CEB - 29

29. Confession of Love

Min-hyuk decided to take a complete rest on Sunday. He was exhausted from overseeing the completion of the Jeju Hotel and going on blind dates every weekend. Moreover, he was physically tired from the pent-up frustration he experienced after meeting Dan-jung. Leaning back on the sofa, Min-hyuk began searching the internet on his phone. The keyword was “love.” Numerous matchmaking agency websites appeared, followed by the dictionary definition of love.

“A feeling of deep affection and valuing someone or something, or an act of that feeling. A feeling of attraction to someone’s sexual appeal, or an act of that feeling.”

Min-hyuk straightened up and read the dictionary definition of love aloud with a serious expression. According to the dictionary definition, he was in love with Dan-jung. If Dan-jung hadn’t been there, Min-hyuk would have had to give up his position as CEO, so she was undoubtedly a valuable person. Moreover, Min-hyuk wanted to touch, kiss, and be intimate with Dan-jung whenever he saw her. He couldn’t deny her sexual appeal.

[It’s not love. Sex and love are completely different.]

Recalling Kang-hyun’s words, Min-hyuk frowned deeply and called him.

-Why? What’s wrong now?

Kang-hyun, who was at work unlike Min-hyuk, was getting annoyed with Min-hyuk’s constant pestering.

“The feeling of being attracted to someone’s sexual appeal is also defined as love.”

-What nonsense are you talking about?

Kang-hyun instinctively became irritated. Was he trying to rub his marriage in his face, or why was he calling someone at work with such nonsense?

“Just saying, bye.”

After saying what he wanted, Min-hyuk felt a sense of relief, like washing away sticky sweat from hot weather with cold water. Min-hyuk jumped up from the sofa. He wanted to tell Dan-jung that he loved her right away.

________________________________________

“Dan-jung, I have a favor to ask...”

Jin-hee approached Dan-jung, who was packing her things, and spoke hesitantly.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“If you don’t need to take your deposit out right away, can I use this place for a while? I’ll pay the monthly rent.”

Jin-hee was getting a divorce and had nowhere to go immediately. She felt awkward going to her parents’ house, and she had no work experience since she quit her job while pregnant.

“Yeah, sure. Luckily, I have some savings.”

Dan-jung actually had a savings account for her wedding fund. Although it hadn’t matured yet, she couldn’t kick out her friend to get the interest. Besides, Min-hyuk had said he didn’t need any dowry, so she probably wouldn’t need a large sum of money for the deposit.

“Thank you, I’ll move out as soon as possible so I don’t cause you any trouble.”

Jin-hee felt a bit humiliated asking Dan-jung, who was marrying into a wealthy family, for a favor. But Dan-jung was the only person she could rely on.

“Jin-hee, you can lean on me if you’re having a hard time. You were always there for me when I was struggling.”

Dan-jung remembered Jin-hee always being by her side when she was going through a tough time after breaking up with her boyfriend. Even when her boyfriends left, Jin-hee was always there. How could she ignore Jin-hee?

“Sob, sob.”

At Dan-jung’s words, the wall Jin-hee had built in her heart crumbled. She was being prideful even with Dan-jung. Jin-hee burst into tears, releasing all the sorrow she had been holding back.

“Don’t cry, why are you crying?”

Dan-jung, flustered by Jin-hee’s sudden tears, also became teary-eyed.

“Dan-jung, I’m actually getting a divorce. I found out he went on an overseas trip with that woman.”

Jin-hee started telling Dan-jung what she couldn’t tell her parents because she didn’t want to upset them.

“What? Really? How did you find out?”

“I met that woman yesterday. She said they’ve been seeing each other for over a year.”

“So, he’s been seeing her since you were pregnant?”

“Yeah, now that I think about it, he started changing a little bit around then. He went on more business trips... and we barely had any intimacy.”

“Ha! Is he even human? How could he betray his wife who was carrying his child?”

“Sob... but I feel like it’s all my fault. I should have just been intimate with him when he wanted to when I was pregnant... I refused a lot then. And I didn’t want to after giving birth either.”

“Hey! Why is that your fault? He’s not an animal. Is he going to cheat just because he can’t have sex?”

“That jerk! Sob, how could he do this to me?”

Jin-hee, having revealed the truth, started crying loudly.

“Sob, don’t cry. Why are you crying like a fool?”

Dan-jung also cried, comforting Jin-hee.

“My mom said I shouldn’t even dream of a divorce if I don’t leave Ha-yeon behind at my in-laws’... I miss Ha-yeon so much. She doesn’t drink formula, so she must be starving.”

“...”

Dan-jung didn’t know what to say to Jin-hee. If she had her baby, it would be difficult for Jin-hee to meet someone new, so her parents were right to tell her to leave the baby. But Jin-hee was a mother with deep maternal love. It was doubtful whether she could forget her baby and start a new life.

At that moment, Dan-jung’s phone, which was next to her, started ringing. A quick glance confirmed it was Min-hyuk.

“Answer it, I’m fine.”

“Just a moment.”

Dan-jung moved away from Jin-hee to take Min-hyuk’s call.

“Hello.”

-This is Lee Min-hyuk. Can you come outside your place for a moment?

“Now? You’re here?”

-Yes, I have something to say. I won’t take up much of your time.

