Chapter 17
- Dad and Daughter 2021.06.26.
A week full of ups and downs passed, the weekend flew by like an arrow, and it was Monday. Today is a special day for Yena. The day Yena was invited to Do-bin's house. What Jin-seo had asked last week had come to fruition. Jin-seo was happy to invite her, but Jeong-o was not comfortable. The ideal and reality are bound to be different, so she was worried that her child might cause trouble and make Jin-seo and Do-bin uncomfortable. In fact, she would have just gratefully accepted Jin-seo's offer and passed, but Yena wanted to go to Do-bin's house first, so she had no choice but to entrust her daughter to them.
“Do you really want to go to Do-bin's house?”
“Yes!”
“Why do you want to go?”
“Just because. Because I’m curious.”
“Don’t cause trouble when you go. Got it?”
“Yes!”
“You’re only playing for today. Got it?”
“Yes!”
Yena answered as cheerfully as ever. Nevertheless, Jeong-o was not relieved. It would be nice if she could take care of her daughter all day long. She felt a little resentful of the company that made overtime mandatory.
\ Seung-gyu felt like he wasn't living. Last Thursday, when he turned away from Ji-heon, his boss and friend, after lashing out at him so harshly, he was honestly prepared to quit the company. But the children were growing up fast, his wife's smile was fading as she took care of them, and the 20-year mortgage loomed before his eyes every hour. So, another Monday morning dawned, and he had to go to work again. He didn't want to go, but he couldn't quit. His wife was so excited about something that she was even humming as she stir-fried anchovies. He approached her carefully, Tip-toeing so as not to upset her, and said,
“Honey, I love you.”
“Why? Are you out of pocket money again?”
Jin-seo asked sullenly. His wife, who had been smiling so sweetly at the anchovies, was like a cold wind to him.
“You always think it's because of pocket money when I do this.”
“Stop talking nonsense and go to work. And go out somewhere when the kids come home today.”
“Why should I go out when the kids come home? I'm their dad.”
“Do-bin is coming with his friend. His girlfriend.”
“Yena?”
“Yes. When you invite a girl, the dad quietly goes out. So you don't get in the way of their playing.”
“I want to see Yena too.”
“Still, no.”
“That's too much. That's too much!”
Life was not easy, neither at work nor at home. There was no one to rely on. Still, Ji-heon would have had a drink with him if he had been hanging around, but he had said those things... Seung-gyu turned around with slumped shoulders. But Jin-seo called him again.
“Honey.”
“Yeah?”
“Just come home early.”
The lifeless eyes of Seung-gyu regained their vitality. Ah, Jin-seo, you're the only one for me, he was about to confess his love.
“Come home and clean the air conditioner and go out again. So Yena doesn't get hot.”
Ah, Jin-seo... When her husband says he's hot, she doesn't budge, but because her son's friend is coming, she's going to turn on the air conditioner? It was a sad morning. \ Monday mornings are tough, but once you get to work, the day flies by. The magic of Monday happened in Production Team 2. Team Leader Seong Mi-ran and Chief Park Young-gwang left for the editing room, leaving only the juniors to guard the team. As evening approached, Jeong-o became increasingly depressed. She was hungry. She couldn't say she'd go out and eat alone because she had a sense of loyalty. The two graphic designers were very busy working on the final version of the media ad. The client had asked for it to be delivered late tonight, so it was the top priority. Jeong-o looked around and took a cookie out of her drawer and put it in her mouth. It was a cookie she had received from Ji-heon last week. Hmm, it's a good taste. Jeong Ji-heon was going to throw this delicious thing away... There was only one cookie, so she chewed it slowly and savored it, when she heard a snicker next to her.
“Come to think of it, Deputy Manager, you eat a lot, but you don't gain weight.”
Gi-hoon said. Jeong-o felt wronged. Do I really eat that much...? Still, she laughed and accepted Gi-hoon's words.
“That's what they call bad fuel efficiency. But I've been managing it lately. I gave birt…….”
