CHAPTER TWO: THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN US

HAN JINWOO'S POV

After watching the movie, Junho turned to me, curiosity bubbling inside of him.."So... how was it?" He asked, eager to hear my thoughts. "It wasn't bad..." I replied teasingly, and he couldn't help but frown. "That can't be a compliment. Okay, forget the movie. How was Bae Jiho's character?" He pressed, trying to gauge her true feelings.

I smirked, clearly enjoying his enthusiasm. "It was okay..." I teased again, and I could see the lines on his forehead deepen in frustration. "What do you mean 'okay'? It was great, amazing for a debut role! I bet 90 percent of the movie community will disagree with you just calling it 'okay,'" he exclaimed, trying to make me see his point.

"Damn... why are you even so interested in hearing my opinion?" I shot back, "I just want to make sure we are on the same page," he replied, hoping to get a clearer response. "Okay, you want my opinion..." I finally said, and he eaned in, eager to listen. "Yes..." He encouraged ..."In my opinion, Bae Jiho is an amazing actress, and yes, her role in The Haunted deserves and earned the recognition it got. For a debut role, she definitely nailed it," I explained, and I could see a smile spreading across his face. "And if I were to decide who gets the award between her and Serena Choi, I'd say she wins it..." I added, and he cheered in victory. But then i brought me back to reality. "But my opinion doesn't matter, like at all. Neither does yours. I'm not sure what the panel of the Qingzhen Film Awards based on to pick Serena Choi, but I'm sure it's a lot of things, some even unfair and useless." I explained..."Bae Jiho will have all the time in the industry to shine in many more roles, so don't let one bad outcome affect the mood," I advised, trying to lift his spirits. "You're right... and instead of worrying about my feelings, I should actually be worried about her. I mean, she's the one who had to sit in that large hall with the hope of winning and ended up not winning. She might feel even more devastated than we do," he added, and I could sense the genuine concern he had for her.

"I'll go and talk to the others in the fan club. We should send her a coffee truck to wish her luck and cheer her up," he said, determination in his voice. I felt a swell of admiration for his thoughtfulness. "Thank you for telling me your thoughts... the press and the antis are stupid for thinking they have you all figured out just based on some incidents you accidentally found yourself in. To me, you are the most thoughtful, smart, yet funny and easygoing person I know. If anything, you're the best brother a boy could ask for," he added, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of emotions from his words.

"Why! Why are you suddenly saying that to me?" I questioned, surprise evident in his tone. "Why? Are you cringing?" He teased back, trying to lighten the moment. "Should I give you a kiss on the cheek and make this situation even more cringy?" He joked as he leaned in closer. "Just stop playing around and go to bed... don't you have classes tomorrow?" I replied, trying to sound serious. "Fine... I'll get going. Make sure you get some sleep too," he said, holding out my fist. "We can fist bump though, right?" He asked, chuckling as he met my fist with his..."Okay goodnight.." he concluded as he walked away...leaning back in my seat I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotions as his thoughtful words kept replaying in my head..

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BAE JIHO'S POV

I woke up the next morning, my head pounding like a drum, with no clear memory of what had happened the night before. All I remembered was having a ton of drinks with the crew and that Annie probably brought me back. As I groaned and tried to sit up, my phone started ringing. It was Manager Kim. "Good morning..." he said. "Good morning..." I replied, rubbing my temples to ease the ache. "How are you feeling? You had quite a bit to drink last night," he asked. "Honestly, I feel dead... this headache is killing me, but I'll be fine after a cup of Mia's magical hangover-relieving ginger tea," I said with a half-hearted laugh. "That's quite the name," he chuckled back.

"Have you checked out her restaurant's menu?" I asked. "I'd love to," he responded, and I sighed, feeling a little lighter. "I called to see how you were doing and to remind you that regardless of the award results from yesterday, you are an amazing actress. You have a bright future ahead, and starting tomorrow, we're going to explore new roles for you since there are plenty coming in. It's time to choose your next project," he said, and I felt a wave of mixed emotions wash over me—happiness intertwined with a tinge of sorrow. "For today, just take it easy... let's meet up tomorrow," he added. I thanked him and hung up, whispering to myself, "Right... I still have a long way to go," as I leaned back, letting out a deep sigh.

