Chapter 39

“The sun is already setting?”

What time is it?

Haji grabbed Seojin’s wrist. To be precise, to look at the watch on his wrist.

“Already?”

“Yes, it’s evening.”

Surprised, Haji jumped up and then plopped back down on the sofa with a blank expression.

“My trip…”

To spend a day like this.

Watching Haji’s gloomy expression, Seojin poked her cheek.

“Shall we travel together tomorrow?”

“Together?”

“I can be a proper travel guide for you.”

The trip she planned to do alone seemed already ruined, and as Seojin volunteered to be her guide, Haji nodded.

“Really, it has to be proper, okay?”

“Of course.”

Seojin’s confident tone unexpectedly built trust.

“Let’s go for dinner.”

“Where to?”

“Shall we start the guide from now?”

“Now?”

Looking into Haji’s eyes, Seojin, who was kneeling on the floor, stood up.

“Go change your clothes.”

“… Just wait a bit.”

Feeling embarrassed about wearing comfortable pajamas, Haji hurriedly went up to the second floor where her luggage was.

Watching her, Seojin took out his phone and made a call.

“Please prepare right away. We’ll be arriving soon.”

The call ended immediately as if the other party was expecting it.

Seojin tapped the sofa’s armrest with his fingertips while looking at the stairs leading to the second floor.

“I need to make it certain.”

Their relationship needed to be more definite.

Seojin recalled the previous day. He knew that if he acted pitiful and got caught in the rain, he would be let inside. That’s why he waited for the rain.

“Being pitiful is a different matter.”

Though being pitiful might be the best emotion to exploit, he didn’t want to remain in that emotion forever.

“How should I captivate you?”

When he came to Jeju Island to catch Ahn Haji, who had run away, he was prepared for it. He didn’t intend to let her avoid him like in Seoul. Even if he had to use his appearance.

“Because I like you quite a lot.”

He already knew that Haji liked his appearance. Sometimes she would be so entranced.

“I’m all ready!”

Seojin’s thoughts were interrupted. Seeing Haji coming down the stairs, Seojin clenched his fist.

The white dress gently swayed above her peachy knees. Her rosy cheeks, approaching with a soft smile, were refreshing. Like a goddess of spring.

“This is dangerous.”

Before I captivate her, I might get captivated.

“Pardon? What did you say?”

“It’s nothing.”

Pretending it was nothing, Seojin swallowed and opened the door first.

***

Seojin and Haji were seated at a restaurant inside Laonhilljo Resort. They were guided to the largest and quietest room inside.

“When did you make a reservation here?”

Haji, who had been looking around curiously since entering, leaned forward and asked Seojin.

“While you were sleeping.”

“You can make a reservation on the same day?”

Considering that the regular seats were full when they came in, it seemed difficult.

“I can.”

“Why? Sunbae, are you…?”

What…? What are you…?

Sunbae, what are you…?

As if he had heard Haji’s inner thoughts, Seojin chuckled.

“Because I’m the director here.”

“Oh…”

I see.

Nodding absentmindedly, Haji soon widened her eyes.

“Director? Of where?”

“Here.”

“You don’t mean this Laonhilljo Resort, do you?”

“Why not?”

Seojin raised his eyebrows, observing Haji’s expression that changed from surprise to curiosity.

“You’re the director of a construction company, right?”

“There’s no rule that a construction company representative can’t be a resort representative.”

“Oh…?”

Though Seojin’s words made sense, Haji blinked as if she still didn’t understand.

“This place was built before you came to Korea, right?”

“I built it before I came to Korea.”

“How?”

Since he had only been in Korea for a few months, it didn’t make sense that he built this resort. 

How on earth did he manage to do it?

“I didn’t suddenly start a company after coming to Korea. I had already established a company while studying in the U.S., and the first thing I built was this resort.”

“Is that possible?”

“If I do it, it’s possible.”

He spoke with a proud look. Even without trying, Seojin’s arrogance was apparent. His nickname in high school was ‘Noble Ki Seojin.’

“To put it simply, even the chair you’re sitting on is my property.”

“… You’re impressive.”

Really.

Now he’s even boasting about the chair.

Seojin chuckled at Haji’s words and crossed his legs.

