Chapter 6
The connection with Do-heon ended that day. He decided to consider him as someone no longer in his life and somehow live alone.
“Why are you being so sentimental again, Yoo Cheong-yeon?”
Recalling the past, his eyes reddened again. Kim Ji-han was at a loss, not knowing what to do.
Cheong-yeon slowly blinked his eyes filled with tears. His long eyelashes fell as his eyelids closed, and the tears that had pooled soon trickled down to his chin.
Cheong-yeon looked at Kim Ji-han, who was anxiously watching him, and spoke in a wistful voice.
“I’m practicing crying scenes.”
“…”
“A pitiful younger man dumped by a rich older sister. How is it? Does it feel immersive?”
“You’re crazy.”
Kim Ji-han grumbled, saying he had worried for nothing. Cheong-yeon smiled, wiping the tears gathered on his chin with the back of his hand.
At Cheong-yeon’s shameless attitude, Kim Ji-han turned around and went into the room. Cheong-yeon waved his hand at Kim Ji-han’s back.
“Ah, it’s time for you to sleep, right? Sleep well! I’m going for an interview!”
*
The shopping mall model interview was successful. The boss said he liked Cheong-yeon very much and suggested that if the time was okay, they could do the first shoot right away.
He also said that if the work was good, he would be willing to raise the hourly wage by about 5,000 won.
The word “5,000 won” momentarily stung his pride, but Cheong-yeon reminded himself that he was no longer the spouse of the director of JT Electronics but a divorced high school graduate.
He firmly held onto his sanity, thanked him, and did his best in the shoot.
Since he had done several photo shoots when he was active in DEX, this was a piece of cake. He had even danced in strange clothes that fluttered like bandages, so taking a few hundred pictures in decent clothes was nothing.
After finishing the shoot and receiving his daily wage, Cheong-yeon immediately went into a beauty salon and dyed his hair a bright brown. He also bought a few outfits he liked at a nearby clothing store.
When he lived with Do-heon, he had to always maintain a neat style to match his taste, so he couldn’t even dream of wearing jeans, cargo pants, jogger pants, or printed shirts.
Taking the opportunity of the divorce, Cheong-yeon decided to wear the clothes he wanted to wear and do everything he wanted to do. After living frugally for three years, he re-pierced his ears, which had closed up.
Of course, it wasn’t enough to cover all of this with a day’s model wage, so he used some of the money in his account. But the result was satisfying.
His reflection in the shopping mall glass looked completely different from Yoo Cheong-yeon a few days ago. He had always worn clothes in the most subdued tones possible to avoid tarnishing the JT Group’s image, and accessories were only allowed up to watches, rings, and bracelets.
Although he didn’t have an expensive watch, he liked his slightly curly hair from the perm and the sparkling earring in his ear. It felt like he was on stage. No one said anything even if he wore a bright-colored tee with a shirt layered on top and wore it crumpled.
“I like it.”
Cheong-yeon muttered, looking at his reflection in the glass, and happily returned to Kim Ji-han’s house, planning to order chicken for dinner to celebrate receiving his wage.
*
Cheong-yeon, who was about to enter the alley from the main road, stopped in his tracks upon discovering something. A black foreign car that didn’t fit the narrow alley filled with red brick houses came into view.
It had already been over a week since he stayed at Kim Ji-han’s house, but today was the first time he saw a foreign car in this alley.
Because of this, Cheong-yeon instinctively felt that someone had come to find him.
“Long time no see, Cheong-yeon.”
As Cheong-yeon took a few steps forward, a familiar person got out of the car as expected.
“Secretary Shim.”
It was Do-heon’s secretary. Secretary Shim approached, wearing a neat suit that didn’t match the background of the old villas.
“Your style has changed a lot.”
Looking at Cheong-yeon, who was completely different from his previous modest appearance, Secretary Shim said.
“What brings you here?”
Of course, Cheong-yeon had no intention of having a profound discussion about style with his ex-husband’s secretary. He wanted the main point without beating around the bush.
“Ah. First, please take this.”
