WOP Ch 8.3
by soapa“Don’t think you can get away with just saying that.”
Joyoon remained silent for a long time, so Shin Kwonjoo slowly kissed his lover’s sweat-drenched forehead.
“There’s nothing like that….”
“It’s all over your face.”
“That’s not it….”
“Aren’t you going to tell me?”
His persistent gaze and stern tone showed he wasn’t going to let it go easily. Not only that, but judging by his smug expression, he must have already figured something out and reached a conclusion.
What on earth could I possibly hide from this man?
At this point, Joyoon was genuinely curious. Was this man just perceptive, or was he truly that transparent?
“It’s…”
Joyoon hesitated, then began to organize the thoughts he had been struggling with for quite some time. At this point, it would be better to confess. He always ended up losing whenever he tried to be stubborn.
“Yes.”
Ha Joyoon always needed a lot of time before properly engaging in a conversation. He was slow to gather, organize, and arrange his wandering thoughts before reaching a conclusion. Knowing Joyoon’s conversational style, Shin Kwonjoo waited patiently for the words to come, observing his lover’s various verbal habits.
“That… person…”
“That person?”
“Yes… that… the reporter who recently transferred.”
“The one who recently transferred? Ah, Rosa? Rosa Burgeon?”
A subtle crack appeared in his usually composed expression as he spoke the name.
“Yes.”
“Why that employee? Did something happen? Was there a conflict between you two?”
The man asked again, his expression unusually flustered. It was a stark contrast to the smug look he had just moments ago, as if he knew exactly why Joyoon was acting this way. Was it someone else then? Joyoon hesitantly nodded.
“It’s…”
“Your departments are completely different. There’s no way you two would have interacted.”
“That’s not it… You never contact your team reporters on their personal phones, Sunbae-nim.”
“That’s true. But Rosa’s case is a bit special.”
Special.
Joyoon’s dry lips parted and froze.
It might have been just a passing expression. However, it was a different matter since the speaker was Shin Kwonjoo. He rarely used such adjectives, whether referring to people or work. Did he mean the person was special, or was it a special circumstance? He wanted to hide his petty feelings, but the undisguised resentment was evident all over his face. Joyoon hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“I already know she’s a special case. Of course, I understand that it could be urgent… but she contacts you even late at night, and you always answer. You’ve never done that before…. And you never get angry, you always give her good advice.”
“Wait a minute.”
The man, who rarely interrupted Joyoon, abruptly cut off the rambling conversation. Wait a minute, he repeated, stroking his chin. His eyes were deep in thought. His contemplation didn’t last long.
“Are you jealous?”
“It’s not jealousy… it’s just strange, so…”
“That’s jealousy.”
“It’s not jealousy. Sunbae-nim, you wouldn’t even let me talk to you when I was an intern, but you’re not like that with her. It’s just… strange, and I’m curious.”
Joyoon knew he was digging himself deeper with every word. Seeing his lover trying to suppress his laughter, his serious expression now completely gone, solidified this thought.
“Strange? It’s jealousy. Is that why you’ve been sulking all month?”
“I’m not a child, why would I sulk… I was just thinking.”
“Let’s say you were. So?”
“And what’s with the personal contact information? When I was an intern, you didn’t even want to give me your work contact information. You said I should only talk to you about work at the office. You asked why you should have to answer my calls after work. You eventually gave it to me, but even then, you embarrassed me when I called… and hung up if I talked for too long.”
Joyoon was aware that the topic of conversation was shifting. His complaints had moved from the present to some point in the past. Recalling those memories brought on an endless wave of resentment. Shin Kwonjoo, who had been listening silently, crossed his arms and began to chuckle.
“You’re going to bring up everything from the past at this rate.”
“Don’t laugh. I’m serious….”
“Come here. Hmm?”
“It’s silly, but I was just thinking about those things.”
“You’re jealous.”
“I’m not. I was just curious….”
