The Season I Loved You Without You - Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

 

Her past as both a former lover and a secretary was her trigger. It was something she kept tightly hidden, but if someone even lightly touched upon it, it would explode like a bomb. Thus, she became pathologically fixated on appearances and pretenses. That’s why all her hobbies were like this. But even so, it didn’t erase her past.

 

Seung-ok had an amazing ability to find people like Jo Yoon-young, who came from prestigious backgrounds and were destined for power. She enjoyed socializing with such people and ultimately found a thrill in putting them under her feet.

 

Ji-hyuk left Seung-ok’s office with Yoon-young and got into the car. Seung-ok gave the two a plausible order to choose a gift for Chairman Moon Joo-pyeong’s upcoming birthday. It was understood by all three present that it was just an excuse, but no one mentioned it aloud.

 

Ji-hyuk sank into the back seat and loosened his tie. When he mentioned the destination, the car started moving. He searched for a cigarette and glanced at the seat next to him before lighting it.

 

Yoon-young was gazing at him. Ji-hyuk sent her a glance as if seeking permission, and she nodded. He opened the window slightly and took in a deep breath of the pungent smoke, closing his eyes slightly.

 

“Are you really going to do it?” 

 

Ji-hyuk murmured lazily.

 

“Yes.” 

 

Yoon-young replied firmly.

 

“Why bother? There are plenty of new ones.”

 

“Sometimes, the old ones are better.”

 

Ji-hyuk chuckled softly and scratched his eyebrow with the hand holding the cigarette. What on earth was it for? Did she think he would become the real head of MMK?

 

“I like you, Ji-hyuk. You know that.” 

 

Yoon-young said firmly, tucking her waist comfortably into the seat.

 

“Just me?” 

 

Ji-hyuk raised an eyebrow in response. Was that all it took for her to stake her life and become Seung-ok’s pawn, is that it? Yoon-young chuckled at Ji-hyuk’s reply.

 

“Just me, you say? That’s not what Ji-hyuk should say.”

 

Ji-hyuk extinguished the cigarette and looked silently at Yoon-young.

 

“Because of that petty love, Moon Ji-hyuk ended up in the strategy planning office of MMK Construction, even becoming part of the brain trust. A long-term game. You thought you could just play around your whole life. Am I wrong? So don’t belittle it by calling it ‘just me,’ okay?”

 

Great love made many things possible. Because of that great love, wars broke out, and thousands of people died. It even drove people to madness. It made the impossible possible. It was the force that moved Moon Ji-hyuk, breaking the conventional wisdom that people don’t change easily. Just because of that petty love.

 

Ji-hyuk wasn’t particularly moved by Yoon-young’s words. It was just a matter to handle like any other.

 

“Well then, let’s make it easy. Take us to the hotel. Turn the car around.”

 

The chauffeur, who had been with Ji-hyuk for a long time, immediately turned the car around.

 

Even though he had divorced, Moon Ji-hyuk, who was currently receiving immense attention from Moon Joo-pyeong, the current chairman of the MMK Group, had already proven his worth. Moon Ji-hyuk would undoubtedly become a significant figure in MMK, and among the ordinary men, he was indeed exceptional.

 

Even disregarding his background, his demeanor was top-notch, exuding an overwhelming presence. And the lethargic and cool atmosphere was precisely Yoon-young’s taste.

 

Even if Yun Seung-ok was described as a woman obsessed with power, her inner workings were obvious, making her easier to handle. They could just maneuver around each other like the tip of a tongue. It was evident that she would try to gain the upper hand, but if he could give in a little, resolve her father Hee-chang’s political funding issues, and put a leash on him, then there was nothing he couldn’t handle. He could consider Seung-ok somewhat of a nuisance.

 

After Ji-hyuk and Yoon-young left, Seung-ok called Mr. Park. Though she asked nonchalantly, the content was excessively ordinary.

 

“How’s Director Moon doing these days?”

 

“According to the reports, after work, he mostly stays at home, and once in a while, he calls a woman to the Twins Star Hotel to spend time together.”

