NOVEL NEXT Chapter 349: Who started the bid?
"I thought, I'd rather have a glowing Omega carry my child and make sure it's pretty than one that won't even stand out in the background," Jin-Yeok confessed, his eyes straying from mine nervously.
And with a gentle pit'a'pat, I recalled a memory.
Is it a memory from my past life? No, I don't know. I can't even see the images but I heard Jin-Yeok's solemn voice say,
"Jo-Pil, how are you so pretty even in this state? I can't help but want to adore you?"
It doesn't feel like something the past Jin-Yeok, who didn't care about me till the later parts of the novel, would say, but I don't remember him saying that to me in this life either.
Then... What was it?
My heart kept thumping softly.
When did he say those words to me in the past?
"Have you...?" I can only ask right now. "Have you thought of me as pretty from the beginning?"
Jin-Yeok brought his gaze back to me, softly gazing into my eyes, and leaned closer.
"To me, you were the prettiest I had ever seen. But how could I dwell in such thoughts when I had a lover? I... Denied myself such thoughts because I didn't want our relationship to be beyond what it was meant to be. I didn't want to disappoint Su-yeon."
Ah, am I hearing this right now?
My heart wouldn't calm down.
So, even in the past... When he looked at me with cold eyes and broke my legs into submission... He thought I was pretty, but decided to deny it just so he could stay faithful?
That's rather... Extreme?
Ah, he was my extreme master.
I ended up shoving my hair through my perfectly slipped hair and scattering it.
I would go mad from thinking if I didn't do that.
The haggard strands fell before my face and I thought, softly and solemnly.
My master's... Did they all think of me in a positive light in the past as well? When they first laid eyes on me?
For Min-Cheol, I can understand that he took an interest in me right away. He was a weird kid and had trouble expressing what he truly felt. The past me didn't want anything to do with that so I angered him with my silence and rebellion.
If not, if I had taken an approach like I did in this life then Min-Cheol and I would've definitely been friends.
I squinted my eyes, narrowing them down in regret.
And Ki-hoon... He probably recognized me as soon as he met me.
"Who started the bid?"
"Ki-hoon was the first to raise his paddle." Jin-Yeok continued and I bit my lip. "Unlike the rest of us who seemed entranced for a moment, he looked like he had found a long-lost treasure and did not hesitate to double the price of the starting bid."
Ah, that's right. For Ki-hoon, I was the boyfriend who betrayed him and ran off with another man so he had every right to be mad.
He wanted to buy me and show me I was wrong and how wretched my life was without him. How I had made a wrong decision when he could've been everything I needed and more.
But with my missing memories, I didn't even know what he was talking about.
He was like a psycho at best. One who was mad without a reason.
Our relationship was bound to fall apart with my missing memories.
As for Seo-Jun...
"Do you know why Seo-Jun decided to bid for me as well?" I asked, unable to tell the thoughts of that madman, ahem. He was a madman in the past, so don't push.
"No, but his eyes did light up like a hunter seeing fresh game after days of no luck."
He was that excited and yet he took his sweet time to come to the mansion.
He probably wanted to deal with his work in a rush and then come to me.
Seo-Jun... I still can't fathom your thought process.
"Jo-Pil," Jin-Yeok called. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?"
"I'm sorry I saw you as a tool for my own gain from the start." He said, taking my hand and kissing it, brushing the surface so softly and pouring his regrets in his care and concern.
"It's okay. It's all for the plot, anyway." We all know where that led.
"What?'
"Nothing," I smiled awkwardly. "Anyway, the past is the past, right? We shouldn't let it define us. Maybe it was fate that made you all fight for the bid till you came to a concession, but I'm glad it happened. If not, I wouldn't have my masters in my life right now."
He looked at me with sparkling emotional eyes that almost made me have goosebumps. This guy was a gangster of a mafia but he knows how to be gentle even when it's not an act.
"I'm fine now, Hyung. I understand your intentions this time, but please... Don't make me misunderstand next time and explain the things to me right away. I... I don't like getting hurt for no reason,"
"I understand, Jo-Pil," he said and leaned in to kiss me.
Our lips brushed lightly at the surface but I suddenly turned away, remembering I hadn't called Seo-Jun yet.
"He shouldn't be asleep yet, right?" I asked, looking at my phone and Seo-Jun frowned.
He couldn't get to kiss me when he wanted to.
"Who are you referring to?"
"Seo-Jun," I said and his frown deepened.
But before he could say anything, the host and a worker walked in with a tray of files.
"Congratulations on winning all the bids, Master Shin," the host bowed and then looked at me who was busy with my phone.
He couldn't even ask who I was since I was practically the one bidding while Jin-Yeok stayed silent.
'He's probably Master Shin's rumored sweetheart.' He thought and then glanced at Jin-Yeok.
"It's time to make the payment, right?" Jin-Yeok asked and my ears perked up.
That's right. I have to pay.
If I did the calculations right, I would probably have only a billion left after everything's done.
Well, it's not like I work and earn more.
"Alright, let me pay," I said but Jin-Yeok crossed his arm over me, saying,
"Don't worry, I'll pay for it."
Hm?
"What kind of man would I be if I can't do this little for you?"
'He said little.' the host thought. 'This amount is no small one, yet it's little for him. The rich and powerful definitely have it easy.'
"Are you sure?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. "I'm not going to owe you any favors if you do this though." I have the money, just let me spend it.
I've been looking for a way to spend my money anyway.
"Jo-Pil," he leaned forward and then kissed my lips, the one I had deprived him of, right in front of other people.
Not like I mind but he was only solidifying the rumors I had created.
"What you asked me to do... Your wish," he kissed my hand. "... I will make sure to fulfill it. So, this is just the start."
"Yes, yes, do whatever you want," I said. "But I can tell my daddy to pay, you don't really have to." I grinned.
"Of course I have to. After all," he leaned in and whispered daringly in my ear. "...I'm your daddy."
I blushed, holding my phone tight.
He was such a tease.