PSS - 15

Chapter 15: Did You Like Me?

“Seo… Sunbae.”

Soo-hyun stood before her, his expression sharp and somewhat irritated, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Hae-in.

“Yoon Hae-in, don’t come to the main house alone from now on.”

“…B-but…”

Hae-in started to protest but faltered under Soo-hyun’s icy glare. Whenever he looked at her like that—with those piercing, unyielding eyes—her thoughts scattered, and her body stiffened instinctively.

“I hope you understand.”

His low voice carried a tone akin to a threat. The intensity in his gaze brought back memories of the drug-addicted senior he had nearly beaten to death during college.

Whether then or now, Soo-hyun’s eyes held an unsettling edge, as if capable of committing any act without hesitation.

“Tsk.”

With a click of his tongue, Soo-hyun turned his back on her, leaving her standing there like a cornered mouse. Watching him walk away, Hae-in was lost in thought.

What did he mean by not coming alone? How could she possibly defy Chairman Park’s orders, especially when he sent a secretary to accompany her?

As she furrowed her brow, trying to decipher his words, Soo-hyun suddenly stopped mid-step and spun around. His sharp gaze landed on her still figure.

“What are you doing? Follow me.”

Startled, Hae-in hurried after him with quick, small steps.

When she drew near, Soo-hyun lengthened his stride, walking briskly ahead. Hae-in struggled to keep up, cautiously asking:

“…I came here on Chairman Park’s orders. Should I report everything to you?”

“No need. I’ll find out anyway. Just don’t do anything.”

Soo-hyun’s curt reply came with a deeply furrowed brow. As he strode forward with an intimidating aura, employees moving about quickly cleared the way for him. Hae-in noticed the fear etched into their lowered expressions.

His towering frame and thunderous footsteps exuded dominance, making no effort to conceal his presence or temper. Within moments, they reached the wing where Chairman Park resided.

Slam.

Without knocking or announcing himself politely, Soo-hyun flung open the door and strode inside with unchecked audacity.

In all of Korea, Jung Soo-hyun might be the only person who dared treat Chairman Park so brazenly.

Though Hae-in found his behavior somewhat baffling, she followed him inside hastily.

Inside, as always, sat Chairman Park and the snake-like man beside her. They paused their conversation and turned to look at Soo-hyun.

Chairman Park raised an eyebrow, unfazed by his grandson’s sudden appearance, and smirked faintly.

“Soo-hyun-ah, what brings you here in broad daylight?”

“I have something to say.”

Despite the mocking undertone in Chairman Park’s words, Soo-hyun ignored it and pressed on.

“Stop summoning her personally.”

“Well, well. So you’re staking your claim, Soo-hyun-ah.”

A satisfied smile spread across Chairman Park’s face at Soo-hyun’s words.

Though his tone bordered on impudence, Chairman Park seemed to relish Soo-hyun’s defiance.

Suddenly thrust into the center of their exchange, Hae-in fretted internally, unsure how to process the situation. Neither the grandmother who didn’t offer a seat nor the grandson who spoke rudely while standing appeared remotely normal to her.

“She’s a toy you bought for me, isn’t she? So only my hands should touch her, right?”

“Heh.”

At Soo-hyun’s words, Chairman Park’s gaze shifted toward Hae-in.

The stern woman’s smile did nothing to soften her intimidating demeanor. Meeting her gaze, Hae-in immediately dropped her eyes to the floor.

The gazes of this family carried an insidiousness difficult to articulate.

“And stop attaching rats to her.”

“Soo-hyun-ah! Show some respect!”

“Let him be, Mr. Im.”

The man seated beside Chairman Park scolded Soo-hyun sharply, as he had done before. But Chairman Park waved him off casually.

“How amusing to see you bare your fangs so openly. It seems this girl has quite captured your interest.”

“Since you’ve finally prepared a proper gift for me, I’ll accept it gratefully.”

“I’m glad you like her.”

“I’ve made my concession, so you should make yours too.”

Their brief exchange brimmed with tension, each word a calculated move in a silent negotiation.

Their dialogue resembled a bargaining session over an object rather than a human being. Once again, Hae-in felt acutely aware of her position.

Here, she was merely a silent prop, like a sack of barley left to occupy space—nothing more.

“Fine. I’ll do as you wish. Now, let’s hope good news comes soon.”

