Chapter 22: Stay Still Like This

Was it a lingering aftereffect of the accident in my previous life?

Even for me, it was the first time experiencing such a seizure.

Seo Jae-Ha, seeming to come to his senses, bent down on one knee to meet my eye level.

“Calm down.”

He wrapped his arms around my still-trembling shoulders. Even as I looked into Jae-Ha’s deep eyes right in front of me, my breathing was still shallow and fast. As if he couldn’t bear it anymore, he took off the jacket he was wearing and draped it over my head.

“It’s okay.”

From his jacket, the familiar scent spread. And gradually, Jae-Ha’s hand patting my shoulder began to be felt.

A warm, unfamiliar touch.

“…”

My unfocused eyes wandered in the air.

“It’s okay. Look at me. My eyes.”

When I looked up at the voice that called out, our gazes locked. And for just a moment, my gasping breath slightly subsided. In that brief moment, my mouth had gone completely dry.

Before I realized it, Jae-Ha, who had drawn close to me, gently cupped my cheeks.

“Close your eyes.”

With my gaze swaying helplessly, uncertain of where to rest, he reached out first and stroked my eyes.

“It’s okay now, so close your eyes.”

As his hand covered my eyes, complete darkness fell. My heart began to pound wildly. So loud that even the man pressed close to me could hear it.

“And focus only on my voice. Inhale.”

His low, deep voice penetrated my ears. A strange sense of relief washed over me. Before I knew it, I was following his instruction.

“Exhale slowly.”

“Haa…”

Perhaps it was his calm voice. Or the citrus scent that had been clinging to him since earlier. The breaths I had struggled to exhale slowly began to ease.

“Good job. Secretary Han will be here soon. Just hang in there a bit.”

As the trembling subsided, so many thoughts rushed in. I must look like a complete mess right now—what kind of expression is he making? I wondered.

Though the seizure had stopped, my heart still pounded uncontrollably. Could he possibly feel the same way?

The thought made me laugh at myself. Then, without even realizing it, I reached for the hand covering my eyes.

He seemed to flinch when he felt my touch trailing up his firm forearm.

“Don’t.”

Jae-Ha’s low, stern voice rang out.

“You can’t. Not yet…”

“It’s okay now.”

Since he was here, I believed I would be okay. I used some strength to remove his hand covering my eyes, and the brightness returned to my sight.

And there he was—his face closer than I had thought—exhaling a heavy breath. I thought I was the only one falling apart, but he didn’t look much better. We were so close; a single move and our lips might have brushed.

“I said no.”

From behind him, the light was still harsh. But he filled my vision so completely, I could barely see the glare.

“I really am fine now… I’m okay. See?”

Maybe my breath tickled him, because Jae-Ha flinched slightly. Then, the way he quietly stared at me—his eyes darkened even more.

“Ha…”

He let out a breath he had been holding. He looked at my hand and frowned, as if just realizing I was injured.

“You call this fine? You’re bleeding.”

“It’s fine…”

“It’s not fine! Just a moment ago, you were gasping like you were about to die… Ha…”

He cut me off, letting out a deeper sigh than before. Before I could say anything, his arm suddenly wrapped around the back of my neck and gently pulled me in.

“If you’re going to be stubborn, pick the right things to be stubborn about.”

The moment I was pulled into his embrace, my heart—which I thought had settled—began to race again.

Whether it was because of his sudden gesture or the raw concern he was showing me that stirred up my emotions.

“Just stay still like this.”

His fingers ran through my hair, gently sweeping it aside. And as his touch tickled my ears and a strange emotion welled up in me—just then, I closed my eyes.

Click, click.

The door unlocked, and the room filled with light. The door, which had been tightly shut, suddenly burst open.

“Sir!”

A familiar voice calling out to Jae-Ha snapped me back to reality. The arm that had been holding me gently withdrew.

“Madam, why are you here? What happened? How did the two of you get locked in here?”

Secretary Han rushed over, alarmed to see me still seated on the floor.

“How did you even know this studio existed? We locked it after the drama wrapped up.”

The security officer following him was just as shocked to find someone inside.

“The door was already open.”

Jae-Ha replied quietly to the security team. He glanced at his wristwatch and then turned to Secretary Han.

“Someone locked the door from outside. The anchor audition is still going on, right?”

“Uh, yes. That’s right.”

Secretary Han glanced at me, still seated.

“Call the director immediately. Tell him I’m coming to observe the audition.”

“Understood.”

Jae-Ha had returned to his usual calm and composed self. He issued commands without a hitch and turned back to me.

“Can you stand?”

“Huh? Yes…”

He reached out and gently helped me up. The moment our eyes met, the events from just a few minutes ago flashed through my mind—and my face flushed bright red.

His breath, which had tickled my ear, still felt vivid.

“Are you alright? Madam, why are you sweating so much?”

Secretary Han, just off the phone, approached and looked surprised. Just as he said, my hair was damp with sweat, sticking to my forehead.

“You need to go quickly for the camera test, right?”