I walked into the breakfast room and greeted Mia, "Good morning..." I said as I settled at the table. She returned the greeting, but as I sat down, I crunched my nose at an unfamiliar smell wafting through the air. "What's that smell?" I asked, curious.

"Oh, that... I was trying out this recipe, and it didn't quite go as planned," she replied, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. I couldn't help but chuckle. "What, is there a recipe Mia Kang can't prepare?" I teased. She scoffed lightly, "I was just as surprised myself..."

She handed me a cup of ginger tea. "But here is your ginger tea... it will help you get rid of that hangover in no time. I have somewhere to be, so I'll leave you to it." As I took a closer look at her, I noticed she seemed a bit different. "Are you going to a blind date?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. She looked back at me, forcing a smile. "Yes... apparently my parents don't believe in my ability to find a man myself, so they decided to intervene..."

I chuckled, "Why? Haven't you told them about Edward?" The shock on her face was priceless. "How did you know?" she asked, eyes wide.

"Are you kidding me? The secret texts, the phone calls, and that package he delivered to your place? I figured everything out," I replied, smirking.

"Right... I forgot you have a little detective gene in you," she said, referencing my dad's profession. "I'm really sorry... I just wanted to tell you when I felt like he was really the one," she added, and I smiled at her sincerity.... "I understand... feel free to introduce me to him after you have everything figured out... and maybe tell your parents too when the time comes... aren't you tired of the blind dates?" I asked, genuinely curious. She nodded, scrunching her nose in a way that made me smile. "Very..." she admitted, her frustration evident.

"Okay then... I'll go and destroy yet another one, and I promise to make sure you meet Edward after we have everything sorted out," she reassured me, her smile brightening the room. As she pulled me into another hug, I could feel the warmth of her support. "And this is for yesterday... I didn't want to bring the topic up today since it will feel like I touched a wound that was healing or trying to heal, but regardless of the results from the award... I want you to know that you are the best and will succeed even more as you grow," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

Tears welled up in my eyes as her words sank in. "Thank you..." I managed to say, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. She hugged me even tighter, and in that moment, I realized how lucky I was to have her in my life. Mia had been my friend since high school, always there through thick and thin. She wasn't just a friend; she was like a sister to me, and her unwavering support meant the world. I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, I could always count on her by my side.

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After some rest, my headache had subsided, and I headed home to meet my parents for dinner—something my dad had been asking me to do for quite a while now. I stopped by the convenience store to pick up a few things before making my way over. As I entered the kitchen, I could smell the familiar scents of home cooking filling the air. "Pass me those spices," Mom ordered, and I quickly complied, feeling a sense of comfort in helping her out.

"I'm really glad you made time to come over, Jiho," Dad said, looking genuinely pleased as he set the table. I smiled back at him, feeling a warmth spread through me. "So, how's work going?" he asked, his eyes filled with curiosity. I hesitated for a moment, thinking about the recent disappointment. "Look, not winning an award doesn't really mean anything. Everyone saw your dedication and skills, and I believe that's more than enough. Plus, you got the recognition..." He paused, reminiscing. "I remember a time when scrolling TikTok, all I could see on my FYP were your edited videos for your role as Ava Chen. That recognition for your talent is more than enough," he encouraged.

