Part 4

“I have to go to an urgent meeting, I’ll come back after work so just rest.”

She had said no and told him not to come, but he ignored it.

Only after watching her finish the lunch did Jiwook’s face slightly relax.

“How are you feeling?”

“…”

“Seowoo-ssi.”

“Ah, I feel much better now.”

After finishing today’s filming, Sung-hyun stopped by the hospital for a while. Still, Seowoo was glad he came after Jiwook left.

She couldn’t imagine how much more awkward it would have been if Sung-hyun had come while Jiwook was still in the hospital.

“That’s good. You look much better too.”

“It’s thanks to you, Sung-hyun-ssi. I heard you carried me and ran yesterday. How can I ever thank you?”

She felt both grateful and apologetic.

Hearing from Jung-ah that Sung-hyun had carried her during the chaos made her feel even more indebted.

“Thankful for what? What have I done?”

“Wasn’t I heavy?”

“You were a bit heavy.”

“…”

As soon as he mentioned she was heavy, the corners of Seowoo’s eyes drooped. Sung-hyun burst out laughing and quickly spoke up.

“I can’t even joke around. Please eat well. How could carrying Haewon and you be the same?”

“You’re just saying that so I won’t feel bad.”

“It’s true.”

He said it jokingly, but it was a fact. She was so light that even while running, he didn’t feel burdened at all.

“Thank you. I’m really okay now, but they won’t discharge me yet. I really want to leave soon.”

“Rest a bit more. The filming schedule isn’t urgent, so you can afford to rest another day.”

Sung-hyun smiled brightly, his eyes narrowing into crescents. Seowoo returned the smile but glanced away to check the clock on the wall.

Even as she talked to Sung-hyun, she couldn’t stop thinking about Jiwook.

Is he really coming after work?

“What’s on your mind? Is there something you need to do?”

“Huh?”

“You keep looking at the clock.”

She must have been looking at the clock often without realizing it. Seowoo shook her head vigorously.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“I’d like to stay longer, but I should go. You need to rest well, Seowoo-ssi.”

Sung-hyun voiced his reluctance as he got up from his seat. When Seowoo tried to get up as well, he gently pushed her back down by the shoulder.

“No need to get up. Take this chance to sleep well and eat a lot. Recharge fully.”

“Thank you for coming.”

“Don’t mention it. Oh, by the way, I’m not sure if you saw the article.”

He narrowed his eyes, a playful smile forming.

“They say we really look good together.”

“Ah…”

The way he said it, so shyly, was cute, and Seowoo laughed a little.

“I think so too. We’re doing well in ratings and getting lots of positive reviews. It’s all thanks to you, Seowoo-ssi.”

“Oh, no, don’t say that…….”

“But it’s true. Sleep well. I’ll contact you.”

After saying goodbye, Sung-hyun left the hospital room. Seowoo watched the door through which he had exited, a small smile lingering on her face.

***

Seowoo sat on the wide windowsill, gazing at the night view. 

Perhaps because she slept too much during the day, she found herself unable to fall asleep and ended up at the window.

“It’s beautiful.”

From the top-floor VVIP room of the hospital, the night lights of Seoul sparkled, surprisingly beautiful. 

After a hectic few months since her comeback, she finally felt a sense of relief. 

The first broadcast had gone well, thankfully receiving good reviews. 

The synergy with her fellow actors had eased some of her stress.

‘I have to go to an urgent meeting, I’ll come back after work so just rest.’

Why did he even say that?

Despite trying not to care, she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

“He’s not even coming.”

Though she denied it, she had been waiting for him after all.

It was already past 11 PM.

“What am I waiting for?”

Muttering to herself, Seowoo felt foolish for even waiting. 

Every night at his parent’s home felt like a prison, only waiting for his return from work. 

Even though their conversations lasted barely a minute when he did come home, she was happy just to see his face. 

Waiting for Jiwook now reminded her of the loneliness she felt during her marriage. A bittersweet smile formed on Seowoo’s lips. 

If I go back…….

It would happen again.

Waiting every day, craving his love, and getting hurt again.

“You’re pathetic, Yoon Seowoo.”

Trying to regain her composure, Seowoo shook her head. 

Then the chocolate milk in front of her came into view. Staring at it, Seowoo picked it up.

Three packs of chocolate milk were lined up in the fridge. She took out one of them and came to the window.

She inserted the straw and took a sip, the sweet taste of chocolate milk refreshing her palate.

“Sigh.”

Suddenly, she remembered Jiwook kissing her while he had a mouthful of chocolate milk. The thought made her face flush with heat. She pressed her cheek with the back of her hand, breathing heavily to cool down.

Drinking more of the cold milk seemed to help.

Knock, knock.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, cutting through the silence.

“Yes.”

The door opened and it was none other than Jiwook. She’d only assumed it was a nurse who had come in periodically to check on her. As Seowoo started to come down from the window ledge, she froze.

“I’m a bit late.”

He muttered, hanging his jacket on the sofa in a casual manner, leaving Seowoo at a loss for words.

Jiwook loosened his tie and walked towards her. Seowoo quickly turned back to the window.

“Why haven’t you gone to sleep yet?”

Jiwook asked as he walked up beside her, his speech slower than usual.

Had he been drinking after his meeting?

The faint scent of alcohol hit her nostrils as he moved closer. She turned her head to look at him, and their gazes locked at a distance.

“Were you waiting for me?”

“No.”

Seowoo denied it immediately. Jiwook smiled bitterly at the way she didn’t even hesitate for a second.

“That’s too bad.”

He cleared his throat, taking a deep breath. Sitting so close to her, even the smallest movement seemed greatly magnified, almost like an illusion.

“After the meeting, there was an executive dinner. I wanted to skip it, but it was kind of hard, and then I had a few drinks.”

He started to explain in detail why he was late.

It was the first time. The first time Kwon Jiwook had explained why he was late.

Jiwook wasn’t much of a talker. Because of this, Seowoo always had to guess and watch him carefully from his side.

Faced with his unfamiliar behavior, Seowoo didn’t know how to respond and just silently listened.

“I didn’t drink much though, because I wanted to come see you.”

“……”

“Because I promised I’d come after work.”

He didn’t want to break that promise just one day after making it, so Jiwook managed to escape the dinner.

He loosened the top two buttons of his shirt, feeling a slight relief from the tightness around his neck.

“Have you had dinner?”

“……”

“I went for Korean cuisine, but it didn’t taste good. I wasn’t really in the mood for food, and I usually don’t eat much when I drink.”

“……Are you drunk?”

Seowoo turned her head to ask, sounding incredulous, as he kept muttering beside her. Jiwook chuckled softly and shook his head slightly.

“No. I’m not drunk.”

He had drunk far less than his usual limit, so he was quite sober.

Maybe just pleasantly buzzed.

Jiwook grinned at her, a wry smile on his face.

“At least I got to hear your voice.”

He sounded ridiculous, but even he was glad to hear her. The moonlight streaming in through the window caught her face.

Her bare face, unadorned with makeup, was just as it had been in college.

While staring at her, he unconsciously reached out and gently touched her cheek. Startled by the sudden physical contact, Seowoo flinched and shivered.

“I thought you might be sleeping. It’s nice to see your face, but I’m also worried.”

You don’t seem drunk, but you’re talking a lot today.

Continuously, to the point of seeming almost unfamiliar. It made her wonder if this was really the Kwon Jiwook she knew.