The sound of an ambulance stretched long beyond the annex walls. Taeon, just having wrapped up a meeting, tilted his head to glance out the window.
As the wind chimes clattered sharply in the blustery wind, the piercing siren grew closer—then gradually faded into the distance.
Secretary Kim, who had been waiting silently with his phone in hand until Taeon came out, also turned his head to follow Taeon’s gaze. He seemed to share the same thought.
“Shall I go check what’s going on outside?”
“Please do.”
“Ah, CEO!”
Just as Secretary Kim gave a brief bow and turned to leave, he spun back like he’d nearly forgotten something important. Taeon was loosening his choking tie and only lifted his gaze toward him.
“There was a fire at the Jamsil CB Center, where the joint briefing with the construction companies was scheduled. I just received word that the event’s been postponed. The fire’s been put out, but the damage is severe enough that they’ve had to cancel the venue rental. Looks like the briefing will be delayed until they find a location that can accommodate the full expected turnout.”
“Haa…”
“You must be tired.”
“I’m fine. Honestly, this might be for the best.”
“I brewed some coffee. Please get some rest. I’ll step out and find out what the commotion is about.”
Taeon gave a distracted nod and sank into the sofa like he was being absorbed by it. He checked the time. It had already been well over an hour since Sahee said she was stepping out to change clothes.
She only said she’d be quick.
Frowning, Taeon picked up his phone from the table. Not long after, thud, the door shut, and silence filled the room. He powered on the phone and tapped to call her.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
By the fourth time it went to voicemail, he was already on his feet.
The fading ambulance siren still echoed faintly in his ears like a phantom noise.
***
Sahee had returned to her small wing and rushed to shower and change. She had promised to be back soon, but far more time had passed.
Her heart raced like someone possessed. Now all she had to do was dry her hair, head back to the annex, and spend a suitable night with him…
That would be the end. It would all be over.
Suddenly swaying, Sahee barely caught herself by pressing a hand to the wall.
Out of nowhere, the image of her mother embracing Chae Hyunji flashed in her mind. The memory made it exhausting just to stand upright. She slid to the floor with a dull thud.
Her hair, still damp, fell across her face as she hung her head. Droplets trickled from the ends onto her pants—drip, drip—just like tears.
She stared at them blankly.
…
Sahee turned her gaze to the evening light filtering in through the open door.
She wanted to see him. And she didn’t.
She wanted to end it right now. And she didn’t.
Burying her face in her palms, she let out a deep sigh. Just as she pushed off the floor to stand, she sensed movement outside the door. She stood up awkwardly, startled.
“Yeon Sahee.”
Knock knock. The knocking was quicker than usual.
“Just a moment.”
She rushed to the mirror to check her face. After double-checking that her eyes weren’t puffy, she finally opened the door.
There stood Taeon. He looked—angry? Sahee opened her mouth reflexively, trying to explain.
“I just finished showering.”
“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
“…Because I was in the shower?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Taeon let out a dry laugh, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Sahee opened the door the rest of the way. He stepped inside her room without hesitation.
“I’ll dry your hair. Go sit down.”
“Oh, okay.”
Sahee quietly moved to the desk chair and sat down. She could feel his gaze settling on her.
“Did something happen?”
He asked as if he already knew everything. Sahee’s eyes widened slightly.
“What? No, nothing.”
“Then why were you spacing out?”
“….”
“Again.”
He tapped her forehead lightly with the tip of his index finger. Sahee glanced up at him, and he smiled.
Then came the soft hum of the hairdryer. He slipped his fingers through her damp hair as he gently dried it.
Sahee kept her eyes fixed on the watermarks on her pants that no longer dripped.
She realized it.
She had wanted to see him. She didn’t want to end it. She wanted just a little more of this luxurious, fleeting time with him.
When he finished drying her hair, he kissed her.
Still seated, she wrapped her arms around his neck and shared breath with him. The chair skidded and bumped into the desk, making her flinch, and he laughed.
It was a laugh of someone used to this.
Still in his arms, they made their way to the bed. Sleep crept up on her.
As her eyelids grew heavy, she thought it was because she felt safe with him.
There was a quiet kind of relief in his arms.
As Taeon climbed over her, Sahee slowly blinked, then closed her eyes. A soft kiss brushed her cheek, and she whispered,
“…Honestly, I’m sleepy.”
“I’m leaving tomorrow.”
