Chapter 96 (1/2)
Chapter 96.
It was the first time ever for Woojin to appear in the business department around lunch time, so some of the workers whispered among themselves in surprise. Woojin was well known for keeping to himself.
A few of the business team members approached Woojin to greet him in a friendly manner. Woojin ignored them, only nodding slightly, and touched Eejun’s shoulder. Eejun turned around and looked up. His glasses shined against the bright light.
Woojin asked, “Do you want to have lunch with me?”
“Oh, my queen! What brings you here? You haven’t even been answering my texts lately.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“With what?”
“Family stuff.”
“Hmm… are there any family related stuff that I don’t know about?”
“Yes, since you aren’t part of my family.”
Woojin ignored how Eejun’s eyes narrowed for a second. Now that he thought about it, Woojin could see why he felt uncomfortable around Eejun. Even though Eejun most likely knew everything about Woojin and Jihoon, he always tried to keep his distance from them. Myunghoon Bae was the same way.
Myunghoon Bae. Woojin remembered his snake-like eyes. When Woojin was younger, he couldn’t see the resemblance between Myunghoon and Eejun, but now, Woojin saw the same coldness in Eejun’s eyes. Woojin tightened his coat as goosebumps covered his body.
Eejun asked, “What are you going to buy me for lunch?”
“Whatever you want.”
“I want steak.”
Looking at Eejun’s face, Woojin remembered Joowan, whom he met recently. Woojin wasn’t surprised when Joowan mentioned Eejun’s name. It was expected. Myunghoon Bae was deeply involved with Hana Pharmaceuticals, and soon, the connection between Joowan Kim and Eejun Bae was going to become clearer. But the problem was the lies Myunghoon Bae had been telling Woojin’s family all this time.
Genetic illness… Family sickness…
Woojin learned from Joowan that there was no such thing in his family. It never existed, which meant that no one was working on a medication to cure this imaginary illness. Everything Woojin was told about it… They were all lies.
His aunt was to return to Korea next month. Jihoon talked to his mother on the phone and it was the first time he wasn’t frowning when he was talking to her. It seemed that everything was returning to their rightful places.
Woojin replied, “Alright. Let’s go eat steak.”
“Wait, I change my mind. I want to eat something else.”
Eejun stood up as he smiled and grabbed his coat from a hanger. It was a handmade coat. Light mustard made from luxurious material. It was beautiful and delicate.
It was the kind of clothes that got dirtied and stained easily. Eejun always enjoyed wearing light-colored outfits.
Woojin touched Eejun’s coat and said to him, “It looks so warm.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it looks just like you.”
“Really?”
“Something that can be stained very easily.”
Woojin stared at Eejun quietly. When he blinked a few times, his long eyelashes created a dark shadow on his eyes. Eejun clenched his fists for a second, and Woojin noticed it but pretended ignorance.
They began to walk towards the elevator. Eejun said to Woojin, “I want to eat rice porridge for lunch.”
“Ok. Let’s go to our usual place.”
They got into the elevator together. Eejun pushed the basement parking lot button and smiled at Woojin. Eejun’s lips trembled subtly, and Woojin wondered if it was just a coincidence. As the elevator went down slowly, Woojin felt like he was falling.
It seemed like it was finally the time to undo this twisted knot.
***
Siwoo grumbled as Jihoon walked into his hospital room, “I told you not to come here at lunch time.” He grabbed the glasses from the side table. Jihoon was holding two large paper bags.
Except for a broken leg, Siwoo was unhurt. The doctor told him he could go home immediately, but for some reason, Jihoon insisted Siwoo stay in the hospital for a few days. Jihoon also insisted that he would sleep in the hospital with Siwoo.