The Season I Loved You Without You - Chapter 43

CHAPTER 43

Ga-eul glanced at Go-yeo and sliced through the steak. To Ga-eul, Go-yeo’s demeanor while eating steak was elegant, reminiscent of medieval nobility.

Her downward gaze was leisurely, her movements tidy. The sequence of setting down cutlery and raising a wine glass played out slowly, resembling a scene from a movie. But most of all, it was pleasing to see that her appetite had improved compared to before.

Then, when he turned his head, he met Ji-yeon’s eyes. He chuckled awkwardly as if caught in the act, and it was clear that he must have felt embarrassed. So he quickly averted his gaze.

Ji-yeon smiled lightly at Ga-eul and then suddenly asked, sipping her wine as if reminded of something.

“Do you remember that sandwich shop near Parsons when we were attending?”

Go-yeo nodded lightly at Ji-yeon’s words.

“Wow, we must have paid a good portion of that sandwich shop’s electricity bill. But I heard that brand’s entering Korea now.”

Go-yeo grimaced.

“I’m so over that place.”

“Me too. But don’t you have those moments sometimes? Even now, when I touch certain clothes, I catch a whiff of that sandwich shop—bacon sizzling in oil. We struggled a lot back then, preparing for work and assignments. Still, those times were somewhat enjoyable.”

“Sounds like you were tipsy.”

Go-yeo replied with a smile, humming slightly. Ji-yeon also admitted to being tipsy, laughing.

“Youth was good, wasn’t it? By the way, Ga-eul, you’re a university student. It must be nice. You won’t be able to work as freely next semester, right?”

It was a valid point. But Ga-eul couldn’t respond and hesitated. It seemed like it would completely sever the connection with Go-yeo.

“Oh. Yeah.”

Ga-eul answered softly, unable to ignore it, glancing at Go-yeo. His gaze, resting on Go-yeo with her chin in her hand, felt indifferent.

“After school starts, come visit the boutique occasionally. It’ll be nice to ask Go-yeo to buy something delicious for you.”

Ga-eul just replied awkwardly, avoiding Go-yeo’s gaze. 

Ji-yeon said she almost forgot, so she came back with a wedding invitation and held it out to Go-yeo. Go-yeo carefully unfolded Ji-yeon’s wedding invitation. It looked luxurious with its glossy paper and silver trim.

‘A very small encounter made us lovers, and through that encounter, we become one.’

It was a commonly used phrase on wedding invitations. Ji-yeon and Hae-joon first met on a flight back to Korea after she finished her study in the United States. Truly, if it’s meant to be, you’ll meet like that.

As someone who had already been married, it was a funny thought but also a bit envious. Both Ji-yeon and Hae-joon were wise and good, living a well-off life together. Completely different from her past.

While Go-yeo was looking at the invitation, Ji-yeon handed another one to Ga-eul.

“I was hesitant to give this because I thought it might be burdensome, but please come, Ga-eul. You’re practically a staff member at our boutique. So I thought better of it. Forget the congratulatory gift and just come to congratulate us and enjoy the meal. The food at our wedding venue is seriously delicious.”

Ga-eul graciously accepted the wedding invitation with both hands, smiling faintly as he watched Ji-yeon ramble on, thinking she was indeed a bit tipsy.

While Go-yeo was momentarily absent, Ji-yeon and Hae-joon drank wine and cleared their throats.

“You know, I’m really curious—do you think Go-yeo is pretty, even from a peer perspective?” 

Ji-yeon asked Ga-eul.

Ga-eul was taken aback by Ji-yeon’s question and blushed before responding.

“Um… yes. The boss is really beautiful.”

“Right? I thought so.”

Ji-yeon chuckled and Hae-joon followed suit. Ga-eul was a bit surprised by Ji-yeon’s personality; he hadn’t realized she was like this.

She drank all the wine and champagne she had bought and brought back the beer and soju she had bought at the grocery store earlier. Ji-yeon kept making Ga-eul drinks, who accepted each one without hesitation.

Ji-yeon’s behavior was not intentional; she, too, was feeling the effects of the alcohol. Hae-joon, already tipsy, retired to the room. When Go-yeo returned to their spot and started thinking about leaving soon, Ga-eul went to the restroom.

“Han Go-yeo, I think Yoon Ga-eul is okay. He’s young, handsome, has a good physique, and is smart.”

Ji-yeon said seriously, noticing Ga-eul had left.

Go-yeo furrowed her brow slightly and clicked her tongue briefly. Ji-yeon continued, unfazed.

“He’s still a student, so he doesn’t have money, but you have plenty. Honestly, finding someone better than you would be difficult, right?”

“Nonsense. What are you babbling about?”

“I know. Knowing and pretending not to know. Mr. Yoon Ga-eul here is a total catch. Mature, deep-hearted, unlike his peers. It’s hard to find someone like him, isn’t it?”

Go-yeo chuckled incredulously. How much did Ji-yeon think she knew? Although not entirely untrue.

