TLR 08

Chapter 8 …

“Pardon?” “This works out great. I was actually trying to figure out how to repay you for helping me earlier.” “I don’t think there are any restaurants open nearby, though.” “Then we can just go somewhere that isn’t nearby.” “It’s probably going to be really tough to catch a taxi, too.” “I drove here.” “Oh… right. You have a car.”

Now that she thought about it, he had mentioned earlier that he took a call in his car. Seol gave an understanding nod.

Even if she went home right now, she’d just end up tiptoeing around the place so she wouldn’t wake Donghee. Plus, she had only grabbed a quick bite earlier, so her stomach was feeling a little empty.

Still, getting into a car with a guy whose name she had literally just learned was a whole different story.

“Am I being too pushy?” “No, not at all! It’s just that you really don’t need to repay me. It was no big deal.” “If you’re worried, snap a photo of my business card and my license plate, then send it to a friend.” “Huh?” “Here. Take this.”

Junhyuk reached into his pants pocket and pulled something out.

Taken off guard, Seol instinctively took the business card from his hand.

“It feels like the middle of the night because it’s pitch black everywhere, but like I said, it’s not even 8:00 PM yet.” “…” “If we drive just a little ways out, there are tons of places open. Plenty of people around, too.” “…Okay.”

After a brief hesitation, Seol gave her answer.

Dinner wouldn’t take long anyway, and it felt like a much better option than sitting alone in a dark, suffocating apartment.

“Watch your step.”

Junhyuk shifted over to the curb side of the sidewalk and walked right beside her.

With her vision cut off by the dark, her other senses felt dialed up to eleven.

A faint whiff of cigarette smoke blended with a musky scent hit her nose. Along with that captivating fragrance, the warmth radiating from his body brushed against her bare skin.

Feelings a sudden flutter in her chest, Seol pulled her shoulders in. It felt like her heart had suddenly kicked into high gear.

“Mind if I pick the spot?” “Oh, sure! Go ahead.”

Seol settled into the passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt.

Just as Junhyuk had said, after driving for a short bit, bright lights began to flicker into view.

Tacky neon signs, brightly lit shop windows—scenes she had seen a million times before—suddenly felt as overwhelmingly magical as Christmas light displays.

Electricity is truly a wonderful thing, Seol thought, marveling at the wonders of modern civilization as she slid her hand into her pants pocket.

She held Junhyuk’s business card in her left hand and her phone in her right, snapping a quick picture. The shot turned out completely blurry, but she didn’t care.

When the crisp click of the camera echoed through the quiet interior of the car, Junhyuk let out a low chuckle.

Seol pretended not to notice and acted like she was busy sending a text. Ever since “that incident,” she had drifted away from her friends, leaving her with no one to actually message anyway.

“We’re almost there,” Junhyuk said, as if trying to put her lingering worries to rest.

“Okay.”

They actually arrived thirty minutes after he said they were “almost there.”

“Let’s get out.” “Oh, okay!”

This was an area known for having some of the most insanely expensive real estate in all of Seoul. Every single vehicle cruising past was a high-end foreign car.

Even though it wasn’t her first time visiting this neighborhood, Seol found herself darting her eyes around like a country mouse that had just stepped into the big city for the very first time.

“Let’s head inside.”

Junhyuk handed his keys off to the valet and gestured toward the entrance with his chin.

“Wait, what? Here?” Seol asked in complete shock.

The moment she stepped out of the car, she had spotted a sign that read ‘Restaurant,’ but she had assumed they were heading to some cozy local soup joint nearby.

Junhyuk stared down at her as if asking what the problem was.

Three floors? Four floors? How many stories is this place?! Seol’s eyes darted frantically up and down the building in front of her. The entire structure was a single, massive restaurant.

How astronomically high was the monthly rent for a whole building like this? And to cover that kind of rent, how outrageously expensive was the food going to be?

Unable to bring herself to take a single step, she stood frozen in the narrow alley, shuffling her feet nervously, when a sharp horn suddenly blasted right behind her.

Instinctively turning her head, she saw a car creeping right up on them, flashing its high beams and laying on the horn repeatedly.

“Where do you think you’re pulling a cute move like that?”

Before she could even process the cool voice above her head, Junhyuk wrapped a firm arm around her waist.

Their bodies didn’t press flush against each other. Instead, to avoid brushing up against his skin too closely, Seol had no choice but to move her feet in perfect sync with his steps.

What followed happened at lightning speed. They were ushered inside the establishment and led into a private room with a long table surrounded by eight chairs.

“I’ll bring out your menus shortly.”

The server placed a crisp sheet of white paper accented with gold foil onto the table.

Seol’s eyes darted frantically back and forth.

The names of the dishes were written in gorgeous, flowing Korean and English cursive, but there wasn’t a single price listed anywhere on the page.

She had heard rumors about high-end restaurants that provided women with menus that omitted the prices, but even sitting here right now, she couldn’t fathom why she was at a place like this with this man.

“I’ll leave you two to look over the menu.”

The moment the server stepped out, Seol snapped her head up. It wasn’t too late to walk out. They hadn’t even taken a single sip of water yet.

“Um, excuse me.”

Sitting across from her, Junhyuk raised his eyes from his menu.

“Let’s just leave.” “Leave? Why?”

Junhyuk let out a soft, dry laugh and raised his glass of water to take a sip.

For a split second, Seol had to fight the urge to yell, ‘Stop, don’t drink that!’

“This place is way too expensive. Let’s just go somewhere else.” “If you’re worrying about my wallet, you don’t need to be.”

Junhyuk set his water glass back down with effortless grace before continuing:

“I happen to have a discount coupon that expires at midnight tonight.” “How much of a discount?” “90%.”

His expression didn’t shift in the slightest as he delivered the answer without missing a beat.

