Your Former Wife - Chapter 38

A restaurant with a cozy interior.

Seo Yeon had set up a lunch appointment with Jin Hwa today at her suggestion. Guided by an employee to the reserved table, Jin Hwa was already there waiting for her. Seo Yeon looked at her with slightly widened eyes.

“You’re already here?”

It was still earlier than the appointed time. She felt sorry for Jin Hwa for making her wait, even though she had come out early on purpose. But Jin Hwa didn’t seem to mind at all, greeting Seo Yeon with a bright smile as soon as she saw her.

“I just got here too. Come, sit down.”

Her smiling face was beautiful whenever she saw it. Seo Yeon stared at Jin Hwa’s face as if entranced, then seemed to come to her senses and sat down.

“Are you hungry? Shall we talk while eating first? I heard this place is popular with young people, but I’m not sure if it’ll suit your taste.”

So that’s why. She had thought it was a bit too lively for Jin Hwa to choose, but it turns out she had been considerate of her.

At first, she was just happy to meet a musician she admired, but the more she talked with her, Seo Yeon felt a warmth growing in a corner of her heart.

After calling the manager to order food, the two began their conversation.

“Were you surprised that I suddenly asked to meet?”

“No. I wasn’t surprised, I was glad. But I was curious why you wanted to meet.”

“The reason I asked to see you, Seo Yeon, is because I have a proposal for you.”

“A proposal?”

“In the fall, we’re recruiting an orchestra to tour mainly local communities for volunteer work. I’d like you to take on the piano part there. What do you think?”

“Me?”

“It might be difficult since it’s your first ensemble, but I’ll help you.”

Seo Yeon felt happy at Jin Hwa’s proposal, but also worried at the same time.

“I haven’t practiced properly for a long time and just played as a hobby. Will I be able to do it?”

“Of course. I saw a video of you playing. It was a beautiful performance without any flaws. You’re more than qualified.”

If her husband were here, what would he have said? He would have told her to move one step faster than others instead of wasting time thinking. And once she decided, he would have told her not to foolishly waste time or doubt her choice.

“I’ll do it. I want to.”

Jin Hwa’s eyes filled with joy at Seo Yeon’s answer. Seo Yeon stared at her face intently and quickly said.

“I don’t know what to say… I’ll work hard. And thank you, teacher.”

Jin Hwa quickly shook her head at Seo Yeon’s continued response.

“No. My proposal must have been sudden, so I’m grateful that you accepted it.”

Then she carefully reached out and took Seo Yeon’s hand. It was still warm and soft.

Seo Yeon couldn’t understand no matter how much she thought about it. How could Jin Hwa be so kind to someone who was practically a stranger? While she was marveling, the food they had ordered was served.

Soon, the large table was set with various dishes including lobster, pasta, steak, burritos, and even wine.

“How is it? Is it edible?”

Jin Hwa’s face looked somewhat anxious as she asked. Seo Yeon quickly nodded.

“It’s delicious. Thanks to you, I think I’ll be overeating today.”

“Really? I’m glad.”

Jin Hwa smiled happily at Seo Yeon’s answer and even cut her own portion of steak to place on Seo Yeon’s plate.

Seo Yeon felt grateful for Jin Hwa’s kindness and at the same time felt a lump in her throat. It was because she remembered a past memory.

Seo Yeon used to be a heavy sleeper and would often whine about wanting to sleep a little more instead of having breakfast. At those times, Ae Suk never showed any displeasure and would prepare a simple breakfast and bring it to Seo Yeon’s room, even feeding her directly.

While Seo Yeon was lost in the sudden nostalgic memory, her phone rang.

“…Excuse me for a moment.”

Jin Hwa looked at Seo Yeon apologetically and asked for her understanding.

“Oh, daughter. Yes, mom is out right now. Can we talk a little later? Okay. Mom misses you too. Oh, really?”

So she has a daughter. Seo Yeon, who didn’t know about Jin Hwa’s family situation, felt curious about this new information and envious of the affectionate way she was talking.

“It seems that was your daughter.”

Seo Yeon asked casually after the call ended. Jin Hwa’s eyes widened.

“I’m sorry. I talked for too long in front of you, didn’t I? I told her we’d talk later, but she insisted on talking now, so I was trying to persuade her. She’s grown up but still acts like a baby sometimes.”

“No, it’s nice to see, teacher.”

“How about you?”

“…?”

“I’m curious about how you get along with your parents.”

While Seo Yeon was thinking about Jin Hwa’s question, Jin Hwa seemed to come to her senses and said in an apologetic voice.

“I’m sorry. That was too personal a question, wasn’t it?”

