Actually, It’s a Messy Melodrama Chapter 83

Even the moment when Cha Haeshin was stuffing his face with cake after his father died following a lifetime of suffering from his violence was not the peak of misfortune in his life. That fact was so wretched that it felt painful, as if the flesh was falling off his body piece by piece.

“Mr. President, that is why I really hate cake. I truly hated it.”

“Then why…”

“But Mr. President, do you know how joyfully I picked out this cake today?”

However, when Haeshin began to talk about the next chapter of his life—today, which he finally faced after dying and dying and dying again several times at the hands of the same person—his voice was not as sorrowful or despairing as before.

“I kept thinking about whether Mr. President would find it delicious, whether you would like it, and how I hoped you would like it. Not for the sake of my own feelings, but because I really wanted you to enjoy it. I wasn’t thinking about my misfortune associated with cake at all.”

Taejun thought. This was foul play. He already loved Cha Haeshin, and he had already accepted his own heart with the intent to love him with all his might, so wasn’t it too much to ask him to love him even more?

“Thanks to Mr. President, the cake I bought after my dad died is no longer the only cake I’ve bought with my own money, and the cake I ate with Jin Youngmin is no longer the last cake I’ll ever eat in my life.”

Having said that much, Haeshin took another big bite of the peach-topped cake and smiled brightly.

“Mr. President, you might not know what this means to me… but thank you anyway. I feel like I’ve been born again today.”

Still, nothing had been resolved, and Cha Haeshin was still living a life where he didn’t know when he might die at the hands of Jin Youngmin. Nevertheless, Cha Haeshin smiled, saying he felt like he had been born again over a mere piece of cake.

“And thank you for assigning bodyguards for me, too!”

The added remark was playful. Taejun could clearly feel Haeshin’s desire for him not to take this gratitude too heavily.

Taejun spoke in a light voice so that Haeshin’s efforts wouldn’t be in vain.

“There’s a cake I like.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll buy it for you next time. I’m not sure if it’ll suit your taste, though.”

To think it was a cake that the great Han Taejun liked. It was bound to be an incredibly expensive and grand cake, yet Taejun said he wasn’t sure if it would suit Haeshin’s taste. It was Taejun’s natural consideration for Haeshin.

Haeshin nodded with a look of great anticipation.

“Wow, I’m really curious and looking forward to it.”

“From now on, cake will only remain as a delicious and happy memory in your life. I promise you.”

“…Yes. I’ll look forward to that, too.”

Today, with this memory alone, Haeshin felt as though he had swept away his long-standing misfortune, but he did not bother to refuse Taejun’s kindness.

Haeshin was a person who always dreamed of a better future, and a person who would never be broken.

☂️

“You’re going to see your mother tomorrow?”

Taejun, who had followed him all the way to the kitchen and was watching Haeshin put the remaining cake away in the refrigerator, asked back. Haeshin answered weakly.

“Yes. But… I’m a little nervous. To be honest, I’m not sure how I should face Mom.”

“Right. I understand.”

Taejun nodded with an equally serious face. It was only natural considering the tragedy of the previous loop. Honestly, even the fact that Haeshin had decided to meet his mother this quickly was impressive.

“I wish I had a little more time to prepare, but that’s just not feasible.”

“True. You’re right.”

Taejun enthusiastically agreed with Haeshin’s words. Everything Haeshin said was absolutely right.

Normally, Taejun would have advised him to take a bit more time to compose himself.

He hadn’t even had time to heal from the terrible wounds he received last time; what if his trauma deepened by facing his mother prematurely? Haeshin was already a person living with all sorts of scars.

But as Haeshin said, there was no time. His mother had to be treated for her illness as soon as possible. The situation did not allow for the examination to be postponed day after day for the sake of emotional wounds.

“This isn’t the time to be acting weak.”

Haeshin muttered, leaning against the refrigerator door with a gloomy expression. He was clearly feeling pathetic about himself.

Taejun knew what Cha Haeshin was thinking without even asking. His mother’s life was in immediate danger, yet he was frustrated with himself for hesitating because of mere memories that had already become non-existent events.

And Taejun, of course, could not agree with that thought. Stepping closer to Haeshin, Taejun looked him straight in the eyes and spoke.

“No. This is exactly the time for you to act like that.”

“Eh…?”

“You’re not being weak; it’s only right that you’re scared and hesitant. Cha Haeshin, you experienced your mother’s death just a few days ago, and you even died yourself. Multiple times.”

“But…”

“No one can take a situation like that for granted. Just because you’ve returned to the past doesn’t mean the things you went through have truly vanished without a trace.”

Taejun’s voice was firmer than ever. Only then did Haeshin realize one fact that was obvious but he hadn’t realized himself.

“Cha Haeshin, it’s okay for you to be in pain.”

Ah, I’m allowed to be in pain.

