Chapter 76

“I’ll be going.”

“I’ll come again next time.”

As Haji and Seojin got into the same car, the family members who came out to see them off watched them.

Hyesoo’s expression darkened as she watched the car drive away. Seonghee, noticing Hyesoo’s mood, subtly approached her.

“Mom, you don’t look happy.”

“Hmm?”

“Is it because things aren’t going as planned?”

At Seonghee’s question, Hyesoo let out a small sigh. Then, as if there was nothing to worry about, an elegant smile appeared.

“It’s not over until it’s over.”

At her mother’s words, Seonghee nodded and went back inside the house.

***

“Thanks for the gift.”

“No, it’s really nothing.”

Haji’s gaze was on the air freshener hanging from the vent. It was a gift she chose after much deliberation on what to give him today.

It was a subtle air freshener that wouldn’t overpower his peppermint scent. She picked it up as soon as she saw its simple design that suited him.

“I heard your birthday is on Friday.”

“Yeah.”

“If there’s anything you want to do that day…”

“There is.”

Before the question was finished, Seojin interrupted and answered quickly.

“Let’s go on a date.”

“A date?”

“I’ll take that as my gift.”

He implied that there was no need to prepare any other gift. In truth, he didn’t need any other gift.

“Don’t worry about what my mother said.”

“… Okay.”

When Haji’s response was delayed, Seojin’s eyebrows raised slightly. There was a change in his expression, but he didn’t say anything more.

Seojin pondered over what had happened at home. Specifically, he was trying to understand his mother’s intentions.

During that time, he didn’t realize Haji was becoming more anxious. Haji, who was opening and closing her fingers in the seat next to him, finally spoke.

“You’re going to the company on Monday?”

“I have to.”

While answering, Seojin glanced at Haji’s fingertips. It was clear she wasn’t taking this situation lightly, but she didn’t seem surprised either.

As if she had heard about it beforehand.

Seojin’s hand wrapped around Haji’s two hands resting on her lap. There was a coldness in her hands, contrary to the warm weather.

“Your hands are cold.”

“Maybe my blood circulation isn’t good.”

“Let me see.”

When Seojin pulled Haji’s hand closer, he saw that her fingertips were pale.

“I should get some digestive medicine.”

Seojin set the destination to a nearby pharmacy.

Upon closer inspection, Haji’s lips were also turning blue. Her complexion suggested she was quite unwell.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have come today.”

“No. I forced myself to eat even though I didn’t have to.”

“I told you it’s okay to blame others. It’s not your fault. Today was uncomfortable enough.”

“……”

Seojin pressed Haji’s cold hands as if massaging them. He was relieved that she didn’t try to pull away despite the twitching.

***

After taking the medicine bought from the pharmacy, Haji lay down with a pale complexion.

“Get some sleep.”

“I’m fine.”

“‘I’m fine’ is banned. Just sleep.”

“I’m really fin…”

“Stop. You’re not fine, and you need to sleep now, so sleep.”

At Seojin’s firm attitude, Haji pursed her lips and closed her eyes. Her complexion was completely different from when they left the house.

Watching Haji, Seojin roughly brushed his hair back.

He felt frustrated. This situation, which wasn’t going according to his wishes.

What are you so afraid of that you’re trying to draw a line with me again?

Every time they seemed to get closer, they drifted apart; every time he thought he understood, he didn’t.

What should I do?

Seojin tried to regain his composure, which always crumbled in front of Haji, leading to unintended outcomes.

“I won’t let go.”

So don’t think about leaving.

Seojin’s fingertips brushed from Haji’s forehead, past her eyebrows, nose bridge, philtrum, and touched her lips.

***

On Monday, as Seojin left the office, he called Hyesoo.

“I’m about to head out now.”

• Get some coffee from Dodam Dodam on your way.

“……”

• Why aren’t you responding? I want something refreshing.

“Okay.”

After hearing Seojin’s answer, Hyesoo hung up the phone.

Hyesoo had talked about his marriage and blind dates in front of Haji. Moreover, she said she would extend the conversation on that topic today.

Seojin, who didn’t want to make Haji anxious, was reluctant to visit the café.

“Why is she doing this all of a sudden?”

What could her intentions be, calling me to the company?

“Boss, where are you going?”

“I’m stepping out for a bit.”

“If you’re going to see Haji, bring back some sandwiches.”