The mention of a camera test instantly cleared my mind. My wits, scattered by the sudden incident, snapped back.

“Se-Secretary Han, what time is it now?”

“It’s three o’clock. Let’s hurry.”

Secretary Han, looking at his phone, which had just passed 3 PM, answered me.

“Ha… At three, it’s too late to memorize the audition script.”

It was time for the camera test of the applicant who was right before me.

’Even reviewing the audition lines is a stretch in this situation.’

I raised both hands to cover my face in despair. But soon, someone removed my hands from my face.

“Will ten minutes do?”

“…Yes?”

Seo Jae-Ha, holding my wrist, gave a small, reassuring smile. “I already told the director. I’ll buy you about ten minutes.”

He tugged me forward and led the way, speaking as he went, “Let’s go win.”

* * *

Inside the studio, the “On Air” light had gone off. The staff bustled about completing camera tests.

“Good job.”

“Seo-Rin also did well. Her performance was good.”

Chae Seo-Rin bowed deeply to the staff and director. She smiled—clearly satisfied with her camera test.

“Next?”

“Ah, um… She hasn’t come to the waiting room yet.”

“What? Who’s next?”

“Announcer Yoon Yeo-Jin.”

Seo-Rin paused at the director and staff’s exchange. Her lips itched with anticipation.

By now, it was unthinkable that Yeo-Jin was still locked in the set. No one would have gone to the set in Basement 2.

’So… that’s why I told her to quit before she hit the bottom, right, unnie?’

“So, it’s Yeo-Jin unnie’s turn next?”

“Yes. But she hasn’t come. We can’t reach her.”

The staff looked troubled as Seo-Rin approached. “What do we do… she’s not usually this irresponsible.”

“Yeah. I saw her preparing lines in the waiting room. Then she went for makeup and never showed up…”

The director, with an awkward expression, glanced through the list of applicants he was holding and then looked sidelong at the returning chief director.

“It seems the audition might be difficult to proceed with. I’ll have to inform the Chief Director. Is the PD in the sub-control room?”

“Yes. He’s inside.”

If Yoon Yeo-Jin didn’t show up, that would be the end—Chae Seo-Rin rejoiced inwardly.

“By the way, where did the Chief Director go?”

Seo-Rin quietly asked the staff member next to her.

It bothered her that the chief director had suddenly left just before her test began.

“He got a sudden phone call and rushed out.”

She was about to ask the staff another question when a commotion erupted near the entrance.

“It’s an honor that CEO Seo himself is observing.”

“I figured I’d like to see it in person at least once, rather than only on video.”

Seo-Rin turned toward the direction of the voice.

‘Why is that man here?’

Seo Jae-Ha was entering through the entrance, talking with the Chief Director.

“Haha. It really is a different experience from seeing it through video. And it just so happens it’s Announcer Yoon’s turn.”

‘Announcer Yoon…?’

At the chief director’s words, Jae-Ha nodded, and then his gaze settled on Seo-Rin, standing at a distance.

It was a thick, piercing gaze—as if he knew everything.

‘No way…’

In that moment, Seo-Rin felt her heart sink in chilling fear.

Because Jae-Ha, who had been staring at her with that intense look, curled his lips into a strange smile.

As murmuring voices rose again around her, Seo-Rin turned around.

The closed studio door opened, and the clicking sound of high heels echoed.

“Announcer Yoon has arrived!”

* * *

Jae-Ha honored his promise to buy me ten minutes, precisely. While he spoke with the director, I organized my audition lines. Thanks to practicing several times, I was ready quickly.

Walking through the doorway toward the news desk, people watched me intently.

’The camera crew said they received a message too, right?’

The only person who’d pull off something so ridiculous would be Chae Seo-Rin.

’Of course, that’s just suspicion.’

Even when I disappeared for makeup, she watched me closely. As I walked by mid-studio, I met Jae-Ha’s eyes.

He quietly curved his lips in a smile, mouthing “do well” in encouragement.

“What are you all staring at? Aren’t you ready?”

The director shouted, and then people bustled again.

’There you are, Chae Seo-Rin.’

I passed by the camera, briefly glancing at Seo-Rin. She stared at me in disbelief, her face a mask of shock.

“Stand by.”

I took my place. The camera I had faced dozens of times before stood before me.

Not far off, Seo-Rin emerged beside the camera. Clutching her phone so tightly that her knuckles were red, she was visibly furious.

Pretending to remain calm, she crossed her arms and looked down at me—but her eyes were filled with intense malice.

’Let’s see how it goes.’ Her arrogant glare bore into me.

I’m sure she was curious whether I could pull it off after barely ten minutes of prep.

I smiled at her threateningly.

Seo-Rin’s face stiffened at my confident grin.

’Watch smartly. Notice how I differ from you.’

Having led countless news broadcasts full of breaking events and run lines until the very second before we went live, that readiness kept my racing heart steady.

As the green “On Air” light turned on, the test began.

[“Hello everyone. This is the 9 o’clock news.”]