The Breakup Between You and Me - Episode 12

Episode 12

Her aunt, the one who angrily raised her hand, appeared to have learned something from Sooyin. It was clear that the sight of her daughter kneeling had ignited her fury. The burning sensation on my right cheek, a reminder of the earlier slap, intensified.

“Bitch!” she exclaimed once more. I instinctively reached for my burning cheek, but the pain was so sharp that I squinted my eyes. My nails unintentionally grazed the sore spot as I maintained a silent gaze.

“Did you request that gentleman to dismantle our company?” she inquired.

The situation was becoming increasingly absurd as she had already jumped to the conclusion that I was the one responsible for trying to bankrupt the company.

“Wait, intentionally cause the company to go out of business?” I questioned, my disbelief evident.

“……Intentionally cause the company to go out of business?” I repeated, hoping for some clarity.

“Yes! Your feigned ignorance is unsettling. Did Sooyin manage to captivate a man with such an innocent facade?” She accused, her words laced with skepticism.

It all seemed ludicrous, and I lacked the energy to engage in an argument. Exhaustion from staying up until dawn, compounded by the relentless interrogation from my aunt, had taken its toll.

I had grown weary of the situation. Why did it seem like everyone around me harbored such disdain for me? I longed for the unwavering love of my father, who had always cherished me without conditions.

Her eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief as she casually pushed back her disheveled hair. A faint, enigmatic smile curled upon her lips.

“Have you been engaging in promiscuous behavior all along, you disgraceful woman? Is that how you managed to secure a position at the Royal Group? You’re far from being visually appealing, yet you’re working at the Royal Group! What exactly is your role there?”

Her gaze came to a halt at the back of my neck, where she had been biting and s*cking throughout the entire night, and she immediately grasped the situation.

She noticed the marks he’d left. She attempted to cover her nape with her palm, but it was too late.  She shrank and sharpened into a dot as she stared at her like she was a mop.

Now that I think about it, she was correct: without him, I would not have landed the job at Royal Group.

“It’s filthy, it’s filthy, it’s filthy!”

I had the sensation of being entirely tainted. I was aware that I should refuse, but my lips remained sealed.

“Apologize to Sooyin this instant!”

“…….”

“When you return from work today, you will plead on your knees!”

I must have been exceedingly fatigued, as my vision had become blurred.

“Understood!”

“I have no reason to apologize to Sooyin.”

“What? What!”

“Did Sooyin go on a date with that guy?”

“She didn’t.”

“This, this!”

My aunt raised her hand again, and just as it was about to reach my face, I promptly grabbed her wrist. A piercing scream erupted from her.

“Never touch my body again,” I warned firmly.

With that, I pushed her away and made a hasty retreat back inside the palace. However, as I reached halfway up the stairs, my legs gave way, and I crumpled to the ground. I curled up, bringing my knees to my chest and burying my face in my hands.

“This is incredibly challenging. It’s overwhelming. I feel utterly drained.”

A tear trickled down on my cheek, and the wound on my face stung from the salt of her tears.

“This is an absolute disaster. It’s a complete mess…”

Would it be less burdensome if I simply surrendered? I stumbled back into the room and sank to the floor, my exhaustion overwhelming me. Dizziness set in due to the prolonged lack of sleep. I crawled towards my bed, slowly mounting it, and shut my eyes. His voice reverberated in my mind, reminding me, “Don’t you dare, don’t you look up.”

I observed him, his expression alternating between cold indifference and a longing gaze that seemed to convey a yearning for love. I curled up into a ball and clutched my stomach tightly.

The exhaustion was overwhelming, and I felt as though I might succumb to it, yet sleep eluded me. I resorted to applying cold compresses in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort, but it didn’t appear to provide much relief before it was time to head to work.

“Se-yeon, who’s responsible for hitting you?” Ms. Ha-young inquired in a hushed tone, genuinely concerned about my recurrent injuries.

“Have you applied any medication to it?” she asked.

“No,” I replied.

