Before Dan Hwa attempted something to fill the drama director's question, soon arrived their Team leader breaking the tension.

Director Nam : Director Gyul, so sorry to cause you the inconvenience. I was looking at the work.

Being occupied with the Jeju-Du musical, it was the first meet both the directors were having for this project. The team leader eyed the two designers a greeting and went along with the female director as they talked further.

Director Gyul : Oh, it's so good. It lessened my first shoot day stress. Designer Baek did a very phenomenal job.

Director Nam : (-grins lightly-) Ye, I could trust her blindly with it. She is really gifted.

Quietly standing Mr.Lee smiled, listening to their eulogy and flawlessly heaping praises on Dan Hwa. He proudly drew his attention back to her beside him. Only to find her at a far end of the set, making sure every little corner had a perfect finish.

If this diligence didn't deserve the compliments, then what did-commented Mr.Lee quietly. And walked towards the set, lending her another pair of eyes to the scrutiny.

There, in blinks, she noticed a side peeling off. She frowned looking at it closer and remarked to herself, fairly audible to Designer Lee.

Dan Hwa : This is what cheap material does.

Mr.Lee grabbed the adhesive from a EHS team bag lying around the corner. And went to rectify the minor issue.

Mr.Lee : It's all right. This wouldn't appear in the camera.

They lathered the sheet with their palms in synchrony, to produce the little heat needed for the adhesive-to bind the pieces together.

Later, having the rookie designer on checking the same issue-the two seniors- ran an exam over the concert stage that the next sequence was to be shot on. Together, with the backstage and concert scenes, would make up the first quarter hour of the episode.

After a long and tight shoot schedule, the day was finally called. There were a few scenes that couldn't be run on schedule, but delayed to the next day. It was a little expected, considering the shots being really strenuous. And the director was loose about it too. She was very compassionate and acknowledged the hard word everyone paid in.

Dan Hwa and Lee Jun, now having their casual modes on, were walking with a gap of six steps. The male was hesitant and the female was extremely tired.

But, the former mustered up the courage and paced up to match her steps.

Mr.Lee : Look, Dan Hwa. I am sorry about morning. I was too worked up that I-

Dan Hwa : It's okay.

She responded with an exhausted voice and continued to walk ahead.

Mr.Lee : Can I drop you? It was for me, that you couldn't bring your car. Please let me drive you home.

Dan Hwa : Okay.

Unlike how she would hand her bags to the person she is walking with when tired, Dan Hwa headed towards the parking with all her stuff. Mr.Lee caught on that little detail and didn't try to force it on her. He knew she was upset, and he wanted to respect it.

He quietly marched ahead with her, as long as she agreed to drive back together.

Settling inside the car, Mr.Lee tried to ask for a better apology. One that could be accepted, without a fail. But, before he even made a sound, Dan Hwa spoke up.

Dan Hwa : Don't talk about it right now. Infact, never do it again. I don't have the energy to remind all of that. I am not upset with you, hence I agreed to get in here. So, just act normal and drive.

He pushed back his words, passing a nod. Without a further delay, they drove the way out of the set location.

She was staring outside, in a thoughtless languid mood. Mr.Lee, with his jollies regained, attempted to change the dark ambience created because of the morning incident.

Mr.Lee : Hey, shall we eat out?

Dan Hwa : Okay.

Having a very monotonous response, Mr.Lee was finding it difficult for the first time to steer the conversation anywhere. He tried, nonetheless.

Mr.Lee : What shall we eat though? How about Steak?

Dan Hwa : Why does 'eating out' sound Steak to you always?

Mr.Lee : Why? It is so savory and delicious. Besides, it's fancy.

Dan Hwa : (-scoffs-) Fine, let's have it.

For a change, Dan Hwa put in conscious efforts to treating her close friends with some consideration.

Mr.Lee : Hey, you cut me in pieces like the Steak. But, don't be so mad at me.

Maybe, her acquaintances were too accustomed to her barbarism to recieve her compassion easily.

Dan Hwa : I am not mad at you. I was just trying to be nice.

Mr.Lee : No no, go back. Go back to ruthless, fiery mouth, inconsiderate and rude-

He briefly glanced at her between spilling those synonyms. Only to find Dan Hwa, giving him an unamused stare that shot bullets of a figurative fire.

Mr.Lee : Yes, just that! Dan Hwa, trying to be nice, is scarier. Just be yourself, that's what I appreciate more of you.

Noticing her still unamused, Designer Lee attempted to break his words a little more.

Mr.Lee : I mean, you don't unnecessarily speak sweetly just to get in other's good books. And trust me, just being yourself all these years, you are already in one of mine. Simply because, you are authentic.

Dan Hwa felt a certain guilt creep her up, to have built a misconception for people. The authenticity Mr.Lee was fond of, was all a mask she hides under.

Dan Hwa : You know nothing about me. Don't judge so soon.

He briefly gazed at her while she was looking outside. The enigmatic feel to her words felt a little odd.

Mr.Lee : Well, anyway, just be yourself. Like you've been all these time. That's more comfortable.

The ride was silent then on. Dan Hwa gently shut her eyes and Mr.Lee singled out to remain quiet.

