Chapter 127: I Can Finally Breathe
by GideonAfter returning to Korea from a sweet, restful break, I was thrown straight into a whirlwind of a schedule—just as Zion had warned. My calendar for the entire year was already packed, leaving me with absolutely no time to breathe.
Photoshoots, interviews, endless events, parties, fan signings, audio recordings, and one commercial shoot after another.
I was so incredibly grateful, but the sheer volume of work was overwhelming.
Zion was just as busy. Since he couldn’t take on overseas projects while filming on set, he had crammed all his international schedules into his break.
Even though we shared the same roof, we barely saw each other. It was almost ironic, considering I was the one who had proposed marriage.
“Hyung, do you still have the ring?” Joo-won asked, his voice laced with curiosity as he kept his eyes fixed on the road.
A month ago, Jubin had been invited as a brand ambassador for a luxury label.
It was a major event, even attended by the lead designer, who ended up selecting Jubin as the brand’s Muse of the Year.
At the event, he’d spotted a ring so stunning that anyone could see it was absolutely perfect for Zion.
Jubin wasn’t usually one for impulse buys, but for some reason, he lost all self-control whenever he saw something that would look good on Zion.
The guilt had been gnawing at him ever since he realized he’d proposed marriage without even preparing a ring. This was the perfect opportunity, so he’d taken the plunge and bought it.
The problem was, he couldn’t find the right moment to set the mood and give it to him.
At this rate, summer will be over and autumn will be here before I can even hand it over.
“Yeah, I still have it,” Jubin replied. “I’m just waiting for the right moment, but Zion’s been so busy.”
“Carrying that ring around for a whole month… You’re like a devoted wife keeping her husband’s dagger close to her heart while he’s away.”
Jubin burst into laughter at the apt comparison.
“Well, I am keeping my vows.”
That was the reality of having a high-profile boyfriend.
“I’m sure Zion is doing the same, though, right?”
Joo-won smiled, a hint of envy in his eyes at such unwavering trust. He had expected Zion to be too busy to see him, but not this busy.
Their hearts remained close, yet they were worlds apart in both time and distance.
Jubin had never once made an impulsive choice in his life. He ever-so-carefully observed and weighed every option, often knocking on the door so long that he missed the chance entirely. And after every missed opportunity, regret always followed.
Each time, I’d feign composure, telling myself Well, I missed it, so it can’t be helped. There will be another chance next time. Maybe I should have acted a little sooner.
But Zion was the one person I absolutely couldn’t afford to lose.
Just as I was starting to feel a pang of disappointment, his call came through.
“Hey, Zion.”
—Hyung, I just landed at the airport. See you in Korea.
“What time do you arrive?”
—If there are no delays, around 5:00 PM Korea time?
I had planned to pick him up if the timing worked out, but today of all days, I’d been invited as a guest on a radio show, and the schedules overlapped.
“What a shame… I don’t think I can make it to pick you up.”
—It’s okay. I’ll see you at home.
“Yeah, get some rest. I’ll be there soon.”
As I hung up, Joo-won, who was driving, glanced at me with a strange expression.
He cleared his throat softly, a subtle cue that he was about to say something.
“Make sure you nail the ring proposal today. I’ll get you there on time.”
Jubin had already proposed once, back in the United States. Even though his clumsy confession had been a clumsy, raw outpouring of emotion, Zion had immediately replied with a simple, “Okay,” accepting it without hesitation.
But that was all.
It seemed Zion had taken it as just one of Jubin’s sudden, impulsive displays of affection. Otherwise, given his personality, he would have already poured all his energy into planning every detail. The fact that he remained so quiet meant…
Maybe I should have prepared a ring and asked him to marry me.
“Okay” was definitely a positive sign… but he needed to give him a ring and confirm if Zion was truly willing to marry him.
But if we actually get married, what do I need to prepare first?
He was lost in thought when CEO Moon Woo-jin called.
“Yes, CEO Moon?”
—Jubin!
The sudden shout through the phone nearly blasted Jubin’s eardrums out.
“Ah, you scared me! Why are you yelling?”
—You… You! Did you hear from Andrew?
“Hear what?”
—It blew up in the States!
“What blew up?”
—Iconic Mood is a massive hit!
CEO Moon Woo-jin’s voice was so loud it seemed to burst through the speaker, audible even to Joo-won in the driver’s seat.
Iconic Mood had been planned for a simultaneous release in Korea and the US, but due to circumstances, it premiered in North America first.
Perhaps it was because Director Andrew Jin’s direction and storytelling were familiar to them, but it was good news that the Korean elements and the actors’ performances had been seamlessly accepted in the US without any sense of dissonance.
