Chapter 19

“Welcome, Chairman Han.”  

“It’s been a while, Director.”  

“Being away from the hospital is a good thing, isn’t it? Haha.”  

Minjun shook hands and sat down on the sofa.  

“You’re still busy, I assume?”  

“Thanks to the help from Director Lee. You’ve been a great support for the Children’s Hospital project as well.”  

“I’ll help as much as I can. A children’s hospital is absolutely necessary, isn’t it?”  

“Indeed. In many ways, a children’s hospital is the most needed. Everyone hesitated, but thanks to your involvement, it seems like the hospital will finally open.”  

Minjun smiled softly as he listened to the story involving his mother.  

“You haven’t had lunch yet, have you? Let’s go out.”  

Woo Jin-woo gave a troubled smile.  

“Chairman, if it’s not an inconvenience, how about the hospital cafeteria? Something urgent has come up.”  

“I’m fine with that. I’ve heard the cafeteria at Woo Hospital is excellent, so I’d actually prefer it.”  

“It’s been rated the best among the top five hospitals. Patient satisfaction is also very high. Let’s go.”  

The two stood up and left the director’s office.  

The cafeteria was bright with sunlight and had a pleasant atmosphere. Minjun stood in line with the other doctors, holding a tray, and sat at an empty table.  

“Chairman, I assume you’ve never had a meal served on a tray like this before?”  

“I occasionally use cafeterias too.”  

Minjun smiled faintly. Having attended elite private schools since childhood, the concept of a tray was unfamiliar to him. However, he had grown accustomed to it now. As he began eating, Minjun chuckled.  

“They weren’t lying when they said this is the best cafeteria in Korea. It’s excellent.”  

“Patients and their families are very satisfied. This is also thanks to Director Lee’s attention.”  

“My mother?”  

“You didn’t know? The cafeteria is managed separately from the hospital, and Director Lee personally oversees it. She believes that eating well is essential for recovery.”  

“I didn’t know that.”  

“She’s someone who doesn’t like to publicize her good deeds. From what I know, the cafeteria doesn’t generate any profit. She insists on using high-quality ingredients.”  

Minjun smiled warmly at the praise for his mother.  

“But what was it you wanted to ask me about…?”  

“Oh, Chairman. Do you remember my wife from seven years ago?”  

At the mention of Kyungseo, the director’s expression wavered slightly but quickly returned to normal.  

“Are you referring to Ms. Min Kyungseo?”  

“Yes. There was a time when she was very ill and came to the hospital. Do you remember that?”  

“Of course. I remember.”  

“You told me at the time that the test results showed no issues.”  

“Yes, I recall saying there were no abnormalities.”  

“Is there anything you didn’t tell me back then?”  

“No, I told you everything as it was. Is something bothering you?”  

“No, I just thought maybe Kyungseo might have asked you not to tell me something because she didn’t want me to worry.”  

Woo Jin-woo smiled and said,  

“No, that’s not the case. At the time, she had severe abdominal pain, so we conducted tests, but no issues were found. Has she been unwell since then?”  

Few people knew about Minjun’s marriage, and even fewer knew about his divorce. Minjun smiled and replied,  

“No, she’s fine.”  

“That’s a relief.”  

Minjun continued eating with a smile.  

After seeing Minjun off, Director Woo returned to his office and pulled out his phone to make a call.  

In a sunlit room, Ji-won was exercising on a Pilates machine under the guidance of a trainer. Despite being nearly seventy, her flexibility and tone made her appear much younger. Just then, the door to the exercise room opened, and Tae-sil entered. Approaching Ji-won, Tae-sil stood in front of her. Ji-won stopped her exercise and smiled softly, speaking to the trainer.  

“Let’s take a short break, shall we?”  

“Yes, Director.”  

As the trainer left, Tae-sil spoke.  

“Director Woo called. Chairman Han visited the hospital.”  

“Minjun? Is he unwell?”  

“No, but he asked about Ms. Min Kyungseo, who was hospitalized seven years ago.”  

At the mention of Kyungseo’s name, Ji-won’s expression turned cold.  

“He asked about Kyungseo?”  

“Yes. He inquired whether the test results from back then were accurate.”  

Ji-won, lost in thought for a moment, spoke.  

“Min Kyungseo… I need to find out what she’s doing and where she is.”  

“Understood.” 

“Also, give the traditional medicine clinic a heads-up.”  

“Yes.”  

“On your way out, let the trainer back in.”  

After Tae-sil left and the trainer returned, Ji-won smiled and said,  

“I can’t seem to get this movement right. I guess my age is showing in moments like this.”  

