Speak of The Devil Chapter 30

The next day, Jaeoh went to work. It was around that time that I, who had finally fallen asleep, slept through the morning. When I woke up, it was around one in the afternoon.

My daily routine had gone haywire in an instant. After waking up late, I checked my phone. It had become a habit. Jaeoh had contacted me several times. He asked if I woke up well, if I had breakfast.

Now, even the concern annoyed me. Was it because of the wretched night, or was it because my judgment was distorted due to my agonizing emotions? I couldn’t even accept Jaeoh’s concern graciously.

I knew it would be better to do something, anything. Having too much free time seemed to make me more miserable. Yesterday, I was fine during the day, but today, my mood was bad from the moment I woke up.

However, with no special skills, what could I do right now? I aimlessly left my house after washing up, but I had nowhere to go, so I ended up heading to an internet cafe.

I logged into the game I played yesterday. As expected, my skills were terrible, and I lost several rounds. I received a barrage of insults. Even bastards who took care to ask about my deceased parents were plentiful, but I didn’t feel any anger. I was just indifferent.

But with nothing else to do, I spent several hours in the internet cafe. I should eat something, but I had no appetite. In the meantime, my stomach seemed a bit hungry.

When I was contemplating whether to have some ramen at the PC bang, I received a phone call. It wasn’t Jaeoh’s call, which I had ignored with reassurances that I was fine. This time, it was Taehun’s call, after brushing off Siwoo’s contact.

I didn’t refuse Taehun’s suggestion to have dinner, as meeting someone other than Jaeoh or Siwoo seemed preferable. We met at a decent Japanese restaurant. Thanks to someone who claimed not to like fish, I rarely encountered this type of restaurant.

“Hey, Lee Nan.”

The guy who arrived first greeted me. Taehun worked as an assistant director at a broadcasting company. I knew he often worked overtime, but it seemed he had some free time nowadays. He still enjoyed drinking whenever he had spare time, just like when he was an office worker.

“What’s up?”

I asked abruptly as I sat down. Unintentionally, my tone was sharper than usual. However, Taehun didn’t mind.

“Nothing special.”

“What?”

“It’s been a while since the two of us had a meal together, right? I thought you were free, so I called you.”

Since when had we been eating together, just the two of us? I didn’t say a word.

“Just, Jaeoh was worried. He said your taste has gone bad.”

The moment I heard that, I felt like I was drowning in Seo Jaeoh’s vast generosity. Without saying anything more, I stood up from my seat. However, Taehun stopped me as I tried to leave.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey. Hold on, hold on. What? There’s no need to go out. Let’s have a drink. There’s no place to go like this.”

“You don’t have to worry about it. Tell Seo Jaeoh that too.”

“Got it, got it. But still, since you came out today, be my dinner companion at least. That guy’s stubborn. Can’t you see that?”

Rather reluctantly, I looked at the guy holding onto me and eventually sat back down. With an exaggerated sigh of relief, he ordered sushi and sake. I didn’t refuse the glass he filled for me and drank it.

“Still, isn’t Jaeoh commendable? Being a concierge is not something ordinary, but seeing him work so hard.”

Watching the guy praising Seo Jaeoh as if he were bragging about his own child, I couldn’t help but smirk. Of course, it was fortunate for me that Jaeoh was taking care of me in front of others. If Jaeoh were negligent even in work and acted annoyingly towards me, it would be even more irritating.

Anyway, Taehun was more comfortable than Siwoo. He didn’t unnecessarily pretend to know about my work and skillfully led the conversation. While enjoying sashimi and sake, we continued with casual talk.

Taehun, who worked at the broadcasting station, always had endless topics for conversation. Despite not being interested in celebrities, backstage stories that only insiders could know were intriguing. There wasn’t a melodrama like that. Despite repeatedly urging to keep it a secret, I listened to Taehun’s words without thinking and laughed, sipping on my drink.

“Isn’t it hilarious?”

“Yeah. How do you even work after seeing all that?”

“Well, work is work. It’s not like I’m personally involved with them. If I extract the content skillfully, that’s all.”

“Simple and nice.”

At least, it was more enjoyable than the time spent playing games alone. As I chuckled, Taehun refilled my glass again. Despite having drunk a lot already, I didn’t refuse and poured the alcohol into my mouth.

“It seems like you’ve lost some weight during that time.”