“I have some medicine. I can lend it to you,” Ms. Ha-young offered.

“Thank you,” I expressed my gratitude.

She proceeded to pull her hair away from her face and applied the medicine to the scars.

“Hello,” she greeted.

“Hello,” I responded.

I heard Jimin’s voice as she greeted me, causing me to pause in applying the medicine. I stood up and bowed my head in acknowledgment, stealing a glance at her as she departed for work.

For a brief moment, her gaze brushed against my cheek before shifting away. As soon as the door to the boss’s office closed, I made my way to the restroom. While preparing coffee, the new secretary approached me and said,

“Hand me the coffee. I need to head inside due to my schedule,” the new secretary requested.

“I was just preparing it for Ms. Ha-Young,” I replied, but as I turned, I noticed his shoulders slumping.

I handed the coffee to Mr. Shin, who proceeded into the president’s office. The secretary’s office fell into a hush, with only the occasional sound of typing and paper shuffling breaking the silence.

“By the way,” she began.

It was Ha-Young who finally broke the silence.

“So, what’s going to happen to Gaon Architects?” she inquired.

The mention of Gaon brought an abrupt halt to the conversation.

“I’m not entirely sure. The final decision rests with the boss, but there’s been talk about recovering the investment…” I responded, and suddenly everything fell into place. That was why Sooyin had rushed in, and why her aunt had followed her to the high court. It was all starting to make sense.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Gaon Architects, a firm that had been among the best in the industry, would be jeopardized by these circumstances. The thought made me uneasy.

“Let’s have lunch together today,” I suggested.

The new secretary emerged from the boss’s office and advised against making lunch plans.

“We have a new employee, so let’s have a special meal,” she proposed.

“Is the boss joining us?” I inquired.

“Yes,” she confirmed.

Ms. Ha-Young’s mouth formed an amused expression, but I maintained a solemn demeanor. I suppressed a sigh, unable to express my desire to skip lunch.

She explained that usually, we ate lunch separately, but occasionally, we dined together. As I reached the elegant Korean restaurant located near the office, I paused to visit the restroom.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I noticed that my cheeks were still somewhat puffy, though less so than in the morning. Afterward, I proceeded down the wooden-floored corridor and stopped before the door.

Laughter echoed from within the restaurant, and I made an effort to lift the corners of my mouth before entering.

“Ms. Se-yeon, please come in; the food is ready,” a voice prompted.

I nodded and replied, “Yes.”

The food was promptly served since I had placed the order when making the reservation. Secretary Shin and Ms. Ha-Young occupied seats next to him, while Jimin and I sat across from them.

Being seated across from each other was quite uncomfortable, but he appeared unfazed by it.

“I’ve heard quite a bit,” he remarked.

I responded, “Alright, I’ll enjoy the meal.”

His facade of kindness and respect felt foreign, and that was all it was—a façade. The corners of my mouth forced themselves into a polite smile.

Despite his apparent affability, I couldn’t ignore the knowledge of his true nature. He was a beast, particularly in the intimate realm.

My body cried out in agony, with the most intense discomfort emanating from my lower back and inner thighs, causing a constant, pulsating ache.

“Is the work truly worth it?” I was asked.

“Yes, I love it. I aspire to work here for the entirety of my career,” I responded.

Sitting beside him, Ms. Ha-Young chimed in as though she had been expecting my reply, and his gaze shifted towards me.

“That’s… You all are making significant contributions. I’m gaining valuable experience,” I added.

He smiled, his amusement evident.

“I’m the one putting in the real effort,” he quipped.

My cheeks turned crimson, my embarrassment apparent. Although the food on the table was costly, I couldn’t savor it; it felt like I was chewing on sand, so I forcefully worked my jaw.

I cast a furtive glance at his chopsticks, which he wielded with elegance without lowering his head. He munched and swallowed without making any noise.

“Mr. Han, I believe you should answer the phone,” Secretary Shin urged, his tone carrying a hint of urgency. I set down my chopsticks in response. He accepted the phone from him, and I couldn’t help but notice the subtle relaxation of his lips as he checked his phone’s screen.

