Chapter 31
Even though I had come to watch a play, this wasn’t like a date or anything. He had obligatory reasons for having to come here, and I had simply accompanied him on a whim since the timing worked out. It wasn’t the kind of date where he had planned ahead and bought tickets specifically to spend time with me…
Hah.
I let out a sigh and stopped myself from continuing that lengthy internal excuse-making. It seemed like I’d had enough of deceiving and making excuses to myself for today.
I accepted the jacket he handed me, and he gripped the railing behind my back with both hands. I ended up trapped within his arms. Even when I looked at him with an expression that said “what the hell are you doing,” he paid no mind. The scent of his cologne, which had faded from my consciousness while I was focused on the play, was now tightening its grip to dominate my sense of smell once again.
“Well, that’s something I really want too. Since you came out even though I called you suddenly, I should repay the favor. And we still need to exchange our lists…”
Having said that much, he lifted his left hand to check his watch before adding:
“It’s just dinner time too.”
In that gap, I slipped out from between his arms and started walking ahead. He followed closely behind.
“I can use the staff emergency stairs, so let’s go straight down to the parking garage. Crowds would be uncomfortable for you.”
He had said he couldn’t tell if I was open-minded or conservative, but I was equally confused about whether this kind of consideration was based on genuine affection or just the practiced manners of a playboy.
We moved in an SUV that he drove himself. Since it was both dinner time and rush hour, it took quite a while just to get out of Hyehwa-dong.
Avoiding Jongno, we detoured toward Dongdaemun, passed in front of Jangchungdan Park, and the car went through Namsan Tunnel 2. Since the National Theater was right near the tunnel, the conversation naturally flowed back to the play once again.
He was more interested in various forms of performances, especially theater, than I had expected, and he had personal opinions about the operating systems of theater companies and performance venues. He said he had frequented Broadway quite often while studying and working in New York. His previous place of residence had become more specific—from America to New York. He had worked at the New York branch of Knox Hotel.
“Broadway has a lot of experimental plays too, so they’re good for a change of pace, but they help keep your thinking flexible. After I joined the company, they supported tickets monthly, so I watched performances at least once every two weeks. It’s not like the company would give you money back if you didn’t use the tickets, so it would be a waste not to watch. Have you been to New York? Since you like theater, I thought you might have been.”
“I have been to New York… but Broadway… I didn’t get the chance.”
“Oh… really? I guess you didn’t go as a tourist?”
“No, well… it wasn’t for tourism.”
“That must have been really disappointing.”
He must have noticed my rapidly darkening expression and dragging tone. He was quick to pick up on things.
The bitter memory of a theater enthusiast who had visited New York full of anticipation after checking dozens of shows in advance and deciding which works to see at what times, only to have to leave without even setting foot on Broadway due to a messed-up schedule… he might have assumed it was something like that.
In a way, that wasn’t entirely wrong either. Fidgeting with the jacket on my lap, I smiled silently and bitterly.
“Ah, we’re almost there but it’s backed up here too. You’re hungry, right?”
Looking up at the red glow of brake lights lined up on the two-lane uphill road, he tapped the top of the steering wheel with an impatient touch. He was probably changing the subject after noticing I was uncomfortable.
“A little.”
“See? It was good that we came to eat, right? I understand well enough that Jung Jiin-ssi craves sex with me more than food, but still, if your stomach growled right in the middle of setting the mood… that would be too much of a mood killer.”
“……”
“No retort? Are you too hungry to even have the energy to retort? That’s serious.”
“I just didn’t feel it was worth responding to?”
“Ah… why isn’t this light changing?”
Watching his profile as he naturally continued joking while pretending not to hear what I said, I ended up chuckling. He looked at me and smiled back. It was an expression that said he was finally relieved now that he saw me smiling. Even though I couldn’t explain it, the warmth in his gaze and smile felt that way.
