SELA - Extra 8

“Ah, no. I was just lost in thought. I’ll do it.”

Worried that he might ask again, Sa-hee quickly brought the spoon to Ji-hee’s lips. Busy playing with her hands, Ji-hee readily ate the white baby food, completely unaware of her mother’s turmoil.

She didn’t quite remember how that day had passed. Ji-hyuk didn’t come home for lunch due to his busy schedule. It was a truly fortunate thing for Sa-hee, who didn’t know how she should face him right now.

Sa-hee looked down at Ji-hee, who had eaten her fill for dinner and fallen asleep early. Her face was angelic, washing away all worries. Sa-hee quietly reached out and stroked her plump cheek before gently patting the baby’s full belly.

[I’ll be late tonight due to overtime]

[Don’t wait up again, go to sleep first]

Ji-hyuk’s text message from late afternoon flashed through her mind. Was the company matter he had rushed out for last night still not resolved? Is that why he was late again the very next day?

Hoo, Sa-hee couldn’t hide her sigh and rubbed her dry face. She changed the lighting temperature and quietly left the baby’s room, muffling her footsteps. For some reason, the house felt cold.

“......”

Sa-hee’s face was dark as she walked listlessly and sat on the living room sofa.

An affair.

Could it really be? Was it possible? Ji-hyuk-ssi, not anyone else? That Shin Ji-hyuk?

They were two people who had defied death and time to meet each other. How could a relationship and a heart that had sacrificed so much change so easily? It was unbelievable.

The traces of women’s cosmetics on his shirt, the unfamiliar perfume scent, even the new clothes that weren’t his. The unfolding situation, which she couldn’t possibly ignore, crushed Sa-hee’s heart.

But. But still. She wanted to believe Ji-hyuk. She felt like she couldn’t bear it otherwise, and more than anything, she had said she trusted Ji-hyuk. That he was someone who would never disappoint her.

For the sake of the Shin Ji-hyuk and Yoon Sa-hee of the past who had struggled so desperately, she had to reach out to him one more time. Yes, she had to. In the end, this was the conclusion Sa-hee reached.

Sa-hee’s body, which had been huddled and swaying with her head buried in her knees, stopped abruptly. Lifting her head, she stood up as if determined and headed to the kitchen.

“What should I do?”

What were the things Ji-hyuk liked, and what food would be good for him to eat simply? Sa-hee, deciding to pack him a lunch box, fell into thought. Having only made baby food for Ji-hee for a while, her mind was slow to come up with a menu.

The menu she finally decided on was simple sandwiches, a drink, and coffee. She had considered preparing a proper meal, but it was already past dinner time, and Ji-hyuk was a picky eater. She decided that sandwiches, which he could eat a bite or two of and put down, would be suitable.

Once the menu was decided, making the food was quick. She packed the sandwiches and even brewed coffee for the tired him, putting it in a thermos. Just in case, she also brewed a clear tea and put it in another bottle.

Having finished preparing, Sa-hee changed into a neat dress and got ready to go out. The face in the mirror looked somehow full of tension, so she tried to force the corners of her mouth up. But it was in vain. It looked utterly awkward.

“I can’t bear to look at it.”

Forced acting was a no-go. If the atmosphere worsened in this situation, she wouldn’t be able to handle it. Sa-hee resolved to just act naturally as she was.

Sa-hee entrusted Ji-hee to the housekeeper and headed straight to the company. As she got out of the taxi, a cold, sharp wind blew, fluttering her skirt hem. Because of the late hour, there were hardly any people at the entrance or in the lobby. Most had probably gone home.

The elevator quickly went up, taking her to the 36th floor where Ji-hyuk was.

Ding-dong, the doorbell sounded, and the doors opened. Sa-hee straightened up from leaning against the wall and stepped out of the elevator. Turning to the right, she saw the executive director’s office door ahead. Just then, Secretary Hong was about to enter the office.

Sa-hee, standing in front of the executive director’s office, stopped abruptly. She probably didn’t feel like going in while they were discussing work. Checking the time on her wrist, Sa-hee decided to wait a bit until Secretary Hong came out.

She waited for quite a while. Even though a considerable amount of time had passed, Secretary Hong didn’t come out. Checking the time again, she realized that more than 15 minutes had passed. What kind of report took this long? Even though she had worked as a secretary, it was puzzling.

“Oh? You’re here.”

