When I Reach You (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 15

As Kwon Seung Cheol rode the elevator down, exactly 300 million won was deposited into his bank account.

“Oh wow, that was fast?”

Staring at the notification text, Kwon Seung Cheol soon let out a bitter smile.

“Those with money and brains aren’t afraid of anything.”

That offhand remark the man had uttered as I stepped out kept nagging at me.

“It looks like he went mad over one woman and handed it all over. If you’re still entertaining any other thoughts, drop them now—once things get disgustingly messy, you’ll probably be the one to suffer the loss.”

His tone—like someone who clearly knew something—kept poking at my nerves.

“I clearly warned you.”

In short, it meant: take this and disappear.

“Guess I can’t even pull this kind of stunt anymore.”

He was now feeling firsthand that in today’s world—where bank loans came easily and everything was digitized—those old, uneducated tricks he used to rely on simply no longer worked.

So he’d planned to grab a big haul and leave Korea.

“But 300 million won won’t even get me anywhere.”

When the man told him to name a figure, maybe he should’ve just acted crazy and demanded more.

The sudden thought that the man might have paid it anyway sent a wave of regret crashing over him.

Still, this was better than nothing.

“Never expected Ji Tae Gwang would end up helping me out like this in the end.”

Annoyed, Kwon Seung Cheol spat into the flowerbed, then turned to glance back at the large hospital behind him before walking away with reluctant steps.

[This is the timeline separator]

Eun Jae opened her eyes as the phone in her hand vibrated. Startled by the buzz, she jolted upright.

“Oof, my neck.”

Whether it was from sitting up too quickly or from having slept in an awkward position, a sharp pain shot up her neck, making her grimace as she grabbed the back of her head.

Though she’d slept soundly without even washing up, she still felt drowsy, and a yawn escaped her one after another.

With her index finger, Eun Jae gently wiped away the slight tears gathered at the corners of her eyes and checked the time on her phone.

It was just past 1 p.m.

“How did I fall so deeply asleep in this position?”

Rubbing her stiff neck, she checked her unread messages.

―A guest will be coming to your place.

What kind of guest?

“Am I allowed to receive them myself?”

Since timing might overlap, she decided to postpone washing up for a bit.

Eun Jae awkwardly scratched her head and carefully placed the bathrobe and towel she’d had on her lap onto the bed.

Aside from that message, there was another one, sent around 8 a.m.

―There’s a sandwich in the fridge—eat it. I’ll finish work around 4 and come pick you up.

“Suddenly I’m starving.”

She hadn’t eaten anything since hastily having cup ramen the previous day.

She’d rushed out of the hotel so quickly that she hadn’t even touched the food there—and truth be told, it wouldn’t have been a meal she could’ve comfortably enjoyed anyway.

As she stepped out and closed the door, she saw a pair of pink and beige slippers neatly lined up right in front of the inner gate. It wasn’t much, yet for some reason, she felt oddly unsettled.

“Is it okay for me to wear them?”

Eun Jae cautiously slipped her feet into the pink slippers and walked down the hallway toward the living room.

Sunlight streamed brightly through the parted curtains in the living room. Even after entering, Eun Jae kept yawning nonstop.

Come to think of it, it had been a long time since she’d slept so peacefully—without anxiety or fear of being caught, constantly waking from light, restless sleep. Now that her mind had finally eased a little, she felt some of her accumulated fatigue starting to lift.

Opening the fridge, she spotted neatly arranged side-dish containers on one side.

The storage door held several bottles of still and sparkling water, Greek yogurt, and assorted cheeses. It didn’t feel like the fridge of someone actually living there.

Just like the apartment itself—reminiscent of a model home—it looked more like a refrigerator on display in an appliance showroom.

Inside a dessert tray covered with a glass dome lay the sandwich he’d mentioned, and beside it sat a bottle of what appeared to be freshly squeezed orange juice.

“The fridge resembles its owner too.”

For no particular reason, Eun Jae chuckled softly and carefully took out the tray and orange juice.

“This looks delicious.”

It was a bagel sandwich. Taking a small bite, she tasted the rich notes of blueberries and cream cheese, perfectly balanced with crisp lettuce and savory sliced ham.

“It’s so good.”

She’d just finished about half the sandwich when a pleasant intercom chime rang.

The guest he’d mentioned must have arrived. She lifted the receiver.

