7.
“Can I get some athletic tape? Athletic tape. Do you happen to have magnesium carbonate? No? Where can I find rosin powder offline?”
“You must be into sports.”
“Ah, yes. I’ve been rock climbing for about three months? Trying to keep at it regularly.”
***
Of course, there was the option of going out by collaborating with Noeul, but that was too brief.
Besides, Noeul was terrible at lying.
Since bodyguards were stationed as gatekeepers the moment his father-in-law returned from work, there was no way to leave properly at night.
“Hmm? No, I’m not sick or anything, but Seobangie said his rut might be coming soon so he needs to buy some suppressants. Yes, yes. Nothing unusual. You’re coming home early today, right? I made lots of dumplings…”
They called right away when the pharmacy record showed up.
His mother-in-law’s guard was looser than expected, but his father-in-law seemed completely impenetrable so far.
‘I’ll melt him completely with my killer aegyo soon.’
Gong Pyeonghwa smiled innocently while entertaining this utterly futile thought.
“Mother-in-law~ Seobangie is back~”
***
Damn, there’s so much work…
Saebyeok cursed inwardly before catching himself in shock.
***
“These dumplings are amazing. Seriously, aren’t they incredibly delicious? This is terrible. I’m in trouble. Mother-in-law, every time I eat one of your dishes, I feel like I’m losing a restaurant.”
“What do you mean…”
“Because now when I go to those places, I won’t be satisfied if it doesn’t taste like this… Haah…”
Mrs. Lee now felt disappointed if Gong Pyeonghwa wasn’t being overly sentimental. His ridiculous flattery was more welcome than a quiet dinner table.
“Father-in-law, may I go to a cosmetics store later? Or I could go to a plastic surgery clinic tomorrow and get some work done.”
“Suddenly?”
“Haah… Whenever I eat something delicious, my brow furrows, and I think I’m getting wrinkles from how often my brow furrows when eating mother-in-law’s food. What if our Saebyeok is shocked when he sees my face?”
This guy’s a complete lunatic. Chairman Shin was someone who rarely used vulgar words or had crude thoughts, but Gong Pyeonghwa managed to accomplish this difficult feat.
Still, his wife liked those nonsensical compliments, and it was a type of brown-nosing he couldn’t do himself, and when you thought about it, the guy’s words weren’t exactly wrong, so for a Gong family member, he seemed to have some sincerity.
‘Among the Gong bloodline, he’s relatively decent. I guess that’s why he has good taste and chose my son…’
Got him pregnant? What a bastard. He almost thought well of the guy.
Maybe it’s because of that smooth-talking face, but sometimes he lets his guard down.
“Noeul, what did you eat at school today? What was on the menu?”
“We had kimchi fried rice, pork cutlet, and yogurt.”
“Haah… That’s definitely a menu you should have had at least three servings of…”
“I-I’ll try my best.”
What kind of effort are you talking about?
It hadn’t even been a few days, but it seemed like she was already being influenced by that Gong guy, which was quite displeasing.
“Father-in-law, Mother-in-law. Would you like some ice cream for dessert? I’ll go buy some.”
It’s my money anyway.
“Looking for Noeul to go get shaved ice!”
“Noeul ready!”
Noeul, blinded by love, thought Gong Pyeonghwa was a pretty good shield.
Though the dumplings were making her feel like she might suffocate from fullness, she desperately wanted to meet her boyfriend.
“We’ll be back!”
***
He left work after reading the room.
Actually, there was some overtime work left, but people pushed him to leave quickly. They said he shouldn’t keep the Chairman and the Executive Director waiting…
He felt uneasy and uncomfortable with the thought of not completing all the assigned tasks.
But there was nothing he could do about it.
“Sleep well, our Iseul.”
“Aang!”
Let’s just sleep for tomorrow’s sake.
***
After watching over Noeul’s date and borrowing her phone, Gong Pyeonghwa checked his email first.
Surprisingly, there was a reply from Saebyeok.
[…I’m doing well. Fortunately, Iseul is also doing well, and everyone seems like good people. I miss you too]
“I miss you too”? How much must he have missed me to send an email without even putting a period at the end? Even in just a few lines, his longing and sadness could be felt.
My poor Saebyeok must be suffering so much!
