The Breakup Between You and Me - Episode 10

Episode 10

Ms. Ha-Young mentioned that she had been hired to fill in for someone on parental leave, while Jimin appeared to be a particularly reserved individual. It was challenging to discern her thoughts, but her chilly gaze at times made me wonder if she harbored any negative feelings toward me.

My first day on the job proved to be chaotic. I was physically exhausted from staying up until dawn, and my heels ached every time I walked due to the infrequent use of the shoes I had worn. However, there was nothing I could do about it at the Royal Group.

Tasks like making photocopies and fetching coffee felt akin to running an architectural office in Gaon.

“Ms. Se-yeon, could you please make a copy of this for me?” became a common request.

“Sure,” I replied.

Jimin’s icy tone startled me, causing me to jump in my seat. Ha-Young, seated beside me, gave me an encouraging nod, silently conveying, “Go for it!”

Seeing Ha-Young’s supportive gesture brought a smile to my lips. As I stood before the copier, she let out a small sigh.

I hadn’t received any communication from him since the second night, as he was preoccupied with his new business. I wasn’t sure whether this was a positive development or not, so I chose to view it in a positive light.

“Se-yeon, here, take this,” Ha-Young offered.

“Oh, thank you,” I responded gratefully.

While I was in the process of making copies, Ha-Young returned with a cup of coffee. The aroma of the coffee softened my expression, causing the corners of my mouth to twitch. She handed me the cup, and I took a sip of the coffee.

The rich, savory flavor spread in my mouth, providing a sense of revitalization. These days, I needed to consume coffee regularly, as without it, I would become so fatigued that I could barely endure. Therefore, I often found myself drinking three or four cups a day.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I had become dependent on coffee rather than alcohol, as I felt a sense of unease when I didn’t have it.

“Everyone’s heading to a meeting,” Ha-Young informed me.

“Is it already that time?” I inquired.

“Yeah,” she confirmed.

The days raced by, and I would occasionally snap my fingers to glimpse Ha-Young as she made her way to the meeting. After completing my copying tasks, I took a seat.

Secretary Shin and  Jimin prepared their documents and tablets for the meeting. Any moment now, he would emerge from the boss’s office. My fingertips trembled slightly, and I fiddled with my desk, feigning the act of tidying it up.

Suddenly, the door opened, and I leaped to my feet. He strode out of the boss’s office, once again clad in his impeccably tailored black suit.

“Let’s go,” he instructed.

“Yes,” I replied.

As the three of them walked down the corridor, I could only observe the back of one of them. My heart began to flutter. The way he walked, the poise of his stride, all of it etched itself into my memory. I gazed at him as though he had been permanently imprinted in my mind.

“I think he’s incredibly handsome,” Ha-Young remarked, her words causing a lump to form in my throat.

“He’s so young, and he’s already the boss. Isn’t that impressive?” she continued.

“It’s…” I began to reply.

Ha-Young lowered her voice as if she were sharing a confidential matter.

“By the way, the boss mentioned that you had a tough time,” she added.

I fell silent, uncertain of how to respond.

A sense of melancholy overcame me as I recalled the scars on her face, as though she had encountered a thorn-filled path when we reunited.

“He was afforded this opportunity because he caught the attention of the chairman of Royal Group in the United States, but he mentioned that he faced a lot of hardships before that,” Ha-Young explained.

“He didn’t get a wink of sleep, constantly toiled, and even now, he’s entirely consumed by his work. Nevertheless, I think he’s truly remarkable,” she concluded.

I pondered her words, acknowledging the dedication and sacrifices he had made to attain his current position.

I comprehended the depth of his struggles, and my heart ached at the thought of the hardships he had endured. A faint smile graced the corner of my mouth, a rare sight.

“If he’s that occupied, he probably doesn’t have the time for a girlfriend, right?” I ventured.

“Ha-Young must have a lot of questions about you,” I added with a pointed tone.

