Chapter 5: The Accidental Kiss
954 Words
Friday marked the end of a long workweek, and Jihyun had diligently prepared for her day at the office. Standing at the entrance of her boss's domain, she was absorbed in a FaceTime conversation with Minjun, using a borrowed mobile phone from the daycare caretakers. Minjun scrutinised her casual attire, questioning her strategy to captivate Mr. Gu and ultimately make him a father figure to him. Jihyun, however, remained undeterred.
"Trust me, Minjun," she reassured him with a smile. "I won't resort to cheap tricks. I'll win him over genuinely, and it won't take long."
Unbeknownst to Jihyun, Mr. Gu was within earshot. He paused, his expression unreadable, before delivering a cutting remark. "Shortcuts require beauty, and you're... well, you're no beauty queen. It won't be so easy for you." His words hung in the air like an icy draft, and without so much as a smile, he retreated into his office.
Jihyun ended the call, momentarily taken aback. She questioned her allure, then swiftly dismissed the doubt. "I'm captivating," she affirmed, bolstering her confidence. She took a deep breath and focused on her work, determined not to let Mr. Gu's comment affect her.
The day passed swiftly, and as the clock struck six, the office hummed with the bustle of staff departing. Jihyun was ready to leave when Martin rushed to her desk, his expression stern. "Did I give you permission to leave?" he asked.
Bewildered, Jihyun listened as he elaborated, "Mr. Gu is intoxicated, and Geon is stuck in traffic. You'll need to assist him."
Jihyun hesitated, concealing her annoyance. "I need this job," she reminded herself, taking a calming breath. "Of course, Mr. Martin. I'll take care of him."
Entering Mr. Gu's office, she found him in a state of disarray, his usual composure replaced with tipsy nonchalance. He was slumped in his chair, his tie askew, and a half-empty glass of whiskey on his desk. "Mr. Gu, let me help you," she offered, approaching him cautiously.
He waved her off, slurring his words. "I'm fine, just... just need a moment." As he gestured, he accidentally sent the glass of water she offered tumbling onto his shirt. Jihyun hurriedly grabbed a paper towel, dabbing at his shirt. "Why the hands-on approach?" he mumbled, his eyes meeting hers.
Seizing the moment, Jihyun asked, "Mr. Gu, do you believe I'm not one for shortcuts?"
His gaze intensified, and he murmured, "You vanished after that night... so reckless."
Confused, Jihyun leaned in, trying to decipher his words. "What night are you talking about, Mr. Gu?"
Suddenly, their lips met, and she recoiled, delivering a stinging slap. "Mr. Gu, I have a child," she declared, her voice firm.
His eyes flickered with a semblance of sobriety. "You should respect boundaries. I'm inebriated, you're not," he retorted, standing up.
"My child is five. I've seen bodies like yours before," she countered, her voice steady.
He lifted his shirt, revealing a muscular frame and a distinctive scar on the left side of his stomach. "Does this look like the body of a five-year-old?" he challenged, a hint of pride in his voice.
Jihyun's eyes widened, her mind racing. "That scar... it's the same as the man from five years ago," she thought, her heart pounding. Could Mr. Gu be the stranger from her past? The man she had shared a passionate night with before he vanished without a trace?
Geon's arrival interrupted their tense exchange. He escorted Mr. Gu out, leaving Jihyun in a whirlwind of thoughts. As they rode home, Mr. Gu's fingers absentmindedly traced his lips, recalling the kiss he had shared with his secretary. Geon, noticing his employer's preoccupation, inquired, "Do you need a lip balm, sir?"
Mr. Gu's response was curt. "Focus on the road, Geon." His eyes, gradually clearing from their drunken haze, held a newfound awareness that sent a shiver down his spine. He couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something familiar about Jihyun, something that tugged at the edges of his memory.
Back in the office, Jihyun stood alone, her mind echoing with unanswered questions. The scar, the kiss, the past—it all swirled around her. As she gathered her belongings, her eyes fell upon a photograph on Mr. Gu's desk. It was a casual snap, but something about the setting sent a jolt of recognition through her. The suspense gnawed at her as she realised the photo was taken at the very hotel where her one-night stand occurred. Coincidence, or something more?
Just then, her phone buzzed with an unknown number. She answered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hello?"
The line crackled with static, and a faint, distorted voice echoed through the receiver. "Stay away from Jong Gu," it warned, sending a chill down her spine. The call ended abruptly, leaving Jihyun in stunned silence.
The suspense thickened, and she knew—this was only the beginning. She needed answers, and she was determined to uncover the truth, no matter what it took. Little did she know, her quest for the truth would lead her down a path of secrets, lies, and a past that refused to stay buried.
As she left the office, the city lights flickered around her, casting long shadows that seemed to dance with the weight of her newfound suspicions. She hailed a cab, her mind racing with questions and doubts. The cab driver, noticing her preoccupation, asked, "Where to, miss?"
Jihyun hesitated, her gaze fixed on the distant skyline. "Just take me to the daycare," she said, her voice filled with determination. "Let me pick my child."
As the cab pulled away, suspense hung heavy in the air, making Jihyun overwhelmed. She braced herself for the journey that lay ahead.
- Writer