Overwhelmed by emotions, I rushed to hug him tightly. "Thank you for continuously making me proud, dear," he said, and tears rolled down my cheeks as I held him close, grateful for his unwavering support. But as I pulled out of the hug, I noticed Mom's expression shift. "Do you really think that is the kind of mindset she should live with, especially in a world as competitive as the acting industry?" she asked, her voice sharp. "A win is a win, and a loss is a loss. Don't try to sugarcoat it to make yourself feel better," she added, and I felt a sting from her words. The tension in the room grew, and I could sense the divide between my parents' perspectives. I wanted to defend my dad's encouragement, but I also understood Mom's concern. It was a complicated moment, one that left me feeling caught in the middle.I could feel the weight of my mom's words pressing down on me, each syllable a reminder of the struggle I faced in pursuing my passion for acting. Five years ago, I had poured my heart out to her, explaining how much this meant to me, how acting was my true calling. But instead of understanding, I felt her disappointment and anger rise like a storm. "You begged me," she said, her tone sharp, "and now you think losing an award at a prestigious show is just a minor setback? This was your chance to prove me wrong, and you failed."

Her words stung deeply, and I could feel tears threatening to spill over. Just when I thought I could hold it together, Dad's voice cut through the tension, calling out to her. But I couldn't stay silent any longer. "You're right," I admitted, my voice shaking. "This was my chance to show you that following my heart was the right thing to do, and I hate myself for not succeeding. But I still have opportunities ahead, and I promise I will prove to you that I belong in this industry, whether you like it or not."

As I wiped my tears, I felt a mix of determination and sadness. "Let's have dinner," I suggested, trying to shift the mood. I turned to Dad, asking him to take a seat as I helped him set the table. In that moment, I realized that despite the hurt, I couldn't let my mom's doubts define me. I had to keep pushing forward, for myself and for my dreams.

The dinner had been painfully quiet, filled with the tension between my mom and me, each glare sharper than the last. Dad sat between us, trying his best to navigate the uncomfortable atmosphere. Afterward, I found solace on the balcony, staring up at the stars, lost in thought about my mom's harsh words.

"Tea?" Dad's voice broke through my reverie as he placed a steaming cup on the table beside me. "Thank you," I replied, sitting up to take a sip. "I know what you're going to say," I added, feeling the weight of my emotions. "I know I shouldn't take Mom's words to heart. She wants the best for me, but she just doesn't know how to show it. I've known her for 26 years. Still, I wish she could ease up sometimes. I've done everything to please her—topped my class in high school, sacrificed my social life. I've tried so hard to make her proud, but it never seems enough. Why does she only notice my failures? She never pulls me in for a hug or tells me I've done well. All I ever hear are her criticisms, her idea of what 'best' is."

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I spoke, the heaviness in my heart spilling over. Dad, without saying a word, pulled me into a comforting hug. "I understand," he said softly. "Your mom can be insensitive at times, and nothing I say can justify her actions. Just remember, do better for yourself. Not for anyone else—neither me nor your mom, but for you." His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, reminding me that my journey was mine alone, and that I had to keep pushing forward for my own sake."I'll handle your mom.." he added as I let out a soft chuckle.." More like she will handle you..." I replied as he chuckled as well..." Thank you dad." I said as he held me even tighter into his embrace.

The next morning was a blur as I rushed to the office, trying to sift through the various projects waiting for my attention. Mia dropped me off, and as I unfastened my seatbelt.."Your company should seriously consider buying you a car," I said, glancing at the large crowd gathering outside. "Ain't no way their most talented actress is going to go around in cubs... you need a chauffeur too, as well as bodyguards to protect you from swarms like those."

Curiosity got the better of me as I asked, "What are all those people doing there?" Just then, my phone rang. "Manager Kim," I answered, "Hey Jiho... are you on your way to the company?" he asked. "I'm already here," I replied, glancing nervously at the crowd. "Then you must have seen the crowds of people," he said.

"Yes..." I murmured, anxiety creeping in. "They are here for you," he revealed, and my heart skipped a beat. "Me!" I exclaimed, astonished. "Yes, they are all your fans," he chuckled. My heart swelled with excitement. "Mine!" I repeated, still in disbelief. "Yes," he confirmed, but then his tone shifted. "Apparently, they prepared a surprise for you, but because they didn't ask for permission from the office, they are being asked to leave, though they have refused to leave." My excitement quickly turned to worry as I realized the situation was more complicated than I thought.

