DI Ch 60

Hot. It was the beginning of a crazy summer that made me wonder if this was even bearable. My body was radiating heat even when I was sitting still, and no matter how much water I drank, I felt like I was drying up. Even standing on the roadside was suffocating, so I couldn’t wait to get to my appointment place because I felt like I was going to dry out.

Unfortunately, the taxi stand was completely empty. With my face flushed from the heat, I looked around, but there was not a single glimpse of a taxi. Even the familiar human CCTV’s car that I had seen many times before was nowhere to be found. It seemed that the man hadn’t followed me all the way to Daegu.

It was rather fortunate. If I had seen it, I would have made a crazy request, saying, ‘Since you’re going to follow me anyway, let’s go together.’ It was such a hot day. I shook the hem of my clothes to cool off, but it only made a slight difference.

Meanwhile, my phone kept ringing, but I didn’t bother answering it. It must have been Park Kang-woo. Even Kang Moo-hyun would not be this obsessed with Woo Ji-min, let alone contact someone he would soon meet.

I managed to endure receiving over three hundred KakaoTalk messages every single day, but answering his phone calls felt a bit burdensome. In the end, I came all the way down to Daegu, just as he wanted, for an official meeting where I would apologize for “going missing.” So, I really wish he would stop this obsession.

I understand being anxious since I’ve had previous records of going “missing,” but enough is enough. Slowly slipping under the shadows, I let out a deep sigh. This persistent obsession is tiring, and even my throat feels dry. There was no reason for me to be exhausted this quickly.

I took out bottled water and a portable fan and tried to cool off the heat, but the water and wind were all lukewarm and it just made me uncomfortable. Amidst all this, the relentless vibrations of the obsession were so persistent that my thighs were trembling, and it made me feel restless and agitated to the point that I almost lost my sanity.

Unable to bear it, I sent a message saying we should meet again next time, but I mistakenly sent it to the group chat with others, not just to Park Kang-woo. The silence and question marks that followed at that time came back to haunt me, making my head ache.

“Seo Seung-won, here! This way!”

Finally, after catching a taxi and getting inside the store, I saw Park Kang-woo smiling broadly with excitement. I stopped in my tracks and glared at him. I thought one hard punch to him would be the best wish to make.

Ignoring his greetings and gestures, I raised my hand to cool down my burning cheek. It was so hot that even the idle thoughts seemed to intensify the pain in my head. As I was groaning in discomfort, he reached out with his hand and started fanning me.

He looked a bit apologetic as if he remembered how I suffered from the heat around the same time last year. That softened my heart again. I had planned to hit him hard if I had the chance, but I might just have to end it moderately.

“I forgot that you can’t stand the summer heat. We should have taken the bus. Ugh. Anyway, it’s not even the height of summer yet.”

As I was cooling my other cheek on the table, Park Kang-woo clicked his tongue and poked my shoulder with his fingertips.

“Hey, are you alive? Snap out of it.”

“I want some ice-cold water…”

“Ice-cold water? Wait. Boss! Do you have ice… Oh, Noona, are you not doing business?”

Park Kang-woo approached someone who was using a phone in the corner and spoke to them. It seemed like they were familiar with each other. I wondered when they became close even though Park Kangwoo wasn’t from this area.

“They will bring it.”

With the strength to reply almost fading away, and feeling exhausted, I nodded my head as a sign of gratitude. Trusting only his words, I waited quietly. Then I saw someone approaching with a water bottle in hand.

My posture naturally became more polite as I wanted to quench my thirst. I looked expectantly at the woman coming with the water bottle, hoping she would arrive quickly. However, suddenly, I noticed that the table was empty. I hurriedly took out the menu and carefully examined the options before speaking to her.

“Thank you. Boss, we’ll order the C set first and then order more later.”

“Sure. Just wait a moment, please.”

Her irritated expression softened quite professionally.

“What. Who are you? How did you manage to have such a soothing voice? I’m not used to it.”

“Shut up.”

Park Kang-woo, who had turned around and was following her, grunted again.

“No, why didn’t you tell me you had a friend like that?”

“What difference would it make if I did?”

“It would change my life. Tell him to call me when he’s twenty-five.”