“What?” Ha-Young’s eyes widened as she realized the implications of my words.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she quickly apologized.

I bit my lip tightly, struggling to suppress a smile at her innocent expression. As she gazed at me, puzzled, I averted my gaze, not witnessing her girlish smile as if it were a secret only I should know.

“That’s right, I like you,” I confessed.

It was reminiscent of the face I had when I was a child, infatuated with someone. A girl who harbored affection for him.

My feelings were distinct from the way Sooyin felt about him. Unbeknownst to me, my fists must have clenched tightly, and my nails dug into my palms.

“Lunch is on us today. Let’s go,” Ha-Young suggested.

“Okay,” I agreed.

As I descended to the cafeteria, I couldn’t fathom the state of my mind. The food on my plate felt as heavy as stone. I chewed, but I couldn’t discern the taste.

“Se-yeon, you have a call,” Ha-Young informed me.

“Yes?” I replied.

I seemed to have misplaced my mind somewhere, as I hadn’t even noticed the ringing of my phone.

“Hello?” I answered.

“You don’t care about me as much as before, do you?” Miho’s voice came through the phone, and I chuckled at the image of her pouting face. I feigned ignorance of Ha-Young’s curious glance across from me.

“It’s not like that. Have you eaten?” I asked.

“Yes. Are you having lunch now?” Miho inquired.

“Yes,” I confirmed.

Recognizing that I couldn’t remain on the call for long with Ha-Young looking at me anxiously, I told Miho that I would call her later and ended the conversation.

“Is he your boyfriend?” Ha-Young asked inquisitively.

Ha-Young inquired, her curiosity evident as she finished her meal and handed me her water. Her eyes twinkled.

“No,” I replied.

“Really?” she probed.

“Yeah. She’s just a friend,” I clarified.

I noticed Ha-Young about to say something further, but she opted to bury her face in her plate and focus on eating instead, which might have been a wise decision.

After lunch, I was seated, taking a moment to rest when Jimin returned. It seemed he had gone for lunch following the meeting. Since Jimin didn’t have lunch arrangements, Ha-Young prepared a cup of coffee for him.

As I sorted out some documents for shredding, I froze when I overheard their conversation.

“Se-yeon probably has a boyfriend,” Jimin remarked.

I glanced at Ha-Young, who met my gaze with a rather peculiar expression, as if she were sharing a confidential revelation.

“I overheard you on the phone, and it sounds like you two get along really well,” Jimin commented, her expression showing minimal interest.

“It’s not like that,” I replied.

“Come on, don’t be shy,” she teased.

“Friends. We’re just friends,” I reiterated.

Ha-Young seemed to be already convinced.

“There’s no such thing as just friends between men and women, is there?” Jimin asked.

“Well, I’m not sure,” I replied cautiously.

Jimin dismissed Ha-Young’s statement with a shake of her head, feeling a tightness in her chest. He nearly jumped in surprise when she turned her head to meet an unexpected gaze. Right on cue, he was standing in front of her.

“Boss,” I said as I stood up and lowered my head in a respectful bow. When I looked up, I found his face wearing its customary expression.

“Coffee,” he requested.

“Yes,” I acknowledged, and I turned to pour the coffee.

“I thought you weren’t here for lunch,” he commented.

“Here’s your lunch,” he added.

The new secretary, holding her lunchbox, entered the boss’s office with him. I had only just finished my cup of coffee, but I felt the need for another. It appeared caffeine would be my ally in coping with this environment.

I let out a sigh as I contemplated whether I should wait until after my meal to have another cup of coffee. Eventually, I placed a cup on the tray. Since he had asked for coffee, it felt like the appropriate course of action.

“Ms. Se-yeon, you must be tired. Take a break,” Ha-Young suggested.

I hesitated for a moment before responding,

“…”

“I’ll get the coffee,” Ha-Young offered.

Was it because he had a heart? I could now see into his heart, and his actions continued to trouble me. She had been delivering coffee to him for a week.

