Chapter 3.5 (1/2)

3.5

Sunghee’s eyes widened as she took a step back. She felt the cold wall against her back when Sejin murmured to her,

“I already had an idea of what you must think of me, but it still feels upsetting to hear you say it out loud. Do you know how rude you’re being right now?”

Sunghee blinked in surprise. He was looming over her and his face looked so emotionless that it scared her. She knew she needed to apologize, but she felt so confused that she couldn’t remember how. So she stood still.

Suddenly, they both heard a door open somewhere near them. Sejin quickly took a step back. The person who stepped out from the office walked by them, clearly unaware of what was going on between the two. Sejin leaned towards her again and whispered something before walking away from her. Turning around once more to wave at her, Sejin then returned to the office.

Sunghee stood alone in the hallway for a few more minutes before going back to the office. Even as she set down to work, she couldn’t forget what he whispered to her before he left.

“After work, at the same cafe.”

She knew she made a mistake and that she should apologize to him, but there really was no reason for him to call her out to that cafe again. Sunghee grumbled to herself all afternoon, and even as she walked into that said cafe. She sat down unhappily and waited for him.

She should’ve apologized immediately after she made that rude comment. Or she could’ve done it after she returned to the office, but unfortunately, she couldn’t find the chance to talk to him privately.

But it wasn’t like she lied or made it up. It was true that he was an outcast in their office. He rarely talked to anyone at work, and during meetings, he never offered any ideas of his own. Everyone all worked together, but if he quit tomorrow, he wasn’t going to be missed much. He was not a crucial part of their office, which was why Sunghee felt confused. Why was he working here? How did he get hired in the first place?

When she heard the cafe door open, Sunghee looked up. Sejin walked in as he watched her. Crumpled jacket, tangled hair, and a blunt expression. He looked the same as when she last saw him at the office. Trying to look confident and strong, Sunghee crossed her arms and raised her chin. This time, Sejin didn’t stop by at the counter to order anything. He came straight to where Sunghee was sitting.

“Get up.”

“Pardon?”

At his unexpected request, Sunghee blinked. Still in a quiet voice, Sejin repeated his order,

“I said get up.”

His tone was undeniably firm and Sunghee suspected he was furious. But why? Sunghee stood up halfway before realizing what she was doing. She quickly sat down again and retorted sharply,

“Why should I stand up? If you have something to tell me, just say it here.”