Every event has a reason.
Outside the window, unexpected snow was falling. Snow, which was not even in the weather forecast, made the staff at Boncha Cafe excited.
"I guess it's a white holiday this year. Boss, how about we go out for a glass of wine today?"
Eunju, who had finished clearing the last table, asked her if she wants to come with them without any hesitation.
Silent Mode.
Ring...
Ring...
Dinner, a glass of wine.
A romantic atmosphere immediately came to mind, but it wasn't a very pleasant memory for Jumi. Her cell phone rang earlier incessantly. She thought it was her friend Hye-seon, but the unexpected caller got on her nerves. The candle that melted with the cold, the soft and fragrant wine that moistened her throat, and the uncomfortable images were slashing her mind like a whip, told her that this wasn't a dream. She put her cell phone inside her bag and sealed it as if she was going to get it out of her sight forever.
"Let's have fun today, just the two of us, without the boss. It wouldn't be fun now if she joined. She looks quite busy."
"Aww... no way."
Eunju's face immediately showed that she was really disappointed.
A bright light appeared.
The end of work day was just around the corner.
"Bye Boss."
"Then let's hurry now."
"We'll be excusing ourselves."
"Boss, we're leaving now."
"See you tomorrow!"
"Oh yeah. Okay, see you. Goodbye Eunju, Inho."
On Friday evening, Jumi and her two employees started cleaning up a little earlier than usual ahead of the weekend. Still, when darkness had already begun to fall that evening showed that winter had not gone yet. She thought of a distinguished man with a cold and sharp expression who suited this chill-filled darkness, but then she shook the thought away and forcefully pulled up the last venetian blinds down.
A man who puts pressure on people just by staring at them. The more she thought about him, the more difficult it was for her to forget.
The fragrant smell of coffee felt a little uncomfortable somehow, so Jumi reopened the window she had closed. Her head felt feverish and her cheeks felt hot. In fact, this physical condition has been going on for a few days now. She turned off the music that was playing softly in the background. When the voice that had been bothering her sensitive ears the whole time stopped, a surprisingly peaceful calm came over her. If it weren't for the sound of her cell phone vibrating behind her again, she would have been mesmerized. It has been like that lately. Even if empty silence came only for a moment, she got lost in her thoughts and her focus was nonexistent. Afterwards, she managed to regain her reverie and she brushed away her flowing hair from her face.
No matter how she felt, the cars outside the window roll and the world spins without any cracks whatsoever. It was a very simple and obvious reason, but in the midst of it all, Jumi felt as if she was being swept away by distress, her body was trembling and her mind was chaotic. It couldn't have been uglier. Finally, as soon as her phone stopped ringing, she took out it out from her bag.
He's been calling me nonstop. Should I pick up the phone? What does he want now? But even if I do answer the phone...
Jumi bit her thumbnail while staring at her phone. The conflict continued even after reading the name of the caller. Even if she had ignored the call, he would call her back. Jumi held the phone tightly and blocked the number. She felt a leash was tightening around her neck.
I'm still not feeling well due to my current condition. I've had a fever for the past few days and it's making me hot and dizzy. I need to stop thinking about him. I'll just wrap this up and hurry up, so I can go home and rest for the day. These constant calls are giving me a headache. I'll just ignore them and try to get some sleep later.
As she turned around to finish cleaning up, a shiny, black sedan stopped in front of her Café, right in the middle of it. The car that stopped roughly resembles its owner.
"We're here. We have arrived, Director."
Unbeknownst to her, a group of men started crowding the front door of her small restaurant.
The dangerously attractive man's large hand coming out of the slightly open rear seat window and the shadow created by the discarded cigarette were sharp. A large, muscular man in a black suit riding in the passenger seat gets out quickly from the opened backseat door. Next, dark coloured shoes came out of the car, long legs wearing a black slacks. A dark coat over a white polo draped with a black suit, and an expensive watch on the left wrist that was slightly visible.
Jumi heard the front door opening.
"I'm sorry but we are already closed for today—", she stopped talking and gasped in surprise. "Oh! Director Jeong..?"
