Chapter 35 (1/2)

Chapter 35.

Jihoon Kang was walking by the marketing team’s office. When he spotted Shin Kim, he asked, “Mr. Shin, you just came back from an abroad business trip, right? Don’t you have any gifts for me?”

“Pressuring a co-worker for gifts can be reported to the HR department as harassment.”

Shin replied calmly without even turning around. Because he was so tall, he stood out in any room even when he was sitting down. Shin was wearing a navy wool turtleneck inside his suit jacket rather than his usual business shirt. The simple outfit suited him very well.

Jihoon studied Shin a few seconds before replying, “What the heck. You look disgustingly good.”

“… That’s a compliment, right?”

Without replying, Jihoon walked away to his own office. Shin looked at him in confusion before returning to his work. He had to complete his report on the recent business trip.

There were much fewer reports to do than he expected. It was most likely because they didn’t spend much of the budget at all. They were so busy with work that all they spent their business allowance on was for the hotel, travel, and food.

“That was such a tightly-scheduled trip. So tiring.”

Shin continued to record the receipts from the recent trip when suddenly, he received a message. Shin clicked it and learned that it was from Woojin Choi.

-Do you want to have lunch together?

“…”

‘Hmmm… So he does know how to ask me out.’

Realizing he was grinning like an idiot, Shin coughed to erase his face of any emotions. He stared at the message for a long time. It had only been one day since they returned from the trip. They didn’t even get a day off.

Korea was certainly warmer than Germany, but the weather was still chilly.

Tomorrow was thankfully the weekend. Outside, Shin could see the yellow and red leaves falling and dancing in the wind. Suddenly, he remembered Woojin’s words in his hotel room.

“Let’s date just for a month.”

Woojin’s eyes were wet when he whispered these words. Perhaps Woojin was worried Shin didn’t hear him. Woojin’s hands were trembling lightly. Shin could smell the sweetness of the wine on his breath. Just a moment ago, Woojin looked asleep, but his voice was clear.

Shin answered without hesitation, “Alright.” It was an instinctive answer. Shin knew if he said no, he would never get another chance. Woojin would never ask him again. By now, Shin knew that Woojin only knew how to become distant.

Woojin Choi didn’t know how to get close to anyone.

There was no other answer Shin could have given other than yes. It didn’t matter if it was going to be a week or a month. If Woojin meant what he said, then Shin had no choice but to accept it and try to figure out the meaning of it all.

Shin whispered, “Then…”

He lifted Woojin’s chin up towards him. The room was still dark, but Shin’s eyes adjusted by then and they could see Woojin’s eyes.