Suddenly, I felt Taehun’s gaze persistently on me. The gaze that stared at my swaying Adam’s apple, my squinted eyes facing the smiling guy… It felt sticky.

“So maybe that’s why you look damn sexy.”

It was a surprising comment. It seemed like this guy might have taken some drugs.

“What’s your motive?”

“Motive? Come on, don’t be so suspicious.”

“You like Jaeoh, don’t you.”

At my blunt remark, the face that had been smiling gently froze for a moment. He quickly managed his expression, pretending to laugh nonchalantly, but it was already futile.

“What are you talking about?”

“I may not care about others’ business, but I’m not stupid.”

Despite claiming to enjoy drinking sessions, I was well aware that if Jaeoh suggested meeting, he would make time even from a busy schedule. Moreover, the unexpected contact today was probably due to “Jaeoh’s concern.”

“I rejected Jaeoh. There’s no hope for us, so stop bothering around unnecessarily. Go catch him without a reason.”

“If the emotions entwined between us were so easily resolved, we would have sorted it out a long time ago. It’s not like I have fervent feelings to that extent.”

Indeed. I decided to put an end to my feelings for Jung Yiyeon, and it wasn’t like I could love Jaeoh. What right did I have to comment on others’ emotions? As Taehun said, our relationship had been long, and it was as complex as the extended period filled with various emotions.

“Well, that’s my business from now on.”

Taehun regained his mischievous smile from before.

“I want to do it with you now.”

“Why? Do you also want to experience Jaeoh’s technique? But what can you do? I don’t find you appealing.”

“Why worry about whether you find me appealing or not.”

He said provocatively.

“I’m curious about your backside.”

Oh, this guy, he’s making his move. Come to think of it, I never had a drink with Taehun before. There was definitely a reason for that. I chuckled and kindly smiled at him.

“I dislike you because you’re ugly.”

With my words, Taehun’s face, which was filled with shock, opened wide. Seeing the laughter evaporate, I felt refreshed. I filled my glass with a relaxed smile, emptied it again.

“Wow, you.”

Taehun’s face quickly turned red. It was a funny sight, but not cute at all. Anyhow, the type that makes me feel lustful was certainly not him.

“I’ve never heard anyone say I’m ugly with my head shaved!”

“Were there only angels around you?”

“Are you the devil?”

Grumbling, Taehun glared at me. Why not come at me, attack me. I chuckled. Only then did I realize that the alcohol had significantly kicked in.

“Want to hear something hilarious?”

“What is it? Is it as funny as saying I’m ugly?”

It was an even funnier story.

“Some idiot said they caught a contagious disease of kindness and devotion from me.”

“Crazy bastard! No, you guys are the crazy ones. Who did you deceive so perfectly?”

That statement was the answer. Jung Yiyeon wasn’t the crazy one; I was the one who went crazy for Jung Yiyeon. I, who used to hear harsh words from others, had become a considerate and devoted secretary. It wasn’t because someone told me to, not for work, but simply because I wanted to.

To suppress the emotions welling up inside me, I downed the drink Taehun had filled for me. Thoughts of Jung Yiyeon resurfaced, making it impossible for me to avoid drinking.

Taehun, who had been observing me with a strange look, asked, “Did you sleep with your secret crush?”

“Nonsense.”

“No, you definitely did. The atmosphere.”

“Drop it. Don’t ask, and don’t assume.”

“No, the atmosphere is peculiar. A really awkward atmosphere.”

“Wanna see a photo of Jaeoh? Should I send it to you?”

“Hey!”

Why are you whining? I coldly mocked the guy, whose face twisted, and ordered another bottle of alcohol.

Then, suddenly, with his ears turning red, Taehun asked, “Hmm. Do you have a picture of Jaeoh?”

…Ah, does someone like this really exist?

Why does a person’s heart flow in only one direction? Why can’t it become mutual, with me liking Jung Yiyeon, Jaeoh liking me, and Taehun liking Jaeoh? If the arrows between Jung Yiyeon and me, Jaeoh and Taehun, pointed toward each other, everyone could be happy.

Observing couples in love, those who eventually get married are truly admirable. Beyond sharing similar feelings and bodies, living together for decades is something else.

“Well then.”

I took out my wallet and showed Taehun Jaeoh’s proof-of-identity photo. It was a picture Jaeoh had given me some time ago.