With the Korean release just a week away, the momentum couldn’t have been better.
“Does Zion know?”
—He probably doesn’t. I just heard about it myself. Oh, by the way, Jubin. Do you know Zion has no upcoming schedule?
What is he talking about? Jubin was completely bewildered, having no idea what was going on.
“Why wouldn’t Zion have a schedule?”
CEO Moon Woo-jin muttered to himself, “So you didn’t know after all,” before speaking in a grave tone.
—Zion hasn’t booked any work since the premiere of Iconic Mood a few months ago.
“What…?”
Suddenly, CEO Park Ji-bun’s words flashed through Jubin’s mind.
“If you get the chance, ask Do Ji how many years he signed with our company. I suspect that’s the answer he’s already decided on.”
This meant his schedule would be completely empty starting next month, right after the premiere of Iconic Mood.
—You didn’t know, did you?
“Are you taking a vacation?” Jubin asked.
—If it were a vacation, CEO Park would have informed me in advance, saying he needs to clear a week or ten days. But right now, he’s blocking all new schedules entirely.
Since Jubin didn’t know the details of the contract Zion had signed with CEO Park Ji-bun, the only way to find out why this was happening was to ask Zion directly.
—CEO Park has some ideas, but he’s not sure. Could you ask him if you get the chance?
Jubin bit his lip and reluctantly agreed. “Yes, I’ll ask.”
—Good. Director Andrew is arriving in a few days, so take care of your health and let’s make sure the premiere goes well.
“Yes, thank you for letting me know.”
“Alright, you can go now.”
Is it really okay for things to go this well? It felt as if the entire universe was conspiring to help me, both materially and spiritually.
When things go this perfectly, it only makes me anxious. The feeling that a streak of good luck is always followed by something terrible suddenly spread a wave of negativity through my mind.
I wanted to share the pair of rings I kept tucked away in my arms with Zion as soon as possible.
“We’re continuing our delightful time with actor Cha Jubin on the second half of Fun-Fun Radio today.”
This radio appearance was scheduled for both the first and second parts, so it ran late into the evening.
“Mr. Cha Jubin, I hear you have a movie coming out soon called Iconic Mood?”
“Yes, Iconic Mood is a romance film that follows the journey of Demit, a man with a gentle heart, and Huri, a chaebol heir with a terrible personality, who fall in love after a chance encounter.”
“I was surprised to see you playing a chaebol with a terrible personality, Cha Jubin.”
The seasoned DJ’s perfect reaction helped Jubin relax and focus on the conversation.
“Yes, the lines were quite harsh, so I had to put in a lot of effort to pull it off. I hope everyone can be understanding.”
“There are many reports that you’re very close with your co-star, Do Zion.”
Close? We’re lovers.
Jubin kept his answer vague, worried that showing too much affection might distract from the movie’s promotion.
“Actor Do Zion is just very good at taking care of the people around him.”
“I saw an article today saying it’s already a massive hit in the United States. Do you think Iconic Mood can reach ten million viewers?”
In this day and age, reaching ten million wasn’t an easy feat.
“I’m not sure if ten million is possible, but…”
“If it is, how about appearing as a guest with Do Zion for our ‘Fun-Fun’ listeners?”
Jubin knew he’d have to check Zion’s schedule, but he was confident Zion would gladly appear for the movie. Besides, the mood in the studio made it feel like a promise everyone wanted to hear.
They’re in the same agency, so the managers will figure it out, Jubin thought.
“Yes,” he announced. “If we hit ten million, I’ll come back as a guest with actor Do Zion.”
“Everyone, a round of applause!”
The promise, broadcast live, was now out there for the whole country to hear—and there was no taking it back.
After the second half of the radio show ended, Jubin politely greeted the DJ and the producers before heading out.
“Good job today, hyung.”
Joo-won, who knew about their own living arrangement, now knew to drop him off in the private parking area.
“You worked hard too. See you tomorrow.”
After Joo-won left, Jubin leaned his exhausted body against the elevator wall. A soft sigh escaped his lips from sheer fatigue.
Filling the dead air on a radio show was a constant battle, and it had completely drained him.
When the elevator doors opened and he stepped into his apartment, the space that had always felt empty was now filled with the warm scent of a home-cooked meal and Zion’s pheromones.
“Hyung. You’re home?”
Even though he’d known Zion would be here, the overwhelming stress and chaos of his day made the moment feel all the more poignant.
Jubin carelessly dropped his bags and rushed forward, throwing his arms around Zion in a tight embrace.
The scent of Do Zion he’d missed so much. The pheromones he’d craved. The warmth he’d longed to feel… the voice he’d ached to hear.
“Ah… I can finally breathe.”
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