Chapter 56
56. I Won’t Take Anything
2023.06.25.
In truth, Kim Tae-joon had drunk the most alcohol today. It wasn't that he was prone to getting drunk, but his head felt a little dizzy, perhaps due to the complexity of his thoughts.
He felt like he had gotten too angry with her as well.
"Sorry."
"......"
"I wasn't angry at Han So-eun."
Tae-joon, having barely calmed himself, apologized.
He had only heard today that Yang Hee-wook had come to the company yesterday. Moreover, he had come to the sales floor, drawn a number, and approached So-eun, making it impossible for her to avoid him. While he was running around digging up the past, So-eun had experienced something like that. And Jang Eun-pyo, the assistant manager, had defended her.
Only after hearing that today, he couldn't control his anger and lashed out, causing a frightened So-eun to gulp down alcohol.
So-eun, who was tormented by shame, turned her head and gazed at him.
"So-eun must have been very surprised too, I'm sorry for getting angry."
Could the word "sorry" ever sound so sweet?
She had expected to be scolded even more, but he was apologizing. An apology she hadn't expected felt like a gift. It was a truly unfamiliar experience for So-eun.
"Oh... I'm okay. It was nothing."
So-eun gave a smooth answer to reassure him. But he didn't accept it.
"You can be honest. A little more."
"......"
"It's okay if you're not okay."
The quietly delivered voice directly penetrated So-eun's heart. It wasn't a demand or request to be more honest, but a comfort that soothed her weary life. A single, trivial word caused ripples in her heart.
I like this man so much.
The feelings that had occasionally overflowed now seemed impossible to contain.
I always thought my heart was poor, but now I have a heart that can overflow.
\
Tae-joon entered So-eun's house very naturally. It wasn't "Can I come in?" but "I'm coming in." He was so confident that she thought he wanted something, but all he wanted was a blanket. Watching him spread a folded blanket on the floor of that small studio apartment, So-eun twitched her nose.
He sat quietly on the floor where he had spread the blanket, making sure So-eun had washed up well, brushed her teeth, changed her clothes, and was lying comfortably in bed. Then, he quickly washed up and came back to lie on the floor.
"Go to sleep quickly."
"Director Kim, are you really going to sleep here?"
"Yeah."
Following yesterday, he was going to sleep here again today. So-eun couldn't understand why he was trying to spend two nights in a cramped studio apartment, leaving his large house behind.
And right now, is he doing this on purpose to make me uncomfortable? Why isn't he coming up to the bed and sleeping on the floor like that? Is this a sign to come down to the floor myself?
Even as the intoxication belatedly arrived, she was very concerned. She didn't think she would be able to sleep. So-eun got out of bed.
"You sleep here, Director."
"It's okay. Sleep comfortably."
"How can I sleep comfortably if you're like that?"
"You'll sleep well, what are you talking about."
"I can't sleep. Then you should just go home and sleep."
The alcohol brought the courage to be petulant.
"You're chasing me away."
Tae-joon, who had been lying neatly, sighed deeply and got up from his spot to climb onto the bed.
"Is that okay? Do you feel a little better now?"
The bed was small, so Tae-joon had to hold So-eun tightly. As the same situation as yesterday unfolded, So-eun seemed relieved and closed her eyes.
"Yes. A little better."
Tae-joon grumbled.
"Ah, it's really cramped."
"I'm sorry. I don't have money."
"Yeah. You'll have to keep apologizing like that today."
I'm enduring with the patience of Buddha, even after drinking. Please recognize that.
Tae-joon had decided to spend the night in this small house purely because he was worried about her health. She shouldn't be drinking alcohol, but she had downed two shots of soju straight, so there was no way she could be in good condition. She was the type of person who didn't show when she was in pain, so he thought he should watch over her tonight. If her condition seemed bad, he planned to take her to the hospital immediately.
He was enduring this night with such a strong sense of duty, but he felt a trembling inside the arm he was holding her with.
"Why are you laughing?"Why are you laughing for no reason, causing trouble in Buddha's heart?"
So-eun, who had been laughing for a while, opened her mouth.
"I didn't really have any dreams. But now I suddenly want to make a lot of money."
A voice as warm as her body temperature.
"I want to move to a bigger house and buy a bigger bed."
"......"
"I like you, Director."
A confession that naturally burst out because she couldn't control her overflowing feelings.
The voice, flowing out softly like unraveling yarn, wrapped around his body. It felt like that small voice could cover him instead of a blanket.
"I don't think I've ever liked someone like this before."
Although she was loosened up by the alcohol, she still reminded Tae-joon, clearly and distinctly, what kind of presence he was to her. Tae-joon's throat became choked at the unexpected confession. A hot heat spread to the tips of his toes.
"This feeling seems to make a person very strong. A feeling that I can do anything, a feeling that I want to give everything."
"......"
"I really think I can give everything."
How could you possibly do that. You.
How can you, with this fragile body, solidify your heart so firmly again?
Her confession wouldn't just be words. Han So-eun was always enthusiastic and sincere about everything.
So, even amidst the overwhelming emotions, he felt choked up.
You really were like that. You, who make brave love, willingly gave yourself away in past loves.
