The Season I Loved You Without You - Chapter 89

CHAPTER 89

Go-yeo arrived at the airport with Jin-young. She managed to persuade Sang-moon, Yeong-ran, Tae-chun, and Ji-yeon not to come to the airport. Although she had sent the essential luggage ahead, she hadn’t packed much. She planned to leave everything behind, eager to start anew in a new place.

Jin-young, who was also going to France with her, had a lot of luggage and was carrying her own suitcase as well. Go-yeo took the luggage from Jin-young. Before heading to the first-class lounge, they spent some time with Sumi’s family who had come to see Jin-young off.

Seeing Sumi in tears, Go-yeo briefly regretted bringing Jin-young along, but since she had been insistent, Go-yeo quietly patted Sumi’s back. She watched Jin-young with her family from a distance. She had told Sang-moon and Yeong-ran not to come because crying at the airport seemed awkward, but she felt a bit regretful.

When Sumi’s nagging towards Jin-young grew longer, Go-yeo turned her head. It was a simple turn of the head, but at that moment, she instantly recognized him even from a distance where she couldn’t see his expression.

“…”

The noisy airport became silent, and among the countless people, only Yoon Ga-eul was visible. It was natural because she had been thinking only of him. She didn’t expect him to come, but she had been thinking of him for a while.

He did not come any closer, as if confirming that he had let go of his feelings, he kept his word. From a distance, their eyes met.

Go-yeo gripped her suitcase tightly. The distance was short enough to run to him and hug him, but they just stared at each other. She wanted to turn her head away but couldn’t take her eyes off Yoon Ga-eul.

‘…I’ll leave everything here, so forget about my feelings. Don’t worry about me. Okay?’

Because they said goodbye under the starry sky. Today is the last day, and she won’t be able to see Yoon Ga-eul anymore. Tears welled up, but she blinked quickly to keep his image from blurring.

From afar, he mouthed something. She couldn’t hear it, and his lip movements were unclear. He waved his hand slightly.

Go-yeo closed her eyes tightly and turned away. To avoid looking back, she bit her inner lip. She held herself together firmly. Even after boarding the plane, she maintained a blank expression.

Sitting alone by the window, she stared blankly outside, looking at the spot where Yoon Ga-eul must still be standing. She buried her face and wept quietly, feeling the walls she had built around herself crumble.

“Yoon Ga-eul, I love you…”

No one was there to listen to her countless confessions. She had parted ways with her Ga-eul.

* * *

Three years had passed since arriving in France. After completing a six-month collaboration project in Paris, she was unsure where to go next. Following Joel’s recommendation, she had come here and was satisfied.

Standing on the terrace of a grand mansion in Saint-Tropez, overlooking the cobalt-blue Mediterranean Sea, had become part of her daily routine. The warm sunlight and gentle breeze lifted her spirits. She greeted Jin-young, who had returned from her morning jog, through the window, praising her youth and smiling softly.

“You have a lot of energy…”

Go-yeo wrapped her gown around herself and stretched. After the collaboration project, she worked at Samuel’s private boutique introduced by Joel. She spent her time modestly as a designer at a unique fashion brand in Saint-Tropez.

On days she didn’t go to the boutique, she enjoyed freshly baked bread and coffee, wore sunglasses, and read books in the garden. When bored, she swam in the sea or rode her bicycle around until her skin tanned red from the sun.

‘Shall we ride a bike?’

‘Me? I don’t know how to ride.’

‘I’m good at it. I’ll teach you.’

The memory of learning to ride a bike with him, filled with laughter, still echoed. She had become quite good at riding around. Even though she hadn’t returned to Korea, Sang-moon and Yeong-ran visited France frequently, and Yeong-ran often stayed for over a month.

She stared blankly at the white yachts floating on the sea, recalling Ga-eul’s last smile at the airport. The small mole under his right eyebrow, the faint dimples that appeared when he smiled, his brightened expression, and his red lips whispering sweetly.

She laughed happily but then sighed when only the vast sea was in view. When she missed him terribly, she took out the slightly worn catalog among her books, tracing his face. The lack of a proper photo of him made her throat tighten with emotion. Even though there was no one around, she felt embarrassed and cleared her throat.

While checking the mail, she found a postcard with nothing written on it, sent from Bonito, Brazil. The front of the postcard described it as the most beautiful and clean river in the world. There was no sender’s address or handwriting, but she knew it was from Moon Ji-hyuk. Only he would send such a postcard knowing she was there.

She thought it was his way of saying he was okay and that she shouldn’t worry. He seemed to be traveling around the world, sending postcards from different places.

“…It’s good if you’re doing well.”

She sighed softly.

“Now, I just need to do well too?”

She laughed helplessly. It felt like she was spending most of her life saying goodbye to someone. Despite changing her surroundings and trying new things, she clung to Yoon Ga-eul.

