Thrilled by Madness - Chapter 77

“Ah, it’s ticklish!”

Near the end of dawn, Do Soon suddenly woke up and kicked off the blanket, getting up from the bed.

Hearing the rustling sound, So Yeon opened her eyes drowsily.

“What’s wrong, are you in pain?”

“No. It doesn’t hurt anymore. I feel really clear-headed, but my ear is really itchy.”

Do Soon rummaged through her bag, found a cotton swab, and said while digging into her ear.

“Is someone talking about me at this early hour?”

“I’m glad it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Ah, that feels good!”

So Yeon, feeling relieved, rested her head on the pillow again and looked askance at Do Soon’s refreshed expression. Do Soon, lying down again, had wide awake eyes as if all traces of sleep had disappeared.

“Are you going to sleep more?”

“No.”

“Me neither.”

Friendly gazes crossed between the parallel beds, looking at each other.

“Since it’s almost morning, let’s be lazy for a bit more before getting up.”

“Yeah.”

Do Soon broke the momentary silence.

“So Yeon. You said you like him a lot, right?”

“Director Tae?”

“Yes. How much do you like the director?”

“I love him indescribably.”

“Then what about the director?”

“…”

…Love.

So Yeon thought for a moment.

Over the course of several months, which felt both long and short, many things had happened with him. She had loved him with her heart fluttering and aching painfully. She had loved him overwhelmingly. Forgetting even the pain, she had loved only Tae Seo Jun.

However.

‘I’m going to be a “fool” too. Only for Eom So Yeon. So that means you can use me as you please.’

‘You said I was your first love. You gave birth to my child, and that qualification is enough. So if there’s anything you want, just say it. I’ll grant everything.’

In his words that seemed to promise everything, there was no mention of love at all. Then does that mean he likes her but doesn’t love her yet? Maybe that’s it?

So Yeon, who could only think that way, shook her head slightly.

“I feel that way, but it seems like the director is trying.”

“What? Love? Can that be achieved through effort?”

“Well. I’m not sure about that either, but I think he might be doing it for Hyun Woo’s sake.”

“You’re living such a difficult life! Sleeping together, living together, that’s love, isn’t it? No one forced him to do it. It’s what the director himself wanted and wished for. Because he loves you, Eom So Yeon.”

It could be true, but unless it’s said, unless it’s heard directly, one can’t know another’s true feelings.

“What if I assume things on my own and later find out it’s not true? How would I handle that disappointment?”

“Look at you! Are you blindly doubting the director’s love, who drips honey from his eyes whenever he sees you, because you’re worried about that? I can see it, why can’t you? I guarantee you, Tae Seo Jun loves Eom So Yeon!”

“Do you really think so?”

“Shhh…!”

Do Soon grinned, making a scared expression by lightly biting her lower lip. Then she nodded her head vigorously.

“That’s how it is!”

So Yeon understood. Even if it wasn’t true, she was trying to plant the power of positivity in her anxious heart.

“Thank you, Do Soon. As expected, you’re the only one who understands my heart.”

“Alright, that’s enough. Let’s sleep for one more hour. I’m suddenly sleepy.”

“Okay. Let’s sleep more.”

So Yeon quietly moved to Do Soon’s bed when she saw the corners of Do Soon’s eyes drooping as she closed them.

“Why… did something happen with the CEO?”

So Yeon patted her friend’s back and asked while sharing Do Soon’s pillow.

“Nothing happened…”

Do Soon had asked Gu Won Hoo if he loved her. She thought if she heard his answer, she might be able to figure out the nature of her wavering heart to some extent. But he kept saying no. So it really wasn’t true.

“The CEO said…”

The lips mumbling crookedly seemed like they might cry at any moment. Just from the shape of those lips, So Yeon could roughly guess what it was about.

“What did he say?”

Do Soon turned over, pulling the blanket over her head, and said,

“…He said we’re not.”

No matter how many times she asked, he adamantly said no.

Why did it have to be that day? The day she left Tae Seo Jun behind by quitting the fan club, it was Gu Won Hoo who filled her empty heart again. The presence of Gu Won Hoo, whom she met in reality, was overwhelming compared to the man of her fantasies she had liked since high school.

But if it’s not him, no regrets! I don’t like him either! Therefore, Gu Won Hoo is a person I should never think about again from today!

Do Soon’s shoulders heaved up and down as she inwardly made this resolution. Just as So Yeon was about to say something…

“Do Soon…!”

As the resentful feelings grew stronger the more she thought about it, Do Soon suddenly sat up and said loudly,

“Hmph! I’m fine! I don’t have any regrets either!”

