The Season I Loved You Without You - Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

As Go-yeo watched the models show off their clothes one after another, she remembered the time when her own clothes were on the show. She remembered being selected for Generation Next, which selects emerging designers for Seoul Fashion Week, but now she was content with her small boutique. Having someone who appreciates her work was enough.

The selected clothes and bags were handed over to the shoppers. As the show transitioned to men’s wear, she was rather disinterested until one person caught her eye. Although different in appearance, the height and body shape resembled someone, and the model looked quite good in the clothes.

Every time he changed into different outfits, he caught her attention. Strangely, there seemed to be a slight similarity in the vibe as well. She whispered to the shopper, pointing to the model.

“Every outfit that person is wearing, in that fit.”

The shopper nodded with a knowing smile. Since jewelry shows were separate and Jin-yu and Go-yeo were big players, they decided to go all out with jewelry and watches. By the time all the shows ended, she was getting a bit bored. Jin-yu stood up to get dressed and spoke to Go-yeo.

“Come out next time. What are you doing alone?”

“Not alone.”

Go-yeo replied, causing Jin-yu to raise an eyebrow and ask.

“Then?”

“Anyone.”

“You too… It’s been a while since Moon Ji-hyuk hasn’t shown up.”

Go-yeo chuckled as she accepted the handbag the server handed her. She nodded in affirmation.

‘Now I should just do whatever without caring.’

Even if those gatherings were with acquaintances she’s known since her study abroad days, including Moon Ji-hyuk, she couldn’t keep avoiding them forever. What’s the big deal?

Leaving Jin-yu behind to talk with the shopper, when Go-yeo stood in front of the elevator, she narrowed her eyes to see who was following her. The person carrying the shiny shopping bag was the same model from earlier.

She wonders what he thinks of her. Was the shopper’s understanding smile about this?

The model, who seemed a bit flustered yet mesmerized, looked at her. He also initially looked at her with such eyes. Discovering a new human being and a bit of wonder. That kind of feeling.

Looking at the numbers on the descending billboard, she glanced at the face of the man reflected in the golden elevator doors, standing silently. His face had an overall sharpness, but his determined eyes and firmly closed lips showed a resolve to do whatever it took. A faint smile escaped Go-yeo.

Is she a bit weak to this type of person?

“You did well at the show.”

The man was taken aback.

“Oh! Thank you.”

His immature reaction was somewhat similar. Go-yeo pulled out a business card from her wallet. Of course, it wasn’t her business card. She didn’t go around handing out business cards, and people she met for work didn’t need her as they already knew her. She hadn’t prepared extra cards just for this occasion. She was simply holding onto it because it was pretty.

The elevator door chimed and opened. In front of it stood the person who had been occupying her mind. Yoon Ga-eul. He looked surprised.

“Take these.”

She nodded towards the items the man next to Ga-eul was holding. As he received the gracefully packed belongings, she handed her business card to the man.

“Contact me here. Our clothes seem to fit well with your style.”

The man nodded in acknowledgment and politely took the card. Then, as he alternated between the card and her, his expression brightened.

“Thank you! Really, thank you.”

“Go ahead.”

Go-yeo only needed a model for the next season’s catalog. As mentioned earlier, he would fit well with H. Collection’s image. It was just a small effort to relieve Ji-yeon, who had to find models. After swiping the card key to the elevator, she faced Ga-eul again.

Seeing him, she furrowed her brow. His hair was wet, and his suit was stained here and there.

“Did you get caught in the rain?”

“…Yes. A bit.”

Go-yeo almost asked why but stopped herself. He knew there were umbrellas in the car, and he could have taken the underground passage to the mall. Perhaps there was a reason he had to get caught in the rain.

When they emerged from the corner of the lobby into the busy concourse, Go-yeo stopped in her tracks, stunned.

It was Moon Ji-hyuk and Jo Yoon-young. Go-yeo took an involuntary step backward.

They didn’t seem to notice her and headed straight for the elevator to the guest rooms. She felt a chill as they disappeared as if enveloped in a sudden coldness.

Blinking stiff eyes, Go-yeo mechanically brushed her hair back. It felt as if something vital had been cut off and disappeared, engulfing her. What made her more unsettled was the fact that she was passively succumbing to his presence like this. The disparity between understanding something intellectually and facing it in reality was vast.

After the divorce, of course, her formal contact with him ended. She’d been smug and condescending to him in the past. She told him to be happy with whoever his mother decided for him. He was supposed to be nothing.

Yet he still occupied much of her thoughts. What made her feel even more pathetic was that the hotel they often used wasn’t even hers anymore. Annoyingly so.

“Are you okay, boss?”