Before I knew about his heart, I had felt thankful, but now it weighed heavily on my mind. As I tightened my grip on the tray, he glanced at me, inquiring about what was bothering me.

“……Thank you,” I muttered in response as I handed the tray to Ha-Young and hastily made my way to the restroom.

Sitting on the toilet seat, I buried my face in my hands. This place lacked the luxury of a rooftop where I could find solace. All I desired was to be in a tranquil grove of trees and take a moment to breathe freely. I couldn’t be away for too long, so I eventually rose to my feet and felt a surge of affirmation.

“Isn’t the boss so amazing?” Ha-Young’s voice reached me. Then, another voice chimed in.

“You look wonderful.”

It was Jimin. I didn’t want to leave, so I sat back down.

“You don’t just date any girl, do you? The ones you’ve been with must be incredible, right?” he asked.

My chest twinged. He had once cherished me so much for being unremarkable, bringing happiness to my everyday life. As I recalled my mom’s street-side outbursts and the woman in the coffee shop with tears streaming down her face, I shut my eyes tightly, feeling suffocated.

“Yeah,” I replied.

“I suppose…” Ha-Young’s voice trailed off weakly.

“But don’t he have a fiancée?” Jimin inquired.

Ha-Young opened her previously shut eyes, and a moment of silence ensued.

“What? Really?” she exclaimed.

I was just as taken aback as she was.

“Fiancée,” I confirmed, feeling as if someone were tightening a noose around my throat.

“I thought I’d heard him had a fiancée in the U.S.?” I inquired, my words heavy with incredulity.

I rose to my feet as the footsteps receded into the distance. The heels of my shoes twisted my ankle sharply, but strangely, it didn’t cause me pain.

As I stood in front of the mirror, my lips appeared a bright shade of blue. Intentionally, I bit my lip to bring forth a reddish hue. My heart raced, much like that of a guilty person.

A cold sweat trickled down my back as I couldn’t help but feel remorseful for the fiancée I had failed to recognize. As I turned to depart, the door to the boss’s office swung open. I took a step back and bowed my head.

When he walked past me, I caught a faint whiff of his familiar scent. It reminded me of his animalistic nature in bed and how he had passionately made love to another woman. A lump formed in my throat.

For a brief moment, I sensed his gaze on me, and with each passing second, I lowered my head further.

“Se-yeon, what are you doing just standing there?” Ms. Ha-Young’s voice brought me back to reality, snapping me out of my half-dazed state.

“Nothing,” I replied.

I responded and took a seat, feeling my pulse throb in my temples. There was a brief buzz from my cell phone resting on my desk, and I froze as I read the text message. It urged me to “Meet me in the underground parking lot when you get off work.”

But then, I silenced my phone and dropped it onto the desk. I didn’t have the energy for anything on a day like this, especially since I had learned about her fiancée. I let out a sigh.

When the workday ended, instead of heading to the underground parking lot, I stood in the lobby like a lost soul. The faces of the people leaving the office were radiant.

I have to leave, though I wish I could stay. I can’t help but empathize with his fiancée, a stranger to me. After pondering this for a while, I raised my head.

If she’s already not a good person, could she be just a little worse? Can’t I remain by his side a bit longer? Tears welled up in my eyes.

I don’t want to see him, yet I do, with the same kindness he used to show me, with the gestures that once brought joy to his fiancée.

As time passed, my thoughts grew, and eventually, I found myself heading to the underground parking lot. Each step felt as heavy as if I had stones tied to my feet. I’m late, but he doesn’t question me.

He’s stuck in traffic on his way home from work, his gaze fixed ahead in his stalled car.

“Did you have a boyfriend?” he inquired, his deep voice resonating in the car. My eyes widened, sensing he suspected I might be dishonest.

“Uh, it’s not like that,” I stammered, my mouth tense. He furrowed his brows while I moistened my dry lips with my tongue.

“I know.”

“But why do you ask?”

“Just.”

