Chapter 22
Hyun-oh’s voice was affectionate, making Sua’s mind even more unsettled. Because of his melting voice, her thoughts momentarily scattered.
He misses me.
He misses me… Me?
The sudden words were so unexpected that Sua almost dropped the phone she was holding.
“Me? Why?”
He was a kind man, but she had never heard such sweet words from him.
“Why? You’ve changed too, haven’t you? Can’t I change too?”
There was nothing she could do, but as Sua hesitated, the man on the other end of the phone whispered in a low voice.
“We promised to do our best for three months.”
Three months to reconsider divorce. During that time, they wanted to live as a normal couple, to show that they could be a proper couple.
His voice calmly explained the reasoning behind the vow.
Is it sincere?
She couldn’t tell if it was genuine or not, but her clueless heart raced.
Sua remained silent, holding the phone without saying a word.
Is it because of her mood? The phone felt hot. She didn’t know what to reply.
“Sua?”
At the man’s questioning tone, Sua hurriedly opened her mouth.
“Yes, I’m here.”
“You said you’re at Pyeongchang Citizens Park, right? I’ll come to pick you up there.”
“I’ll go there myself.”
“No, I’ll come.”
It won’t take long. His voice sounded gently.
—
Sua didn’t respond to Hyun-oh’s prompt offer to pick her up. She only let out a faint sigh.
She neither affirmed nor denied it.
If it had been the usual Hyun-oh, he would have asked about her preference instead of stating, “I’ll pick you up.” He would have said, “Shall I pick you up?”
If it had been the usual Sua, she would have said, “It’s okay. I can go home by myself.”
But things couldn’t go back to the way they used to be.
As Hyun-oh looked out of the company elevator, the view outside quickly passed by. Even though Sua wouldn’t be visible at the “Pyeongchang Citizens Park” from here, he couldn’t take his eyes off it. Standing beside him, the manager who had been there asked again.
“Sir?”
“What did you say?”
Lost in his thoughts, Hyun-oh turned his head towards the manager.
“I was wondering if there’s something wrong, sir.”
“….”
“You’ve been acting strange for the past few days.”
Manager Lee Jaehoon.
He and Hyun-oh had a special relationship as friends who attended the same university. Lee Jaehoon, the manager of the CEO’s office at PY Chemicals, was Hyun-oh’s right-hand man.
More than just a secretary, he was a comrade who shared ups and downs. Sometimes, Hyun-oh felt like he knew more about him than himself.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
At Jaehoon’s sharp question, Hyun-oh raised an eyebrow.
“It’s okay. I’ve been tired lately, that’s all.”
He pressed his finger against his eyes. He had been sleep-deprived.
“You’ve been working hard on weekends and overtime, but since you’re leaving, I’ll go in, sir.”
At Hyun-oh’s tired words, Manager Lee Jaehoon nodded.
Business was going smoothly. PY Chemicals, which was originally ranked fourth in the industry, rose to second place as Hyun-oh became the head of the headquarters, following his promotion from the branch manager. At this rate, becoming the number one in the industry wasn’t just a dream.
The recent contract in China was not only successful, but also the new cosmetics brand with a unique and sharp sense was gaining immense popularity, with sales constantly increasing.
Thanks to that, Hyun-oh’s position at PY was becoming more solid. Compared to before, where he was seen as a failure, now he was being compared with his current self.
So he should be happy, but he couldn’t sleep.
Everything was about Sua.
The world was full of Sua.
Driving away the secretary and the driver, Hyun-oh drove his own black sedan to Pyeongchang Citizens Park. When he entered the park after parking, Sua sitting quietly on a bench came into view.
The early summer sunlight scattered on her fair skin. Her slender neck caught his eye. The same place his lips had touched yesterday.
He swallowed dry saliva.
It was unfamiliar to see him with desire-filled eyes. He wanted to rush to her on this sunny day and bury his nose in her fragrant neck.
Until now, he tried not to think like that. No, he shouldn’t think like that. Ever since he saw her crying in his arms during their honeymoon, he had been suppressing this desire.
The breeze tousled Sua’s hair.
“Ah.”
Frustrated, Sua slightly furrowed her brows and brushed her bangs aside. Then, she met eyes with Hyun-oh, who was standing behind her.
