The Heiress in Blue - Chapter 39

“Elder brother isn’t here?”

At the part-time worker’s words, Yeo Reum left the store and entered the elevator.

San Ha, who she briefly saw every morning, was nowhere to be seen even after 3 PM.

‘I don’t want to leave work like this…….’

Yeo Reum sighed, looking down at the eco-bag in her hand.

But there was no other way.

Yeo Reum exited the elevator and headed towards the exit.

At that moment, she saw a familiar sedan pull up and stop.

Thinking it was San Ha’s car, she rushed over.

As the driver’s door opened, a man in his 20s wearing a black suit emerged from the large frame.

“Ah, hello. I’m the director’s secretary, Choi Seung Hoon.”

He greeted Yeo Reum as if he knew her.

“Hello. But where is San Ha……?”

The back door remained shut.

“The director is at the hospital right now.”

“……Hospital? Why? Is he sick?”

Yeo Reum asked a series of questions, and Secretary Choi answered.

“The director isn’t sick. He’s visiting a friend.”

“Ah…….”

Seeing Yeo Reum barely relieved, Secretary Choi said,

“Would you like to go to the hospital?”

“Can I go?”

“I think the director would like that.”

“Then, I must go!”

He smiled and opened the back door.

“Please get in.”

“Thank you.”

As Yeo Reum sat in the back seat, Secretary Choi returned to the driver’s seat and started the car.

She could feel him glancing at her through the rearview mirror but pretended not to notice.

The sedan arrived at Kyungdong Hospital.

This familiar hospital was also where her father had been hospitalized.

“Is San Ha’s friend admitted here?”

Yeo Reum asked as they entered the lobby.

“Yes.”

“They must be really close friends.”

Last time he said he was at the hospital too. It must be here.

“That’s right.”

“Then can you wait for a moment?”

“Why is that?”

“How can I go empty-handed? I need to buy something.”

Before Secretary Choi could stop her, Yeo Reum ran to the escalator.

As it was a large general hospital, there was a food court and a mart in the basement.

Yeo Reum picked out the most expensive-looking fruit basket from the mart shelf and came out.

“What is it?”

For some reason, Secretary Choi gave an awkward smile.

“Does he not like fruit?”

“No, that’s not it. Please give it to me. I’ll carry it.”

Secretary Choi took the basket and led the way.

As he pressed the button in the VIP elevator, he said,

“Actually, the director might scold me.”

“Why?”

“For being nosy. But I’ll only think about what makes our director happy.”

He smiled at Yeo Reum.

It was a somewhat cryptic remark.

The place Secretary Choi led her to was also familiar.

The VIP ward.

It was near the room where her father had been.

He approached the nursing desk familiarly and asked,

“The director is still in the room, right?”

“Yes.”

They glanced at Yeo Reum who had come with Secretary Choi.

“Let’s go.”

Following Secretary Choi’s guidance, Yeo Reum headed towards the room.

“But doesn’t she look familiar?”

A young nurse tilted her head, looking at Yeo Reum walking to the room.

“I think so too. Where have we seen her?”

As the nurses pondered, Secretary Choi knocked on the door.

“Please go in.”

“Thank you.”

He handed her the fruit basket and bowed politely once more.

Yeo Reum took a short breath and entered the room.

“You’re here?”

San Ha, sitting in a chair in front of the bed, spoke without looking.

“Yes.”

At Yeo Reum’s reply, his head immediately turned back.

He was holding a newspaper in his hand.

“How did you get here, Magpie?”

He seemed startled.

“By chance.”

Smiling brightly, she approached the bed.

However, the patient in the hospital gown, the room’s occupant, showed no reaction.

She thought he might be asleep, but upon closer look, his condition was far from ordinary.

His excessively pale face, thin body, and the numerous medical devices around him seemed to attest to his serious condition.

Seeing Yeo Reum’s bewilderment, San Ha spoke,

“This is my friend, Jin Hae Il. And Hae Il, this is Magpie.”

San Ha cast aside his momentary confusion and introduced them with a nonchalant expression.