It was only when Jumi saw the man's handsome, grim face that came inside the door that she finally took a step back. She hesitated without realizing it, as she was taken aback by his strong presence as always. The dark eyebrows of the man coming in through the door became slightly furrowed. Those leather shoes came and stopped right in front of Jumi view. She was so nervous, she kept her head bowed. There was no hesitation or concern in his steps.
He was originally that kind of man. In the group of companies he works for called Woosung, everything rolled with a single hand gesture and command from this man. A man who was accustomed to people kneeling and subjugating themselves in front of him.
No, it was natural for people to do that to him. She knew very well that she was nothing more than a handful of sand in this man's world.
As he stood closer, the smell of the man's strong perfume and manly scent filling the store became even stronger.
Jumi gulped, drooling from tension.
"What brings you here? Why are you here?"
"Why?", he scoffed.
"What is it?"
"What is it?", he sighed. "Choi Jumi don't test my patience."
It was clear that he wasn't in a very good mood. He had a small smile on his lips, but the problem was that that smile was closer to mockery.
For some reason, he seemed angry, making an inconceivable facial expression. It just seemed clear that it doesn't feel very good.
"How long do you have to stay quiet?"
What is he doing here now? Wait... Are these people here because they know about it? Did he find out already? Oh my God!
The corners of his eyes narrowed and his forehead wrinkled, but even that small change felt like a lot. He was a man who constructed a lot of emotion in just one facial expression and a glance. Jumi glanced behind him. Men in suits guarding this man were standing in front of her Café's door.
"You're really going to get distracted when I'm right in front of you? You're not even looking at me."
Even though she only looked somewhere else for a moment, his sharp voice stabbed her.
"You seem to have only one eye on you. You keep forgetting things and overlooking important matters while I was away."
No, there's no way. They can't know.
"Oh, if this is about the dinner party, I'll tell my father about it. I'll make sure to let him know about what happened. You don't have to worry about me."
She even blinked and tried so hard to avoid this current situation. His scrutinising beautiful golden eyes makes her agitated. Meanwhile, the unpleasant smell of coffee was increasing and her feverish head was spinning. She stood with wobbly strength in her hand holding one arm.
"Tsk! What about the baby in there?"
She was scared to see where his eyes were pointing. It felt as if he was going to kill the baby, who was still only a pea-sized, in her stomach with those sharp gaze. Her hands shook. She no longer lost her sense of calm. She couldn't hide herself now. In the end, she had to cover her mouth due to the morning sickness that was constantly wracking her stomach. An unbalanced hand grabbed the sleeve of his coat. But she immediately let go and raised her head to look up at him. He was still standing there, looking down at her coldly.
"How did you know? H-how did you find out— Mmph!"
He grabbed her before she fell and hugged her tightly to himself.
"Geez."
To her embarrassment, her speech became slurred and her voice cracked.
"So... who else did you sleep with while I wasn't around? I want to know if you've been hanging out with someone else while I was gone."
"What are you talking about? W-what on earth are you saying...?"
"I'm asking you if the child in here is mine."
This time his hand gently came down to her flat stomach. A large, warm hand grabbed her slender waist and pulled her tightly. It would have been correct to say that she was dragged towards him.
Just like that night, as their naked warm, bodies were pressed together without any gaps. She grabbed his arm with a startled hand. His body temperature was as hot as it was that unforgettable night.
"I guess you have no intention of answering, huh?"
Jumi's pride was hurt to answer casually. She bit her lower lip tightly.
Jeong Yoongyo has always been this way. He's a brutal and merciless man.
Anyway, when she looked up with eyes full of tears, she knew he wasn't the person who would take care of the situation. If he had been a person who was helpful and considerate of other people's circumstances, he would not have gotten to the position he was in in the first place. The more miserable she became, the more she painfully felt that no words could hurt the man who ruled over those who survived in a world of survival of the fittest.
She pushed him away with all her strength and walked away. At best, she only took two steps away from him.
As Jumi caught her breath, she noticed Inho standing outside the window of the Café. She wondered what did he left behind. He was standing with a perplexed look on his face, blocked by the large men standing in front of him by the door.