[Hello. I’m Han Na Kyeong, shopper from Cheongdam S Department Store, here with the items Mr. Yoon Seon Woo requested.]

“Oh—yes!”

Eun Jae pressed the door-release button, quickly licked the cream cheese off her fingers, and rushed to wash her hands in the kitchen.

Soon after, the doorbell rang, and Eun Jae headed to the entrance to open the door.

“Hello. I’m Han Na Kyeong, shopper from Cheongdam S Department Store.”

A neatly dressed woman in a crisp black suit entered the apartment, carrying an enormous quantity of shopping bags.

Whoa—what is all this?

Eyes wide, Eun Jae took some of the bags from her and followed her inside.

Surely this isn’t shopping addiction?

As Eun Jae stared at the bags with puzzled curiosity, the woman approached her.

The woman began pulling items out of the bags one by one—each in soft pastel tones and light, airy fabrics, giving Eun Jae a vague sense of strangeness.

“Just in case, I brought both size 44 and 55, but since sizes vary slightly by brand, I recommend trying them on. May I ask your usual shoe size?”

“M-me?”

“Yes. You’re Ms. Ji Eun Jae, correct?”

The woman pulled out a tablet and asked, double-checking the name.

“Yes, I am Ji Eun Jae.”

“The professor requested this personally.”

With a graceful smile, the woman unfolded a neatly folded dress and held it up.

“This brand may be unfamiliar to you—it’s F Company’s new F/W collection, launched last year targeting women in their twenties—”

“Um—sorry, but could I make just one quick phone call?”

Eun Jae asked for her understanding, picked up her phone, and dialed Seon Woo.

*Truu-ring.* After a short ring, his voice came through.

[Yes.]

“Um, Professor—there’s a guest here.”

[Give her your size and accept the items.]

“Huh? No—I mean, am I supposed to—”

[She’s very busy. Just give your size and take what she brought. I’m busy. Hanging up.]

“Wait, Professor!”

Before Eun Jae could finish, the call ended abruptly. Dazed, she stared at the woman—just as the woman’s own phone rang.

Without a word, the woman simply answered “Yes” four times before hanging up.

“Ms. Ji Eun Jae, may I have your size, please?”

She asked concisely, her smile bright and polite.

There were easily over ten outfits—plus shoes, sneakers, bags, several accessories, cosmetics, and even undergarments.

After setting up even today’s outfit and accessories, the woman left with a final cheerful smile.

“What on earth is all this?”

Unable to believe what she was seeing, Eun Jae exhaled deeply as she looked at the pile of items filling the living room floor.

By the time she’d finished hearing explanations, trying clothes on, and testing shoes, the clock had well passed 3 p.m. Panicking, Eun Jae scooped up her bathrobe and towel and hurried into the bathroom.

[This is the timeline separator]

It had been an unusually tiring day, likely because he’d spent it entirely in surgery.

Seon Woo, seated behind the wheel, glanced at his watch.

4 p.m.

She’d surely been waiting all this time having only eaten that single sandwich. Imagining her, his impatience grew, and he texted Eun Jae.

―I’m leaving work now. Come down to the parking lot in 20 minutes.

As soon as he hit send, he tossed his phone to the passenger seat and gently pressed the accelerator.

Because he’d left a bit early, traffic was light, and he arrived slightly ahead of schedule.

After parking, Seon Woo picked up his phone. She hadn’t replied—perhaps she hadn’t seen the message.

He immediately called Eun Jae. After several long rings, the automated voicemail message answered.

Frowning slightly, Seon Woo quickly stepped out of the car and pressed the elevator button—his hand moving with urgency.

Inside the elevator, he tried calling again, but once more, it went to voicemail. His expression grew increasingly uneasy as he ascended.

After all, she was the kind of woman who seemed almost within reach—only to slip away again.

The moment he arrived at the officetel, Seon Woo rushed to the front door, swiped his card, and entered.

“Ms. Ji Eun Jae.”

Still barefoot, he strode into the living room—and saw her back as she poured water from the purifier.

Only after confirming her presence did Seon Woo exhale in relief.

Judging by her robe, she’d just stepped out of the shower. A familiar shampoo scent lightly filled the air.

Hearing him approach, she turned with a smile and greeted him.

