CHAPTER 07………………………………………
Just as Misook got to her feet, about to walk toward the room,
“Um… Mother…! Could you at least try a little…? You said you were hungry…”
Hana spoke up, struggling to get the words out, trying to stop Misook. She couldn’t bear to see all the effort she’d put into preparing the food go to waste. Even though she knew the response wouldn’t be favorable, she mustered the courage to speak.
“I’d rather be hungry than eat what you made. Who knows what you put in there.”
“Huh?”
“What are you doing? Not cleaning up? The smell of this disgusting food is filling the house—ventilate a bit.”
With her face scrunched up, Misook pinched her nose and headed into the room.
“I rushed for nothing…”
If she had taken her time, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt like this. Hana brushed her throbbing finger and gave a bitter little smile. Once again, her efforts to earn Misook’s recognition had gone to waste.
Click—
It was reflexive. Hana, lying in bed asleep, suddenly shot upright. The sound of the door opening had startled her.
“You’re back?”
Though it was dark, the mood light was on, so she could make out Geonwoo’s face.
Hana pushed herself up and rubbed her eyes. She noticed he looked slightly damp—it seemed he had been in long enough to shower already.
“What happened to your hand?”
“Huh?”
“Why is it injured?”
His gaze fell on the hand poking out from beneath the blanket. Hana’s own gaze naturally dropped, seeing her finger roughly covered with a bandage—no proper treatment had been done.
“Ah…”
Her confused expression shifted to understanding, letting out a short sigh.
“I just cut it… while working.”
“What happened?”
“Uh… while looking at some documents. You know, if you cut yourself on paper, the wound can get pretty deep.”
Looking at him, she found it impossible to lie convincingly. Glancing at his furrowed brow, she forced the words out—embarrassingly clumsy.
“Medicine?”
“I applied some. It’ll be fine in a few days, so don’t worry.”
Hana smiled as if it were nothing. Their eyes met awkwardly. Then Geonwoo reached out. Hana instinctively recoiled. The mood light went off, plunging the room into darkness.
She could feel his presence beside her.
“Lie down.”
“Huh?”
“Not going to sleep?”
Ah… that’s what he meant.
“…Yes. I should sleep.”
Thankfully, it was dark. She hid her flushed face, the one red from unnecessary thoughts, and carefully lay back down.
The next day.
[Eat lunch on your own. I’ve got a meeting.] — Jung Geonwoo
A text arrived just before lunch. Hana had barely eaten anything since last night and was starving. She cursed herself silently—she could have eaten with Miju instead.
‘Am I really waiting for him?’
The thought surprised her, and she shook her head. Of course not, she told herself repeatedly.
She stood, thinking she’d grab a quick bite alone, taking her wallet and phone. Just then, the door swung open.
“Oh? What are you doing at our company?”
Startled, Hana asked, seeing Nayeon.
“I came to have lunch with you. Come on, I’m starving.”
The timing couldn’t have been better. Hana’s surprise quickly turned to relief—she wasn’t the only one feeling lonely. A smile spread across her face.
“Alright, let’s go. I’m hungry too.”
“Let’s get coffee.”
“Coffee? Isn’t that a bit much?”
Hana did want a cup after lunch, but the timing was awkward. As she hesitated, Nayeon’s face twisted in frustration.
“Hey! Who cares if you take a few more minutes for lunch?”
“Well… it’s not that…”
“Then come on. Today, we’re having coffee too, properly.”
Seeing Nayeon’s determined expression, Hana could only shake her head slightly in resignation.
They entered a nearby café side by side.
“What will you have?”
“Just an iced Americano.”
“Two iced Americanos, please.”
After ordering, they sat at an empty table. The café was busy, probably because it was still lunchtime.
“Wait… isn’t that Jung Geonwoo?”
Following Nayeon’s gaze, Hana turned her head. At the counter stood a familiar face—Geonwoo.
“……”
But he wasn’t alone. The first thing Hana noticed was his intimate posture with a woman she didn’t recognize.
Two hours earlier.
Knock—knock—knock—
“Yes.”
Hearing Geonwoo’s brief reply, his secretary cautiously stepped inside, bowing slightly.
“Sir, the representative of Jet Hotel is here.”
“Let them in.”
Click-clack—
Soon the sound of heels echoed, and Serin entered the office with a smile.
“Long time no see.”
“Yes.”
“Have you had lunch?”
“No.”
Geonwoo focused only on the documents, answering firmly. Serin didn’t seem to mind and continued with a smile.
“Good. Let’s eat together. I actually came to time my lunch with you.”
“I have an appointment.”
“An important one?”
“Yes.”
With that, Geonwoo stood, grabbing his coat. As he checked the time to eat with Hana,
“I hear you’re preparing a duty-free store project?”
Serin’s pointed question made him stop in his tracks.
“I thought I could help you with the licensing.”
“……”
“Let’s discuss it over lunch. Is that okay?”
He couldn’t ignore her. The bid competition had been more intense than expected, giving him plenty of stress.
“…Go ahead. I’ll follow soon.”
She nodded with a satisfied smile—his mother’s advice had been correct: when business was involved, there was no refusal.
Serin left the office first. Geonwoo pulled his phone from his pocket and, without hesitation, tapped the contact labeled [Seo Hana].
[Eat lunch on your own. I’ve got a meeting.]
After sending the brief message, he immediately made another call.
— Hello?
Nayeon’s voice came through quickly.
“Go have lunch with Hana.”
— Huh? What… suddenly…!
Click—
Only then did Geonwoo follow Serin.
“They say you’re expanding the Singapore duty-free store?”
“Yes. Since we have so many cosmetics brands already…”
Geonwoo talked business the entire meal, and even after moving to the café. Eventually, Serin began giving only formal, surface-level responses.
After a while, she seized a pause in the conversation.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
“When are you getting divorced?”
Geonwoo’s brow slightly furrowed. He lowered the corners of his mouth, clearly uncomfortable.
“I heard it would be soon, but there’s been no news. Has it just not been reported?”
“I’m not getting divorced. I don’t plan to.”
“Excuse me?”
“If that’s all, let’s finish here. You’ve probably finished your coffee anyway.”
Geonwoo rose without hesitation, seeing no point in continuing. Serin quickly reached out, stopping him.
“You’re not getting divorced?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“There’s no reason to,.