“No.”

As he left, Seojin flatly refused Matthew’s request, ignoring the sound from behind. He still harbored some resentment for secretly contacting Haji.

***

Buying coffee from Dodam Dodam, Seojin mulled over Haji’s expression the entire way up to meet Hyesoo.

It was a resigned expression as if she already knew everything.

He needed to find out exactly what his mother was planning.

He gave a slight nod to the secretaries in front of the Chairman’s office and handed over the coffee. More than Haji had prepared.

“Ki Seojin.”

“You can go right in.”

At the secretary’s prompt, as if they had been waiting, Seojin knocked on the Chairman’s office door.

“Come in.”

With a click, the heavy door opened, and Seojin entered without hesitation.

“Sit down.”

As Seojin sat on the sofa, Hyesoo put down the file she was handling and approached him.

“It’s the first time I’m seeing you in my office, isn’t it?”

“Let’s get to the point.”

Seojin had no intention of engaging in small talk with his mother and got straight to the point, to which Hyesoo nodded, as if she expected it.

“Can’t you marry Haji?”

As expected.

“I see you knew.”

“How could I not? Don’t forget this building is mine.”

“That’s true.”

Seojin quickly agreed. He had been visiting Haji every day, knowing full well.

He had already suspected it. It was bound to reach her ears one way or another.

He knew the chances were higher after he appeared in the news or articles. Haji probably didn’t know.

He had no intention of hiding it from the start. He partly hoped she would find out.

“Shouldn’t you marry her to keep her?”

“You speak as if you know a way.”

“Don’t try to provoke me.”

Hyesoo crossed her legs clad in wide slacks and rested her right arm on the sofa’s armrest.

“I know you better than you think, but you don’t know your mother as well as you think.”

“That seems to be the case.”

“There is a way. But it’s risky and potentially harmful.”

“You’re already proceeding, aren’t you?”

Hmm, Hyesoo shrugged her shoulders.

“I plan to continue if you participate.”

“I have a question first.”

“Go ahead.”

Seojin looked at his mother, Hyesoo’s expression. A serene smile that hid her true feelings.

“Are you giving us your blessing?”

“I know you don’t need my permission, but if you must ask, of course. Do you think there will be another woman you’ll like more?”

A chuckle escaped Seojin’s lips at Hyesoo’s words. She was spot on.

He could confidently say there would be no other woman he’d like more.

“Besides, with Haji, it’s a blessing. She’s pretty, capable, mature, and lacks nothing.”

“I didn’t know you thought so highly of her.”

“I told you, you don’t know your mother well.”

Seojin nodded. He then clasped his hands and leaned forward.

“What did you say to Haji?”

“Well, it seems it had an effect since she caught on.”

“Please tell me.”

“I told her exactly what I said over the weekend. That I’d arrange a blind date for you and that I want you to get married.”

It was the content he had dreaded. To hear such words firsthand.

“I didn’t expect it to come to this, but now that it has, there’s no choice.”

“What are you planning?”

“We’ll have to see it through to the end, won’t we?”

Hyesoo went to her desk to retrieve a photo. She placed it in front of Seojin and sat back down.

“Are you really asking me to go on a blind date?”

Seojin frowned at the photo placed before him. It was a picture of a woman he had never seen before.

“Who said you actually have to go? Just ‘pretend’ to.”

“Does this woman know?”

“Of course. She’s an actress. Specializes in this kind of role.”

Ha, Seojin let out a dry laugh at Hyesoo’s preparedness.

“What you need to remember is Haji’s feelings. Her uncertain feelings about you.”

“I know.”

“We’re pushing this far to find out, so make sure she doesn’t get hurt in other ways.”

Seojin nodded.

Hyesoo tilted her head slightly as if something was unsatisfactory.

“Be more cautious. When it comes to Haji, your emotions take the lead, don’t they? Like when you were hospitalized?”

“Hospitalized…”

“Of course I knew. My brother is more afraid of me than he is of you.”

“I see.”

Though Seojin’s expression remained unchanged at Hyesoo’s matter-of-fact words, he was actually surprised. She had known everything but pretended not to.

“Still, don’t stake your life on it, my son.”

“……”

“You have to live first to do anything, don’t you?”

“I will.”

Seeing her son obediently respond, Hyesoo smiled faintly and continued discussing the plan.