Let Me Protect You (Sahyo)

Chapter 2

Days passed and everything was as it was. Sana continued with her filming while Jihyo continued to tag along everywhere she went, making sure that she was well taken care of. There were times when she wondered how this A-list celebrity and her manager ever went anywhere without security detail, because her fans seemed capable of showing up everywhere before they even arrived themselves.

Filming had been indoors for those few days and everything went smoothly. Jihyo continued to eat by herself at the back of a corner. Sana kept expressing her frustrations whenever Jihyo insisted things to be done, such as seeing her to her door and watching her enter her apartment before leaving. Momo had to step between them often to mediate, but she found herself having to throw her friend apologetic looks more often than not when she had to side with Jihyo with matters concerning Sana's safety.

Truth be told, both Jihyo and Sana did want to get closer and cut out all the tension between them, but it was awkward to initiate things and it was nothing like their personalities to take the first step. So, Jihyo continued to stay on her side of the room and not overstep while Sana continued to keep her walls up.

Work would end late into the night most days, leaving Sana usually too tired to even think of going out afterwards. There was an exception one night, when she promised her actress friend she would have supper with her after their shoot together. Lia was a really nice person, from what Jihyo could tell immediately. The actress came to her while Sana was filming her scenes, inviting her along for the meal.

"I have to go with her anyways, it would be late at night and I wouldn't want to leave her to go back home on her own afterwards." She replied, and Lia looked pleased at that. "But I don't think it would be nice to intrude, you two can have your meals and I would just wait outside."

"Jihyo-ssi, I'm sure Sana would want you to join us too." Jihyo internally snorted, wondering how great of an actress Sana and herself must be to appear even amicable to everyone else. In that moment, Sana reappeared, shrugging on her jacket and joining the two with a curious look on her face.

"What are you two talking about?" Sana asked, the slight smile on her face tinged with reserve.

"I'm inviting Jihyo-ssi to our supper tonight, you wouldn't mind, right?" Lia answered her, the funny look on her friend's face making her stumble on her words.

"That's not necessary, Jihyo would be tired from work the whole day." Sana rushed to object, wording her reasoning as tactfully as she could. "Besides, the walk back home from the restaurant is short enough, I don't need you to send me back." She turned to her guard.

The director called for Lia, and she left them, Momo flying to their sides immediately when she saw that the two were left alone with a tangible tension between them.

As much as Sana argued, Momo agreed with Jihyo, insisting that she followed the actresses to the restaurant and made sure Sana reached home safely that night.

Jihyo did her job dutifully, volunteering to chauffeur the actresses to the restaurant after filming wrapped, Lia saying yes gratefully.

When they reached, Jihyo made sure to maintain her distance, not too close but not too far out of sight. Lia asked about Jihyo, about the curious dynamics between them and the way they spent their journey not talking to each other at all.

Lia and her had known each other for years, having met on set just about when Sana was still considered a newbie in the acting circle. So, she wasn't a stranger to just how reserved Sana could be with newer people, but she had never seen her friend this awkward with anyone else before. Just as Lia asked about Jihyo, Sana turned to look at the girl in question. She was just standing by the company car she borrowed, arms folded across her chest and watching the people pass by her on the streets. She watched Jihyo while she stood in the cold, waiting for her.