Ga-eul asked quietly. She tightened her jaw, straightened her back, and smiled casually at Ga-eul.

“Of course.”

Throughout the drive, Ga-eul seemed preoccupied with her. She tried to act as if she weren’t, but she seemed a bit absent-minded. The destination changed from going home to suddenly going to a club. Perhaps it was because of what she had seen in the hotel lobby earlier.

Wherever his gaze landed, there was a picture of the man she had seen earlier in the hotel lobby. Her former husband. When he searched the internet for information about Han Go-yeo, it was easily found. There were no photos of them together, but just by looking at the separate photos of the man reported in the media, the two of them seemed to fit together well.

It seems that the boss’ relationship with that person isn’t over yet. Perhaps the person she talked to on the phone last time in the car was also him. Just the influence of mentioning her name could shake the boss. Someone with a similar aura as the boss.

Ga-eul felt that such thoughts were disrespectful. He shook his head to dispel unwarranted thoughts. He was just supposed to do what he was asked to do. Although he had impulsively decided to do this, the boss had never allowed more than that, and he wouldn’t in the future either.

“…….”

In the stifling silence of the car, Ga-eul sensed a change in the boss. The boss’ wavering gaze, eyes encased in tears, and ragged breath. He couldn’t bear to look anymore and quickly turned his head, but he knew.

She was crying.

He tightly gripped the steering wheel. His mouth felt dry for no reason, and he bit his lips several times. Silently stifling her sobs conveyed immense sorrow.

Ga-eul pondered for a while. Should he just go to the club as instructed, or should he suggest going somewhere else for a while? He could feel bad about what he had noticed.

After much contemplation, he bit his lower lip firmly and turned the steering wheel. It seemed Go-yeo didn’t realize the change in destination. He drove into the nearby Hangang Park and parked the car in a space. He left the heater on to keep warm and got out of the car.

The rain had stopped, but the sky was still filled with clouds. The winter sun was setting fast. Lights began to turn on one by one, and the black river flowed by. The scent of the winter wind mixed subtly with the river’s scent. Puddles of rainwater remained on the ground.

He regretted doing this for the first time today. Perhaps it wasn’t a wrong choice after all. Should he stop now? If he did, would the tumultuous emotions that surfaced uncontrollably several times a day disappear? He didn’t know. He just wished for winter to pass quickly and for spring to come.

Alone in the car, Go-yeo eventually buried her face in her hands. A feeling of collapse washed over her. It was more miserable due to the overwhelming sense of frustration and betrayal brought on endlessly by seeing them. It wasn’t the first time she’d cried over Moon Ji-hyuk, but today was no exception, and she felt so terrible and numb.

If crying could make all the emotions about him disappear, she wished her body would lose all its moisture. After wiping her tears with the back of her hand, she realized this wasn’t the destination. Nevertheless, after crying for a long time like that, she felt relieved. A low, deep sigh escaped her.

How much had she failed to control her emotions that even someone who knew nothing about it quietly brought her to a secluded place?

Her shopping spree went downhill. Looking out the window, she saw the person staring at the river. Stepping outside into the cold air, the warmth around her eyes cooled down. As the sound of her footsteps echoed against the ground, he turned to look at her. She walked over to where he was watching the river. The light was barely enough to see him, but she could tell that their eyes met. He looked up to see her face beside him.

Ga-eul took off his coat and draped it over Go-yeo’s shoulders. Go-yeo glanced at him briefly and smoothly slipped into the coat. Regardless, she was thankful. Thankful for letting her keep her emotions in check.

“It’s cold. Let’s go now.”

Ga-eul’s eyes resembled the deep, dark river. Within them, sadness rippled. So, she didn’t readily express her gratitude. Perhaps Ga-eul didn’t know everything.

How pitiful must she have looked like the protagonist of a tragedy? That made her feel even more embarrassed. Her story could easily be found online, and if anyone bothered to inquire, they would know what she saw while being at the hotel. Figures like Moon Ji-hyuk and Jo Yoon-young were conspicuous.

If he were to ask about what happened today, she could give a formal answer but had no intention of seeing him again. Rather than receiving sympathy from someone who meant nothing, it was better to let it go. However, he, whether astute or genuinely unaware, offered something else.

“Do you want some candy?”

Ga-eul’s voice was more restrained than usual. He pulled out a candy from his pocket, similar to the one they had last time, and offered it. With a wry smile, he showed his palm, and she gently tapped the candy into it.

Even in the dim light, it was noticeable. His hand was trembling slightly. Whether it was due to the cold or some other reason remained unknown. She put the candy in her mouth, took Ga-eul’s hand, and led the way. His hand was as cold as ice.

The temperatures of their clasped hands became similar.