She was about to accept it without thinking and almost revealed a secret. Jeong-o quickly pressed her lips together. Gi-hoon even turned his head and asked Jeong-o what she was going to say next.
“Yes?”
“Gi-hoon, are you busy? If you don't have time for dinner, should I buy you a sandwich?”
“Oh. That would be great. Thank you.”
Jeong-o handled it naturally, and the innocent Gi-hoon fell for it. Finally, she could eat! Jeong-o cheered inwardly and asked Eun-ju as well.
“What would you like to eat, Deputy Manager Go?”
“I have plans. I'm going to finish work in two hours and meet a friend.”
“Then I'll just buy you something simple to eat.”
Jeong-o got up from her seat with a happy heart.
‘I should call Do-bin's house on the way.’
She was curious if Yena had arrived safely at Do-bin's house and was playing well, and if everything was okay. Just as Jeong-o was walking lightly to the elevator with a beautiful smile, a man instantly snatched it away.
“……Hello, Director.”
She wondered why she was feeling so good today, and it was because she hadn't run into Ji-heon. It felt like dark clouds had suddenly appeared in the pleasant evening. The director was leaving work very early. While the employees were working overtime. Well. It was better than sitting next to the employees who were working overtime. Ji-heon just nodded at Jeong-o's greeting and got on the elevator that had just arrived. Just the two of them in the elevator.
“Aren't you getting on?”
Ji-heon grabbed the elevator that was about to go down and asked Jeong-o, who was hesitating. She wanted to say she wasn't getting on, but she couldn't. Jeong-o sighed bitterly and got on the elevator. The door closed and she felt suffocated. She prayed and prayed inwardly. Please get on. Get on. Please, someone get on. Get on. Get on. And on the 8th floor, the door opened miraculously. Jeong-o's face lit up when she saw the person outside the door. It was Park Seung-gyu, Chief Park, Ji-heon's 16-year friend! If she eavesdropped on their conversation, she might be able to get information about Jeong Ji-heon. It was a good opportunity. But, for some reason, Seung-gyu was hesitating to get on the elevator.
“Chief! Get on! Get on!”
But Seung-gyu nodded with a darkened face.
“I'll take the next one. Go ahead.”
What a bolt from the blue. Why is he doing that? Did they fight? Are they still fighting at the age of thirty-three? She couldn't have imagined Jeong Ji-heon doing that seven years ago, but she felt like the current Jeong Ji-heon might be able to do that... Still, it was surprising.
“Did you two fight?”
Jeong-o couldn't resist her curiosity and blurted it out.
“How did that happen? With that angelic person.”
As 'the person who knows about Director Jeong Ji-heon's scandal from seven years ago', Jeong-o was able to speak better than before after deciding to be brazen. Even with Jeong-o's bold question, Ji-heon only frowned and didn't answer. So they fought. I need Chief Park Seung-gyu too.
“I don't think Chief Park Seung-gyu is the type of person who would do anything wrong……”
Ji-heon glared at her. It's because of you. He couldn't bring himself to say that he had said things he shouldn't have because he was upset about her. As Ji-heon repeatedly gave her the eye, Jeong-o couldn't provoke him any further.
“That was too presumptuous of me. He reminds me of my dad, so I keep worrying about him. I'm sorry.”
“Is that what daughters are like?”
“Yes?”
“Are daughters that fond of their fathers?”
She spoke nonsense, but he accepted it perfectly. Jeong-o's play is likely to be extended.
“……Yes.”
“…….”
“Daughters are that, that, that fond of their fathers.”
Ji-heon nodded silently. She didn't know if he was imagining the affectionate relationship between a father and daughter, or if he was thinking about his emotional fight with Seung-gyu. Jeong-o cautiously threw out another bold opinion.
“Anyway, why don't you reconcile? Chief Park Seung-gyu cares about you a lot, Director.”
