The Season I Loved You Without You - Chapter 52

CHAPTER 52

In Gangnam’s bustling area, the newly erected MMK International building dazzled the eyes. As capable as ever, Ji-hyuk buttoned up his jacket and entered the lobby.

Before facing Yun Seung-ok, Ji-hyuk’s eyes met Mr. Park’s. Once a right-hand man to Seung-ok, he was now someone who had abandoned the sinking ship long before.

Seung-ok’s downfall was a matter of timing, not inevitability. To climb to her position, she had pushed people down, covering up sins, and her greed led her to embezzlement, bribery, stock manipulation, and even fraudulent short selling. Yet, she remained unsatisfied, aspiring to become the owner of MMK.

Seung-ok’s flaw was her tendency to instill blind trust in those who fulfilled her stringent standards of reliability. As Ji-hyuk entered her office, Seung-ok, seated at her desk, didn’t even lift her head at the sound of his arrival.

Ji-hyuk slumped onto the sofa. Seung-ok finally glanced at him with a furrowed brow upon hearing the leather creak. His casual posture, with shirt buttons undone and tie absent, was displeasing.

“I’m not happy with Director Moon’s recent behavior. What’s the problem?”

“Well, why did you call me in?”

Seung-ok initially remained tight-lipped at Ji-hyuk’s brashness but then softened her tone.

“Ji-hyuk, because of the contract you secured in the UAE, you’re going to be promoted to manager. Chairman Moon is very pleased, so keep up the good work.”

Ji-hyuk chuckled at Seung-ok’s widening grin. If even a mother could be insincere to her own child, was there anyone genuine left? But he always kept another mask ready for Seung-ok.

“Oh, Mother, I’m just tired from returning home after a month.”

With Ji-hyuk’s composed response, Seung-ok narrowed her eyes but smiled slyly.

“Oh, I’ve been too hard on you. Oh, by the way, have you met Yoon-young?”

Ji-hyuk’s satisfied smile mirrored Seung-ok’s.

“Of course. Mother.”

Both Ji-hyuk and Seung-ok shared a moment of genuine understanding.

* * *

March marked the beginning of spring and the end of winter, opposites intertwined. The warm days with Ga-eul were no longer a daily occurrence. It wasn’t sad, but it was regrettable. Time seemed to fly when she was with him. He seemed stoic, but surprisingly, he had a variety of expressions, making spending time with him enjoyable.

Thinking of his dimples, she looked at the woman in front of her. Instead of the guard recommended by Sang-moon, she had entrusted the job to Jin-young, the youngest daughter of her aunt. She hadn’t forgotten to give her gifts, even a change of clothes on her first day, wearing a dull black suit.

After briefly stopping by a boutique, she headed to the tennis court after a long time. Jin-yu was already there. The increased frequency of their communication led to this arranged meeting.

“What about that guy I saw last time?”

Jin-yu glanced at Jin-young beside her and scanned the surroundings.

“He quit.”

Jin-yu nodded at the breezy answer.

“Why did you want to meet then?”

Go-yeo asked, holding her racket, looking puzzled.

“I’ve been meeting my brother lately.”

Jin-yu’s spring-like aura emanated, and even though Go-yeo’s response was lukewarm, she thought it was a good time, seeing Go-yeo’s lips twitching into a smile.

“Yeah, seems like it.”

It was one of those moments when the world seemed beautiful. Everything was related to her thoughts of him, and just thinking about him made her happy, feeling like he was always with her.

Nonexistent feelings had the power to dominate the world. It felt like there would only be a path of flowers ahead. Of course, she would soon face the reality of those emotions, but for now, she enjoyed the feeling.

With her racket raised, Go-yeo served towards Jin-yu. Despite her previously honed skills, they crumbled easily in front of her. A series of service faults and errors led to a resounding defeat.

Usually, losing wouldn’t bother her much, but seeing her face beaming with joy and laughter, felt oddly…

“Unlucky.”

Jin-yu murmured, more to herself than anyone, but Go-yeo just nodded. She smiled at the messages flooding in. Ga-eul brought with it trivial conversations.

