From Divorce to Dusk Chapter 6.1

“Oh my, you’re here?!”

The lady who was cleaning the house threw down her vacuum cleaner and ran over as Jaekyung entered. Seeing her welcoming face made Jaekyung feel so glad that only then did he manage a smile. The moment he stepped out of the car and saw this house, his first thought had been,

‘This isn’t my home.’ 

Even though this house was indeed his, it was difficult to step inside readily. It felt like an existence similar to Han Taesuk, who was standing awkwardly beside him. However, since this was currently the only place to avoid the rain and snow, he had walked in with heavy steps, and he felt a sense of relief that there was someone there to greet him.

As Jaekyung took off his shoes and entered, the lady quickly reached out to support him. Although he said he was fine, she insisted on helping him, and feeling grateful, he ended up leaning on her even more. After lying Jaekyung down on the bed and tucking him in tightly with the blanket, the lady looked at the completely haggard Jaekyung with pity for a long time before asking if there was anything he wanted to eat.

Jaekyung said he wanted to eat the beef porridge she used to make, and she jumped up and hurried to the kitchen to make the porridge.

「Then, please rest.」

The lady and Secretary Oh smiled as they closed the door, let out a sigh immediately after. Then, they pointlessly resented the stairs to the second floor. They had clearly entered together, but Han Taesuk had disappeared at some point. He had surely gone to the second floor. Secretary Oh huffed and entered the study on the second floor. Sure enough, Han Taesuk was working on his laptop.

He wanted to say something, but the reason he couldn’t was that Han Taesuk’s gaze was ominous. He couldn’t stand the fact that his schedule was being delayed bit by bit because of Park Jaekyung’s business. Thinking that if it were delayed any further, that arrow of blame might fly toward Park Jaekyung, Secretary Oh bit his lip hard and left, closing the door. They were a truly difficult couple.

◆

“How is it?”

The man, who had waited tensely until Jaekyung took a bite, asked cautiously. The paella, which he was eating for the first time in a long while, was both salty and sweet, and very delicious.

“It’s delicious.”

When Jaekyung spoke with a smile as if truly satisfied, only then did Haeshin let out a sigh of relief and take a bite himself.

“This shop is wonderful, isn’t it?”

Jaekyung asked while looking around here and there.

“It’s a shop that moved in when this building was newly constructed this time. I tried eating here once and it was delicious, so it stayed in my memory.”

“With your team members?”

“Ah, no. A blind—”

He stops speaking while helping himself to the paella. I know what his next words are. It must be the word ‘blind date’. He is at that age, and even if he’s a recessive, he is an Alpha, and he does his job well, so he is a man with a future; therefore, he probably gets many offers for blind dates here and there. That was a natural thing. However, if only he hadn’t stopped as if he had made a mistake while speaking, Jaekyung would have responded naturally and continued the conversation. But he cut his words short, and the atmosphere instantly became awkward.

While Jaekyung was contemplating what to do, his eyes caught a poem written on a small notice board placed on the table. It was a poem from a collection he used to see often when he was in that house. Oh no, is this going to bring back even worse memories? Jaekyung closed off his own mind and chose to speak in a way that just leaned into the awkwardness.

“Mr. Haeshin, you aren’t married yet.”

“…Ah, yes.”

“So, did that blind date go well?”

“No, we parted ways after meeting that day.”

“I suppose it wasn’t meant to be. You will meet someone better.”

“The team… leader too.”

He muttered in a small voice. Jaekyung smiled bitterly. Yes, people who weren’t meant to be met and had such a hard time. And in the end, everything returned to its original place. That man probably feels a sense of great relief just like I do.

“That’s true. I hope this time, I truly meet my match.”

Jaekyung smiled faintly while taking a sip of sangria.

◆

I thought there would be nothing to talk about, but once the floodgates were opened, several hours flew by even though we only talked about each other’s interests. At the words of the waiter saying they had to close the shop, Haeshin and Jaekyung stood up with a burst of laughter. The time was already 11:00 PM. In that ambiguous time that could be considered late or not, a fairly chilly wind brushed against Jaekyung’s body as they stepped out of the building. Well then, I suppose we should part ways here.

“Mr. Haeshin, thank you for today.”

“Ah, I will take you home.” “Pardon?”

After telling him to wait a moment while looking shy, he scurried back into the building. And a few minutes later, a small SUV stopped in front of Jaekyung and the window opened.

“Get in.”

He spoke while still looking shy.

“Mr. Haeshin, where is your house?”

“Ah, I am in Mok-dong.”

“Then I am in the opposite direction. I can just take a taxi. Go on by yourself.”

“No. I have a car so I can go comfortably, but you don’t, Team Leader.”

“What could be as tiring as driving… I’m fine.”

“I’m asking you as a favor.”

Haeshin didn’t seem to have any intention of backing down at all. Jaekyung felt it would be impolite to refuse when he was insisting this much, so he opened the passenger door and sat down.

“Then, excuse me.”

“The inside of the car is a bit messy, but please bear with it.”

“It’s quite clean. Really.”

After seeing that Jaekyung had buckled his seatbelt, he started the car. Perhaps because it was night, the road was deserted. Even so, the way he drove at a moderate speed without rushing suited the owner of the car.

“Did you always have a car?”

“No. I bought it recently. I thought I should have a car since I’m having more meetings.”

“I see.”

“What about you, Team Leader?”

“I don’t even have a driver’s license yet. But I plan to get one within this year. I want to buy a car, too.”

“If you get your driver’s license, I’ll give you driving lessons. Believe it or not, I’m the best driver among my team members.”

“Wow, then I’ll count on you.”

Since it was a polite remark, I should accept it politely. When Jaekyung smiled and replied positively, Haeshin turned his gaze away with a shy face. Although the traffic was slightly congested in Jongno, they arrived home before 12:00. Stopping the car in front of the villa, Jaekyung said thank you and unfastened his seatbelt. At that, Haeshin, who was in the driver’s seat, quickly got out of the car and opened the passenger door for him. There’s no need to go this far… Just as he was starting to feel a bit burdened, the man took a step back.

“Get home safely.”

“Yes, see you next time.”

“Ah, I will go to the gallery opening ceremony.”

“I’ll be waiting. Thank you so much for today.” “Next time too….”

Haeshin kept the words inside his mouth and muttered to himself. Jaekyung caught that sound and looked at him. Then, he gulped hard and spoke out loud to Jaekyung with a face that had squeezed out every bit of courage.

“I would like to have a meal with you next time as well, Team Leader.”

Ah, I realized the reason why it felt strangely burdensome. Jaekyung thought of himself as a total fool. He knew that this man had felt an attraction toward him before. He thought that because a long time had passed, it wouldn’t be the case now, and he realized that might have been a mistake.

“Ah, um… look here, Mr. Haeshin, I… right now….”

Since his connection with that person hadn’t completely ended yet, it was too early to make a new start. He intended to meet a new person or look for a new connection only after things were completely settled. He thought that was the polite thing to do for the other person—Haeshin. Therefore, he had to refuse for now.

“I know. I’m aware. I just have a desire to eat a meal with you, Team Leader… nothing more than that. I won’t be greedy.”

Where did the man go who was acting bashful and embarrassed until just a moment ago? Once he made up his mind, it seemed courage welled up, as he spoke while looking straight into Jaekyung’s eyes. Seeing Jaekyung unable to say anything and just smiling bitterly, Haeshin became flustered.

“I didn’t mean to put you in a difficult position. I’m sorry.” “I’m the one who’s sorry. We can have a meal together anytime.”

At the word meal ‘only’, Haeshin relaxed his body slightly. Then, he scratched his hair and wore a good-natured smile.

“Thank you. I’m happy with just that.”

Watching his retreating figure as he bowed and said he would be going now, then quickly hopped into the car and drove off, Jaekyung felt sorry. He was simply grateful that someone could look kindly upon his insignificant self and feel an attraction. However, because there were still many shackles hanging on his feet and arms, he didn’t want to think about anything else. At least for right now.