I wanted to ask if you genuinely have a fiancée. But then I recalled something he had said previously, “It’s none of your business if I have a girl or not,” and I suppressed the question, biting my lip.

My chest tingled with each breath, as if there was something embedded within it, akin to invisible thorns on my fingers that stung whenever I touched them.

“Wait,” he said when we reached his house. And I waited, as he went upstairs, leaving me on the couch, waiting for his return after we had eaten.

A heavy stone rolled off my chest, although it felt different from the weight I experienced when I was unaware of his engagement. Fatigue engulfed me, and I yearned to sleep, as if I could escape reality through slumber. I rummaged through my bag in search of something to occupy my mind, and my silenced phone suddenly flashed.

“Hello?”

-How are you?

It was my mom. It had been a while. In the past, I would have pitied my mom, but now, I held no sympathy, for I knew she was toiling diligently in a place I couldn’t witness.

Instead, my concern was focused on her well-being.

“I’m fine. How are you mom?”

“I’m fine.”

There was a moment of silence. I grew tense and clutched my phone tightly.

-That’s right. Are you still working there?

“The architectural firm? Why?”

“Your aunt sounded strange on the phone yesterday. Is something happening at the firm? I hadn’t heard about it before.”

I had already quit working at the firm, so I was unaware of the current situation. But how would my mom react if I disclosed that I had worked for Royal Group?

I couldn’t forget the look on my mom’s face when she yelled at me to leave. I closed my eyes briefly and made up my mind not to mention Royal Group.

“I quit.”

“What? When?”

“I resigned last week.”

Mom fell silent.

“Mom?”

“Okay. I suppose you’ve made your own decision.”

I adjusted my phone and gazed at the staircase leading to the second floor.

I couldn’t help but wonder how my mom would react when she discovered I was talking to Han Se-hyuk in his house, the man she despised, or if she would urge me to mend things with him, now that he’s the president of Royal Group. I knew it was futile, but I couldn’t stop contemplating it.

“Mom.”

“What?”

“Don’t get sick.”

“…I’ll go see your Dad tomorrow.”

“He’ll appreciate it.”

A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I imagined my dad seeing my mom after such a long time. She ended the call and returned her phone to her bag.

Realizing that this would be a lengthy journey, she opted to take a nap. Once he was upstairs, she could probably catch two or three hours of sleep. She curled up on the couch, much like a child, and closed her eyes. My determination never to sleep in his house again quickly wavered.

I comforted myself, thinking it would only be for a short while, and I drifted off to sleep. After a while, I felt someone gently lifting me, and I opened my eyes slightly, only to close them again.

It had to be a dream. The man gazing down at me wasn’t the cold, distant figure I expected but Han Se-hyuk from the past, the man I had missed so much and longed for.

Han Se-hyuk. Even with my eyes closed, tears welled up, and they trickled down the corners of my eyes. I could feel the soft bed against my back.

I cautiously opened my tightly closed eyes, afraid of abruptly waking from the dream. Through my tear-filled vision, I struggled to see his face. Slowly, I rose to my feet and wrapped my arms tightly around his neck.

There was a brief pause, but he didn’t push me away. I nestled my face against the nape of his neck and wiped my tear-streaked cheeks. My heart swelled with emotion in my chest.

“Han… I missed you.”

“…”

“You hate me, don’t you?”

Her shoulders quivered with impatience. When he remained silent, I gazed up at him, my trembling hand stroking his cheek restlessly.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Can’t you at least smile at me in my dreams? It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let you go somehow.

“Black… It’s tough. It’s so tough.”

I thought it was for the best at the time. If I could go back in time, I would sell my soul to the devil.  My palms were covering my face. Even in my fantasies, I didn’t want him to watch me cry.  

His wrist was suddenly grasped. He yanked my wrist down and kissed me passionately. Their tongues intertwined in familiarity as his mouth expanded. She had a thing for kissing him.

Kisses so tender and occasionally fiery that they left no room for any other thoughts.

