DBEM ~ 10

Chapter – 10

Inside the elevator, a heavy silence settled between the two people standing at opposite ends.

Perhaps it was because Seolhwa had spent so many years trapped inside a tiny apartment, where that small space had been her entire world and Jeon Gibeom had been the center of it. Being alone in such a confined space with a man she barely knew was unbearably uncomfortable.

She absentmindedly stared at the floor button Taeo had pressed before lowering her gaze to the backs of his shoes.

The awkwardness filling the cramped elevator made it hard to breathe.

Should I say something?

Should she ask how he had been? Or should she get straight to business?

Slowly, Seolhwa lifted her eyes from his heels.

Following his long legs upward to his broad back took much longer than she expected.

She already knew he was tall, yet seeing him like this still surprised her. His straight, long frame and shoulders broad enough to stretch his suit jacket caught her attention immediately.

When she shifted her gaze slightly, she caught his reflection in the polished steel elevator doors.

Was Seo Taeo always this handsome?

She had simply thought he was good-looking before.

Now that she looked closely, however, there was something strangely captivating about him.

His sharply defined yet refined features looked like an elegant painting—classical and sophisticated at the same time.

He was so perfectly put together that it almost felt oppressive, as though even looking at him created pressure.

The overwhelming aura surrounding him tightened her chest.

Just as Seolhwa discreetly took a deep breath…

Taeo’s eyes, which had been fixed on the slowly changing floor numbers, shifted.

The deep-set gaze landed not on her directly, but on her reflection beside his in the elevator door.

“Is there something strange about my face?”

“…What?”

His sudden question startled her so much that the breath she had been swallowing caught in her throat.

“You’ve been staring so hard. I wondered if I was ugly.”

Was he serious?

For someone with a face like his to ask such a question was practically insulting.

Or perhaps…

Was he mocking the scarred face she had once had?

Her wounded pride sharpened her response.

“It seems you don’t look in the mirror.”

“I do. Every day.”

“Then you already know the answer.”

“I look every day, but I still can’t see it very well.”

What is that supposed to mean?

He wasn’t nearly old enough to have failing eyesight.

He really was a strange man.

Thinking that, she lowered her gaze to the floor once more.

Then he broke the awkward silence.

“So… you want me to hold an audition?”

“Yes.”

“Why go through the trouble?”

It sounded like a reprimand.

If I want to cast you as the lead anyway, why make things complicated?

She understood why he questioned her.

But her reason was clear.

“I want to prove myself.”

“To Director Jeon Gibeom?”

His blunt question made her hesitate.

Is that really it?

Did she truly want to prove herself to Gibeom?

Did she want to show him that she was still standing… that she had become the woman he had once loved again?

Of course, she wanted to be recognized for her acting.

But she couldn’t deny that a part of her also wanted to show him she was better than the woman he had chosen instead.

It was petty.

She knew that.

Still, there was no point hiding it from Seo Taeo.

He already knew what had happened between her and Gibeom.

He had witnessed every humiliation she had suffered—at the café and at the funeral.

Denying it now would only make her look ridiculous.

Keeping her expression calm, she answered carefully.

“I want to prove it to everyone. And yes… that person is included.”

At last, Taeo tilted his head slightly over his shoulder and looked straight into her eyes.

“So… does that mean you still love him?”

The deeply personal question scraped painfully across the rawest part of her heart.

“I don’t think I need to answer that.”

“…Fine.”

“It doesn’t matter to me either way.”

He turned forward again.

For a fleeting moment, it almost looked as though a bitter smile had touched his lips.

“You know Director Jeon Gibeom is pushing Ma Yookyung for the lead.”

His voice became cold and businesslike, like an interviewer conducting an interview.

“Are you confident?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“I’ll schedule the audition for next week.”

Ding.

The elevator stopped on the twenty-fifth floor.

As Seolhwa stepped toward the door, Taeo pressed the Close Door button instead.

“It seems we’re finished talking business.”

“Let’s have a meal together.”

“…What?”

His long fingers reached over and pressed the button for the first floor.

“What do you like to eat?”

That’s it?

Even though she was a fairly well-known actress, she had expected a difficult negotiation before asking him to hold an unscheduled audition.

Instead, he had agreed without hesitation.

She was almost speechless.

Why…?

Why would he grant a request from someone with whom he barely had any relationship?

Unable to understand his motives, her guard immediately went up.

Watching the floor numbers descend, she finally asked,

“Why are you helping me?”

“What exactly are you asking?”

“Why did you send me the script? Why did you help me outside the funeral hall? Why agree to this audition? I don’t understand why you keep helping me.”

