After spending an amazing weekend at the town. It was time to come back from the holiday mood and get into work.

When we left Insoo’s grandmother’s house on Sunday, she was veryy upset. She asked us if we can’t stay for some more time. She also complained to Insoo about how he comes after a long time and yet leaves right away. So said Chul-ho’s mother. But he and Chul-ho convinced them promising to return again.

And the splendid weekend came to an end…

~

~

Monday morning,

“It was amazing, wasn’t it?” Our weekend was the first topic I and Jae-mi discussed as she told me about how nice it was, while we were drinking our coffee at the office’s cafeteria.

Gulping down the sip that I took, “Yeah… It was.” I told her.

She also continued to go on about Chul-ho. She was really happy that his mother liked her. ‘That increases my chance with him!’ she said excited. And even mentioned about how she was going to ask him out the next time they meet.

Even though Jae-mi has liked and dated a lot of men before, l really do think this one is different, like she had told me before. And the fact that, Chul-ho offered to take Jae-mi in his car with him while we came back yesterday, I think Chul-ho is interested in Jae-mi too.

This really might work out for her and if it did, I’d really be happy for both of them!

…

And while we are on this topic, I decided to ask her the thing I’ve been wanting to ask her since yesterday.

This definitely is not going to end well but I have no other choice, I do need her advice.

So… I decided to carefully let the words out.

“Jae-mi…” I called her name. “Hmm…?” She hummed taking her sip.

“How did you know that you like Chul-ho? I mean what made you think that way?” I asked.

“You mean what were the symptoms?” She asked me with excitement.

“Uhmm- Yeah… Something like that.”

“Very well… But now, now, where do I even begin?” She joined her hands together and closed her eyes for a moment, melting, before she opened them to continue, “So…” She began. “When I saw him for the very first time, I really liked him. He was funny, handsome, sweet and everything. And because it’s very normal to get attracted to someone like him, I didn’t let myself dwell too deep in that idea. I wasn’t sure about my feelings at that point. But then, things changed when I …………… met him… Again. At the set! I got to cross paths with him several times there. And that was when I realized that I had developed deeper feelings for him because-”

“Because?” I rushed her pulling my face forward. She did give me a weird look and wasn’t very much appreciating the fact that I cut her flow off. Still, she went back to narrating her story when I mumbled her a ‘Oh, sorry… Continue.'

“Because…” She continued. “Whenever he was near me, I’d feel my heart race. And when he called my name, I felt butterflies. I also started thinking more about him. All my day-dreams started revolving around him. I’d eagerly wait for the moment when I can see him again. And when we would say our byes, I’d miss him right away. I’d wish that I could spend longer moments with him, no matter how long we spent our time together. And everything about him would make me feel happy.” She explained before she concluded saying, “Yeah, those were the things that made me realise that I indeed liked him very much.” Getting out of it.

And even though everything she said was a bit over-dramatic and delusional. I can not deny the fact that I-

Felt almost all of it………… For Insoo.

I-

“What?” She asked me confused. “Why are you looking like someone who forgot to turn the gas off?”

“Hmm?” Her question made me snap out of it. “Ha ha ha… Nothing- I- I- was just- listening to your story.” I said failing to hide my awkward laugh. At that, she looked at me intently raising her eye brow, reading me.

No. Don’t.

Don’t ask me anything.

“Ro. Da-Yun.” She spelled my name, syllable by syllable making me smile awkwardly and blink several times. “Wh- Wh- What?”

Dang it. Why am I stuttering?

“I feel like that question you asked, was for personal need.” She said squinting her eyes. And again I could do nothing except letting out an awkward laugh, “Wh- What are you talking about?”

“Do you love Moon Insoo?”

She asked suddenly and I froze.

Her eyes grew wide noticing my reaction. “Ohhh my god-” She screamed and dramatically closed her mouth, earning weird stares from employees that sat in the table next to us. “So… You do love him!” She lowered her voice and yet managed to scream shocked.

“I-”

“How bad is it?”

“What?” I was confused.

“How bad is it? How deep?”

“How am I supposed to know?”

She looked at me for a long moment at that, deeply thinking. “Hmmm… Then, answer this question. On a scale of 1-10, how fast does your heart rate increase when he touches you? Like when your hands come into contact or something…”

She asked waiting for my answer and I dropped my head at that. “Just by looking at him, my heart- It starts beating very fast that sometimes I’d really think I’m dying.” I let my thoughts out and raised my head to face her.

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Looking at my helpless reaction, she shook her head and made the ‘pity’ sigh. “It’s really bad. Much worse than I thought.” She said worried.

“What? What’s bad? Why are you acting like I got infected from some deadly disease?” I asked her annoyed.

I came to her for advice but what am I getting?

“You are infected, idiot!” She screamed earning another glare from the co-workers and had to bow slightly and apologize before she continued, “You are infected………… With love. And I think it has already gone bad.”

“Really?” I asked her worried. “What is the cure then?”

