Chapter 79

“……”

In the quiet surroundings, Haji slowly lowered the T-shirt she was using to cover her eyes. The moment she did, she was met with dark eyes that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

“Ah……”

“This is mine, Haji.”

“I know.”

The T-shirt was swiftly pulled from Haji’s hands and disappeared.

Was he waiting to take this back?

“It doesn’t seem like you can wear it again anyway……”

“Right.”

Seojin, as if his only purpose was the T-shirt, entered the wardrobe with it in long strides.

“Is he not even going to mention the blind date?”

Does he think there’s no need to tell me?

Pouting her lips, Haji slowly got up.

Seojin, dressed neatly after coming out of the wardrobe, glanced at Haji and headed to the shoe rack.

“Aren’t you getting ready for work?”

“Huh? What time is it……!”

Bang, startled, Haji shouted and quickly went into the bathroom.

Wearing his shoes, Seojin turned his head to look at the spot where Haji had been lying.

“Did I tease her too much?”

A belated regret washed over him for having teased her with an unnecessary excuse about the T-shirt. Seojin turned his head and left the house.

***

After arriving at work, Haji, who couldn’t settle her mind, couldn’t make a decision until it was time to leave.

“Boss, is there something urgent today?”

“Huh?”

“You keep looking at the time……”

At Sehee’s words, Haji realized her head was turned towards the wall clock.

“Oh……? Was I?”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine, my mind is just a little distracted.”

Haha, with an awkward laugh, Sehee hesitated before coming closer. Eventually, she whispered into Haji’s ear.

“If you need relationship advice, just let me know.”

“Relationship advice?”

Surprised by the unexpected words, Haji asked curiously, and Sehee nodded with conviction.

“Isn’t there a problem in your love life?”

“Hmm……”

If it’s a problem, it is. Her boyfriend was going to a blind date. No, he was planning to go.

A very serious problem.

“Then……”

Haji glanced at Woobae, who was organizing the hall, and lowered her head. To keep her voice from escaping.

There was no benefit in letting his cousin Woobae hear about this.

“Ahem. It’s not about me, but……”

Just in case.

She started speaking as if it was someone else’s story.

“Oh, it’s not about you, Boss. Okay.”

“It’s about a friend.”

Feigning innocence, Haji said, and Sehee grinned, nodding as if to continue.

“What would you do if your boyfriend was going on a blind date?”

“Oh, a blind date……”

Sehee, who had been expecting a typical relationship problem, raised her head at the unexpected words.

“A blind date?!”

“Shh shh.”

Startled by the loud voice, Haji put a finger to her lips and shook her head.

A few customers in the hall, including Woobae, turned their heads towards Haji and Sehee.

“Boss, are you planning to go on a blind date?”

At Woobae’s question as he approached, Haji closed her eyes tightly.

“No, not me.”

With a sense of resignation, Haji continued speaking to Woobae’s suspicious gaze.

“Your cousin! Ki Seojin!”

“What……?”

Woobae looked dumbfounded, as if he couldn’t believe it.

***

In the darkened Dodam Dodam, the three of them gathered like conspirators.

“The blind date is tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

At Woobae’s serious tone, Haji nodded.

Seeing Haji’s gloomy expression, Woobae let out a small sigh. Yet, his disbelief was still evident.

“He’s not the type to do that……”

“I didn’t think so either! How could he do that to the Boss?”

“Well……”

Seeing the two getting angry at Seojin, Haji opened her mouth to explain the truth.

“I think it’s because I don’t have any thoughts about marriage……”

“Marriage?”

“We had a fight about it recently. He asked if he wasn’t in my future, and I couldn’t answer.”

More than marriage, she wasn’t sure if she would be with Seojin in the future. She wasn’t confident he would be part of her life.

“Why?”

“Are you going to break up?”

At their questions, Haji slowly lowered her head. It was the decision she had made, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

If he really goes on a blind date tomorrow and meets another woman, can she let him go?

“Boss!”

Startled by Sehee’s loud shout, Haji lifted her head.

