"Mr. Lee, someone's here to see you." Mrs. Bong announced after gently knocking on the door.
The study room was actually quite spacious as it was partly a library. The place was now rearranged as Min Jae's makeshift office and in a way, the new setting made the room resemble his office back at the company. The only difference was that now, his new office entirely possess the ambiance of home.
"Please let him in, Mrs. Bong." Min Jae said without looking up from the contract he was signing. Once his pen lifted from the paper, Min Jae instantly closed the folder shut and stashed it together with the other piles of documents that sat atop his desk.
Behind Mrs. Bong, Kang Suk Ju entered the study room. He quietly looked around while on the other hand, Mrs. Bong collected Min Jae's empty cup. "I'll fetch another cup of coffee for the visitor, Mr. Lee." Mrs. Bong said, politely informing him. Min Jae then nodded in acknowledgement.
When Mrs. Bong left, Suk Ju now turned his attention to Min Jae. He was surprised when he saw Secretary Yoo carrying a bunch of documents. However, he was more shocked to know why. Min Jae working at home? He could easily laugh at the idea. He knew full well that this man was a workaholic and his office was practically his home. But when he saw that Secretary Yoo was not bluffing, Suk Ju had to see for himself.
"Hey, Min Jae. What the hell is your a** doing here?!" Suk Ju asked, direct to his point.
Min Jae sighed and rolled his eyes. "And here I thought you were actually here to say something worthwhile." He said, before getting another folder to review.
"Wait." Suk Ju asked as he came to realize something. "This isn't because I stole your lunch last time, is it? You didn't decide to work here just so that you can have all the food to yourself right?" He interrogated.
Min Jae glanced sideways before shrugging. "Perhaps."
"Hey!" Suk Ju exclaimed.
"Keep your voice down, idiot!" Min Jae glared as a warning. "Little Hye Soo's sleeping."
Suk Ju's face turned sour when Min Jae finally diverted his gaze. Geez, this guy. He's f****** worse than a woman with hormonal issues! With that temper of his, he's like giving birth to ten camels!
"What happened to the Min Jae that almost didn't want to go home? Did your wife lock you up here or something? I hope she did because that's what I would do." Suk Ju said, half jokingly. It would be best if this bastard is locked up in here. Maybe then he could finally learn how to be more responsible as a father and as a husband.
Come to think of it, it was strange how Min Jae suddenly turned a different direction. Weeks ago, he seemed nonchalant about parting ways with Eun Young. Suk Ju even recalled him saying that they were better off without each other. Why does it look as if the tables have turned now? Did Min Jae hit his head or something?
"This..." Min Jae said. "I'm doing this for the kids." He said in a low voice.
Suk Ju nodded. Of course, it was for them. It was a relief to hear that he still cared for the kids. At least that's one less thing to worry about. But what about his wife?
"And what about Eun Young?" He asked next and with this, Min Jae didn't reply immediately. "What? Don't tell me you left her out of the picture again."
Min Jae stared at the small figurine on his desk. It was small abstract sculpture made of wood. On one perspective, it looks like a dancer. On the other, it was a mother. He pursed his lips before responding. "It's not... I..." He trailed off. Min Jae shook his head exasperatedly. "I don't know... I..."
"Min Jae." Suk Ju firmly said. "Get your sh** together and don't f****** play with her feelings." Even though Min Jae wasn't looking, Suk Ju stared at him intently. "She doesn't deserve that. Treat her well because she's your wife and she's the mother of your children... If you can't do that, treat her well because she's a person."
Frustrated, Suk Ju sat at one of the armchairs. What he said wouldn't matter anyway. Min Jae will still do what he wants to. He kept saying the same things to him, he kept giving him the same advices yet Min Jae never applied them. What's the use?
"If you really can't do that... then I hope you're prepared to see others do that for you." Suk Ju muttered.
There was a momentary silence between the two men. Not long after, a gentle knock landed on the door. Mrs. Bong excused herself as she entered to place the hot beverage on the coffee table. After accomplishing her task, she exited the room to give them privacy.
The silence between them continued to linger. It wasn't until Min Jae finally decided to break the ice.
"I know, Suk Ju. Eun Young deserves all the best and I failed to give her that." Min Jae began. Suk Ju on the other hand, remained quiet as he listened. "I'm not blind to not see that she's a kind person. And from the beginning, I knew she was more than that but you see..." Min Jae sighed.
Suk Ju waited for a few seconds, and then minutes. When Min Jae still didn't continue, he spoke. "What? See what?"
"I'm an a******. A stupid bastard." Min Jae continued while running a hand through his hair.
Suk Ju scoffed. "I know that already." He said as he glanced at his friend. "What are you not telling me, Lee Min Jae?"
Min Jae stood up and tuned his back on Suk Ju. He'd hate for Suk Ju to see him like this. Vulnerable... weak... Because all his life, he was that kind of person. He simply learned how to mask his emotions that no matter how afraid he was, no matter how anxious he was, nobody would know.
"Lee Min Jae." Suk Ju called for him again.
Sighing, he finally spoke. "Kang Suk Ju... I can't love her."