37. Same Feelings

Ha-neul nodded, then walked with Luna toward another table, followed by Maddie’s irritated glare. The tension between them was palpable, but Ha-neul remained focused on Luna, sensing the urgency in her request.

Upon reaching a table far enough from Maddie and Brad, Ha-neul turned to Luna and asked, “What do you want to talk about?”

Luna hesitated, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. Her eyes wandered around the restaurant, scanning the cozy interior adorned with warm, ambient lighting and rustic wooden furniture. The soft murmur of conversations and clinking of cutlery created a background hum, but Luna’s mind was solely focused on the words she needed to say.

Finally, she looked at Ha-neul and said, “I feel uncomfortable being in the same film project with Maddie.”

Ha-neul furrowed his brow, leaning slightly forward. “Why do you feel uncomfortable with her?”

Luna took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the edge of the table as she spoke. “We’ve always been competing for roles. It’s like there’s this constant tension and rivalry between us. It’s exhausting.”

Ha-neul considered her words carefully before asking, “Are you saying you want Maddie to be removed from the project?”

Luna nodded, her expression earnest and somewhat pleading. Ha-neul fell silent, his eyes drifting to the flickering candle at the center of the table as he pondered her request. The weight of the decision pressed on him heavily.

After a moment, he looked back at Luna and said, “That’s not possible, Luna. I understand how you feel, but I need you to be professional and accept this decision.”

Luna’s shoulders slumped slightly at his response, disappointment washing over her features. She replied softly, “I’ll try to be professional and accept it.”

Ha-neul gave her a sympathetic look and said, “Let’s go back to Brad and Maddie.”

Instead of replying, Luna remained seated, her gaze fixed on the table. Ha-neul hesitated for a moment, then walked away, leaving Luna alone with her thoughts. Luna felt a wave of sadness and frustration at the rejection. She knew Ha-neul was right, but it didn’t make the reality any easier to bear. She sat there quietly, feeling the weight of her emotions pressing down on her.

The restaurant around her seemed to dim in her perception. The warm, inviting ambiance felt like a stark contrast to her gloomy mood. The soft light from the chandeliers cast gentle shadows on the walls, and the aroma of delicious food wafted through the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter and conversation from other diners. Yet, Luna felt isolated, her disappointment creating an invisible barrier between her and the lively surroundings.

The serene setting of the restaurant, with its elegant decor and the gentle hum of activity, provided little comfort. Luna’s mind replayed the conversation with Ha-neul, each word echoing in her thoughts. She knew she had to find a way to coexist with Maddie, but at that moment, it felt like an insurmountable challenge.

Eventually, she took a deep breath, steeling herself to face the reality of the situation. Rising slowly from her seat, Luna glanced around the restaurant one last time, gathering the strength to rejoin the group. The warm light flickered softly, and the quiet murmur of the other diners continued unabated, as if unaware of the inner turmoil she faced.

...

Early the next morning, Luna found herself in the living room of Starla's apartment. The early rays of the sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. The living room was cozy and inviting, with a comfortable beige sofa adorned with colorful throw pillows. A wooden coffee table sat in the center, surrounded by plush armchairs. On one side, a bookshelf filled with novels and trinkets from Starla's travels added a touch of personality to the space. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, mixing with the faint scent of vanilla from a nearby candle.

Starla entered the room, carrying two mugs of hot coffee. She placed one on the table in front of Luna and gestured for her to take a sip.

"Here you go. Now, what’s on your mind, Luna?" Starla asked, settling into an armchair opposite her friend.

Luna sighed deeply, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. “Yesterday’s incident with Maddie really got to me. She was so annoying, and it just... it made me so upset.”

Starla smiled sympathetically, reaching out to squeeze Luna's hand. “Working with Maddie isn’t necessarily a bad thing. She is a good actress, after all.”

Luna nodded, her frustration still evident. “I know, but I just feel so uncomfortable around her.”

Starla gazed at Luna thoughtfully, as if trying to delve into her thoughts. The room was filled with the soft morning light, creating a serene and comforting atmosphere. Starla's living room, with its cozy decor and personal touches, felt like a safe haven from the frustrations and tensions of the outside world. The colorful throw pillows on the beige sofa added a vibrant contrast to the room's warm, neutral tones. The gentle hum of the city waking up outside was a distant background noise, adding to the sense of calm within the apartment.

After a moment of contemplative silence, Starla broke the quiet. "Could it be that you’re uncomfortable because you’re jealous?"

“Jealous? No way!” Luna gasped and quickly denied it, but her protest only made Starla laugh.

In an attempt to divert the topic, Luna asked, “What about Ha-neul? Isn’t he in London too?”

Starla’s expression turned somber. “Yes, we did meet, but he didn’t contact me at all yesterday.”

Luna gave her a knowing smile. “Maybe you should reach out to him first. Don’t just wait for him to call you.”

Before Starla could respond, the doorbell rang unexpectedly. Starla and Luna exchanged curious glances, wondering who could be visiting so early in the morning. The soft chime of the doorbell echoed through the apartment, mingling with the faint hum of morning activity outside. Birds chirped cheerfully in the distance, and the city slowly came to life with the sounds of cars and people starting their day. Starla rose from her seat, her brows furrowed in mild confusion.

"Who could that be at this hour?" she mused aloud, her voice tinged with curiosity. She walked briskly across the living room, her bare feet making soft thuds against the hardwood floor. Luna remained seated, her eyes following Starla's movements.

The living room, bathed in the gentle morning light, felt unusually serene despite the unexpected interruption. The cozy warmth of the room, with its soft furnishings and personal touches, contrasted with the slight tension that now filled the air. The coffee, still steaming in their mugs, added to the sense of an interrupted morning routine.

Starla reached the door and peered through the peephole. She paused for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she opened the door slowly, the hinges creaking slightly. Starla's eyes widened slightly in surprise, and a mix of emotions flickered across her face.

"It's so weird, there's no one here... what is this?" Starla picked up a piece of paper from the floor. Her eyes widened, and her hands trembled as she read the writing on the paper. "No way... this can't be happening...."

Luna, seeing Starla standing by the door, grew curious and approached her. "Starla, what's going on?"

Starla murmured, her cheeks wet with tears. "He's... back."