His black pupils twinkled.
Her lips, which had once decided on divorce, trembled.
“Mr. Hyun-oh.”
How should I address him from now on?
Since childhood, Sua had always called him “Oppa.” However, after marriage, she called him “Mr. Hyun-oh,” using a more formal honorific than usual. She didn’t like calling him “Oppa,” but she also didn’t like the term “Mr. Hyun-oh,” which felt like addressing a business associate.
“You’re here?”
Hyun-oh nodded in response to her question.
“What were you doing here?”
“Oh… I came out briefly with Chaeyoung for lunch. Is it okay for Mr. Hyun-oh to be out during the day?”
Hyun-oh’s lips twisted at the implied meaning of whether he could leave work early.
“I left early because I finished my work.”
Should I tell her I left early because I wanted to see her?
If he said that, Sua would probably react with surprise and hold her breath, just like when he called her earlier. He had only said “I miss you” over the phone, but she had reacted with such surprise. How would she react this time?
He wanted to see her surprised face.
That mischievous impulse took over him.
He used to just want to protect Sua because he felt sorry for her. It was almost like sympathy.
But gradually, it became more and more strange. He wanted to see her troubled and struggling face. He couldn’t control himself. It was definitely crazy. Leaving work at this time was really unlike him.
“I left work early because everything was finished.”
As he forced himself to control his impulse, Sua nodded.
“I see. Do you want to go home?”
“No.”
If they went home and were alone together, a dangerous situation could arise. Like yesterday when he had her lying on the table and kissed her roughly.
But the time given to him was three months. He couldn’t stop Sua’s footsteps just because he wanted her.
Hyun-oh raised his eyebrows with a relaxed expression.
“Let’s take a walk, have a meal, and then go back.”
Sua looked at him quietly. Hyun-oh, who had been restraining himself, eventually raised the corners of his mouth.
“I don’t know, Han Sua?”
“…?”
“It’s a date.”
—
A date.
A date…
Sua repeated his words in her mind several times.
They had been out together a few times before. But those outings were just for appearances’ sake.
They went to see an orchestra performance supported by Hyun-oh’s company, visited their parents’ houses to greet them, or went shopping when necessary.
So, there were no dates before or after marriage. In the cold marriage on paper, there was no room for the sweet notion of “dating.”
But now, the moment she decided to divorce him, they were on a date.
“It’s hot. Shall we go to the shade?”
“Yes.”
I have to act coldly. I have to keep my distance. I shouldn’t open my heart any further.
These three months were for preparing her heart before the divorce.
She had no choice but to accept this time, but Hyun-oh kept getting closer.
They were close even now. Every time they walked through the park, their fingertips touched.
It wasn’t a big deal, but her heart raced and fluttered every time their firm fingers brushed against her delicate ones. Without realizing it, Sua found herself subconsciously lowering her body.
She had to avoid it.
To distance herself a bit more from him, she moved slightly to the right. At that moment, Hyun-oh’s firm hand grasped hers.
Startled, she looked at him, and he showed a calm and composed expression.
“We’re married, so isn’t this natural?” his eyes seemed to say.
His black pupils twinkled beneath his arched eyebrows.
As his fingers interlaced with hers, it felt like her heart was pounding in his hand.
Her soft and delicate hand contrasted with his firm grip, typical of a man.
At that moment, once again, Ji Hyun-oh disturbed Sua’s thoughts.
“Sua.”
His fingertip traced between her fingers. The soft flesh squished against his sturdy joints.
“Are you hot?”
“Yes?”
“Your face looks flushed.”
He used his other hand to touch her cheek. A shiver ran through her.
This is cheating.
I should be separating from him, not trying to make it more enjoyable.
Even though she didn’t know what feelings he harbored, Sua had made up her mind, so she had to be careful.
She couldn’t say, “Your grip is making my heart flutter,” as he tightly held her hand. Sua nodded.
“Yes. I’ve been outside for a while, so I guess it’s hot.”
“Yeah, it seems like you’re sweating a bit.”
His palm lifted Sua’s bangs. Her face was covered by her hair, but a neat and handsome face was right in front of her, surprising her as she held her breath.
They were so close. It felt like they were about to kiss.
