Love Me More

Chapter 13

As they were talking, the rain completely stopped. Si-yul stood up first. He was about to bow and say he’d be heading home, but Woo Hyun-se interrupted him.

“I’ll give you a ride.”

“I’ll just walk.”

“The streets are dangerous at night.”

If anyone was dangerous, wasn’t it the man in front of him? Even though Si-yul had become more comfortable with him, their first intense encounter wasn’t easily forgotten. Despite this, Woo Hyun-se wore a gentle smile and kindly offered.

“But you’ve been drinking, CEO. You can’t drive drunk. What if there’s an accident?”

Si-yul firmly refused. Woo Hyun-se lowered his head and scratched his nose bridge. He hadn’t thought of that. He wasn’t even drunk to begin with, but getting caught would be troublesome.

“Then we’ll call a designated driver service.”

Si-yul closed his mouth at this unarguable answer. He wanted to go home quietly alone, but couldn’t think of any other excuse. Reluctantly, he slumped his shoulders and accepted with a weak “Okay…”

“I parked the car over there. It’s still drizzling, so come closer.”

Woo Hyun-se opened his umbrella and gestured. Si-yul walked over slowly. Even though the umbrella was twice the size of normal ones, it was still cramped for two men. Woo Hyun-se stretched out his arm and firmly grasped Si-yul’s shoulder. He tilted the umbrella more towards Si-yul.

This much rain wouldn’t hurt to walk in. It felt a bit stuffy, but Si-yul didn’t particularly want to push Woo Hyun-se away. Woo Hyun-se blocked the chilly air.

Si-yul sniffled and snuggled a bit more into the other’s side. A faint scent brushed his nose. Even the scent was characteristic of Woo Hyun-se. It was the cold, crisp scent of a winter sea.

* * *

Kwon Yuwon finally emerged completely from his cave.

This alone was cause for celebration, but now he was also diligently looking for work without fixating on delivery jobs. The other day, he called Si-yul excitedly saying he had found a part-time job. What restaurant was it again?

Similar to where Si-yul worked, it had a bar, but the hourly wage was higher than other places. Although the income would be much less than when doing deliveries, Si-yul felt relieved that there was no risk of getting involved in dangerous situations.

Time flew by, and before he knew it, Si-yul had been working at the bar for a month. In other words, it was payday. Even after seeing the amount deposited in his account, Si-yul couldn’t fully rejoice.

What good was receiving it? A creditor was waiting with his mouth open.

Although it was right to repay what he owed, human nature is fickle, and it was disappointing to have to give away his first paycheck that had just entered his hands. But there was no other choice. Shouldn’t he be grateful that even if 24 monthly installments weren’t possible, 12 were allowed?

“24 months seems like a thief’s mentality”

“Isn’t that taking advantage too much?”

Remembering these text messages, Si-yul lowered his head and tried to suppress his laughter. Woo Hyun-se had consistently respected Si-yul’s preference for texting over calls. They met in person occasionally too. Woo Hyun-se said he was afraid Manager Kang would clean him out if he went to the bar, so they met at a nearby convenience store.

It wasn’t too frequent. Once a week, sometimes twice as if by chance, or three times when he said he had business nearby.

‘You come here often, don’t you?’

‘Do I?’

‘Yes. You came the other day, and today too.’

‘Really? I have business in this area.’

‘You’re not coming to see me?’

Si-yul asked jokingly with a slight eye-smile. Woo Hyun-se laughed casually and replied:

‘Maybe I am.’

They didn’t discuss anything special. Sipping drinks and chatting about various things like friends, an hour or two would pass in no time. Although the scary impression hadn’t completely disappeared, the distance between them had reduced considerably compared to before. Si-yul occasionally smiled brightly, just as he did in front of Kwon Yuwon.

“What’s so funny?”

“Pardon?”

“No, you’ve been smiling continuously.”

The bartender looked at Si-yul while hanging a freshly cleaned glass on the wine glass rack. Si-yul quickly wiped his lips with the back of his hand. He seemed to have been grinning without realizing it. It was funny to be smiling when he wouldn’t have a penny left after sending money to Woo Hyun-se. He cleared his throat unnecessarily.

“You’re leaving early today, right?”

“Yes. I have an appointment.”

Whether he had asked Manager Kang or she had told him, Woo Hyun-se contacted Si-yul the day before payday. “Tomorrow’s payday, right?” The message wasn’t a question, but a certainty.

