244 Distracted (2/2)

The man noticed her gaze and looked back at her, as if surprised to feel her gaze on him.

Realising her faux pas, Yeo Ri immediately lowered her head and bit her lips. 'Oh, no!' She trembled, fearing for the 'cut!' to be called out and the flurry of scoldings to rain down on her. She tightly closed her eyes.

Surprisingly, the director did not scrap the take and Yeo Ri had no choice but to go on. She glance back up, ”'Orabeoni...! Help me...!'” She cried as she acted as if she was struggling to get out of her captive's hold. The soldier spurred back into action and continued to drag her away.

”—Okay, cut!”

—Finally, the take ended.

The director said nothing after stopping the cameras. He merely stared at the actors thoughtfully, whispering something with the scriptwriter. Their gazes went back and forth between Yeo Ri's spot to the main leads'.

Yeo Ri stood worriedly. She knew she erred in the last take, and it made her scared considering that this was the first time she had made such a glaring mistake during a job. It was shameful to both herself and the agency she was representing.

However—

—Yeo Ri was just overthinking.

The director, who had been monitoring everything thoroughly, had also noticed Yeo Ri's distraction. The spark of affection in her gaze and the trace of interest in Ryeon Jae Hwan's eyes in that split second of OOC did not escape his eyes. His mind whirred with ideas.

Actually, he was at a loss for the direction of Ryeon Jae Hwan's character. As the crown prince's bodyguard, he appeared very frequently. However, being such a serious and untalkative character, he had little to no character development and at some points seemed like an ornament or a convenient tool for the main lead's character. Despite carrying an important role, he was practically invisible.

But the momentary lapse of concentration by the two actors opened up a path for him. He found a way to give some personality to the character, and Yeo Ri was the key.

”I'm making some changes to the scene,” he said after finishing his discussion with his team.

”Miss Yeo Ri, Jae Hwan-ah, can you come over here for a bit?” He called out to the two actors who caught his attention.

Yeo Ri flinched as the director called her name. ”Y-yes!” Sweating coldly, she took a deep breath and headed down to the director.

”What's wrong, Director?” Ryeon Jae Hwan asked as soon as he reached the director's side.

”Oh, it's nothing. I wanted to revise some scenes for Yi Seok's backstory. I thought it would be a good idea to tie him to the Seos. I was thinking of adding a loveline between Yi Seok and Seo Ryeong's little sister, Seo Yeon. What do you guys think?”

Yeo Ri's eyes widened in surprise. ”Does that mean...” She was going to get more screen-time? That was good news; far from the scolding she thought she was going to get from the director!

”That sounds good. But wouldn't it seem like an afterthought if she was added at this juncture?” The scene they were filming right then was for the fourteenth episode; it would be far too late to add anything to a character's backstory without it looking forced.

”That's what I'm worried about. I discussed it earlier with Writer Go about reshooting some of the earlier scenes, but I don't know if other people are willing to do that.”

”Well, you're the director.” The actor shrugged his shoulders, a slight smile on his face. Yeo Ri found herself staring again, though she hadn't intended to.

”Miss, is there something on my face?” The man teased as he noticed her gaze.

”O-oh! Um—I—uh—” Yeo Ri looked away in a fluster, a blush staining her cheeks.

”Jae Hwan-ah, your beauty is sinful. How can you seduce a young girl?” The director laughed as he poked fun at the actor. Was this the start of a wonderful love story? The guy was devilishly handsome, and the girl was an angelic beauty... what a match. Even though there was an age gap between them, it was still within an acceptable range. Standing side-by-side, they appeared like a gorgeous painting.

”He's handsome, isn't he, Miss Yeo Ri?” The director switched his target and teased the girl.

”...Yes.” Yeo Ri seemed as if she only knew how to be honest. She nodded seriously as she responded to the older man.

”Oh my! Oh my!” The director gaped. He wasn't expecting the girl to be so straightforward. ”If you guys end up dating, don't forget to give me my credits,” the director sighed.

”You're speaking nonsense, Mr. Director!” Ryeon Jae Hwan laughed, raising an eyebrow at his claims. He glanced at the blushing girl, a feeling of fascination and a hint of sweetness rising inside him over her apparent interest in him. It was always flattering for a man to have a cute girl crushing on him, after all. He'd probably have to wait for a few years before they could date openly, though.

”Am I? Tell me, Miss Yeo Ri, did you or did you not fall for our Jae Hwan here?” The director laughed again.

”Oh, no—that's not it—I—!” Yeo Ri immediately shook her head. ”Um—!”

”Okay, that's enough, Director. You're going to make her uncomfortable.” Ryeon Jae Hwan raised his hand, motioning the director to stop with his bantering. He placed his arm politely around her, as if to insinuate that he would protect her.

Yeo Ri shrunk instinctively though he was barely touching her.

Noticing her grimace, he increased the space between them, letting his arm hover without actually touching her.

”Sorry, did I make you uncomfortable?” He asked gently. They just met, so he couldn't afford to scare her away, after all.

”Um, no...” Yeo Ri answered feebly.

”—Excuse me. I would like to continue the discussion about her future scenes. If you could confirm the details for me, then maybe we can work it in our schedules soon.”

Secretary Kwon intervened from out of nowhere. His lips were set in a straight line as he deliberately inserted himself between the actor and the young miss, creating a division between them. Inwardly, he complained about how she easily allowed the stranger to come close to her when she had treated him like a criminal when they first met. This was unfair! Favouritism! Double standards!

”—O-oh, yes, of course.” The director realised his over-reaction and immediately snapped back into professionalism.