“Yes,” he acknowledged.

I watched him as he picked up the phone, and his expression transformed into the familiar Han Se-hyuk of the past.

“Now? Why are you informing me at this moment?” he inquired.

His voice sounded so sweet, it was almost like tasting honey.

“Alright, I’ll be there shortly, so please don’t leave,” he said, and a woman’s laughter could be heard on the other end of the line. When he rose from the table, our eyes locked briefly, but she turned away, displaying a cold detachment.

“I have an urgent matter to attend to. Please continue your meal. We’ll have dinner later,” he stated as he left.

Without uttering a word, I observed as he and the new secretary departed. My gaze remained fixed on the closed door, and then it dawned on me that he hadn’t truly left.

A peculiar pang filled my chest. He had claimed it was an urgent matter, presumably related to work, but his distant look left me puzzled. Was it because I was witnessing the true Han Se-hyuk for the first time in a long while?

“Se-yeon, are you crying?” Ms. Ha-Young asked.

“No,” I replied, though the truth was that my eyes welled with unshed tears.

I realized that the tears were a result of Ms. Ha’s question, as she inquired why I was crying.

“Are you unwell? Is it because you’re in pain?” gasped Ha-young, who was seated across from me, her tears caused by her injury.

“It’s… I must be unwell, I’m not well,” I replied, my voice shaky.

She had never shed tears in front of anyone before. Not even when Sooyin slapped her or when people spread hurtful rumors.

I had been resolute, clenching my teeth to ensure that I never shed a tear, even when they continued to ignore me. But now, tears were streaming down my cheeks.

I shook my head in response to Ms. Ha, who had taken hold of my forearm and was ready to escort me to the hospital.

“I’m sorry, I apologize if I’ve made you uncomfortable,” I said, wiping away the tears.

“You have a lot to apologize for,” Ms. Ha replied.

“I’m sorry you’re having to eat alone,” I expressed.

“Don’t apologize,” she responded, and Ms. Ha handed a tissue to Se-Yeon along with a glass of water, which inexplicably warmed my heart.

“I’ll buy you a coffee instead,” I offered, leaving the uneaten food behind.

“Of course,” Jimin agreed.

Jimin grumbled as if he hadn’t expected me to follow through. I placed the order for the coffee, and as I sat back down, they noticed my puffy eyes and clicked their tongues disapprovingly.

I had assumed they despised me, but the warmth in their eyes at that moment was the most heartwarming I’d ever seen. It melted my heart, and I realized I might have been unfairly prejudiced.

I had anticipated they would harbor resentment because I had joined the group abruptly.

“Se-Yeon, can you bring the coffee?” Jimin asked.

“Of course. I’ll also get a piece of cake,” I replied, looking at them and sharing a genuine laugh.

“You went from tears to laughter, and now you’re making a mess,” Jimin commented.

I nodded, “Yes. When I first saw you, I thought you were quite petite and fragile, but now you’ve got a new haircut. Judging by the scars on her face, she must be quite a fighter.”

Ms. Ha-Young playfully gestured, indicating that she didn’t want me to threaten her with the mention of her scars.

My phone rang, and I excused myself to retrieve my coffee. As I was inserting a straw into my coffee, two individuals approached me.

“Se-yeon, let’s eat on the way. We’re running late,” one of them suggested.

“Alright,” I agreed and prepared to leave with them.

As I made my way to the office, my steps felt lighter than ever, momentarily making me forget why I had been in such a hurry. It didn’t take long for the realization to dawn upon me.

By the end of the day, the company was in turmoil. Tension gripped the secretary’s office as the daughter of the chairman of the Royal Group was on her way to the office.

“Hello?” I answered the phone, my voice tinged with apprehension.

With just 10 minutes remaining before the start of the workday, the daughter of the Royal Group’s chairman arrived. Her beauty surpassed that of any celebrity; words like “pretty” fell short of describing her.

