After walking in the cold autumn air, I had never slept well tonight. I had a fever until the next another morning.
I could only lie weakly in bed. After having a little porridge, Donghwa called the doctor to come to check on my condition, and the doctor said that it was just a common fever.
It made Donghwa feel irritated with me for being so stubborn that night. Even though he spoke still in gentle words, as a grumpy man like him, his face couldn't hide what he felt.
However, even though he felt that way, the worry was also quite clear in his eyes.
During these two days, he spent a lot of time with me. He didn't sleep much and woke up in the middle of the night, just because to take care of me. He also didn't fall asleep until he was sure that I was asleep first.
"Donghwa, you haven't worked for almost a week. Is it okay? People in the company will certainly need you. You shouldn't have to be absent for a week," while saying, I glanced at him, watching him who was busy while typing a message on his cell phone.
Paused for a few seconds, he turned around and smiled, but his smile was a mysterious smile that seemed like he was hiding something.
He then spoke calmly, "It's okay. For me, you're more important than anything. Besides that, my assistant has taken care of everything and cleared some of my appointments this week. Don't worry, okay?"
Donghwa was a sweet-talker. It was like being carved into his bones and it could make you went crazy. Or, you stayed sane but you would have permanent wounds in your heart. That was how I felt right now, and it almost killed me.
However, by loving him for so many years, he had made me become an idiot for a long time ago, so even though I was hurt, I would keep saying 'fine'.
"You always give Hoonsik hard jobs. He'll be overwhelmed by them all. You shouldn't have to do it by giving him such a job."
It was a hard job for being an assistant. I knew it pretty well. Canceling meetings were risky. That would affect the cooperation between investors and have an impact on the company's development. I didn't want him to sacrifice everything just for something like this.
Even though I still felt pain in my heart, I couldn't help being selfish and comparing the problems in our relationship with his duties in the company.
Donghwa remained silent as if he was thinking that what I said was wrong. There was a refusal on his face, but it was disguised by a smile gradually. "Hoonsik ... he, he can do it ... don't worry."
Either as I was too suspicious or whether it was the truth, my thought was currently focused on a young man who was with him at that time. I knew that they were more than just colleagues or boss and subordinate. I felt that the man he meant wasn't Hoonsik, but the person he was with at the time. He was just trying to trick me once again.
I had known it for a long time, but every time, every day turned today, the thoughts had convinced me more and more about this 'betrayal'.
However, even though I wanted to know the truth and clarity so bad, I could only remain silent, swallowing everything down my dry throat. By talking about it would only provoke his anger and all the things that I accused, turning against me, even if it was just an outlet for his anger. I was helpless in this situation. We were like two countries that couldn't be united once again.
In this silence, my cell phone rang on the bedside table. I immediately grabbed it to see the caller ID and saw that it was a call from Daehyun.
I took a silent breath. When I was about to press the green button on the screen, Donghwa suddenly grabbed my cell phone roughly and answered the call.
"Hello, sorry, sir, but Park Chunghee is sick now. He can't be at work today."
As soon as he said his words, he hung up and switched off my cell phone, as if he didn't want to hear another incoming call. His face turned red, he looked annoyed but was restrained.
"You don't have to pick up another call today." As he said, he smiled and held my hand in one warm fist. "If you're worried about your work, I can talk to your boss. He must know me. Isn't he Mr. Kim's subordinate? I can persuade him to give you days off for the next few days."
I looked at him in a startle. "Do you know him?"
He smiled sincerely and spoke with praise, "Of course, I do. Who doesn't know him in this country? He's a respected man, a great businessman in infrastructure and land. He's a great and honored person. I also honored him under his feet. Because of him, I can be like this by running his company. My bones even will bear the debt and responsibility of him."
Hearing those words, I was shocked for a moment then looked away. Now, I knew who the man he was talking about. It wasn't Kim Daehyun, so it made me calmer.
"Chunghee, what's wrong? Is there something wrong if I know him?"
Looking at his face, I shook my head weakly. "No. It's just—"
Before finishing my words, the sound of the doorbell that was pressed, rang several times. Donghwa immediately stood up and came out to open the door.
A few seconds after he came out, I was stunned. I gripped the blanket tightly and thought of the foolishness that had barely gotten me into new trouble.
We just made up. Saying that Kim Daehyun was the president of the company I was currently working for, it felt like I was trying to jump off a high cliff, and I just needed to be quiet to endure.
Despiting that thought, I grabbed my cell phone, switch it on, and called Daehyun directly.
"Hello, Daehyun, sorry about earlier ..."
"Chunghee! Are you really sick?" Daehyun heard almost screaming, and there was worry in his voice.
"I am. I have a fever, so I haven't been able to come to work for a few days. I promise I'll finish all my works on time as soon as I get better."
Daehyun grinned. "Stop thinking about works when your conditions are bad," paused for a moment, he continued, "Um, but, who was the one who picked up my call? Your friend? His voice sounded familiar."
I froze at once until Daehyun asked me one more time and made me talk, "Hm, he's my friend."
There was a long pause before he replied, "Oh, I see."
After talking for a few minutes, as I was afraid that Donghwa would know our conversation, I immediately hung up. Daehyun heard disappointed, but it was better than getting into trouble.
Shortly after, Donghwa also entered the room with several files and a plastic bag in his hands. He smiled, and spoke, "I just told Hoonsik to buy roasted peanuts. Here they are." He put the files on the table and sat down beside me. "Don't you like to eat roasted peanuts in autumn?"
Smiling, I spoke in a weak voice, "Stupid. I can't chew peanuts right now."
Donghwa squeaked. By the look of him, he pretended to be annoyed while saying, "I don't mind if you're not going to eat them, but what about Hoonsik? You have to appreciate him. He came here just for these."
Sighing softly, I got up carefully. I grabbed one roasted peanut then ate it, chewing it slowly. And when I ate them, Donghwa's face brightened immediately.
I smiled weakly while chewing it hard. For a someone who was sick, these peanuts were too hard and had a bad taste.
I wasn't complaining when I saw his enthusiasm and showed a smiley face, where it was enough to make me felt better.