“It’s okay to be terrified and afraid. It’s only natural to want to run away.”

I’m allowed to say I’m terrified, that I’m afraid, and that I want to run away.

“Don’t blame yourself. And don’t push yourself so hard, either.”

Because Han Taejun is here, I can finally say things like that.

“You’ve done excessively well.”

“…Yes. You’re right. I’ve done well.”

Haeshin answered, finally feeling the suffocating weight in his chest clear away. Only after hearing that it was okay to be scared and okay to run away did Haeshin find the courage to think he could do it.

“And I’ll continue to do well.”

“I’m sure you will.”

Taejun responded playfully with a smile, and Haeshin mimicked his smile. The courage that felt as though it had been depleted began to well up again.

He had endured even when he couldn’t receive anyone’s help. But now, Cha Haeshin had Han Taejun.

There was someone who would let him run away if he said he wanted to, and someone who would willingly step forward in his place if he said he was afraid. Haeshin was no longer alone.

“Still, if you want…”

It was at that moment that Taejun’s voice became somewhat cautious. Wondering what he was about to say, Haeshin held his breath as well. Taejun continued.

“I could go with you.”

For a moment, Haeshin tilted his head with a blank expression. It was because he didn’t understand the meaning of Taejun’s words right away.

“I mean when you go to see your mother. I can go with you.”

Taejun kindly added an explanation. At that moment, Haeshin burst into a loud laugh, Puhat! Taejun’s brow furrowed sharply.

“What. Why are you laughing?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“Are you laughing at me right now?”

“No, no. Not at all.”

Even as Haeshin waved his hands in denial, he couldn’t easily stop laughing. Taejun’s head tilted crookedly. He himself thought it was a bit of a stretch, but because Cha Haeshin was laughing so much, his feelings were a bit hurt.

“It’s really not like that. How could I laugh at Mr. President? It’s just, it’s just…”

“Just, what.”

“It’s just that Mr. President is so… how should I put it…”

“Speak clearly.”

“Because you were so cute…”

Thump.

At that moment, Taejun heard a sound like the world was collapsing somewhere in his ears. No, listening again, it was the sound of his own heart dropping to the floor.

His ears went numb, and for a moment, all thought stopped. It felt as if his soul had actually left his body. After dropping such a massive bomb on Taejun, Cha Haeshin continued speaking with a face that didn’t show a hint of guilt.

“I’m sorry, that was presumptuous of me. But the way you’re trying to look out for me… yes… honestly, it was a little cute.”

“Ah, uh… hmm…?”

“And I was touched, too. I’m okay. I gained courage because Mr. President said that.”

“Right. Well, that’s a relief then…”

Taejun agreed with an ambiguous feeling.

It was good that Haeshin gained courage from his words, but he was dissatisfied because it seemed Haeshin didn’t take the offer to visit his mother together seriously. Yet, he couldn’t say “I really want to go greet your mother” because that felt like he was being too much.

“I’m really fine with going together, so if you change your mind even tomorrow, let me know.”

“Yes. I will. Thank you.”

Taejun timidly tried to appeal his feelings again, but seeing him answer so readily, it seemed Haeshin still didn’t take it seriously. Then again, it wouldn’t be easy to think someone would truly want to meet a total stranger’s mother.

Taejun soothed his somehow disappointed heart and brought up another topic, acting as if it were no big deal.

“Ah, and when you go tomorrow, make sure to go with Ingyu.”

“Uh… is that okay?”

“That’s what he was hired for, so don’t move around alone anywhere from now on. It’s for your safety, so even if it’s uncomfortable, bear with it a little.”

“Why would I be uncomfortable? If anything, it’ll be convenient.”

“I’m glad to hear that then.”

Suddenly, the thought that another man would be with him in a place where he himself couldn’t go made him feel like something was wrong, but there was nothing he could do for now. It wasn’t like the guy was meeting the mother directly. Taejun tried his best to pull himself together from his bitter feelings.

Actually, in order to prevent an incident like the last one from happening again, he eventually had to meet Cha Haeshin’s mother. Since he knew to what extent the mother could tear Cha Haeshin down, protecting him was also Taejun’s responsibility.

How could he wedge himself between Cha Haeshin and his mother in a way that wouldn’t be burdensome for either of them? Chewing over this newly emerged concern, Taejun spoke toward Haeshin.

“Make sure to contact me before you leave.”

“Yes.”

“I have a bit of work left. You go ahead and wash up and rest.”

As much as he wanted to spend more time with Haeshin, unfortunately, there was work left to handle today. It was also the penalty for rushing home early because he wanted to see Cha Haeshin sooner.

“You’re busy. If you happen to be hungry later, please let me know. I’ll prepare a snack for you.”

“Alright.”

Leaving his lingering regret behind, Taejun turned around. By nature, a mature and capable chaebol CEO should be able to work even with the object of his unrequited love right in front of him.