“Oh—you’re here already? I didn’t realize so much time had passed…”

“Didn’t you see my—”

Seon Woo couldn’t finish his sentence—he abruptly turned away.

Through the parted front of her bathrobe, her figure was clearly visible.

“I’m sorry—I fell asleep in the bathroom and completely lost track of time…”

A sudden flush rose to her face. Seon Woo raked his large hand over his face and spoke without turning back.

“Ms. Ji Eun Jae, please—put some clothes on first.”

“Huh? Clothes?”

At his words, Eun Jae looked down at her robe, realized the gap, and gasped as she hastily clutched the front closed.

“Oh—I, um, the robe’s just too big…”

“…”

“I—I’m so sorry.”

Flustered and red-cheeked, she hurried off in quick little steps. Only once she’d fully disappeared did Seon Woo finally release the breath he’d been holding.

“You’ve got a lot to apologize for.”

He swallowed hard, filled a glass packed with ice, and drained it in one go—but the heat that had risen still refused to subside.

Again and again, the image of her—standing before the water dispenser—kept shimmering in his mind like a mirage.

Though she wasn’t wearing makeup, she looked refreshingly pure. Her bare skin was flawlessly smooth, and her damp, porcelain-white complexion glowed with striking translucence.

“What are you even thinking about?”

Trying to shake off the lingering image of her that kept haunting his thoughts despite his efforts, Seon Woo roughly ran his hand through his bangs and loosened his tie.

He refilled the glass—now containing only ice—with water, repeated the action twice more, and only then did the heat begin to recede slightly.

[This is the timeline separator]

Pink twilight still hung in the windows of the lounge at W Hotel, the sun not yet set.

As always, Eun Jae paid more attention to the view outside than to her food.

Dressed in a pink dress, she looked just like the sunset glowing beyond the window.

Watching her, Seon Woo smiled faintly, swapped his plate of neatly sliced steak for hers, and asked,

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“Oh—I could’ve done that myself…”

“At this rate, when would you ever get around to it?”

Flushed by his gentle smile and thoughtful gesture, Eun Jae took a sip of the champagne before her and said,

“The sunset is beautiful.”

“Yes—it really is, Ms. Ji Eun Jae.”

His oddly phrased comment made him lower his gaze and place his knife on the steak. In contrast to his calm demeanor, Eun Jae, startled, choked on her champagne.

“Cough—what?”

“The dress.”

“Oh.”

Though it wasn’t even alcoholic champagne, her face burned—and she quickly fanned it with the back of her hand.

“There were just… so many clothes.”

“You’ll need them. Next week, there’s a dinner at my family home. I plan to mention you then—is that alright?”

“Yes, I—I don’t mind…”

Hesitantly, Eun Jae placed a piece of steak in her mouth.

Was this man always this kind to everyone?

His kindness since yesterday kept leading her thoughts astray—and the occasional glances from others toward him didn’t feel unpleasant, either.

For a moment, she even felt a little proud—almost as if she truly were his fiancée.

“Any foods you dislike?”

Startled by the sudden question, Eun Jae covered her mouth with her hand and answered,

“No, none.”

“Does the food suit your taste?”

“Yes—it’s excellent.”

Smiling with evident satisfaction, Seon Woo pulled some documents from his briefcase and handed them to Eun Jae.

“The contract. Read it through carefully and sign. Nothing special, really.”

“Okay.”

The contract had been written in relatively simple language, making it easy for Eun Jae to read.

All the points he’d discussed so far were included without omission. As she continued reading, her eyes lingered for a long moment on one particular clause:

―The contract term shall be one year from the date of acceptance.

She’d known this—but seeing it written so plainly, like an ending declared at the very start, left her with complicated feelings.

“Though it likely won’t happen, let’s keep personal emotions out of this.”

“…”

“After all, this is strictly a contract.”

The feelings she’d sensed from him just moments ago vanished instantly.

It was just purposeful goodwill, nothing more.

Don’t get confused.

“Please hand me a pen. I’ll sign right now.”

Seon Woo smiled and passed her a pen. Taking it, Eun Jae signed her name and handed the contract back.

“Let’s do our best for the next year, Ms. Ji Eun Jae.”

His hand reached across the table. Without hesitation, Eun Jae clasped the hand extended for a handshake.

She prayed earnestly:

May this hand I’m holding be the hand that saves me.