“I didn’t know you liked children so much.”
“The kids seem so adorable. I’d even like to come again next time if I get the chance.”
“Thank you so much for today.”
Han Woojin suddenly grabbed my hand and thanked me. I couldn’t understand why he was thanking me when all I did was play enthusiastically with the kids. Seeing him be this considerate made me even more curious about how he came to know about this place.
“Secretary Han has no reason to be grateful.”
“Young Master, do you know when the most comfortable time in my life was?”
“Haha, that’s a sudden question.”
“…It was when I was in America with you, Young Master.”
What kind of out-of-the-blue statement is this all of a sudden? Is Han Woojin’s act starting again? Is he casually bringing up America to lay the groundwork for suggesting we go to America together?
If someone who didn’t know Han Woojin’s true intentions saw this scene, they might be completely fooled by his earnest emotional expression. Looking at his expression, even I felt a pang of wistfulness.
“America talk again. I actually thought Secretary Han was a robot. …Now you’re even holding my hand, how surprising.”
“…How can I clear up your misunderstanding, Young Master?”
Han Woojin seemed to know that I suspected him. The look in his eyes as he gazed at me seemed sad. Han Woojin was the one committing the wrongdoing, yet I was the one feeling guilty.
Right, Han Woojin is a good person. Separate from following me around, I could see that he was a warm-hearted person. He supports the orphanage, and though he hides his emotions in front of me, it seems he has rich emotions.
“Secretary Han, tell me honestly. You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”
“…”
“If you want to clear up the misunderstanding, shouldn’t we show each other our true hearts?”
One large building spread out below our eyes, the refreshing air before sunset blending with the sound of the gentle breeze to create a tranquil atmosphere. In that cozy space, I unknowingly revealed a bit of my inner heart to Han Woojin.
If he would tell me the truth, if he would reveal his identity, it seemed like I could try trusting him. Everyone has their personal circumstances, so Han Woojin must have his reasons for choosing to work as a secretary with Cha Taehan behind him.
“Please trust me. I have no secrets. I’m always on your side protecting you, Young Master, and I will continue to do so.”
I see. What was I expecting? Han Woojin continued lying without batting an eye.
I was the only one foolishly swept up in this atmosphere.
Han Woojin is merely an excellent actor. Unless he’s gone mad, there’s no reason for him to confess everything to me. Though it stung, I thought it was a natural outcome.
“I was just messing around again. What secrets could there be between us? Shall we head down now?”
“Haha, sounds good, Young Master.”
As we went down, we didn’t exchange any words. Did Han Woojin even consider what would have been the better course of action in response to my question? In any case, the unchanging fact was that he didn’t tell me anything.
Han Woojin’s kind attitude was nothing more than a change in strategy. Though I knew this, hearing it directly in words before my eyes left a bitterness that wouldn’t fade.
As expected, winning someone’s heart is the hardest thing.
Still, I’m fortunate that I could clearly understand his inner thoughts today. I won’t need to feel confused by Han Woojin’s gentle attitude anymore.
* * *
“Who’s the person next to you?”
“He’s my friend.”
When we came down, Lee Dojun was waiting for me. He must have immediately known about Han Woojin’s existence when thoroughly investigating me, yet his face asking who the person next to me was was utterly shameless.
Lee Dojun found out everything about Cha Jaehyun. And the person most likely to have handed over all this information is Han Woojin. Yet he’s throwing out such questions pretending otherwise, so I can’t help but laugh.
“What would two people have to do cozily in the mountains?”
“Nothing special happened.”
“Let’s talk alone for a moment.”
Lee Dojun looked back and forth between Han Woojin and me. Something definitely happened between the two of them. Since Han Woojin evaded my questions with lies, now it’s time to shake down Lee Dojun.
“Woojin-ah, could you step away for a moment?”
“Alright. Come back soon.”
At my request, Han Woojin immediately left, and only Lee Dojun and I remained in the vacant lot behind the building.
“What’s your friend’s name?”
“Why would someone who knows everything ask that? …What on earth is your relationship with Han Woojin?”
“It seems you’ve taken an interest in me now too.”