I couldn't believe the situation unfolding outside. The crowd had gathered, and the excitement was palpable. "They have, however, refused to go until they meet you," he told me..."Did you come by taxi?" he asked,"No, Mia dropped me off," I replied... "Good... now ask Mia to drive out to the back parking lot. I'll ask some guards to come and help you in without disturbance." I could hear the worry in his voice, "What about the crowd?" I questioned, anxiety creeping in..."I am currently getting in touch with a security company to help us send them away." He replied "Wait, why a security company? I can just go out and meet them. Won't me meeting them and talking to them be better than some security company?" I suggested, "Look, Jiho, you don't know any of those people. Some could be dangerous; you can't just go in and meet them by yourself." He warned "I'll be careful." I replied heeding his warning.

As I stepped out of the car, " Jiho! " Mia called out but I smiled back at her and reassured her.. the moment one of them spotted me, she yelled my name, and suddenly, a wave of excited faces rushed towards me. I felt a mix of happiness and anxiety wash over me as I took in the scene. Among the crowd, a little boy stood out, looking up at me with wide eyes. "Is it really you, Bae Jiho?" he asked, and I nodded, trying to maintain my composure.

"Hey... aren't you supposed to be at school?" I asked, hoping to lighten the mood. His face lit up with a bright smile, and he replied, "Don't worry about me... I'll be back immediately after we give you your present." His words warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but smile back at him. Then, my gaze fell on his name tag. "Han Junho... is that your name?" I asked, and he nodded eagerly, his enthusiasm infectious."What gift do you have for me?" I asked, curiosity bubbling inside me as the little boy made a signal with his hands. The crowd began to part, and I leaned in closer to see what was happening. To my astonishment, a coffee truck rolled into view, adorned with my photos and a large banner that read, "Fighting Bae Jiho!" Another banner proclaimed, "We love you Bae Jiho!" and a third one echoed, "We will always support you Bae Jiho!" Each truck came in one after the other, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes at such a heartfelt gesture.

"So... what do you think?" Junho asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement. I nodded vigorously, overwhelmed with emotion. "I love it," I managed to say, tears streaming down my cheeks. "Thank you very much." Just then, a woman stepped forward, explaining, "You should mostly thank Junho here, who mobilized everyone to do this for you. He figured that if you needed anything after that dreading award result, it was support and love from your fans. He did all this despite his age; we were all surprised to see him at the meeting yesterday. Like, how is this ten-year-old our fan club president?"

Junho chimed in, "Ten? Excuse me, I am 17... just shorter!" His playful retort made us all burst into laughter. "Ten or 17, he deserves to be the leader," the woman added, and I turned to Junho, feeling a wave of gratitude. "Thank you so much for everything. My heart feels warmed by this gesture, and I promise to continue doing my best," I said, and the crowd erupted into cheers, filling me with hope and determination."But don't push away your responsibilities, School comes first, and I wouldn't be happy knowing you ditched it for me," I said, watching as Junho nodded earnestly. "Okay, I'll never do it again," he promised, and I felt a sense of relief.

"But you have to promise me something too," he continued, his expression serious. I raised an eyebrow, curious about what he would say next. "Always be happy and, regardless of everything, never give up." His thoughtfulness took me by surprise, and I couldn't help but smile. "I will," I replied with a nod, feeling grateful for his support. "Thank you."

Turning to the rest of the crowd, I felt the warmth of their presence. "Thank you, everyone, for taking time off to do this for me. I really appreciate the love and support... thank you." I bowed slightly, feeling the collective energy of their encouragement. "But the company still has some business to run, and this can be a bit of an inconvenience, if you understand." They all nodded in agreement, and I knew it was time to wrap things up. "Okay then, I'll get going. Thank you again," I said with another bow, watching as they began to leave.

