The Season I Loved You Without You - Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

 

“I just hired temporarily.”

 

There was a prickly corner, so a slightly nervous response came out.

 

“Whether it’s temporary or just once, hiring people isn’t easy.”

 

Go-yeo knew the stubbornness of Sang-moon, so she gave up persuading with unnecessary words early. With an expression of annoyance, she signaled and conveyed it to the manager to bring Ga-eul.

 

Ga-eul, who was suddenly called out while reading a book, naturally thought Go-yeo had called him. That was the case even when he first met Go-yeo. As Ga-eul entered the place, he felt a chilly pressure, as if only the gravity here was different. Naturally, he clasped his hands and bowed his head.

 

As Ga-eul straightened his body again, he met Go-yeo’s eyes, and Go-yeo gestured for him to come and sit. She sat next to Go-yeo, piercing through her sharp gaze. Meanwhile, Tae-chun, who had returned, looked at Ga-eul with folded arms.

 

“Picking a son-in-law? Why are both of you like this? Shameful.”

 

Tae-chun spat out a cough at Go-yeo’s irritated words. Without caring about the sarcasm, Sang-moon persistently asked a question.

 

“What was your original occupation?”

 

“I’m a college student on leave after military service.”

 

“Which school?”

 

“Korea University.”

 

“Proof?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Proof that you’re a student at that school.”

 

“Ah!”

 

He politely handed his student ID from his wallet to Sang-moon. Sang-moon received it and compared the photo with the face in front of him. Even after that, he probed into details like how he got this job, when he got his license, etc.

 

Ga-eul answered those questions diligently and modestly, despite feeling annoyed by such questions. Go-yeo found the situation extremely irritating, but the soft tone of Ga-eul’s voice was quite pleasant to hear.

 

“What will you do when you get paid?”

 

“Most of it goes to my mother’s medical bills because she’s not feeling well.”

 

Sang-moon nodded with a composed expression. It was a story Go-yeo hadn’t heard before. Since she hadn’t asked many personal questions, it was natural.

 

“I don’t know how long you’ll work, but I’m counting on you.”

 

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

 

“You don’t need to work hard. If you do your job well, that’s enough. And don’t speak lightly. Remember that.”

 

Sang-moon cautioned him in a somewhat sarcastic tone.

 

Ga-eul realized that ultimately, it was the father of the master who wanted to convey this message to him. As Ga-eul left again and Go-yeo quietly looked at Sang-moon, she also understood the intention behind calling him.

 

“You’re still too withdrawn. Not everyone can fill that position.”

 

“I know. But is it okay?”

 

Sang-moon nodded lightly. He liked the look in his eyes. Genuine and honest eyes. Although the depths of a person’s heart are unknown, the external appearance is just a part of that person. But sometimes, it reveals a lot, especially the eyes of a person, which often show the depth within. To him, who had seen many things, someone like Ga-eul seemed as clear as water.

 

Smart but not cunning, diligent but lacking substance, he was a human figure with a blind purity, simply working hard on what was in front of him. Moreover, as the practical head of the household and with a family to support, he couldn’t afford to indulge in frivolous acts easily. He thought he was quite a decent person.

 

* * *

 

Go-yeo, who had come to the boutique after a long time, went up to the fourth floor with Ga-eul. Go-yeo was aware of the swift glances exchanged among the store staff upon Ga-eul’s arrival.

 

The owner, who used to come alone, now appeared with a tidy young man, which would certainly be a topic of gossip.

 

Just as she thought she should arrange an entrance inspection, Ji-yeon entered Go-yeo’s office. Ga-eul, who was sitting on the sofa, stood up as soon as Ji-yeon appeared.

 

Seeing Ga-eul greet her with a bow, Ji-yeon thought to herself, ‘He’s still accompanying her?’ She returned the greeting casually and looked at Go-yeo.

 

“Hey, you came at a good time. Some new samples arrived. Come to the conference room.”

 

Go-yeo expressed her understanding and then looked at Ga-eul.

 

“You stay here. Do whatever you want.”

 

“Then, can I read the books here?”

 

With a smile at Ga-eul’s obvious question, she nodded lightly.

 

Ga-eul remained alone and surveyed Go-yeo’s space. He cautiously approached the bookshelf. Various types of books were lined up there, ranging from classic literature, poetry collections, and history books, to general educational books. Among them were occasionally interspersed original books in English or French.

 

Although books of various categories were gathered, it didn’t feel discordantly organized like a refrigerator in Go-yeo’s house. The books on the shelf seemed to be arranged and put there by her own hands. He quietly perused the books and pulled out a poetry collection he had seen before.

 

A hardcover with elegant yet sinister floral patterns, ‘The Devil’s Flowers’ by Charles Baudelaire. The collection exuded an overall gloomy and dark atmosphere, with romantic passion and noble sensibility.

 

“You like these kinds of books.”

 

He was pleased to have learned a little more about her.

 

After putting the book back in its place, Ga-eul looked at the silver-white wooden picture hanging on the wall and then sat back at the table. Although he came to the Department of Mathematics because he liked math, it didn’t mean he was exceptionally smart.

 

Ga-eul was a diligent person, so he had to rack his brains again before returning to school. Now that he was taking a break from tutoring, he thought he should study little by little. With that in mind, he took out math textbooks and exercise books.

