Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Rhythmical impact sounds echoed throughout the empty gym. In one corner of the not-so-large space, Dokyung was continuously striking a large punching bag. His toned body, focused solely on the target before him, was drenched in sweat.
“Alone today?”
The voice cutting through the regular striking sounds made his movements stop. Dokyung quickly grabbed the heavily swinging punching bag to steady it.
Ryu Hwajin stood at the entrance in elegant attire.
A puzzled look spread across Dokyung’s face as he removed his black gloves and roughly wiped away the flowing sweat.
“What brings you here?”
“I was passing by after some business nearby, and Director Kang said you’d be here. Are you going to work out more?”
Dokyung, quickly realizing his mother’s intention, picked up a towel.
“I’ll shower and be right out.”
He headed to the shower room, leaving behind Ryu Hwajin with her gentle smile.
***
A still rather chilly spring night. Mother and son were walking side by side along a quiet path overlooking the Han River.
“It’s nice walking with you like this after so long.”
Ryu Hwajin murmured softly. It was clearly a reproach about how he had been neglectful due to being incredibly busy over the past few months.
“Our Madam Ryu, seems like something’s bothering you again.”
“You actually know?”
Sure enough, she glanced sideways at Dokyung.
“How is it that I can’t see your face outside of work? Even when I ask you to come home for a meal, you don’t listen.”
“I was busy. You know that.”
“Are you the only one who’s busy? I’m busy too, you know?”
Dokyung chuckled and took off his coat to place it on her shoulders. She glanced at him disapprovingly, not liking her son’s slick attitude.
“Did you come because of father’s memorial day next week?”
Asking about the purpose right away without any pleasantries was just like Dokyung.
I gave birth to him, but he’s so cold and unaffectionate. How did he end up inheriting only my worst traits…
“Yes. Using that as an excuse to see my son’s face.”
Ryu Hwajin clicked her tongue.
“Come straight home after work in the evening. Then leave together with the Chairman.”
“Yes, I will.”
Dokyung nodded without further argument at his mother’s curt order. Only then did Hwajin’s brow smooth out.
“Don’t you have anything to tell me?”
Once again, Dokyung immediately understood her intentions. She was probably asking about the woman he met a few days ago.
“Haven’t you already heard everything from Jinwoo?”
Hwajin turned her head and opened her triangular eyes again. Under her gaze urging an answer, Dokyung’s mouth, which had been trying to brush it off, inevitably opened again.
“It was nothing special. We just met, had a cup of coffee, and parted ways.”
To be precise, it was a brief meeting that ended before even finishing one cup of coffee. The woman who, as soon as they sat down, ordered coffee instead of a meal and immediately asked if he had any intention to marry. He had nothing to say about the woman with that clear, white face who disappeared before he could even feel curious about her.
“How was it? Did you perhaps like her?”
At the following question, Dokyung laughed in disbelief.
“Director Kang was saying that you didn’t say anything. You usually just cut things off right there if it’s a no.”
“Since when does saying nothing mean that I liked her?”
“At least it means you didn’t dislike her, doesn’t it?”
Hwajin’s eyes were full of expectation as she asked back.
“That’s not it.”
He replied in a low voice, meeting his mother’s eyes.
“She made the first move, so I didn’t even have a chance.”
“Made the first move?”
“She just cut it off and got up first.”
“Really?”
Hwajin was quite surprised.
“Why? Did you think your son never gets rejected by anyone?”
A short sigh finally escaped from between her teeth. Her beautiful face, belying her age, showed clear disappointment.
Thwack! Hwajin lightly hit Dokyung’s arm.
“How much did you offend her to get rejected during a single cup of coffee?”
Despite her reproachful scolding, Dokyung just grinned.
“Sigh. I had my hopes up.”
“Were you expecting something?”
“Of course. Don’t you know your mother’s wish? For you to meet a good woman, that’s all I want, but it’s so difficult.”
Hwajin continued without hiding her inner thoughts.