“Hah. Hah.”

I clung to his neck, my tongue working overtime, unable to let go. I s*cked on his neck, our tongues entwining as if they were one.

It burrowed beneath him and entered his mouth. The movements became more intense as time went. Hands pushed him down to lie on the bed, unsatisfied. It was critical.

I yearned to experience his presence before waking up from my dream.

“Ha. Ha.”

I rolled onto his belly. I put my palm to the side of his face and looked him in the eyes. I loved his pupils, which were so white they appeared blue. Another tear formed in my eye.

I snatched his cheeks and lowered my head. A tear streamed down his cheek.  His lips were squeezed together. I became impatient when he didn’t open his mouth.

My tongue brushed against his firmly closed lips. A second is equivalent to a day. I can’t wait any longer, so I bite my bottom lip, and his mouth opens.  

I stick my tongue right in there. I run the tip of my tongue across the roof of his mouth and over his even teeth. I’d like to perform better, but it’s not happening.

Despite my carelessness, he remains silent. I gathered my strength and turned my face to the other side, capturing his tongue and putting it into my mouth, flicking it from side to side till I couldn’t feel it anymore.

As time went by, I came to realize that this wasn’t a dream. I released his tongue.

“Mmph.”

He held his chest tightly, having been still until now. In his mouth, the moan ceased.  He bit his lower lip this time.

The tongue that opened his mouth and explored every inch of it till he couldn’t think any more. The hardness of his movements against my throat made it impossible for me to breathe.

I couldn’t keep up with him, but I also didn’t want to push him away. The hand that had been holding her neck slipped across her br*asts, then to her back. A hand entered her bra and cupped her exposed br*ast.  

Her n*pples were hardening against his firm palm.  I unbuttoned his shirt one by one with quivering hands. My clothing came off at the same time.

He removed her last shirt, exposing her bra and threw it to the floor, and then move into her pants.    

“Ugh!”

He stood up as I removed his waistband and belt, though his strong bite on the nape of my neck kept my hands free. He looks down, as if he’s observing me.

She swallowed dryly. His big hand rubbed her tummy. It came to a halt near her navel and followed the scar.  Her hand crept down his pants and grabbed his c*ck.

It was throbbing inside and I could feel it all through my palm. I gazed up at him, my eyes trembling.  I’m not sure what he’s thinking.  

When he took out his p*nis, he noticed the shaft was covered with Cooper’s liquid. Its size and thickness are scary no matter how many times you look at it.

Han Se-hyuk wasn’t the only one who got wet; I was drenched. I stretched my legs and pushed my pantyhose aside. I didn’t try to avert his gaze.

I didn’t notice the flicker since his pupils were so little. As he peered at my p*ssy, his eyes darkened. As he softly pushed the tip against my p*ssy, my lower gut constricted.

A little sigh left his lips.    

“Put it in me.”  

“…….”

“Please.”    

I knew it wasn’t a dream, but a part of me wished it was. I knew it couldn’t have been a dream, but I wanted it had been.

I pray he has no idea how badly I want him, my body and mind.   

 “Mmmph!”

He thrust the root end into the hole as if there was no other option. My mouth dropped open, and I felt every time he rocked his hips, I felt pain underneath. 

But it was the pleasure that surged through my body behind the pain that held him from pushing out.  My entire body was burning. My inner walls were gnawing at his.

As he drove his c*ck in and out of her v*g*na, I caressed my clit with my fingertips and tilted my head back. He bite and squeeze my n*pple until it hurts.

In my arms, I cradled his head.  Was it possible to have eternal love? I had made so many promises in the past.

That it would be the first and only time, that I would have a kid like my mother, that I would die all at once, and a slew of other promises I couldn’t keep.  

My body swayed erratically up and down.  I’m feeling dizzy. The earth is trembling.  I raised my upper body and yanked on his neck.