He frowned. Sahee blinked sleepily, pretending not to hear, and Taeon touched her cheek.
He gave her a gentle pinch and chuckled.
“Right. We’ll see each other again.”
Sahee nodded. It wasn’t a lie—there was still tomorrow.
His gaze seemed to grow darker for a moment, but maybe she was just too drowsy to tell for sure.
“I’ll see you off tomorrow. I’ll send everyone else away.”
“…Okay.”
“Goodnight.”
He kissed her forehead. Then, after turning off the bedside lamp, he brushed her hair a few more times and quietly left the room.
Hearing the sound of his footsteps fading, Sahee turned onto her side and closed her eyes, curling up.
In the morning, she would wake from this long, long dream.
***
That morning, Taeon would leave Yeonghwadang and return to Seoul.
Fully dressed and stepping out of the dressing room, he glanced toward Madam Cheon, who said she was here on behalf of Park Jisun.
Her eyes were nervous, watching Taeon closely. She seemed worried that she might’ve upset him somehow.
“The Goddess asked me to apologize on her behalf for not seeing you off. She was afraid she might pass her cold to you, CEO.”
Considering how Chairman Jeong, who cherished Park Jisun, must’ve scolded her harshly, it was no surprise if she did come down with a cold. And Chae Hyunji ended up in an ambulance last night, so the evening must’ve turned into a full-blown disaster.
Taeon nodded indifferently. As Madam Cheon’s expression lightened, what he really wanted to know had nothing to do with her apologies.
“Was Sahee there yesterday?”
“…Pardon?”
Madam Cheon blinked in surprise. Taeon recalled Sahee’s voice saying she hadn’t yet told the others about him. He waited.
At first, Madam Cheon didn’t seem to understand. Then, slowly, she blinked and took a deep breath as if something had dawned on her.
“Ah, yes. Yes. She was. Sahee was there.”
“How was she? She seemed… off to me.”
“Ah, well…”
Madam Cheon clutched her hands tightly below her stomach. In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to answer and fell silent.
Taeon had asked because he wanted to understand why she hadn’t smiled even after seeing those who had hurt her fall apart. But Madam Cheon had raised her—maybe she understood Sahee’s stubborn pride and was choosing silence out of respect.
“I see. Understood.”
When he didn’t push further, Madam Cheon looked visibly relieved. Taeon gave a dry smile and pulled out his wallet.
“What hospital?”
“…?”
“Sahee said your granddaughter was sick. Write down the name and pass it to Secretary Kim.”
He pulled out two business cards and handed them over. Madam Cheon blinked in shock—more surprised than when he’d asked about Sahee.
“What? CEO, what do you mean…?”
“Didn’t you hear me?”
“N-no, I did. I did… but really, it’s okay. You don’t have to—”
“Would it be easier if I donated anonymously? I can do that too.”
“….”
“Write it here.”
Taeon extended the cards toward her, clearly expecting her to take them. Secretary Kim stepped in and handed her a pen.
Madam Cheon hesitated, but took both the cards and the pen. She walked to the dining table and began writing on the back, her hand trembling slightly.
Once Secretary Kim had the card in hand, Taeon spoke again.
“Keep the other one. If you ever need help, contact me. Money, connections, anything—I don’t care.”
Madam Cheon nodded faintly, clutching the remaining card. Taeon gave Secretary Kim a look, signaling they should leave.
“Thank you again, Madam. I really had a relaxing time. The food was amazing, too.”
Secretary Kim flashed both thumbs up with a warm smile.
As they turned to go—
“CEO.”
Taeon paused at the door.
“She’s… a lonely child.”
Madam Cheon’s voice trembled, as if she might cry.
“Please… take care of her.”
Take care of her, she said.
He wished he could. But who could say whether he could truly be a place for that loneliness to rest?
He hoped it was just anxiety—but the filthy premonition wouldn’t leave him.
That you would leave me.
Blinding sunlight caught Taeon’s eyes as he stepped outside the annex. At that moment, his jacket pocket vibrated loudly.
He slipped on his shoes from the stepping stone and pulled out his phone.
Han Junsu, Secretary Office.
Seeing the caller ID, Taeon answered immediately.
“Yes.”
— CEO, this is Han Junsu from the secretary’s office.
“Speak.”
— I’m calling with the report regarding Madam, as requested through Secretary Kim yesterday.