[Please let me know your account number]

[It’s your first paycheck, you should treat me]

A rich man trying to squeeze blood from a stone. Si-yul pouted as Woo Hyun-se kept saying irrelevant things without providing the requested account number. Then, as if he had been watching, the phone rang. Although Kwon Yuwon had gone out to work and no one was around, Si-yul looked around furtively before answering.

“Why aren’t you responding?”

“I was about to send it… But CEO, you’re already rich, why are you trying to fleece a poor person like me?”

“Fleece? That’s harsh. Didn’t I introduce you to the job?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Even sparrows repay kindness, Si-yul. That’s the wisdom of living in this world.”

“After paying you back, I won’t have a single penny left.”

A soft laugh came through the receiver. Si-yul lowered his head and scratched at the faded linoleum with his fingertip.

“Then how about this? Consider the meal cost as interest, and start the installments from next month.”

Si-yul had been feeling down because he thought he wouldn’t be able to buy anything for Kwon Yuwon with his first paycheck. He brightened at this proposal.

“Really? You can’t take that back.”

“In exchange, see me tomorrow evening.”

“But I have to work…”

“I’ll talk to Manager Kang.”

“No! I’ll tell her myself.”

Afraid he might ask again about their relationship, Si-yul hurriedly stopped Woo Hyun-se. Woo Hyun-se said okay and hung up abruptly.

Si-yul’s ear was numb from pressing the phone so hard. Still feeling the lingering heat, he rubbed his earlobe with his fingertip. It was warm and flushed.

“It’s almost time. I’ll take care of the rest, so Si-yul, get ready to leave.”

“Yes, sir.”

Si-yul responded energetically as he took off his black apron. He changed from his white shirt into a light purple hoodie and was about to leave the changing room when he paused and looked in the mirror. His hair was a mess, sticking up like a magpie’s nest due to static electricity from his clothes. He roughly combed it with his hands and checked by turning his chin this way and that.

This should be fine. He stretched both corners of his mouth with his index fingers to loosen his facial muscles, and with that expression, Si-yul left the bar with a light step.

He had been worried about what to do if Woo Hyun-se chose an expensive restaurant. But the place they arrived at was truly unexpected. Si-yul looked back and forth between the shabby food stall and Woo Hyun-se, his mouth gaping as he pointed, asking if this was really the place.

“What? Don’t you like food stalls?”

Though Si-yul was familiar with them, food stalls didn’t suit Woo Hyun-se. Didn’t he look like someone who wouldn’t sit on anything but the finest leather sofa? Contrary to Si-yul’s imagination, Woo Hyun-se unhesitatingly pushed aside the fluttering plastic curtain of the food stall and entered. Si-yul stood dazed for a moment before shaking his head to clear it and scurrying in after him.

“Are you sure this place is okay?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Still…”

“If you’re that concerned, order a bottle of soju too.”

Si-yul had planned to at least buy meat if not a very expensive place. He clenched and unclenched his fist as he sat across from Woo Hyun-se. As Woo Hyun-se turned his head to look at the menu, his already prominent jawline seemed exceptionally defined today. For some reason, he looked more handsome than before, causing Si-yul to tilt his head in confusion and rub his eyes with both hands.

Being Friday evening, the food stall was crowded with office workers in suits. In the increasingly cold night air, steaming bowls of soup dishes occupied at least one spot on each table. His appetite awakened, Si-yul also raised his hand and ordered udon, pajeon (green onion pancake), dried side dishes, and alcohol.

True to the quick-service nature of food stalls, the food arrived promptly. Si-yul’s mouth watered at the sight of the udon filled with fish cakes and crown daisies, and the perfectly golden-brown pajeon. Still, shouldn’t the elder eat first? He didn’t want Woo Hyun-se to think he lacked manners for growing up without parents. Si-yul swallowed hard and stared at his companion.

“What are you doing? Eat.”

“The elder should eat first.”

“Elder,” Woo Hyun-se repeated. He also let out a laugh like a forced cough, though it wasn’t clear what part he found amusing.

After Woo Hyun-se took a spoonful, Si-yul eagerly picked up his spoon too. As the warm broth entered his stomach, his cold insides began to melt.

“I ate here before and it was pretty good. How is it?”

“It’s delicious.”

Si-yul gave a thumbs up. But it was quite modest for treating someone. He never expected to come to a place like this with Woo Hyun-se, though it would be understandable with Kwon Yuwon. A broad smile spread across his face.