Tú Corea, mi mundo.

Character Continuity / Visual Reference · Alex · * 28-year-old Spanish graphic designer at Aurora Entertainment. · * Bright, naturally orange hair, always orange, and a clearly visible, well-kept beard. · * Friendly, spontaneous, affectionate, and humorous. · * Seo-yeon's official boyfriend. · * Recently returned from Spain after spending several days with Seo-yeon and his family. · * Lives alone in a small apartment in Seoul. · Han Seo-yeon · * 27-year-old South Korean actress. · * Long dark-brown hair, expressive dark-brown eyes, delicate features, and a warm, reserved smile. · * Elegant and naturally stylish, but relaxed and comfortable in private. · * Alex's official girlfriend. · * Usually reserved with her emotions, but increasingly spontaneous and affectionate with Alex. · Mr. Park · * Seo-yeon's trusted driver. · * Professional, observant, and discreet. · ⸻ · Scene 1 — Good Morning · LOCATION: Alex's apartment, inside. · TIME: Tuesday, approximately 7:30 AM. · LIGHTING: Soft morning sunlight enters through the kitchen window. · SETTING: Alex's small apartment. His suitcase from Spain has finally been unpacked, and the kitchen is tidy. · Alex stands in the kitchen wearing a casual T-shirt and comfortable trousers. He prepares breakfast while waiting for the coffee machine to finish. · He picks up his phone and opens his conversation with Seo-yeon. · ALEX: Morning. · He sends the message and sets the phone beside his coffee. · A few seconds later, it vibrates. · SEO-YEON: Morning. You're up early. · ALEX: I have a job. Apparently they expect me to show up. · SEO-YEON: Awful. Ever thought about quitting? · ALEX: And lose my employee discount on literally nothing? · SEO-YEON: Tough call. · Alex smiles as he pours coffee into a mug. · ALEX: How'd you sleep? · There is a short pause. · SEO-YEON: Pretty well. You? · Alex looks toward the living room, then back at his breakfast. · ALEX: Fine. · He hesitates before adding another message. · ALEX: Although my apartment felt kind of too quiet. · Seo-yeon reads the message from her own apartment. She is sitting on the edge of her bed, her long hair loosely tied back. · Her expression softens. · SEO-YEON: It was literally one night. · ALEX: I know. · SEO-YEON: You're being dramatic. · ALEX: I'm Spanish. It's basically in the contract. · She laughs quietly. · SEO-YEON: Should've seen that coming. · Alex sits down with his breakfast. · ALEX: What are you up to today? · SEO-YEON: Work this morning. After that, pretty light schedule. · ALEX: Lucky you. · SEO-YEON: Don't sound so jealous. · ALEX: Not jealous. Suffering professionally. · She smiles at the screen, then gets up and walks toward her wardrobe. · SEO-YEON: Maybe I'll swing by later. · Alex types his reply while taking another sip of coffee. · ALEX: I'd like that. · Seo-yeon looks at his message for a moment. · Then, instead of replying, she picks up her bag. · ⸻ · Scene 2 — At the Door · LOCATION: Alex's apartment, entrance and living room, inside. · TIME: Tuesday, approximately 8:00 AM. · LIGHTING: Warm morning sunlight fills the living room. · SETTING: Alex's breakfast is still on the kitchen table. His coffee mug sits beside his phone. · Alex is in the kitchen, finishing his breakfast, when someone knocks at the door. · He frowns slightly. · ALEX: Coming! · He wipes his hands, walks to the entrance, and opens the door. · Seo-yeon stands outside. · She is dressed casually, with her long dark-brown hair falling naturally over her shoulders. A small smile plays on her lips. · For a moment, Alex simply looks at her. · Then his face lights up. · ALEX: Seo-yeon? · SEO-YEON: Morning. · Before she can say anything else, Alex steps forward and wraps his arms around her. · He hugs her tightly, holding her against him with a warmth that catches her completely off guard. · Seo-yeon's eyes widen. · For a second, she remains still. Then she smiles and wraps her arms around him, resting her cheek against his shoulder. · They stay like that for several seconds. · When Alex finally loosens his embrace, Seo-yeon looks up at him, amused. · SEO-YEON: Wow. · ALEX: What? · SEO-YEON: It's been one night. · ALEX: I know. · SEO-YEON: You're hugging me like I disappeared for twenty years. · Alex laughs softly, but he doesn't let go of her hands. · ALEX: Got used to having you around, I guess. · His expression becomes a little more sincere. · ALEX: All those days together in Spain, waking up knowing you'd be there... I think I got used to it faster than I even noticed. · Seo-yeon watches him quietly. · ALEX: And then I