Our intertwining gazes were no longer light. He was sending me looks filled with emotion, and I accepted them, creating a connection between us. It wasn’t until the car behind us honked briefly that we realized the light had turned green.
He hurriedly started the car. Since our conversation had been continuous until then, our silence felt awkward. But it was different from discomfort. Resting my elbow on the window frame and looking out the car window, I tensed my lips to hide the smile that was somehow spilling out.
It had been so long since I’d felt this way. Whether this emotion would develop further or just fizzle out at this stage, the mere fact that I didn’t feel rejection was valuable. I had no intention of rushing, but I didn’t want to be scared either.
After turning right at the top of the hill, the car passed galleries, high-end tailored shops, and relatively small embassies before entering a more secluded residential area. It was a familiar route I recognized.
It seemed I should be the first to break the silence.
“Are we going to ‘Fiano’ right now?”
“Ah… I thought you might have been there before. Did you happen to go recently…?”
“No, no. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there. It’s a restaurant I like.”
A white brick building surrounded by neighbors of high-end houses enclosed by tall walls came into view.
The last time I had visited was when I came to eat with Jaewoo and Gayoon after “Tomorrow’s Diary” ended, so it had already been six months ago. In the meantime, the valet parking attendant had changed.
On the well-maintained lawn, round tables covered with white tablecloths were arranged with wide spacing between them. The outdoor tables, which only operated from late April to early October, were especially popular with couples. Even though it was a weekday evening, the outdoor seating was completely full.
A server who had been taking an order at one table turned around and guided us inside. This was also an unfamiliar face.
Upon entering the interior, a manager was exchanging radio communications at the entrance reception counter. This time it was a familiar face.
“Welcome…”
The professional smile that had appeared on her face almost reflexively upon noticing the customer’s presence changed to personal delight. She immediately came out from behind the counter and grasped my hands.
“Jung Jiin! What’s this, why haven’t you come in so long?”
“Have you been well? It’s always fully booked as usual, right?”
“We’re always the same. Pretending to be relaxed in the front, while the kitchen is a war zone… I didn’t see you on the reservation list, so what’s the sudden occasion? Did you just drop by to say hello?”
“No, this gentleman made the reservation. I didn’t know we were coming here, so I just followed along and couldn’t contact you in advance.”
Only then did the manager look at him standing behind me and quickly composed her expression and attitude, bowing politely.
“I’m sorry. I have a personal friendship with Jung Jiin-ssi, so I was happy to see him… I was very rude.”
“Not at all. Don’t worry about it and feel free to greet each other comfortably.”
Is it really okay? She came close to me and whispered, asking, and I smiled and nodded. Even while guiding us to the private room he had reserved, she kept holding my hand tightly.
The corridor, decorated only with photographs capturing scenes from various parts of Italy without any other decorations, was still the same. They were all photographs taken personally by the manager and owner chef.
“The chef isn’t here today, only the head chef is. He’ll be so happy to hear you came.”
“If it’s okay, should I go to the front of the kitchen and see him briefly?”
“Yes, let’s do that. I’ll ask once. Oh, the manager is here today. I should let him know first. Just a moment.”
She then called someone through the microphone. In that gap, I looked back at him behind me and slightly furrowed my brow apologetically.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m really fine, so feel free to greet each other comfortably.”
Even though he looked curious about what was happening, he shrugged his shoulders generously.
“He was handling customers on the second floor. He’s coming down now. Why is it so hard to see your face? There are many customers who come looking for Jung Jiin actor’s regular restaurant, but Jung Jiin actor himself only shows his face once or twice a year.”
The manager was one of ‘Fiano’s founding members with 13 years of experience here. She was a veteran who wouldn’t have shown such open delight if it had seemed like he and I had come for a work-related meal. The thought that we, who had only met for the third time, appeared to others as having a personal relationship felt strange.
We were guided to a cozy room for two that overlooked the garden. Even when I worked here, this private room had been popular as a proposal venue.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
