🌆 Scene 12 – Location Selection Meeting
📍 E-Palette Conference Room
Kiara is standing near a digital screen showing 3 venue options.
Jiho enters wearing sunglasses (actor mode activated).
Kiara doesn't look at him.
Kiara:"Mr. Lee, please take your seat. We're starting."
Jiho (smirks):"Professional, huh?"
Kiara:"I prefer clarity."
Secretary Ryu and Mr. Aura are also present.
🏙 Option 1 – Grand Luxury Hotel Ballroom
Kiara:"Option one. Classic luxury. High media coverage potential. Easy crowd control."
Mr. Aura:"Safe choice."
Jiho:"Too safe."
Everyone looks at him.
Kiara:"Oh? And what do you suggest?"
Jiho:"If this is international level, we need impact. Not predictable."
Kiara folds her arms.
Kiara:"Then please enlighten us."
🌊 Option 2 – Open Beach Arena
Jiho:"This. Sunset fan meet. Fireworks. Live performance. Viral visuals."
Kiara:"And unpredictable weather. Wind interference. Sound distortion."
Jiho leans closer to the table.
Jiho (softly):"You always overthink."
Kiara:"And you underthink."
Mr. Aura:"This is interesting…"
Tension in the room.
🌃 Option 3 – Modern Glass Dome Convention Center
Kiara clicks next slide.
Kiara:"Hybrid concept. Controlled environment. Transparent architecture. Dramatic lighting possibilities."
Jiho looks impressed but hides it.
Jiho:"This… could work."
Kiara:"I know."
Jiho:"Confident?"
Kiara:"I don't do things halfway."
Their eyes lock.
Mr. Aura (smiling):"Good. I like this tension. It creates creativity."
💥 Small Twist
Mr. Aura:"There's one more condition."
Kiara:"What is it?"
Mr. Aura:"I want a promotional couple campaign."
Silence.
Kiara:"Excuse me?"
Mr. Aura:"You two have chemistry. We use that."
Jiho almost chokes.
Jiho:"Professional chemistry."
Mr. Aura:"Exactly."
Kiara:"We'll discuss branding strategy separately."
Jiho (whispers to Kiara):"See? Even investors see it."
Kiara:"Don't flatter yourself."
💭 After Meeting – Private Conversation
Everyone leaves.
Jiho stays.
Kiara:"Why do you always complicate things?"
Jiho:"I'm not complicating. I'm staying."
Kiara:"You promised."
Jiho:"I promised not to chase. I didn't promise not to work."
Kiara pauses.
Jiho:"You can handle this, right? Or am I too distracting?"
Kiara:"I built an empire at 24. I can handle one actor."
Jiho smiles.
Jiho:"We'll see."
🌙 Scene 13 – Parallel Thoughts 🌆 Kiara – In Her Penthouse Room
The city lights reflect on the glass window.
Kiara stands near the balcony, holding the engraved pen her grandfather gave her.
She's restless.
Kiara (thinking):Why is he behaving like this now? After all these years…He was the one who stopped calling. The one who disappeared.
She throws her phone on the bed.
Kiara:"Now suddenly he wants to work with me? Act normal? Smile like nothing happened?"
She remembers his words.
"For you, never.""Can I chase you?""I like you."
Kiara closes her eyes.
Kiara (whispers):"You don't get to come back whenever you want, Jiho…"
🔁 Flashback – The Last Day Before They Drifted Apart
Rainy afternoon. School gate.
Kiara:"Jiho, why are you avoiding me these days?"
Jiho looks conflicted.
Jiho:"I'm busy."
Kiara:"Too busy to call?"
Jiho stays silent.
Kiara:"If something is wrong, just say it."
Jiho:"It's nothing."
He walks away.
Kiara (in present):"It was never nothing."
Kiara (thinking):That day… after I saw what I wasn't supposed to see…
A tear almost falls — but she wipes it immediately.
Kiara:"I worked too hard to become who I am. I won't let you shake me."
She looks determined.