Whether he intended to listen or not, Shin Kwonjoo suddenly pulled Joyoon close. There was no escaping, and his words were swallowed by the persistent kisses. What do you mean ‘just’ this and ‘just’ that? At the teasing remark laced with laughter, Joyoon covered his mouth with both hands, a grumpy expression on his face, trying to stop his lover’s advances.
“We shouldn’t just gloss over this… I think it would be good to address what’s bothering me.”
“Address what? Isn’t it ridiculous to have a serious conversation in this state?”
“…”
Joyoon was truly speechless at Shin Kwonjoo’s immediate retort. As he’d said, both of their bodies were a mess after just having sex in the cramped car. At least his lover was dressed, but Joyoon was still mostly naked, covered in semen after unprotected sex. The sudden return to reality made his cheeks flush.
“I feel so stupid.”
“This is crazy.”
“Don’t laugh….”
Shin Kwonjoo buried his face in the crook of Joyoon’s neck and laughed for a long while. With each shudder of his broad shoulders, Joyoon squirmed in embarrassment, gathering his clothes. He would have liked to clean himself up, even if just roughly, but he hadn’t had the time to think rationally. Shin Kwonjoo continued laughing for a while longer before finally wiping Joyoon’s body with a handkerchief and explaining.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but Rosa is Damian’s girlfriend. They’re getting engaged soon.”
“Yes… Just explain it properly… Yes, yes? Damian? Boyle’s fiancée?”
Joyoon, who had been answering automatically, asked back in surprise.
“To be precise, they’re planning to get engaged. I think it will probably be this winter.”
“Ah… then….”
“I owed Boyle a favor. Rosa recently transferred to my team, so I’ve been looking out for her to repay that favor.”
The air went out of Joyoon. Boyle’s fiancée? He sighed inwardly, trying to hide his embarrassment.
“You owed him a favor?”
“He flew to Toronto for me once and had a tough time.”
“Toronto? What happened? Oh, was it that time you were dispatched? Why?”
“There were some things. I’m sorry, but it’s a bit embarrassing for me, so I’d rather not talk about it anymore.”
“Yes? Yes….”
Joyoon was curious, but he knew that when Shin Kwonjoo spoke like that, there was no point in pushing further. As Joyoon nodded with a hesitant look, Shin Kwonjoo leaned down slightly and flicked his forehead.
“You’ve grown up, Ha Joyoon. You even get jealous now.”
“Oh, no, it’s not jealousy, it’s just… it’s the first time I’ve seen you allow someone else into your personal life, Sunbae-nim… so I was a bit surprised. I know you’re not the type to…”
Shin Kwonjoo continued to laugh, as if finding something incredibly amusing. The more he laughed, the redder Joyoon’s face became. All the scenarios and assumptions he had imagined and drawn in his mind over the past few days suddenly seemed ridiculous. As the tension dissipated, he felt deflated.
“Don’t laugh. Honestly, I’m so embarrassed and mortified right now, I want to disappear. I want to die….”
“You can’t disappear. And you definitely can’t die.”
“I’m so embarrassed. I think I’m going to die of embarrassment.”
“What’s there to be embarrassed about? If I were to die from embarrassment, what would become of me?”
“What about you, Sunbae-nim?”
After confirming that they were both somewhat presentable, Shin Kwonjoo pressed the air conditioning button. Cool air soon circulated through the car. Only after the heated, dizzying atmosphere had cooled did he speak again.
“I get jealous of everything related to you.”
Taken aback by the unexpected words, Joyoon’s eyes widened as he asked, “Me? What do I…”
“Yes.”
“Is there anything about me… to be jealous of? I don’t know anyone… the only person I’m close to here is Boyle.”
“Of course there is. Your time, your memories.”
“…”
Intense, dark eyes gazed at Joyoon. Eyes that willingly embraced the edges of his lover’s life.
“All the things that made up your past.”
The murmur, devoid of playfulness, carried an indescribable emotion. The vastness of it was too radiant to be called sadness.
“I’m jealous that I wasn’t there during those times, in those places. And I’m always anxious.”
