Chapter 68.
20 minutes before lunch time, Shin received a text from Woojin.
-I don’t think I can have lunch with you today.
He stared at the message for a long time before closing the app. He needed to get ready because he was invited by Yeonwoo to eat with her and their other colleagues. Something didn’t feel right about Woojin’s message. He went to the elevator, but then decided to turn back when suddenly, he saw a familiar face.
It was Eejun Bae.
Eejun asked, “Lunch time?”
“Yes.”
“Who are you eating with?”
“…With some of my colleagues.”
“How about you eat with me instead?”
Eejun smiled prettily, a smile Shin was familiar with by now. He texted Yeonwoo that he won’t be able to make it to lunch. Eejun’s smile became wider as he patted Shin’s shoulder. Eejun must’ve known Shin would say yes.
They began to walk into the elevator. Eejun put his arm around Shin’s shoulder familiarly and stared at him. After a few seconds, Shin looked away from Eejun, clearly embarrassed. Eejun laughed and Shin asked, “What?”
“Shin, you don’t look so good.”
“I drank last night. That’s why.”
“I will buy you hangover soup then.”
“Why aren’t you eating with your own co-workers…?”
“Woojin asked me to eat with you.”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course not. Woojin doesn’t think about things like this… unlike someone.”
Eejun grinned in amusement, and Shin wondered about the three of them.
Jihoon Kang, Eejun Bae, and Woojin Choi.
They knew each other since they were kids, but they were so very different. Their appearances, voices, personalities, and behaviours. All of it. Jihoon was a typical social office worker, liked by most people, while Eejun seemed a bit shallower but very stylish. Eejun had a lighter hair color and he enjoyed wearing strong colors. Today, he was wearing a lavender cardigan, which suited his light skin very well. His outfit somehow made him look softer.
Eejun asked, “Why are you staring at me like that, Shinny?”
“Lately, I’ve noticed that you have been talking very informally to me.”
“You just noticed that?”
Eejun chuckled and continued, “You are so slow… Maybe it’s because you are dating a very slow person.”
“Assistant Choi isn’t slow.”
“What?”
“He is just very quiet.”
“Snap out of it, man!”
As they walked, Eejun asked, “What do you want to eat?”
Shin stared at him for a long time before he rubbed his forehead and asked, “You have something to tell me, don’t you?”
“Oh, that is very observant of you.”
“What is it?”
“Woojin will be going on a blind date, which will probably turn into an arranged marriage.”
Shin stared at Eejun, who continued, “I warned you before.”
“…”
“Woojin is the Chairman’s grandson. Did you really think he was going to allow Woojin to keep a boyfriend?”
***
Shin woke up in the middle of the night. His apartment was small, so from his bed, he could see his entire place in one glance. It was very dark in the room, especially because of the blackout blind that covered the window. Ever since he was little, Shin hated clutter. He wanted to live in a simple place with minimal furniture. This studio was his choice for that reason.
It had been a while since he woke up this early. He didn’t think he would be able to go back to sleep, so he was about to get out of the bed when suddenly, he saw the hand that was lightly holding onto his shirt sleeve.
“…”
Shin blinked a few times in disbelief. Shin hadn’t been dreaming much recently; in fact, he usually slept through the night without waking up. So when he saw Woojin curled up against him, Shin was confused. Was he dreaming?
Woojin was wearing the pajamas that Shin bought for him. Woojin seemed to prefer sleeping at his own place, where he felt the most comfortable. But today, it seemed that Woojin Choi came to Shin’s home after work by himself and decided to sleep behind Shin.
When Shin touched Woojin lightly with his finger, Woojin groaned. Shin whispered comforting words and patted Woojin’s back as if he was a baby. Shin was trying not to wake him, but Woojin slowly opened his eyes. After staring at Shin for a while, Woojin reached out and grabbed Shin’s wrist. Shin noticed that Woojin’s wrist was bare. He must’ve taken off his watch. The scars on his skin looked shocking.
Shin leaned forward and kissed Woojin’s forehead. Woojin whispered, “… Are you surprised?”
“Yeah. You didn’t tell me you were going to come tonight.”
“… I wanted to see your face.”
Woojin hugged Shin by the neck and buried his nose on Shin’s neck. His scent made Woojin feel happy and comforted. Woojin inhaled deeply, and when Shin did the same, Woojin looked up and said to him, “You are handsome.”
“…Pardon?”
“You.”
“Are you sleep talking?”
“No.”
“Then what are you talking about?”
Woojin touched Shin’s nose and giggled as Shin looked surprised. Staring at Woojin laughing, Shin gaped. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.
Woojin added, “I wore these pajamas without asking you.”
“I bought it for you, so it’s fine.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“I’m glad I did.”
“I brought some a change of clothes too.”
Woojin pointed at the shopping bag on the sofa nearby. He looked up at Shin as if he expected a praise. Shin obliged him by patting his head. Woojin closed his eyes slowly and curled up against Shin again.
“…”
Shin found Woojin lovely.
It didn’t matter who Woojin was. Even if he wasn’t the boy Shin saved… Even if Woojin wasn’t rich, the grandson of the Chairman…
None of these things mattered. Shin admitted that the first time they met in the elevator, he wanted to touch Woojin’s neck. The feeling he felt for Woojin was new. It felt like his heart would burst out of his body.
Without realizing what he was saying, Shin blurted out, “I love you.”
Woojin slowly opened his eyes and looked up at Shin. Shin knew that he would never forget this moment. In the dark and quiet apartment, there were only the two of them. Their heart beating as one… The warmth they shared…
A moment like this would never happen again. Even if Woojin didn’t feel the same way about him, Shin knew he would never regret telling him how he felt.
“…”
Woojin didn’t say a word, but he smiled happily. They stared at each other for a long time until they both fell asleep. Listening to each other’s breath, Shin knew there was no need for words.