Chapter 23
“I didn’t sweat.”
As Hyun-oh leaned in, inspecting her as if something was amiss, Sua wanted to scream.
“It’s because of you that I’m breaking out in cold sweats.”
But given Sua’s position of needing to break up with him, she couldn’t say such a thing.
“I’m just not the type to sweat.”
“Is that so?”
At Sua’s hurried words, Hyun-oh shrugged. But even after speaking, he still didn’t back away from Sua.
The distance between Sua and Hyun-oh was too close. Just when she didn’t know what to do, a bell rang between them.
—RRRRR
Startled, Sua looked away from him towards where her phone was placed. Who could it be at this hour? Regardless, it was a welcome distraction.
“I have a call…”
As if indicating for her to answer it, he tilted his head slightly upwards. But there was still a hint of dissatisfaction in the corner of his mouth. The caller was Chaeyoung, the friend she had lunch with earlier.
Turning away from him, Sua answered the call.
“Hello?”
—Oh, Sua. Is it a good time to talk?
“Yeah.”
Sua looked at him and nodded.
“It’s fine. What’s up?”
She blushed and nodded her head as Chaeyoung spoke.
“—Earlier, when I went into the office and asked Yoon Dam Oppa, no, I mean, the CEO.”
“Yeah.”
Chaeyoung had suggested that Sua apply for a position at Yoon Dam Publishing, where she worked. She had asked casually, but she hadn’t expected to get a response so quickly.
Chaeyoung fell silent for a moment. Was something wrong? Anxious during that brief silence, Sua swallowed nervously.
Sua loved books. Part of it was her background in Korean literature, but she had always been introverted compared to her outgoing older brother Jiheon or her younger sister Jisoo, so she preferred reading over interacting with people.
Moreover, she loved the books published by Yoon Dam Publishing, where Chaeyoung worked. She was worried that she might be a burden if she worked there, but she was willing to ask for a favor if necessary.
She was feeling ambitious.
After the brief silence, Chaeyoung spoke again.
“—Sorry, I dropped my car keys on the floor on my way out of the office. Why am I so clumsy? So, I asked the CEO. He said to come in! The interview will be just a formality, but you know the CEO knows you well. It’s just a formal interview, and okay for now.”
“Really?”
“—Yeah. I’ll send you the details via message. Let me know by tomorrow if you’re not interested.”
“No, it’s good! Whatever the conditions are.”
Excited, she blurted out her response. Chaeyoung cut her off sharply.
“—Don’t just say it’s good. Read the conditions carefully and think about it before letting me know tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Chaeyoung.”
“—Don’t blame me later. Why did I put you in this situation?”
“I won’t.”
Sua’s response made Chaeyoung laugh on the other end of the line.
“—Okay, you’ll be the one cursing if something goes wrong. I’ll take care of you, our Sua.”
Her friend’s words, who had been by her side for a long time, brought a tear to her eye.
“But it’s so quiet now. Where are you?”
“Oh? I’m outside. Still at the park.”
Only Chaeyoung worked at this hour.
“Are you alone?”
“No, with my husband.”
Now that they had been married for about six months, the term “husband” had become quite natural. Though their relationship under that name was complicated.
“Oh, so you’re with your husband now? Sorry, I talked on the phone for so long without realizing. He’s usually late, so I thought you were alone today too.”
“No.”
Thanks to you, I lived. She almost said it, but she kept it to herself.
“I’ll hang up. Let’s talk again tomorrow.”
“Yeah, thanks, Chaeyoung.”
She hung up and looked at the message she had received from her. While the salary wasn’t high as she had mentioned, it would increase quite a bit after the probation period of three months, and other conditions were to her liking.
She bowed her head and looked at the phone screen, still unable to believe it.
Hyun-oh spoke to her as she was lost in thought.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, um. I’m getting a job.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you know Chaeyoung’s company, Yoon Dam Publishing?”
“The one Han Yoon Dam runs?”
He nodded. Yoon Dam, Chaeyoung’s cousin brother, was a famous writer, known even to Hyun-oh, who didn’t particularly enjoy reading novels.
“Yes. So, I decided to try working there as an intern.”
What would he say?
If he asked why she suddenly got a job, what should I say? If he didn’t like it… what would I say if he asked why I didn’t get a job related to her major, like in publishing?
But upon hearing Sua’s words about getting a job, Hyun-oh gave her a slow smile.
“That’s great, congratulations. You love books, don’t you?”