“We’ll leave when that guy comes out.”

“Oh, okay. Got it. But why aren’t you drunk?”

“I am drunk.”

Go-yeo watched as Ga-eul emerged from the restroom, his lips wet from the water. He seemed fine, but his eyes were slightly unfocused. He must have gotten tipsy from accepting all those drinks without refusal. Go-yeo stood up to leave.

Before leaving, Ji-yeon whispered in Go-yeo’s ear.

‘Take good care of Ga-eul. Hmm? You seem to suit each other well.’

Honestly, Go-yeo felt embarrassed for Ga-eul if he overheard. What nonsense.

They called a chauffeur and headed to Hannam-dong. Go-yeo sat side by side with Ga-eul in the back seat. Glancing over, she saw Ga-eul quietly asleep with his head against the headrest.

Go-yeo leaned back and looked at him. Everyone who had met him said he was quite a catch. Sang-moon had said the same thing. If there were objective metrics for evaluating a person’s inner qualities, he might have been at the top tier.

However, despite him being a good person, Go-yeo couldn’t meet someone new. She still hadn’t completely moved on from her interactions with Moon Ji-hyuk, and now, the idea of love itself was daunting. So, the current relationship they had, exchanging at a suitable temperature, was good. It provided warmth to alleviate loneliness, although not as intense as it needed to be.

* * *

For the next season’s catalog shoot, Ji-yeon, Go-yeo, and stylist Jung Seon-gi gathered in the studio. Various models and today’s photographer, Ms. Song, were also bustling about.

The clothing and concepts for the shoot were already decided, and today’s outcome relied on the capabilities of the models and the photographer. Among the male models was the one they had seen at the trunk show last time.

The photoshoot for this season’s men’s collection began. Ms. Song, with her messy, dyed blonde hair loosely tied up, held up a large camera. Well-known in the industry, she murmured, ‘Good, good,’ as she clicked the shutter.

Go-yeo also stood with her arms crossed, observing the models. With each click of the shutter, the models seamlessly changed poses. The models understood Ms. Song’s light directions perfectly.

Go-yeo maintained a neutral expression but was satisfied. It was akin to the boutique’s designers showcasing their best efforts in clothing.

Ga-eul quietly watched beside Go-yeo. It was fascinating to witness this firsthand. Although Ga-eul was unfamiliar with fashion, anyone could see that the models in boutique clothing looked stylish and charming.

Ga-eul noticed Go-yeo and Ji-yeon conversing. She seemed more cheerful than usual. Her eyes sparkled with vitality, and a hint of a smile played on her lips. Ga-eul had been seeing this side of Go-yeo more often lately. Knowing this unusual aspect of her made Ga-eul unexpectedly happy. She smiled back at him.

“Next!”

The model changed, and the shoot continued. Ga-eul recognized this model. He was the man the boss had given a business card to at the hotel last time.

Memories from that day naturally came flooding back. The gleaming hotel seemed like another world, and that day when the rain drizzled down, leaving the scent of rain in the air. Seeing her go up to the penthouse, he had felt a strange emotion, which now felt rather awkward to recall.

She was just shopping, and now he knows why he felt that way. It was due to his firmly excluded position from her and the solemnity of the hotel space. 

And it was also the day he saw him from afar at that hotel. He was someone who had been a significant part of her life for a long time. Although it was now clearly in the past, he was someone she still hadn’t completely erased. They resembled each other like halves of a whole.

A few days ago, after getting drunk at the vice president’s house, they went to the boss’ house together. He couldn’t resist the alcohol and fell asleep completely in the car. When he woke up, he saw the boss sleeping next to him. The driver was nowhere to be seen, and it was a familiar parking lot.

She told him it was too late to go home and insisted he stay. He had to try hard not to stagger from drinking more than he expected. She handed him a robe and some light clothing.

After spending a long time showering, Ga-eul felt slightly sober. His breath still smelled of alcohol, but his mind was clear. Only then did he notice the robe and clothes.

‘Oh, this.’

Ga-eul’s hand hesitated for a moment before putting on men’s pajamas. In the bedroom with the door open, the boss was sitting at the table, looking out the window. As he quietly approached, she turned her head, and their eyes met.

Oh, he regretted wearing it unnecessarily, seeing her small sigh and surprised gaze. The boss seemed taken aback, seeing him wearing it and giving it without thinking much about it.

That day, without saying another word, they held each other and fell asleep. He distinctly felt her touch as he lightly kissed her forehead against his chest. The sensation of her actions was undoubtedly pleasant, yet ever so slightly bittersweet. But Ga-eul clenched his lips tightly and avoided thinking further.

Just looking at the small, white figure in his arms, he lightly kissed her forehead and closed his eyes. With this, he could endure everything.

As the memory of that day came into focus, it was as clear as day, but the emotional aspects were as hazy as fog, unclear. Lost in thought, he heard a staff member say they were taking a break and leaving.