Seo Yeon shook her head. And she quickly answered to make Jin Hwa feel less awkward.

“They always think of me first and never hold back from saying they love me. Growing up, I received so much love from my parents that I thought if I had a child, I’d want to give back the same love I received from my parents.”

“…Is that so?”

Jin Hwa’s eyes, which had asked the question, became moist. Seeing her reaction, Seo Yeon made a bewildered expression, and Jin Hwa hurriedly wiped her tears. Then, trying to smile, she answered.

“I’m sorry. I have a daughter about your age, so I think I unconsciously empathized. I think I understand how your parents feel. You said you were happy because of your parents’ love, but your parents were probably even happier because of you.”

At Jin Hwa’s words, Seo Yeon’s chest felt cold as if a chilly wind was blowing. But not wanting to show her dark emotions to Jin Hwa who had said such kind words, she deliberately smiled brightly.

The conversations that followed were extremely enjoyable.

When Jin Hwa mentioned the name of her favorite musician, Seo Yeon would chime in and continue the conversation, and later Seo Yeon explained about the piece she was studying most diligently these days.

Then Jin Hwa would reply that it was also a piece she enjoyed playing recently, and the conversation continued.

It was so enjoyable that they didn’t know how time had passed.

After parting with Jin Hwa, Seo Yeon felt as if she had lost her way. Standing alone on the street, she tried to recall her parents, whom she had been trying to bury in her heart.

Ae Suk hadn’t contacted her since sending Korean food through her secretary last time.

‘…Should I try contacting her once?’

She had firmly resolved never to have lingering attachments again, but her heart wavered at Jin Hwa’s words that her parents must have been happy because of her.

Still, they sent the lunchbox thinking of me. Wouldn’t they have been disappointed that I didn’t even send a message saying I enjoyed it?

Could it be that my parents are missing me right now too?

Mom, Dad…

As she continued the thoughts she had once stopped, memories of being loved unconditionally by her parents without any worries came flooding back, and she couldn’t hold back her longing.

Just as Seo Yeon was about to find Ae Suk’s number and press the call button, it happened.

Rrrrr.

The phone rang just then. Checking the name on the screen, it was Seong Jun. Seo Yeon thought it was unexpected.

Seong Jun usually preferred messages if he had business, and sometimes he even found that troublesome and would relay schedules through his secretary. In her entire previous life, she could count on her fingers the number of times she had talked on the phone with her husband. Especially not in broad daylight like this.

“…What’s the occasion?”

It had been difficult to see her husband’s face since that embrace in the living room that day. At first, she thought it was for the best, but as the period lengthened, she felt disappointed.

Perhaps because she was flustered, even the longing for her parents and the feeling of loneliness she had felt just moments ago faded. Then she worried if something might have happened. Seo Yeon hurriedly answered the phone.

“Hello?”

-Why did you take so long to answer?

Soon, Seong Jun’s gruff voice was heard. Apart from his voice being irritable, Seo Yeon sighed in relief, confirming that nothing serious had happened.

-It’s noisy around you. Are you outside?

“Yes. I had an appointment, so I went out.”

-Who did you have an appointment with? It’s not a man, is it?

Unbelievable. Stunned by Seong Jun’s absurd question, she couldn’t continue speaking, and then Seong Jun’s voice urging her came through the receiver again.

-Why aren’t you answering?

“What would you do if I said I met a man?”

-…Don’t tell me it’s true? Where are you? I’ll come right over, so stay put.

Seo Yeon’s eyes widened slightly at Seong Jun’s serious voice. He seemed ready to rush over immediately if she said yes. Seo Yeon hurriedly answered.

“I’m joking. I didn’t meet a man. I got a call from the teacher today and had lunch together.”

-Pianist Sung Jin Hwa?

Relieved by Seong Jun’s now calmer voice, Seo Yeon briefly explained what had happened today.

-That’s a good opportunity for you. Having a mentor guiding you will help you adapt more smoothly. You didn’t say no, did you?

“I said I’d do it.”

-Good. Well begun is half done. You’re talented and hardworking, so you’ll adapt right away. If you have any difficulties, tell me. I’ll help with anything.

Seo Yeon’s face also smiled at her husband’s words that continued to encourage her. Feeling somewhat shy, Seo Yeon asked after a moment of silence.

“By the way, why did you call?”

-Just because. I wanted to hear your voice.

“What?”

-We haven’t talked much lately, have we? I want to talk face to face. Are you free this evening?

Seo Yeon, who didn’t expect her husband to say so openly that he wanted to hear her voice, answered slowly.

“I am.”

-That’s good. I’ll come to where you are in the evening. Let’s go on a date today.

Somehow, her heart fluttered.