He knew that too, that she loved books. But the surprise didn’t stop there.
“Especially the books from Yoon Dam Publishing.”
“How do you know that?”
“…Why wouldn’t I? I have that much interest in my wife.”
What did he really think of her?
His words, spoken so casually, felt like a jab. There had been that much interest. That made her heart flutter again. Afraid her flushed face might give her away, she subtly moved the hand he was holding, as if to deny it.
Anywhere they went, would they stop holding hands like this?
“Hyun-oh, shall we go into the cafe? It’s hot.”
Hyun-oh nodded.
“Sure, let’s go. I have something to tell you.”
And without letting her go, he gently led her, rather than releasing her. Sua’s body involuntarily turned towards him.
—
Entering the cafe, it was so naive to imagine he would let go of her.
His hand didn’t let go of hers even once until they ordered their drinks and sat down. Even sitting across from her, he kept a tight grip on her hand on the table.
Would her hand sweat?
Her mouth was dry with tension.
Several times, she tried to wriggle her hand free to escape. But each time…
“Why, uncomfortable?”
His words and his kind smile made her attempts futile.
Annoying.
Whispering with such a handsome face.
As they sat down, their drinks arrived. Sitting by the window where the sunlight streamed in, they enjoyed the cool breeze from the air conditioner. It was as comfortable as could be, but she still felt uneasy.
She diverted her attention elsewhere.
“You mentioned earlier that you had something to tell me, Hyun-oh?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“What is it?”
“Our divorce. I’d like to establish some rules.”
Rules?
“Weren’t we supposed to stay married for three months and then, if we still want to divorce, we can?”
“Roughly, yeah, but I want to establish more detailed rules.”
Even if it’s called a contract, it is a contract, so she thought it would be easier to have various conditions.
“For example?”
“As long as our schedules allow, go on dates like normal couples. Talk frequently.”
Like now.
Cold sweat began to form in her hand trapped in his.
“If you’re not uncomfortable, physical affection as much as ordinary couples. Every day.”
“Hyun-oh, that’s…”
Just thinking about kissing him made her recall the intense kisses they had shared. How could she engage in physical affection every night like that?
“Just like you wanted. A proper married life.”
Just holding hands like this already felt intense; how could she manage physical affection every night for three months?
“If you want, we can spend three months apart like before, but then there’s no point in having this time together. You wanted this. A proper married life.”
Even if she wanted to refuse, he noticed her hesitation and spoke first.
“If you don’t want it, I can’t refuse the divorce.”
If he refused, Sua couldn’t divorce him.
Hyun-oh was the perfect man. He probably had never cheated, and though they hadn’t had a typical married life until now, as long as he wanted it in the future, she couldn’t use that as a reason for divorce.
Rather than resorting to violence against her, he was affectionate, melting her heart.
He had money, power. There was no guarantee Sua would win in court.
Moreover, if they went to court for divorce, saying she divorced him for the sake of her love would be pointless. People would talk about Hyun-oh, the one she loved.
Her beloved, who would be hurt.
“Tell me your other conditions.”
In the end, Sua made up her mind.
There’s no choice. This strange contract.
It seemed easier to attach various conditions.
“I want to work for three months.”
“…Okay.”
Perhaps because of the story about Yoon Dam Publishing, he nodded smoothly.
“After filling the three months, if you still want to divorce, I hope you just grant it. Not even one more day…”
“I don’t want to live together anymore.”
She wanted to say that, but the lie just wouldn’t come out. She stumbled over her words.
“Keeping the marriage is unbearable for me. Of course, if Hyun-oh wants a divorce, I’ll do it too.”
“…Okay, if you want a divorce then, I will too.”
With confidence in his persuasive abilities, he slightly raised his body. Suddenly, the distance between the man and the woman closed.
What is he trying to do…?
Taking advantage of the terrace’s location, where no one could see, he pulled her towards him and kissed her lips. It was a brief kiss, but it left her eyes wide open in surprise. The electric sensation lingered between them.
Seeing Sua’s surprised face, Hyun-oh laughed.
“I’m a man who keeps his promises.”
Fulfilling the promise of daily physical affection.
She didn’t know if it was a good idea to make such a condition. Sua’s face, which had turned red earlier, now paled.
Until the divorce, 89 days from now.
Can they really divorce?
Can they really stop loving each other? Even with such a small touch, her heart was fluttering.
Sua wasn’t sure.
