WAK 24

Chapter 24

The weather had suddenly become hot. Just a few days ago, it felt like spring had come, but it seemed to be leaving after a short stay.

> [Spring must be a season that just passes by.]

Jooah said, panting.

“Don’t stay at the playground too long.”

> [I don’t want to either. But Ara has to listen to me.]

Children don’t think about how tired their parents might get.

“Try tempting her with ice cream.”

> [I really should. Oh, and… Mom might stay at your place for a while.]

“Why again?”

> [She says it’s hard to see your face.]

“I went last month.”

Whenever Hana went to her parents’ house, it was always the same nagging: get married, meet someone. Hana would get exhausted from the endless scolding before finally being let off.

Hana couldn’t understand why her mother, who had a miserable marriage herself, forced her daughter to marry.

> [Mom only ever worries about you.]

“Why worry about me? I’m a successful lawyer, you know.”

> [Exactly. I don’t get why she worries either. From what I see, you’re the kind of person who would find a way even if the world collapsed.]

Hana smiled faintly at Jooah’s words.

“Smart girl.”

> [If you don’t have time to go, at least call her.]

“Okay. I will.”

After finishing the call, Hana prepared to go out for work.

She left the office and headed straight to the courthouse. Without a car, she took the bus as usual.

The heat today was much worse than yesterday. She felt sorry for her sister, stuck at the playground in this weather.

As soon as she got on the bus and sat down, she bought an ice cream coupon for Jooah.

* Thanks. I’ll eat it well.

* The weather is crazy. Come home quickly.

* Haha, okay.

Hana held her phone and looked out the window. The thick, fluffy clouds seemed to announce that summer was just around the corner.

Three days had passed since Jeonghan visited her house. Both of them were busy, so they hadn’t met. Maybe “busy” was just an excuse. At least for Hana, it was.

During these three days, Hana finally made up her mind. She had set her own D-Day.

She called Jeonghan with a slightly serious face.

> [Hello?]

A familiar voice came through the receiver.

“It’s me.”

> [I know. Have you eaten?]

When he asked about food, Hana smiled.

“I haven’t eaten.”

> [Why not?]

“I didn’t have time.”

> [Want me to buy it for you?]

“No.”

He said nothing.

“Are you free on Friday?”

> [I’ll keep it free.]

“You’ll keep it free without asking what it’s for?”

> [What is it for?]

When she tried to answer, her words wouldn’t come out.

“Do you want to go on a date?”

Jeonghan was silent. Hana pressed her ear to the phone.

> [I should be nervous, right?]

After a long moment, he asked.

“It’s a day of battle.”

When she agreed, he laughed softly.

> [I’m nervous. I wonder what kind of temptation Kang Hana will use.]

“Let’s meet at the Arts Center at six.”

> [Okay.]

Finally, Hana couldn’t hide her smile.

—

The long-awaited Friday came.

For the first time since joining her company, Hana took a half-day off. She had a lot to prepare for the perfect D-Day.

She walked down the apartment hallway with a light heart. Leaving work in the bright daylight felt strange.

At her front door, she froze when she saw the door open.

“Why is the door open?”

With a serious face, she carefully opened it. The house looked exactly the same as in the morning.

“Did I not lock it?”

She remembered rushing out that morning. She thought the door locked automatically, but maybe it hadn’t.

Hana tilted her head and went inside, closing the door properly and locking both the door and the safety latch.

After washing, Hana put on the black dress she had prepared.

The dress, reaching below her knees, covered her modestly but highlighted her long neck, slim waist, and curves, creating a quietly seductive look.

“Hopefully it’s not too revealing.”

She checked herself in the mirror, then did her hair and makeup. She packed the ballet tickets into her clutch bag.

After several checks in the mirror, she finally left.

—

Friday afternoon in Seocho was traffic hell.

Even with a black jacket over her dress, walking in heels on the subway seemed impossible, so she took a taxi, only to be stuck in traffic.

Luckily, she had left early, but she still felt anxious.

She finally arrived at the Arts Center and hurried toward the hall. Only an elevator ride away was where she would meet Jeonghan.

While waiting for the elevator, she ran into Hyunsoo approaching cheerfully.

“Oh! Hello!”

Hana was surprised. She hadn’t expected to see the “pants guy” here.

“Yes, hello.”

“Funny, we keep running into each other.”

Hyunsoo, holding a large flower basket, got on the elevator with her.

“Kang Hana, what brings you here?”

“To see the performance.”

“Me too. I guess it’s fate. We keep meeting like this.”

Hyunsoo smiled, knowing his charm well. But Hana frowned and corrected him.

> “It’s not fate, it’s coincidence.”

“Excuse me?”

“You said it wrong.”

“Oh, I said fate?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, I must have misspoken.”

Hana glanced at her watch nervously.

“Looks like I’m late.”

The elevator opened.

“I’ll get off first.”

She said briefly and stepped out. Hyunsoo watched her back, surprised by her indifference.

Hana looked around for someone.

“Did you come to see my brother?”

“Huh?”

She frowned and looked at Hyunsoo.

“The day you came to give the pants money, you spoke to my brother.”

Hana was shocked.

“Jeonghan’s younger brother?”

She smiled at him for the first time.

“Yes. Small world, isn’t it?”

Normally, Hyunsoo would dislike Jeonghan, but now he acted gentle.

Hana found it strange. That day in Hannam-dong, Jeonghan had also seen him with his brother, yet said nothing.

Suddenly, Jeonghan’s voice came from behind.

> “Kang Hana.”

She turned and saw Jeonghan in a perfect suit.

Smiling, she approached him. Meeting him at the performance like this felt special.

Jeonghan naturally put his arm around her waist.

Surprised, she looked at him but he just held her closer. His eyes were on Hyunsoo.

> “Do you two know each other?”

> “We have a little connection. Right, Kang Hana?”

> “Yes… I guess so.”

> “Let’s go.”

He pulled her along.

“Do you have a younger brother?”

“Half-brother.”

He answered curtly. Hana glanced at Hyunsoo, who just stood there smiling mysteriously.

> “Why don’t you ask anything?”

> “I’ll say when I want to.”

Jeonghan relaxed slightly.

> “You look pretty today.”

Her face flushed.