Ji-heon raised his head and stared at her. Chief Park Seung-gyu was also a necessary person for her, so Jeong-o hoped that Ji-heon would get along with his friend.
“Why don't you go find him, try to have a conversation? Shouldn't you? He's a precious friend.”
But it was sincere advice. It was also a message to herself from seven years ago. If I had looked for you more persistently seven years ago, if I hadn't given up, if I hadn't been disappointed in you and had trusted you more.
“You can't cut off a cherished ribbon with scissors just because the knot is tied.”
If that had happened, wouldn't we be living a different today than we are now?
“Shouldn't you try to untie it little by little?”
Her chest throbbed as she gave her opinion. * Jin-seo, who was feeding the children dinner and doing the dishes, couldn't hide her satisfaction. Her cheekbones were raised high. Yena was so pretty and smart, and with Yena, her son ate well and listened well. She thought she wanted Yena to come every day.
“Look at this. The jelly is sparkling. Like your eyes.”
After giving my son a bag of jelly to eat after his meal, he was using it to woo his girlfriend. Where did he learn those expressions? I was so proud of my son. I had times like that too.
“Seriously, why isn't that guy here yet to clean the air conditioner?”
In the midst of all that, I thought of my husband and gripped the dish in my hand tighter. Just as I finished washing the dishes, the doorbell rang.
“Who is it? I'm not expecting anyone…”
Jin-seo looked at the video phone screen and was startled. Standing outside the door was Jeong Ji-heon, her husband's distant superior, high school and college classmate, and junior in the military.
“Oh my, oh my, oh my, what's going on? What should I do? What should I do?”
Jin-seo stamped her feet and opened the front door.
“Oh, Ji-heon, hello!”
He once told me to call him comfortably by his name, but he was still my husband's distant superior, so I couldn't help but be polite in body and mind.
“Hello. It's been a while.”
“Yes, it has. Hohoho. It's been a while. Come on in.”
“Yes. Then I'll be intruding.”
Ji-heon stepped into the entrance and handed Jin-seo a large basket he had brought.
“I bought some fruit.”
“Oh my, hohoho… you shouldn't have. Thank you. I'll enjoy it. …But what brings you here…”
“I came to see Seung-gyu, is he home? He left work early.”
I told my husband to go out because his son's girlfriend was coming, and he seemed to be sulking.
“He's not here yet. He must be nearby. I'll call him.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Come inside quickly.”
Ji-heon hesitated and stepped into the house. Do-yoon toddled over. Do-bin also came out of his room to join in.
“Mom, who's here?”
“Do-bin, say hello. Ji-heon Uncle, your dad's friend, is here. You know Do-bin, right?”
“Hello.”
“Yes. Hello.”
Ji-heon accepted Do-bin's greeting and craned his neck over his shoulder. He knew Seung-gyu had two children, but now he saw that there were three: two boys and a girl. As Ji-heon was wondering, Do-bin explained first.
“My friend is here too.”
“Do-bin, you should say 'I have a friend here'.”
“I have a friend here.”
Jin-seo added her explanation.
“My son's friend is here.”
“Ah, his girlfriend.”
“Did Do-bin's dad tell you?”
“Yes. He mentioned it once.”
Did he say his son was completely smitten? Did he say it was love at first sight? Come to think of it, the conflict with Seung-gyu started with that. Seung-gyu's expression wasn't really wrong, but I needlessly got defensive and even said things I shouldn't have. The girl looked up at him with round eyes. Even at first glance, the child was very cute and pretty. No, Ji-heon stared a little longer. It felt like the child standing a few steps away was poking the inside of his eyeballs, so Ji-heon closed his eyes tightly and opened them again. Ji-heon stood there for a long time, staring at the small girl who flinched, shrinking her shoulders as she gazed at him. He seemed to have given the child an unintended feeling, so Ji-heon quietly stepped back. Nevertheless, he couldn't take his eyes off her face. Her fair and pretty face reminded him of someone.
'Children are all pretty.'
He knew that, but somehow his eyes stung.