“…”
Countless words swirled on the tip of Joyoon’s tongue, unable to form sentences. What should he say? He had so much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to tell him, but he still couldn’t choose just one thing to express. The emotions he had barely managed to keep hidden felt like they were about to burst forth.
“That’s why I’m quite pleased with this situation.”
In the silence, Joyoon stared at the reflection of a man in his lover’s dark pupils. Himself, in the present, vividly imprinted with his past, memories, experiences, life lived, love, and dreams.
The pent-up anxiety melted away like snow. Like the sky after a storm, Joyoon finally faced his complete trust in his lover after shedding layers of defense mechanisms. It was a gift bestowed by the slowly accumulated time.
“Why that look? You look like you’re about to cry. I said that because you seemed so embarrassed.”
As the silence stretched, Shin Kwonjoo reached out and gently poked Joyoon’s cheek. A single tear, held back with effort, finally trickled down.
“I’m not crying. I’m not an app that cries every time something happens.”
“You can’t hide your expressions.”
“I’m sorry for doubting you. I knew it wasn’t true, but I guess I was just anxious.”
“I like it. I’m very satisfied.”
A beautiful smile bloomed on the usually cool face, and Joyoon’s heart fluttered uncontrollably. He knew this unguarded expression, this unanalyzing gaze was a side of his lover that no one else could see. He knew it was a genuine smile.
Since when had he become so accustomed to this awkward, clumsy, and playfully affectionate side of him? Not the chilling air that always made others freeze, but…
Just a heart that worried about him,
A heart that liked him,
A heart that…
“Doubt me often from now on.”
“I said I won’t….”
Eyes that loved him.
“Stop it, really. Hmm, I don’t even have the strength to press the start button….”
A hand cupped the back of his head, naturally drawing him towards Shin Kwonjoo. As expected from someone who ignored even the slightest resistance, the kiss continued for a long time.
“That’s really fortunate. Today’s the last time. Don’t even think about driving my car again.”
“You’re saying that even now? That hurts.”
“Don’t react emotionally to facts. You know you only get your way when you’re honest.”
Shin Kwonjoo cut off any further complaints with a serious expression. Still slightly hurt, Joyoon playfully wrapped his arms around his lover’s neck. Their eyes, reflecting each other, curved into smiles.
“Even so… that’s mean. Shin Kwonjoo.”
“What?”
Shin Kwonjoo asked back, dumbfounded by the unexpected attack. His expression was a mixture of bewilderment and annoyance, showing how flustered he was. Joyoon continued his teasing with a quiet laugh.
“Kwonjoo… why are you so stubborn and have such a bad personality… hmm? Let’s try to be a little nicer in the new year.”
A tsk escaped Shin Kwonjoo’s lips.
“Sunbae-nim, isn’t that too much?”
The man, having regained his composure, shrugged nonchalantly. He seemed relaxed. And the words he added – I haven’t done anything wrong – were downright shameless.
“It’s nothing compared to what you said to me. How are you going to survive in this world….”
“Ha Joyoon Sunbae-nim, thank you for your advice. I’ll keep your words in mind so I can navigate social life. Do you have anything else to add?”
“Be nice….”
Joyoon gently traced the cool lines of his eyes and the corners of his eyes with his fingers, and a beautiful smile bloomed on his lover’s face. It was a radiance that captivated, devoid of any intimidation. A hand tightened around his waist, but Joyoon ignored it and lightly kissed Shin Kwonjoo’s smooth forehead, his cheek that seemed as delicate as a veil, and the skin around his eyes.
“Tell me more.”
“Tone down your personality. Fix your way of speaking… and stop glaring at people.”
“…Seriously.”
Finally losing his patience, the man pulled Joyoon into a tight embrace. Within that firm hold, Ha Joyoon felt a sense of relief and an indescribable fullness. It was the comfort of the pieces of his soul, which had long wandered in search of answers, finally clicking into place.
The person he loved, the person who would walk alongside him, matching his steps. His present, his future.
A cool evening breeze blew in from somewhere. It was just another ordinary day.