Damn. Why am I speaking like her?

After a moment of thinking, “There’s only one cure…” she stated.

“And what is that?” I asked her impatiently.

“To tell him your feelings and start dating him.” She made it simple.

“No!” I screamed and it was my turn to apologize to those people.

“I can not do that.” I told her.

“Why?” She asked me clearly confused.

“How can I tell him that? Instead of feeling grateful that he’s helping me, I developed some stupid feelings for him. How would he react to that when he knows that? He’d grow uncomfortable with me and would start to avoid me. What would I do then? I cannot let that happen!”

“Oh, C’mon! Why are you ignoring the possibility that he too may like you back as much as you like him? Do you think he won’t like you because you already have a child? Being a mother doesn’t make you any less attractive, Dayun, understand!” She spat at me.

“Please, stop. That’s delusional. He-”

Jae-mi’s words made me think. What if he really liked-

I shook my head hard at that. “No. That can’t be the case.” I told her.

She glared at me, “You are-” She was about to tell me something when her eyes grew wide looking at something, or rather someone, behind me.

I turned back clearly knowing who it would be and I was right. It was Insoo. And he was walking towards………… Me

Why is he here all of a sudden? He usually never comes here!

I watched as Insoo walked past all the employees that bowed to him, bowing back and directly came towards me. I’d have run away and ignored him like I have been doing for the past 40 hours, only if he didn’t notice me and smile at me.

No. Not that smile.

I awkwardly smiled back at him and quickly turned my head to face Jae-mi. “What do I do? What do I do?” I asked her worried.

“What? Act normal like you always do. Don’t be dramatic.”

I never thought that I would face a day when Jae-mi would tell me to not be dramatic, ever in my lifetime. But here it is.

“Ah. I know you’d be here.” He said having reached me and continued to ask, “How’s your body now?”

The what now-

“What?”

Why is asking about my health now?

“You were in your room all day yesterday and told me you were on your periods. How’s it? Is it still bad? Do you need anything?”

Ahh- This man-

Yesterday I was ‘pretending’ to be sick just so I can ‘avoid’ you.

Why would you be so concerned about that-

“Ahh- That. No. It’s better now.” I told him forcing my smile.

“Oh. Good. I was actually about to ask you to stay home and take rest today but you left really early.”

“Ahh… Well actually, Jae-mi was really sick this morning. So, I went to see her.”

Jae-mi choked on her coffee at that and coughed before she gave me a ‘Me-?’ look. While I signaled her to go on with it, pleading.

“What? Ms. Jung is not well too?” Insoo turned to Jae-mi surprised. “Are you okay?” He asked her worried. And Jae-mi just pretended to fake cough before she said, “Yeah- *coughs* Just a mild cold. I’m fine now.”

“Oh. Glad to hear that.” Insoo told her.

“Did you have a hard time getting Iseul ready for school?” I asked him simultaneously thanking Jae-mi with my eyes but she just glared at me.

“No. You know, Iseul listens to me.” He said proudly and paused before he added, “Dayun, I want to ask you something.” Turning serious.

And I listened to him but without telling me what it was that he wanted to say, he turned his head towards Jae-mi and asked her a, “If you don’t mind, can you give us a moment?”

At that, Jae-mi quickly stood up from her seat.

Wait don’t-

I pleaded Jae-mi with my eyes.

Jae-mee, don’t leave me!

But she left, not before giving me a look that said, ‘It’s your problem. Face it, bitch.’

“Sure. I was leaving anyway.” She said and really left, abandoning me, as Insoo came to take her seat sitting in front of me, shortly after.

My insides started panicking and my blood ran cold.

F*ck it, woman. It’s just a simple damn conversation. What could possibly be so hard?!

“What is it?” I asked looking at him but it only came out as a soft whisper.

“Well… I’m pretty sure you would have already heard about the upcoming gala for business people.”

I nodded at that. I did hear about it.

“It’s on Friday. And like last year, this year too I got an invite.” He told me and he seemed really excited.

“Oh. Great ………… So… Do you want me to do anything about that?” I asked him ready to mentally note down what he was about to tell me.

“Pretty much.” He told me and I listened. “Uhm- Actually- Every year, I go to the Gala by myself. But- This year I was hoping if you could-”

Erm- I don’t like where this is going.

“If you have no problem that is-” He made sure to add before he continued, “Would you like to join me?”

Damn it-

No.

No. Say no.

Please say no.

“Yeah, sure. Why not?”

Sh*t

He beamed and I knew I’d do anything to see that happy smile of his. And that, I can never bring myself to say no to those eyes, not in this life-time.

“Really?! Thank you! I’m really glad that you agreed.” He said holding my hands.

Hmph. You have no idea what you’re doing to me Moon freaking Insoo.

~

~

The rest of the day went by quickly and I was getting excited when the clock struck 4. Just 2 more hours and office hours will be over.

I had a file that I’ve to give Insoo. So, I entered his office. Can’t ignore him forever, when he’s my boss, can I?