At Chairman Park’s words, Soo-hyun’s face twisted in disgust. Hae-in noticed his clenched fist trembling slightly.

“Think whatever you want. But that thing you desire won’t happen.”

With a harsh retort, Soo-hyun spun on his heel. The sliding door slammed shut behind him with a loud bang.

Startled by the noise, Hae-in flinched, her shoulders trembling. Quickly bowing to Chairman Park, she rushed after Soo-hyun.

“Seo, Sunbae! Wait! Please!”

Still seething, Soo-hyun stormed off even faster than when he arrived. Hae-in nearly ran to catch up, reaching the courtyard of the main house.

“Eek!”

In her haste to follow him across the yard, she misstepped and fell. A cry escaped her lips as pain shot through her ankle.

“Tsk, honestly.”

From the distance, Soo-hyun turned back and approached her, extending a large hand with long fingers. Hae-in grasped it and pulled herself up with difficulty.

“Sunbae, th-thank you…”

“For what? For letting you fall?”

Rolling his eyes, Soo-hyun turned away again. Hae-in clung to his arm, stopping him once more.

“Thank you for telling me not to come alone.”

“You don’t need to thank me for that. Don’t misunderstand.”

Before Soo-hyun could leave again, Hae-in blurted out another plea.

“I’m also grateful for what you did back in school.”

“School?”

Soo-hyun’s expression darkened instantly, making Hae-in wonder if she’d said the wrong thing. His sharp gaze urged her to continue.

“That time… when Senior Park tried to hurt me…”

Mentioning the past incident caused Soo-hyun’s face to grow colder still.

Perhaps he still harbored lingering feelings. If so, maybe they could improve their relationship.

But seeing his hardened eyes, she realized bringing it up might have been a mistake.

Facing his contemptuous gaze, Hae-in momentarily held her breath.

“I don’t know where you heard that…”

Soo-hyun’s stare bore into her, devoid of warmth or kindness.

“Whatever you heard, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

His dry voice drew a clear line—a boundary not to be crossed.

Curious about Soo-hyun’s inner thoughts as he distanced himself so firmly, Hae-in wondered.

This was the same man who had called her name so desperately in his delirium just days ago. Such emotion couldn’t simply be meaningless.

“Why does it not matter?”

She asked impulsively.

How could it not matter when he had called her name so fervently? No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand. What exactly was he hiding?

“It’s strange. No one ever approached you, yet you stayed away too.”

Soon-ae’s words echoed in her mind. Even excluding the two years Hae-in had taken off, they had shared two years at the same university—but never exchanged personal words or sat close in class.

“If it doesn’t matter, at least give me a reason.”

If he were blatantly arrogant, she could have confronted him about meddling in her private life.

Other friends in the department had said she seemed popular, but no male students ever asked for her number or approached her romantically. Any attempts at friendliness ended abruptly.

While she hadn’t minded the lack of romantic advances due to her disinterest in dating, realizing Soo-hyun had orchestrated it all felt chilling.

Including two periods of leave, she had spent six years as a university student. For six whole years, no one had pursued her romantically.

Perhaps it was because she dressed plainly, wearing the same few outfits like a uniform year-round. She had bitterly assumed her lack of grooming discouraged suitors.

Looking back, even after Soo-hyun graduated and went abroad, the pattern remained unchanged. This applied until her recent graduation.

‘I can speak up more confidently.’

Straightening her slumped shoulders, Hae-in met Soo-hyun’s gaze squarely.

Even if this question upset him, it was worth it. Stirring him up might reveal some lingering emotions, which would be better than remaining in this void of detachment.

“Finding meaning in the past is pitiful. Do you think anything will change because of it?”

Soo-hyun’s rigid expression gave her pause. She hesitated, considering apologizing for bringing it up, but pressed on instead.

“…It wasn’t just the past.”

“What?”

Soo-hyun’s brow twitched irritably. Hae-in continued calmly.

“Sunbae, the night you were brought to the hotel… you called my name several times while unconscious.”

Soo-hyun’s eyes wavered. Clearly, he hadn’t known.

“…That’s why I wondered. Maybe you knew me before.”

“Is that supposed to be some grand revelation now…?”

“Did you… like me?”

Hae-in blurted out the question, holding her breath. Slowly exhaling, she watched his face intently. Soo-hyun froze, unmoving, not even blinking.