“Hey! What’s up with that smile just now?”

Ignoring Jin-yu’s curiosity, she finished packing up. Jin-yu mentioned her boyfriend until they parted ways, inviting her to the next gathering. She gave a casual response and hurriedly left.

* * *

Ga-eul frequently sent messages to Go-yeo on social media. She read them all but sometimes replied, sometimes not, and even when she did, they were brief. Still, he felt a connection with her, and his heart fluttered.

When asked what she was doing, instead of replying, she sent a picture of the tennis court. He was eating lunch, worried that rice grains might spill out.

Ah, he was too happy.

“What’s with you? Why are you so smitten?”

Asked the fellow returning student sitting across. He shrugged as if it was nothing special, but his face couldn’t hide the beaming smile. Thinking of the times they played tennis together, he considered her response. He didn’t want to burden her.

‘What should I write to make the boss smile when she sees it?’

“Hey, do you have a girlfriend?”

“No, I don’t.”

Despite Ga-eul’s denial, the fellow student firmly believed it. It was clear he had a crush. He was handsome, to begin with, and even after returning from the military, his face had brightened even more, unlike the ordinary appearance of a returning student.

“Damn, lucky guy.”

The classmate of Ga-eul, who was greedily devouring his pork rice bowl, widened his eyes. Behind Ga-eul, the goddess of the Education College was approaching. Although they were in different years, there was hardly anyone unknown at the Education College. He almost choked at the sight of her approaching with a gentle smile.

“Ga-eul, are you eating now?”

Ga-eul smiled lightly and nodded. Anna casually took in Ga-eul’s appearance. He was dressed comfortably, but the bag and shoes weren’t anything he’d buy. She squinted, then frowned. That was annoying.

‘I wonder if she gave those to him, too?’

But at least his expression was cheerful.

“Right! Ga-eul, do you want to tutor someone? A friend asked for a recommendation, but I’m in my fourth year, so it might be difficult. Do you have any thoughts?”

Anna said with a wide smile. At the same time, she remembered what happened on Ga-eul’s birthday.

The woman who was beside Ga-eul, the boss. It could be possible. He was charming enough to catch the attention of the same woman. However, that didn’t mean she was giving up on Yoon Ga-eul, although she regretted not being more proactive towards Ga-eul. If she had, these bitter feelings wouldn’t exist. But for now, everything was still okay.

She was more confident in herself than in the potential between the two. Even if Ga-eul aimed for a high place he couldn’t reach, he would eventually give up in exhaustion. Kim Anna had never failed to achieve what she wanted. She was sure of that.

She smiled brightly at Ga-eul and tucked her hair behind her ear.

* * * 

Yoon-young stopped biting her nails abruptly.

“Annoying.”

It was a habit that surfaced when she was anxious. She thought she had fixed it, but not. It was evidence that her state of mind wasn’t good. She was more infuriated by the time she wasted on Moon Ji-hyuk for nothing compared to the mere blow to her back from Kang Seung-hoo. She still wanted to hold onto him, but the original reasons were still clear in her mind.

A tool to shine brighter, a means to surpass her father.

If she couldn’t have both, she needed to find an alternative. Thinking about it, she didn’t necessarily need both at the same time, considering the combination of Moon Ji-hyuk and Yun Seung-ok made both achievable.

So, what other ways were there to outmaneuver her father? How to beat him. How to make Jo Yoon-young unforgettable, once and for all.

No solution seemed to be in sight. Then, a call came from an unknown number. She became wary of the unfamiliar female voice.

– Is this Jo Yoon-young?

“But who’s this?”

– Hello, this is Seo Hee-jin, an aide to Representative Do of the Democratic Party. I have something to discuss in person, if possible.

Yoon-young was taken aback by the unexpected content. The Democratic Party? The Democratic Party was currently opposing her father’s party, essentially. Not only did they differ in political color, but also in their goals. Moreover, if it was Representative Do, it seemed like it might be Representative Do Sung-guk, who was cordial upfront but had different thoughts behind the scenes.

She agreed to meet to hear what they had to say, at least.