I definitely need to go see Saebyeok today, no matter what!
Gong Pyeonghwa carefully taped up his fingers.
He opened the window and carefully placed his foot on the protruding bricks.
He had attempted this once the day before yesterday but failed, and the height wasn’t your average third floor.
Unfortunately, there were no trees on this side, just bare ground. Perhaps he should be thankful that there was at least grass.
If he fell from here, he would suffer at minimum memory loss, at maximum death.
While Gong Pyeonghwa enjoyed watching melodramas and makjang dramas, ironically, he didn’t like being in them.
Memory loss, adultery, secret birth, terminal illness, couples parting tragically… Just imagining himself as the protagonist was horrifying!
‘Fuck melodrama.’
Would the love they had nurtured so sweetly and secretly be shattered by a makjang plot twist obstacle overnight?
‘Our marriage doesn’t need that kind of obstacle.’
He absolutely hated plot developments as congested as holiday traffic.
‘Because our love is an Autobahn!’
Gong Pyeonghwa tore through the massive obstacle of living with his in-laws using his core muscles.
“Honey, wait for me!”
I’m on my way to you right now!
***
‘Saebyeok! Saebyeok!’
A familiar voice desperately called his name.
‘Saebyeok! Saebyeok! My love! Honey! Baby! Iseul’s dad!’
This voice was definitely Gong Pyeonghwa’s!
Pyeonghwa! Pyeonghwa! Where are you? Saebyeok wanted to shout back, but no voice came out.
‘Aaaang! Where are you!’
That whining, that whining! It could only be Gong Pyeonghwa!
‘Haah… Baby, my rut came, hurry. My third leg hurts!’
Ah, he’s really like an old man… Saebyeok wanted to rush out and embrace his spouse immediately.
He wanted to kiss him passionately and share pheromones. He wanted to share body heat, more distinct than a hundred words.
He just missed him. How could he feel so attached after not seeing him for just a few days? He wanted to run to him and hug him tight, but his body wouldn’t move.
As Saebyeok struggled with the terrible pain of having a firm desire that couldn’t be fulfilled, he heard the gentle sound of musical instruments.
Soon after, he felt vibrations as if the ground were shaking.
[5:55 AM]
“…”
It was just a dream.
How much must I miss him to dream about him?
Haah… I guess I love you too much, Pyeonghwa. With embarrassing thoughts from early morning, Saebyeok got up with his stiff body.
***
Hey. Your husband is calling. At least pretend to listen.
How deeply are you sleeping? Huh?
…
Sleep well.
Dream of me.
***
“Iseul, Dad’s going to work.”
“Danyu!”
Communication was improving day by day. Iseul’s dad checked his email first with a proud heart before clocking in for work.
To. My dearly beloved husband my dawn
* * *
I miss you so much too ㅠㅠ!! Coming soon! I’m on my way!
What.
Waiting
* * *
ㅠㅠ
Where.
Are you sleeping?
* * *
Freezing to death haha
What, what are you doing?
Sleep well…
* * *
Dream of me h…♥
8 PM, 11 PM, 1 AM, 3 AM… The time gaps between emails…?
Shin Saebyeok’s brain went into overdrive.
Did he arrange to meet Gong Pyeonghwa somewhere? NO.
Then where was Gong Pyeonghwa waiting? He couldn’t have been waiting in a dream… but why did he have such a dream today of all days…
Saebyeok decided to send a reply first.
Pyeonghwa, what’s going on…
* * *
I checked all the emails. What happened until dawn today? And how did you send the emails? Did you get a computer or phone? Should I get one too? Can I contact you? We shouldn’t get caught, right? I think I can at least check emails frequently while I’m at work.
You’re not sick, are you? Did your rut come? It didn’t, right?
This is a bit embarrassing, but you appeared in my dream today. I couldn’t see you, just hear your voice ㅠㅠ… We haven’t seen each other’s faces for only 4 days, and I’m like this. I guess I really like you a lot ㅇ///ㅇ
The emoticon seems a bit too cute. Should I remove it? No. Our Pyeonghwa likes that sort of thing. Whatever, I’ll just leave it in.
Saebyeok sent the email and tackled the work he couldn’t finish yesterday.
“Good morning.”
“You’re here.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