Few hours past, running her minimalist night routine, Dan Hwa quite habitually picked up the white pill bottle. Just the moment, she opened the lid, there was a doorbell.

Dan Hwa sighed watching a zoomed in nose of Lee Jun in the digital answer. By the looks of it, he was probably trying to get into the camera chip outside-the passcode already changed.

She unlocked the door and tried to end it there, not letting him in.

Dan Hwa : What are you doing here at this hour? You had all your Steak, the dinner's over.

He smiled and raised his hand up to their eyes sight, that was holding a pack of beers.

Mr.Lee : Drinks are left. And you didn't let me have wine earlier.

Dan Hwa : Yeah, because you had to drive. And well I don't drink. So, go to your home or someone else's. See you!

She was about to shut the door, when Mr.Lee shoved his hand through the space inside the flat.

Dan Hwa : Hey!

She instantly swung the door open, staring at him unbelievably. Lee Jun invited himself inside, no longer waiting for her to allow the entrance.

Dan Hwa followed his actions quietly, as he plopped down on the couch. Designer Lee very casually opened a can, guffing the bitter liquid like a regular task.

She raced towards the lounge and busted out, once attuned by his real motives.

Dan Hwa : You are here for those medicines, aren't you? To make sure, I don't take them.

He rested his hand, giving himself a rest from the drink. There was no point in beating the bushes, neither was Mr.Lee in a mood to.

Mr.Lee : Right. So, don't take them.

Designer Lee matched eyes with her, genuinty gleaming in them. Dan Hwa avoided the stare and he resumed to gulp down the beer. He knew the debate was not going to end this soon.

She surged to him and snatched the can from his hand. Keeping it on the table, Dan Hwa sat beside him.

Dan Hwa : Alcohol can also kill you.

Mr.Lee scoffed, looking straight ahead on the rested open can. A moment in still silence, the male sniffed in a tear. He brought out his cellphone and flashed her the lockscreen.

Mr.Lee : That's my elder brother beside me.

Dan Hwa patiently studied the picture, and she could tell the close bond the two shared, simply from the frame.

Mr.Lee : Do you know why I was only friends with you in college? (-seconds apart-) Because you never asked me about my background. You provided me the space I would look for everywhere.

Dan Hwa felt a certain empathy towards him. She wanted to express that it was the same for her too. But, the words just didn't push themselves out.

Mr.Lee : Hyung is currently in the special care unit. We cannot even meet him whenever we want. And all of this happened because of those darned sleeping pills!

It was evident, Mr.Lee was mildly under the influence of alcohol, to be digging on his burried secrets so effortlessly. Dan Hwa hadn't seen him this broken and upset and grasped on the fact that it must be a really sensitive subject for him.

Mr.Lee : He began taking those when high school stressed him out. Slowly beyond everyone's discern, he became addicted. And the worst part, I knew he had been taking such pills all the way long. But-

Tears now slipped unrestrained, but he tried to bottle them in as hard as he could.

Mr.Lee : But, I was unaware of the danger. An obedient little brother who didn't utter a word to the parents, like the hyung had asked. If only, I had stopped him then. If only...

Words lost the voice, his vision started to blur out, recalling those tormenting moments. To witness his beloved hyung, being roped down on the bed and shot with a strong tranquilizer. Just to stabilize and tame him down.

Mr.Lee : Now, he is at the point where, if he takes those pills, he will die. And if he doesn't... Well, he's gonna die anyway. Those four boundary-lock up is his only way to live.

He let out the puffed breath he was holding and covered his eyes, preventing them to shed the tears. Dan Hwa was vacillating whether to place a consoling hand on his shoulder or not.

Mr.Lee quietly wailed out his pain that he cannot and would not display to his family.

Dan Hwa didn't attempt any skinship and clutched her palms against each other. To facilitate him, with the assurance that his words were safe. Dan Hwa wanted to put out the facade of an inanimate object, that has quietly imbibed his vent and pressed feelings.

Being the strong willed man he moulded himself over the years, designer Lee swallowed the waters quiet quickly. Nonetheless.

Mr.Lee : I can't let the same mistake repeat with you.

She was hushed. Mr.Lee wiped his face, gaining more composure and turned to the side to have a better access of her.

Mr.Lee : Dan Hwa. (-glances on the cans-) You know how much I enjoy beers, don't you? But if you quit the pills, I promise, I would quit beer. Or any kind of alcohol for that matter.

Dan Hwa briefly gazed at him and withdrew her sight right away.

Dan Hwa : It's too late. Go home and rest.

Mr.Lee still had glistening eyes. He sighed in disbelief, listenting to her words. How they could be potentially meaning, that she has traveled in too far to return now.

The realization that his sincere attempt came to a fail, crippled him from inside. He had no discern to whether he was upset with himself or Dan Hwa.

After a long leap of silence, Designer Lee gathered himself, feeling too schmaltzy to talk anymore. Thus, he decided to take off.

Mr.Lee : Right. I should leave.

While Dan Hwa fixed her gaze in a void space, Mr.Lee raised up from the couch. He simply vacated the apartment, not looking back even for a second.