She asked with complete seriousness.

He, on the other hand, remained infuriatingly calm.

Casually straightening his collar, Taeo spoke.

“Ms. Jung Seolhwa.”

Then he said something she couldn’t make sense of.

“A businessman’s mind is complicated.”

“But a man’s mind is surprisingly simple.”

She stared at him in confusion.

“So?”

He laughed as though she were the strange one.

For the first time, she saw his even white teeth as he smiled.

The sharp, cold eyes that usually seemed capable of cutting someone softened gently.

“If a man wants to give a woman everything she wants…”

“What do you think the reason is?”

Still smiling warmly, he answered his own question.

“Because he likes her.”

One Week Later

Outside Studio TL’s audition room.

Dozens of actors had gathered to audition for the lead role in the mini-series Snow Blossom, Bloom Again.

Inside the audition room, Jeon Gibeom sat beside Seo Taeo.

He was both irritated and bored out of his mind.

He had already decided in his heart that Ma Yookyung would get the lead role.

Besides, none of the actresses who had auditioned so far had impressed him.

“Ugh… today’s been incredibly boring.”

Stretching lazily, he glanced at the judges’ table.

Taeo had worn the same expressionless face from the moment he arrived, sitting as still as a statue.

Meanwhile, writer Jina and the executive producer were visibly exhausted after watching auditions all day.

“If someone really stands out, let’s just end the auditions there.”

As Yookyung’s turn approached, Gibeom casually laid the groundwork.

Both Jina and the producer nodded in agreement.

Once Yookyung walks in, it’s game over.

A satisfied smile spread across his face.

The heroine of Snow Blossom, Bloom Again had been the role Yookyung wanted the moment she read the script.

As soon as he became director, he had intended to cast her immediately.

The unexpected audition process had deeply wounded her pride.

He had gone through endless trouble comforting her afterward.

Thinking about it now only made him dislike Seo Taeo even more.

Honestly, Yookyung’s acting isn’t amazing…

But as long as an actor has the basics, isn’t beauty enough?

Even Jung Seolhwa became famous largely because of her face.

Whether it’s television or film, the director creates the art. Actors are just supporting pieces.

After all…

He was the director.

He controlled this audition.

He controlled this drama.

Which meant the winner had already been decided.

Ma Yookyung.

“Next two contestants, please come in.”

The producer gave the signal.

The door opened immediately.

Like a blooming tulip, Yookyung stepped inside.

Wearing an elegant patterned dress with perfectly styled hair and flawless makeup, she stood confidently before the judges with her signature bright smile.

Her high heels clicked proudly across the floor.

“Hello.”

“I’m actress Ma Yookyung.”

“I’m sure everyone already knows me.”

Among the countless unknown rookies, the rising star carried herself with overwhelming confidence.

Her face practically declared,

This role is already mine.

She looked almost arrogantly fearless.

Who else could possibly play this role besides me?

Watching her with affectionate eyes, Gibeom inhaled happily before looking toward the open doorway.

“Isn’t the other contestant coming?”

Maybe she’d learned Yookyung was her opponent and had run away.

If so…

Even better.

“If she’s not coming, let’s begin.”

“Besides, someone like Ma Yookyung isn’t exactly at the level where she should be competing against just anyone.”

The others nodded in agreement.

“One more contestant has just arrived.”

Then…

At the same time as the staff member spoke, a long black shadow stretched through the open doorway.

Everyone’s attention instantly shifted.

A pair of simple black flats stepped quietly into the room.

The woman entered with her head lowered, walking gracefully until she stood beside Yookyung.

Her simple yet elegant dress and softly waved long hair naturally reminded everyone of Eunseo, the heroine from Snow Blossom, Bloom Again.

Gibeom leaned back comfortably in his chair.

Looks like she read the script and came up with a decent strategy.

But what’s the point?

She’s hiding her face so much I can’t even see it.

“Lift your head.”

At Gibeom’s impatient command, the woman slowly raised her face toward the judges.

Her features gradually came into view.

A smooth forehead.

Delicate yet determined eyes.

A graceful nose.

Perfectly defined lips…

“W-Wait!”

And beneath them…

Lips so vividly red they seemed impossible to look away from.

“You…?”

As she tucked strands of hair neatly behind both ears with her long, slender white fingers…

Everything about her felt painfully familiar.

Finally—

Her lips parted gently like flower petals.

“Hello.”

“I’m actress Jung Seolhwa.”

Gibeom and Yookyung’s eyes widened violently.

It was true.

Jung Seolhwa—

The woman they believed had become a monster—

Was standing before them with a flawless face.

Smiling.

Confident.

More dignified than ever.