“Not at all. Among my clients, even those in their twenties, you’re far more flexible and strong. You look like you’re in your forties.”  

Ji-won laughed softly and said,  

“That’s not a bad thing to hear. Shall we continue?”  

Ji-won resumed her posture and continued exercising.  

***

The door to Hwain opened as Haejin and Kyungseo unloaded flowers from the truck. Today, they had to create the ordered frames, so there was quite a bit to unload. After unloading all the flowers, Haejin was the first to turn on the heater and boil water in the coffee pot. The sound of boiling water and the warm air provided a sense of comfort in the familiar space. While Haejin brewed coffee, Kyungseo began organizing the flowers. Without needing to say anything, the two, who had worked together for the past two years, moved in sync. As the aroma of coffee filled the shop, Haejin brought over two mugs.  

“Let’s have some coffee before we start.”  

Blowing on the steaming coffee, Kyungseo took a sip and smiled happily.  

“This is nice.”  

On days like this, she felt especially grateful for this small space filled with the scent of flowers and coffee. As she gazed fondly around the shop, her eyes landed on her friend. Feeling her gaze, Haejin looked back as if to ask what was going on.  

“What?”  

“What do you mean, what?”  

“Why are you looking at me with such a tender gaze? Are you trying to make my heart flutter?”  

At her friend’s teasing, Kyungseo smiled faintly and sipped her coffee. Just then, the shop phone rang. Glancing at the clock, Haejin tilted her head in curiosity and stood up.  

“Who could it be at this hour?”  

“Maybe it’s a customer placing an order.”  

“At this time?”  

Picking up the receiver, Haejin answered.  

“Hello, this is Hwain.”  

[Hello, this is Gallery Yeon. We’d like to order a frame made of flowers.]  

Haejin’s eyes widened, and she nodded toward Kyungseo.  

“Yes, that’s possible. When do you need it by?”  

[We have a gallery opening in a month. We’d like flower frames and interior decorations. Is that possible?]  

Haejin’s expression brightened.  

“Could you give me the exact date?”  

After hearing the date, Haejin checked their schedule and asked,  

“What size frames are you looking for?”  

Writing down the client’s specifications, she showed the notes to Kyungseo, who gave her an okay sign.  

“That’s doable. If you visit our website, there’s a reservation form. Please fill it out with the exact sizes, dates, and the type of design you’d like.”  

[Got it. Thank you.]  

“By the way, may I ask how you heard about Hwain?”  

[We were referred to you.]  

The caller only mentioned being referred. After ending the call, Haejin raised both arms in triumph.  

“Kyungseo! We’re seriously getting noticed! Someone just ordered frames for a gallery opening!”  

“A gallery?”  

“Yeah, it’s opening next month, and they want us to handle the frames and interior decorations!”  

“We need to hire someone quickly. Don’t we also have wedding orders?”  

“Yeah, weddings are steady starting in March. We’ve had a lot of resumes, but no one passed the interview. I hope we find someone good.”  

“We will.”  

“It feels like things are finally going well for us.”  

Haejin seemed excited. Patting her friend’s hand, Kyungseo finished her coffee and stood up.  

“Let’s get to work.”  

Kyungseo focused on organizing the flowers. Right now, work was the best thing for her. Keeping her body busy prevented unnecessary thoughts.  

***

There was a faint hint of spring in the air. Though it was still cold, there were days when it felt like spring was just around the corner. On one such unusually warm day, at Ji-won’s residence in Hannam-dong, the study door opened, and Tae-sil entered.  

“This is Ms. Min Kyungseo’s current status.”  

Ji-won removed her glasses and opened the tablet Tae-sil handed her. On the tablet was a photo of Kyungseo.  

“What’s she doing these days?”  

“She’s running a flower shop with a friend.”  

“A flower shop? In Korea?”  

“Yes. There’s something you should see.”  

As Tae-sil swiped through the tablet, a photo of Kyungseo working in Paragon’s lobby appeared. Ji-won’s eyes narrowed.  

“This… is Paragon?”  

“Yes. Do you remember the Unicorn frame at the Chairman’s inauguration?”  

Ji-won, rarely surprised, looked up at Tae-sil.  

“She made that?”  

“Yes. She’s currently supplying flowers to Paragon as well.”  

Ji-won’s elegant forehead wrinkled. She flipped through the tablet.  

“Has she met Minjun?”  

“There’s no indication that they’ve met. It seems the Chairman doesn’t know that Ms. Min Kyungseo works at Hwain.”  

Placing the tablet on the desk, Ji-won sighed.  

“How persistent….”