18.1

“Isn’t that an almost beastly recovery?”

Chaeyoon said briskly as she looked at her own face in the vanity mirror. Her previously pale cheeks now flushed with a healthy rosiness, as if she had never been ill.

“I know, right? I wonder why I made such a fuss yesterday.”

Honestly, Seonho was amazed. To recover so much in one night, he could see why Chaeyoon was so confident in her health.

How his heart had crumbled while carrying an unconscious Chaeyoon from the car.

Thanks to that, he had gained a lot unexpectedly, so in the end, everything worked out for the best.

“It’s because you made such a fuss that I recovered so quickly.”

With that, Chaeyoon stood in front of Seonho like a fluttering butterfly and then looped her arms around his neck, giving him a light peck on the lips.

Exactly this.

“So you can be affectionate even when you’re sober? I thought you were only affectionate when you’re drunk or feverish.”

“Hehe, you caught me. It’s something I only do at home. I’m an only child, but I’m the youngest among my relatives.”

“That’s pretty exclusive information.”

Seonho said as he hugged Chaeyoon around the waist.  He thought he knew enough about her, but apparently not. And he wanted to know more going forward.

“Thank you. I recovered quickly because of you. Having you by my side while I was sick was more reassuring than I thought.”

Chaeyoon smiled brightly and kissed him once more.

It wasn’t a deep, sultry kiss, but somehow it felt even more intimate.

A light but genuine peck, the kind you’d only give to family.

“You always manage to achieve the maximum effect with the least effort.”

Seonho’s lips curved up in happiness.

The intimacy of Chaeyoon’s embrace made his heart race. It made him feel so light, like he could fly through the air.

“That’s my skill.”

Chaeyoon grinned and then headed towards the dining table where food was served.

Considering Chaeyoon’s health, he opted for room service instead of eating out. Just because it was room service didn’t mean it was a skimpy meal. It was a set meal with lamb chops as the main dish.

“You’re scaring me when you smile like that.”

Chaeyoon’s smile was so bright that Seonho’s heart pounded. It was good to see her smile at him, but it was also unnerving to see her so bright and cheerful.

Seonho sat down in the chair across from her, staring at her with suspicion.

“Why?”

Chaeyoon asked as she dipped her fork into the fruit salad and popped it into her mouth.

“I feel like you’re going to say, ‘I wasn’t in my right mind yesterday because I was sick. I don’t remember anything I said.'”

“Oh, how did you know?”

Chaeyoon exclaimed, her eyes widening.

“The quality of your joke is a bit low. Try to upgrade it.”

Seonho looked displeased.

“You started it first.”

“Maybe I should have gone with ‘Stop coming over.'”

Seonho grumbled cutely.

“What are you so afraid of? You were so confident yesterday, like you could fill the whole Pacific Ocean.”

“Your smile makes me feel more fluttery than I thought.”

“Is that a good fluttery or bad?”

“Obviously good. Scary good.”

“I like it too. Unlike you, I’m not scared. This must be why people date.”

Everything seemed richer than when they were just having s*x.

The light, the colors reflected in that light, even the romance she thought had dried up.

It felt like her heart was bubbling with a pink, fluffy emotion.

“Ah, darn. I meant to think it over but ended up saying it. Maybe I’ve become a fool from this cold.”

“It’s not because of a cold, it’s love.”

Seonho pulled Chaeyoon’s hand towards him and kissed the back and palm of her hand.

“I’d rather call it a cold for now, not love.”

Chaeyoon withdrew her hand from Seonho’s and started earnestly eating the lamb chops.

“By the way, next time, don’t come unannounced like this.”

The words made Seonho pause.

“I knew it. ‘Don’t come’ was the right answer.”

“Listen properly. I said ‘Don’t come unannounced’.”

“If I give you a heads-up, you’ll probably tell me not to come at all.”

Seonho looked at her suspiciously.

“No, that’s not it. Since you’re coming from far away, we should coordinate schedules to make the most of the time. Like now, we’re wasting time without any value.”

“Why is taking care of you considered having no value? It was the most nourishing thing, actually. The emotional marketing worked to my advantage.”