But her hand unconsciously opens their old photo in her gallery.
She freezes.
🌙 Jiho – In His Apartment
Dim lights. Script pages scattered.
Jiho lies on his couch staring at the ceiling.
He smiles slightly.
Jiho (thinking):"She's still the same… stubborn… sharp… beautiful."
He replays the moment she said:
"No."
He laughs softly.
Jiho:"Still rejecting me directly."
He sits up.
Jiho:"But she didn't push me away today."
He remembers when she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the comic store.
Jiho touches his wrist where she held him.
Jiho (softly):"You still protect me first."
🔁 Flashback – Rooftop Night
Fireworks in the sky.
Young Kiara and Jiho sitting side by side.
Kiara:"If one day we stop talking… will you forget me?"
Jiho immediately:"Never."
Kiara:"Promise?"
Jiho:"Even if I become a superstar."
They laugh.
Back to present.
Jiho's smile fades.
Jiho:"I broke that promise…"
Jiho (thinking):But I thought I was protecting you.
He clenches his fist.
Jiho:"But this time, I won't."
He stands up, determined.
Jiho:"I won't rush. I won't scare her. I'll make her trust me again."
He looks at his reflection.
Jiho:"Not as a superstar. As Jiho."
🌌 Parallel Ending Shot
Kiara looks at the moon from her balcony.
Jiho looks at the same moon from his window.
Kiara (thinking):"I don't want to fall again."
Jiho (thinking):"I want her to fall for me again."
The same moon.The same city.Two hearts still unfinished.
Fade out.
🌆 Scene 14 – Location Visit 📍 Morning – E-Palette Office
Secretary Ryu knocks and enters.
Secretary Ryu:"Kiara ma'am, the location visit is at 11 AM."
Kiara (without looking up):"With Mr. Aura?"
Secretary:"Yes. And Mr. Lee Jiho will join as well."
A brief pause.
Just half a second.
Kiara closes her laptop calmly.
Kiara:"Prepare the car. Send the technical team 30 minutes early."
Secretary watches her carefully.
Secretary Ryu (gently):"Understood."
As she leaves, she types a message:
To Legal: Prepare dual-signature draft. Tight media clause.
Secretary (murmuring):"If this turns emotional, I'm not cleaning the mess."
But she smiles slightly.
📍 Meanwhile – Actor Agency
Manager Hyun stands in Jiho's dressing room doorway.
Manager Hyun:"You're going to the location visit?"
Jiho adjusts his watch.
Jiho:"Yeah."
Manager Hyun:"Be careful."
Jiho:"With what?"
Manager Hyun:"With her."
Jiho pauses.
Jiho:"This is professional."
Manager Hyun:"I've managed you for six years. Your professional face and your personal face are different."
Jiho smirks lightly.
Manager Hyun hands him a file.
Manager Hyun:"Also… your father called this morning."
Jiho stiffens.
Jiho:"What did he say?"
Manager Hyun:"He asked about the CEO."
Jiho:"And?"
Manager Hyun:"I said it's just business."
A beat.
Manager Hyun:"Is it?"
Jiho grabs his jacket.
Jiho:"I'm late."
📍 Location – Glass Dome Convention Centre
The dome reflects sunlight like crystal.
Mr. Aura greets Kiara warmly.
Mr. Aura:"Miss Kiara! Perfect timing."
Kiara (polished smile):"Good morning."
A black car stops behind.
Jiho steps out, removes his sunglasses.
Jiho:"Am I late?"
Kiara (without looking at him):"No."
Manager Hyun observes quietly from behind.
Secretary Ryu adjusts her tablet.
Everyone notices the air change.
🏢 Inside the Dome
Their footsteps echo.
Kiara leads confidently.
Kiara:"Stage here. LED backdrop 40 feet. Media zone right. VIP balcony above."
Jiho looks around.
Jiho:"This place feels big."
Kiara:"It's international level."
Jiho (low):"Like you."
She ignores him.
Manager Hyun notices.
Secretary notices.
Mr. Aura definitely notices.
