chapter 2 : The Distance Between Us
The SKY-LINE Creative HQ – CEO's Office.
The morning light filters through the floor-to-ceiling windows. CEO KANG (60s, a man with a sharp eye for business but a soft spot for legacy) sits across from JUNGHAN.
CEO Kang: "Junghan, the Board has approved the 'Global Wings' rebranding project. It's a massive contract with Incheon and several airline carriers. For the next month, your office won't be here. You'll be stationed at the airport to handle everything from logistics visuals to the new cabin interiors."
Junghan nods, his face a mask of professionalism.
CEO Kang: "Take a small team. The workload regarding flight data and design schematics will be grueling. I don't want you burning out."
Junghan: "I'll choose the most efficient people, Sir."
The Parking Lot – 09:30 PM.
The office is mostly dark. HYUNA is standing by the bus stop sign near the exit, checking her watch anxiously. Her shoulders are slumped.
A sleek black sedan pulls up. The window rolls down to reveal Junghan's sharp profile.
Junghan: "Why are you still here? The last bus for your district passed ten minutes ago."
Hyuna: "Oh! Senior... I had to finish the filing you gave me. The bus is just... late, I think."
Junghan: "Get in. I'll drop you."
Hyuna's heart skips a beat. She tries to hide a frantic blush as she climbs into the leather interior, which smells faintly of expensive sandalwood and coffee.
The drive is quiet. Junghan's hands move precisely on the steering wheel, his eyes locked on the road.
Junghan: "The CEO gave me a new project. It's a month-long residency at the airport. I need two employees to assist with the flight files and onsite coordination. Any suggestions from the junior pool?"
Hyuna's eyes light up. This is it. A whole month with him?
Hyuna: "Senior! I can do it! Please, take me with you. I'm the fastest at organizing files in the department."
Junghan: (Immediately, cold) "No. You can't. I need someone more capable, someone who doesn't treat the workplace like a playground."
Hyuna's smile vanishes. The silence in the car becomes heavy.
Junghan: "Besides, you're late to work almost every other day. I can't have you disrespecting the company in front of the airport authority. They are strict. You wouldn't last three days."
Hyuna bites her lip. Her eyes glaze over with tears she refuses to let fall.
Hyuna: "Okay... I understand. I won't go."
They pull up to her house. Hyuna unbuckles her seatbelt so fast she nearly hits her head. She's out of the car before he can even put it in park.
Junghan: "Wait. Hyuna!" He steps out, catching up to her. He looks at her face in the streetlamp light. "Are you crying?"
Hyuna: (Voice trembling) "No. I'm not."
Junghan sighs, running a hand through his hair, looking frustrated with himself.
Junghan: "Why do you start crying at the smallest things? It makes it impossible to be professional with you."
Hyuna: "I don't... I just..."
Junghan: (He looks at her for a long beat, his expression softening just a fraction) "Fine. The project starts in two days. You can come. But if you're late even once, you're back at HQ. Understood?"
Hyuna's face transforms. A radiant, teary-eyed smile breaks out.
Hyuna: "Really? I won't be late! I promise! Goodnight, Senior!"
She runs inside. Her MOM is in the kitchen.
Mom: "Was that Junghan dropping you off again? You two are always together."
Hyuna just nods, her cheeks flushed pink.
In her room, her BROTHER leans against the doorframe, smirking.
Brother: "Oooooh, the 'Art Director' dropped you off? Does he know his 'family friend' is obsessed with him, or should I tell him?"
Hyuna throws a pillow at his head. "Shut up! Go to sleep!"
Junghan's Penthouse.
Total silence. The apartment is minimalist—grey, white, and cold. He lives alone, the distance between him and his divorced parents physically represented by the vast, empty rooms.
He eats a lonely dinner, staring at his tablet. He opens the @Hong_Way account. A new photo: A wing of a plane cutting through a sea of clouds.
He stares at it until his eyes grow tired.
Incheon Airport – Post-Flight.
JAE-WON and HAEYOUNG walk side-by-side through the terminal, their pilot uniforms catching everyone's eye.
Jae-won: "That Busan flight was smooth. The weather held up perfectly."
Haeyoung: "It was okay. A bit routine. I prefer the international long-hauls."
Jae-won: "Hungry? Let's grab dinner. My treat."
Haeyoung: "Friends since high school and you're still trying to pay? Fine. But let us change first."
The Restaurant.
They look like a "Power Couple" despite being just friends. Haeyoung is breathtaking in a light blue blouse and white wide-leg trousers—effortlessly chic.
Jae-won: "So, London this weekend? Your parents must miss you."
Haeyoung: "They do. They still don't get why I stayed here when they moved. But I like it here. The sky in Seoul feels different."
Jae-won: "Speaking of the sky... did you hear? 'Future Group' or 'Sky-Line'—some creative company—is coming to the airport for a month. They're doing a big project. We might run into them."
Haeyoung: (Uninterested, scrolling her phone) "Oh. So what? I'm not interested in 'office people.' They live in boxes."
Jae-won: (Laughing) "Be serious! They're high-profile. Don't be too cold if you meet them."
As they leave, they walk to their separate cars.
Jae-won: "See you at the hangar tomorrow. Drive safe, Haeyoung-ah."
Haeyoung: "Bye, Jae-won."
As Jae-won drives away, Haeyoung watches his taillights for a second, a small, genuine smile appearing on her face. She gets into her car, pulls out her phone, and looks at the sky one last time before starting the engine.
[FADE OUT]