93.
#I Thought It Was Fortunate
“No, not at all. I’ve never heard of them being at odds. If anything, Vice President Jeong Hayun cares for Dawoon almost excessively.”
Choi Yu-na denied Choi Seon-gyeom’s suspicion without hesitation.
Come to think of it, even at the charity event, Jeong Hayun’s tone and expression when dealing with Dawoon were gentle. If anything, Dawoon’s reaction to him was subtle. On the surface, everything seemed fine. But there was something inexplicably strange about their relationship that went beyond simple “brothers.”
“Cares excessively…”
Choi Seon-gyeom mulled over Choi Yu-na’s words. It had seemed that way to him too. Hayun had even openly shown his wariness towards Seon-gyeom.
Ah, I see what’s strange now.
Jeong Hayun’s wariness wasn’t about protecting Dawoon from opportunists attracted by the Haedo Group name. Rather, it seemed more like he didn’t want to lose something that belonged to him.
That’s absurd. What am I thinking?
Shocked by his own assumption, Choi Seon-gyeom shook his head, causing Choi Yu-na to stare at him. His rapidly changing expressions probably made him seem strange to her.
“You don’t have other feelings for Dawoon, do you?”
Given the variety of people in the art world, Choi Yu-na naturally questioned his sexual orientation. Choi Seon-gyeom laughed and waved his hand.
“It’s not like that. I have a conscience. I wouldn’t harbor such desires for Dawoon, who’s young enough to be my son.”
Despite his explanation, her stern expression didn’t soften.
“Actually, I knew Jeong Dawoon’s mother a little.”
He had to add one more thing.
“Dawoon’s mother?”
Choi Yu-na’s voice jumped, seemingly unable to understand this as well.
“Just, a bit. It was a connection from long ago.”
Thinking it wasn’t something that needed a lengthy explanation, he smiled and deflected. Choi Yu-na stared at Choi Seon-gyeom for a moment but didn’t pry further, probably considering it a personal matter.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think I can be of help with Dawoon’s situation. More importantly, shouldn’t you be packing right now?”
She subtly changed the subject.
“Packing?”
When he asked in confusion, she showed him the schedule she had mentioned during the meeting.
“You have a location scouting in Jeju Island tomorrow. I asked earlier if it was okay to move by plane tonight, and you said it was fine.”
“Ah…”
So that’s what the schedule talk was about. Feeling embarrassed for not having listened at all, he scratched the back of his head and smiled. Choi Yu-na checked her watch and informed him that they needed to leave for the airport in three hours.
***
Where have I come?
Arriving at Jeju Island airport, Dawoon swallowed a rising sigh. When Hayun said they were going somewhere far, Dawoon had prepared for the West or East Sea at most. But unexpectedly, they headed to Gimpo Airport, and it seemed Hayun had already booked tickets as they boarded a flight to Jeju Island with almost no waiting time.
Upon arrival at Jeju airport, a driver was waiting with a car, apparently having been contacted by the local branch office.
“You can just give me the keys and go back,” Hayun told the driver, saying he would drive himself as he did in Seoul.
“Is this a business trip?” Dawoon asked, wondering why Hayun had left work so early.
“Of course not,” Hayun denied Dawoon’s suspicion in a light tone.
“We’re really just here to relax. Don’t think about anything and just rest comfortably.”
His tone seemed to suggest he knew Dawoon’s mind was in turmoil. Could he possibly know about the meeting with grandfather? Dawoon felt that if he met Hayun’s eyes now, all his thoughts would be exposed. It might just be his own nervousness, but considering Hayun’s perceptiveness and Dawoon’s poor lying skills, it was better to be cautious.
Deliberately keeping his gaze out the window, Dawoon remained silent.
“Focus on driving. I’m scared we might have an accident.”
Feeling Hayun’s intense stare on the side of his face, Dawoon spoke up. If they had an accident because Hayun wasn’t watching the road properly, it would be disastrous. Their parents had died in a car accident, and if the heir Hayun were to be involved in a similar incident, the media would surely have a field day. And that wasn’t all.
‘Wasn’t your mother enough? Do you have to devour Hayun too?’
Those words from his grandfather stuck in his heart like a sharp dagger. His grandfather hated not only Dawoon but his mother as well. So if something were to happen while Dawoon and Hayun were together, his hatred would reach its peak.
Moreover, there would be all sorts of speculation about why Dawoon and Hayun had come to Jeju Island together. He wanted to avoid such a situation at all costs.
