Love Director [ENG]

Chapter 45: When the past returns

"Cut!" Aphros called into the radio.

He rose from the monitor, striding toward the set to speak with the actors, who looked pale from the pressure. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the man standing off to the side, positioned where he wouldn't draw attention, disturb the filming, or be seen as interfering.

Despite discussing the ongoing shoot, Aphros' mind drifted back to their earlier conversation. He hadn't expected to meet an old lover but wasn't so stunned that he couldn't handle it. Recognizing the situation, he had given a polite but distant smile, treating Kim as nothing more than an acquaintance, not someone he'd once shared a bed with.

'It's been a long time, Kim.' he had said, maintaining a facade of familiarity.

Though surprised, Kim quickly smiled back, matching Aphros' polite demeanor. 'Yes, it has. How have you been?'

'Good, As you can see. And you?'

Aphros found it almost amusing that they were exchanging such formalities, given how tumultuous their separation had been. Kim had gotten a woman pregnant and married her, while Aphros had nearly died in a car accident. Just as Nudhi seemed about to step away, Aphros signaled her with a look. Despite her surprise, she stayed put, allowing the charade to continue against Kim's apparent wishes.

Had he known Kim was here, Aphros would have immediately abandoned the idea of shooting at this location. He wasn't sure if any feelings remained, but keeping their distance seemed the best course of action.

So, when Kim asked, 'Are you free later, Aphros? It's been so long. Can I take you out for a meal?'

'Thanks for the offer, but I can't. I'm filming late into the night.'

'What about tomorrow?'

'Also filming.'

'That's a shame.'

The conversation ended there, and Kim didn't press further, leaving shortly afterward. Yet throughout the day, Aphros couldn't shake the feeling that Kim's intentions were unclear, a thought that made his heart pound slower and his brow furrow.

Whatever Kim wanted, Aphros had nothing to give. Their story had ended long ago, marked by Kim's final words: 'We have no future together.'

Pushing the thought aside, Aphros focused on his work, though his previously buoyant mood gradually soured. The persistent feeling of being watched irritated him, a sentiment only alleviated by a short message from his lover.

[ I'll make dinner tonight. Please eat when you get home ]

Thinking about the dinner prepared by his young lover helped him regain his composure.

***

Yet the question of what Kim wanted echoed louder in his heart each day. It wasn't that he wanted to rekindle anything with Kim, who had left him and started a family. Rather, it was the constant presence of Kim at the location shoots, mingling easily with the crew, a reminder of the charisma that had once captivated Aphros.

Kim continued to ask every time they crossed paths, 'Are you free to have dinner with me?'

Aphros' answer remained no, but his frustration grew. Determined to do his best work, he found the distraction intolerable. Avoidance was no longer an option, and he reminded himself that Kim was just an old friend, though another voice in his head screamed that this was the man he had loved deeply, almost to the point of ruin.

"Aphros, may I speak?"

"You always do, even when told not to."

"You're scary today, Aphros."