[This is the timeline separator]

10 AM.

Director Yoon Ji Wan called a taxi and returned to Seoul. However, Gu Won Hoo, who had the main room of the villa all to himself, was still in dreamland due to last night’s hangover.

After seeing off Director Yoon, Seo Jun stood on the living room balcony and received a report from Manager Bong.

“So he finally barged into that house?”

“Yes. He says he’ll stay at Professor Eom’s house for a few days.”

“How’s the atmosphere?”

“It’s good, but he can’t say a word about the fact that he’s Eom Hyun Woo’s biological father.”

The reason Manager Bong knew every move of Chairman Tae and his wife in detail was because this time, Tae Seo Jun had worked on Secretary Kang, his father’s right-hand man, just as Tae Seok Ho had done.

“According to Secretary Kang, unless you show up at that house, the Chairman seems determined to stay in Canada.”

“What about mother?”

“Is Chairman Tae someone who would fail? He’s tactfully persuading the madam, who is negative towards Eom So Yeon. That couple doesn’t know the purpose of Chairman Tae and Madam Cha’s visit at all.”

“…”

Silently approaching the edge of the balcony, Seo Jun looked down at the foot of the mountain touching the gently flowing North Han River, with both hands in his pants pockets.

‘Can I tell Hyun Woo that I’m his dad?’

‘Then should I just say I’m an uncle he knows?’

‘Thank you. For stepping up as a reliable dad.’

‘He’s my child. Why are you thanking me for doing what’s natural?’

‘It’s because Hyun Woo is getting a dad he didn’t have before.’

‘Apart from the child’s matters. Is there nothing Eom So Yeon wants from me?’

‘What would I want? I’m satisfied if Hyun Woo is happy.’

Seo Jun’s intense gaze deepened as he recalled the conversation they had yesterday while letting So Yeon into the pension.

If she demanded all of Tae Seo Jun, he would give it all, but her only wish was for the child’s sake. Isn’t she truly a foolish woman? She doesn’t know how to be greedy for herself at all. A woman born like that, yet she’s innately gifted at making people worry?

With a faint smile on his lips, Seo Jun leaned his long legs diagonally against the balcony railing.

“Cancel all schedules until next weekend, and notify the company that Eom So Yeon’s schedules after that are also canceled. And we’ll depart for Vancouver in three days.”

“Yes, Director.”

As soon as the instructions were finished, Manager Bong bowed politely and withdrew to the annex.

Seo Jun took out his phone from his back pocket and called So Yeon.

-Yes, Seo Jun.

As soon as he heard the voice he wanted to hear, Seo Jun’s lips immediately curved into a captivating smile.

“How’s the filming?”

-I came to the filming location a bit early and I’m in the waiting room.

“Was there a waiting room in that haunted house?”

-Why? There’s another prefab building about halfway up the road to that place. I’m on the second floor there.

“So you’re in that warehouse-like place now?”

-Yes.

“Alone?”

-Yes. Do Soon went out for a moment to check my filming schedule.

Sensing an opportunity, Seo Jun grinned and spoke in an even lower voice.

“Then you should be careful.”

-Of what?

“You never know. A ghost from the abandoned house might be standing right behind you.”

-Eek! You’re doing it again!

So Yeon, already tense due to the haunted house exploration, burst out at Seo Jun’s eerie tone.

“Heh heh, even ghosts like pretty women, you know.”

-Please stop scaring me!

Seo Jun laughed loudly, finding it amusing that she was getting upset.

“So, scaredy-cat Eom So Yeon should hurry up and finish filming and come over here, I’m waiting.”

-It’s not like I can do that as I please. It’ll probably end by evening.

“Still, hurry.”

-Are you whining like a child? Oh my! I think the filming is starting now. I’ll hang up.

The call suddenly ended.

Yet Seo Jun couldn’t take his eyes off the phone. That deep gaze seemed as if he was looking at Eom So Yeon.

“Ah, I really miss you…”

“Already?”

“!”

Startled by the unexpected voice, Seo Jun turned around with a crooked glance.

Gu Won Hoo had come out onto the balcony at some point. From his messy hair to his overall appearance, the guy who always pursued neatness now looked completely disheveled.

“A smart guy like you eavesdropping on others’ calls?”

“I just came out, so I didn’t hear much. Anyway, can I ask for one favor?”

“…”

Seo Jun raised one eyebrow as if to say he might listen, though he wasn’t sure if he would grant it.

“Yesterday, Do Soon asked if I liked her. I said no to that question. But now Do Soon has been ignoring my calls since morning. I want to correct that it’s not true, but it’s frustrating because she’s not answering!”

