Tangled Paths
719 Words
Hanuel walked through the bustling market, her small list clutched in her hand:
Flour… sugar… milk… butter… chocolate chips.
She needed everything for tomorrow’s orders.
Her shopping bag was already full, yet she had more to get.
Across the market, Chang Wook adjusted his camera, filming clips for his company content. His focus was sharp… until he saw her.
Hanuel.
Her soft hair, her quiet steps, the way she balanced her overflowing bag — it pulled his attention without thought.
She didn’t see him. She moved forward, trying to balance everything — and one of the nylon bags tore.
Everything tumbled to the ground.
“Ah…” Hanuel froze.
Before she could bend down, a hand reached out, lifting the flour.
She looked up.
Chang Wook.
Cold eyes. Sharp expression. Yet the way he helped her… gentle, careful.
Chang Wook:
“You should double-bag next time.”
Hanuel blinked, quickly looking away.
Hanuel:
“Thanks… but you don’t have to.”
He ignored her words, picking up each item and placing it in a spare bag he grabbed from a nearby stall.
She watched silently.
When he finished, he dusted his hands.
Chang Wook:
“Are you hurt?”
Hanuel (shaking her head):
“No.”
He adjusted the bag so it wouldn’t fall again.
Hanuel took a small step back.
Hanuel:
“Chang Wook… don’t do that next time.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Do what?”
Hanuel:
“Help me like this… so you won’t think later that it was a mistake.”
Something flickered in his eyes — unreadable, but potent.
Chang Wook dropped his hand to his side.
Chang Wook:
“…If I see you about to fall again, I’ll still help.”
Hanuel swallowed, looking away.
Hanuel:
“Don’t. I don’t want…”
She didn’t finish. She picked up her bag and walked past him quietly.
Chang Wook watched her go.
He didn’t call her name.
He didn’t follow.
He went to grab his camera from the nearby stall to continue filming, unaware it was still recording.
As he moved and stared after Hanuel, the camera kept capturing her walking away, every step, every gesture — the moment immortalized without either of them realizing it.
Footsteps in the Past
Chang Wook sat at his office desk, scrolling through the footage from the market.
Hanuel’s careful steps, the bag falling, his hand reaching out to help — he paused on the clip.
His chest tightened. The moment unsettled him… familiar yet new.
The office door creaked open.
Voice:
“Baby… Eun Wook? Brother, he’s here.”
Chang Wook froze.
His eyes reddened. He swallowed hard.
He turned slowly — and his gaze landed on Euntak.
Silence filled the room.
Chang Wook (deep, controlled):
“Don’t play with me. We’re not in the past.”
Euntak (softly, trying calm):
“Can’t you offer your brother a seat?”
Chang Wook:
“Can you politely step out yourself?”
Euntak’s eyes glistened, but he forced them down.
He opened his mouth, closed it again.
The air between them was heavy with unspoken history.
Euntak:
“You good?”
Chang Wook (cold, gritted):
“You’re in no position to ask that. Get out. Now.”
Euntak nodded slowly.
Euntak:
“Just wanted to say hi… will surely see you around.”
He turned and left.
Chang Wook ran to the bathroom, locked the door, and let the tears fall freely.
⸻
Outside — Euntak’s Car
Euntak sat quietly, hands gripping the steering wheel.
He didn’t know how to handle the flood of feelings.
Tears slipped down his face.
He pulled out his phone and dialed.
Hanuel’s Mom:
“Son?”
Euntak:
“Mom…”
Hanuel’s Mom:
“What’s wrong? Your voice sounds strange.”
Euntak (forcing calm):
“Nothing, mum. I just miss you.”
Hanuel’s Mom:
“I miss you too.”
Euntak:
“Mum… any idea about Mr. and Mrs. Ahn? Son and daughter?”
Hanuel’s Mom (panicking slightly):
“It came out of the blue… what’s wrong?”
Euntak:
“Nothing, mom. My mind just wandered, that’s why I asked.”
Hanuel’s Mom:
“Oh… don’t think about it too much, I’m to blame.”
Euntak:
“Let’s not go there, mom.”
The call ended.
Euntak leaned back, silent.
The scene slowly faded.
- Writer
