The eventful week had passed, the weekend flew by in a flash, and Monday arrived.
Today was a special day for Ye-Na. It was the day she had been invited to Park Do-Bin’s house—a request Jin-Seo had made the previous week that had finally come to fruition.
While Jin-Seo had extended the invitation with a happy heart, Jeong-o was uneasy. Knowing that ideals and reality rarely align, she worried her child might cause trouble and make things uncomfortable for Jin-Seo and Do-Bin.
In truth, she would have preferred to just be grateful for Jin-Seo’s kind gesture, but since Ye-Na had insisted on going, she had no choice but to entrust her daughter to them.
“Do you really want to go to Do-Bin’s house?”
“Yes!”
“Why?”
“Just because. I’m curious.”
“You mustn’t cause any trouble while you’re there. Understand?”
“Yes!”
“You’re only playing there for today. Got it?”
“Yes!”
Ye-Na answered bravely, as always. Still, Jeong-o couldn’t set her mind at ease. How wonderful it would be to stay by her daughter’s side and look after her all day. The company, with its mandatory overtime, felt a little heartless.
*
Park Seung-Gyu felt as though his life was barely a life at all.
Last Thursday, after lashing out so harshly at Ji-Heon—his superior and friend—he had honestly been prepared to quit. But the children growing up so fast, the wife whose smiles had faded from the exhaustion of raising them, and the 20-year mortgage loan flashed before his eyes every hour.
And now, with Monday morning dawning, he had to go to work again. He didn’t want to go, yet he couldn’t quit.
His wife, for some unknown reason, was in high spirits, humming while stir-frying anchovies.
Walking carefully on tiptoe so as not to disturb her mood, he spoke.
“Honey, I love you.”
“Why? Did you run out of pocket money again?” Jin-Seo asked flatly. The woman who had smiled so sweetly at the anchovies now looked at him like an icy gale.
“You always think it’s about pocket money when I do this.”
“Don’t talk nonsense and just go to work. And when the kids come over today, go out somewhere.”
“Why should I go out? They’re coming to see me, too. I’m their dad.”
“Do-Bin is coming with a friend. A girlfriend.”
“Ye-Na?”
“Yes. When you invite a girl over, the dad should quietly leave so you don’t get in the way of their playing.”
“But I want to see Ye-Na, too.”
“Still, no.”
“That’s too mean. That’s too much!”
A life where neither work nor home offers any comfort. There was nowhere to lean. If he lingered in front of Ji-Heon, he’d at least have a drink, but after what he’d said to him…
Seung-Gyu turned away with slumped shoulders.
But then, Jin-Seo called him back.
“Honey.”
“Yes?”
“Just come home early.”
Life flickered back into Seung-Gyu’s dull, fish-like eyes. *Ah, Jin-Seo, I really only have you,* he thought, about to confess his love, when—
“And clean the air conditioner before you head back out. So Ye-Na doesn’t get hot.”
*Ah, Jin-Seo…*
She wouldn’t budge an inch when her own husband complained of the heat, yet she was willing to turn on the air conditioner just because their son’s friend was coming? It was a sorrowful morning.
*
While the Monday commute is truly painful, once you start work, the day flies by like an arrow.
The magic of Monday occurred in Production Team 2. Team Leader Mi-Ran Seong and Deputy General Manager MR. Yeong-gwang Park left for the editing room, leaving only the juniors to guard the team.
When dinnertime arrived, Jeong-o felt suddenly depressed. She was hungry, but out of loyalty, she couldn’t just say she was heading out to eat alone.
The two graphic designers were busy putting the finishing touches on a media advertisement. It had become the top priority after the client requested delivery late tonight.
Jeong-o glanced around before pulling a cookie out of her drawer and popping it into her mouth. It was a cookie she had received from Ji-Heon last week.
*Hmm, it tastes decent. To think Ji-Heon Jeong was going to throw something this tasty away…*
There was only one cookie left, so she was savoring it slowly when she heard a muffled laugh nearby.
“Come to think of it, Assistant Manager, you eat a lot, but you never gain any weight,” Gihun said.
Jeong-o felt unfairly accused. *What do you mean I eat so much…* Still, she accepted the comment with a chuckle.
“They call that having poor fuel efficiency. But I’ve been managing it lately. Since I had the ki…”
She almost let out her secret. Jeong-o quickly sealed her lips. Gihun even turned his head to ask for the rest of her sentence.
“Yes?”
“Gihun, you’re busy, right? If you don’t have time for dinner, shall I buy you a sandwich?”
“Oh. That would be great. Thank you.”
As Jeong-o managed the situation naturally, the innocent Gihun bought it. *Finally, I can eat!* Jeong-o cheered inwardly and asked Eun-Ju as well.
“What would you like to eat, Assistant Manager Go?”
“I have plans. I’m going to finish this in two hours and meet a friend.”
“Then I’ll just go buy something simple to snack on.”
Jeong-o stood up, feeling happy. *‘I should call Do-Bin’s house on the way.’* She was curious if Ye-Na had arrived safely and if she was playing well.
But there was a man who instantly snatched the gentle smile off Jeong-o’s face as she walked toward the elevator.
“……Hello, Director.”
She had wondered why she felt so good today—it was because she hadn’t run into Ji-Heon. It felt as though dark clouds had suddenly descended upon a clear evening. *The Director is leaving work very early, isn’t he? While the staff are pulling overtime.* Well, she supposed it was better than him sitting there watching them work.