 

Seung-ok narrowed her eyes.

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Yes?”

 

Mr. Park was surprised, but he responded as if it were a usual question.

 

“I’m asking you if you’re sure it’s not Han Go-yeo.”

 

“…Should I double-check?”

 

At Mr. Park’s cautious question, Seung-ok nodded.

 

“Oh. And also, see if those two have taken proper precautions. It’d be troublesome if they got involved for no reason.”

 

“Yes. Understood.”

 

After Mr. Park left, Seung-ok took out her burner phone and dialed a number not saved in her contacts.

 

“How’s Han Go-yeo doing these days?”

 

A low, husky voice came through.

 

-There haven’t been any changes. Shall I withdraw?

 

“Not yet. Any men she’s meeting?”

 

-No.

 

“Get her involved with some guys and poke her to the journalists again.”

 

-Understood.

 

And she immediately turned off the phone and put it back in her bag. She was doubtful if Ji-hyuk had given up on Han Go-yeo. Knowing about his son’s stubbornness was unsettling. Better off not knowing who he was meeting. Night-long acquaintances would be forgotten easily. But Ji-hyuk was persistent with Han Go-yeo. That’s why she was anxious. She couldn’t stand seeing them together. Even though it had been two years since their divorce, it was an appropriate time for remarriage.

 

Now, with Chairman Moon Joo-pyeong keeping an eye on Ji-hyuk, the marriage to Jo Hee-chang’s daughter was timely. Chairman Moon had taken an interest in Jo Hee-chang during his political career and still considered him as precious as a younger brother. Both of them would undoubtedly consider this marriage quite favorable.

 

Before getting too anxious, if Han Go-yeo just met another man, that would be the end of it. But she remained silent, quietly contemplating what that meant.

 

There was no corner from the beginning to the end that was particularly pleasing. Perhaps they shouldn’t have started at all. If they had, it would have ignited even more of a frenzy. Having been married and divorced, they had done everything there was to do.

 

Anyway, by using Han Go-yeo as a leash, Seung-ok succeeded in taming Ji-hyuk and securing a position in MMK Construction. She had made good use of her. So, she hoped Han Go-yeo would just live cheaply like trash and forget about Ji-hyuk.

 

* * *

 

Go-yeo, sitting in the car alongside Ga-eul, spoke up.

 

“To the Grand Hamilton Hotel.”

 

“Yes? Yes.”

 

Ga-eul was startled by the unexpected destination but quickly adjusted the navigation. It had been a few days since he last saw Go-yeo. Now, he glanced at her sitting naturally in the passenger seat, not the back seat. Their eyes met briefly, surprising him, and then he looked ahead again. Go-yeo rested her chin on her arm on the window frame, gazing intently at Ga-eul.

 

When she first jokingly suggested the chauffeur job to him, it was half in jest. But now, being together like this, it felt strangely familiar and comfortable, as if they had known each other for a long time.

 

It stemmed from her desire to make him comfortable alone. His unwavering gaze, even in the storm, was unsettling yet oddly reassuring.

 

Anyone who met him would feel the same way.

 

Entering the familiar hotel lobby, Go-yeo slowly blinked her eyes open and closed. The dazzling lights above were blinding, and the lobby noises echoed in her ears. The sudden outing brought on a sharp fatigue. Honestly, staying at home would have been fine. All she did was read books and watch movies.

 

Walking through the lobby, she glanced briefly at Ga-eul trailing behind her. He seemed flustered, his eyes sparkling as he looked around the hotel.

 

“First time?”

 

The lobby ceiling was adorned with fancy chandeliers, and the hotel emblem was prominently embossed in gold on the walls. If he hadn’t worn the gray suit that Go-yeo had provided today, he would have felt embarrassed. The feeling of his shoes on the marble floor still felt strange.

 

“It’s my first time coming to such a nice place.”

 

Go-yeo passed through the lobby as if she had been there many times before, heading inside comfortably. When they arrived at the elevator to the penthouse, Go-yeo took out her card from her wallet and handed it to Ga-eul.