Just as I was about to turn away, Junho called out to me, "Can I by any chance have your autograph?" I chuckled softly, touched by his request. "Okay..." I replied, and he turned, asking me to sign the back of his uniform. "Are you sure?" I questioned, but he nodded eagerly, handing me a marker. "Come on," he urged, and I took the marker, signing my name with a smile. "Thank you," he said, his eyes shining with excitement, and I watched him leave, feeling a mix of pride and joy.

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HAN JINWOO'S POV

"Look here..." Junho said, turning to show me the back of his shirt. There it was, an autograph and a funny statement that read, "Stay in school, Mr. 17, but shorter..." I couldn't help but laugh. "What's that?" I asked over a video call, curious about this new development.

"An autograph from Bae Jiho that I managed to get thanks to our talk that night," he said, his face lighting up with excitement. I could see how happy he was, and it made me smile. "Congratulations," I replied, genuinely pleased for him. "Okay, I'll get going to class now... I promised Sister Jiho that I'll be committed to my studies," he added, and I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sister Jiho?" I questioned, wanting to know more.

"We got closer after today... you wouldn't understand. I'll get going, bye!" he said, hanging up before I could respond, leaving me to scoff at his cheekiness. Just then, he sent a video showing how everything went down, and in it, I could see Bae Jiho smiling at the surprise and thanking everyone.

"Are you a Bae Jiho fan too?" a voice pierced through my thoughts, pulling my attention away from the screen. I looked up to see Vivian Song, the person I was here to meet. "I don't think I am, but I think Junho is trying to make me," I replied, turning off the video and standing up.

"Yeah, I just saw him in the video... on TikTok. Isn't he worried about your parents seeing him?" she questioned, and I shrugged. "He will handle it," I said, trying to brush it off. "We're not here to talk about my brother, are we?" I added, hoping to change the topic.

"No, no, of course not... come here," she said, spreading her arms out for a hug. "Hey," I said, returning the hug, feeling a bit lighter as we moved away from the topic of Junho and his antics. " Some one looks a little too good considering all he's going through.." she said and Icouldn't help but chuckle at her comment. "Yah? Stress just gives a glow to my face," I replied, trying to keep the mood light. Vivian laughed, and I could see that familiar spark of humor in her eyes. "There it is... the sarcastic sense of humor," she said, settling into her seat across from me..." Do you remember this place?" She questioned as I looked around the place, memories flooded back. "How can I forget? You, me, and Edward used to hang out here a lot," I recalled, a smile creeping onto my face. "I'm actually surprised it's still open," I added, feeling a mix of nostalgia and warmth.

She nodded, her expression brightening. "I know, but I found out it was a few days ago when I came back from the States... and I figured there's no better place for us to meet than this." I agreed; there was something special about this spot. "Okay, why did you ask to meet? It's definitely not to walk down memory lane," I said, raising an eyebrow.

Vivian smiled, and I could sense something was brewing. "Right... I have a favor to ask you," she said, and I scoffed, half-joking. "I'm not kidnapping you from your wedding again." Her laughter filled the space, and I felt lighter. "Oh my goodness, you still remember that?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"How can I forget? They had the police run after us. I swear to God, if I didn't have that helmet on my head, I don't know how things would have gone," I added, laughing along with her. But then she shifted the tone, saying, "Well, no, you don't have to kidnap me from my wedding this time... I'm actually going through this one all the way." My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wait, what?" I questioned, genuinely taken aback."Are you?" I asked, watching her nod. "I'm getting married soon," she replied, her voice laced with excitement. My curiosity piqued, I questioned, "Do I know him?"

"No, you don't. I met him while I was studying abroad," she said, pulling out her phone to show me a photo of the two of them looking radiant together. "His name is Luke Fischer. He was my T.A. back in my literature class," she explained. I nodded, taking in the moment. "You both look beautiful together," I commented, and her smile widened.

"Are you jealous?" she asked playfully, and I scoffed, "Not at all," chuckling at the absurdity of it. We both paused, staring at each other for a moment, the air thick with unspoken words. "I really hope your request isn't for me to be your wedding officiant," I finally broke the silence, trying to lighten the mood.

