Chapter 7
“Ugh… I really don’t want to go to work today.”
I-na slammed off the blaring alarm with irritation and let out a deep sigh as she stared at the ceiling.
Her memories from last night were hazy, clouded by alcohol, but the conversation she had with Do-hyun remained vivid, tormenting her emotions relentlessly.
I-na squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lip tightly.
I still can’t forget… I haven’t been able to forget you for six years.
Hearing Do-hyun’s voice whispering in her mind as if he were right beside her, she shook her head violently, trying to drive away the memories.
Then suddenly, the scene of Do-hyun with Seo-rin from last night flashed in her mind.
I-na jumped up from her bed.
“Not even managing someone, already with a partner… and you confess you can’t forget me?”
A surge of irritation at his behavior yesterday rose abruptly. Regret followed swiftly—she should have spoken more sharply instead of stammering.
Sighing heavily, questioning the meaning of her own thoughts, I-na finally got out of bed.
During yesterday’s reading, her grandmother had called multiple times—news that Logan would be coming to Korea soon.
When I-na was a child, she often visited her grandmother in the U.S. during school breaks, and there had been a child living next door—Logan.
His mother was also Korean, and whenever I-na went to the U.S., they spent a lot of time visiting each other’s homes.
Although he had been disappointed when she decided to go to Korea recently, now he was suddenly coming here.
I-na didn’t know exactly why Logan was coming to Korea, but she knew that whenever he was involved, there would be endless complications. Her expression tightened as she drove, recalling how he had relentlessly followed and pestered her during the six years she spent in America.
One notable incident was when she went to the hospital sick, and he had introduced himself as her husband.
Why didn’t he just call directly? Why does it have to go through my grandmother?
The thought made her chest tighten. She rolled down the car window and stared blankly outside.
Gazing at the Han River sparkling like jewels under the strong summer sun, she was struck by a strange, inexplicable feeling—her throat felt choked, just like the traffic jam she was stuck in on Olympic Boulevard.
Even the hot midsummer wind couldn’t calm her mood, so she rolled up the window again.
Although she hadn’t organized her jumbled thoughts, her car smoothly slid into the practice studio’s parking lot.
Turning off the engine, I-na let out a deep, heavy sigh.
Standing in front of the studio’s elevator, she muttered to herself:
“Ugh… just don’t think about it.”
Her heart still raced when she remembered yesterday, and she wondered if she could focus on practice seeing him today. Another sigh escaped.
Just focus on work, only work.
No matter what, she would have to face him eventually. I-na steeled herself with the thought that she should avoid conflict as much as possible, and resolved to be cautious at any upcoming gatherings.
The elevator arrived faster than her anxious thoughts, and she reluctantly stepped inside.
Ding.
When the elevator doors opened, she stepped into the studio with a dark expression. A voice she never expected suddenly called out from behind.
“I-na!”
For a moment, she thought she had misheard. Logan’s voice—he should have been in the U.S.—was right behind her.
Assuming it was a mistake, she continued walking toward the studio.
“I-na!”
This time, there was no mistaking it. The clear voice made her stop and turn around.
Seeing Logan with Hwi, I-na’s expression was a mix of disbelief and surprise.
“Lo… Logan?”
Recognizing her, Logan strode forward and enveloped her in a wide embrace.
Although she had heard he was coming to Korea, she had no idea why he was here, and she could only stare up at him with wide eyes.
Logan smiled at her brightly.
“Surprise!”
“W-what…?”
“I missed you so much.”
“Why are you here?”
“Didn’t you get the call from grandma? I said I was coming to Korea.”
“I mean… it’s Korea, but why here?”
“Because you’re here. And…”
I-na looked at him in disbelief. Logan turned his gaze to Hwi standing behind him. Hwi, also shocked, approached the two of them.
“You know the producer and Director Seo?”
“Huh? The producer?”
“I told you someone from the overseas production would visit.”
“Then…?”
I-na stared at Logan, bewildered. How did someone who studied business end up working in a production company handling performances?
Logan chuckled, clearly understanding what she was thinking.
“I switched majors halfway through. I got interested in production because of you.”
“You’re crazy…”
“Oh no, I’m not. I’m perfectly sane.”
Watching I-na question his sanity, Logan laughed loudly, amused. I-na, glaring at him, suddenly realized she was still in his arms and flinched.
Though it was slightly earlier than her scheduled practice, she stepped back, worried someone might misinterpret their relationship.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened again. I-na’s heart sank when she saw who had stepped out.
“Ah…”
Of all people, now she had to face him. I-na nervously inhaled, lips pressed inward.
Seeing Do-hyun staring intently at her and Logan, she pushed away from Logan awkwardly, forcing a strained smile.
“Logan, that’s enough.”
“Why? You like being held.”
“When did I…?”
Usually, I-na didn’t push Logan away much when he hugged her, but now her behavior was different.
Logan noticed the change and wondered why, then spotted Do-hyun standing by the elevator, staring at them. He raised an eyebrow, slowly scanning him, before smirking mischievously.
He leaned slightly toward I-na and whispered, “Ah, I get it. I-na, is that… him?”
“Shh! Logan, please!”
I-na held up a finger to his lips, signaling him to stop, and he smiled, amused by her reaction.
“This is where I work, so please, quiet.”
“I’m here for work too.”
“Could you two at least talk a little apart?”
“You’re the one clinging to me right now.”
Do-hyun, watching their banter, turned his gaze to Hwi. Their eyes met, and he greeted her with his usual gentle smile.
“Hello, Director, Director Seo.”
Hwi nodded lightly. I-na, pushing Logan away slightly, gave a stiff bow, her face flushing red.
“I’ll head into the practice room first.”
Do-hyun passed her casually, leaving I-na glaring sharply at Logan’s back.
She was about to scold him when Hwi intercepted, speaking kindly:
“I didn’t know you two were so close. Producer, you wanted to see the video of our work, right? I’ll show you now.”
“I’ll see you later, I-na.”
Logan followed Hwi, gradually distancing himself from I-na, leaving her flabbergasted.
He came to Korea supposedly for work, but she suspected there was another reason entirely. I-na sighed deeply.
Unlike her, who always held back her emotions, Logan, being American, expressed everything honestly. That honesty was sometimes overwhelming, yet during the six years in America, she had always relied on him and appreciated his constant presence.
I saw him not long ago, and seeing him here again… it’s… kind of nice.
For a moment, she felt glad, but thinking of the trouble he might cause from now on made her close her eyes tightly.
As she walked toward the practice room, she froze when she saw someone standing at the doorway.
“Wait, I need to talk to you for a moment.”
