Chapter 122: The Ghost of Goryeo Ilbo

A week later, I ended up flying to France because I couldn’t find a decent excuse to refuse.

And I even attended the industry party on the last evening of the exhibition.

I said several times that going to the party was really not it, but Ria looked truly upset, so I couldn’t keep refusing.

Truthfully, having come all the way to Paris, stubbornly saying no was weird too.

After the exhibition ended, in the hotel’s grand ballroom, I spotted Ria in a red mini dress right away.

“Congratulations. It was cool.”

“Oh my!”

When I handed her the bouquet, Ria smiled brightly.

Then the blonde woman right next to Ria looked at me with interested eyes.

She was a bit petite compared to Ria.

Ria naturally introduced us.

“This is René, my girlfriend. And this is Seunghyun, my college classmate.”

I widened my eyes for a moment and then greeted.

“Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot.”

René was French-American, majored in fine arts like Ria but now worked as a photographer.

When I greeted in clumsy French, she smiled and answered quickly in French.

Overwhelmed by the pouring French, I made a blank face, so she switched to English.

“I’ve heard a lot too. So nice to finally meet you.”

The ‘finally’ seemed emphasized.

Was she checking me? …But emphasizing we’re just friends was weird, so I just smiled small.

Meanwhile, Ria winked at me and said matchmaker-like things.

“If you see someone good at the party, tell me. I know everyone here.”

“…Then I’m the hotel owner.”

“Really? Probably not here today, I’ll look later.”

It’s a joke, why so serious?

I looked at Ria with a fed-up face.

But truly, throughout the evening party, countless industry people and artists greeted her.

Considering she was the star today, seeing Ria confidently interact with so many up close made me think anew how amazing she was.

The hotel owner thing might not be a joke.

In the noisy gap, I whispered to Ria.

“Hey, you’re kinda cool.”

“Now you know?”

“Yeah. Didn’t know at all before.”

“Geez.”

Ria smirked at my words.

Then suddenly whispered in a small voice.

“You got a moment?”

“Huh? Say it.”

Then Ria’s face turned a bit serious.

“No… something to say. Can you wait in my room for a bit?”

She suddenly handed me the room key.

I startled.

I instinctively looked at René laughing and talking with others far away.

“Go to your hotel room? Your girlfriend’s right there?”

I hate misunderstandings.

Then Ria laughed hard.

“René doesn’t care about that. She’s French.”

What does that have to do?

I frowned slightly.

“Seems like your own thought.”

At that, Ria turned her head right away.

René, watching us, suddenly changed expression and smiled brightly at Ria.

I was appalled by the quick change, and Ria chuckled beside me.

“Ah, trying to act cool only in front of me is cute.”

“…Sorry, but not curious about your cute couple stories at all. Just say it now.”

I avoided with distaste.

But Ria suddenly said seriously.

“It’s about your family. Awkward if others hear. Lots of Korean speakers here.”

“Um….”

Didn’t know what, but so serious, couldn’t refuse.

I nodded slightly, Ria hit my shoulder hard with a thwack and ran to René.

I fidgeted with the room key.

Unnecessarily nervous.

Ria entered the room about ten minutes later.

I was shaking my foot from anxiety and jumped from the chair as soon as she came in.

I was super tense in case it was someone else.

“Say it quick. I have zero intention of filming a love drama here with you.”

Then Ria, unlike her, hesitated a bit, checked around again, and asked carefully.

“Hey, your mother has no thought of divorcing at all, right?”

I nodded.

“Seems so.”

“Why?”

“Why. Anyway, property division claim lawsuit is on too. Father will try to take all Mother’s Haewon stocks….

Then Noona disadvantaged at shareholders’ meeting when becoming chairman.”

“I see….”

Then Ria was silent for a long time.

I was dumbfounded.

What, called to hotel room for this?

I asked back in a slightly absurd voice.

“That all you want to ask?”

But next moment, Ria said something completely unexpected.

“Uh, you know. Choi Doyoon… contacted me.”

“…….”

I suddenly froze stiff like a lightning-struck log.

My heart suddenly pounded crazily.

She looked at my face and said carefully.

“He asked if you’re in contact, I said no for now. His voice sounded off.”

After a brief silence, I answered awkwardly raising the corner of my mouth.

“I see.”

But suddenly hot heat welled in my eyes.

At the same time, Ria looked extremely flustered seeing my face.

But the truly flustered was me.

I should say it’s nothing, don’t mind, but my throat choked, no words came.

She stammered.

“Don’t know, can’t explain well, but suddenly felt like he might barge in where you are. That’s part of why I called you here.”

I smiled weakly.

“How would he know where I am. If you don’t say, he won’t.”

“Right. That’s, should be, but feeling a bit….”

Silence lingered between us.

Ria spoke again.

“Anyway, so I thought, if your mother divorces…. you two become legal strangers… wondering if she has zero such thought….”

Moment I felt discomfort at her words, I snapped my head up.

And my boiling chest cooled like doused with cold water.

“…What did he say to you?”

“No! Said nothing. Really.”

I wiped tears, looked at Ria quietly, then laughed hollowly.

“…Well, you always had good intuition.”

“…Am I… thinking right?”

I didn’t answer.

Ria sighed ah, and said to me.

“Today… no good people among the party ones?”

I smiled bitterly.

So that’s why she insisted on the party.

Confused if grateful or annoyed and tell to stop.

“No. Thanks for caring. But no need for you to go that far.”

“Yeah….”

Conversation ended, we stood like statues for a while.

Ria lowered gaze slightly and said.

“Sorry if nosy. You… looked so struggling since Canada, just in case.”

I stood blankly for a while and asked.

“My bad state that obvious?”

“Didn’t know on calls at first. But seeing in person…. Sorry if offended. Still wanted to help what I can. Like you did for me.”

“Yeah….”

I stood blankly then fled the room.

Luckily no one in the hall, I ran out the hotel with chaotic mind.

Felt drained.

As soon as home, collapsed on bed without changing.

And bit my lip till blood.

Or I’d cry pathetically.

Couldn’t know why Doyoon called even Ria.

Really planning to come find….

I deleted his contact long ago to avoid accidental contact.

But every moment wanted to ask if he’s well, not sick, how living.

Curiosities a truckload.

But since I harshly pushed away, must handle aftermath properly.

Said your feelings mistake, be happy with others, then contacting how you doing is too deceitful.

I was sorry to Doyoon, and hated myself a bit glad.

‘Still cares about me….’

In the faint sleep dream, Doyoon appeared after long.

But with a face never seen, blamed me.

‘Do you really want me happy? Liar.’

Panicked, I explained my sincerity with all strength.

Then Doyoon said.

‘Then you should want me to forget Hyung quick. Why want me to keep thinking of Hyung?’

I was speechless.

That’s, that’s because I you….

Suddenly woke with a gasp.

Must be nightmare from sleeping with lights on.

Checked phone, 3 AM.

“Ha….”

I sighed deeply.

Mentally disturbing dream.

Drank a cup of cold water and sat on bed.

Habitually checked chat, saw tons of messages from Kim Minseok.

[Holy sh*t Hyung Saw the article? Our stocks ruined]

[Link]

“What….”

Thought trivial and was about to skip, but next couldn’t ignore.

[Choi Younggil killed someone]

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