Her face radiated a glow that appeared untouched by life’s hardships. I had anticipated her arriving with luxury goods in tow, but she appeared modest and unassuming.

The door to the president’s office swung open.

“Are you here?” the chairman’s daughter asked.

“Yes,” was the reply.

“I told you to wait,” the chairman responded.

“I just wanted to see my brother at work,” she explained.

My heart sank upon seeing the shy smile on her face.

“Let’s go inside,” the chairman suggested.

“Sure,” she agreed, and they entered the office.

It was evident that she was his former fiancée from the United States. My heart ached so profoundly that it felt as though I couldn’t breathe. He never took his eyes off her, and he gently shut the door behind them.

I stood there, immobilized, unable to take any action, as the image of the two of them, so perfectly suited for each other, played on a loop in my mind.

** * * * * * *

“Please, stop drinking,” someone implored.

“It’s fine. It’s fine,” was the slurred response.

“Because I’m not fine,” she admitted.

She cast a glance at Miho, who gently removed the glass from her hand.

“You’re intoxicated. You need to stop drinking and get up,” Miho insisted.

“Just a little more,” she mumbled.

“Are you not going to work tomorrow?” Miho inquired, expressing concern about her well-being.

She’s always a nag. Everything she says feels like nagging. I had been drinking alone when Miho called me, and by the time she arrived, I was completely intoxicated.

The world seemed to spin around me, and I slowly closed my eyes, only to reopen them to find Miho looking disapprovingly at me.

“Shouldn’t I?” I replied, not wanting to go to work or do anything at all. All I craved was the solace of a place where no one knew me. I glanced at my phone lying on the table.

“I can’t believe you’re going to work while you’re unwell. Get up. I have an early morning shift,” Miho scolded me.

While I remained fixated on my silent phone, Miho stood up, sat back down, and inquired, “What’s the matter?”

I cleared my throat and shifted my gaze to Miho. “Yes, there is,” I admitted.

She handed me the glass she had earlier taken away due to my tears. I couldn’t believe how vulnerable I was. I managed a wry smile and took a sip.

“Mmm, it’s delightful,” I remarked, attempting to lighten the mood.

“What’s happening?” Miho asked, her tone filled with concern.

A faint smile touched the corners of my mouth in response to her genuine interest.

“What?” she inquired.

“…I’ve come to realize that I’m a truly awful person,” I confessed.

“What?” Her previously uplifted expression faltered, and Miho’s countenance grew somber.

“I already knew I was a bad person, but this is even worse than that” I continued.

“I’m… I’m trash,” I added, my voice heavy with self-loathing. “Trash that can’t even be recycled.”

I could envision it now: I glanced at my phone, contemplating whether to contact him and his fiancée.

“Se-yeon…” Miho uttered my name, her voice tinged with sympathy.

“It’s genuinely challenging, but I can’t quit. I aim to become a stronger, more assertive person,” she confesses, her tears flowing down her face.

“Alright, then. Embrace that assertiveness, Cha Se-yeon,” she responds, using the term “bitch” in a self-empowering way.

“Will you still spend time with me?” she asks, seeking reassurance.

“Of course, I’ll spend time with you, and this time, you can have your way,” Miho assures her.

I hesitated for a moment before saying, “Let your emotions out, don’t keep them bottled up.”

She was reluctant to conceal her tears silently. Miho held my hand tightly, as these days, I frequently found myself in moments of overwhelming emotion.

Feeling ashamed of my jealousy towards his fiancée, I yearned to assert myself and stand by his side for a while. However, upon seeing her, a wave of clarity washed over me, making me realize my misguided actions.

It dawned on me. I vividly recalled her radiant, unblemished smile, and every thought of her stirred a flutter in my heart.

“Just one more drink,” she insisted.

“Are you sure?”

“Just one more drink.”

I had a strong desire to become intoxicated that day, so I woke up and yearned for it to be the next day. Struggling to manage the overpowering emotions, I reached for another drink.