Then what will you give me? Will you give me your hair? Will you tear out your heart?
"No. Don't give me anything."
He wanted to receive anything, but he couldn't receive anything.
Now you must not be in pain.
Now she was a woman who had to be completely happy without losing anything.
"I won't take it. I won't take anything."
He let his earnest heart flow over her tightly closed eyes, as if he couldn't overcome the effects of the alcohol.
"Han So-eun. Han So-eun is not mine."
"......"
"She doesn't belong to anyone. Han So-eun is just Han So-eun's."
"......You said Director Kim was mine."
So-eun retorted, recalling yesterday's conversation.
"Then Director Kim is mine too, and I'm mine too?"
Her words, shortened by the alcohol, were unbearably cute even amidst the choking emotions.
"Yeah."
"......"
"So now, don't give yourself to anyone."
You don't have to give anything anymore.
I hope you, who don't know how kind you are, never find out.
I hope there are so many kind people in the world that your kindness becomes dull. I hope you only meet good people.
Even so, you will always be the most radiant.
\
The next morning.
A handsome nude figure entered So-eun's blurry vision. And a savory smell that tempted the tip of her nose.
So-eun smiled blankly at the happy morning scenery that still felt like a dream.
"Are you still not fully awake from the alcohol?"
The man who provided the wonderful scenery approached with a teasing voice. Thanks to that, So-eun's mind immediately returned to reality.
"......Did you sleep well?"
"Try saying it. Did you sleep well? Oppa."
"Did you sleep well? Opp......"
"Pa."
Tae-joon, who failed to elicit the desired answer, snorted and sat next to her, touching So-eun's forehead.
"How's your stomach?"
"I'm okay."
"How's your head? No hangover?"
"I'm incredibly clear-headed."
Is it because I'm seeing the face of the person I like from the morning for two days in a row? It felt like I wouldn't feel it even if I was in pain. Tae-joon, relieved of his worries, got up from his seat and spread the table. Only then did So-eun follow him and stand next to him. There were familiar kimbap and dried pollack soup on the kitchen counter.
"I ordered from that kimbap place that So-eun likes, they deliver in the morning. Is it okay?"
Who is the host and who is the guest?
She felt disappointed that her hospitality was a step late again today. He was the person she wanted to treat the best in the world, but there was no gap for her to squeeze into.
"Yes. But, Director Kim. Could you please wake up a little later next time?"
"Why?"
"I want to take care of you with the utmost care, but you always move faster than me."
"Does So-eun remember what happened yesterday?"
Instead of answering her earnest request, he asked a different question. So-eun tilted her head and answered without confidence.
"I remember coming home."
"After that?"
"......"
"Ha. You were really cute yesterday, but you don't remember that."
It felt like a hazy fog was slowly rising before her eyes.
What mistake did I make again... So-eun was afraid to even ask, fearing his answer. Tae-joon, as if teasing her, revealed.
"You confessed so passionately. I was so embarrassed."
"......"
"I like Director Kim the most in the world, I can't live without Director Kim."
Ughhhhh! So-eun didn't disappoint him after all. Tae-joon burst into laughter at her appearance, covering her cheeks with both hands and being aghast.
Han So-eun, who is easy to tease.
Being with you will be fun for the rest of my life.
"You really don't remember?"
"......Are you teasing me?"
"No. You really said that. Roughly similar."
Yeah. It might be better for you not to remember.
"Anyway, Han So-eun needs to get used to receiving things too. You don't have to keep trying to do things."
Tae-joon simply instructed and placed the food on the table.
After finishing breakfast, Tae-joon got up immediately. Come to think of it, he was already dressed neatly, ready to go out. Of course, he wouldn't have time to spare to go home, wash up again, and change his clothes, but So-eun was puzzled because he seemed to be hurrying much more than yesterday.
Of course, Tae-joon revealed the reason immediately.
"I have a sudden business trip to the United States."
"Ah, when are you leaving?"
"I'm leaving today... I don't know when I'll be back."
Tae-joon tilted his head as if he couldn't predict it.
"Anyway, I'll try to finish it as soon as possible and come back."
Noticing that So-eun's face had darkened, Tae-joon put effort into the farewell. The touch of his hand gently stroking her cheek was as soft as the blanket they had slept under together at night.
"If anything happens, contact me anytime."
"Yes."
"No. Contact me even if nothing happens."
As the request gained strength, so did the strength in his hand. But there was no hot and passionate kiss. After a simple kiss, Tae-joon stepped out the door, told her not to come out, and closed the door immediately.
Click.
The large man who had filled the small house left, and being alone, the familiar space somehow felt lonely. The fact that she wouldn't be able to see Tae-joon for a while made her sad.
'Let's go to work quickly.'
She had to move her body diligently before her heart weakened for no reason.
While he's working hard, I have to live hard too.
She put strength into her heart and was about to grab a towel and go to the bathroom when the doorbell rang.
Did he leave something behind?
So-eun, assuming it was Tae-joon, opened the door happily without even checking.
However, the person standing in front of the door was not Tae-joon.
With messy, matted hair and bloodshot eyes, Hee-wook, for some reason, rushed in, panting excessively.
"The guy you're meeting, was it Kim Tae-joon, that bastard?"
