Chapter 69.
Shin was busy all morning planning for the reorganization conference that was going to take place next year. So many thoughts crossed his mind, and he knew it was because of the lunch he had with Eejun yesterday. Eejun only talked about work-related topics and Shin avoided bringing up Woojin. When Shin woke up that night and found Woojin next to him, he assumed that everything was ok.
Especially when Woojin smiled after Shin confessed his feelings.
‘One month…’
The said month went by so fast.
Too fast.
And during this short time, they barely got to go out on dates. They didn’t get to learn much about each other either. There were still so many questions Shin wanted to ask Woojin.
When did Woojin first see Shin? Why did he like him? What did Woojin do when he used to live in Germany? Shin also wanted to ask what Woojin thought when they first met at work.
And was it really Woojin who came to visit Shin at the hospital after the accident? If so, why was Woojin crying?
And most of all… Shin wanted to tell him that all these things didn’t really matter. All Shin wanted was to continue to be with Woojin. Continue their relationship.
Just then, a text arrived from Woojin.
-I was thinking about taking a day off this Friday.
“Day off?”
Shin murmured as he texted back.
-Why?
-Just as a vacation. I was wondering if you could do the same.
Shin laughed quietly. Could it be that Woojin was asking him to go on a trip?
Just then, Woojin sent another message.
-I want to go on a trip somewhere…
Shin felt his headache disappearing quickly. He leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. Loosening his tie, Shin texted him back.
-I have to ask my team leader.
Shin sent an uncertain message on purpose, even as he quickly sent an email to his team leader asking for Friday off. He then slowly stood up to leave the office. It was time for lunch, and he was wondering what he should eat.
Just then, his phone vibrated again.
Another message from Woojin.
-I already made a reservation…
What reservation? Why was Woojin being so vague? Shin couldn’t help smiling broadly. Afraid he might laugh out loud, he covered his mouth. When he saw Yeonwoo walking towards him in the hallway, Shin coughed to cover his smile.
Yeonwoo asked, “What are you doing alone in the hallway?”
“Oh…”
Yeonwoo stared at him for a long time and glanced at his phone, which he was holding tightly. When Yeonwoo looked at him suspiciously, Shin quickly put his phone in his pocket and asked, “Did you eat lunch yet?”
“No. I was about to go out right now.”
“Do you have someone to eat with?”
“No, but it’s fine. It’s not like it’s my first time eating alone.”
“Then eat with me. I will buy you lunch.”
They began to walk together. Yeonwoo looked up at him with a faint smile and asked, “Really? Why? I think it’s the first time you are asking me out to lunch.”
“I’m just feeling really happy right now.”
“Aren’t you swamped with work? Because of the TF?”
“Yeah, but whatever.”
Shin was usually very honest about his feelings. And even if he tried to hide it, it showed on his face. Yeonwoo looked at Shin for a long time before asking, “You are dating someone, aren’t you?”
“What?”
“No need to lie. Your face just answered my question.”
Yeonwoo smiled bitterly. Shin asked, “Is it that obvious?”
“Totally. It’s too obvious, and I am really surprised, Oppa.”
“About what? Why?”
“Because you look like a total playboy.”
“What?”
When Shin’s eyes widened, Yeonwoo replied, “Oh, don’t play dumb.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oppa, you know yourself the best. You are so flirty.”
“Ha! You are being really mean to me, Yeonwoo.”
“And you smile so easily at everyone.”
“It just means that I am a nice person.”
“And you are a master at misleading girls.”
Unfortunately, Shin couldn’t deny it. It was true that Shin did act very flirty around girls. He liked to call his behaviour “gentlemanly,” but he had to admit that it didn’t completely come from an innocent place. He enjoyed the attention he got from women, and he loved the flirty easy relationships. But he would lose interest too quickly.
But that was his past.
Yeonwoo continued, “Nowadays, you have been acting very differently.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah. I can see that you are really into someone.”
Shin smiled and Yeonwoo added, “But the funny thing is, Assistant Manager Woojin has been acting the same way too lately.”
“What?”
Shin flinched and almost yelled in shock, making Yeonwoo frown in confusion. She asked, “Why are you so shocked?”
“Oh, well…”
“I guess I can understand your surprise. I mean, I used to think Assistant Manager Woojin was secretly a robot. Remember that?”
“…Yeah…”
Shin also remembered getting angry whenever Yeonwoo said something like that.
“But recently, I noticed that he has become softer. Almost… too relaxed.”
“…”
“I actually saw him just staring at nothing. Just… thinking I guess?”
“…And that’s strange?”
“You don’t understand, Oppa. I know him better than you do. Assistant Manager Woojin isn’t someone who wastes any time.”
They entered a café near the office. Shin coughed, trying to hide his grin. Yeonwoo insisted, “I swear! I’m telling you the truth!”
“I see.”
“I’ve even seen him smile a few times too! I was so shocked.”
“…”
“And when he smiles, he looks a bit different.”
“How so?”
“I never noticed before, but Assistant Manager Woojin has dimples. Did you know that?”
He certainly did. Shin also knew Woojin had a tiny mole in the corner of his lips. Sometimes, Shin kissed it and Woojin would look up at him with his dreamy eyes.
Yeonwoo continued, “And he has the darkest eyes. So black!”
Shin liked Woojin’s eyes for sure.
“Oh, and his skin is so clear and beautiful.”
“Yeonwoo, it sounds like you like Assistant Manager Woojin.”
“Well, no. That’s not it.”
“Why not?”
“He is slimmer than me, so he isn’t my type.”
“…What?”
“And there are times when he looks prettier than me. Makes me feel awful.”
Yeonwoo pouted, making Shin laugh. He took out his credit card and asked, “What would you like to get?”
“You will buy me anything?”
“Sure.”
Yeonwoo began reading off the menu. Meanwhile, Shin took out his phone and texted Woojin quickly. This wasn’t time to play hard-to-get.
-Let’s go on that trip. Together.