I felt disoriented as if I had no sense of direction.

The following day arrived.

“How much have you been drinking?” someone inquired.

I sat wearily at my desk, my head hanging low, unable to meet Ms. Ha-Young’s gaze as she sniffled. The events of the previous day were a blur, and I couldn’t even recall how I made it home.

As I woke up with a sore, parched throat, I realized it was time to head to work. I hastily prepared and rushed to the office, but my stomach was on fire, and I felt unwell.

“Ugh! You reek of alcohol.”

“I’m sorry.”

“The boss should be arriving soon.”

Ms. Ha-Young rummaged through her desk drawer.

“Ah, here it is.”

“What’s that?”

“Perfume. Spray this on.”

She presented me with a selection of miniature perfumes, and I chose one, and applied it to my upper body. In hindsight, I remembered that I had smelled quite lovely around his fiancée the previous day.

“They’re serving yukgaejang for lunch today. It’s going to be a treat, Cha Se-Yeon, the drinker,” she remarked, adding another nickname to the list. “A fighter and a drinker. I can’t believe I’m living with all these nicknames.”

“Hello,” I greeted.

“Hello,” he responded. His voice seemed more cheerful than it was yesterday. I wondered if reuniting with his fiancée after all these years brought him joy. I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze and lowered my eyes.

I desired his happiness and wished to shield him from sorrow. Thoughts swirled in my mind, and I tried to occupy myself with tidying up, although it felt like a whirlwind of busyness.

Time seemed to slip away unnoticed. Shortly after lunch, he emerged from his office. His joyful expression stirred conflicting emotions within me, prompting a desire to act somewhat unkind.

“Is he going to see his fiancée or something? Why is he so elated?” It appeared that others were also wondering about his sudden happiness. My stomach churned with discomfort, yet my longing for a drink resurfaced. I considered purchasing a bottle of soju on my way home from work.

Consuming some yukgaejang helped soothe my upset stomach to some extent. I sat with Jimin and Ha-Young, sipping coffee, when Secretary Shin entered with a shopping bag in hand.

“Did you have a good lunch?”

“Yes, and you?”

“I did.”

“I had something to eat.”

I glanced at Mr. Shin as he placed the shopping bag on the desk and smiled.

“What’s this?”

“Do you recall the lady who visited yesterday when you were leaving?”

“Of course. How could I forget her?”

“She asked me to give this to you.”

“Good luck with that.”

I tasted the words on my tongue, and they left a bitter aftertaste. Ms. Ha-Young eagerly delved into the shopping bag, momentarily wiping off the lipstick she had just applied, claiming it was the latest trend.

“Wow! How do I look? Am I attractive?”

“…Yes. You look attractive.”

The unwanted gift sat untouched on my desk, and I pushed it into a corner. His fiancée appeared to be a kind and considerate person, taking care of his secretary.

I bit my lip, overwhelmed by the sadness of directing my affection towards her. I acknowledged my shortcomings; I had been acting selfishly. I longed to be in her position, yearning for love.

“I need to use the restroom.”

I ran to the restroom. My gut churned.  I squatted on the floor and closed the restroom door. I couldn’t breathe, so I beat my fists on my chest.

****

For a long time, I covered my mouth and cried quietly. I hadn’t heard from him in a week.  My phone was set to silence.

I was aware of the incoming call, but I deliberately feigned ignorance. With a stern gaze, I stashed the phone back under my pillow and closed my eyes, attempting to distract myself by counting sheep.

I had been avoiding his calls for five full days, and I had no intention of answering. I buried myself under the covers, shielding my head from any potential disturbances.

I lost track of how many sheep I had counted. Frustrated, I began counting aloud again, “One sheep, two sheep,” all the while ensuring my hands remained tucked under the pillow, determined to find solace in the repetitive exercise.

* * * * * * * *

“Good morning,” he always greeted us when entering the office, but today he remained silent. When his secretaries extended their greetings, he didn’t respond. Instead, his gaze narrowed, and he briefly glared at me before entering the boss’s office.