“If you said no, I wouldn’t answer your calls either if I were her.”

“That’s why. So Yeon said she’d come over here after filming, right? Is Yeo Do Soon coming with her?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then can you tell Yeo Do Soon to come together?”

“Aren’t you going back to Seoul?”

“I’m not going.”

“Does a company CEO have nothing to do like that?”

“Yeah, nothing! So please, call Do Soon for me.”

“I don’t think that’s going to work.”

Seo Jun tapped Won Hoo’s cheek lightly as if dealing with an immature younger brother, and Won Hoo irritably brushed off the touch and quickly asked,

“Why won’t it work?”

“Because I’m going to the filming location to pick up Eom So Yeon.”

“When?”

“Around evening.”

“I’ll go with you. In return, tell Do Soon that you forcibly brought me along.”

“Why that?”

“It’s embarrassing to suddenly show up when I just said no yesterday.”

His eyes were dark and hollow under the not-yet-sobered hangover. Not only his haggard face, but also his pitiful expression and tone, so unlike Gu Won Hoo, left Seo Jun with only this to say:

“You crazy bastard.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Shaughnessy Heights was famous as a place where the wealthy resided, and Professor Eom’s home was no exception in its size.

The fact that it was naturally agreed to stay in this house for a few days was a testament to how close Tae Seok Ho and Eom Eun Hyuk were.

Secretary Kang, who had stayed at a downtown hotel for a day, arrived here early in the morning and immediately entered the guest room where Cha Yeo Jin was, bowing deeply.

“I’ve arrived, madam.”

“Yes. It must be quite tiring to go back and forth between the hotel and here for the time being. I’m not sure how long it will be, but please bear with it for a while. If there’s anything you can’t tell the Chairman, feel free to tell me anytime.”

“I’m grateful just for your words, madam.”

Yeo Jin’s gaze swept around the room after dismissing Secretary Kang. The interior of this room, as well as the rest of the house, had a very neat and warm atmosphere.

Yeo Jin, who had come to the guest room saying she needed some rest while Tae Seok Ho continued his conversation with Professor Eom in the reception room, was still feeling uneasy.

“Hah… What on earth is going on…”

Cha Yeo Jin’s expression, sitting at the edge of the bed and letting out a sigh, fully reflected her state of mind.

Until entering Professor Eom’s house, she had strongly opposed the union of the two families. It didn’t seem right to push for marriage just because there was a child, as if crossing a snake-infested wall carelessly.

However, it was true that her heart wavered when she saw the hardships Mrs. Jo Yeon Hee had endured and her bright-eyed grandchild.

But her initial thought that it shouldn’t happen hadn’t changed. She just kept seeing the child’s bright expression in her mind. She wanted to see her lovely grandchild again, who was adorable beyond words, as her husband had said. That was all.

As the afternoon sun shone brightly, Yeo Jin strolled through the garden where flowers were beautifully blooming despite it being autumn.

Stopping near the end of the porch, she, being a flower lover, bent down to closely examine and inhale the fragrance of a lush yellow rose.

And just as she straightened up.

A small child, who had approached without her noticing, gently tugged at Yeo Jin’s skirt, saying, “Tap tap.”

“…?”

As she looked down brightly at the tiny child, the child wrinkled his nose bridge and said,

“Hyunu likes this rose too. Do you like it too, auntie?”

“I’m not an auntie. I’m a grandmother.”

“Huh? But you are an auntie. A pretty auntie.”

Was the child’s puzzled look so cute? Or was the unexpected compliment pleasant to hear? Yeo Jin smiled gently and bent down again to meet the child’s eye level.

“You’re even prettier.”

“Hehe, thank you, auntie!”

Hyun Woo put his hands on his belly and deeply bowed his round head.

He was not only well-mannered but also grew up well without any shadows and knew how to smile. Yeo Jin’s eyes turned slightly red, feeling both pitiful and satisfied.

“You’re a child with such a beautiful smile. So… may I hug you once?”

“But Hyunu is now very big and super heavy?”

Looking truly serious, Hyun Woo furrowed his eyebrows and looked up at Cha Yeo Jin intently.

“Even if that’s true, you’re still a small child to me. So will you let this grandma hold you?”

“Hmm… okay!”

Hyun Woo, after rolling his round eyes once to the left and right, seemed to make up his mind and stretched out his arms forward.

“Oof…”

As Yeo Jin lightly lifted the small child, she felt strangely fuzzy inside. It was because of the soft and cute sensation that came into her arms.

And so, Yeo Jin walked through the fragrant rose garden with Hyun Woo.

Slowly.

And for a long time.