Moments later, the pill bottle could be seen clutched in her palm. Dan Hwa seemed to contemplate for the first time, ever since she started relying on them.

Being recalled of the hectic schedule of the day next, she finally dispensed one pill onto her palm. Putting all her indecisive feelings aside, Dan Hwa dumped it in her mouth and brought the glass of water close to her lips.

However in the next few seconds, something from inside plunged her legs to rush towards the washroom. She spat the pill out in the sink, coughing the little melted remains.

Dan Hwa twisted the tap as it released a straight current of water. She began to splash the slightly colder liquid on her face repeatedly, as if trying to remove the dead skin of numbness capsuling her.

She only stopped when her arms started to get sore. Dan Hwa lifted her head up and faced her reflection in the mirror, above the sink.

Her eyes red, frontal hair dripping wet, she was panting lightly. Her gaze was filled with resent and anguish. On the spur of the moment, all the scenes from the past few weeks, sequenced before her sight.

Dan Hwa : Why? Weren't you trying to drown that day in the sea?

It was sighted as if she was talking to her soul beyond the screen. As if it were the mirror to an alternate universe within herself. Where, her soul was quietly seated in a trauma. Fearing each word Dan Hwa voiced to it. And squeezing away as far as it was feasible to make the distance from her body.

Dan Hwa : What made you hesitate today? What are you scared of now?

The celestial figure lacking luster or vitality, its soft and once taintless white covers were now in dirt patches of blues. There was not a split second that Dan Hwa sympathized, neither was a moment where the soul responded back.

Her mask was down. The duality was out in flash. Dan Hwa felt trapped within herself. It was eternal, not physically possible to break out of the bars. That was what, she believed.

To her oblivion, the roads of limitless possibilities lied much deeper than the surface she was looking at.

Her cold eyes gradually softened after facing up to her lethal and strangling thoughts. Both her sides in a battle, where one pleaded to give up, the other was thwarting that vulnerability to take complete control over her body.

Days traveled by in a similar way. Designer Lee appeared more solemn and Dan Hwa consciously didn't get involved, knowing where it would lead.

In the blink of an eye, after nine days of laborious shooting, the first episode of the Drama was wrapped up successfully. And like the years so far, no one could see through her mask.

Succeeding the next script reading, Dan Hwa and a few team members collectively requiring to work on the second episode, were taking off around the evening.

Dan Hwa : You all leave for the company. I'll have to visit the next shooting location for some picture reference.

Her being the only senior in the group, everyone complied by and followed her words.

Soon after they had arrived in the agency, they joined the others straight in a meeting, that the Director called in.

Director Nam : Everyone's here? I have an announcement to make before our entire team.

Mr.Lee : Uh, Team Jang-nim. Designer Baek isn't here.

Having them look around, Intern Ryu excused to deliver the update on her whereabouts.

Director Nam : Ah, I see. Well, it's better that she isn't here.

The group grew more alert at his words. The leader, who never discriminated between his team members, must have a serious reason behind his sudden exclusive statement.

In a brief while, all the figures received a shocking news, coming across totally unwelcomed. Gloom was around the air. It simply hanged them over a cliff.

That night Dan Hwa directly went home, time bordering close to the end of work hours. Besides, she had no immediate matter to look at, in the office. Little did she know, what had been plotted in the company, behind her back.

The next day, Designer Baek visited the set location once again in the day light, before she headed to the agency. This time, she called in Intern Ryu to assist her with a few things.

The latter seemed a little off the grids, that the senior was having an observation of. However, she didn't voice it out just yet.

Few hours past, as they were finally done, Dan Hwa and Ms.Ryu were in her car- driving to EunHaSu.
But on the quiet ride, Designer Baek noticed the persistence of sulk in the younger's mood. She felt a certain affinity towards the latter for no apparent reason and couldn't help the urge anymore.

Dan Hwa : What's with that long face? What are you thinking?

Intern Ryu was snapped back to her. Nonetheless, she avoided gazes with the senior, careful not to spill the beans.

Ms.Ryu : I was just thinking about the Drama. Just like the MC in it... I mean, the idol, was fearing people's judgment to go to a psychologist, in the second episode. It's sad to realize, it must happen in real life too.

Dan Hwa could unduely feel the resemblance of her situation in her words. How, even after an awakening to her needs, Dan Hwa was still resilient to walk down to the doors of a medical professional.

Ms.Ryu : The brightly smiling idols might also be suffering from similar dreads. We never see what's hidden under their shining performances. If only, we could be more understanding and give them the privacy they deserve.

Dan Hwa quietly drove ahead, not further indulging in the conversation that she was trying to dodge off. However, reaching the agency, the scene was not very different either.

Her steps slowed down, observing the ambience in the open cubicular work room-all glum and sombre. The bright sunlight outside heavily contrasted the much colder and leaden atmosphere of the inside.

Dan Hwa : What's with the dull mood in here?

The nearest cubicle employee guided her to the mail board, which had an envelope addressed to Dan Hwa stuck under her name. Carefully plucking it out, she read through the card lying inside and her sight eventually caught at the names.

.

.

.

_____

😁

Rest is in Pt.2, coming in some hours!