Therefore, Yeo Reum also quickly regained her composure.

She approached Hae Il and said,

“Nice to meet you, Hae Il. I’m Jung Yeo Reum. San Ha and I are seeing each other on good terms.”

“When did we ever?”

San Ha immediately retorted, but Yeo Reum continued with a grin,

“We are seeing each other. To be exact, we’re friends but not quite friends.”

San Ha was dumbfounded, but Yeo Reum brazenly introduced herself.

“Hae Il, you must be tall and extremely handsome because you’re San Ha’s friend.”

“Does Magpie like handsome men too?”

“Of course. That’s why I fell head over heels for San Ha.”

Yeo Reum giggled.

She wanted to dispel the heavy and gloomy atmosphere that had settled in this hospital room.

“Hae Il, please understand even if Magpie is noisy.”

“What’s wrong with my voice? I’m practically a nightingale.”

“Who’s calling you a nightingale?”

“Here. Right here!”

Yeo Reum laughed even louder.

She placed the fruit basket on the nearby drawer and brought a chair to sit next to San Ha.

“Why didn’t you come to the cafe today? Did you not crave grapefruit ade?”

“That’s right.”

“Let’s say that’s the case. Didn’t you miss me?”

“I didn’t miss you at all.”

Yeo Reum hit San Ha’s arm.

“Ouch. Why did you hit me?”

“Your hateful mouth.”

San Ha looked at the pouting Yeo Reum and said indignantly,

“Can’t I speak my mind?”

“Now that I think about it, you’re right.”

Yeo Reum immediately concurred, nodding her head.

“But why aren’t you asking?”

“About what?”

“Things like Hae Il’s diagnosis or how he got like this. I thought you’d be curious.”

“It might be difficult for you to answer.”

San Ha said,

“Hae Il was in a traffic accident. His official diagnosis is a vegetative state. It’s been 6 years in this condition.”

“……I see.”

“This guy who never slept won’t wake up at all. But I believe he will definitely wake up.”

“You’re right. He will. Hae Il will definitely shake it off and wake up.”

“It’s really funny.”

“What is?”

Yeo Reum looked at San Ha.

“Most people who know Hae Il say he’s dead, but you, who are seeing him for the first time, say he’ll wake up.”

“He will wake up. For sure.”

“How are you so certain?”

Yeo Reum smiled and said,

“I believe there’s nothing stronger than a person’s earnest wish. Can I hold Hae Il’s hand for a bit?”

San Ha nodded.

Yeo Reum carefully grasped his thin hand.

He really resembled her father who had been in the hospital bed.

That’s why her heart went out to him even more.

She could feel his warm body temperature.

“You’re right, San Ha. Hae Il didn’t go anywhere. He’s here.”

“What?”

“Hae Il wants to wake up soon too, but it seems a bit difficult. But he must be trying hard. Of course, when his friend is waiting so anxiously. I can see it all.”

Just like our father.

San Ha chuckled.

“It’s true. Look at the tension in his brow. Right, Hae Il?”

He gave no response.

But Yeo Reum, leaning towards him and putting her ear close, said,

“He says I’m right.”

“Hae Il said that?”

“Yes. And he says San Ha, you should quickly fall for the lovely Magpie.”

Looking down at Hae Il, San Ha said,

“Sorry, Hae Il. Magpie is a bit out of it.”

“I’m telling you it’s true. And I guarantee that starting today, Hae Il’s luck has turned.”

“What?”

“Because I came here.”

Yeo Reum shrugged.

“So what?”

“My, you don’t know? When a magpie cries, good news comes.”

“Isn’t it that a welcome guest arrives?”

“That’s right too, but good news comes. But not only is a magpie crying, I personally came all the way here. Now Hae Il will wake up soon.”

San Ha laughed again.

“It’s not a joke. When I was young, all the neighborhood grandmas told me. They said I have a truly blessed face. And those words were true. Even when I fell, I found money, and while swimming in the sea, I found money floating by.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m telling you. Of course, I donated half of that money to the underprivileged and used the other half to buy tteokbokki. Just by looking at me, my whole body is completely auspicious. Auspicious. The man who gets me will have great fortune.”

