Chapter 53: Hot Springs and Unsettled Plans

I tilted my head.

“…Why?”

Do Yoon’s face flushed crimson, and he stammered.

“I mean, if we go in the hot spring together, it’s too…”

He trailed off, barely audible.

“What?”

“I just… it’d be embarrassing for us to go in together.”

His face was practically black with embarrassment. I didn’t know he was this shy. After swimming together yesterday, it made no sense. But then I recalled his triangle swim briefs. Seeing that up close might feel awkward. I nodded.

“Got it.”

He exhaled in relief, still red. So, I enjoyed the suite’s private hot spring alone.

The hot spring was amazing. Surprisingly, I didn’t get dizzy despite soaking for a while. Lost a cucumber, gained something else. I regretted not trying it yesterday. Emerging, my body radiated heat, skin flushed, water dripping from my hair, lips redder from circulation.

Toweling my hair, I caught my reflection—fierce, not exactly kind-looking, despite getting used to this face. I threw on a bathrobe and stepped out. Do Yoon, reading on the bed, jolted, then said calmly.

“You… put on a robe.”

“Obviously. It’s cold after soaking. Wear one too.”

“Okay…”

I sat at the vanity, drying my hair. My loosely tied robe kept slipping, eventually exposing my left shoulder.

Ugh, annoying.

I turned off the dryer to fix it. In the mirror, Do Yoon stared, book in hand, eyes like lasers. What’s with him? I paused, half-turning.

“Got something to say?”

He coughed violently, startled. As I approached, he flailed his arms like I was a ghost.

“Don’t come closer!”

“…?”

Why’s he acting pitiful, clutching the blanket? Anyone would think I was up to something. I shrugged, pulling up my robe.

“Don’t walk around like that,” he mumbled, red-faced.

“What’d I do?”

He didn’t answer, bolting to the hot spring while I looked away. He stayed in there forever—good thing, since he loves it. Our short Jeju trip ended happily.

Back in Seoul, I texted Seung Hee.

[Hotel was awesome. Acquire it!]

She called immediately.

<That’s all you’ve got?>

“Everything was great. Oh, thanks, Choi Seung Hee-nim?”

<Details. No improvements?>

“Hmm… maybe add abalone to the seafood ramen? It’s pricey for what it is.”

She snorted, unimpressed. She hadn’t expected much, apparently.

<Who’d you go with?>

“Do Yoon.”

She went silent, surprised.

<He doesn’t have a girlfriend? Why’s he always with you?>

“He’ll graduate, join a company, meet a nice girl, and have a son and daughter. Siblings hang out, don’t they? Oh, did you want to go?”

<Forget it. You’re really single.>

“Told you. Why don’t you believe me?”

Her laugh echoed mine. With future plans clouding my mind, dating was the last thing I cared about. I weighed living in Korea versus abroad but preferred staying here.

If I could achieve a slightly better ending than the novel’s… I wanted to watch Do Yoon, happy with Ji An, from afar. If our relationship stayed like this, it didn’t feel like a pipe dream.

Do Yoon would build a happy family with Ji An, Mother would divorce Father and find peace, Seung Hee would earn Grandfather’s respect, and I…

If my birth secret stayed hidden, I wanted to stay right here.

Could that ending exist?

It might be harder than Choi Seung Hyun becoming Haewon’s head. But if there was a 1% chance, I’d try. Seeing my family only on the 9 o’clock news would hurt too much.

Another reason to stay: my job. Managing actor interviews, articles, and SNS for the marketing team was surprisingly fulfilling. A recent film I handled was a hit, and colleagues’ congratulations fueled my passion. I enjoyed this more than assistant directing sometimes. Money wasn’t the motive.

Instead of fretting over what hadn’t happened, I’d focus on what I could do now. Maybe that’d lead to the future I wanted.

I steeled myself, as always.

A month after Jeju, Father called out of the blue.

<Chairman Joo wants to meet when you’re free. Dinner.>

“What?”

It took me a moment to recall the old man from Haewon Gallery months ago. Father spoke like we’d just met him. When I didn’t reply, he pressed.

<Got another trip this weekend? Tell me when you’re free—I’ll make it work.>

He was mocking me, but after my outburst last time, he seemed to care about my opinion. Weird feeling.

“Why does he want to see me?”

<Says your reputation’s distorted. Wants to talk. You did well last time.>

Damn, should’ve done worse.

“…Not just me, right?”

Why am I dragged into this? I barely spoke to the guy for thirty minutes—why’d he like me? It’s not like I could reject an elder’s dinner invite twice, especially with Haewon’s ties to him. Sighing, I said.

“…This Saturday’s fine.”

Better get it over with.

<7 p.m., B Hotel’s French restaurant. Dress sharp, don’t embarrass us.>

Even his good advice annoyed me. I glared at the hung-up phone. Do Yoon, bringing a plate of strawberries, asked.

“What’s up?”

“Father wants me at B Hotel Saturday.”

His face clouded. I cut off his worry.

“Not in trouble.”

“Not what I thought. Just… Father’s calls usually aren’t great news…”

“Just dinner, I’ll be quick. No big deal.”

“Hope so…”

He seemed more worried than me. I tweaked his nose.

“Our college boy should focus on next week’s semester start.”

He hugged my waist, clinging to my back.

“Don’t wanna go to school…”

Even a model student’s still a kid. I laughed.

“Don’t wanna go to work either.”

“Then quit. Stay home with me all day. You don’t need to work. You like lazing around. I’ll get you anything you need.”

A joke, but he was dead serious. Hard to counter since he wasn’t wrong. I mumbled.

“Kidding.”

“…Me too.”

He buried his face in my back, nuzzling. Why’s he so serious with jokes?