Capítulo 22: Chapter Twelve - Does She Know? (Part 2)
— Kang Dae
I spend the better half of the next day 'visiting' an affiliate company whereby in less than ten minutes, I'm regretting my decision. Honing my patience, I tolerate the director who drones on about golf and his unexemplary achievements. Pulling on my usual blank face, I wait for the older man to take the hint. He then moves on to give me a tour around his factory. At least that helps to stave the boredom.
After an interminable lunch, I decide enough is enough.
"If I ever suggest a senseless idea like that again," I inform Secretary Park. "Please do whatever you have to and make sure it doesn't happen."
"You looked like you enjoyed the factory tour, sir," he observes in what I assume is his cheerful expression. In fact, even when we served in the army, I've never seen Park break into a real smile. I know everything about him — his family, his quirks and what he eats for breakfast, lunch and dinner but he never fails to mystify me.
"Only because the machineries drowned out the director's voice," I quip, then check the time. "Park, why don't you take the rest of the day off."
"Are you sure you don't need me to —"
"You don't have to worry about me," I cut him off, knowing exactly what he's referring to. "I'd rather not have an audience this time."
"Very well, President Kang," he acquiesces, taking us back to the hotel.
Before sunset, I wait outside Aera's workplace, wondering what's taking her so long when she emerges alongside pale face and a few staff. Judging by the MPV they're getting into, it seems they're headed somewhere. I tailgate them, arriving outside a local restaurant.
After they've gone in, I linger outside for a few minutes before entering, ensuring to catch Aera's attention. Her beautiful eyes shoot daggers at me while the waiter sits me in a strategic corner, facing her. I smother the laugh threatening to spill from within.
Browsing the menu, I realize it's been hours since lunch, and quickly place my order. "Excuse me," I stop the waiter and gesture discreetly at Aera's team. "When that table's done ordering, I'd like to foot their bill."
The waiter doesn't blink an eye. "Certainly, sir."
Throughout the meal, it's a battle to keep from smiling at Aera's constant glare. She probably thinks she's being tactful but unfortunately where she's concerned, my senses are on high alert. She makes it too easy for me to tease her. Yet another brownie point.
By the end of dinner, I step outside for a quick cigarette. I'm not a habit smoker but it helps to ease the disquiet in my mind.
I hear the restaurant door close before I see him.
"You didn't have to do that." His tone is placid. Men like him are easy to read. He's the typical good guy, the perfect gentleman that women want to date and bring home to meet their parents. He's the classic picket fence husband, if one discounts his distorted childhood.
I puff out a breath of smoke, scanning the empty streets. "It's the least I can do, since I ruined your supper last night. For Aera's sake, I owe you an apology, though I can't admit it's sincere. Consider this meal a token of my apology."
Lee Chang-Min studies me quietly.
I've been scrutinized my whole life — by my family, the public and my legion of employees. He can stare a hole right through me and still never get his answers.
"Aera doesn't know who you are, does she?" He goes right for the jugular, his voice thick with disapproval. "I don't think she cares."
"I doubt it's any of your business," I fire back, taking another puff. A perverse part of me enjoys watching him struggle over his own curiosity. It's his own fault for being nosy. Even better if he falls into despair.
"It is if she doesn't know that you're lying and manipulating her feelings." Lee Chang-Min moves in, his stance ready to attack. "You're taking advantage of her innocence. Aera isn't like those women you're used to. She'll get hurt." He seizes my collar, and I have no choice but to look at him. Ire simmering. "Does she know you're a married man?"
My eyes narrow into slits, jaws clenching hard. I jerk out of his grasp, stamping out my cigarette. "Aera's an adult who can make her own decisions. She definitely doesn't need her manager interfering in her personal life." I stand toe to toe, my tone a cold blade of warning. "Being her father's pet isn't going to get you closer to her. I know you have feelings for Aera." A short, calculative pause followed by a smirk. "But you never told her, did you?"
I hit the nail on the head when he visibly falters. I smile ruthlessly like a beast scenting its wounded prey. "And that's the difference between us. I'm selfish and greedy. When I see something I want, I pounce on it. I never let it escape. But you...you're afraid to even let her know how you feel." A hint of cruelty creeps into my voice. "And that's why she's with me and not you." I cock my head. "I hope you're not using your position as an excuse to be concerned about your subordinate."
Lee Chang-Min scowls darkly at me. "I'm not like you. I don't impose my will upon others and you're one to talk when you're taking advantage of her. How long do you think your relationship will last when she finds out the truth?"
"And she's going to find out from you?" I remark derisively.
"No." He shakes his head. "I'm going to have the last laugh when it falls apart. I'll be there to pick up the pieces. You can't run from it forever, President Kang." He spits out my title. "The entire country knows your name and it's only a matter of time. So, enjoy your fun and games while it lasts. We both know exactly what kind of man you are."
The indistinct chatter of people approaching makes him take a step back. "I won't interfere. Unlike you, I don't have all the time in the world. However, I'd like to make a point. If you didn't care for Aera, you wouldn't have shown up yesterday in the middle of the night. Or followed us here to this restaurant just to see her."
At my deafening silence, he sighs defeatedly. "If you care about Aera, then you should leave her alone. You're not a free man. Keep that in mind."