Seeing Yeo Reum’s sparkling eyes, San Ha burst into laughter again.

“What, you don’t seem to believe me.”

He barely stifled his laughter and said,

“No. I believe you.”

San Ha chuckled.

Yeo Reum pouted for a moment and then stood up.

She tore off the plastic wrap on the basket and took out a strawberry.

“I have no ulterior motive.”

“Don’t sulk. I’m going to give this to Hae Il.”

Yeo Reum washed the biggest and freshest strawberry and brought it close to Hae Il’s nose.

The refreshing scent quickly spread around.

“What are you doing now?”

“What else? Hae Il is smelling the strawberry.”

Yeo Reum said, slightly waving the strawberry in front of Hae Il’s nose.

“I read in a book before that the sense of smell is much more sensitive than taste.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Olfactory cells regenerate constantly on a 30-day cycle. And this olfactory system can directly signal not only the brain region but also the regions of emotion and memory. Hae Il will definitely smell this strawberry scent and be reminded of spring. Then he might also recall memories of happily enjoying spring with you, San Ha. Wouldn’t that make him want to jump up and wake up even more?”

San Ha chuckled.

“Does it sound like I’m talking nonsense?”

“No. I believe you.”

“Right?”

“Yeah. And among fruits, Hae Il likes strawberries the most.”

Yeo Reum replied with a bright smile.

“That’s fortunate.”

“You’re good at guessing too, Magpie.”

“That’s right.”

Then Yeo Reum suddenly poked San Ha’s forearm with her left index finger.

“Why?”

“No, just checking if what’s mine is still there.”

“Since when did this arm become yours? I’ll say it again, we’re not like that.”

Yeo Reum poked harder with her index finger.

Wincing in pain, San Ha dodged to the side.

“Ah, why do you keep poking?”

“Because you keep saying hateful things.”

San Ha rubbed his arm and said with a slight frown,

“Violent Magpie.”

As Yeo Reum raised her middle finger along with her index finger, San Ha quickly shook his head and said,

“No. Pretty Magpie. Pretty Magpie.”

“Right?”

“Of course. A very pretty and lovely Magpie.”

At those words, Yeo Reum laughed merrily.

“Naturally!”

*

Lying on the bed in her room, Sophia groaned with every movement.

Having done all the dishes and cleanup alone yesterday, there wasn’t a part of her that didn’t hurt.

Then the door opened and Ha Eun entered.

She must have come straight from work again.

“I heard you made quite a spectacle yesterday, elder sister.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were utterly humiliated in front of your friends, and on top of that, you did all the after-party cleanup alone. Is that right?”

Sophia didn’t answer.

“Is it true? Do you have no self-respect, elder sister? What the heck, like a maid.”

“You think I did it because I wanted to?”

That wretched Jung Yeo Reum threw all my things outside, so what else could I do!

But she couldn’t bring herself to say those words out of wounded pride.

“I thought you were from a noble family, but you’re good at doing lowly chores, elder sister. I see you in a new light.”

Ha Eun, who had come to either comfort or mock her, left the room.

She was already so irritated she could die, and even her sister-in-law twisted the knife.

Just then, her cell phone beeped briefly.

Straining to move her heavy arm, she checked the message.

It was from her friends’ group chat.

「 I thought Sophia was the wife of a PR group owner, but it turns out she’s living with her in-laws. 」

Sophia’s hand holding the phone trembled.

「 Her husband was demoted to a deputy manager, not even a director. And the sister-in-law was demoted to a regular employee. 」

「 It’s all because they messed with Chairman Kang Ju Hwa’s granddaughter. I confirmed it all. 」

「 And yet she acted like a chaebol madam in front of us. Is Sophia crazy or what? 」

「 She’s actually a freeloader living at her aunt’s house. 」

She flung her phone.

She was so angry her whole body felt like it would burst.

“……I won’t let this go. Jung Yeo Reum, I absolutely won’t let you get away with this!”

Sophia screamed, pounding the bed with her fists.