The Season I Loved You Without You - Chapter 42

CHAPTER 42

He entered by pushing open the still awkwardly large door. The VIP room didn’t feel like a typical hospital room, with its large windows, sofas, tables, and even a makeshift bed. It was comfortable enough to feel like a home. Eun-jae was sitting beside her mother, studying after moving the table. When Eun-jae looked up and met Ga-eul’s eyes, she smiled broadly.

“Oh, Brother!”

Her cheerful voice woke Hee-sook from her sleep.

“Oh, Ga-eul, you’re here.”

“Just lie down.”

“No, I need to get up. I’ve rested enough.”

Ga-eul smiled softly, and Eun-jae, excited, exclaimed.

“Brother! This place is awesome. Even the bathroom is really clean, and it doesn’t smell like a hospital even when sleeping here.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Oh, and I’m so glad I don’t have to sleep alone even when Brother’s away.”

Ga-eul felt sorry for Eun-jae. She was still young, yet his attention seemed elsewhere, leaving her neglected. Eun-jae believed it was because of his work, but deep down, there was more to it than that.

“I’m so grateful to the boss.”

Seeing Eun-jae’s excitement, Hee-sook felt both grateful towards Ga-eul and guilty for the burden she was imposing on him. She thought someone who spent so much on an employee like her son’s boss must be a remarkable businessperson.

“She must be a great boss. I could tell from when she gave us those opera tickets. Seems like she’s wealthy.”

Ga-eul just smiled instead of replying.

“They say Mom’s condition has improved, and if it continues, she might be discharged soon. The doctor said she’s doing much better.”

“That’s a relief.”

Hee-sook smiled and asked Eun-jae to fetch a paper bag. Inside was a scarf she had personally knitted. She should have given it to Ga-eul earlier, but due to her condition, she barely finished it before winter.

“Oh.”

Ga-eul looked at the scarf, realizing how much effort Hee-sook must have put into making it despite her poor health. 

“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

Hee-sook smiled warmly at Ga-eul. Then, feeling weak again, she lay back down in bed. Ga-eul approached and tucked the blanket up to Hee-sook’s shoulders. After watching Hee-sook fall asleep with labored breathing, Ga-eul turned to Eun-jae, who was studying.

“If you need more allowance, just let me know, okay?”

Eun-jae awkwardly nodded with a smile.

“Got it. I’m fine with what I have now.”

Ga-eul sat beside Eun-jae, helping her with her studies. As Eun-jae listened to Ga-eul’s explanation, she noticed a green bracelet on Ga-eul’s left wrist made of woven threads. Eun-jae was surprised and grabbed Ga-eul’s white hand.

“What’s this?”

Ga-eul quickly glanced at Hee-sook, who was asleep, and withdrew his hand.

“Mom’s asleep. And this is nothing.”

“Nothing? Come on. Did you get a girlfriend, Brother?”

Eun-jae widened her eyes, whispering, mindful of Hee-sook’s sleep.

“The fact that someone who never wore such things is wearing a bracelet… What’s going on, really.”

“It’s not like that. Really.”

Ga-eul said firmly, turning his attention back to the book. Eun-jae, feeling a bit uneasy, listened again to Ga-eul’s explanation. She was now convinced that Ga-eul was indeed in a relationship. It wasn’t just because he was busy with work.

‘Wow! Who could it be? I don’t know everyone around Brother, but then what about Sister Anna? She likes Brother. Should I tell her or not? Well, Brother said it’s not, so I should believe him, right?’

Eun-jae didn’t mind if Anna liked him; if his brother was in a relationship, it didn’t matter who it was. It meant he hadn’t given up everything as the head of the household. There was nothing better than trying different things like everyone else.

She had started a part-time job at a convenience store on weekends, without Ga-eul or even her mother knowing. She created a parental consent form herself and planned to do it only until school started again. It was only for six hours each day on weekends, enough to sustain herself even without Ga-eul’s allowance. Eun-jae planned to save the money Ga-eul gave her diligently.

While Eun-jae was solving problems, Ga-eul secretly smiled as he looked at the bracelet. It was made with the same color thread as his boss’. The boss had bought it for him when she saw him glancing at the stall on the way home from the cafe.

‘You should have told me you wanted it from the beginning.’

He was about to ask if it was okay but just smiled instead.

When asked by Eun-jae if he had a girlfriend, Ga-eul firmly denied it. How dare he think he had a girlfriend; he had never considered such a thing. They did various things together as if they were lovers, but he couldn’t see his boss as an equal. It was just that he liked her so much that he did whatever he could for her. That was all.

His heart fluttered with hidden thoughts. He gave his whole heart to her, but he couldn’t say he hoped for something in return. He was just so happy now that he was afraid these moments would be broken soon.