At Cheong-yeon’s urging, Secretary Shim took out a thin, stiff file from his briefcase. Opening it, there was a confirmation document stating that the divorce report had been completed.
Cheong-yeon also knew this fact after receiving a text from the court. It was just like that in the text, but receiving the document in person like this was hard to believe. Still, having lived together for three years, his heart fluttered a bit.
Moon Do-heon and Yoo Cheong-yeon had legally become complete strangers.
Even though he already knew the contents, Cheong-yeon’s reaction was much calmer than expected as he carefully read the sentences written in the document. And he was surprised at himself for being so calm.
The depressing house that seemed to bind him, the coldly indifferent Moon Do-heon, and finally, it was over. Relief and a sense of liberation preceded the sense of loss.
“You could have sent this by mail.”
“Since your residence was still unclear, I came to confirm in person.”
Secretary Shim said with a kind smile.
“Then you should have called first.”
“I’m sorry for coming unannounced without making an appointment. Since you didn’t answer the phone…”
“Ah.”
Cheong-yeon then realized that he had blocked the numbers of Do-heon and everyone related to him.
“I forgot that I blocked the number. Thank you for coming all the way here to confirm the divorce. It’s thoughtful of you. Are there no more documents to organize?”
Cheong-yeon said sarcastically, hoping that Secretary Shim would leave soon.
“I’m sorry, but there’s one more thing left. What are your plans for the personal belongings you left at home?”
“Belongings at home?”
“I’m talking about your personal belongings in Cheong-yeon’s room. If there’s more you want to take, you can go and get them yourself.”
Cheong-yeon pondered for a moment. He had packed his luggage in a hurry, but now that he had time, he wondered if he should go back and bring more.
He wanted to answer coolly that it was okay, like someone without any lingering attachment, but somehow, he felt uneasy, and his lips wouldn’t move easily.
“…When can I go?”
“Anytime you want, Cheong-yeon.”
Secretary Shim spoke as if Cheong-yeon could go back to that house anytime he wanted, just like when he lived with Do-heon.
Of course, he was Do-heon’s secretary and had often met Cheong-yeon over the past three years, so it was a polite remark, but it felt strange to hear that he was always welcome.
Surely, Do-heon wouldn’t welcome him. In fact, it was surprising enough that he hadn’t thrown away all of Cheong-yeon’s belongings until now.
“If you’re worried about having a lot of luggage to bring, I’ll call someone to carry it for you. Please go and check, and then tell me comfortably.”
Secretary Shim added kindly. He had never been impolite, but since he usually didn’t have much to say, his attitude was somewhat unfamiliar.
“Um…”
Cheong-yeon drew out his words, delaying his answer. Secretary Shim stood straight, with a faint smile on his lips, as if he could wait indefinitely.
There was one thing he wanted to bring from that house.
The photo taken with Do-heon’s grandmother.
The grandmother was the only person in that wretched JT Group household who genuinely cared for and treated Cheong-yeon kindly. If it weren’t for her, Cheong-yeon might have gone mad and been locked up in a hospital.
He was concerned about the photo he took with his grandmother on her birthday last year, which he left in the bedroom drawer. Since he was divorced from Do-heon, he might never see his grandmother again. He wanted to bring at least one photo.
For some reason, when he left that house, he felt uneasy as if he had forgotten something.
“Can I go now?”
“Of course.”
Cheong-yeon checked the time. Seven in the evening. Do-heon would still be at the company.
He usually came home well past ten at night. Even if he went home now, he would have enough time before his commute time, so he wouldn’t run into him.
“Then I’ll go and bring it out now.”
“I’ll take you there. Please get in.”
Secretary Shim opened the car door. Cheong-yeon sat in the back seat as if he were familiar with it and quenched his dry throat with the water provided inside.
“How have you been? The question might be too late, but…”
Secretary Shim, who started the engine and held the steering wheel, asked about Cheong-yeon’s well-being while making eye contact through the mirror.
“Yes, well. You didn’t even tell me the address, but since you found me here, you must know.”
“That was unavoidable because of the documents and luggage issues.”
“Do you confirm that he hasn’t come home from work yet?”
“Yes. The director is still at the company.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
