Chapter 72. You’re Right

Still, Kijun couldn’t easily approach her.

Haeyoung’s situation had been difficult, and besides, they’d first met when she was a student and he was already an adult. If he got too close too suddenly, she might feel burdened.

And back then, Taeseong still held a big place in her heart, so Kijun kept his feelings hidden.

As a good older brother, as a good mentor—he chose to stay near her like that.

He forced himself to find her when she hid, pretended to bump into her, and kept close to her. That foolish act had gone on for ten years.

Maybe now it’s okay to confess. After all this time, surely she’s forgotten Joo Taeseong.

Little by little, confidence grew inside him.

First love—those things were just memories. In the end, the one who stayed till the very last was the one who won.

With a faint smile, Kijun replayed in his mind how his proposal might go.

Later, when Haeyoung finally got up and went to the kitchen, she found a note from Taeseong.

I came in early morning and left again early today. Call me when you wake up.

Unlike busy Taeseong, Haeyoung had the day off from the café, so she had plenty of free time.

She dialed the number he had written. The call connected almost instantly, as though he had been waiting for it.

[Hello?]

“Uh…”

It had been a while since she’d called him. She fumbled for words.

[You’re awake? You said today was your day off, right?]

Thankfully, Taeseong, well-trained in business, took the lead smoothly.

“Yeah…”

[I’ll order you food. I’d love to eat together, but I’m busy today. Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Western, brunch. What do you want?]

“Uh… I mean, anything’s fine.”

[If you say ‘anything,’ I’ll order all of them to your place. So just be aware.]

“….”

[Honestly, I’d like it if you tried a variety.]

“Cough—!”

Startled by his overbearing words, Haeyoung choked. His anxious voice rushed through the phone.

[Cha Haeyoung, are you okay?]

“Y-you! Don’t order anything. I’ll just eat by myself.”

[Why are you snapping like that? That hurts, you know.]

“If you send some huge fancy feast, I’ll move out of this place!”

[…Alright.]

She could almost picture his sulky lips jutting out from his tone.

“Instead, can I use the kitchen?”

[Yeah…]

His weak voice made her pinch the bridge of her nose before offering a carrot.

“…But let’s eat dinner together.”

[Great!]

He answered before she had even finished.

[Perfect. What should we eat? Never mind, I’ll make the reservation myself. Okay?]

“Do whatever you want. I’m hanging up.”

She replied half in surrender and ended the call.

“Same old—he got older, but he’s still so childish.”

Shaking her head, Haeyoung decided instant noodles would be safer for lunch.

That afternoon, after eating ramyeon, she was working on her laptop in bed when the doorbell rang.

“…Who could that be?”

She stiffened and slid off the bed. Then her phone rang.

〈Joo Taeseong〉

Seeing his name, freshly saved, she answered suspiciously.

“Hello?”

[There should be some furniture delivery people at the door. Could you let them in?]

“Furniture?”

[Yeah.]

“…Okay.”

[It’s—]

Not wanting to keep anyone waiting, she quickly hung up and hurried to the entrance. With how big the place was, it felt like sprinting a hundred meters.

When she opened the door, three men and a woman stood there.

“Hello, I’m Kang Minjung, the interior designer in charge of Executive Director Joo’s penthouse.”

“Ah, hello…”

“He contacted me urgently. He wanted a new study made.”

“…Oh.”

“I promise to make it a space you’ll love.”

“Thank you… please take care of it.”

Awkwardly, Haeyoung nodded at the designer’s firm words.

Of course—a chaebol-level scale. He even has his own designer.

Still, why a study?

While she puzzled over it, the designer directed the movers with practiced ease.

About thirty minutes later, the designer called her over.

“Would you like to come see it?”

“Me? I’m just a guest…”

But she realized they probably needed her approval before wrapping up.

Fine, it’s just checking furniture placement. Nothing hard.

She followed. The designer smiled and opened the door wide.

“This was already planned as a study, so thankfully the wallpaper and lighting suited it.”

“Ah, I see…”

Through the windows, a forest stretched outside. The wooden-themed room looked as if the scenery itself were part of the design.

“This is a mahogany antique desk, imported from England. It’s from the 1940s.”

“The 1940s? But it looks so…”

“Solid and clean, right? Mahogany doesn’t rot easily and deepens in color over time, giving it a luxurious feel. It’s very hard to find.”

The designer went on excitedly, describing a famous Swiss chair and an Italian light fixture.

An extravagantly luxurious study. Still, it doesn’t look showy at all—it’s really nice.

Despite the lavish description, the study felt calm and restrained.

So he decorated this so beautifully to work late into the night, even at home?

Just then, the designer politely asked:

“Do you like it?”

“…Me?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I like it, but shouldn’t the owner’s opinion matter more?”

“Ah—”

The designer covered her mouth, chuckling softly.

“Actually, you’re right. You’re the owner of this room.”

“…What?”

Haeyoung blinked hard at her.

“Last night, the executive director called. He said the room’s owner is a woman who writes, and asked me to urgently set up a study.”

“…Last night? That jerk…”

The words slipped out, making the designer wave her hands in a fluster.

“No, no! He’s one of the most gentlemanly clients I’ve ever had. It’s the first time he’s contacted me like this.”

She defended Taeseong like rapping to a beat, then added kindly:

“He also told me to make sure to ask you at the end if you liked it—since you’re the one who’ll use the room.”

“….”

“I’m glad to hear you like it.”

With a smile, she handed Haeyoung her business card.

“If there’s any inconvenience, please contact me directly.”

“…Thank you.”

After the designer left, Haeyoung stared blankly around the room before calling Taeseong.

[So? Do you like it?]

His gentle voice came right away.

“…What is this?”

[What else? A welcome-home gift—and my trap to keep you here.]

“….”

[Do-hyun told me you’re still writing. I gave up on my dream, but I don’t want you to give up on yours.]

His voice grew serious, and Haeyoung’s nose stung.

“This time, I’ll be the one to cheer you on.”

“…Ah…”

[I can’t produce your drama like I once promised.]

His tone carried a faint bitterness. Before she could answer, she heard Secretary Park in the distance.

[Executive Director, everyone’s waiting in the meeting room.]
[Ah, just a moment.]

His voice shifted briefly to businesslike formality, then returned.

[I have to head down now. I’ll come pick you up for dinner later. Don’t forget—you promised.]

“…Okay.”

With that, the call ended.

Haeyoung stayed in the study for a long while, eventually bringing her laptop to work there until night fell.

For the first time in her twenties, the dream that had always made her feel like a loser felt instead like a sweet hope again.

In every way, her heart tingled.