“What are you saying now? Why would he feel regretful and contact you, Noona… Ah!”

After hearing the sound of a slap on the back and Park Kang-woo’s screams, I saw Seo Seung-won’s face reflected in the window. I didn’t think Seo Seung-won was ugly, but I didn’t think he was very handsome either. His impression was clean, and his features were distinct and decent, but that was about it.

A man should have a sophisticated yet not too heavy atmosphere, and it should not be lacking in strength. However, I didn’t sense any of the nonchalant charm or the flashy freedom that a man should have. He was taller than most men, and his shoulders were broad, but he lacked a solid presence. A man should also have some rough edges to show his personality and appeal, but Seo Seung-won had a dull image, which was slightly disappointing.

It’s true that having a bit of coldness in one’s demeanor can add charm. At this point, Seo Seung-won would never be a celebrity if he was this dull. After gulping down two glasses of cold water in a row, I finally felt the refreshing breeze from the air conditioner and let out a sigh. My thigh trembled. The incessant vibrations of incoming messages on my phone were becoming so familiar that they felt eerie, so I hurriedly looked for Kang-woo.

Park Kang-woo’s phone was on the table, and he was still lounging next to the boss. I wondered who it was, so I picked up the phone and checked. Seeing his familiar name, I unknowingly smiled.

You’re not answering your phone [18:25]

Did you arrive safely in Daegu? [18:25]

While staring at the text message from Tae Seong-je, I rubbed the LCD screen with my fingertips. What does he mean ‘You’re not answering your phone’? He’s being too cute for his own good. He must have known I have arrived well, but he still bothered to leave a text message saying that I didn’t answer his phone. It made me feel ticklish and tingly near my chest.

Suddenly, I imagined him calling me. He would probably let the phone ring three or four times more than necessary, wondering why I wasn’t answering or what I was doing right now. Just thinking about it made my heavy legs feel light. At times like this, I thought he might miss me a little.

I felt lighthearted even though I hadn’t been drinking. I know I’ll be treated differently when part two starts, so I shouldn’t get used to this, but I just want to enjoy this moment. I wondered if I was too relaxed, but I wanted to enjoy it while I could, and I want to like and love him enough while I can endure this feeling.

That way, it would be okay when I realized his change of heart, which was difficult to notice. Tae Seong-je will probably pretend to love me and care for me as planned, even if I get kidnapped. He would just watch from afar, and never approach me. Imagining him like that made me feel a little sad, but it wasn’t painful. I wondered if this was my conceit, but we haven’t known each other for many years, and it’s not like we have a destined love.

1 [19:04] Yes. I met my friend.

1 [19:04] But hyung. You know what? Daegu is very hot and humid right now.

1 [19:04] I feel like I might die from heatstroke…

I frowned as I tapped at my phone. It was good to have that mindset of enjoying the pleasure of the moment without overthinking it, but the problem was that I keep forgetting about it. Tae Seong-je is definitely not someone who would listen to my cry, nor is he a close friend or someone I know well.

Let’s not overdo the antics and reflect on it. But before I knew it, the 1 disappeared from the chat.

Oh, really? Is it very hot? [19:04]

“That’s weird.”

For someone who said he was busy, he’s been checking his KakaoTalk faster lately… I tilted my head, wondering if it was because of my mood or not. However, when I saw the last message I couldn’t help but smile. He was so cute when he made jokes after a long time.

If it’s that hot, I’ll lock you up in a cool room, want to try it out? I’ll take good care of you. [19:04]

[19:05] I’ll think about it.

Why think about it? Is the condition not good enough? [19:05]

What else can I do for you? [19:05]

I stiffened and looked at my phone screen with a seemingly serious expression. Wait, can a twenty-eight-year-old adult man have such an adorable side? If an affectionate, mischievous guy like him were to ask, ‘What else can I do for you?’ Who wouldn’t feel their heart flutter?

I couldn’t stay still, because I was one of those who would be fluttered. Oh, I can’t believe this. No wonder I keep forgetting Tae Seong-je’s wicked and elusive persona in the second part, as Woo Ji-min warned. I drank cold water to try to cool down my flushed cheeks. As I regained my composure, I began to feel mischievous.