94. Dojun & Hae-joo Epilogue (8)

“You told me to wipe the champagne, Dojun.”

Dojun was furious at Hae-joo’s unexpected and audacious behavior. He was already fully aroused, and if he didn’t find a way to release it, he might just lose his mind.

“You’re going to be the death of me, truly.”

He caressed the hem of Hae-joo’s dress. His champagne-soaked shirt should have been uncomfortable, but he had no time to notice such things. Dojun was currently a wild beast, utterly beside himself. Each time his instincts were provoked, he let out seductive moans, tempting Hae-joo.

“I’m really looking forward to this. All because of you, Hae-joo.”

As if there was nothing more to hear, Dojun removed everything but the dress from Hae-joo’s body. He bit and consumed Hae-joo’s lips, launching his counterattack. Hae-joo’s playful game, which began as a simple prank, had turned into a dangerous fire. Dojun’s already feverish body was now covered in sweat. Their private party was primal. It reached a climax, as if they were playing a game, and their breath hitched in their throats.

“Are we doing this without any preparation?”

“We’re a married couple. What’s wrong with that between us?”

Hae-joo, unable to overcome the joy that tightened her whole body, admired his secretive demeanor. Even in a strange place, Dojun was miraculously beautiful and radiant.

“It’s amazing how a person can go crazy from being too happy.”

The same was true for Hae-joo. The love she had received was so immense that she now wished to live for Dojun. While she might be “crazy” now, it was different from the past. Just as Dojun said, if she could go crazy from happiness, she wanted to do anything for him.

“I’m also madly happy because I have you.”

“Thank you for coming today, Hae-joo.”

“Don’t you have any other wishes?”

“This is enough for me.”

To Dojun, Hae-joo was an absolute presence. Even now, as they made love, her flushed cheeks were incredibly lovely. After their breathing calmed down, he lay on top of Hae-joo.

“I want more.”

It was a night too good to end like this. However, they had told the nanny they would be back before midnight, so time was pressing. Night was already deepening. He, who couldn’t let go of Hae-joo, reluctantly got up.

“This won’t do. Let’s continue at home.”

At that exact moment, his son, who had been suffering from a high fever due to a cold, came to mind. Dojun, with a father’s responsibility etched into his very bones, got out of bed. He left the hotel with Hae-joo, tears welling up in his eyes. Director Song had already been sent home, so the two took a taxi back home.

“Son, Daddy’s home!”

Hyun was ecstatic to see his mom and dad and rushed to hug them. Dojun showered his chubby cheeks with kisses, reveling in his affection. After sending the nanny home, the two took turns washing up. Unfortunately, Hyun, who had taken a late afternoon nap, showed no signs of sleeping even after midnight. Eventually, Dojun fell asleep first. By the time Hae-joo finally put Hyun to bed, it was useless to wake Dojun up.

“I knew it.”

Hae-joo couldn’t help but laugh when she thought of the provocation that started at the party and continued to the hotel. Dojun, still young and full of vigor, had become such a doting father. The sleeping faces of Hyun and Dojun overlapped in Hae-joo’s vision. After quietly admiring the father and son, she too soon fell asleep.

________________________________________

Hyun was already nearing four years old. Dojun, who had opened his laptop in the study, witnessed an unbelievable sight.

“Oh no!”

In the short time he had turned away, his son had worked his magic. Literally, he had scribbled all over the brand new white laptop with a marker, making it a mess. He had left work early, intending to send an important email. But whatever Hyun had done, the power wouldn’t even turn on.

“Park Hyun!”

Dojun, his voice stern, called out to his son, who was running around confusedly. Hyun, with a face as fair as Hae-joo’s and Dojun’s features perfectly imprinted, seemed utterly oblivious.

“Didn’t Daddy tell you not to touch his laptop?”

“Hyunnie didn’t do it!”

“Then who did this?”

“Baby.”

“What?”

“Uncle Haneul said the baby did it.”

Dojun’s head throbbed at the child’s nonsensical explanation. He was so dumbfounded by the sight of the little soul pouting after a slight scolding that he couldn’t speak. And why was he so cute? It was impossible to discipline him.

“There’s no Uncle Haneul.”

“Yes, there is!”

“Don’t be stubborn.”

“The baby did it!”

“But Hyun is the only baby here?”

“Hyunnie isn’t a baby.”

Dojun had no idea that arguing with his three-year-old son could be so agonizing. He used to eagerly await Hyun’s first words, but now that they could converse, it was incredibly exhausting. Last time, when Chairman Park saw Hyun talking back to his father, he said:

‘Try raising a son just like you. Then you’ll understand how I felt.’

Yijun was quiet even as a child. Dojun, on the other hand, reportedly beat up all the neighborhood kids and talked back whenever he was scolded. He suddenly felt a chill, wondering if Hyun would be like that too.

“Our Hyunnie needs to listen to Mommy and Daddy, right?”

“Daddy, I love you!”

It was truly maddening. If there was one thing different about Hyun from young Dojun, it was his charm. When he showered them with love, their hearts melted, and discipline became impossible. Dojun unknowingly knelt down, embracing the plump, small body and returning his son’s declaration of love.

“Daddy loves you too, Hyunnie.”

Hae-joo had recently finished filming a new movie. She came out after showering and peeked her head into Dojun’s study.

“Did Hyun cause trouble again?”

“He messed up my laptop.”

“Oh dear, what should we do!”

“Uncle Haneul said the baby did it, but I have no idea what he means.”

“Did he dream it?”

“Dream?”

Come to think of it, Yijun hadn’t appeared in his dreams for the past few years. He had forgotten, being busy with life, and then it hit him. Yijun was supposed to appear in his dreams and make a prophecy for a second child, but it was strange. Even putting aside the baby, he suddenly missed Yijun.