“Aren’t you the impressive one?”

“Why me?”

I don’t even own a resort, nor do I have a chair here.

“Because someone like me thinks you’re special?”

“Oh…”

“Take pride in that.”

“Sunbae, I wasn’t going to say this, but…”

Seojin raised his eyebrows as if to say, go on.

“You’re annoying.”

“Well, that’s unfortunate. That wasn’t my intention.”

“Indeed. You conveyed your intention poorly.”

Haji pressed the fork in front of her while glancing at Seojin.

A man with no flaws.

Everything about him was impressive. Unlike herself.

Knock, knock, the door was knocked, and a plethora of dishes came in.

Looking at the course dishes placed on the round table, Haji licked her lips and grabbed a fork. She was hungry after sleeping all day.

“Thank you for the meal, Director?”

“I don’t want to hear that from you. How about thinking of another title?”

“I’ll think about it after eating.”

Her hungry stomach was clamoring for food. Before losing her mind, Haji put the meat in her mouth. The tender texture melted, making her exclaim in admiration.

“Mm! It’s really delicious.”

“I’m glad.”

The two continued their meal, exchanging words occasionally.

Then Haji placed the wine glass she had been holding onto the table with a thud.

“Even though you’re the director, you didn’t have a room?

Haji narrowed her eyes and glared at Seojin. He had come in the rain after losing his room just the day before.

“It’s peak season now. I even had to give up my room.”

“Is there no such thing as a director’s exclusive accommodation?”

“Where would such a thing exist?”

Haji, who was about to question further, tilted her head and rolled her eyes in confusion.

“I think there was something like that in dramas…?”

“That’s just drama.”

Seeing his laughing face, she felt it wasn’t a lie and became sheepish.

“Shall we go see the sea if you’re done eating?”

“The sea?”

“It’s late, so we can’t go far. Let’s just go right outside.”

“Sounds good.”

Haji smiled as she got up.

Even if it was right outside, it was fine. She didn’t get to see the sea in Seoul.

***

Coming out to the beach, Haji felt like she was seeing the sea anew today, even though she saw it the previous night. The smell of the sea felt pleasantly refreshing.

“Wow! It’s the night sea!”

Leaving Seojin behind, Haji hopped ahead with excitement.

“Be careful, don’t run.”

“No way. I’m not a child.”

Haji laughed brightly at Seojin’s cautioning words and spun around in a circle. The slight tipsiness from the little wine she drank seemed to lift her mood.

“Ah!”

“Watch out!”

Seojin caught Haji, who stumbled over her own feet. As a result, Seojin fell backward while holding Haji.

Thud, a vibration resonated through his body. Though it didn’t hurt directly, the impact was strong enough to make his head throb.

“I told you to be careful.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Are you okay?”

Haji lifted her head to look at Seojin, who was holding her, and asked.

“I’m fine. What about you, Sunbae?”

“Me too.”

The two slowly got up and sat on the leveled sand. The streetlight above illuminated them well, even revealing their injuries.

“You’re hurt.”

“It’s okay.”

Haji smiled faintly as she looked at her leg. While falling, she had scratched the inside of her leg against her sandal, and a small amount of blood was visible.

“It’s not okay.”

“This much is…”

“Say it’s not okay. You don’t always have to be okay.”

His words made her heart twinge. It felt like he had seen through her habit of always saying she was okay.

“The wound isn’t big, so it’s really fine.”

“Tell me it hurts. Even if it doesn’t.”

“Even if it doesn’t?”

“Yes. Exaggerate a little.”

A small laugh escaped Haji’s lips. Telling a grown adult to exaggerate.

“What if I start doing that all the time?”

“That wouldn’t be bad. Give it a try.”

He was a man who asked her to try strange things. Yet, his words were oddly comforting.

Ever since her childhood, when she suddenly found herself alone, she had to overcome everything on her own. It was the first time she had heard such words. When there was no one to protect her, pain was nothing but a luxury.

“I don’t know if I can try.”

“You can.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ll accept it all.”

Seojin shook off his body and stood up from his seat.

“Sunbae…”

Watching him, Haji called out to Seojin in a serious voice, grabbing his shirt.

“You’re bleeding?”