realize how awkward she would feel? Perhaps in the past, she might have entertained other thoughts, but ever since joining ANJ, her perspective had changed drastically. She loved her current life, and she liked the meticulous, obsessive, and proud Hwang Tae-kyung.

She felt she and Kim Tan belonged to entirely different worlds, and they should have nothing to do with each other. What made her even angrier was that, because Han Qi-ai couldn’t appear at the party, even her mother had been sent away to the countryside. It was simply infuriating.

President Kim had wanted her to go back to her hometown as well, but there were still ANJ activities she couldn’t abandon. So she made a promise to President Kim that she would never see Kim Tan again.

After her meeting with President Kim, she saw Hwang Tae-kyung.

Strangely enough, Hwang Tae-kyung was with Uhey. Eun-sang immediately felt uneasy and subconsciously followed them. She had spent enough time with Hwang Tae-kyung to recognize him, even in his low-key attire and full disguise. Uhey was even easier to identify.

Eun-sang had come to Cheongdam-dong specifically to see President Kim, so what she witnessed was Hwang Tae-kyung and Uhey shopping together. Could they be dating? That seemed impossible.

Uhey had been staying in their dorm for two days now. The first day had been chaotic, but she finally settled in Shin-woo’s room. Technically, she didn’t need to stay overnight just for behind-the-scenes filming, but there were always inconvenient times for rest or changing clothes. Eun-sang couldn’t understand what the production team hoped to achieve with this show—forcing two unrelated people to act like a married couple, full of ambiguous intimacy, for what purpose?

Hwang Tae-kyung was just as frustrated. If it weren’t for Shin-woo’s birthday, he wouldn’t have bothered accompanying Uhey shopping. Couldn’t she have called Jeremy instead?

Of course, Uhey had asked Hwang Tae-kyung along because she genuinely liked him. At first, she thought he might like Go Mi-nam, which would have dashed all her hopes, but after observing over the past few days, she realized Hwang Tae-kyung actually seemed rather annoyed by Go Mi-nam.

So, on Shin-woo’s birthday, she decided to go shopping with Hwang Tae-kyung.

Though she was the kind of girl who expressed her feelings openly, she was still a bit nervous at this moment. To be honest, Hwang Tae-kyung wasn’t her usual type at all, but she still found herself drawn to him.

“What are you buying? Have you decided?” Hwang Tae-kyung glanced at the dazzling array of goods in the mall, feeling unusually playful. “This is something a wife should be taking care of, you know.”

Uhey was a little disheartened. She didn’t dislike Shin-woo, but her feelings for him were clearly not romantic. Yet she had to film a show with him and even stay in his room—could it get any more awkward? Even her awkward expressions were repeatedly praised by the cameraman as “just right,” exactly the kind of tension newlyweds should display. Uhey was speechless.

“I haven’t decided,” she said.

“Then why bother buying anything at all!” Hwang Tae-kyung raised his voice slightly, but that was all—he showed no impatience or anger. “Jeremy and I didn’t get anything.”

“You’re men. I’m a woman. How can you compare?” Uhey retorted, annoyed. Just as Hwang Tae-kyung was about to reply, she grabbed his arm. “That one! Let’s just get a tie!”

A tie? That was certainly loaded with meaning. Who knew if Uhey really didn’t understand or if she was just playing along for the show.

Hwang Tae-kyung frowned without realizing it. Lately, with more frequent contact, his impression of Uhey had changed considerably. He’d once thought her flashy and superficial, but she was actually talented and capable. Watching her dash into the store and turn back to smile at him, he suddenly felt something stir inside.

He shook off his inexplicable feelings and followed her into the shop. Even when the sales clerk looked at them in shock and disbelief, he found himself less bothered than usual.

“What do you think of this one?” Uhey held up a red tie, seeking his opinion. But before Hwang Tae-kyung could answer, his phone rang.

After the call, Hwang Tae-kyung apologized. “Sorry, Go Mi-nam said something came up and wants me to come over. You go ahead and pick something. I’ll come find you later.”

It was rare for Hwang Tae-kyung to say so much, but it was all because of Go Mi-nam’s call. Uhey felt a strange discomfort in her chest. She dragged Hwang Tae-kyung outside and asked seriously, “Do you like men?”

Hwang Tae-kyung’s expression twitched. He really didn’t know how to explain. “No… it’s not like that.”

“But you only like Go Mi-nam?” Uhey looked at him coldly. She knew she had no right to treat him this way, but she was in a bad mood and couldn’t help herself.

Hwang Tae-kyung hesitated for a moment but ultimately said nothing, his brows knitting in frustration.

“Go, then,” Uhey said. “Just go.”

She didn’t look at his expression again and went straight back inside.

“Miss Uhey, are you dating Hwang Tae-kyung?” the sales clerk asked tentatively.

Uhey wanted to say yes but felt a pang of bitterness. What was the point? A lie would only mislead others.

“No, we’re not dating.” In front of others, she was always gentle and pleasant. Smiling, she said, “We’re here to buy a gift for Shin-woo oppa. That’s all I’ll say.”

Recently, the preview for “We Got Married” had been released. Although it left some suspense, most people had guessed it was her and Shin-woo. Since they had worked together often, the pairing was highly anticipated. Today, seeing her shopping for Shin-woo’s gift, the sales clerk couldn’t resist letting her imagination run wild and posting about it online.

Watching the clerk’s happy expression, Uhey felt miserable inside. The clerk eagerly said, “A red tie symbolizes passionate love! You must choose this one. Shin-woo oppa would look great in red—he’s so gentle, but I bet he would be surprisingly bold in love!”

She seemed to know Shin-woo better than Uhey did.

Still, she wasn’t entirely wrong. Whether it was Shin-woo pulling her away from reporters or his park-side confession, she felt he was different from before.

The clerk, sharp-eyed as ever, noticed the nation’s darling blush—a piece of sensational news!

“Then… let it be the red one,” Uhey said.

Feeling she couldn’t linger in the store any longer, she quickly paid and left with the gift.

She had hardly stepped outside when Shin-woo called.

“Where are you? Anna is looking for you.”

Shin-woo’s tone revealed no particular emotion, but only Uhey knew how distant they had become recently. Though they acted like a couple on camera, there was only awkwardness when the cameras were off.

“I…” She couldn’t say she was out buying his gift, so she replied, “I’m… practicing dance, I must have missed her call. I’ll call Anna right now!”

Shin-woo said nothing more, only watching from afar the figure he longed to see every day, letting out a soft sigh.

Perhaps some feelings simply can’t be forced.

Shin-woo looked at Uhey one last time before turning to leave the building. He had hoped that if Uhey said she was out shopping, he could tell her, “Turn around—you’ll see me.” But she had said she was practicing dance, so he didn’t even have a chance to appear.

He walked a few steps, unable to bear it, and stopped. He watched as Uhey called Anna and waited with her in the nearly empty luxury mall. Only after Anna arrived and Uhey got in her car did he finally leave.

Some feelings are destined to have no outcome, yet are impossible to let go.

Anna scolded Uhey a little in the car, but as soon as she learned Uhey had gone to buy Shin-woo a tie, she immediately broke into a smile. Uhey had a film premiere the next day and no other work for now. Her new album was scheduled for release during “We Got Married,” hoping to boost her popularity.

Uhey was already quite famous, and Anna was truly happy for her. Although she wished Uhey’s career would progress further or take a new turn, she also thought it would be nice if her romantic life advanced as well. Their agency wasn’t too strict about such matters, and if Uhey and Shin-woo got together, it would be a great selling point.

Uhey seemed preoccupied and spoke little on the way, her hand clutching the gift box tightly, her brow never relaxing. Anna felt sorry for her, not knowing what was troubling her, but since Uhey said nothing, she didn’t ask.

By the time they returned to the ANJ dormitory, it was already afternoon. Shin-woo had arrived earlier and was making tea when they entered. ANJ had a music video shoot that night, so Shin-woo and Uhey’s behind-the-scenes filming was on hold for the moment.

Uhey went to Shin-woo’s room (now shared by both of them) to hide the gift, then came downstairs where Anna had started her tea.

Shin-woo acted as though nothing unusual had happened, smiling. “You must be tired. Sit and rest a while.”

Anna deliberately took the seat opposite, leaving Uhey and Shin-woo to sit together. Shin-woo gave her a gentle smile.

Uhey didn’t notice their exchange, her mind occupied with why Hwang Tae-kyung had left with Go Mi-nam.

“I’m here because of your shoot tonight,” Anna said seriously, setting down her cup. “The production team thinks that’s the best time to show your relationship. Uhey, remember to give Shin-woo the towel and water—make it look natural.”

“…Okay.”

Shin-woo felt a strange anticipation rising at Anna’s words.

Hwang Tae-kyung and “Go Mi-nam” didn’t return until after seven in the evening. “Go Mi-nam’s” eyes were red and swollen as if he’d been crying, which made Uhey very annoyed. Why would a man cry? It just looked weak! She shot “Go Mi-nam” a glare, but since he was a man, it would seem petty to fuss over it, so she let it go.

That night, the music video shoot was at the swimming pool. Uhey was supposed to surprise Shin-woo, as if he hadn’t known she would come. When she arrived, the shoot was already underway.

A simple scene, yet there were countless retakes because “Go Mi-nam” kept splashing around in the water, turning what should have been a warm, nostalgic moment into a comic scene of a drowning duck.

It went on until after nine before Shin-woo finally got out of the pool. Anna gave Uhey a nudge; the whole crew was ready. Uhey had to perk up, plaster on a smile, and walk over to Shin-woo with a towel. Shin-woo also “just happened” to see her, his face lighting up with surprise and emotion. As Uhey was about to hand him the towel, the camera right in front of them, Shin-woo was about to say something tender—

But just then, “Go Mi-nam,” unsteady after leaving the pool, slipped and fell, bumping into Uhey. Both of them tumbled into the water.

“Uhey!”

It all happened in an instant. Shin-woo jumped into the pool without hesitation.

Uhey, caught off guard, swallowed several mouthfuls of water. As she fell, she instinctively grabbed “Go Mi-nam,” accidentally touching her chest. In a flash, she realized—this “Go Mi-nam” was an imposter.

But she was coughing and her nose burned fiercely. She knew how to swim, but the surprise left her unable to react. Soon, someone grabbed her and swam hard toward the surface.

She could only cling to Shin-woo with the last of her strength, hearing him murmur in her ear, “It’s okay, it’s okay, don’t be afraid.”

Leaning on Shin-woo’s shoulder, tears streamed down her face. But in the water, no one could know she was crying—no one saw, anyway.

Author’s note: New story announcement, hehe. Contemporary romance—hope you girls like it… It’s still a sweet story.

A Fated Match

Well, the column is up too, haha.

Take me away~