Her tenacity manifested even here. She believed time would heal and tried nothing special to forget him, which perhaps made it harder to forget.

Though she spent her time meaningfully, Yoon Ga-eul always lingered in her mind and heart. Maybe it was because there were so many things they had done together and the sincere feelings she never expressed. The unspoken sincerity remained with her, not going anywhere, causing her to struggle in deep regret.

Jin-young interrupted her thoughts.

“Boss, you know Vice President Ji-yeon is arriving today, right?”

“Oh, was it today?”

Ji-yeon, Hae-joon, and their son Ro-woon were traveling from Paris to Saint-Tropez. They planned to stay at the mansion for a few days. It was the first time seeing Ro-woon in person, having only seen him via video calls before.

“When will they arrive in Nice?”

“Soon. A car has been sent to pick them up.”

“Thank you.”

Since it took about an hour and a half from Nice, she would soon meet Ji-yeon. Go-yeo asked the staff to tidy up the guest room so Ji-yeon’s family could rest comfortably.

* * *

“Oh my, look who it is.”

Ji-yeon exclaimed loudly upon seeing Go-yeo as she got out of the car. Go-yeo approached her with a smile. Ji-yeon hugged her tightly, then held her face and examined it.

“What have you been eating here to become even more beautiful?”

“Stop it.”

Go-yeo noticed Ji-yeon’s eyes redden but pretended not to and responded indifferently. She greeted Hae-joon, who was standing next to Ji-yeon, and looked at Ro-woon. The child, who looked exactly like Ji-yeon, seemed tired or shy.

Go-yeo watched him quietly and then greeted him softly. Ro-woon stared at her and then relaxed, smiling.

“Can Auntie hold you?”

When she carefully extended her arms, Ro-woon hesitated for a moment before jumping into her arms.

“How unusual! He usually sticks to me like glue. I guess beauty is universally appealing.”

Ji-yeon joked playfully, making Ro-woon laugh. Go-yeo, holding Ro-woon, walked into the mansion with them.

While Ji-yeon and Hae-joon unpacked, Go-yeo played with Ro-woon. Despite the travel fatigue, Ro-woon seemed energetic, exploring her spacious bedroom. After thoroughly inspecting the room, he quietly called her.

“Auntie.”

Go-yeo bent down to meet his eyes.

“Yes?”

“Are you alone here?”

Understanding his question, she replied.

“Yes.”

“Is Ro-woon’s home far?”

His concern made her smile, and she answered sincerely.

“Auntie is okay. I’ll stay here.”

“Ro-woon likes it here too.”

“I know.”

Ro-woon smiled broadly and continued exploring. When she heard a knock, Ji-yeon entered. Ro-woon ran to her and hugged her. Go-yeo smiled warmly at them.

Ji-yeon, holding Ro-woon, spoke teasingly. She was still amazed by the luxurious mansion, like something out of a Hollywood movie.

“No wonder you don’t want to come back to Korea living in a place like this.”

“Maybe.”

Ji-yeon, accustomed to Go-yeo’s lukewarm responses, took Ro-woon to the terrace to see the sea.

“Look at the color of the sea, Ro-woon. Isn’t it amazing?”

Ji-yeon sat on a white outdoor chair on the terrace and noticed a catalog on the table. She immediately recognized it. Go-yeo, who had followed them out, felt a pang of anxiety seeing it.

She decided to quietly remove it without mentioning it.

“Ro-woon speaks well.”

“Compared to his age, yes. Hae-joon mostly takes care of him and does a better job than me.”

When Ro-woon said he wanted to find his dad, Ji-yeon cheerfully told him to go. Go-yeo watched Ro-woon run off happily. Ji-yeon sighed softly while watching her.

“I told Ga-eul you were going to France.”

Although Ji-yeon had planned not to mention Ga-eul, seeing the catalog changed her mind.

“I figured it was better than leaving him wondering.”

Go-yeo didn’t respond. Ji-yeon continued to look at her.

“I still remember. Even after three years. But I didn’t expect him to be like that, I thought he’d quickly find someone else.”

When Ji-yeon smiled bitterly, Go-yeo asked indifferently.

“Is he doing well?”

“Not really.”

When Ji-yeon said it bluntly, Go-yeo raised her head.

“I lied. He’s doing well. Honestly, his ability to move on surprises me. But there are also parts where he seems more disciplined.”

Go-yeo smiled faintly. Ji-yeon sighed and changed the subject.

“When are you coming back to Korea?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.”

“If you don’t come back, what will our Sang-moon and Yeong-ran do?”

“They should live well.”

Despite being light-hearted, Go-yeo felt a deep melancholy. She slowly walked to the sea and gazed at the horizon, lost in thought.