📐 Stage Area
Kiara steps onto the stage.
Her heel slips slightly on exposed wiring.
Before she falls—
Jiho catches her wrist.
Silence.
Close proximity.
Jiho (soft):"Careful."
Kiara gently pulls back.
Kiara:"I can manage."
Hyun watches.
Secretary looks away politely.
Mr. Aura smiles faintly.
🎤 Position Test
Mr. Aura:"Stand center stage, Mr. Lee."
Jiho moves.
Mr. Aura:"Miss Kiara, stand beside him. This is your launch."
Kiara hesitates — then steps up.
Side by side.
Wind flows through the glass ceiling.
Jiho leans slightly.
Jiho (whispers):"You okay?"
Kiara:"Professional."
Jiho:"I'm trying."
🌬 Balcony – Moment Alone
Mr. Aura takes a call below.
Hyun and Secretary stay near the stage.
Kiara walks toward the balcony edge.
Jiho follows.
Jiho:"You didn't reply."
Kiara:"To what?"
Jiho:"My message."
Kiara:"I reply to work messages."
Jiho:"That was work."
She stops.
Kiara:"Then talk during work hours."
Jiho looks at her carefully.
Jiho:"You're really pretending we're strangers?"
Kiara:"Isn't that what you're good at?"
That hits him.
Silence.
Wind between them.
🏗 Finalizing
Mr. Aura returns.
Mr. Aura:"It's decided. We book this venue."
Kiara:"I'll have legal send the agreement."
Jiho:"I'll adjust my schedule."
Calm voices.
Unsettled hearts.
🌤 Outside – After Visit
Everyone walks toward their cars.
Mr. Aura (quietly to Secretary):"They argue like a married couple."
Secretary:"Sir…"
He laughs.
Jiho opens his car door.
Looks at Kiara.
Jiho:"See you tomorrow, CEO."
Kiara:"On time, Actor."
Two seconds too long of eye contact.
They get in separate cars.
🚘 Parallel Ride Home 🔹 Jiho's Car
Manager Hyun:"You still like her."
Jiho doesn't answer.
Manager Hyun:"I won't stop you. But if you get hurt, I won't fix it."
Jiho looks out the window.
Jiho:"This time I'm not running."
Hyun:"She is."
Jiho (quietly):"I know."
🔹 Kiara's Car
Secretary Ryu:"Ma'am… may I ask something?"
Kiara:"What?"
Secretary:"Why does it feel like you're angry at him… but not over him?"
Kiara looks outside.
City passing by.
Kiara:"Drive."
Secretary smiles faintly.
Secretary (thinking):"This event is going to be interesting."
🌆 Scene 15 – Photoshoot Rehearsal
📍 E-Palette Studio – Afternoon
Large white studio. Minimalist setup.
Backdrop reads:E-Palette × Lee Jiho
Staff moving quickly. Lights warming up.
Kiara enters with Secretary Ryu.
Jiho arrives with Manager Hyun.
There's a brief silence when their eyes meet.
Professional mode switches on.
🎬 Concept Brief
Mr. Aura stands near the monitor.
Mr. Aura:
"This campaign is about influence. A CEO and an actor shaping culture together."
Kiara nods.
Jiho listens quietly.
Mr. Aura:
"No romance angle. Just power, confidence, trust."
He steps back.
Mr. Aura:
"Show me partnership."
That's it. He doesn't hover.
📸 First Position – Side by Side
Photographer:
"Stand shoulder to shoulder."
They stand.
There's a tiny gap.
Photographer:
"Closer, please."
Jiho moves slightly.
Their shoulders touch.
Kiara keeps her expression calm.
Jiho whispers without looking at her:
Jiho:
"You're tense."
Kiara:
"I'm focused."
Click.
📷 Eye Contact Shot
Photographer:
"Look at each other like you trust each other."
They turn.
Silence stretches.
A flicker of old memory in their eyes.
Mr. Aura watches quietly from the side — saying nothing.
Click.
The photo looks real.
Too real.
🎭 Break Moment
Lights adjust.
Staff steps away.
They remain standing near backdrop.
Jiho:
"You could at least reply."
Kiara:
"We're working."
Jiho:
"That wasn't what I meant."
Kiara:
"Then be clear."
He studies her face.
Jiho:
"You're still angry."
Kiara:
"You're still assuming."
Tension tight.
Manager Hyun notices.
Secretary Ryu pretends not to.
📸 Protective Pose
Photographer:
"Jiho, stand slightly behind her. Confident but subtle."
Jiho steps behind Kiara.
Close enough that she feels his presence.
Not touching.
Just there.
Photographer:
"Kiara, look forward. Strong."
She lifts her chin.
Jiho accidentally looks at her instead of camera.
Photographer:
"Jiho — lens."
He shifts, but the moment is already captured.
Mr. Aura glances at the monitor.
A small smile.
He doesn't comment.
🌇 After Rehearsal
Photographer:
"We're done for today."
Kiara steps off the platform.
Jiho follows.
Mr. Aura walks past them casually.
Mr. Aura:
"Good energy today. Keep it consistent tomorrow."
Simple. Professional.
But as he walks away, he quietly tells Secretary Ryu:
Mr. Aura:
"The camera likes honesty."
Secretary Ryu:
"…Yes, sir."
🚪 Exit
Jiho:
"I'm not disappearing again."
Kiara pauses.
Kiara:
"Then don't."
She walks away.
He watches her leave.
Manager Hyun approaches.
Hyun:
"This isn't just business for you."
Jiho:
"No."
He exhales slowly.
Jiho:
"It never was."
Fade out.
🌆 Scene 16 – The Official Photoshoot
📍 E-Palette Grand Studio – Morning
The studio is transformed.
Soft golden lighting.Deep navy velvet backdrop.Minimalist stage.
This isn't rehearsal anymore.
This is the real shoot.
👑 Kiara's Entrance
The door opens.
Everyone turns.
Kiara walks in.
She's wearing a deep emerald silk gown.Off-shoulder. Structured. Elegant. Powerful.
Hair softly curled.Diamond ear cuffs.Natural but glowing makeup.
She looks untouchable.
Secretary Ryu whispers:
"She looks like luxury."
Mr. Aura simply nods.
Mr. Aura:
"Perfect."
Jiho turns.
And for a second—
He forgets to breathe.
Jiho (under his breath):
"Wow."
Manager Hyun notices.
Hyun:
"Professional."
Jiho straightens.
But his eyes don't leave her.
🎬 Mr. Aura's Direction
Mr. Aura steps forward.
Mr. Aura:
"Today we finish everything. No extensions."
He looks at Kiara briefly.
She nods.
Kiara:
"Yes. I don't want a third day."
Jiho catches that.
Jiho:
"Why?"
Kiara:
"We're efficient."
Their eyes lock.
Message understood.
📸 First Set – Power Shot
Kiara seated on a high velvet chair.
Jiho standing beside her.
Photographer:
"Authority and influence."
Click. Click.
Kiara's gaze sharp.Jiho confident.
The chemistry is subtle but undeniable.
🔥 Second Set – Closer Frame
Photographer:
"Sit closer."
Jiho sits beside her.
Thighs almost touching.
Photographer:
"Jiho, lean slightly toward her."
He does.
Kiara's breath falters for a micro-second.
Photographer:
"Kiara, soften your expression."
She turns slightly toward him.
Their faces now inches apart.
Click.
The room feels hotter.
Mr. Aura watches silently.
He says nothing.
But he knows.
🌹 Third Set – The Bold Shot
Lighting dims.
Single spotlight.
Photographer:
"Jiho, hold her hand."
Kiara looks up immediately.
Kiara:
"That wasn't in the brief."
Mr. Aura:
"Trust the visual."
Silence.
Jiho slowly extends his hand.
He doesn't grab.
He waits.
After two seconds—
Kiara places her hand in his.
Electric.
Photographer:
"Closer."
Jiho steps in.
His hand now around her waist.
Firm. Protective.
Kiara's hand rests on his chest for balance.
They are very close.
Almost intimate.
The room goes quiet.
Jiho (softly, only for her):
"If you want to stop, say it."
Kiara:
"Don't assume."
Click.
Photographer:
"Beautiful."
Jiho looks at her like she's the only thing in frame.
Kiara tries to stay composed—
But her eyes soften.
Click.
That's the shot.
💥 The Almost Moment
Photographer:
"One last. Foreheads almost touching."
Kiara hesitates.
Jiho leans slightly forward.
Their foreheads nearly touch.
Breath mixing.
Jiho whispers:
"I never stopped."
Kiara's heart races.
She whispers back:
"This ends today."
Click.
The camera captures raw emotion.
🎬 Wrap Announcement
Photographer:
"We're done!"
Staff claps lightly.
Secretary Ryu looks stunned.
Manager Hyun looks concerned.
Mr. Aura studies the preview screen.
The images are powerful.
Too powerful.
Mr. Aura (quietly):
"This will break the internet."
🚪 After the Shoot
Kiara steps away first.
Jiho follows.
Jiho:
"You're running again."
Kiara:
"I'm protecting myself."
Jiho:
"From me?"
Kiara:
"From falling for what isn't real."
Silence.
Jiho:
"It was real."
Kiara:
"It wasn't enough."
She walks away.
Jiho stands there.
Manager Hyun approaches.
Hyun:
"You crossed the line."
Jiho:
"No."
He looks at the screen where their photo is displayed.
Jiho:
"I stepped back into it."
🌧 Scene 16 – Ending 🌆 Night – After the Shoot 🚘 Kiara's Car
City lights blur outside the window.
Kiara sits quietly in the backseat.
Secretary Ryu is in front, silent.
Kiara replays his words in her mind.
"If you want to stop, say it.""I never stopped.""It was real."
Her jaw tightens.
Kiara (thinking):
"It wasn't enough."
She closes her eyes.
But the feeling from when his hand held her waist lingers.
She opens her eyes again — frustrated.
Kiara:
"Faster."
The driver nods.
🏠 Jiho's Apartment – Later
Jiho enters quietly.
Manager Hyun had already left him downstairs.
The apartment is dim.
He removes his jacket slowly.
Silence.
He sits on the couch.
His mind replays her words.
"This ends today.""I'm protecting myself.""From falling for what isn't real."
Jiho exhales slowly.
Jiho (whispers):
"It was real."
He stands up.
Walks to the window.
It starts raining.
Soft at first.
Then heavier.
Rain hits the glass.
He watches it.
His reflection looks conflicted.
Jiho (thinking):
"She thinks I left because I didn't care."
He runs a hand through his hair.
Jiho:
"You don't know why I walked away."
Thunder in distance.
Rain gets heavier.
Something shifts in him.
Sudden decision.
He grabs his hoodie.
No umbrella.
No car.
He walks out.
🌧 Outside – Rainy Street
The rain pours.
Jiho unlocks his old bicycle parked near the building.
The same one he still keeps.
He pauses for one second.
Then rides.
Fast.
Rain soaking his clothes.
Streetlights flashing past.
Breathing heavy.
Determined.
🌙 Kiara's Penthouse – Balcony
Kiara stands near the glass doors.
Watching the rain.
City glowing below.
She wraps her arms around herself.
Kiara (thinking):
"Why now… Jiho?"
Thunder echoes.
Her phone vibrates on the table behind her.
She doesn't turn.
Rain continues pouring.
🌧 Street Below
Jiho pedals harder.
Rain in his eyes.
Hair completely wet.
He doesn't stop.
He looks up at her building in the distance.
Lights glowing at the top.
Jiho (whispers):
"Don't run this time."
He rides toward it.
🌌 Final Shot
Kiara on balcony.
Jiho riding through rain toward her building.
Neither knows how the night will end.
The rain gets heavier.
Cut to black.