“From what I’ve heard, that girl has a good reputation. Good looks, good abilities. Everyone’s saying she’s smart and coveting her. Well, your aunt wouldn’t have introduced just anyone.”
“If you’re disappointed, should we try once more?”
“Are you making fun of your mother? It has to be to your liking, not mine.”
“It’s difficult to fulfill Madam Ryu’s wish.”
“You’re getting more and more slick, always saying empty words…”
“You can stop blaming yourself.”
“…”
Thwack. Hwajin stopped walking and turned to look at Dokyung.
Dokyung was well aware that she felt guilty about his failed marriage.
“As I’ve said before, marriage means nothing to me. The divorce was the same.”
“Dokyung.”
“I’m telling you that you don’t need to feel any unnecessary responsibility.”
A perfect life living up to the expectations of his grandfather and mother. Although it was somewhat tiring, it wasn’t difficult, so he had willingly complied and lived accordingly.
The marriage two years ago was just an extension of such actions. As a partner who could closely connect them with political circles and bring long-term benefits to Haegang, Shin Haeun was a very suitable match, and the marriage was the result of such calculations. The divorce was the same. He had simply ended the relationship when there was no longer a need to maintain the situation.
Both marriage and divorce were just one of the many rational choices he had made so far, meaningless events to him.
“Are you still not going to tell me?”
“…”
“The real reason you broke up with Haeun.”
He knew well the life Hwajin had lived solely for herself. He also knew what she had protected like her life until now.
Unless there was some variable that could disrupt everything current, Dokyung had no intention of breaking his mother’s peace.
“No.”
When Dokyung answered shortly, Hwajin exhaled a long sigh as if she had expected it.
“You’re my son, but you’re so difficult.”
Knowing her son’s stubbornness better than anyone, she gave up on probing further and started walking again.
“The river wind is cold. Let’s go.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“No, there’s no need for that.”
He turned his head, following Hwajin’s gaze fixed somewhere ahead. At the end of the corner leading to the parking lot, he saw a familiar middle-aged man. When their eyes met, the man slightly bowed his head in greeting.
“Mom’s leaving. Next weekend, don’t be late.”
Dokyung silently watched Hwajin’s back as she turned around after he handed over his coat. Also watching the middle-aged man who escorted her as if he had been waiting.
The identity of the man called Former Team Leader was Jeon Youngmin, a member of Haegang’s legal team and President Ryu Hwajin’s secretary. He was someone who had worked by Ryu Hwajin’s side, solely for her, for over 30 years. He was also one of the people Ryu Hwajin trusted and relied on the most, except for her son Dokyung.
The two figures were getting further and further away. Dokyung, who had paused briefly, also turned to leave.
***
‘Haegang Construction’
As soon as she entered the lobby, Yuri deliberately ignored the large logo that caught her eye and got on the elevator. Several TF team employees following her joined as well.
It was a visit to discuss construction for the Arko Mall in Seoun City, where Shinyu Department Store and SY Mart would be anchor tenants. Although she wasn’t particularly enthusiastic, as the overall manager in charge, it was necessary to visit in person at least once to inform them of the change in management and to convey opinions on desired exterior design and internal structure as a tenant.
When she entered the conference room, guided by a Haegang employee, she saw the unlucky face she had hoped never to meet again.
Why of all people, again…
Yuri moved her feet while feigning composure. The man rose from his seat and was approaching. Over her round forehead as she tilted her head up, a large, elongated shadow was cast.
“Lee Dokyung.”
That brazen name was heard again. A hand was extended at chest level, requesting a handshake.
A brief silence passed. During that time, black eyes met in the air, slowly rubbing against each other, and the soft smile hanging at the corner of his mouth urged her.
“Director Han Yuri, in charge of the Arko Mall tenant coordination.”
Finally, Yuri firmly pressed her lips together.
The man’s hand, which unhesitatingly enclosed the back of her hand, was excessively large and firm…
“Nice to meet you, Director Han Yuri.”
The low, smooth voice coiled around her ear like a snake.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
