The Past Unwritten

By the time Eun Jung reached home, It was already dark. She slipped off her shoes and stepped into the apartment, only to be hit by an overwhelmingly sweet aroma that smelled like a war between lavender, citrus, and vanilla was taking place in the air.

She coughed. "Is there a scented candle apocalypse going on here? Or did we just get adopted by an air freshener factory?"

Taeri, crouched on the living room floor, was surrounded by a chaotic kingdom of air freshener boxes. Some were opened, some half-used, and others still sealed in shiny plastic.

"You won't understand," Taeri muttered like a soldier at war, uncapping another one and sniffing deeply before scribbling notes on a sheet of paper beside her.

Eun Jung raised an eyebrow and plopped onto the couch. "Please tell me you're not starting a black market fragrance cartel."

"It's that damn Cha Jinhwan," Taeri said, voice flat. "You won't believe this—he actually asked me to make a thirty-slide presentation on Daehan Group's approved air fresheners and their 'scent profiles.' Thirty slides, Eun Jung. Thirty."

Eun Jung stared at her, mouth agape. "Wait. You're serious? He really asked you to do that?"

Taeri looked up dramatically. "The man has no soul."

Eun Jung chuckled in disbelief. "He's insane."

"That's not even the worst of it," Taeri continued. "One time, he made me rewrite a coffee order because he didn't like the font. Another time, he made me follow a courier to make sure a bouquet of lilies didn't lose a single petal before delivery."

"He sounds like a walking HR violation."

"I'm convinced he was raised by perfectionist wolves."

They both burst into laughter before Taeri waved her hand. "Enough about my suffering. How was your read-through? Spill!"

Eun Jung grinned. "Guess who's in the main cast?"

Taeri raised a brow, too busy sniffing another tester. "Who?"

"Park Eun Ho, Min Haejin, and Han Jiwoo."

Taeri froze mid-sniff, then slowly turned toward her. "Wait. What?! Park. Eun. Ho?!"

"Yep."

Taeri squealed and tossed the air freshener aside. "No wonder I missed the casting news—I've been buried in scent files! But hold up. Did you say the female lead is Min Haejin?"

Eun Jung nodded. "Yeah. Why?"

"Ugh. Why her again? That's the second time she's working with Park Eun Ho. And Eun Ho stans don't like her. Remember the dating rumors from their last drama? The vibes were weird."

"I mean…" Eun Jung shrugged. "As long as they have chemistry, that's what matters, right? She's talented. They actually matched well during the read-through."

Taeri narrowed her eyes. "You're dangerously close to becoming a Haejin fan."

Eun Jung laughed. "Don't worry. I'm still loyal."

Taeri leaned in. "So that means...you met Han Jiwoo today?"

Eun Jung's face lit up. "Yes! And he's just as gorgeous in real life. Maybe even more. But get this—he was so kind. He even gave me an autograph."

She proudly pulled the signed page from her bag like it was a sacred artifact.

Taeri squealed again. "No way! Wait—where's Park Eun Ho's autograph?"

Eun Jung scratched her head sheepishly. "It… slipped my mind. I was too starstruck."

Taeri gasped. "Blasphemy!"

"I promise I'll get one next time if I see him again."

"You'd better," Taeri grumbled, hugging the autograph page. "This is going on our fridge."

"Do you need help with anything?" Eun Jung asked, eyeing the scattered chaos.

"No, no. Go rest. I've got this," Taeri sighed, popping open another tester with a resigned look.

Eun Jung padded off to her room, giggling to herself.

---

In the VIP section of one of Seoul's most exclusive five-star restaurants, the ambiance was moody and refined. The space was adorned with cascading chandeliers, dark marble flooring, gold accents, and velvet booths designed to swallow gossip and champagne. A grand piano played softly in the corner as waiters in black uniforms glided silently between tables.

Min Haejin sipped her wine, swirling it thoughtfully. Across from her, Han Jiwoo leaned back, his tie loosened, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"You still take 15 minutes to choose dessert?" he teased.

"You still drink wine like it's grape juice?" she shot back.

They both laughed.

"Hey," Haejin said, narrowing her eyes, "do you still have feelings for me?"

Jiwoo grinned. "Please. I lost those the day you broke my heart in college, remember?"

"Ohhh right," she said playfully. "That was a good day."

"You're cruel."

"You're dramatic."

Their banter was easy and natural, the kind only forged by years of friendship. They talked about the new drama, script changes, annoying managers, and old memories.

"You still talk to that guy from acting class?" Jiwoo asked.

"Which one?"

"The one with the mole and the obsession with Shakespeare."

"Oh, him? He joined a temple last I heard."

Jiwoo choked on his drink. "That tracks."

They laughed again. In this corner of the world, far away from flashing cameras and fan theories, they were just Han Jiwoo and Min Haejin—two friends catching up over dinner.

---

The Min family residence was nestled in the heart of Hannam-dong, Seoul's most elite neighborhood. The mansion wasn't just luxurious—it was commanding. With modern stonework, vast glass panels, and a sprawling private garden, it looked like something straight out of a K-drama chaebol fantasy.

Inside, the living room was warm and tastefully elegant. Dark wood, soft lighting, and shelves of old books framed the space. Mr. Min sat on the leather couch, the TV softly murmuring the evening news.

When Min Soo stepped in, he instinctively paused.

"Abeoji, you're still awake?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

Mr. Min lowered the remote. "Where were you?"

Min Soo scratched his neck. "Uh… I was at… hmm… somewhere."

Mr. Min's eyes narrowed. "When will you change, Min Soo-ah? Huh? When?"

"Here we go," Min Soo muttered.

"I cleaned up your mess in Greece. Again. I've begged you to come work for the company, and yet you keep wasting your life—"

"Abeoji," Min Soo cut in, "I told you. I'll come when I'm ready. Just give me some time."

"Time? You've been saying that for two years!"

"It's only been two years," Min Soo said, shrugging. "Give me two more."

"You… You—!"

Mr. Min grabbed a couch pillow and hurled it at him.

Min Soo dodged easily. "You missed, Abeoji."

"You brat!" Mr. Min shouted, leaping to his feet.

Min Soo laughed and took off running around the living room. The chase continued until Mrs. Min came rushing downstairs.

"Yeobo! What's wrong now?"

"Ask your useless son!"

She turned to Min Soo with a glare. "What did you do this time?"

"I didn't do anything!" he protested.

"Yeobo, calm down. It's not good for your blood pressure," she said, patting her husband's arm.

Mr. Min fumed. "I don't know what I did in my past life to get a son like him. Look at Mr. Cha's son, Cha Jinhwan. Youngest son, already running the company!"

"If you like him so much," Min Soo huffed, "adopt him."

Mrs. Min gasped. "Don't talk to your father like that! Go to your room!"

Min Soo muttered as he climbed the stairs. "Cha Jinhwan this, Cha Jinhwan that… It's always about him"

---

The next morning, Taeri walked into Daehan Group's sleek glass tower looking like a stylish zombie. Her eyebags had eyebags. Still, she had made it on time.

She knocked lightly and stepped into Cha Jinhwan's office.

He was already at his desk, eyes on his tablet. "Impressively early today," he said flatly without looking up.

"Yes. I spent the entire night working on what you asked for."

He finally glanced up, expression unreadable. "Is it ready?"

"Yes."

"

Good." He leaned back, folding his arms. "Then start."

His eyes fixed on her as she opened her laptop — sharp, calculating, unreadable.

And Taeri? She hadn't even had coffee.