Still, the suspicion in Seol’s eyes didn’t fade for a second. What kind of restaurant in its right mind would go around handing out 90% off coupons?

“There’s no way that’s real.” “Well… to me, you don’t exactly look like someone who’s lived long enough to know everything there is to know about the world.”

Junhyuk let out a light, amused scoff. Seol clamped her mouth shut.

“I won’t pull any ‘let’s split the bill’ nonsense when it comes time to pay, so just order whatever you want to eat.” “…Then I’ll just have whatever you’re having, Mr. Park Junhyuk.”

Seol answered with a slightly huffy edge to her voice.

She hated feeling like she was being talked down to like a child, and she hated feeling like a total killjoy when all she was trying to do was be considerate.

“Any food allergies or things you particularly dislike?” “None.” “Alright then.”

Junhyuk brushed off her short tone casually and lowered his gaze back to the menu.

Seol took a sip of her water and quietly observed him.

The way he scanned the menu looked entirely natural. There wasn’t a hint of surprise on his face regarding the prices. His sharp, stylish suit blended seamlessly with the luxurious interior of the room.

“By the way, Seol.” “Yes?”

Seol, who had been unfolding a napkin across her lap, snapped her head up.

If Junhyuk offered to leave right now, she was fully prepared to fold the napkin back up as if nothing had happened.

“Just call me Junhyuk.” “…Pardon?” “Drop the last name. Is that really that hard?” “No, it’s not hard.” “Good.”

The man with the icy features let out a smooth smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling softly.

Just as he said, it was a simple, meaningless thing, yet for some reason, his smile looked intensely satisfied.

Seol completely cleared her appetizer plate.

The server had explained that it was a sea urchin jelly topped with some fancy sauce, but because she was so nervous, her takeaway was basically just, ‘Well, the veggies taste fresh.’

“Oh…”

However, the moment she took her very first bite of the second course—a warm soup—a soft gasp slipped past her lips. She genuinely felt sad watching the rich saffron aroma and deep seafood flavor fade from the tip of her tongue.

The flavor was incredible, but more than that, it had been a really long time since she had eaten a hot, freshly cooked meal.

In the mornings, she’d eat a quick, quiet bite so she wouldn’t wake Donghee; for lunch, she’d grab a convenience store pastry that was right on the edge of its expiration date; and dinner was usually another pastry or a triangle kimbap.

“Is it to your liking?”

Seol paused mid-bite, her spoon hovering in the air. Junhyuk hadn’t even lifted his spoon yet.

“It’s amazingly delicious.” “I’m glad.”

Seol gave him a small, polite nod and lowered her eyes back to her bowl. From that point on, she consciously slowed down her pace so she wouldn’t look like she was scarfing it down.

“What’s your family like, Seol?” “Huh? Oh… it’s just my mother and me.” “No brothers or sisters?” “I have a younger brother, but he lives with my father.” “So your parents are divorced?”

Junhyuk asked, idly stirring his soup with his spoon.

Seol found herself completely at a loss for words. She certainly hadn’t expected to be having this conversation over dinner.

“…It’s more of a separation, really.” “I have one younger sister. My parents passed away.”

For the second time that night, Seol was left utterly speechless.

Did people normally talk about stuff like this when they barely knew each other?

Seol found herself staring blankly at Junhyuk. Noticing her gaze, Junhyuk raised an eyebrow as if asking if there was a problem.

“…That must have been really tough for you.” “Probably as tough as it is for anyone else.” “Ah, yeah.”

Seol lowered her eyes. He was definitely a weird guy.

Was my heart racing in front of him earlier because I was fluttered, or because he just creeps me out?

Isn’t there that thing called the “suspension bridge effect”? Maybe she had just mistaken the anxiety and fear from the massive blackout for actual romantic feelings.

It had taken a full six months just to get to the point of having a meal alone with Kim Woojae. So why on earth was she sitting here eating dinner with a guy whose name she barely even knew?

Because he’s handsome? Yeah, okay. He was exceptionally good-looking.

It was a bit superficial to think that way, but honestly, if he had been even half as handsome, she definitely wouldn’t have gotten into his car in the first place.

Then what about him? Why did he bring her all the way out here? What was his goal in buying her this absurdly expensive meal?

…Is he even actually paying for it? What happens if he bolts without settling the bill?

Her thoughts spiraled completely out of control. Seol silently finished her soup, then raised her head to look straight at him.

“Mr. Park Junhyuk.” “Junhyuk.” “…Junhyuk.” “Yes?”

Junhyuk asked, his tone dry and even.

Faced with a situation that made zero sense, Seol just couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Why are you doing all this for me?” “Did I do something to you?” “No matter how I think about it, this is just weird. We’re eating a full course meal—how much does this even cost per person? Does buying me an expensive meal like this make any sense just because I kept your phone safe for an hour?”

Junhyuk raised his water glass to his lips, a subtle smile touching his face.

Seeing how relaxed he was compared to how worked up she was getting only added fuel to her fire. Seol’s voice grew louder.

“To be completely accurate, it’s not even like I tracked down a lost phone for you! I literally just held onto it for a bit!”

Seol huffed, glaring at Junhyuk with everything she had.

Junhyuk set his water glass back down on the table. Then, he turned his head slightly to the side, staring off into space as if pondering something.

Slowly, he turned back to face her. The smile was gone, replaced by an icy, unreadable mask. Seol’s defensive aura instantly deflated, and she held her breath.

“Seol.” “Yes, Mr. Park Junhyuk?” “I like you.” “…Pardon?” “Setting that aside, I told you to drop the last name.”

Junhyuk’s brow furrowed tight. His handsome features instantly flared with a fierce, almost terrifying intensity.

“How many more times do I have to tell you?”