#55
After finishing their meal, they came out of the snack bar. Yeoul was full and satisfied. On one hand, he felt sorry for recommending food that didn’t seem to suit Eun Sajun’s taste very much.
“It was delicious.”
Eun Sajun continued as if reading Yeoul’s mind.
“Honestly, it wasn’t food I particularly enjoyed, but when I actually tried it, it was really delicious.”
But it seemed like he was just being polite, so Yeoul looked at him suspiciously.
“Really?”
“Of course.”
He continued with a bright smile.
“Well, now I’m craving something sweet instead of spicy… shall we go get dessert?”
“Ah… yes, that sounds good.”
Yeoul also usually enjoyed dessert after eating tteokbokki and sundae.
“Then I’ll buy the dessert.”
“No. I’ll buy you a proper meal next time.”
He walked ahead with a bright smile.
* * *
The place they moved to was an Italian restaurant. He didn’t know why they came to such a restaurant. Were they going to have another meal? Yeoul was overwhelmed by the awkwardness of the elegant atmosphere that contrasted with the market street. Moreover, there were no other customers. So they were essentially sitting in the entire restaurant that had been reserved.
Eun Sajun elegantly handed the menu that the waiter had left to Yeoul.
“There are many types of desserts here. Pick whatever you want to eat.”
“Ah, yes.”
So they really did come to eat dessert. Yeoul looked at the menu with relief. It was full of various desserts.
“Uh… uhh…”
Yeoul, who usually just enjoyed things like popsicles or ice cream after eating snacks, found this situation very unfamiliar. Seeing Yeoul like this, Eun Sajun tilted his head.
“Why? Is there nothing you like?”
“No… it’s not that. It’s just… it looks too high-class…”
“Hey. Just pick what you want to eat.”
“It looks incredibly expensive though?”
“No. It’s similar to the tteokbokki place we just went to.”
He was confused about what nonsense he was talking when even the scale of the stores was different.
“Don’t feel burdened and just eat.”
Eun Sajun urged gently. Yeoul felt like he shouldn’t refuse and looked at the menu again. Now that he looked at it, this menu didn’t have prices listed. It felt like they were deliberately hidden. Was it really okay to choose? Yeoul glanced at Eun Sajun.
“Is there nothing you like? Shall we go somewhere else?”
Eun Sajun seemed ready to tour every corner of South Korea today if Yeoul didn’t eat dessert.
“No, no.”
Feeling scared, Yeoul thought he should choose first and looked at the menu again.
“This and this…”
He chose fig cake and hot americano.
“Wait.”
Eun Sajun became serious and stared at Yeoul.
“Choose a different drink instead of coffee. Did you forget the contract clause?”
“Ah… right.”
He had forgotten for a moment.
“Then I’ll have apple juice.”
“Good thinking.”
He soon called the waiter and ordered. He also ordered the same menu as Yeoul.
A moment of silence lingered. Yeoul fidgeted with his fingers feeling awkward. Soon Eun Sajun’s gaze reached Yeoul’s fingers.
“Can you hold out your hand?”
“Huh? Yes…”
Why is he suddenly doing this? Yeoul held out his hand in confusion. He suddenly remembered that he hadn’t cut his nails recently and shrank back unnecessarily. But Eun Sajun didn’t mind and touched and rubbed each joint of Yeoul’s hand.
“Your hands really are small.”
“Well, I guess so.”
“No. They’re small. Cute.”
At his gentle voice, Yeoul felt his heart fluttering again. He then looked out the window and looked surprised.
“Huh? What’s that in the sky over there?”
“What?”
Surprised, Yeoul also looked there. At the same time, he felt something being slipped onto his index finger.
“Huh?”
Surprised, Yeoul turned his head again to look at his finger. A platinum ring was fitted on his index finger. It was a simple design, but the topaz set in the center felt luxurious as a point of emphasis.
“What is this…”
Yeoul’s eyes widened at the sudden appearance of the ring.
“I told you before. That I’d give you a ring as a gift.”
“No, you don’t have to give me anything…”
“Just accept it. Your pretty finger looked empty with nothing on it.”
“…”
Was it okay to accept this in this situation? But he couldn’t bring himself to take it off because his heart softened.
In the meantime, the waiter brought the dessert. Fig cake and apple juice were beautifully arranged. Yeoul’s eyes sparkled as he picked up a fork and ate it.
“Wow, this is really delicious.”