Seonho winked, laughing.

“Ah, emotional marketing, that’s the scary part. No, is it the cold that’s scary? If it weren’t for the cold, I wouldn’t have fallen for it.”

Chaeyoon giggled and shook her head.

“Ah, I don’t want to go to Korea.”

Seonho muttered while rubbing his face with his hand.

Now that they had finally gotten close, the thought of leaving Chaeyoon to go to the other side of the world was unbearable.

He really didn’t want to go. If he left today, even with rushing all his work, he wouldn’t be able to return for at least a month.

Although he couldn’t guarantee he’d be able to wait a month, considering the usual three-week interval.

“So, don’t come.”

“Huh?”

“Unless it’s a permanent transfer, not just a business trip.”

Chaeyoon teased him.

“That’s actually a great idea.”

“How is it a good idea when you don’t even have an office in London?”

“Maybe this is the opportunity to start one?”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

Chaeyoon nodded affirmatively.

“Should I really start one?”

Seonho squinted his eyes, and Chaeyoon laughed heartily.

“Go ahead and start it. I think you really could do it.”

She thought about whether Seonho’s company group had a subsidiary in London. Even if they couldn’t establish a branch, maybe he could get transferred to London through another subsidiary.

“Just say the word. If you marry me, I’ll quit my job right away and come to London. I’ll support you perfectly.”

Seonho clapped his hands together and rubbed them against each other.

“Do you really think it will be that easy?”

Chaeyoon shook her head from side to side and sliced a lamb chop, putting it in her mouth.

“You’re not saying, ‘Why would I marry you?'”

Seonho looked at her as if amazed. Chaeyoon really had changed.

“I said I’d think about it.”

Chaeyoon looked directly at Seonho, completely serious. There was not a trace of jest in her gaze. She looked like someone taking responsibility for her words.

That look was reassuring, but it made Seonho very anxious. If the word ‘No’’ came out of Chaeyoon’s mouth, it would be the end.

Let’s believe it for now. 

She’s accepted his love, and he’ll have to prepare for the next step so that the word ‘No’ doesn’t come out of her mouth.

“What are your plans going forward?”

“After finishing this practical jewel-cutting course, I’m planning to take a jewelry business course and prepare for a competition. I’m also considering getting a job. I’m thinking of making my own designed products and selling them at flea markets. There’s endless things to do.”

“Like you said before, are you focusing on antique jewelry?”

“I’m also interested in reprocessing gems. It’s about preserving the memories associated with jewelry while adding new stories. Removing the patina of time, creating new beauty while protecting the environment. Isn’t that really cool?”

Chaeyoon’s eyes sparkled brilliantly. They were more beautiful than any gem, and Seonho couldn’t take his eyes off her as she spoke.

“Yes, it’s beautiful. You’re going to be a wonderful jewelry designer.”

Seonho hoped that Chaeyoon would walk the path she desired. Because unlike him, she had dreams. He would ensure that these dreams weren’t hindered by him. 

Never.

“That’s the prettiest thing you’ve ever said.”

“It’s a condition of being a beloved lover.”

At Seonho’s words, Chaeyoon burst into laughter.

“You have a knack for this.”

“Looks like you’ll be really busy going forward.”

“Maybe?”

“That’s good.”

“Good? I thought you’d be whining for us to meet.”

“I’m busy too. So just focus on your studies until I come next. Got it?”

“Without getting distracted by handsome European guys?”

Chaeyoon said teasingly.

“I know you don’t look at other men because you have high standards. I’m just worried other guys will annoy you by following you around.”

“Oh, that narcissism of yours is an incurable disease.”

“I’ve caught quite a few incurable diseases since meeting you.”

Seonho glanced at his watch. It was time to head to the airport.

“Have you finished eating?”

“Yes. Is it almost time for your flight? Let’s go. I’ll take you to the airport.”

Chaeyoon put down her fork and knife and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

“Next time. I’d be worried if I didn’t see you enter your house.”

“Alright, then.”

Chaeyoon nodded agreeably.

“It’s weird, you listen to me so well.”

“Isn’t it strange that I want to take you to the airport?”

“Well, that’s true.”