Part 11

Even though she had been lying down for a long time, she couldn’t sleep.

Seowoo tossed and turned.

‘Get inside.’

With those words, Jiwook climbed into his sports car and drove off. As they returned to the pension, thankfully, the drinking session had ended. Even Yoonmi, who had been heavily intoxicated, was now fast asleep.

Seowoo slowly pushed up her eyelids and quietly gazed at Yoonmi sleeping next to her.

“Phew.”

She let out a soft sigh, furrowing her brow slightly.

Since that awkward moment after his words, they had walked in silence for quite some time.

Their hands were still intertwined. No, it was more accurate to say hers was held by his.

Thinking of Jiwook, she picked up her cell phone next to her and checked the call log. An unfamiliar eleven-digit number caught her eye. He had called his cell phone using hers earlier.

‘That’s my number. Save it.’

Ah, why was he like this?

It felt strange enough to make her heart flutter.

Was it because I was seeing him again after I had thought of him so many times, or because he was so unexpectedly and casually approaching me?

Or maybe…… because he remembered me?

“I think it’s all three.”

It seemed like everything had a reason after all.

She had thought she was the only one who remembered, but it turned out not to be the case. She felt a rush of indescribable emotions.

Seowoo clenched her right hand tightly. It felt like she could still feel his warmth.

Buzz.

At that moment, the phone she was holding vibrated briefly. Seowoo’s pupils trembled slightly.

[I’ve arrived. Are you sleeping now?]

“Oh, what do I do…”

Seriously.

Seowoo squeezed her eyes shut and tried to calm her racing heart. Her oblivious heart started beating wildly again at the short message.

Her face was probably burning red right now. Even though no one was looking, she felt embarrassed all by herself, feeling the heat on her face.

In the midst of that, another text message arrived.

[I’m going to Thailand on an early morning flight today. I’ll contact you when I get there.]

“Thailand…….”

Uncertain of what to reply, she eventually sent just one word.

[Okay.]

She didn’t know what else to say.

It seemed he had to leave early because he was going to Thailand.

“Huh, he read it right away.”

As the number 1 disappeared next to the sent message, Seowoo’s eyes widened. She stared intently, hoping for another message to come, but none arrived.

Seowoo tossed and turned for a long time before finally falling asleep.

***

“Two iced Americano, one iced latte, and a grapefruit tea. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“That will be 19,200 won.”

She smiled gracefully as she processed the payment with the card handed by the customer.

The vacation had begun. Thanks to her diligent studies after entering university, Seowoo was able to finish her first semester as the top student. 

Since she was attending Hankuk University, one of the top universities in Korea, she had been introduced to several tutoring jobs by her seniors. Even with all that, she still had time to work part-time at a café near her house.

It was vacation time, so the cafe, which had been bustling throughout the semester, was very quiet.

“Can I take your order…… huh?”

Her eyes widened as she looked up to take the next customer’s order.

“I’ll have a venti iced Americano, with two extra shots.”

“Uh, okay.”

Seowoo nodded in acknowledgment as she had to take the order.

“And you?”

“What?”

“What are you going to drink?”

“…Me?”

“Uh. Yeah.”

As if asking who else could it be, he chuckled and tilted his head.

“I… Why?”

“Then why did I come here? I mean, I didn’t come all the way out here for coffee “

It was a statement implying he had come to see her.

No, maybe he just happened to come because it’s near the school. 

Concealing her inner excitement, Seowoo managed to keep a neutral expression.

“Are you ever going to take my order? Just get that, something with lots of caramel.”

“…Am I supposed to drink it?”

“Yeah. You can’t handle what I ordered. No, wait. Maybe an iced chocolate or something.”

Huh. I’m not picky.

Seowoo pursed her lips and began to place the order.

“Let me confirm your order. One venti iced Americano with two extra shots and one espresso con panna. Is that correct?”

Jiwook tilted his head as if he found her words amusing.

“You’re going to drink that?”

“Yes. Are you going to dine in or for take out?”

“When do you finish?” 

“…… in two hours.”

“I’ll wait.”

Jiwook replied and handed her a card. Seowoo accepted it and processed the payment. He took the card back and walked toward the window.

He pulled his laptop out of his bag and set it on the table, ready to work.

“Isn’t that guy Kwon Jiwook? Do you know him, Seowoo?”

A senior from another department, who was working with her, asked in a low whisper.

“Do you know him too, unnie?”

“He’s famous, you know. He’s the heir to K Group. I think I’ve seen him twice already. But he’s so good-looking, it’s hard to forget.”

Seowoo couldn’t refute that statement.

Because it was true.

With his looks and physique, he naturally drew attention wherever he went.

“What’s up? How do you know him?”

“Oh, just happened to… you know…”

Seowoo trailed off awkwardly with a faint smile. Glancing at Jiwook, who seemed deeply focused on something even to the extent of furrowing his brow, she turned her gaze away.

“Your order is ready.”

He seemed so absorbed that he didn’t hear her.

“You could take it over.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, so what? There aren’t many customers anyway.”

Although the system was for customers to pick up their orders, the café was empty enough. 

One iced Americano and the espresso con panna she ordered out of whim.

Seowoo nodded as she held both cups and approached him.

“Your order is ready.”

She emphasized as she placed the cups in front of him, finally catching Jiwook’s attention.

“Oh, didn’t hear you. Thanks.”

He lifted the cup and took a sip, then jerked at the sight of her share of drink in front of him.

“Go ahead, drink it. I don’t know if you can handle the bitterness.”

“I ordered it intending to drink it.”

Since it was her work hours and she couldn’t sit down, still Seowoo held the drink while standing. She disliked watered-down Americano, let alone espresso. Even with added cream, just looking at it made her feel disgusted.

Nevertheless, Seowoo bravely took a sip of the coffee, trying to act nonchalant.

“Ugh.”

As the bitter espresso touched her tongue, Seowoo made a face of disdain. It was such a ridiculous sight, even to her. Jiwook chuckled softly and leaned back in his chair.

“That’s right. Kids should stick to drinking iced chocolate.”

“Wh-who you calling a kid…!”

Seowoo glanced around before quickly finishing the coffee she was holding. As the hot and bitter liquid flowed down her throat, her face involuntarily twisted.

Ugh, bitter.

Jiwook, on the other hand, watched her as he leisurely sipped his coffee.

“You should stick to your hot chocolate milk.”

With a hint of amusement, and then turned his attention back to his laptop. Because of his comment, she ended up ordering a coffee she never drank and suffered for it.

Unable to say anything else to him who was now focused on his work again, Seowoo carried the tray and walked away.

“Why would someone drink this? It’s practically poison.”

The coffee flavor in her mouth made her dizzy. Even though she thought the cream might make it sweeter. It was a big mistake. 

“Ugh.”

Seowoo let out a deep sigh and popped a candy into her mouth.