Chief Kim and Assistant manager Choi

Chapter 90.

Shin asked one of the interns, “Did Mr. Eejun Bae go home already?”

He went to the fourth floor into the business department office and asked the person who was sitting next to Eejun’s seat. The intern nodded, “I think he was planning on going straight home after his business meeting outside of the office. Do you want me to leave a memo for him?”

“No, it’s ok.”

Shin shook his head and turned to Eejun’s desk again. It was bare except for one picture frame. Inside the photo were a child with a blank expression and a white-haired old man standing next to him. Shin remembered seeing the photo of this old man when he passed the chairman’s office. He was the previous company lawyer and Eejun Abe’s grandfather.

Myunghoon Bae.

Now that Shin studied him closely, he couldn’t see any resemblance between Eejun and his grandfather. But perhaps the way they stared at the camera looked a little similar. Suddenly, Shin remembered the conversation with Woojin last night.

Woojin was staring at the ceiling and holding Shin’s hand. Woojin murmured, “Shin.”

“Yeah?”

“Jihoon Kang doesn’t know Joowan Kim.”

“…Pardon?”

When Shin asked in shock, Woojin closed his eyes and murmured, “It wasn’t Jihoon Kang who was meeting with Joowan Kim, but I think it had to look like it. Or something like that.”

“…”

“Sometimes, when I take the medication Dr. Yoonil…”

“…”

“I couldn’t think clearly the next day. I also couldn’t remember things.”

“… Woojin.”

“Your sister, Dr. Kim, asked me to bring the medication to her so she could have a look at it.”

“…”

“But I can’t bring myself to do it… I am afraid.”

Shin bit his lips hard, and Woojin hugged his neck tightly. If Woojin wasn’t holding him, Shin would have left the condo right away to see Dr. Yoonil. Shin remembered Yoonil’s dry, uncaring eyes.

Shin continued to stare at the photo of Eejun Bae and his grandfather.

‘Why me? Why not Woojin Choi?’

This question had been bothering Shin for a long time. It could be that whoever was behind all this hated Woojin so much that he or she knew hurting Shin would hurt Woojin terribly. But… Shin couldn’t help feeling that he himself was the main target, not Woojin. Shin was certain he was being used in an elaborate scheme.

When Shin looked back, Jihoon Kang tried several times to let Shin know how Woojin felt.

***

Siwoo canceled the date with Jihoon who looked at him in disappointment and shock. But Siwoo ignored him and left quickly. He hated seeing such an unhappy expression on Jihoon’s face, but Siwoo had to find out the truth immediately. He never got the courage to ever ask Jihoon what his relationship was with Joowan. Siwoo only asked Joowan over and over again for the truth, and now, Siwoo was going to ask Joowan one last time.

Siwoo arrived at Joowan’s restaurant. He sent a text to Joowan.

-I’m at the entrance of your restaurant.

Siwoo received an immediate reply.

-I will be out.

It was clear that Joowan still had feelings of Siwoo. It appeared that Joowan had been waiting for Siwoo all this time. This was the type of guy Siwoo wanted to be with, but there was no longer any trust between them.

“Siwoo Jung.”

When he heard the low baritone voice, Siwoo knew what an idiot he was. Just hearing Joowan’s voice was enough to make his eyes water. Siwoo bit his lips and thought of Jihoon Kang. Siwoo didn’t trust Jihoon either, not yet, but at least Jihoon didn’t lie to him.

Siwoo walked up to Joowan and slapped his beautiful kind ex-lover. On Joowan’s long neck and pale cheek, an angry red mark appeared slowly. Siwoo’s hand hurt, but the pain and coldness in his heart were much worse.

“Bastard.”

“…”

“Why did you approach me?!”

“… Siwoo.”

Siwoo couldn’t help but scream at Joowan. He tried to remember the first time they met. When he thought back, Siwoo vaguely remembered Joowan asking about Shin early on in their relationship. At the time, Siwoo thought Joowan was just showing interest in him. He thought Joowan was just being jealous. The way Joowan treated Siwoo was so warm and caring that Siwoo never imagined Joowan could have an ulterior motive.

Siwoo remembered the first lunchbox Joowan made up for it. It was filled with all the things Siwoo liked.

“Joowan Kim, tell me that I am mistaken about all this.”

“…”

“Tell me that you didn’t approach me from the beginning because of Shin Kim. That it has nothing to do with Shin!”

“… Siwoo…”

“Don’t say my name! Don’t you dare!”

Joowan grabbed Siwoo’s shoulder, and unlike before, Siwoo no longer felt warmth from him. Instead, his arms became covered with goosebumps.

Siwoo continued, “Am I mistaken?”

“…”

“Answer me! You never met Jihoon Kang before. It was a lie, but you pretended otherwise. Why did you admit you were seeing Jihoon Kang when you have never even seen him before?”

“…”

“Since when?”

“…”

“You know Woojin Choi too, don’t you?”

Joowan’s eyes widened. Siwoo knew for a fact that Woojin Choi didn’t know Joowan Kim. He was certain of it. Siwoo knew Shin mentioned Joowan as Siwoo’s boyfriend to Woojin many times, and Woojin never showed any kind of recognition or familiarity. But Joowan was different. When Siwoo mentioned Woojin’s name, Joowan couldn’t hide his expression.

Siwoo continued, “You asked me to show you Woojin’s photo in my graduation album.”

“…”

“But despite all these damning pieces of evidence, I still want to believe you.”

“… Siwoo.’

Siwoo used to love Joowan’s voice. It was so low and soothing, but now, Siwoo felt a little fearful.

“Tell me.”

“…”

“Tell me that you never approached me on purpose! For an ulterior motive!”

“…”

“Tell me you never knew Jihoon Kang and Woojin Choi before you met me!”

“…”

“Tell me that I am an idiot and I am mistaken about all this…”

Suddenly, Siwoo felt someone grab his wrist. He didn’t realize he was crying, but Siwoo felt the tears rolling down his face. He felt like he was dying. The pain was unbearable. He smelled the familiar cologne from the man who grabbed his wrist. The man held Siwoo’s hand firmly but gently.

That scent… It was the scent Siwoo smelled this very morning.

“What are you doing here, Siwoo Jungun?”

When Siwoo looked up, Joowan’s face crumpled into an ugly frown. Siwoo knew that behind him, Jihoon Kang was standing.

Jihoon said to Joowan, “So I was right. I thought you recognized me last week when I came to your restaurant with Woojin, Chef.”

“…”

“It’s funny, because I had never seen you before until then. I don’t know you.”

Joowan growled, “Let Siwoo go.”

Siwoo had known him for a long time, but it was his first time seeing Joowan looking this angry. Joowan looked like a completely different person.

Jihoon let Siwoo’s wrist go, but he quickly grabbed Siwoo’s waist and pulled towards him. Siwoo took a deep breath and the cold air began to help clear his head.

Jihoon said to Joowan, “What gives you the right to order me around?”

“…”

Joowan frowned angrily. Siwoo was surprised because he never expected Joowan could become this angry about anything. As Joowan became angrier, Siwoo’s anger began to calm down slowly. This situation felt so surreal.

Suddenly, Joowan pushed Jihoon and growled again, “I have all the rights in his situation. It is you who should keep out since you aren’t relevant in this situation.”

“Why am I not relevant?”

“…”

“Answer him, Siwoo Jung. I have the right to stand beside you, right?”

Joowan suddenly turned towards Siwoo and asked in confusion, “… Siwoo?”