 

When Go-yeo entered the conference room, five designers from the boutique were gathered there. Two of them were men and three were women. Adding Ji-yeon and herself, it made seven, but she felt it was unrealistic to consider herself as one, and the clothes for the next season created by the six designers were draped on mannequins.

 

Delicate folds of clothes and carefully crafted lines. Each piece was the result of their dedication. There were clothes made of new imported fabrics with unique patterns, as well as unique designs that gave a haute couture vibe despite being ready-to-wear.

 

‘Well done, everyone.’

 

Go-yeo carefully examined each garment and chatted with the designers. She pointed out the things that bothered her, one by one, like picking out flaws from a finished dish. She even pinned some and rechecked the lines. Go-yeo’s delicate sense caught subtle differences, and the designers agreed.

 

Piece by piece, the clothes that had been touched up were completed. Looking at a vintage-style denim jacket, she suddenly thought it would suit Ga-eul, resembling the spring.

 

“Oh, we’ve found a male model for this season’s catalog.”

 

Ji-yeon narrowed her eyes as if she didn’t like it. Despite Ji-yeon’s expression, Go-yeo just smiled lightly without concern.

 

“You’ll know when you see. You’ll like him.”

 

But she was certain. Ji-yeon would like that model.

 

“Where did you find him?”

 

“I went to a trunk show, and there was a decent guy there, so I gave him my sister’s business card. Remember that.”

 

Even though there might have been remarks like, ‘Why are you giving out other people’s business cards?’, she just endured, knowing that a response like, ‘What am I supposed to do if I don’t have my own business card?’ would come back.

 

Even after tidying up to the intended place, Go-yeo didn’t return. Ga-eul, who had been sitting quietly, got up and went to the bookshelf. At the highest corner where his hand couldn’t reach easily, he saw Hess’ classics. It was a hardcover with a luxurious design in gold letters on a black background.

 

When he pulled out the book and opened it, it spread open in the middle, revealing a photo. The most beautiful woman in the world, dressed in a white gown, smiling softly on the arm of a man in a tuxedo.

 

Dazzlingly beautiful, but sad. Even though he knew it was rude, Ga-eul stared at it for a while.

 

At that moment, a knock was heard, and the door opened abruptly. The person who opened the door seemed surprised as if he hadn’t expected anyone to be there.

 

It was the man in the photo.

 

Ji-hyuk came into Go-yeo’s space as if it were natural and glanced around. Not seeing Go-yeo, he saw a man he hadn’t seen before standing in front of the bookshelf. He was in a state of generally knowing the faces of boutique employees. Ji-hyuk furrowed his brows and asked.

 

“Who are you?”

 

The person who intruded into this space, but in just one moment, made Ga-eul feel like the intruder.

Ah, startled, Ga-eul let out a small gasp and accidentally dropped the book. When he quickly picked up the book in surprise, Ji-hyuk approached him. Coming closer, he casually snatched the photo Ga-eul was holding. Ji-hyuk glanced at the photo once and looked at him, who was similar in height, expressionlessly.

 

“Answer.”

 

Feeling the chilly and authoritative tone, Ga-eul thought of someone similar.

 

“…I’m an employee.”

 

Ga-eul had to make every effort not to let his voice tremble. The man frowned as if he didn’t like the answer. It was close enough to smell his cologne. A smile tinged with kindness but with a subtle disdain in his eyes. He seemed to have no intention of hiding that look.

 

Ji-hyuk observed the man in front of him. From head to toe, he was adorned with luxury yet had a peculiarly restrained aura, and all the styles seemed to belong to Go-yeo.

 

To a mere employee?

 

Despite looking innocent, there was a palpable sense of raw defiance in his gaze. It could have been due to various reasons, given the many things on his mind.

 

An oddly unsettling feeling. But ultimately, it was nothing.

 

Strangely, the fact that Go-yeo still had their wedding photo held more significance than this unfamiliar guy. He shook the photo back and forth and asked Ga-eul.

 

“Where’s this been?”

 

Ga-eul hesitated. It felt like disclosing the boss’ secret. He clenched his lips tightly. His scrutinizing gaze felt uncomfortable. What would be the least damaging way to the boss? Many thoughts crossed his mind in a short moment. But no matter how much he pondered, there was no answer. Eventually, he handed over the book he had in his hand.

 

“It was between these pages.”

 

Ji-hyuk took the book from Ga-eul, inserted the photo back between the pages, and pushed it back onto the shelf. Putting his hands in his pockets, he looked quietly at Ga-eul standing across from him.

 

“A model?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then?”

 

“The boss’ driver.”

 

Ji-hyuk tilted his head slightly.

 

“Has her eyesight getting worse…?”

 

He murmured, as if not intending for him to hear.

 

“Anyway, where did Go-yeo go?”

 

“She went to a meeting.”

 

Ji-hyuk looked at his watch for a moment, then took out his card and handed it to Ga-eul.

 

“There’s a sandwich shop down the street. Get yourself a salad and a sandwich of your choice there.”

 

Ga-eul looked straight at Ji-hyuk. Their gazes intertwined. Ji-hyuk stared at Ga-eul defiantly, not accepting the card.

 

“I can’t move around freely unless it’s at the boss’ command.”