Right on cue, his team stumbles out laughing and chatting, carrying the stink of soju. Aera's the last to appear, her gaze immediately seeking me out.
"Thank you so...much for dinner, Manager Lee," one of the men slurs unsteadily.
"You're welcome," Lee Chang-Min replies, taking the undeserved credit. "Why don't we put you in a cab, Mr. Go? I don't think you're in any condition to drive."
While the group sort out their situation, Aera sidles up to me, distrust written all over her pretty face. She crosses her arms plainly and interrogates me. "Did you follow me here?"
I slip my hands into my coat pocket, feigning innocence. "Naver recommended this restaurant. Our meeting was purely coincidental."
"Liar," she accuses and I try to gauge how angry she still is with me.
"For the record, I've apologized to your manager about last night." I decide to dive straight into it. "And I want to say I'm sorry for how I reacted when I saw you with him, and for how rude I was on the phone prior to this. Those weren't my best moments."
"Aera!" Someone calls out to her. I flinch at the interruption. "Are you coming with us?"
"Who is she talking to? Is that one of our staff?" the drunkard inquires incoherently.
"I'll handle it," Lee Chang-Min interjects, his attention shifting to Aera. "Aera, since you're off the clock, I won't hold you with us any longer. I'm sure you have things to settle." His eyes flicker briefly to me.
His words grate on my nerves, sounding like he's doing me a big favor.
"Are you sure?" Aera is painfully undecided.
Instantly, I yank her to my side, putting on my public mask. "Thank you for your kind consideration, Manager Lee. In that case, we'll take our leave. Have a good evening."
"Wait a minute, Dae!" Aera struggles as I propel her to the direction of my car. "I haven't even said goodbye!"
"Your manager already gave us his permission. There's no need for goodbye and you'll be seeing him soon enough." Unfortunately.
I strap her in so she can't escape and crank up the ignition, flooring the pedal before she can protest further.
When she's done sulking, she asks, "Where are you taking me?"
"The night market," I answer, stealing a side glance at her. "Since we're in Gwangju, we might as well enjoy the local attractions. I even gave Secretary Park the evening off."
"I'm not letting you off the hook just because you apologized." She warns, but her tone tells me she had already let it go. That's the beauty of my hellcat.
Stretching my upturned palm towards her, she cocks a brow at it. Patiently, I wait until she gives up and laces her fingers with mine. Secretly triumphant, I raise her hand to my lips, kissing her knuckles. "Thank you for forgiving me."
Aera scoffs without censure. "I never said that."
"But you have, haven't you?" I insist boldly.
She doesn't reply, focusing her gaze out the window instead. "So, where is this night market?"
I grin at her stubbornness. "1913 Songjeong Station. I looked it up on the tourism site, and it's the closest night market available."
"Have you ever been to a night market?" She grunts. "I'm afraid it'll be one too many adventures for you after this evening. You barely touched your food."
I'm pleased she had been paying attention to me.
Deliberately obtuse, I'm unwilling to admit that I was unfamiliar with most of the dishes on the menu. It's embarrassing but as a native, I grew up on western dishes. "I wasn't that hungry."
Aera squeezes my fingers. "Has anyone ever told you that you're a bad liar?"
She's the first. And the only one who dares to say it to my face.
"How am I a bad liar?" I'm curious to know, so I can fix it. A flaw doesn't sit well with me.
She pats the place over her heart. "Call it a woman's intuition."
Fair enough, she won't tell me. I deserve that.
Chuckling lightly, I'm relieved we're no longer fighting. I prefer it when it's just us in our own world. Though, Lee Chang-Min's words come back to haunt me. Aera doesn't know who I am, and she doesn't know why our relationship is limited. When I first proposed the contract, I thought she would bore me within a week. It turns out fate is laughing at me now.
Whatever is between us, it's growing stronger. Even when she's with me, all I think about is her. My emotions are rooting.
"What's wrong?" She asks, examining my face. "You're wearing a scary expression."
I attempt a smile, though it doesn't fool her.
Aera's expression mirrors my heavy thoughts. "Did you talked to Chang-Min earlier on?"
"We exchanged a few words." I answer evasively.
"Well, I don't want any of you in the same space ever again, at least not while we're together." She surprises me by saying. "I know Chang-Min worries about me. He probably feels obligated because he's close with my father but, I don't want him involved. I walked into this with my eyes open and when it ends, I promise you won't have to drag me out kicking and screaming." There's a contemplative pause. "Chang-Min knows who you are, doesn't he?"
I nod once.
"I didn't ask him, you know. About your identity." She sounds pleased with herself. "I don't want to know who you are, or anything about the world you're from. To me, you're just Dae and I want us to enjoy our time together." Leaning over, she plants a heartfelt kiss on my cheek. "I don't like it when we fight. It'll ruin the memories in this short time, and I'd like to believe that I'm a different experience from all those other women. So, let's keep it that way, alright?"
Why does her conviction make me feel sad? Like I'm losing something precious I'm not even aware of? This is what I wanted, for us to be casual and not get caught up in feelings that ruin everything.
Am I fooling myself?
For the second time in my life, I waver. And this time, I chastise myself for being a coward, for not daring to dig deeper and defying the rules that bind me to my status.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder