At the End of That Memory Chapter 31

“…We can’t do that here.”

I swallowed dry saliva without realizing it. I thought that if I let go of my tension just a little bit, he might eat me. Kwon Yido narrowed his eyes at my words, smiled, and then spoke softly.

“Why not?”

It was obvious he intentionally didn’t part his distance away from me. Every time he spoke, his lips brushed me and the pressure on my lower abdomen twisted. Even if I tried not to be conscious of the pheromones and body temperature radiating from him, I kept feeling naked.

“…”

Ah, I think I might have a boner by now.

As soon as that thought occurred to me, I pushed Kwon Yido away with one hand. Surprisingly, he quickly expanded his distance without much resistance. My lips still tingled, but I tried to calm his voice and pretend it was nothing.

“You’re not asking because you don’t know.”

What on earth are we doing in the car I received as a gift today? Even if it was just a romantic kiss, my consciousness couldn’t forgive me for going any further than that. If a little more time had passed, my resistance itself would have become paralyzed.

“I asked because I don’t know…Is there any reason not to do it?”

Kwon Yido still asked with a nonchalant expression. It seemed like he didn’t really know what the problem was, so I answered in a confused voice without realizing it.

“What are we doing in a new car?”

“It’s okay if it’s not a new car, then?”

“…”

My mouth was completely shut. It was because I thought for a moment that it would be really okay. As I awkwardly turned my gaze straight ahead, Kwon Yido’s gaze followed me persistently. It seemed like if I said anything more, I would be caught up in his pace.

“…The night view is pretty.”

So I finally got lucky, even though I thought it was a very awkward change of topic. Nevertheless, Kwon Yido let out a small chuckle as if he were taking a look. He leaned straight on the passenger seat and answered in a low voice.

“I know…It’s pretty.”

It was a pleasant tone. So much so that I even felt better when I listened to it.

“…”

I looked around at the distant scenery unfolding before my eyes. Underneath the long bridge and over the wide-spreading river, the city lights dimmed.

It was a scene so beautiful that it was heartbreaking, to say the least. The streetlights shining brightly looked like stars floating in the night sky. This wasn’t my first time seeing the night view. I had seen many better places and better scenes than this.

Actually, this was a place I wanted to visit ever since I was in college. In the summer, my classmates would go to the Han River and eat chicken and beer. It was never recommended to me, so I never went there with them. Of course, even if they had recommended it to me, my father probably wouldn’t have liked me walking around.

“How did you know about this place?”

Kwon Yido and the Han River. Was there a better combination than this? Kwon Yido was a person who was suited to looking out from the top floor of the Myeongseong Hotel, rather than watching the river from his car.

“I just happened to.”

It seemed like he had no intention of going into more detail. Did you come here with the person who asked you to come? I had that question, but I didn’t bother to check. Kwon Yido closed his mouth for a moment and then spoke slowly.

“There will soon be a ceremony to commemorate the founding of Seonho Group.”

Now that I think about it, I heard it on the news around this time every year. A commemorative event was held to celebrate the founding of the Seonho Group. Related affiliates also held various events to express their gratitude to customers. Until now, my father would usually attend these ceremonies alone.

“As always, we will make the event bigger this time. We will also invite people from other companies to promote friendship. Of course, I’ll be sending out invitations all over the place, and among them is Haeshin”

The word ‘Haeshin’ that came out of his mouth was extremely unfamiliar. I had deliberately avoided thinking about it, so it felt even more foreign. As I silently lowered my eyes, he spoke in a low voice.

“This means that Jung Sejin must also attend.”

“…”

Parts of it that I had been ignoring for a while came to mind. What happened with my father, the duties I had to fulfill, our unfinished marriage, and the relationship between us.

‘Seonho is trying to block the article.’

My father said that Kwon Yido was trying to hide the fact that he was engaged to me. He did not even provide compensation for the contract and unilaterally ignored the contract. However, when I told my father that I would try to negotiate directly, he reacted as if he did not want to.

“…I have one question.”

I mumbled and looked back at Kwon Yido. He tilted his head and turned his eyes to look at me. Even though the surroundings were dark, his dark eyes were clearly visible.

“I heard that you are not announcing the news of our engagement.”

If I attended the founding ceremony, I would inevitably encounter some faces. People who were anxious to make connections with Kwon Yido’s family or Seonho Group. Would my role there be that of a fiancé or something else? I needed to make that clear.

“May I ask why?”

Kwon Yido stared at me with his lips pursed for a moment. The straight gaze was truly Kwon Yido-like. Beneath the long shadow of the bridge of the nose, well-shaped lips slowly moved.

“Are you asking that as my fiancé, or as the eldest son of the Haeshin Group?”

“…”

For a moment, I was speechless. The reason I was his fiance was because, after all, I was the eldest son of the Haeshin Group. If the latter hadn’t been true, we wouldn’t have been in the car side by side.

“…Are the two different?”

“It’s different.”

He answered firmly and smiled. He added in a gentle tone as if he were talking to a child.

“I think it’s the latter, but I have no obligation to announce our engagement publicly.”

It wasn’t wrong. Whatever he did with the Omega that came into his hands, was a matter for Kwon Yido to decide. However, as soon as I heard that, I felt strange.

“There’s no need to tell people, right?”

What should I call this feeling? It felt like there was a small thorn stuck in my throat. The excitement gradually subsided, and in the end, my chest became cold. It was a change so sudden that even I couldn’t understand it, but Kwon Yido said with a slight rise of the corners of his mouth.

“It seems like you are asking from experience.”

It was a somewhat satisfying voice. As if he liked the fact that the way he was acting was unpleasant to me.

“Do you want to let people know that you’re engaged to me?”

I needed some time to think about the insinuating question. To announce my engagement to Kwon Yido. It might be helpful for the Haeshin, but it was clear that it would be a hassle for me. Even if I went to the founding ceremony, there was a big difference between those who were fiancés and those who were not.

“I prefer your comfort, Kwon Yido.”

Still, I gave the best answer, and his eyes narrowed. This time, his expression was that he didn’t like my answer. He closed his mouth for a moment, then nodded his head as if he was saying everything.

“I hope Jung Sejin is not uncomfortable.”

“…”

“There are probably a lot of people who are bothering Jung Sejin just because he quit as the Director. However, if the fact that you are engaged to me is announced, it will be more troublesome in many ways. Jung Sejin is not the type of person who enjoys that kind of attention, right?”

It was like he said. I wanted to be as inconspicuous and quiet as possible. I didn’t intentionally seek it, but I was sure there were a lot of rumors going around that the Director of Haeshin Group had quit. When people would see my face, many people would directly ask me why.

“It is enough to announce the engagement when Jung Sejin is free from all such situations.”

“…Are you saying it’s for my sake?”

“Well, I didn’t mean it that way.”

Kwon Yido laughed and said, “Isn’t that such a pretty way of phrasing it?” His side profile with his eyes quietly lowered seemed somehow self-mocking.

“This is just my greed.”

I think I heard something similar last time. Sitting side by side in the car like this.

“I don’t want to invest in something uncertain.”

I didn’t understand everything, but I thought he was anxious. Even though Kwon Yido, who wasn’t lacking in everything, had no reason to feel such negative emotions.

He quickly erased that expression and gave me a slanted look.

“Well…I think this is my answer.”

“… … .”

“Do I need further explanation?”

I shook my head slowly. If Kwon Yido was like that, I had no choice. Perhaps even during the founding ceremony, we should maintain a reasonable distance and pretend not to know each other. My father might be very dissatisfied, but at least he wouldn’t be able to act around as he pleases.

“I guess I’ll have to go to my parents’ house the day before.”

It would be better for me to meet his demands if I left with my family for the program. Since this was an event where many people would greet me, my clothes and hair would also need to be neatly set. Should I contact Chief Kim? Amid those thoughts, Kwon Yido answered firmly.

“There is no need for that.”

“… Yes?”

“I’ll take care of everything you need, so just leave from my house.”

It was an order, not a suggestion. He spoke in a characteristically stubborn tone, raised his eyebrows, and tilted his head.

“Reporters don’t know where Jung Sejin arrived from.”

Kwon Yido wasn’t wrong. They might be interested in the watch I wore and the car I used, but they probably wouldn’t be interested in where I started to come from. Even if I arrived separately from my family, it wasn’t a particularly strange situation.

“If you don’t want to attend, feel free to say so.”

“…”

“Jung Sejin has no obligations. You can do whatever you want.”

It couldn’t have been a very sweet story. I didn’t have to attend a headache-inducing and cumbersome event. Just imagining it was tempting. However, Kwon Yido had no right to give me indulgence.

“Kwon Yido’s fiancé can do that, but Haeshin Group’s eldest son can’t.”

“…”

“I will only accept it with gratitude.”

He squeezed his eyes crookedly. Nevertheless, he subtly twisted his lips as if he had nothing to say in response. Soon, Kwon Yido let out a soft breath and turned his gaze straight ahead again.

“…Okay, then.”

The night view crashing into the river was captured in his eyes. In the silence that fell, Kwon Yido remained silent. I stared at his face for a while and then slowly pursed my lips.

“They put lights in the greenhouse.”

He glanced at me. When his eyes moved, it was so mysterious and unrealistic.

“Next time, when you are not too busy…”

“…”

“Shall we have some tea there then?”

It was a leisure request, but to me, it was sincere. The garden was decorated with lights at his words, so I hoped for our harmony to last for a long time. Wouldn’t it be nice if we spent together once Kwon Yido would be free of his usual work hours?

“…I wish I could do that.”

But his vague answers never sounded positive. As I narrowed my eyes at that subtle nuance, he immediately looked at me and asked.

“Jung Sejin, is there anything you want to do?”

“…what do I want to do?”

What I wanted to do… He asked me what I wanted so far, and this time it was a different question. I couldn’t follow the flow of thoughts and let out a faint laugh.

“Well…in terms of career?”

“Not a lie like that…”

Kwon Yido, who accepted it lightly, frowned. It was a playful expression.

“Something like a hobby…Whether it’s horseback riding, racing, or just sailing a yacht. If there’s anything you want to do, please do tell.”

“…Hmm.”

This was more difficult than the item I wanted to have. I thought of what Mijae did as an example, but I never once thought it would be fun.

As I was unable to answer for a long time, Kwon Yido softened his voice.

“I told you last time. Jung Sejin, I am not imprisoning you.”

That was what he said the day when he lent me his car. These were the words that came to mind when I saw the open road. He said this in a generous tone.

“It’s okay to go out when you want to.”

“…”

I knew it. He didn’t mean it in a bad way. However, even so, he did it because his consciousness was pricked.

“…You always ask difficult questions.”

Even if he opened the door, I couldn’t get out. Unless I had the rank of the Director, I had no excuse or reason to do so. I could quietly stay at home and read a book or take a walk in the garden.

“Are you giving me another week this time?”

As I asked with a faint smile, Kwon Yido’s expression became subtle. He narrowed his eyes and tapped the hand on his thigh. He asked slowly as if he was lost in thought.

“How about making perfume?”

“…Perfume?”

It was an awkward but familiar word. Kwon Yido made eye contact with me and nodded his head.

“You said you wanted to become a perfumer…”

“…”

“So I am thinking, why not try something similar?”

I couldn’t answer right away and kept my mouth shut. It wasn’t a big reason, but as soon as I heard that, I thought, ‘This will be fun.‘ He must have sensed that moment of hesitation, and raised the corners of his mouth.

“I guess it was the right answer.”

He must be a very perceptive person. I was not the type to show off my facial expressions that much.

“If you want to do it, you should do it.”

What would I do? I couldn’t ask that question. This was because Kwon Yido, who was immediately seated in his seat belt, frowned as he checked the time. Then the conversation ended in an instant.

“It’s late, let’s go back.”

“… ”

I silently swallowed the words that rose to my throat. I noticed the night view that we would soon have to part ways with. It was still a beautiful scenery that made my heart swell, but it felt like I had become very used to it in that short period. It was my first time here, but I thought it was nice to see it after such a long time.

* * *

The date changed quickly. Kwon Yido was still busy, and the number of times I saw his face decreased significantly. As I always did, I spent my days without much trouble, and occasionally I would look at the study with the light on from afar. It was a repeat of a sleepless night, but fortunately, I didn’t have any nightmares, so I was able to endure it.

The marks he had left on me were now almost gone. The soreness on my cheeks had all subsided, and the inside of my mouth was completely healed. As if the events of that day were a dream, there was no trace left to remember the past.

During that long time, there was no contact from home. There was a ceremony to celebrate the founding of Seonho Group on Friday, but they didn’t even tell me about it. Did he think Kwon Yido would tell me, or did he decide that he wasn’t worth that much to me anymore? Either way, it was irresponsible behavior.

“Security…Do you mean that?”

On the day of the founding ceremony, Lee Taeseong followed me to the greenhouse as usual and told me various things about today’s schedule. For example, Kwon Yido prepared clothes for me to wear. Not only the car and driver but also the bodyguards were carefully taken care of. The fact he was one of the bodyguards himself.

“Yes, there will be a few more people, but I will be there as well.”

“Well, as well…”

Whenever I attended events as the Director, Chief Kim was always with me. It’d been that way since I was very young, so I wasn’t uncomfortable with someone following me like a shadow. However, I thought there was something awkward and unfamiliar about Lee Taeseong playing that role.

“You’re having a hard time.”

He was busy here and there too. I couldn’t believe he was being called to work like this instead of being a respectable boss. When I said that, Lee Taeseong made a subtle expression.

“…No.”

The answer that came out slowly was quite awkward. Normally, there would have been a hint of irritation behind his characteristic expressionless expression. If I looked at it, it didn’t seem that bothersome at all.

“Do you receive special allowances?”

“…”

I said it as if it were a joke, but Lee Taeseong pursed his lips. He was not really good at hiding anything. The silence that continued was almost like an affirmation, so I started laughing without realizing it.

“It’s a workplace with good welfare.”