I spotted him, standing near his table focused on writing something on his notepad. He was very focused that he didn’t even notice me entering and walking near him.

“What are you writing?” I asked him, really curious on what he was up to.

Being aware of my presence, he screamed, panic filling his eyes. Then, he quickly closed the note-pad saying, “Whoa… Dayun…! It’s- It’s nothing. Just some notes for the meeting we have tomorrow.” He said.

“Oh… Then, I should take a look at it too. It’s with the investors from Russia, right? I too have prepared this file for the same.” Saying that I placed the files on his desk as I tried to reach the notepad he was holding.

“No… You don’t have to. I’ll handle it on my own.” He said moving away from me.

“Ohh…” I looked at him confused. “But still, I have to see it. Shouldn’t I be prepared?” I asked him.

“No. You don’t have to be. I would handle it on my own.” And with that, he shoved the notepad inside his pocket and continued, “But rather, I want you to do something else for me.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“You see that cup-board over there?”

“Of course… I do.”

“I’ve kept some files inside it that have to be completed by today. But I cannot do that because I’m going home early. So, I want you to finish them all for me. Would you do that?”

“Okay? Sure… But why are you leaving early today?” I asked and he blinked at the question, thinking.

“Oh. I- It’s- Ah. The kitchen tap! The kitchen tap broke. So, I’ve to get it fixed.” Saying that he went near the door and was about to leave before he turned back again to add, “Uhm- And take a taxi home. Because I’ll be taking the car. And I’ll fetch Iseul too, don’t worry!”

And with that he had already left the room before I opened my mouth to speak,

“But the tap was fine this morning-”

The way he acted made me confused. Ignoring his weird behavior, I went on to open the cup-board that contained the files that are to be finished today.

And when I did, I had a panic attack.

“What!”

I screamed at the number of files in front of me. There were nearly 40 files!

Should I finish all of this? Within today?!

Aargh… That’s going to take me at least 5 hours! I held my head in disappointment and pain

So, it’s a good-bye to leaving office today, isn’t it?

I cried internally.

~

~

Four hours later,

“Finally!”

I completed the work earlier than I expected, an hour earlier. At times like these, I really feel proud of myself.

You’re great Dayun, fighting!

…

After piling up everything, I decided to leave the office. It was 8 by then and obviously the office was as lifeless as a desert. How can he do this to me? The files he gave me weren’t even that important. Their deadline is at least 2 weeks away!

What is with him today?!

Thinking about him, I also got reminded of the gala he talked to me about. And I remembered that I don’t have anything to wear to such events. Even though, the gala is on Friday, I decided to do the shopping on the way to home. Who knows? I remember now, but I may even forget to shop for the dress soon.

Better buy it when I remember it.

With that I made my way to the nearest clothes shop.

I’m not someone who spends too much time in deciding what dress to buy. I go inside a shop, I see a dress, I check the price, I check the size, I buy it. Game over. How do some women spend too much time shopping dresses and trail everything out? It’s energy sucking!

Just as I planned, I chose the first dress that I found attractive. It was a carmine off-shoulder gown with beautifully decorated borders. The material was smooth and glossy giving it a unique glow. The dress was elegant and the price was reasonable too. So, I decided to buy it after I tried it once to check the fitting.

It fit me perfectly and I looked quite nice in it.

Hmm… Gown shopping done.

Then, I also shopped for the jewellery. I wouldn’t have thought about buying them if the sales girl didn’t ask me if I had the right set of jewellery to wear with the dress. Figuring out that I didn’t have any, she asked me if I would like to buy one showing me various designs of jewellery set that were the same colour as my dress.

Good marketing strategy they’ve got there. To sell the dress along with its matching jewellery set.

And since I have minus one to zero experience in choosing the right set of necklace or earrings to wear for the dress, I decided to buy whatever the sales girl said, was apt.

After doing all the shopping, I finally called a taxi to go home. I checked my phone a second time to see if there were any messages or calls from Insoo but there were none. It was already half past 9 and he didn’t even call me once to ask if I’ve finished the so-called important work that he gave me or when I will get home.

Is this the same man I found so difficult to stop liking that I asked for my friend’s advice and she told me that I can never stop liking him?

Darn. I can’t figure out why he’s acting like this. Did I do something to upset him?

Still, this is unfair. In the morning, he was concerned about the fake period thing I pulled off. But now- he didn’t even send me a single message asking why I haven’t reached home yet-

I better get home and ask ‘That boss of mine’ for explanations!

With that, I got a taxi and got home. Paying the Taxi driver his money, I carried my shopping bags to the door step and dialed the password onto the pad.

It opened with a verification sound.

I marched inside expecting to spot Insoo or Iseul in the hall, but instead I was met with… Darkness.

Confused I went on to switch on the lights and I could read the time on the wall clock that hung at the center of the hall.

‘09:50’

What? It’s going to be 10. And they’re not at home.

Where did they go?

To be continued…