Lost in translation

Chapter 18: Confrontation and Revelation

“Answer me for goodness’ sake!” Evelyn shouted, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her voice cracked with the weight of her emotions. Min-jun tried to calm her, but she was too angry to listen.

“I thought you followed me because you loved me, but it was all wrong. You’re here to seal a deal,” Evelyn accused, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and heartbreak. “I believe you were going to disappear just like before once you were done with the deal.”

Min-jun ran his hand through his hair, avoiding eye contact. “Eve, please—”

“Don’t you dare call my name!” Evelyn interrupted, her voice rising. “When were you going to tell me about your engagement?”

Min-jun opened his mouth to speak, but Evelyn continued, her voice filled with pain. “Why do you keep hurting me? Wasn’t the first time enough? Why did you lie to me just to get intimate with me?”

Min-jun stood up and walked over to Evelyn, his eyes filled with desperation. He pinned her to the wall, holding her hands above her head. “Evelyn, listen to me,” he said, his voice firm but pleading. “I lied about Joen Hani, but my feelings for you have always been true.”

“You’re hurting me,” Evelyn said, her voice breaking. Min-jun released her, and she slapped him across the face, the sound echoing in the room.

“I hate that I love you,” she cried, her tears flowing freely. “I regret the day I met you.”

Min-jun stepped closer, his heart aching at the sight of her pain. “Eve, please, let me explain,” he begged, his voice softening. But Evelyn tried to pull back, her body trembling.

“Leave me alone, Min-jun. You are hurting me,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Min-jun grabbed her and hugged her firmly, his own eyes filling with tears. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered, kissing her forehead. “I never meant to hurt you.”

Evelyn wrapped her arms around his waist, crying into his chest. “Why do you keep hurting me?” she sobbed, her voice muffled.

“I’m sorry,” Min-jun repeated, his voice choked with emotion. Just then, the blackmailer called. Min-jun answered without saying a word. The blackmailer gave them an address and hung up.

Min-jun turned to Evelyn, his face etched with determination. “Take the money and go to the location he mentioned.”

They arrived at the location, an abandoned building. Evelyn got out of the car, her heart pounding. She approached the blackmailer, handing over the money. In return, he gave her a phone and a flash drive containing their pictures.

“Thanks for your cooperation,” the blackmailer sneered, pushing Evelyn aside and running away. Min-jun started to chase after him, but Evelyn stopped him.

“I’m fine,” she said, her voice steady but her eyes still filled with tears.

Min-jun called Tae. “The money was taken. Check the location of the bag and get the police to arrest the man.”

Evelyn got back into the car, waiting for Min-jun to finish his call. As they drove back, Min-jun explained everything, his voice filled with regret and sincerity.

“The only reason Hani and I are engaged is because of a business contract between our families,” he said. “I came to this city to secure a business contract that would replace the Joens’ contract. Their contract has too many unnecessary terms and conditions.”

Evelyn listened, her emotions a mix of relief and confusion. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“I didn’t want to burden you with my problems,” Min-jun admitted, his eyes filled with remorse. “But I see now that I should have been honest with you from the start.”

They both apologized, their voices soft and filled with emotion. Min-jun took Evelyn back to her apartment, respecting her request for some time alone.

Days passed without Evelyn being in touch with Min-jun. It was the last day at work before the winter holiday. As Evelyn walked out of the school gates, she saw Min-jun waiting for her. He tried to greet her, but she rolled her eyes and walked past him.

“Please, Evelyn, give me five minutes of your time,” Min-jun pleaded.

Evelyn hesitated, then nodded. They got into his car, and he drove towards his penthouse. “I don’t want to go to your place. We should talk in the car,” Evelyn insisted.

Min-jun ignored her request and played some music to try and relax the atmosphere. They arrived at his penthouse, and the first thing Evelyn did was open the fridge. She saw her favorite ice cream in bulk and took out a tub, eating it absentmindedly. When Min-jun appeared in front of her, she placed the spoon down.

“I no longer crave the ice cream as much as I did,” she said coldly.

Min-jun sighed. “I’m sorry, Evelyn.”

“Why did you bring me here just to have a five-minute talk?” Evelyn asked, her voice filled with frustration.

Min-jun took her hand and led her to the lounge. They sat down, and he began to speak. “The blackmailer has been caught. He’s yet to be interrogated. The deal I came for has been finalized, and I’ll be going back to Seoul tomorrow evening.”

Evelyn’s heart broke, but she didn’t show it. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“I’m going to break my alliance with Hani. Our engagement was nothing more than business-related,” Min-jun explained, tears rolling down his cheeks. “I would love to spend time with you before I go back to Seoul.”

Evelyn tried her best not to look him in the eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me about your engagement with Hani?”

Min-jun’s voice trembled. “I truly love you, Evelyn. I’m really sorry for not telling you.”

Evelyn stood up and sat on Min-jun’s lap, facing him. She wiped his tears and asked, “Are you really leaving me?”

Min-jun hugged her tightly. “I don’t want to, but I have to.”

Evelyn wiped her own tears. “It’s okay if you’re leaving. We’ll visit each other and keep in touch every day.”

Min-jun looked at her with a mixture of relief and sorrow. “Will you stay with me tonight?”

Evelyn nodded. “Yes, I’ll stay.”

Evelyn ordered food while Min-jun took a shower. When the food arrived, she dished it out, and just as she finished, Min-jun appeared, his hair still damp.

“You’re just on time for dinner,” Evelyn said with a smile.

They sat down and enjoyed their meal together, the atmosphere warm and relaxed. After dinner, they headed to the bedroom. Min-jun turned on the television to watch a movie while Evelyn took a bath.

Evelyn finished her bath and headed to the bedroom, wrapped in a towel. She stood at the door and called out to Min-jun. “I need some clothes.”

Min-jun looked over and grinned. “There’s no need for clothes since we’re about to sleep.”

Evelyn rolled her eyes playfully and walked to the bed. She took off the towel and slipped under the blankets. “At least give me a pair of socks so I don’t freeze to death.”

Min-jun chuckled and handed her his socks. She put them on, and they both tucked themselves in bed, cuddling close.

As they lay there, Min-jun held Evelyn tightly, feeling a sense of peace and contentment. “I’m glad you’re here with me,” he whispered.