“Use my laptop for now.”

“Okay.”

Dojun exchanged emails with overseas branch managers and then suggested a video conference. A moment later, the faces of Dojun and the overseas branch managers appeared on the laptop monitor. The ethnicities were diverse. Everyone, from branch managers transferred from Korea to local employees, conversed seriously.

“I believe future industries and the global environment go hand in hand. From the very beginning of forming the fund...”

Just then, Hyun slipped between his father’s legs, who was sitting in the chair. He squeezed onto Dojun’s lap, taking up a spot and grinning widely.

“This is why you can’t have meetings at home.”

Everyone burst into laughter at Dojun’s playful complaint. Hae-joo, who had been looking for Hyun to put him to sleep, discovered the scene belatedly and was horrified.

“Hyun!”

As she quickly lifted Hyun, his foot accidentally kicked Dojun’s face. To make matters worse, Hyun refused to go and lay down on the study floor. Helplessly, Hae-joo dragged Hyun out.

“Let’s end the meeting here.”

Having a young child at home meant giving up a lot. Dojun, raising a son just like him, realized that he was by no means a god. He thought he would be wrestling with Hyun to put him to sleep again tonight. But what do you know? The boy presented them with a miracle, falling asleep before 9 PM.

Hae-joo and Dojun also went to bed. They were so exhausted that they fell into a deep sleep as soon as they closed their eyes. Then, Dojun heard a voice that woke him up. Yijun appeared in his blurry vision.

“Yijun?”

“When are you going to call me Hyung (older brother)?”

“Is it really Yijun?”

It was a dream. The difference from his previous dream was that this time, there was a valley before them, like something out of heaven. Yijun, with his hands behind his back, glared at a bewildered Dojun.

“Park Dojun, why do you have that expression?”

“Because I haven’t seen you in a long time.”

“I’ve been a little busy lately.”

“Doing what?”

“Catching fish. It’s really hard.”

“Fish?”

“Speaking of which, wait a moment.”

Yijun abruptly entered the valley. He took off his top and used it as a net. Dojun was dumbfounded by how pathetic and destitute he looked.

“You think you can catch fish like that?”

“Then you try it yourself?”

“Move aside.”

Dojun stomped into the valley. In the clear water, where the bottom was clearly visible, lived small fish of various colors.

“What are you going to do with these fish?”

“To give them to you.”

“No thanks. You take them.”

Dojun cupped his large hands and scooped up a school of fish. After a few attempts, he caught two small, shimmering fish.

“Caught them. Take them!”

Dojun held out his cupped hands with the fish. But Yijun smiled brightly and pushed the hands that had come towards him back.

“These are yours.”

“We don’t even have a fish tank at home.”

“Why wouldn’t you have a fish tank?”

“What?”

“Raise them well again this time.”

“Hey, Yijun!”

Yijun, leaving an inexplicable message, scattered like the wind. Dojun instinctively came out of the valley, trying not to drop the fish in his hands.

________________________________________

It was a fish he had never seen before. Its light-infused appearance was so lovely that it brought an involuntary smile to his face. Then he woke up from the dream.

“It was a dream.”

The image of the fish he had just seen was vivid. It was too clear to be just a dream, so he unconsciously stared at his two hands. He still couldn’t believe if this was reality.

“Is it a conception dream?”

At a rustling sound, Hae-joo turned onto her side. She seemed to have woken up and started to grumble.

“Why are you talking to yourself so much while sleeping?”

“Hae-joo, this isn’t the time for us to sleep.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Let’s do it now.”

“Are you crazy?”

“It’s just something.”

Dojun abruptly climbed on top of Hae-joo. Although sudden, he felt like this was the only chance. Hae-joo, who was slightly annoyed, also woke up, not understanding what was happening. Whatever whim had taken over him, their gradually relaxing relationship flared up with the same passion as at the beginning.

And so, the weekend passed. Dojun, unable to contain the lingering feeling, even called Hae-joo out in the middle of the day during work and went to a hotel. As if they were having a secret affair, the two poured their souls into soothing their yearning bodies.

Then, one day, Hae-joo’s menstrual cycle changed. Just in case, she took a pregnancy test, and two clear lines appeared.

“Dojun, I think I’m pregnant.”

“Hae-joo.”

“Yes?”

“If you want to hit me, hit me.”

“Why suddenly?”

“You said no second child. But I want to have this one.”

“Of course, we have to have it. It’s our baby.”

The next day, the couple visited Hyunwoo’s hospital. They underwent the examination with a more relaxed mind than with Hyun, but heard unbelievable news.

“If you look at the ultrasound, there’s one here, and another one here, right?”

“Yes.”

“They’re fraternal twins.”

“Twins?”

“Recent tests showed that you, the mother, had some polycystic ovaries, which seems to have led to this result.”

An impossible thing had happened. He asked Hyunwoo again and again, but the answer remained consistent.

“Congratulations to both of you!”

After the consultation, Hae-joo walked out of the hospital, utterly dazed. Dojun, standing before her, couldn’t laugh freely and tightly clasped her hands.

“I’m the sinner, aren’t I?”

“Of course. You love me so much that it looks like I’ll be raising three kids.”

“Should I kneel and beg?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“I’ll let it slide, because Dojun is our family’s hero.”

After a peaceful pregnancy, Hae-joo gave birth to twins by surgery. Thanks to that, they gained two little princesses at once. Dojun, unable to contain his joy, held the babies in his arms and whispered a prayer.

“May I be a god for Hae-joo and our children until I die.”

As Hae-joo said, Dojun truly was becoming a god. He loved Hae-joo more than anyone and was devoted to his children. In the distant future, when his life ended and he closed his eyes, he wanted to say this:

That love was everything to him.

-Dojun & Hae-joo Epilogue End-