Tha man turned his head to where her gaze was directed. His sharp, fierce-looking eyes turned to Inho. There seemed to be no mercy in this ever harsh snowy weather. He was that kind of person.
"I guess you're not going to start making any excuses because this child is mine."
"Director..."
"Why are you nervous? Isn't this what you expected?"
"I-I am..."
She didn't even have the strength to fight back against his bitter sarcasm. However, in order not to be discouraged, she gathered all the strength in those cynical eyes and answered back.
"No, it's not yours. No, actually, I don't even know whose child it is. I actually have no idea who the father is. After you, I had sex with a lot of men since then."
"Very funny. Are you kidding me right now?"
"What, do you really think you're the only guy I slept with?"
"If you're lying now, I will get angry even if it's you."
"This child..."
"I'll get mad if you keep pushing me. So you want me to think that you were spreading your legs around and shaking that sexy ass of yours with another man? Huh! I don't want to listen to this nonsense. I'm not buying it."
"Well, you're wrong. That night with you was a mistake... After all, this doesn't concern you. It doesn't matter to you whose child this is. It's none of your business who the father is anyway, Director Jeong. So, whether I raise this baby or not, I'll take care of it. I can handle it myself even if I get an abortion. So... all you gentlemen, especially you Director, please leave now."
He kept quiet for a moment then he spoke menacingly.
"Stop saying utter nonsense and follow me. Pack your bags and come out. I'll wait for you outside."
"Where are you taking me?"
His command made Jumi feel like she wanted to burst into tears.
"Relax. Do you really think I wouldn't sell a woman who is pregnant with a child? So you better come out."
He turned around and left the restaurant.
Inho had already disappeared.
The man who commanded her stood leaning his upper body in front of his parked car, surrounded by his men. He lighted a cigarette and looked at her direction.
"Ugh..."
The smell of cigarette made her sick.
"Haa... seriously?"
Even while she was packing her bag, she got morning sickness. Jumi hesitated and struggled to keep her balance on her feet. The man crushed a freshly lit cigarette with his shoe and entered the store again with a faint sigh. The faint smell of cigarettes touched her sense of smell, but her condition was so bad that she had no time left to pay attention.
"Here take it."
He was handing her his handkerchief.
"No, I will be fine. I don't need— hmp!"
"I said take it. I insist."
He tossed the pack of cigarette he was holding away.
She refused to accept the handkerchief he offered to her, but she had no choice but to take it and cover her mouth with it. Even the handkerchief that was tied over her mouth smelled of him. The musky smell of his skin and perfume seeped through her sensitive senses. In the end, she bursted into tears.
It was sad. She didn't want to do this, but her mind and body were as broken as her weakened state. Her heart, barely able to stand, became weak and disheveled like a water-stained sand castle. She wanted to hide behind excuses like it was the effects of pregnancy or hormonal changes, but she didn't know that facing the facts was the only way for her to solve the problem now.
No matter what, this man was convinced that the life inside her stomach was his child. He was not a man who would offer a handkerchief to a woman who was pregnant with another man's child. He was not a man who would turn kindly, nor was he a man who would take the time to meet face to face like this. No, even if he did raise his own child, he wasn't a man who would give the baby even a single glance. She also knew that he wasn't good at patting anyone on the back. She couldn't understand how his mind works, what were his thoughts and actions. She cannot even predict what the next words would come out from those thin, sexy lips.
She shook her head because she didn't want to show any more indecent behavior. Still, there was no way to stop the overwhelming sadness she felt.
Jumi fumbled with her bag and hurried out of the store. She quickly passed by him and came out, not rebelling, but instead leisurely leaving the store, one of his men opened the car back door and gestured to his subordinate to let her get in.
Jumi went inside his car that opens wide like a monster's mouth. She slowly got into the back seat. Then he buried himself in the seat next to her. The car started at his command. Jumi hugged her stomach using the bag she was holding tightly on her lap as an excuse. She never even thought about getting rid of the baby in the first place. She felt sorry for pouring out words like that, so she hugged her stomach and patted the life hiding in her that didn't even know how to breathe on its own yet, and her eyes accidentally met with his.