“Love is something you fight for! You can’t just sit back like this!”

“But……”

“Are you really okay with another woman taking him? Holding hands with another woman! Hugging! Kissing! At night……! Mmph!”

Woobae quickly covered Sehee’s mouth.

“Mm mm! Mmph!”

Even with her mouth covered, Sehee waved her hands, her eyes wide open as if she had more to say. Woobae grimaced and removed his hand.

“Are you really okay with that!? With another woman doing everything you do with the Boss?”

Would he really do everything he did with me with another woman…?

“Boss, your fists are turning white.”

“Your face is turning red too.”

Her trembling fists and her face, ready to burst, gave the answer.

“Are you really okay with Seojin not being in your future?”

“……He has to be there.”

Another woman, no way.

“Marriage is a later issue. First, you need to fight for him!”

“Sehee is right. If you’re not going to break up, hold onto him.”

“Right. You’re not breaking up, and another woman is out of the question.”

Nodding in agreement, Haji joined in, and Sehee clapped her hands as if a burden had been lifted.

“But it’s tomorrow, isn’t it? The day of the blind date?”

“Go today and tell him! ‘I want to be with you in the future! Don’t go on the blind date! Live with me!’”

Sehee stood up and delivered her lines, as if acting in a play.

“Like this.”

“You should say it quickly.”

“Yes, today……!”

They were right. She needed to convey her feelings before it was too late and stop him from going on the blind date.

Just then, her phone blinked with a message. After checking the message, Haji’s expression darkened.

“He’s on a business trip today……”

Of all days, it had to be today.

“It feels like he’s avoiding me.”

Maybe it’s already too late.

As Haji mumbled blankly, Sehee and Woobae exchanged glances.

“Go tomorrow!”

“Huh?”

“Go to that place tomorrow and bring him back!”

“To the blind date?”

When Haji asked again, Woobae leaned forward, setting a serious tone.

“You can do it. That should be enough to snap him out of it.”

“Snap him out?”

“It seems like he’s temporarily possessed, making the wrong choice. Go and give him a big wake-up call. If he doesn’t come to his senses, you can hit him.”

Woobae slipped in his own wish at the end, straightening his back after saying everything he wanted.

“That’s right, Boss. Haven’t you seen dramas? You say, ‘This man is mine! He’s the father of my child!’”

“Father of my child……?”

Unconsciously, Haji hugged her belly, and the two’s eyes widened.

“Boss, are you……?”

“No, no! I’m just surprised! It’s not like that!”

Startled, Haji waved her hands, and the two sighed in relief and continued the conversation.

“Anyway, that’s what you should do.”

“Yes, say ‘he’s my man’.”

“Do you know the place? You need to know to go.”

“I know.”

S Hotel, 8 PM.

The place and time were etched clearly in her mind.

***

The day of the showdown.

At 8 PM, Haji entered S Hotel, her heels clicking.

“Do you have a reservation?”

“No. I’m looking for someone. It’s okay.”

The staff who approached Haji as she looked around nodded and returned to their place.

“Found him.”

Seeing the back of Seojin’s head, Haji squared her shoulders.

I can do it. Love is something you fight for.

She had never been this courageous in her life. She had never wanted something or tried to protect it, so this version of herself felt unfamiliar.

But she was sure she wouldn’t regret it. She hadn’t been able to sleep all night, thinking about Seojin being with another woman.

“If I don’t do it today, it might be too late.”

She felt she would continue to stay up all night, unable to sleep, regretting this moment.

This is the first and last time. To be greedy.

Because I was allowed to.

Seojin always said. 

‘Do as you wish, blame others.’

‘It’s not your fault.’

“This is all your fault, oppa. For making me do this.”

Muttering as she clenched her fists, Haji approached the root of this mess.

Click, click, the confident sound of her heels made a few people turn to look at Haji.

In response, Haji straightened her back and lifted her chin. To appear confident and assured.

And when she stood in front of him,

“Oppa.”

“……?”

The woman with Seojin turned her head to look at Haji.

Surprise was written on both of their faces.