85.
#Different Dreams
After ending the call with Dawoon, Hayun narrowed his eyes and looked down at the darkened screen of his phone. Jeong Dawoon was not skilled at lying. Though he might have thought he was acting as calm as possible, his tone of voice had subtly changed.
Hayun turned on his laptop and launched a phone tracking program. Since high school, he had installed tracking and synchronization programs on the phones and tablet PCs he had bought for Dawoon. Without letting Dawoon know, he could always check everything from his social relationships to his every move.
Because you never know when or where something might happen.
Especially as Dawoon grew older, he became less talkative. If he would honestly tell everything like when he was younger, there would be no need for such troublesome measures.
After confirming Dawoon’s current location, Hayun let out a bitter laugh. The screen showed a location completely different from Choi Seon-gyeom’s exhibition venue. It was also a place very familiar to Hayun.
“Since when did the main house become an exhibition venue?”
Hayun’s face grew colder as he muttered to himself. Amusingly, when he checked Dawoon’s movements for the day, he had actually visited the exhibition venue. No wonder he answered without hesitation. The fact that it wasn’t entirely a lie was so typical of Jeong Dawoon.
After tapping his fingers on the desk, contemplating, he called Director Park.
“It’s me. Has there been anything unusual in the Chairman’s movements?”
[There hasn’t been anything particularly noticeable. He hasn’t met with any shareholders recently.]
“Look into it more personally, not just company-related matters. Especially keep an eye on Secretary Kim. See if they’re looking into places for studying abroad or something like that.”
[Studying abroad?]
Director Park asked back, probably finding it strange.
“If someone wants to get rid of someone right before their eyes, that would be the surest method.”
[Ah…]
Seeming to have caught on with just that much explanation, Director Park let out a low groan and said he understood.
After ending the call, Hayun smirked. If grandfather was trying to send Dawoon abroad, he had no intention of stopping it. Rather, it was fortunate. He had been feeling that it was time for a change in his relationship with Dawoon anyway.
‘What are you saying?’
‘You’re crazy.’
When he had said he loved him, Dawoon had turned pale and said those words without a moment’s hesitation. Despite his body being already familiar with Hayun, his heart was stubbornly locked away.
Despite Dawoon’s rejection, Hayun wasn’t particularly bothered. Anyway, Jeong Dawoon had no other choice but Jeong Hayun. He was certain that Dawoon, too, was no different from himself, even if he couldn’t accept it yet.
However, in the current situation, especially with Haram by his side, Dawoon would continue to resist. Therefore, he needed some time away from this tightly closed reality.
“If he’s lessening my effort, I should be grateful.”
If Hayun suggested going abroad to Dawoon, he would obviously object, using Haram as an excuse. But if grandfather stepped in and arranged things, all Hayun had to do was send Dawoon first and follow him later.
Knock knock. There was a knock at the door, and then it opened slightly as Haram poked his head in.
“Big brother, is Dawoon hyung going to be late?”
Although less than before, Haram still became restless when Dawoon was even a little late. As if he knew that Dawoon might leave at any time.
“Haven’t you called him?”
Hayun asked back calmly, smiling gently. Haram frowned slightly and shook his head.
“I did, but he’s not answering. It’s rare for Dawoon hyung not to answer his phone, so I was worried something might have happened.”
Of course, he couldn’t answer the phone while talking with grandfather. Seeing Haram come to him, anxious just because Dawoon hadn’t answered a phone call, Hayun suppressed a bitter laugh. At the same time, he thought it was truly fortunate. Because Haram was a blood-related brother to Dawoon. If he wasn’t, that guy would surely have become his most troublesome rival in love.
***
The next morning, Dawoon, who had arrived at the dining room first and was sitting, glanced at Hayun as he entered. He had expected to be questioned more about coming home late yesterday, but there was no mention of it. Last night, Hayun neither came to Dawoon’s room nor called him to his own room. Thanks to that, if asked whether he slept well, the answer would be no. He had tossed and turned with all sorts of thoughts about grandfather’s order to leave, barely managing to fall asleep near dawn.
“Didn’t sleep well? You look tired.”
Hayun said as he sat down opposite Dawoon. It was absurd that he would say such things today of all days, after saying nothing when he had been tormenting Dawoon for several days in a row. When Dawoon stared at him blankly, Hayun smiled as if nothing was wrong.
