My Bloody Valentine - 99

“Well then, Miju, when can you start your first day of work?”

Jina asked. Standing in front of her was a woman just as charming in appearance as Jina.

She had just come from the lobby, where she had witnessed the amusing sight of her future boss, in a waiter’s uniform, getting slapped by a man.

“I can start next month, but I’d like to first take a look at the atmosphere here. Can I come in for about a week beforehand to observe how things work?”

“Of course.”

Taeshin was planning to entrust her position to Junho and Jina jointly. However, Jina expressed her desire to leave Tasenda and try running her own business.

Over the past few months, Jina had been studying wine. She obtained a sommelier certification and regularly visited restaurants and bars known for their excellent food and wine pairings to hone her skills.

While preparing for her solo business venture, she met a female customer who frequented Tasenda, and they saw eye to eye, leading to the customer’s investment and their partnership in opening a wine bar not too far from here.

Miju, whom they had brought in to fill Jina’s vacancy, was a seasoned veteran despite her young age. After talking to many of her past co-workers, the consensus was that she was a decisive person.

Although she had experience working in establishments similar to Tasenda, the calculation methods for various fees, known as “wari” or “jjingdae,” varied greatly from one place to another. The same was true for bookkeeping, customer acquisition, and management methods. As a result, the handover process was expected to take quite some time.

“I’ll try to explain as much as I can based on what I know.”

“Yes, I look forward to working with you.”

Jina extended her hand with a smooth smile, and Miju readily shook it.

Miju, wearing a clingy floral-patterned mini dress, left after the greeting, and Jina, left with Taeshin, watched her retreating figure.

“She’s a sharp person. I like her.”

Someone who clearly looks after their own interests is more trustworthy than someone who just talks about making money.

“Ah, with this, I’m also parting ways with Tasenda.”

Thinking that she won’t be here from next month on, Jina had a slightly bittersweet smile on her lips.

At that moment, the door opened, and Junho walked in. Seeing Taeshin, he said with a grin:

“Boss, I heard you filmed a movie outside.”

“A movie?”

Jina blinked her mascara-coated eyelashes, clearly unfamiliar with the situation. Junho explained to Jina in place of Taeshin.

“Apparently, Han suddenly slapped him.”

“Goodness!”

“The more I see him, the more surprising he is.”

Junho let out a hollow laugh, as if finding the situation utterly absurd.

“Really now… Why does that lapdog turn into a tiger only when he’s in front of the boss?”

Taeshin, as if tracing the traces of Han’s touch, brought his fingertips to the area of the cheek that had been slapped. With a look as if recalling a sweet food he had eaten before, he said:

“His hand seems to have quite a sting.”

“…”

“I thought he’s been putting on a bit of weight lately.”

“…”

Seeing Taeshin staring into the empty space, Jina frowned slightly. The fact that she alone knew their hidden story was extremely agonizing for her.

“What is it, Manager? Do you have something to say?”

“… No, I should be going now.”

Evading Junho’s question, she left the room. Junho, looking puzzled, watched Jina’s retreating figure and then turned his gaze back.

Just as he was about to start his report, Junho’s phone in his pocket began to vibrate. Junho looked at Taeshin with his eyes, as if asking for permission, and Taeshin gestured for him to answer.

“Hello? Yes. … Who is this?”

Junho’s gaze inadvertently turned towards Taeshin.

“… Yes, that’s right. That’s what I was instructed.”

Realizing the situation, Taeshin averted his gaze. As if turning a blind eye to it, Junho stepped back and continued the conversation in a low voice.

“It doesn’t matter how it turns out, just handle it yourself.”

“Hey, didn’t you answer yet?”

The strong liquor, which could make it hard to regain consciousness even after just one glass, kept flowing down his throat. He had long lost his senses, and his body seemed to have also detected the alcohol, as all his strength had drained from his entire body.

The index finger of the man next to him firmly pressed down on the gradually collapsing shoulders of the drunken man. Even with that small force, the drunken man slid off the sofa.

“Haa… Haa…”

The hot breath he exhaled was like spitting out fire. It felt as if his head was submerged in boiling water.

“How’s it? Feeling a bit hot from the alcohol? Let me cool you down.”

His vest was being taken off, and his shirt buttons were starting to come undone. But the body, taken over by alcohol, did not respond to the drunken man’s commands.

The pounding pulse near his temple felt like it was crushing his brain. The ceiling was spinning around, and he desperately needed a glass of cold water. The drunken man had completely lost his mind.

“Why do you keep looking towards the door? Are you waiting for someone?”

“…!”

The words of the man removing his clothes suddenly jolted the drunken man back to his senses. And soon, a wave of emotions started to surge.

The drunken man then realized that, without even being aware of it, he had been continuously looking towards the door, waiting for someone to appear.

And that person was none other than…

“Are you hoping someone will come to rescue you?”

Whenever such a situation arose, whenever he was in crisis, the face of Tae-shin always came to his mind. And he had unfailingly appeared every time.

He remembered how gentle the hands were that had cradled his face in the pool of bl00d he had shed. He also remembered how chilling it was to see him take revenge in his place. And he remembered everything, including how he had come alone to rescue him, risking his life.

Could he really do that for someone who didn’t truly care for him? What did he think was the driving force that moved him so much?

The drunken man, who had been flipping through the answer sheets filled with wrong answers, now felt like a fool.

“Idiot…”

“What? You little sh1t, what did you just say?”

A faint smile broke through the drunken man’s lips. It was clear that what Tae-shin was pouring out towards him was love. And it seems that he now had his own reasons for having to turn away from that feeling. To realize that only now.

“You fucking bastard, how dare you… laugh?”

“Haha… ha.”

But the laughter soon mingled with a pitiful sob. Now that he understood everything, he couldn’t bear not seeing Tae-shin.

“Ugh, sob…”

“Laughing and then crying, aren’t you a crazy bastard? Let me snap you back to your senses.”

Then, a rustling sound came from below. The man sitting on top of the drunken man’s body was undoing his own pants.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Right now, it’s just fields and farms. There are no decent apartment brands around, and Daesung Housing is the only one developing the area, but the view is nice. The subway station has already been confirmed to be coming in. The issue is that the rumor of a Premium Outlet store opening is still unverified.”

“…”

Junho was reporting on the site where a new townhouse complex would be built. But whether he was actually listening or not, Tae-shin’s gaze was fixed somewhere in the air. Then, as if he could no longer bear it, Tae-shin turned his gaze to Junho.

“That call earlier, what was it about?”

“…”

Junho held back his words.

“I asked what the call was about.”

“Sir, I’ve been wondering if you’ve been listening to me from the start…”

Junho sighed deeply, placing his hand on his forehead.

“Is that why you can’t focus on the report? Because you can’t hear what I’m saying?”

“Tell me.”

“Ugh… You told me to keep rolling with it, didn’t you? You’re not just trying to torment me, you’re trying to make me leave, aren’t you?”

“…”

To Junho, Han was an irritating presence, like a ragged edge near his nails. It was no exaggeration to say that Tae-shin had changed so much because of that little man. On top of that, he had to risk his life.

Junho wondered if deep down, he might secretly be hoping that he could get rid of Han from Tae-shin’s side.

“A troublesome customer came. They called to ask if they could put Han in that room.”

“Troublesome customer?”

“Yes. They might even harm him. If that happens… he’ll probably really want to leave here.”