"No way… absolutely not," she laughed, and I felt a wave of relief. "Then what's the favor you want from me?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Well, do you know my book? The one I wrote years ago..." she began, and I racked my brain, trying to recall. "Yeah, what was its name again?"

"CEO's Obsession," she replied, and I smirked, "Yes, I had to read it because you sent me a link to it almost every single day."

"Well, yes, I had to do something about the viewer count. But thankfully, it got famous and is now one of the best dark romance novels," she added, her pride evident. "Anyways, I only kept it online and didn't want to publish a book version at the time, but I was advised to, and I'd like to go ahead with it," she explained. I nodded silently, listening intently...." And for the book cover, I'd like to make something similar to a movie poster with real people on it...I was advised to use famous people so that the book sells faster...and I want you to be the male lead in the book cover." She finally as I raised an eye brow in curiosity.." I know that you said you halted all your projects and didn't want to be in anything for a couple of months because of the club incident but it has to be you.." she added as I took a minute to think "Why though..why me?" I questioned...She explained, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "It's because the male lead is described similarly to you! Dark black hair, brown eyes, perfectly aligned teeth..." I chuckled, feeling a bit flattered but also slightly embarrassed. "Tall..." she continued, and I had to cut her off, "Okay, okay, fine. I'll do it."

Her excitement was palpable as she cheered, "You will!!" The gratitude in her voice made me smile. "And who's the female lead going to be?" I asked, genuinely curious. She paused for a moment, then said, "I'm actually looking at someone... I'll tell you once I make a decision." I nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead. "Okay," I replied, ready to dive into this unexpected adventure with her.

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After our meeting, I felt a sense of relief mixed with nostalgia. "Thank you so much for accepting my offer," she said, and I couldn't help but smile. "The pleasure is mine," I replied, enjoying the lightness of the moment. She chuckled softly, a sound that felt familiar and comforting. "I'll get going now," she added, turning to her car.

But just as she was about to leave, I called out, "Vivian!" She turned back, a playful glint in her eyes. "Yes... can't you bear to part with me?" she teased. I sighed deeply, knowing I had to address the elephant in the room. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice sincere. "I know this apology is years later, but I still want to apologize for how we ended things."

She stared at me for a moment, then responded, "You have nothing to be sorry about. If you didn't do what you did, I would have spent all my time obsessing over you while you weren't really in love with me. What we had back then... it wasn't really love. It was just us obsessing over our desires for each other. It might have taken me some time to understand, but I finally did." She was right, and it felt good to hear her say it.

"So don't feel sorry. What you did is the reason why I actually found real love later on. And you too will find it soon," she said, her words wrapping around me like a warm blanket. I smiled at her, feeling a mix of happiness for her and uncertainty for myself. "I'm not a major fan of the entire 'love' aspect and I doubt it exists outside movies. I find it incredibly superficial, but if you say you found it, then I'm more than happy for you." I replied, trying to keep my tone light. She chuckled softly, "That's the beauty of it. You never really know until you find it... then you will know." I sighed, "If you say so." I replied definitely still uncertain but happy she is happy.

As I stood there, the weight of the moment settled around us. "Thank you for being the best first love I've ever had," she said softly, pulling me into a warm hug. It felt surreal, like a scene from a movie where the characters finally find their peace after a long journey. I could feel the sincerity in her words, and it struck a chord deep within me.

"Congratulations on your wedding," I replied, my voice steady despite the rush of emotions swirling inside me. This was it—the closure we both needed after all those years. The echoes of our past lingered in the air, but there was a sense of finality now. I could sense the bittersweet joy radiating from her, and it mirrored my own feelings.

As we pulled away from the embrace, I looked into her eyes and saw a mixture of nostalgia and hope....Does this love she says she found really existent or was it only given t the few chosen ones..I had acted it out in many movies but I just had no idea how it felt in reality....was I curious about it..yes..was I desparate for it...maybe no...

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