To Jeong-o’s greeting, Ji-Heon only nodded and boarded the elevator.
*Alone in the elevator with him?*
“Aren’t you getting on?” Ji-Heon asked Jeong-o, who was hesitating.
She wanted to scream that she absolutely wouldn’t, but she couldn’t. Jeong-o let out a bitter sigh and stepped in. Her breath hitched as the doors closed. In her heart, she prayed: *Please, someone get on. Anyone.*
And then, at the 8th floor, the doors miraculously opened. A flush of joy brightened Jeong-o’s face when she confirmed the person outside: Ji-Heon Jeong’s friend of 16 years, Deputy General Manager Seung-Gyu Park.
It was a golden opportunity to get information about Ji-Heon, but for some reason, Seung-Gyu was hesitating.
“Deputy General Manager! Please, get on!”
However, Seung-Gyu just gave a curt nod with a darkened expression. “I’ll take the next one. You go ahead.”
*What? Why? Did the two of them fight? Are they really fighting at thirty-three years old?*
“Did you two have a fight?” Jeong-o couldn’t hold back. “How could you? With someone who is like an angel.”
Despite her cheeky question, Ji-Heon only furrowed his brow and remained silent. *So they did fight.*
“Deputy General Manager Seung-Gyu doesn’t seem like the type to do anything wrong……”
Ji-Heon shot her a glare. *It’s because of you.* He couldn’t bring himself to say he had said things he shouldn’t have because he felt choked up over matters regarding her.
Since Ji-Heon kept giving her looks, Jeong-o couldn’t provoke him further.
“That was too presumptuous of me. I guess I keep feeling concerned because you remind me of my dad. I apologize.”
“Are daughters like that?”
“Yes?”
“Are daughters that affectionate toward their fathers?”
She had spoken nonsense, but to think he would receive it so perfectly. Jeong-o’s act would have to last a little longer.
“……I suppose so.”
“…….”
“Daughters are… that, that, that affectionate toward their fathers.”
Ji-Heon nodded quietly. She couldn’t tell if he was imagining the bond between a father and daughter, or if he was dwelling on his own conflict with Seung-Gyu.
Jeong-o cautiously threw out another bold opinion.
“Setting that aside, why don’t you make up with him? Deputy General Manager Seung-Gyu cherishes you a lot, Director.”
Ji-Heon lifted his head and stared straight at her.
“You should try visiting them yourself and make an effort to talk to them. Don’t you think? They’re a precious friend.” It was heartfelt advice—something she was also saying to her past self.
*If, seven years ago, I had looked for you more persistently, if I hadn’t given up, if I hadn’t been disappointed in you and had trusted you a little more…*
“You wouldn’t cut a cherished ribbon with scissors just because the knot is tight, would you? Shouldn’t we try to untie it gently, one by one?”
My chest ached as I conveyed my opinion.
*
After feeding the children and doing the dishes, Jin-seo could not hide her satisfaction. Her cheekbones were lifted high. Ye-Na was so pretty and sensible, and because she was there, her son ate well and listened well, too. She thought she would like it if Ye-Na came every single day.
“Look at this. The jelly is sparkling. Just like your eyes.” After giving his girlfriend a pack of jelly, her son was wooing her like that. She was very proud of him.
*I had times like that, too.*
“But really, why isn’t this man coming yet when I told him to get the air conditioner cleaned?” As she thought of her husband, force crept into her grip on the dishes.
Just as she finished, the doorbell rang.
“Who is it? I’m not expecting anyone…” Jin-seo peeked at the video phone screen and was startled. Standing outside was Ji-Heon Jeong, her husband’s distant superior, friend, and former military junior.
“Oh my, what is this? What do I do?” Jin-seo paced back and forth before opening the door.
“Oh, Ji-Heon, hello!”
“Hello. It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has. Please, come in.”
“Yes. Then, excuse me.” Ji-Heon entered, handing Jin-seo a large basket. “I bought some fruit.”
“Oh my… You shouldn’t have. Thank you. We’ll enjoy it. …But what brings you here?”
“I came to see Park Seung-Gyu. Is he home?”
“He isn’t back yet. I’ll try calling him.”
“Please, come inside.”
Ji-Heon hesitated before stepping in. Do-Yun toddled over, and Do-Bin came out of his room.
“Mom, who’s here?”
“Do-Bin, say hello. It’s Uncle Ji-Heon, Dad’s friend.”
“Hello.”
“Yes. Hello.” Ji-Heon acknowledged the greeting and craned his neck. He knew Seung-Gyu had two children, but there were three in the room.
“My friend is here, too,” Do-Bin explained.
“Ah, his girlfriend.”
“Did Park Seung-Gyu mention it?”
“Yes. He mentioned it once.”
Had he said his son was deeply in love? Thinking about it, the conflict with Seung-Gyu had started from that very conversation. The little girl looked up at him with round eyes. She was, even at a glance, extremely cute and pretty. No, Ji-Heon found himself staring a little longer.
The child felt like a prick in the back of his eyes, so Ji-Heon squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. He stood silently, watching the little girl who shrank back after staring at him.
Feeling as though he had unintentionally caused the child distress, Ji-Heon quietly stepped back. Even then, he couldn’t take his eyes off her face. The fair, pretty face reminded him of someone.
‘All children are pretty.’ He knew that, yet for some reason, his eyes stung.