“An accident… Like our parents?”
Hayun asked bluntly, even though Dawoon had been avoiding mentioning it. This made Dawoon turn to look at him.
“It seems you still haven’t let go of the guilt that it was because of you.”
It felt like a wound he had been trying to ignore was being poked. Dawoon looked at Hayun with resentful eyes, wondering why he had to verbally confirm the guilt that he knew Dawoon carried better than anyone else.
“It’s been almost 10 years already.”
“It’s only been 7 years.”
When Dawoon corrected the time, Hayun turned and let out a laugh of disbelief. He seemed disgusted that Dawoon was counting the days so precisely.
For his brother, it might have just been their parents’ ‘accident,’ but I can’t think of it that way. If it weren’t for me, maybe both of them would still be here, unharmed.
Dawoon swallowed the words that were rising in his throat.
“Even if the message you delivered was the cause, it’s in the past now.”
Hayun’s words made Dawoon’s heart heavy. Hayun had never once said it wasn’t Dawoon’s fault. He had only repeatedly reassured Dawoon that even if it was his fault, Hayun wouldn’t abandon him.
With that, and their relationship becoming complicated, Dawoon no longer thought Hayun would abandon him. If anything, there were times when it felt suffocating.
“You’ll probably get upset if I say this, but I actually think it was fortunate in a way.”
Surprised by Hayun’s voice, which sounded cold rather than calm, Dawoon looked at him. This time, Hayun was just looking ahead. His profile in Dawoon’s eyes was as cold as when he dealt with other relatives.
“If our parents were alive, they would never have accepted our relationship.”
“Hyung!”
Dawoon cut him off, aghast. Was it normal to say their parents’ death was fortunate for such a reason? He was scared of Jeong Hayun who could say such things so calmly.
As the car stopped at a red light, Hayun turned to look at Dawoon. Seeing Dawoon staring at him, unable to even blink from shock, Hayun smiled bitterly.
“What’s certain is that even if our parents were here, I would be exactly the same as I am now.”
He reached out his right hand and stroked Dawoon’s cheek. His gaze felt sticky, as if it was wrapping around Dawoon’s entire body.
Dawoon swallowed dryly and pushed Hayun’s hand away.
“Stop talking nonsense and just drive.”
Feeling like his mind would go strange if he continued the conversation, Dawoon ignored Hayun’s persistent gaze and turned to look out the window. He heard Hayun take a deep breath, but he didn’t add anything more.
Dawoon clenched his fist on his knee. Jeong Hayun must be crazy. Otherwise, how could he say such things… His trembling heart wouldn’t calm down.
There had been times when Dawoon thought that if their parents were alive, his relationship with Hayun wouldn’t have become this twisted. But now, Hayun’s words made him certain. If they were alive, he would have become an unfilial son, breaking his parents’ hearts.
Ha.
A hollow breath escaped him. Thinking it was fortunate that they didn’t have to see such a sight, that it was rather fortunate as Hayun said, made Dawoon feel like he wasn’t in his right mind either.
***
It was already quite late when they arrived at the villa. They had only eaten a simple sandwich at Gimpo Airport before departing, so Dawoon was starting to feel hungry. He had expected they would stop at a restaurant on the way, but Hayun drove straight to the villa.
“Wait a moment,” Hayun said after opening the front door of the villa and letting Dawoon enter first. Wondering what he was going to do, Dawoon watched as Hayun immediately headed to the kitchen, and the sound of clattering could be heard.
“What are you doing?”
Curious, Dawoon followed him into the kitchen and swallowed a groan. Hayun was taking out various ingredients from the refrigerator.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to cook?”
“Why do you say it like that?”
At Hayun’s question, Dawoon made an incredulous expression. He had never imagined Jeong Hayun cooking. He had always eaten prepared meals at home. Although he occasionally went on long business trips, someone who never cooked at home was unlikely to be different on a trip.
In all the time they had lived together, Dawoon had never seen him cook. The same was true for Dawoon himself.
“Do you even know how?”
Facing Dawoon’s skepticism, Hayun smiled confidently.
“Don’t you trust me?”
If this question had been about any other field, Dawoon wouldn’t have doubted him. Jeong Hayun was good at pretty much everything he did.
When Dawoon didn’t answer immediately and just narrowed his eyes, Hayun nodded towards the dining table chairs.
“Sit down and watch.”
Although Dawoon did as he was told and pulled out a chair to sit, his trust in Hayun’s cooking skills remained close to zero.
