Dazzling Divorce - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

Part 12

“Unnie, see you on Wednesday.”

“Good work.”

7:00 PM.

Seowoo, finished with her shift at the café, changed her clothes, and bid farewell to her coworkers.

She worked at the café three days a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. She planned to relax at home tomorrow. Although she had tutoring in the afternoon.

Adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder, Seowoo stepped out of the café and looked around.

“Did he really leave?”

He had been at the café the whole time, but he left 30 minutes before she finished her shift.

He didn’t say where he was going.

It had been three weeks and five days since the MT in Gangchon. Even though she had saved his number, she couldn’t bring herself to send a casual text.

And Jiwook hadn’t made any contact either.

“You said you’d wait, but it was a blatant lie.”

“I wasn’t lying.”

Then, a familiar voice came from behind her. Startled, Seowoo turned around to find Jiwook standing right behind her.

“Where have you been?”

“Were you waiting for me?”

“No…….”

Darn it. Did he just ask me if I waited? He was the one who said it first, and now he’s asking if I waited.

Seowoo’s face turned red as if she had been the one to say she waited first. Although it was true that she had waited for him during the three weeks without contact.

“Are you done with work now?”

“Yeah. I’m done.”

“Then let’s go have dinner.”

Jiwook casually took her hand. Seowoo’s gaze fell on their joined hands.

Why is he…?

Seowoo felt slightly flustered by his natural display of affection.

At that moment, a million thoughts raced through her head.

Should I act indifferent and just let it be or show some resistance?

Even so, she didn’t want to let go of his hand. Seowoo lifted her gaze and stared at him.

“Why.”

His voice immediately cut through the air.

“Why are you holding my hand?”

“Because I want to hold it.”

“… “

“If you don’t like it, you can let go.”

He was so confident. Watching him speak without a hint of hesitation, it was Seowoo who felt flustered instead.

It’s not that she disliked it, but she worried it might seem that she’s easy to get.

It felt exhilarating to feel his pulse in her hand.

“Should I let go?”

Jiwook asked, looking directly into her eyes.

What should I say if he asks so blatantly…

“…No.”

Seowoo replied after some hesitation, then immediately averted her gaze. Jiwook smirked, entwining his fingers with hers.

“…….”

As the area of contact expanded, her heart fluttered so much that it was indescribable. Seowoo’s ears turned bright red with embarrassment.

“What do you want to eat?”

“… “

“Yoon Seowoo.”

“What?”

Her entire attention was focused on their intertwined hands, she didn’t even realize he was calling her. When Seowoo raised her gaze to meet his, Jiwook began to speak again, syllable by syllable.

“Do you… have any preferences?”

“I, I’m fine with anything.”

“Okay, then.”

Seowoo let Jiwook lead her with their hands intertwined.

Sweat trickles down her back, whether it’s from the hot weather or from their held hands. Seowoo took deep breaths and fanned herself with her hand.

***

“Wow.”

Unbeknownst to herself, a sigh of admiration escaped her lips. The panoramic view of the Han River and the elegant interior visible through the restaurant window, along with the sophisticated man walking beside her—it was all perfect, down to the low lighting that added to the ambiance.

“Thank you.”

The staff smiled politely and pulled out a chair for her. Awkwardly acknowledging the gesture, Seowoo carefully lowered herself onto the seat.

Glancing around, she noticed that even the staff member guiding them seemed to hold a high position.

“Just give us the usual.”

“Of course.”

Without any menu orders, just the words, the staff member bowed and walked away.

“I didn’t know what you liked, so I brought us to my usual place.”

“Okay.”

As she turned her head, the moonlight shimmered on the surface of the Han River. As she gazed at it, the waiter approached again, starting to set up the table.

She realizes that the man sitting in front of her is Kwon Jiwook.

It all seemed so unreal, their reunion, coming here to have a meal, this situation.

She didn’t know what to say.

Her thoughts were tangled, filled with words she wanted to say.

“It’s vacation time, aren’t you going on a trip?”

Jiwook cut through the silence and spoke first.

“I’m still deciding.”

She had thought about going on a solo trip.

Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore. Or maybe Europe.

It was one of the wish-list items she always wanted to try once she became a university student.

“Where would you like to go?”

“I really want to visit Paris. Switzerland sounds good too.”

“That’s nice.”

Seowoo subtly observed him, naturally leading the conversation. Jiwook’s present appearance, with the more defined lines on his face, overlapped with the youthful Jiwook she remembered. It was fascinating to see him with her own eyes now, after having only seen childhood photos and imagined what he might look like.

“Ah…….”

At that moment, she felt his intense gaze. Flustered, Seowoo lowered the hand that was on the table.

It seemed like he noticed the scar on the back of her left hand.

“Oh, my mom used to say it happened when I was young…”

Jiwook’s eyes sank deep upon hearing her words.

“I don’t really remember.”

It was her complex. It was always one of the questions people asked when they first saw her. It was inevitable, considering the long scar from her wrist to her hand was noticeable at a glance.

“That’s why I don’t like summer. It’s hard to cover it up without long sleeves. Summer makes it difficult.”

Seowoo forced a smile, trying to lift the corners of her mouth. Although she explained it every time, it felt somehow more embarrassing in front of him.

“There’s nothing wrong with your scar.”

“I’m fine with it, but… when others look at it with pity… I don’t like that.”

Suddenly, she felt like a pitiful person.

It was something she was getting used to, but it was still difficult.

“Let me prepare the appetizers for you.”

Amidst the awkward atmosphere, the waiter’s words interjected. Seowoo felt relieved that this topic was over.

***

“That was a good meal.”

She didn’t need to glance at the bill to guess.

She could tell that the food they just had must have been quite expensive, and while it was very tasty, it was also a little overwhelming to eat food made with unfamiliar ingredients.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“It was a bit….”

As Seowoo’s words trailed off, Jiwook’s eyes turned towards her.

“A bit?”

“It seems pricey.”

“Oh, yeah. It’s quite expensive.”

Seeing him respond so positively, Seowoo curled her lips.

It was quite embarrassing not knowing what to say when he spoke so openly. Jiwook smirked and leaned down slightly to make eye contact with her.

Suddenly, his approach caught her off guard, and Seowoo’s pupils trembled.

“Why, why?”

“If you enjoyed the meal, that’s all that matters. Just a casual remark.”

He smiled faintly as if finding her cute. Seowoo, who had been pondering, met his gaze and spoke up.

“Next time we meet… I’ll be my treat.”

“I’ll look forward to the coffee.”

“Why coffee instead of a meal?”

“Because I’ll be the one treating you to a meal next time.”

As they talked, Jiwook’s car pulled up in front of them. The valet got out of the driver’s seat and greeted him respectfully. Jiwook nodded as he opened the passenger door.

“Get in.”

“I can do it myself… Thank you.”

She nodded in thanks and quickly got into the car. Jiwook swiftly moved to the driver’s seat, and the car smoothly exited the parking lot.

Seowoo fidgeted with her hands, glancing at the driver’s side throughout the drive.

The question that had been on her mind lingered at the corner of her mouth.

Just then, her cell phone vibrated in her bag. She pulled it out and checked the caller ID.

“Yes, Dad?”