The fresh and sweet sensation spread throughout his mouth. It was enough to forget the troubles he was currently suffering from.
“Is it good?”
“Yes! It’s really delicious.”
The combination of figs with cream and syrup was the best. Yeoul ate frantically.
After thoroughly enjoying dessert, they left the restaurant and headed to the hospital room.
It had been a pleasant time for a while, but rather, this emotion constricted Yeoul’s heart. How could he harm such a kind person?
“What should I do…”
It seemed impossible to carry out Shin Taeon’s orders. First, he thought about talking to him to find another way. But with Eun Sajun guarding his side like this, how could he contact him? Sweat formed on his palms from anxiety.
“I need to go to the company today.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I have some work to do.”
Unexpectedly, an opportunity to contact Shin Taeon presented itself again.
* * *
Yeoul, who returned to the hospital room, took some coins and came back out to the lobby. Since the hospital had changed, he needed to figure out where the payphone was located again. After wandering for a moment, he could quickly find the payphone.
“Thank goodness.”
Thinking about the memory of making a fuss about telling Shin Taeon the code last time still made his blood run cold. Yeoul put in the coin and made the call.
[What.]
Shin Taeon’s voice was heard immediately.
[How’s taking down Eun Sajun going? You know it’s until tomorrow, right?]
Yeoul swallowed with the feeling of becoming a criminal on the guillotine.
“I actually have something to tell you…”
He needed to inform him that the knife had been discovered, but it was difficult as if needles were stuck in his mouth.
[Did you happen to move hospitals?]
“Huh? How do you know?”
[I went to see you. Fuck, why did you move hospitals without saying anything?]
“Well…”
[Where are you now? Let’s meet right away.]
Suddenly meet? Yeoul’s eyes widened in surprise.
[Why? I said let’s meet. Is there something bothering you? Otherwise, I won’t leave Geum Yeojin alone.]
His threats began again. And Yeoul felt that resolution in his heart beginning to sprout.
“I understand. Let’s meet.”
His firm voice was filled with determination.
[Got it. Let’s see each other right now. I’ll go near your hospital.]
Yeoul told him the hospital name. He seemed to be sitting in front of a computer as the sound of keyboard typing could be heard.
[There’s a cafe nearby.]
He told him the name and location of a famous cafe. Although he didn’t know the geography of this area well and the explanation was unkind, since it was a franchise cafe, he thought he could easily find the location by asking hospital staff.
[Let’s meet in an hour.]
“I understand.”
Yeoul put down the receiver with heavy hands. It felt like he was facing final judgment.
First, he looked around to ask exactly where the cafe Shin Taeon mentioned was. He happened to see a nurse coming out of the geriatric ward, so he quickly approached.
“Excuse me, the cafe near here…”
That was the moment. Yeoul felt his vision spinning. His sight blurred and his body swayed as if defying gravity.
“Excuse me, are you okay?”
The nurse’s urgent voice was heard, and Yeoul eventually felt darkness descending as his vision went black.
This shouldn’t be happening… Yeoul tried to hold onto his fading consciousness, but his body felt like it was melting away and disappearing.
* * *
When he opened his eyes again, he could see the ceiling. And Eun Sajun’s worry-filled face came into view.
“Baby, did you wake up?”
“Huh…?”
Why is Eun Sajun here? What is this soft sensation? Yeoul, briefly immersed in drowsiness, felt like he had entered a dream world.
“I was surprised when they said you suddenly collapsed.”
“Ah…”
He remembered the moment when he suddenly felt intense dizziness earlier. At the same time, he suddenly remembered that he was supposed to meet Shin Taeon and sat up.
“Gasp! What time is it now!”
“It’s 8 PM.”
“Huuuuck!”
Had that much time already passed? His vision went dark. Four hours had passed since the time he was supposed to meet Shin Taeon. His mood was already bad, and Yeojin… what about Yeojin…
Tears formed in Yeoul’s eyes as he fell into despair.
“Why are you crying?”
Eun Sajun also became serious when he saw Yeoul’s tearful appearance.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
“It’s nothing but you’re crying like that?”
He gently held Yeoul’s hand.
“Although our relationship was established through a contract, I think we’re closer than anyone else. So tell me.”
“Ah…”
At that moment, Yeoul felt a strong urge. Should he just tell Eun Sajun about his situation? He seemed like he would understand his circumstances and help him.
“I… well…”
Yeoul’s lips moved hesitantly. Eun Sajun nodded as if telling him to speak up.
“What’s going on?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