Shameless.
Dawoon swallowed the sulky words that were about to burst out.
“You don’t have any plans for the weekend, right?”
Dawoon raised his eyes to look at Hayun as he asked.
“There’s a charity event sponsored by our group. You should attend too, it’ll be a change of pace.”
At the mention of a charity event, Dawoon unconsciously frowned. It was called a charity event, but it was no different from a gathering where people from political and business circles showed off their wealth and power.
“It sounds more tiring than refreshing.”
About once a year, he had reluctantly shown his face at such events. But that was because it was hosted by the Haedo Group and even grandfather attended. Dawoon had never voluntarily attended gatherings where many people gathered.
“I heard quite a few celebrities will be attending this time.”
Dawoon became serious at Hayun’s additional words. Celebrities? He had even less interest in that direction.
“Have you heard of Jeong Yu-jeong? I heard she’s the most famous these days.”
“I know her! The kids in my class really like her.”
Haram, who had been listening from the side, chimed in.
“Is Jeong Yu-jeong really coming?”
Haram’s eyes sparkled. Dawoon didn’t know who that was, but judging by Haram’s reaction, she seemed to be a famous celebrity.
“She’ll probably come, but you can’t attend.”
Hayun answered in a gentle voice. Haram pouted at the explanation that he couldn’t attend because he was a child, but he didn’t beg further.
“Then, hyung, can you get her autograph for me?”
Haram turned to Dawoon and asked. He believed that Dawoon would naturally get an autograph for him, even though Dawoon hadn’t even agreed to attend yet. Seeing the child’s eyes full of expectation, Dawoon couldn’t bring himself to say no. Finally, he quietly sighed and nodded, causing Haram to clench his fist and shout “Yes!” loudly. Seeing Haram so happy, Dawoon thought he should at least look up Jeong Yu-jeong’s face.
“But this is really out of the blue. Why are you suddenly asking me to come too?”
Dawoon asked Hayun while continuing to eat.
“You’re about to graduate soon. It won’t hurt to familiarize yourself with some faces.”
“I think I already know everyone I need to know.”
Even though he rarely attended social gatherings, he knew everyone he needed to know. Although the fact that they “knew” him probably included more negative than positive connotations.
“Not like that. I mean properly show your face publicly.”
At Hayun’s answer, Dawoon’s hand stopped mid-bite. He raised his head to look at Hayun. He was calmly continuing his meal.
Why suddenly? Is there a reason I need to make myself known?
He wanted to ask but held back because of Haram sitting next to them. Just when grandfather had ordered him to leave for a foreign country, Hayun wanted to introduce him to everyone… Somehow, it didn’t feel right.
***
As a luxury car, rarely seen on campus, stopped in front of the lecture building, students’ attention was focused on it. Dawoon let out a shallow sigh at the fact that he had to enter into those gazes. The passenger side door opened, and Secretary Kim got out. After looking around, she spotted Dawoon and bowed her head. At the same time, the students who had been admiring the car turned their attention to Dawoon.
This is why I said I’d go to the main gate.
When Secretary Kim said she was coming, Dawoon had said he’d go to the main gate, but she had insisted it was fine and that she’d come to the lecture building since he probably had a class soon. He regretted not insisting more and going out himself, but it was too late now.
“These are the documents the Chairman asked me to deliver.”
Secretary Kim held out a thick envelope. Even without opening it, Dawoon could guess what was inside. Still, it seemed grandfather was giving him a choice. This might be the best consideration possible from grandfather’s perspective. Or perhaps he was creating an excuse for later, in case Hayun found out, to say that he had been considerate in his own way.
After handing over the envelope, Secretary Kim left immediately as if her business was done. The car had already left the campus, but Dawoon was still standing in the midst of people’s gazes.
What’s going on? What happened?
Did you see that car just now? Isn’t that the one they say there are only a few of in our country?
Who on earth gets out of a car like that?
Whispers could be heard here and there. If it was just for an errand, it would have been better if they had come in a less conspicuous car. Maybe grandfather was in the back seat. It wasn’t surprising that he hadn’t even shown his face by lowering the window after coming all the way here.
“Hey, what’s that?”
Startled by a tap on his shoulder from behind, Dawoon turned to find Ui-hyeon standing there with a furrowed brow.