Him, the young, attractive Director Jeong Yoongyo, was leaning on the car window and looking at her. A handsome, dangerous man who makes her feel suffocated by his oppressive presence just by standing still.
The strong scent of a man that she has now become accustomed to shrouded her. Everything about this man was overwhelming.
Jumi held out the handkerchief she had been holding to him, but he did not take it. Sitting still and trying to compose herself, holding the handkerchief against her lap, she tried starting a conversation.
"Don't worry. I won't let you take responsibility for the baby even after I decide to have it and after I give birth." She turned her head away from him. Avoiding his eyes.
I never even considered getting an abortion.
"Hah... sure! Really now? I didn't think you would." He replied sarcastically.
An air of silence clouded them.
Jumi didn't respond.
"I never said we will be getting married", he stated.
"I never expected that to happen." Jumi suppressed the urge not to cry.
She kept her mouth shut, hoping he wouldn't say anything more.
"Choi Jumi..."
She thought it had been a long time since she threw her pride in the trash can. She tried not to dwell on the little things, damn it. Her body wants to continue to vomit out her sorrow. Jumi took a deep breath to hold back her tears.
"Why aren't you answering me?"
In the end, she looked at him with a feeling of protest. With tears of hatred filling her eyes.
"I am not going to marry you."
"Tsk."
He laughed as if it were a child's joke. He let out a small sigh as he wiped away her tears with a delicate hand that felt like it could break in his grasp.
"Stop the car."
The car that seemed like it wouldn't stop stops at the shoulder at his command. His eyes were still focused on her.
"Go and get her something to eat." He commanded his bodyguards. "She won't even make it to childbirth at this rate."
"Yes, boss."
"There's no need. I'm fine, don't worry."
"Are you going to endure this even before the baby is born?"
"Yes, Director Jeong. I told you I'm okay."
The words "I'm okay" scattered into the silence without meaning. Either way, the man who got out of the car at his director's command disappeared before her eyes.
"Ah... really, I'm fine."
As was his habit, he noticed Jumi staring at him as he placed a cigarette between his teeth.
He took out a cigarette. Even at that moment, she felt sick and tears welled up in her eyes again. The hand that had put away the cigarette ran through his hair a little nervously. The hand that had thoroughly caressed her nakedness that unforgettable night, not leaving an inch of her skin untouched. A hand that was still a bit rough when it patted her head now. She felt like a fool for relying on that insensitive pat before.
"Just get some sleep."
She raised her hand and bit down on her thumbnail again. He didn't frown at all, but looked at her as if asking what she was doing and gave her an absurd smile. Even if she did, she wouldn't be able to hit him. Not that she knew what his weaknesses were.
Jumi wrapped her slender hands around her stomach again, which would soon be as big as balloon. The price for that one-night stand was too harsh for them both. She shut her eyes closed.
How did I even end up here? A single night's mistake came at much too high a cost.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
"Choi Jumi... do you even realize what you're doing?", he panted.
"Hurry!", Jumi moaned and begged him as he thrusted deep inside her repeatedly.
"Director Choi said you were quiet and well-behaved. Looks like he doesn't really know his own daughter."
"Ahh... ahhh..."
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
Maybe none of this would have happened if we hadn't met. Or maybe it would've.
No, we would have met again, as if it were a terrible, unavoidable accident. I know we'd have crossed paths again like we're stuck in some kind of vicious cycle... Even if neither of us wanted it. Without his or my own will.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
"I'm pretty sure I gave you enough time to run away."
He brushed the cigarette ash over the untouched lobster dish.
"Do you really want to play with fire?"
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
It must have been about a month and a little more than fifteen days. Jumi guessed it was a little more than that. She decided to consider her relationship with him based on the child inside her. The child has already become the standard for everything between them.
Their meeting was part coincidence and part fate. Or maybe, it was completely inevitable.. Maybe it was irrevocably unacceptable.
So, if she look back to that day, it was the beginning of winter. It was cold, and perhaps because of that, it was one of those days when she wasn't in her right mind and that they both got unlucky.
Coincidence and fate would always tie them back together.
No matter how much they try to avoid it.