CHAPTER 20 – Proposal (Part 2)

Dojun headed to the smoking room near the entrance of the office building. The employees who had gathered to smoke after their lunch break bowed their heads in greeting. He vaguely returned the greetings, taking out a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket. He lit the cigarette and took a deep drag.

Squinting his eyes as he exhaled the smoke, he tapped the glowing end of the cigarette into the ashtray. The image of Yoon Seoyeon standing with Lee Sehyun at the entrance of the Chinese restaurant came to mind. Dojun twirled the phone in his other hand, took another drag of the cigarette, and typed on the keypad.

[Did you enjoy your meal?]

He pressed send, blowing out the smoke. There was no reply from Seoyeon, so he took another deep drag of the cigarette, gazing towards the hotel building.

Why are you doing this again?

Imagining her replying with a weary expression, he let out a small chuckle.

[Yeah.]

He had forgotten. Yoon Seoyeon had the knack of giving a polite response while turning people’s minds upside down. Exhaling a long stream of smoke, his phone beeped again.

[Did you also enjoy your meal, CEO?]

How polite. 

Imagining her carefully typing the message with a weary expression amused him a little. Dojun held back a smile as he typed a reply.

[Not particularly.]

Time passed without a response. Just as Dojun was about to put his phone away after stubbing out the short cigarette, another message came.

[If you’re free in the evening, would you like to have a meal together?]

Dojun’s eyebrows raised at the unexpected message. He started typing “Yes,” but quickly deleted it. He typed “What time?” and then deleted that too, taking out another cigarette. After slowly finishing the cigarette, he picked up the phone again.

[Decide on a place to eat.]

The message flew to Seoyeon with a soft whoosh. It was a rather bland response after such deep contemplation.

* * *

The car slowed down in a wide circle as it climbed the hill in Buam-dong. In the dark evening, a two-story house with lights was visible. ‘Haesung Nutrient Pot rice’. Checking the small sign, Dojun opened the car door and said to the driver.

“You can go home first.”

He took the car keys from the driver and entered the gate. Walking past the small garden, he opened the front door, and an employee serving customers turned and greeted him.

“Welcome, Sir. Only for one person?”

“Yoon Seoyeon, reservation for 8 o’clock.”

Late in the afternoon, Seoyeon had sent a message with the name and address of the restaurant, saying she had made a reservation for 8 o’clock. Dojun sent a message saying he would be a bit late, and Seoyeon replied that she would wait.

“Come in this way, Room 2.”

It was a modest restaurant converted from a house. In the living room and each room, there were low tables, with people either dining or finishing their meals.

Opening the door to Room 2, a small, cozy room with only one low table was revealed. The first thing he saw was the back of Seoyeon sitting in front of the low table. Her coat was draped over her shoulders, and she was looking out the window, clutching a glass of warm water in both hands.

“Oh, you’re here?”

Seoyeon turned her head at the sound of the door opening, placing the cup down and standing up as she spoke.

“Sit down.”

At his statement that she needn’t get up, Seoyeon sat back down. As Dojun sat across from her, an employee came in and handed them the menu.

“What’s good?”

Dojun asked Seoyeon without opening the menu. Seoyeon unfolded the menu and pushed it in front of him.

“You just need to choose the toppings. The table setting is the same for all.”

Seafood, mushrooms, abalone, and seabream – there were four nutritious pot rice options on the menu. Dojun closed the menu and pressed the call button. The employee approached and asked if they were ready to order.

“One seabream pot rice, please.”

Dojun looked at Seoyeon. Seoyeon continued the order with the employee.

“And one mushroom pot rice as well.”

It didn’t take long before the dishes started arriving one by one. A salad and a small bowl of pumpkin porridge were placed in front of each of them. Some lightly fried vegetables and pickles to accompany the pot rice were also served.

“Go ahead and eat. The pot rice will come out shortly.”

Seoyeon said as she picked up her chopsticks. Dojun took a bite-sized piece of the leek pancake. After a few rounds of quiet chopstick movements, she looked up at him. Her gaze was calm, with something she wanted to say in her eyes. Dojun put down his chopsticks and said,

“Say what you need to.”

Seoyeon seemed to be carefully choosing her words before speaking.

“I met with Lee Sehyun during the day, and I thought I should clear things up.”

Dojun leaned back and let out a small laugh.

“Is that so?”

“Not with Sehyun, but with you, CEO.”

At those words, Dojun fixed his gaze on her.

“Sehyun and I broke up a long time ago, and I have no intention of getting back together. I know it’s not your concern either. I asked to meet you today because I wanted to talk about our situation.”

Dojun remained silent, his expression indicating he was listening and for her to continue. Seoyeon cautiously opened her mouth.

“This kind of relationship with no clear beginning or end is a bit burdensome for me.”

It was about time for this conversation. Dojun ran his hand through his hair. 

Was she saying she wanted to formally establish a relationship? Even though it would be futile, if she insisted on defining the relationship…

“Do you want to be in a relationship, then?”