After finishing their studies and before leaving the hospital room, Ga-eul remembered something he had forgotten.

“My friend’s house is empty, so I decided to move in. I’ll go home sometimes, though.”

“Okay. Don’t worry about me.”

“Study hard.”

Eun-jae smiled brightly as if to say not to worry. Ga-eul patted Eun-jae’s head, looked at the sleeping Hee-sook, and left the hospital room.

* * *

Go-yeo prepared to go out, dressed comfortably as they were going to Ji-yeon’s newlywed house. Ji-yeon’s willingness to invite her to her house and give her a wedding invitation was an expression of her feelings. She could have just given it to her on the day she went to work at the boutique, but she said she wanted to show her the house filled with her own honeysuckle. She said, ‘Why?’, but since it was her and no one else, she decided to accept the gesture.

Ga-eul came into the house as usual, and together they headed to the parking lot. They had left early as their appointment was on Saturday evening. Ga-eul quietly spoke to Go-yeo as she looked out the window.

“I visited the hospital where my mother is today. She wanted me to thank you.”

“I see. I hope she recovers quickly.”

They arrived at Ji-yeon’s apartment, and Go-yeo and Ga-eul got out of the car.

“Don’t worry about me and make yourself comfortable.”

Ga-eul smiled widely as if it were obvious. Go-yeo nodded in response instead of replying. As she turned towards the entrance, someone called her.

“Han Go-yeo!”

When she turned her head, Ji-yeon was running towards them with a bag in her hand.

“You’re here? Oh, Ga-eul is here too.”

Ga-eul bowed his head politely in greeting.

“You invited someone and left?”

“I didn’t know, so I went to buy more drinks. Let’s go upstairs.”

Before following Ji-yeon, Go-yeo glanced back briefly at Ga-eul. Ji-yeon also noticed Ga-eul standing quietly by the car. Unexpectedly, Ji-yeon spoke words not in her plan, looking at his bright face.

“Ga-eul, would you like to come up with us?”

“Oh? No, it’s okay.”

Ga-eul widened his eyes and gestured with both hands. Knowing he would decline if she persisted, Go-yeo stepped forward.

“Come up. It’s just a casual dinner. It’s better than waiting here.”

Go-yeo’s words left no room for refusal.

“Oh. Yes. Thank you then, Vice President.”

Go-yeo neatly surveyed Ji-yeon’s newlywed home. The interior was as straightforward and clutter-free as Ji-yeon’s personality. Hae-joon came out of the kitchen with a bright smile.

“You’re here?”

Go-yeo also smiled slightly and greeted Hae-joon. When Hae-joon saw Ga-eul, Ji-yeon introduced him. After exchanging greetings, Ji-yeon led Go-yeo and Ga-eul to sit at the table. The meal was already prepared on the table. Originally set for three people, Hae-joon had prepared cutlery and table mats and placed them in front of Ga-eul. After coming and going between the kitchen, the meal was ready.

They served homemade sirloin steak, roasted asparagus with cherry tomatoes, seafood salad, and cream pasta. They were meticulously prepared dishes.

Ji-yeon and Hae-joon sat side by side, while Go-yeo and Ga-eul sat across from them. Ji-yeon brought out the wine that Go-yeo usually enjoyed. Despite the bleeding it caused to buy it, hosting Han Go-yeo was no big deal for her. Hae-joon poured red wine into four glasses.

Ga-eul observed Hae-joon’s cheerful demeanor. He was said to be the husband of the vice president. The way they looked at each other and smiled reminded him of something. Just being around them made him feel good as if they confidently promised each other a future. As they raised their glasses, Hae-joon grinned brightly.

“Ms. Go-yeo! Thank you so much. We feel like we received an extravagant gift, but we’ll repay you by living happily!”

Ji-yeon, lifting her glass with Hae-joon, added.

“I’ll put my heart and soul into the boutique.”

Go-yeo chuckled at Ji-yeon’s remark. 

“Congratulations to both of you. Live well.”

Ga-eul felt a bit embarrassed as he noticed the attention focused on him.

“Thank you for inviting me today. I hope you two will be happy for a long time.”

Everyone chuckled at his sweet, trembling voice. When the glasses clinked, a clear sound echoed.

Go-yeo glanced briefly at Ga-eul, whose face had turned slightly red, and took a sip of wine. Ga-eul didn’t drink; he put his glass down. Go-yeo looked at him and said softly.

“Just relax and drink. There are many ways to get home.”

Ga-eul nodded slightly, not because of what she said, but because he felt a stronger desire to naturally blend in with her and her acquaintances.

As the meal began, Ji-yeon’s cheerful atmosphere set the tone, and everyone engaged in relaxed conversation, including Go-yeo.