I bit his lips, clutching to him so tightly that I couldn’t think, and rocked my hips to his beat. All of my concerns vanished quickly. All I could do was howl with delight.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

His toes curled and he bowed his back. He slid out rapidly at the same time. My tummy felt warm. He lay on the bed, raggedly breathing.

 I didn’t open my eyes on purpose since I didn’t want to watch him get up coldly. I didn’t clear my throat as I watched him go to the bathroom.  

I opened my eyes only when I had regained control of my breathing.  I have to return home. I have to hurry home before I fall asleep. I brushed his traces away with a tissue and dressed.

I should not have apologized to him. I’m meant to be a jerk till the very end. As I dress, my hands keep slipping. I bit my lower lip and winced in pain. The kiss had to hurt.  

Huh-.  

I take a breath, but it catches in the middle of my chest.  What a pathetic apology.  I walked out into the living room, shaking my head, and grabbed my luggage. I ran away from his house like a bad person.    

* * * * * * * *

Two weeks passed, and I didn’t receive any contact from him. I took my phone out of my pocket, then put it back. The elevator doors opened, and a wave of heat rushed in as I stepped out of the building.

As soon as I stepped outside, sweat trickled down my back. I wiped my forehead with a handkerchief and spotted Miho in the distance.

“Miho!” I called out, “It’s scorching. I feel like I’m going to melt.”

I chuckled at my friend’s complaints about the heat. She mentioned having some errands nearby and assured me she would return in time for lunch, to which I agreed. I could tell that Miho had made the effort to come over for a reason.

“Are you doing alright?” she asked.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” I replied.

She seemed concerned that Han Se-hyuk might be facing difficulties. We decided to have cold noodles for lunch, and she even used scissors to cut them into small pieces before serving them to me.

“You can always confide in me if you’re struggling. Don’t bottle it up and explode like an idiot,” Miho advised.

“Okay, nag,” I responded, even though her pinching my cheek was her way of showing concern.

“Your problem is that you try to handle difficult situations on your own,” Miho continued.

I sipped on the cold noodle soup, which soothed my restless stomach.

“If it’s tough, you can admit it’s tough. Nobody will judge you for finding something challenging,” Miho reassured.

“Let’s eat; time is running out.”

The restaurant was reputed to be well-known, and a substantial crowd was waiting. After queuing for a while, I realized that I didn’t have enough time to dine.

“Perhaps we can try again next time, in the evening. They’re always so packed,” Miho grumbled once more.

He wasn’t genuinely occupied, but perhaps he would reach out to me? I gulped down the cold noodles in my mouth, unable to admit that I was waiting for him.

Since that moment, I hadn’t caught his occasional glances. He was deliberately avoiding me and showed no signs of an apology. Instead, his gaze held anger.

My shoulders drooped as I noticed the coldness in his eyes. Was he attempting to be aloof and detached? It was far from amusing.

“Hurry up and finish your meal. Why can’t you eat quickly?” Miho urged.

“I’m done. Let’s go.”

“If your friend came all this way, you should at least send her off with coffee or something! Seriously!”

“I’m sorry. I’ll give you a call.”

Determined not to return home cold-hearted, I entered the building, rode the elevator, and anxiously checked the time. Fortunately, I’d have enough time to brush my teeth. As soon as the elevator doors opened, I stepped onto the red carpet, and my ankle throbbed.

Two weeks later, my ankle still throbbed from time to time. I applied a paste to it every night, but it didn’t seem to be improving.

“Se-yeon, are you there?”

“Yes. I need to use the restroom.”

After I finished brushing my teeth and glanced at the time, I had about five minutes left.

“Please, just let me see his face.”

I turned to leave, but I abruptly halted in my tracks at the sound of the urgent plea. The voice had a faint air of familiarity.

“He doesn’t have an appointment, and he’s not in his office.”

I shook my head and approached, but the desperate woman turned away.

“Cha Se-yeon? You? why?” said Sooyin. As she drifted away, her face contorted like a crumpled piece of paper.