“But it’s a bit difficult right now.”

Dan-jung didn’t want to leave Jin-hee, who was crying. But Jin-hee came up to Dan-jung and urged her to go.

“I’m fine, go quickly. How can you tell someone who came all the way here to just go back?”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay alone?”

“Yeah, don’t worry and go.”

“Okay, I’ll be right back.”

Dan-jung headed to Min-hyuk, determined to return as quickly as possible.

________________________________________

Dan-jung looked at the mirror in the elevator and sighed. She had come out as she was, packing her things in a hurry, and she looked very disheveled.

“I should have at least put on some cushion... Why does he always come so suddenly?”

Dan-jung grumbled, smoothing her messy hair. Meanwhile, Min-hyuk sat on a makeshift chair in front of the convenience store, drinking a cold beverage. He was strangely thirsty. Women passing by the convenience store glanced at Min-hyuk, whispering that he was handsome.

“Wow! He’s super handsome. Is he a celebrity?”

“He’s really handsome. But he doesn’t seem to be from around here... I’ve never seen such a handsome guy.”

“Does he have a girlfriend? Should I ask for his number, just in case?”

“Hey! Dream on! Guys that handsome are always taken.”

“I’m so jealous. What kind of person is his girlfriend?”

The women couldn’t take their eyes off Min-hyuk’s face.

The moment the elevator doors opened, Dan-jung spotted Min-hyuk and walked towards him. “Sir~.” 

“Choi Dan-jung!” Upon seeing Dan-jung, Min-hyuk jumped up from his seat, delighted. “What brings you here?” “I came because I have something to say.” As Min-hyuk stood in front of Dan-jung, the women who were watching Min-hyuk widened their eyes. 

“Wow! Is that his girlfriend?” 

“Nah, no way...” 

“Hey, don’t just stand there, be brave and ask for his number. You’re way better than her.” 

“Should I?” Encouraged by her friend, a pretty woman took the courage and walked towards Min-hyuk. She felt she would regret it for life if she didn’t try now.

“Couldn’t you have just called? What’s so urgent?” Dan-jung asked, a bit annoyed, not noticing the woman approaching Min-hyuk. She was displeased with his sudden, unannounced visits. “It’s just... I realized that I sincerely love Choi Dan-jung.” 

“Huh?” What? This is a sudden love confession? Dan-jung blinked, as if she couldn’t understand. “Wow! What? Is he crazy?” The woman who was approaching Min-hyuk stopped in her tracks upon hearing his confession. Then, she walked back to her friend. “Hey! He said he loves her.” 

“Really? She was his girlfriend?” 

“I don’t know, whatever. Let’s go!” Perhaps because the women’s voices were loud, Dan-jung realized they were talking about her and blushed. She wondered if she looked so disheveled that they were saying such things.

“Yes, thank you. But you came all the way here just to say that?” Dan-jung’s voice became sharp due to the comments from the passing women. Moreover, she was more concerned about Jin-hee than Min-hyuk’s confession, so she didn’t give much meaning to his words. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t desire physical intimacy before love, Choi Dan-jung? That’s why I wanted to tell you that I love you.” 

“Huh?” Dan-jung, starting to feel self-conscious about the people passing by, looked around to see if anyone had heard Min-hyuk’s words. Then, when she made eye contact with someone across the street, she pulled Min-hyuk towards the apartment’s emergency exit. “Why did you come here?” 

“Why else? You’re too noticeable, sir.” “Then let’s go to your place, Choi Dan-jung.” “No, my friend is home.” 

“I don’t mind. I miss Ha-yeon too.” 

“Ha-yeon isn’t here. And I need to go back in quickly.” Min-hyuk, fixing his gaze on Dan-jung’s annoyed face and listening intently to her sharp voice, realized she was irritated. “Are you angry?” Min-hyuk looked at Dan-jung seriously.

“No, it’s not that. But your words sounded like you wanted to sleep with me because you love me.” In reality, Dan-jung was angry at Min-hyuk’s casualness, contrary to her response. Why did men only think about that? As if they would die if they couldn’t do it. Would this man leave her for another woman if they didn’t sleep together? Due to Jin-hee’s cheating husband, Dan-jung saw all men as animals. 

“Of course, I want to sleep with you. I feel sexual attraction towards you, Choi Dan-jung. However, as stated in the marriage contract, I don’t intend to be intimate for a hundred days.” 

“So, you really only came to confess?” 

“The moment I realized I loved you, I felt like a real person with emotions. I didn’t even have a headache. That’s why I wanted to tell you first.” For Min-hyuk, realizing he was in love was an indescribably significant event. To think he was experiencing love, the pinnacle of emotions! It was the moment he felt certain he could cure his illness. “Ah, I’m sorry. I was preoccupied with my friend’s troubles today and didn’t pay attention to your feelings.” Dan-jung, who had downplayed Min-hyuk’s sincerity, looked at him with apologetic eyes. 

Then, she went up the stairs and gave Min-hyuk a quick kiss on the lips, as an apology. “I think I love you too, sir.” Dan-jung lifted the corners of her lips, displaying her charming smile. Then, Min-hyuk wrapped his arms around Dan-jung’s waist and placed his lips over hers. Since there was no one in the apartment’s emergency exit, Min-hyuk had no qualms about kissing Dan-jung.