Page 68 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘He dates a lot of models, doesn’t mean a thing. This looks like the real deal, though!’
‘Timira-ssi is not even that pretty. What does he even see in her?’
‘Oh, please. You’re just jealous it is her and not you!’
‘Guys, guys, didn’t you hear in the news? He said, publicly, that he’s here for a woman. It’s obviously Timira-ssi. How cute! Sigh.’
‘I’m rooting for them. Such a sweet love story! He’s travelled across continents for love, and mynamchincalls our Busan–Seoul affair a long-distance relationship!’
Haneul’s ears are burning from the idle chatter among his employees and he decides he can’t take it anymore.
Can they go back to gossiping about me and her instead of linking her with that jackass?
He steps outside and lights a cigarette. Almost immediately, he hears Mr Choi’s voice.
‘Daepyonim!’
‘Not right now, Bujangnim.’
‘We’re about to resume shooting.’
‘Give me a minute, please. I just really want to be alone.’
Mr Choi doesn’t understand why Haneul stormed out so abruptly and knows that people will notice. But Haneul’s pleading eyes and quickened breathing tells him he shouldn’t fuss. He’s about to retreat when he adds in a small voice, ‘This is a no-smoking area, Daepyonim’, and disappears inside the makeshift door to the set.
With a last drag of the cigarette, Haneul angrily stubs it out. Cracking his knuckles, he rolls his neck clockwise and then anticlockwise in a bid to calm himself down.
What is wrong with people? Do they not have anything better to discuss? Why should they care about a separated couple? And why is she still so invested in him? Why is she mothering him? Seolma … does she really still have feelings for him? Eh, no way! Even back in Bali, she seemed to be totally over him. What do these ignorant fools even know? She danced with me, she kissed me, she likes me!
Haneul is pacing furiously. Though he is only a few steps away from the shoot location, he is hidden from all eyes inside aside from the one pair that have been diligently following him around all morning while avoiding eye contact, in spite of having to keep them peeled on all the work action.
Ah, why did he have to step out right at this moment? Looking London, Talking Tokyo hona padega ab toh! Aur yeh lafantar Rod—could’ve just asked the team for Black Bull and to blare his jock playlist right at the start. Nahin, unnko diva banna hai, sab ko pareshan karna hai. What is that rumble? Oh, it’s my stomach. Mumma, kya bhayankar bhookh lagi hai. Can’t believe I’m having to skip meals for this moron, even after breaking up!
Haneul, oblivious to Timira’s focus on him, continues to pace, now running his hands through his hair.
NO, NO, NO! NOT THE HAIR! Haaye, uff. How am I supposed to focus now?
As if he has telepathically heard her, Haneul turns his gaze inside and immediately locks eyes with Timira who, taken aback by the abruptness, reels for a brief second. Her eyes light up under Haneul’s warm gaze and he spots faint dimples forming on the cheeks.
Oh, my heart! That smile … God, I hope I can be the reason behind that smile. I have to do what I must. First and foremost, I must come clean about Bali and about bringing her here. Geurae, brace yourself, Sky. Man up! Your job’s cut out. Two months. You have two months to win her over.
‘Aja, aja. Fighting!’
Timira can’t hear his war cry, but Haneul keeps his gaze locked with hers as he punches the air with his fist in encouragement.
Timira smiles amusedly, her pearly whites now on full display, making Haneul smile broadly, too.
Look at that smile, would you? Gah, I could stare at that all my life and still never have enough … there I go again, counting my chickens …
Chiding himself, he hits his head lightly in reprimand, the smile on his face still as bright as a 100-watt bulb.
Oh, oh, why is she looking away? Nooooo! I’m here. Look at me! Ah, it’s a call.
Timira gets up quietly and tiptoes her way out of the location through an exit different from the one Haneul had been guarding all this while.
‘Yes, Ma? I’m in the middle of a shoot. Is it urgent? Mm hmm,hyan, okay, calling you when we break for lunch. Should be anytime now. Yes, Ma,korchi[will do]. Bye!’
Emerging from behind the giant standees acting as walls, Timira ducks and in muffled steps walks back to her seat. Haneul cranes his neck to make himself more visible but Timira doesn’t so much as even glance at him. Disappointed, he drags his feet back inside and to his seat where Choi has been waiting patiently but curiously all this while.
