31. Theo
‘You and your makeup artist look… close,’ Yu-jin said as they changed positions.
‘We are,’ Theo replied, not looking at her or at Sarah. If he looked at Sarah, Yu-jin would know. He was surprised no one had already noticed.
‘Oh God, please don’t tell me you’re dating her.’
Theo wanted to shout it from the rafters that he was dating Sarah, but they had a deal, and as much as it burned, he shook his head, denying it. ‘Of course not. We’re just friends.’
They didn’t say anything else as the photographer took some shots. Theo was careful not to let his gaze stray to where Sarah stood watching. He was a professional. He knew how to control his emotions and his facial expressions, but… but he’d never had someone he liked on set with him.
‘Have you read the script?’ Yu-jin asked when the photographer took a break to check some of the pictures.
‘Not yet,’ he replied. ‘I didn’t even know things had progressed that far. Have you?’
She nodded and flicked her long hair over her shoulder. ‘It looks great. I’m excited about it. Have you been practising your hanguk-mal? You’ll need a Busan dialect.’
‘You know I’m fluent,’ he responded, adjusting his cuffs.
‘You used to be, but you know what they say: use it or lose it.’
‘Is that why you’re speaking English right now?’
Yu-jin shrugged. ‘I like to practise it whenever I can, and I enjoy speaking with you in English. But we can switch to Korean if you like,’ she said as she switched to Korean.
‘Whatever you prefer,’ he replied in Korean. ‘Or we can use Japanese?’
Yu-jin rolled her eyes at him. He knew she wasn’t great with Japanese.
‘How about we get some shots of the two of you in an embrace?’ the photographer called to them.
Theo didn’t sigh, and he even refrained from glancing at Sarah as he reached for Yu-jin. If they were going to be in a drama together, then there would be a lot more skinship scenes than this. He would have to kiss her. He’d kissed her before, when they were dating, but that was different. And it was nowhere near as intimate as he’d been with Sarah. His only concern was Sarah’s reaction to it. Maybe he shouldn’t do a romantic drama. Maybe he should ask Dan about doing something more action oriented.
‘Closer,’ the photographer called. ‘Make me believe it.’
Yu-jin pressed herself against him and tilted her head. She was a professional at this. She had starred in a few romantic dramas, one of them being rated the steamiest of the year. It was just acting. It was just pretend, except the way Yu-jin was looking at him… it felt like she wanted more.
That was just acting, right? She had to look at him like that so the camera could capture it. She didn’t really feel that way about him, did she?
‘Lower your head, Theo. As if you’re going to kiss her.’
Theo wanted to look at Sarah and get permission, but she’d already given it, hadn’t she? And this was his job. He followed the director’s instructions and paused a hair’s breadth from Yu-jin’s mouth. She moved closer, brushing his lips with hers. It was just a micro-touch and barely a second, but he felt it, and it made him uncomfortable.
‘Perfect!’
They relaxed their poses, and Theo rolled his shoulders. He shot a quick glance at Sarah, but she wasn’t looking at him. She was looking at something on her phone. Had she missed it? Or was she now avoiding him because she’d seen it?
‘There’s talk about making us a real couple,’ Yu-jin said, drawing his gaze.
‘What?’
She laughed. ‘I know, it’s ridiculous.’
Theo shook his head. ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea.’
She shrugged again, seemingly unconcerned. ‘It would definitely boost viewership for the drama.’
‘We live in different countries.’
‘You’ll be moving to Korea for filming.’
‘Not until next year.’
‘Or sooner. If this promotion goes well, you could get more jobs here and there. It’s a bit of a long commute to come from Australia all the time.’
She was right. Not to mention the cost of him travelling back and forth. Not that he was concerned about the money, but Sarah wouldn’t like it.
Sarah.
His life was beginning to revolve around her, and he didn’t hate it except… long-distance relationships weren’t the best. He could ask her to come to Korea with him, but… that wouldn’t be fair to her. She had her own business and her family and…
‘All right, let’s change and reset,’ the director called.
Theo made a beeline for where Sarah was waiting for him.
‘You two look great together,’ she said as soon as he sat down.
He reached for her hand and tugged her around the chair so she was looking directly at him and not through the mirror.
‘There’s nothing between us. You know that, don’t you?’
She smiled brightly. ‘Of course I know that. Stop worrying. This is your job, Theo. I know how it works.’
‘I wish I could kiss you right now,’ he murmured, and he was delighted when her cheeks flushed.
‘I do too,’ she replied before quickly freeing her hand from his and turning to her makeup kit.
He relaxed into the chair and closed his eyes, letting her touch up his face and fix his hair. He might not be able to kiss her, but he could still enjoy the feel of her hands on him. Would she come to Korea and do his makeup for the drama? It was too early to ask her that. He hadn’t even agreed to do it yet.
‘Relax,’ she murmured as she dabbed powder across his nose.
He smiled and let the tension in his shoulders go. This shoot would be over soon, and then they could have dinner together before going back to the hotel and…
Yeah. That’s what he needed. Some alone time with Sarah. Yu-jin had gotten under his skin, something that had never happened before. He would need to speak to Dan about surprising him like that too. It would have been better to have a head’s up so he could have prepared Sarah. Although, she had taken it in her stride like the professional she was. Even more of a reason for him to want to be alone with her. He wanted to tell her how much he appreciated her support and maybe reward her for her efforts.
‘What are you smiling about?’
‘Just thinking about what we can do after work.’
‘Yeah? Are you going to tell me?’
‘No, it’s a surprise.’