I couldn’t help but wonder if his unusual behavior was related to my failure to return his call.

“Boss, you seem to be in a low mood lately. Did you disagree with your fiancée?” She had returned to the United States. I hadn’t heard from him until after her departure, and perhaps, deep down, I didn’t wish to hear from him anymore.

A deep sigh involuntarily escaped my lips as I prepared coffee. Just then, the intercom rang.

“Ms. Cha, please come in here for a moment,” his voice said. My name had never sounded so surprising. I nearly dropped my cup as I hastily picked up the tray and made my way to the boss’s office.

“Come in” he beckoned from within.

I mentally counted to three, attempting to force a smile by stretching the corners of my mouth as far as they would go. As I entered his office, I could feel his penetrating gaze fixed upon me.

I met his gaze with a nonchalant expression, maintaining a composed demeanor. She quietly placed his coffee cup on the desk.

“You requested my presence,” I stated.

He lowered his eyes, concealing his expression, and then inquired, “Why didn’t you call me yesterday?”

“I apologize. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep.”

“And the day before that?”

“I was at my father’s hospital,” I replied.

I responded with the same tone I would use when addressing my maternal uncle, the president of Gaon Architects.

“And the day before that?”

“I met up with some friends,” I replied.

There was a brief silence.

“Is that so?” he finally said.

“Yes,” I affirmed.

His eyes scanned my face, searching for something. I maintained the pretense of not noticing, and he remained in silence, his gaze steadfastly averted.

“Alright, you can leave now,” he finally said.

“Okay,” I acknowledged and swiftly exited the room.

I leaned back and turned away, feeling the tension in the room. Sweat formed on my forehead, despite the air conditioning. It was unusual to be hot and clammy in that cool environment. My phone remained silent throughout the day.

For nearly five days, my phone had been ringing after work, but now it was silent again. I found myself conflicted, not sure how to interpret the silence.

I was equally relieved and saddened by the absence of his calls. I managed a forced smile for my dad, who was beaming at me.

My dad had recently moved to a new hospital, where he was cared for by a kind and compassionate lady. I noticed a visible change in my dad’s demeanor; his face relaxed and brightened in her presence.

“You’re quite handsome now, much more so. It’s a big deal. What if the other patients fall in love with you?” I remarked.

He chuckled, his lips twitching. His therapy sessions, both speech and physical, had been increased, and it was evident that he was making significant progress.

“Did mom visit here?” I inquired.

“Um, yes,” he replied.

“Mr. Cha, you’re making me jealous,” I teased, with a playful smile.

He nodded in agreement with my playful comment, and it warmed my heart to see him so content. However, a nagging thought persisted in the back of my mind, like an unremoved thorn. I wondered how to extract it, or if it was even possible to do so.

With each breath, that nagging feeling reminded me not to forget its presence. As I left the hospital, I assured my dad that I would return another time, all the while carrying the weight of this unresolved concern with me.

I stepped outside into the warm, muggy air, contemplating the possibility of rain. I had an urge to take a refreshing cold shower and crawl back into bed, but the thought of going to the office was unappealing.

Though it might have been a mere illusion, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I kept encountering the man from the neighboring room, sending shivers down my spine. Eventually, I made a quick decision and headed to the park.

At one point, I considered reaching out to Miho, but then I remembered our discussion from the day before about traveling to the province for a photography shoot.

I walked and walked, pushing my tired feet to their limits until I felt like I could drift off to sleep right there on my bed. By the time I finally made it back home from the park, my entire body was drenched in sweat. I couldn’t wait to get cleaned up and wash away the exhaustion.

As I opened the door, I felt relieved that I hadn’t encountered my neighbor today. “Uh, how?” I began to say, but my words trailed off as I saw him sitting up in bed. Our eyes met, and I noticed his watch in his left hand.

“You’re late,” he said, his voice slightly irritated, clearly perplexed as to why I was arriving so late.