came home yesterday, and suddenly you just weren't there. · He gives her a small, slightly embarrassed smile. · ALEX: Felt like a thousand years. · Seo-yeon's teasing expression softens into something more tender. · SEO-YEON: A thousand years? · ALEX: Maybe nine hundred. Don't want to exaggerate. · She laughs and steps closer, resting her forehead briefly against his chest. · SEO-YEON: You're ridiculous. · ALEX: You drove all the way here to see me. Pretty sure that makes us equally ridiculous. · She looks up at him. · SEO-YEON: Maybe I missed you too. · Alex smiles. · ALEX: Maybe? · SEO-YEON: Don't push it. · He laughs and pulls her into another, gentler hug. · This time, Seo-yeon is the one who holds him a little longer. · ⸻ · Scene 3 — Breakfast for Two · LOCATION: Alex's apartment, kitchen and dining area, inside. · TIME: Tuesday, approximately 8:15 AM. · LIGHTING: Soft daylight through the kitchen window, with warm reflections on the wooden table. · SETTING: Alex's modest kitchen. Two cups sit on the table, and breakfast has been moved aside to make room for Seo-yeon. · Seo-yeon sits at the small table while Alex prepares another cup of coffee. · She looks around the apartment. · SEO-YEON: So this is where you spent your epic, thousand-year night. · ALEX: Barely survived it. · SEO-YEON: You have a sofa, a TV, and a perfectly good kitchen. · ALEX: None of them hugged me when I got home. · She gives him an amused look. · SEO-YEON: Should I be worried about the sofa now? · ALEX: It's been very supportive. · She laughs as he places a cup in front of her. · Alex sits opposite her, and for a while they simply enjoy their coffee. · There is no schedule to rush toward yet, no driver waiting outside, and no reason to leave immediately. · Seo-yeon watches him take a bite of breakfast. · SEO-YEON: You know, I almost came over last night. · Alex looks up. · ALEX: Really? · SEO-YEON: Yeah. · ALEX: So why didn't you? · She considers the question. · SEO-YEON: It was late. Figured you'd be tired. · ALEX: I was tired. · She raises an eyebrow. · ALEX: Still would've liked to see you, though. · Seo-yeon lowers her gaze to her coffee, smiling faintly. · SEO-YEON: Good to know, now. · Alex reaches across the table and takes her hand. · ALEX: You don't need a reason to come over, you know. · She looks at their joined hands. · SEO-YEON: Even if I just want to see you? · ALEX: Especially that. · For a moment, she says nothing. · Then she squeezes his hand. · SEO-YEON: Okay. Noted. · Alex smiles. · ALEX: Good. I make excellent coffee, by the way. · She glances at her cup. · SEO-YEON: Let's not get ahead of ourselves. · He laughs, and she joins him. · They finish breakfast slowly, talking about Spain, their families, and the little things they haven't had a chance to tell each other since returning. · Nothing extraordinary happens. · And neither of them wants to be anywhere else. · ⸻ · Scene 4 — A Little More Time · LOCATION: Alex's apartment, living room, inside. · TIME: Tuesday, approximately 9:00 AM. · LIGHTING: Clear morning sunlight fills the room. · SETTING: The breakfast dishes have been cleared away. Seo-yeon sits on the sofa while Alex checks the time on his phone. · Alex lets out a quiet sigh. · SEO-YEON: What's wrong? · ALEX: Work. · SEO-YEON: Ah. The terrible place that pays you. · ALEX: Exactly that. · He sits beside her. · ALEX: Should probably start getting ready. · Seo-yeon nods, although neither of them moves immediately. · Alex looks at her. · ALEX: You've gotta head out too, right? · SEO-YEON: In a little while. · ALEX: We've got a problem, then. · SEO-YEON: What problem? · ALEX: Neither of us wants to leave. · She smiles, recognizing the truth in his words. · SEO-YEON: We could both just call in sick. · ALEX: Tempting. · SEO-YEON: Very tempting. · ALEX: Pretty sure my boss would notice if I vanish the day after a holiday, though. · SEO-YEON: And my manager would probably send someone to check I haven't been kidnapped. · Alex laughs. · ALEX: Fine. We'll be responsible adults. · Seo-yeon leans her head against his shoulder. · SEO-YEON: Just for today. · He wraps an arm around her. · They remain like that for a little while, enjoying the quiet before they have to return to their separate schedules. · Eventually, Seo-yeon lifts her head. · SEO-YEON: There's something I wanted to ask you. · ALEX: Should I be worried? · SEO-YEON: Probably not. · ALEX: Very reassuring. · She turns slightly toward him. · SEO-YEON: There's a gala next week. Film industry thing. Actors, directors, producers... the usual crowd. · Alex nods. · ALEX: Sounds fancy. · SEO-YEON: It will be. · She pauses, then continues. · SEO-YEON: Want to come with me? · Alex studies her face for a moment. · He understands that this is more than an invitation to attend an event. Seo-yeon is asking him to accompany her into a part of her life he has only seen from the edges. · He smiles. · ALEX: Of course I want to. · Her expression brightens, though she tries to keep it subtle. · SEO-YEON: Really? · ALEX: Really. Fair warning though, I know basically nothing about gala etiquette. · SEO-YEON: You need a suit, and you need to be polite. · ALEX: I can manage one of those. · She looks at him. · SEO-YEON: Which one? · ALEX: I'll let you find out when we get there. · She laughs and lightly nudges his shoulder. · SEO-YEON: I'll send you the details. · ALEX: I'll be there. · She looks at him for another moment, then leans in and kisses him. · It's a brief, affectionate kiss, followed by a smile that stays between them. · SEO-YEON: Okay, now you really have to go to work. · ALEX: That is a seriously unfair way to motivate someone. · SEO-YEON: Worked, though, didn't it? · Alex gets to his feet, still smiling. · ALEX: Unfortunately, yeah. · ⸻ · Scene 5 — Until Tonight · LOCATION: Outside Alex's apartment building, exterior. · TIME: Tuesday, approximately 9:25 AM. · LIGHTING: Bright morning sunlight, with soft shadows along the residential street. · SETTING: A quiet Seoul street. The neighborhood is beginning to fill with people heading to work. · Alex walks Seo-yeon toward the entrance of the building. · Her driver is waiting a short distance away. · They stop beside the car. · For a moment, neither speaks. · SEO-YEON: Should get going. · ALEX: Yeah, I know. · She takes his hand. · SEO-YEON: I'll text you later. · ALEX: Looking forward to it. · Seo-yeon smiles, then steps closer and gives him one last hug. · This one is shorter, but neither seems particularly eager to let go. · When they separate, she looks at him with a small, teasing smile. · SEO-YEON: Try not to miss me for another thousand years. · ALEX: I'll do my best. · SEO-YEON: Good. · She gets into the car. · Before Mr. Park pulls away, Seo-yeon lowers the window. · SEO-YEON: Alex? · He turns toward her. · ALEX: Yeah? · SEO-YEON: Glad I came over. · His smile becomes softer. · ALEX: Me too. · She gives him a small wave, and the car pulls away. · Alex remains on the pavement for a moment, watching it disappear around the corner. · Then he checks the time. · ALEX: Yep, definitely late. · He hurries back inside to get his things. · ⸻ · Scene 6 — The Day Feels Different · LOCATION: Aurora Entertainment, design department, inside. · TIME: Tuesday, approximately 10:00 AM. · LIGHTING: Bright office lighting mixed with daylight from the windows. · SETTING: The design department is busy. Employees are working at their desks, and Ji-eun is already reviewing a project on her computer. · Alex arrives at his desk, puts down his bag, and turns on his computer. · Ji-eun looks over. · JI-EUN: You're late. · ALEX: Morning to you too. · JI-EUN: It's ten o'clock. · ALEX: Thanks, I can read a clock. · She studies him for a moment. · JI-EUN: You're smiling. · Alex pauses. · ALEX: Am I? · JI-EUN: Yeah. Suspicious. · ALEX: Maybe I'm just happy to be back at work. · Ji-eun stares at him. · JI-EUN: That might be the least believable thing you've ever said. · Alex laughs and sits down. · ALEX: Had a good morning, that's all. · Ji-eun's expression shifts into playful curiosity. · JI-EUN: A good morning? · ALEX: Yep. · JI-EUN: Does this good morning have anything to do with a certain actress? · Alex gives her a look. · ALEX: Not answering that. · JI-EUN: That's a yes. · ALEX: It's a "I'm going to work now." · Ji-eun laughs and turns back to her screen. · Alex opens his design files. · His phone vibrates beside the keyboard. · SEO-YEON: Did you actually make it to work? · He types back. · ALEX: Barely. You distracted me. · SEO-YEON: I was just sitting quietly on your sofa. · ALEX: Exactly. Extremely distracting. · A moment later, her reply arrives. · SEO-YEON: See you later. · Alex smiles at the message. · ALEX: Can't wait. · He puts the phone away and begins working. · For the first time since returning from Spain, he understands that missing someone doesn't always mean something is wrong. · Sometimes, it simply means that person has become part of the life you want to come home to. · And now that he knows what it feels like to have Seo-yeon close, he finds himself looking forward to the next time they won't have to say goodbye so soon. · END OF CHAPTER 33