So this could be interpreted as interest too. Looking around, Han Woojin had completely disappeared, and there was no one to overhear our conversation.
“Stop with the nonsense. CEO, you know Han Woojin, don’t you?”
“Well, what reason do I have to answer that?”
It was certain that Lee Dojun had some relationship with Han Woojin. It was the moment my suspicion about Han Woojin became conviction. Why did Han Woojin give everything to Lee Dojun?
Did his desire for revenge against Cha Jaehyun become so great that he handed over information even to this random person? Remembering his face smiling brightly as he said he had no secrets made unpleasant feelings rise up.
‘Why is everyone so desperate to destroy me?’
“Right, there’s no reason to tell me.”
“Why are you suddenly making that face?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You look like you’re about to cry.”
“What nonsense. …Even if I cry, I won’t cry in front of you.”
Lee Dojun came closer and began examining my face carefully. It must be so entertaining to watch someone else’s tearful appearance.
“There are so many snake-like bastards around you, aren’t there?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you have nothing to say, I’ll be going.”
Suddenly spouting incomprehensible words, he’s pretending to comfort me and acting gentle. It was absurd that the most cunning bastard of all was saying such things.
“Is it a habit to grin foolishly whenever you’re with someone?”
“Now you’re even criticizing my smiling. It looks better than having an unlucky expression that says the world is utterly boring.”
“Who are you talking about?”
Instead of confessing his relationship with Han Woojin, Lee Dojun picked petty fights, so I responded with the same pettiness.
“Even someone so handsome, rich, and from such a great family isn’t any different. How boring must your life be to engage in such trivial behavior as finding and tormenting people’s weaknesses?”
“Handsome, rich, and a chaebol heir. If you think I look that good, why don’t you take an interest in me too?”
I didn’t say he looked good, but his skill at interpreting things his own way is truly excellent. Moreover, telling me to take an interest—it’s a rather awkward sentence to come from Lee Dojun’s emotion-deficient mouth.
“It’s strange to hear such words from your mouth, CEO.”
“Is deflecting also one of Cha Jaehyun-ssi’s specialties? I asked if you don’t think it’s also a sin to go around grinning foolishly without any meaning.”
Now he’s saying even smiling is a sin—I’m speechless. A bastard who’s gotten a taste for tormenting me, treating me like a toy, is spouting meaningless nonsense.
“Don’t demand such strange things from a mere toy.”
Lee Dojun’s eyes waver. Lee Dojun, who has Cha Jaehyun’s weakness in his grasp, now demands emotions beyond being a toy from me.
“I don’t even know what kind of conversation this is.”
“Don’t pretend you don’t understand.”
‘…What’s that?’
I looked up feeling frustrated, and a precarious scene entered my vision. What idiot thought to place that kind of flowerpot on the rooftop railing?
The flowerpot placed on the rooftop railing was swaying precariously with every gust of wind. And Lee Dojun was directly beneath that flowerpot. He needs to get out of the way right now.
“Move!”
I tried to quickly change positions, but the flowerpot fell first. Reflexively watching the falling flowerpot, I pushed Lee Dojun’s body, and because I pushed too hard, he fell backward.
‘Ah, this isn’t right.’
What’s the point of saving Lee Dojun? I should have dodged cleverly too. I really must be a foolish bear.
The moment I felt a strong impact from above my head, something hot burst open and I felt it flowing down. My vision blurred and my head started spinning. After staggering for a few seconds, I eventually collapsed, slamming my head straight into the cold concrete floor.
‘This can’t be happening.’
Surely this isn’t the end. I endured all kinds of humiliation until now, gritting my teeth to survive so I could return. A ringing sound briefly echoed in my ears, then even that sound stopped. Now I can’t even hear the sounds around me.
I can see Lee Dojun’s form hazily. When I pushed him, he fell flat on his back—what a sight that was—but he’s already gotten up and is staring at me.
Lee Dojun’s face is crumpled hideously as if he’s seen something terrible. My state must not look very good. This is all because I saved you, you wretched bastard.
‘Ah… It hurts.’
Now even my consciousness is fading. I could only hope that the worst outcome wouldn’t happen just because of this one stupid accident.