 

“It will take some time. If I call, come right away.”

 

Ga-eul received the card Go-yeo offered with both hands.

 

‘There’s no refusal in what I give. Don’t make me say it twice.’

 

It was Go-yeo’s established rule.

 

“Can you pick up a laptop at the mall? The best one you can find?”

 

“Sure.”

 

Go-yeo took out the key card from the cream-colored envelope. The elevator doors opened at the touch of a button. Ga-eul stood there dazed until Go-yeo disappeared. He tightly grasped the card she gave him. Feeling a bit strange, he forced a smile and moved to fulfill Go-yeo’s request.

 

After taking a few steps, he looked back again. The elevator display showed ‘PH’. A strange tension from the unfamiliarity of the hotel and an inexplicable sense of frustration weighed heavy on his chest.

 

As he stepped outside the lobby, winter rain drizzled down. The distinct smell of wetness permeated the damp air. It was said that after this rain, the real cold would come.

 

Just as surely as winter was coming, spring would eventually arrive. He planned to console himself with these little sensations of change that he was experiencing for the first time in his life. That would be enough.

 

Knowing he would get drenched, he stepped into the rain.

 

As Go-yeo arrived at the penthouse located on the top floor of the hotel, a staff member who had been waiting at the door greeted her and opened it. She had come here to attend a small-scale fashion show, a trunk show, to be the first to see the new products for a select few consumers.

 

She walked towards the sofas and tables, which had been rearranged to create more space. A woman recognized Go-yeo and greeted her.

 

“You’re here? It’s been a while.”

 

“Yeah, it has.”

 

Go-yeo replied casually. A server approached and took Go-yeo’s bag and coat. With plum sleeves puffing up her upper body, the short black dress clinging from the waist down to her thighs, and thigh-high boots exuding an overall sensual yet cute vibe, the woman who had scrutinized Go-yeo’s attire murmured.

 

“Han Go-yeo. Is it because you’re a designer? You have style. Where are the boots from?”

 

“Robutang F/W season.”

 

Go-yeo replied indifferently and sat on the sofa, flipping through the catalog. Jin-yu, accustomed to her nonchalant responses, nodded her head. Then, she indulged in the finger foods on the table and sipped champagne.

 

Go-yeo placed the catalog on the table, crossed her legs, and sipped her tea. She glanced at Jin-yu. She was the youngest daughter of the Future Group and one of the few people with whom Go-yeo had a close relationship.

 

“Is the hotel job alright?”

 

Go-yeo asked casually. Jin-yu had recently been promoted from the planning team manager to an executive at Future Group’s Twins Star Hotel not long ago.

 

“It’s tedious.”

 

Jin-yu chuckled.

 

“Boring. I seem to be the only odd one out in the Song family.”

 

“Probably.”

 

Go-yeo’s earnest response made Jin-yu laugh out loud.

 

“My sister-in-law was supposed to come today, but she couldn’t because of work.”

 

“Oh. Choi Ma-ri?”

 

Go-yeo nodded as if she knew.

 

“Yeah. Did you see her at Hye-ra’s party a few years ago?”

 

“I even went to her wedding.”

 

She was the wife of Song Tae-joo, vice president of Future Motors, a grand figure in contemporary art, with a past scandal involving her beauty and her family’s drama. She had revealed herself as the illegitimate child of an affair, even a former actress’ affair with a Hanyoung Furniture executive.

 

More than anything else, Go-yeo had acquired a painting she had drawn a long time ago, and the current price was good, so she felt pleased, and her value added to her interest.

 

“I wanted to come with her since I’ve never been to a place like this, but it fell through. Maybe next time.”

 

Go-yeo nodded lightly as if there was nothing difficult. Song Tae-joo was known for his generosity. There was nothing wrong with getting close to his wife, Choi Ma-ri. Just as they were about to exchange a few more words, the show began, and Go-yeo, with her arms crossed, focused closely on the clothes.