Just then, Secretary Hong opened the door and appeared. Her long hair was down, and her smiling face with crinkled eyes was pretty.

“Yes. It’s been a while.”

“Yes. You look even more beautiful than before.”

She had felt it before, but Secretary Hong had a truly affable personality.

“What’s that in your hand... did you pack a lunch box?”

“I thought he might be hungry.”

“Wow, as expected. The executive director will be pleased.”

“Haha...”

“Do you have one for me too?”

Secretary Hong, who had thrown out a joke, approached Sa-hee. Feeling inwardly burdened, Sa-hee tried to step back. At that moment.

“Huh...?”

Sa-hee’s neural circuits froze.

“What’s wrong? Are you alright?”

Secretary Hong met Sa-hee’s gaze as if checking her complexion. Sa-hee’s eyes wavered anxiously. Sa-hee, covering her mouth with one hand, turned her head away. She didn’t want her trembling face and bursting emotions to be seen.

“Are you not feeling well? Your complexion...”

It was that scent. The unfamiliar scent she had smelled on Ji-hyuk’s clothes, definitely not his. That strange perfume scent was emanating from none other than Secretary Hong.

As Secretary Hong approached, placing a hand on Sa-hee’s arm with concern, the scent became even clearer. It was precise and unmistakable. It was the scent of unhappiness that had driven Sa-hee to tears and despair last night.

“Yesterday...”

“Yes?”

“What did you do yesterday?”

“Yes?”

She knew it was a sudden question. She also knew that Secretary Hong had no reason to answer personal questions. Nevertheless, she couldn’t stop the question that burst from her lips.

Sa-hee, having blurted out her flowing thoughts, looked at Secretary Hong. Secretary Hong gave a forced smile, looking slightly embarrassed.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“I’m asking what you did last night.”

Secretary Hong’s smile became even more awkward at Sa-hee’s stiff attitude.

“Do I have to answer that?”

You don’t have to. But.

“If there’s a reason I should hear it.”

Finally, the smile disappeared from Secretary Hong’s face.

“No, it’s alright. Ji-hyuk-ssi is inside.”

“......Yes.”

As Sa-hee tried to move, Secretary Hong, who had already taken the lead, opened the door first. As she passed by her while entering the executive director’s office, the perfume scent wafted by once more. Her stomach churned instantly.

As the door opened, Ji-hyuk raised his head. His indifferent face, buried in documents, showed a slightly surprised look.

“Sa-hee-yah.”

“......”

“What brings you here?”

He smiled as if to melt her and got up from his seat. Ji-hyuk, walking around the spacious desk, approached and sat on the sofa. Sa-hee suppressed the urge to open the closed door and run out, and moved her feet.

“Dinner?”

“I ate.”

“Oh, I see.”

Ji-hyuk, looking up at Sa-hee who answered dryly, gestured with his eyes towards the empty spot on the sofa. It meant for her to sit down. Sa-hee placed the lunch bag, which she had been clutching so tightly that her fingernails were digging into her palm, on the table. Sitting down felt somehow awkward.

“Why.”

“......”

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“No.”

Sa-hee, biting the inside of her cheek, sat down. Ji-hyuk stared intently at her face.

“What’s wrong with your face?”

“What’s wrong with my face?”

“You look completely fed up.”

“That can’t be.”

“Are you not feeling well somewhere?”

“I’m fine.”

It was a quick and perfunctory answer. Ji-hyuk looked at her silently for a moment before smiling again.

“What’s that?”

A lunch bag was placed where he gestured with his head. Sa-hee moved her stiff body and opened the bag. A neat lunch box and a thermos came out.

“You said you’d be working late. I prepared this in case you were hungry.”

“You must be tired. Thank you.”

Sa-hee, not giving a particular answer, opened the lid and pushed the sandwich lunch box towards him.

“Aren’t you going to eat with me?”

“I don’t feel like it. You eat.”

Hmm, Ji-hyuk made a sound and looked at her before biting into a sandwich. What had looked just right in Sa-hee’s hand looked adorably small, like baby food, in his large hand.

“I was cursing about being worked like a dog, but with this kind of treatment, overtime is worth it.”

“......”

“It’s delicious, Sa-hee-yah.”

He smiled.

He smiled. Casually. As if nothing was wrong.

Sa-hee’s insides were rotting, melting, and being crushed. It was almost impossible for her to look him in the eye. If she looked directly at Ji-hyuk, she felt like she would unknowingly ask.