Filming set. A studio just outside Seoul.
Jinwoo stood in front of the camera, one hand clutching the hem of his shirt flapping wildly in the wind machine. His gaze into the lens was deep and intense—but inside, a completely different storm was brewing.
God… I'm losing it. Why do I miss her this much?
As the crew bustled around preparing for the next cut, Jinwoo quickly pulled out his phone.
📱 [Jinwoo → Celeste ]Ceres. I… I really, truly miss you right now. Will you be free after the shoot?Let's go on a date. Please.
Moments later, her reply arrived.
📱 [Celeste → Jinwoo]I was just thinking I should see you. Come up to the 20th floor when you're done.
Jinwoo held the screen to his chest and muttered to himself.
"…That's a yes to the date, right? That totally counts…!"
A grin bloomed across his face, so bright it almost burst, and in the next take, his eyes sparkled with even more fire.
That evening – 20th floor
Piled on top of Celeste's desk were dozens of scripts—dramas, films, and commercials stacked high.
Each page was stamped with the names of top directors, writers' signatures, investor seals.
She was silently flipping her pen as she sorted through the stack.But Jinwoo's message still echoed in her mind.
"I miss you."
"…Does he think 'I miss you' is some kind of emoji now?"
A small smile tugged at her lips.But even in that smile, there was a hint of tension.
6:35 PM – 20th floor
The door burst open.
Jinwoo half-ran down the hallway, panting as he entered the lounge.
"I'm here! Celeste—"
And stopped dead.
On the sofa sat two people, dressed comfortably side by side: Celeste. And Daniel.
In front of them were snacks and beer cans. Daniel looked up and greeted Jinwoo with a nod, entirely at ease.
"Hey. Come sit," Celeste said, casually.
"…Oh, Vice Chairman— You're here too, sir?"
Daniel stood and extended a hand politely.
"I've been meaning to introduce myself properly. I'm Daniel.Ceres's adopted brother, and currently Vice Chairman of Langley Group Asia, as you probably know."
Jinwoo hesitated, then shook his hand.
"Adopted… brother?"
Celeste opened her mouth, but Daniel cut in smoothly.
"Yeah. My parents passed away when I was young. Our families were close, and her parents took me in like their own. But no blood relation. Not even a drop."
Daniel flashed a deliberately irritating smile. Jinwoo, catching the tone, tightened his grip slightly and said playfully:
"Oh—so you're my brother-in-law then!"
Celeste choked on her beer.
Pffft!
"Wha—Wait, what?! Brother-in-law?!"
"Well, if I'm into your little sister, that makes you my brother-in-law, right?Does blood really matter~? I mean, on paper, you're siblings, yeah?So technically… younger brother-in-law, isn't it? Hahaha."
Daniel's face froze instantly.The redness spread all the way up his neck.
Jinwoo held up his hands innocently, smiling.
"Come on, even if you're adopted, legally you're siblings.I have to call you brother-in-law, right?"
"You've got some nerve—" Daniel stepped toward Jinwoo.
But Celeste calmly grabbed his arm and handed him a beer.
"Sit down. No need for that kind of posturing. Let's fight over something that actually matters."
She turned to her desk and shoved the towering stack of scripts forward with one hand.
"Jinwoo."
"Yes?"
"These scripts—every single one of them—is for you. From directors, writers, production houses. Whatever you choose… they'll make it happen."
Jinwoo blinked.
As he flipped through the pages, legendary names leapt out one after another. Park ○ho. Kim ○seok. Noh ○hee. Jung ○il…Titans of the screen, from drama to cinema.
"…These are all… really mine?"
"Yup. Pick what you want to do. I'll handle the rest—budget, schedule, network slots, staff. Everything."
Jinwoo was speechless.
These weren't just "projects."They were the center of the universe—handed to him.
"…This is insane."
He laughed, stunned.Beside him, Daniel took a long sip of beer.
Then muttered quietly—
"Look at him. All giddy now…"
Jinwoo turned to Celeste, eyes filled with awe. And without thinking, gently hugged her.
"Seriously… thank you. This is… I don't even have words—"
Daniel shot up and pulled them apart.
"Okay! Hey, hey, there's a third wheel watching, remember? Let's tone it down.Sit. Here, take this."
He shoved a can of beer into Jinwoo's hand.
Jinwoo gave a sheepish grin and took it, then plopped himself down—right next to Celeste.
"Oh, come on. There's barely room there," Daniel grumbled.
Jinwoo raised his beer to him with a grin.
"I really missed her, you know."
Leaning his head on Celeste's shoulder, Jinwoo beamed.
Celeste shook her head and took a sip of beer.
A strange atmosphere settled between the three.
Not exactly uncomfortable, but definitely not relaxed either—a charged, simmering tension.
That night, Celeste's world began to shift. Not from two—but from three.