Dojun’s question made Seoyeon’s expression turn ambiguous. She tilted her head and furrowed her brow, as if hearing an absurd statement. Then she responded.

“No. I don’t have any intention of seeing you for a long time, CEO.”

Why was she speaking so decisively, without a second thought? 

Watching Seoyeon, Dojun found it amusing.

Before Dojun could say anything, the door opened, and a service cart with the food arrived. The employee placed the covered pot rice in front of them, along with some side dishes and miso stew. After scooping the pot rice into another dish and pouring hot water into the heated pot to cover it, the employee left and Seoyeon continued.

“I’ll be honest with you, I’m attracted to you, CEO. It’s the first time I’ve been so physically drawn to someone, and it’s quite confusing. But as you know, I was previously in a relationship with Lee Sehyun where marriage was even discussed. Entangling myself with you in this state is not ideal, so I wanted to avoid it if possible…”

But she couldn’t.

Seoyeon trailed off, quietly looking at Dojun. Dojun slowly ran his fingers along his chin, keeping his gaze on her. The room felt full. Hwang Dojun was a man who could make her body tense with just a glance.

The flickering gaze that unabashedly revealed desire, the face that appeared indifferent nonetheless, the sluggish movements that cut through the air – all of this made Seoyeon’s lower abdomen throb.

How can I avoid such a man?

Seoyeon let out a frustrated breath. She couldn’t avoid him, and now she didn’t even want to try. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to live as she pleased for once, she thought.

After all, everyone can make a foolish decision once in their life. Not for long, just a little. Just enough to not disrupt each other’s lives.

“So, what is it that you want, Ms. Yoon Seoyeon?”

At Dojun’s question, Seoyeon wrapped her hands around the water glass. It was a habit. Dojun noticed as she watched her.

“I heard you’re moving to the department store in March. Let’s just meet until then.”

Dojun removed his elbow from the table and straightened his slouched posture. Seoyeon was waiting for his response. Either end it here or continue with a deadline. It was up to him to choose.

Yoon Seoyeon was like a spark fluttering in his world, which was dominated by the color blue. Darting here and there on the edge of his vision, like red dust, stinging his eyes. When he tried to ignore her, he could do so easily enough.

Sensing that she would be a constant thorn in his side, he grasped the spark that he should have ignored. He made up ridiculous excuses to summon her, fanning the flames. The fire was growing larger. It will burn completely, leaving nothing but ashes. Perhaps he’s been waiting for that moment.

Dojun calculated the remaining time. There was a month and a half left until March. Shrugging, he asked Seoyeon.

“Do I have a choice?”

Seoyeon replied calmly.

“No.”

Dojun picked up his spoon and told Seoyeon.

“Eat. Don’t pass out later.”

Seoyeon’s eyes widened. 

What’s there to be surprised about?

Dojun muttered and took a big bite of his food.

* * *

After finishing the meal and stepping out into the alley, it was 9 o’clock. Grabbing the car door handle, Dojun said to Seoyeon.

“I’ll call a driver for your car, get in my car.”

Seoyeon looked at him, wondering if he really intended to have s*x. He couldn’t possibly have asked her to get in with the intention of taking her home.

“Get in.”

“I’ll just go by myself today. I did that this morning too… and I have to go to work tomorrow.”

This morning too, huh? 

Her awkward expression and the strange phrasing were amusing. Dojun chuckled as he spoke to Seoyeon.

“If you’ve had breakfast, don’t you need dinner?”

At the lame joke, Seoyeon laughed in disbelief. Her eyes crinkled prettily, making her eye corners elongate. Seeing that, Dojun impulsively lowered his head. As his lips overlapped with Seoyeon’s laughing ones, her eyes widened.

He’d only intended to kiss her lightly, but the moment their soft lips touched, a tingling sensation ran through him. Narrowing his eyes, Dojun pushed his tongue in and Seoyeon’s body trembled, and her eyes slowly closed.

Seoyeon’s breath was hot against the lapel of his coat that she was gripping tightly. After completely enveloping her in his coat, Dojun delved his tongue deeper. After exploring for a while, he pulled his lips away, a thread of saliva connecting them. Seoyeon panted, her face flushed.

Dojun wiped the saliva off Seoyeon’s lips with his thumb and said,

“Get in.”

Seoyeon in his arms shook her head. Catching her breath, she told Dojun.

“I’ll go in my own car.”

Stubborn as always. 

He worried if she could even drive properly, but Seoyeon added another word.

“That’s more convenient for me.”

“And you won’t even come then.”

Seoyeon laughed at Dojun’s comment.

“I’ll definitely come.”

Her hand gently caressed Dojun’s chest, as if making a promise. Though he was dissatisfied, it wasn’t important. Dojun nodded and spoke.

“Come safely. Don’t get lost.”

Seoyeon nodded. Watching her walk towards her own car, Dojun sat in the driver’s seat and started the engine. Gripping the steering wheel, he let out a faint chuckle, a laugh he couldn’t quite explain.