#121

“Are you really cold? Should I give you my coat?”

“I’m fine. What if you catch a cold from doing that?”

“You said you’re cold.”

“It’s bearable. Don’t worry about me.”

After her repeated refusals, I glanced back with a slightly displeased expression. There, I saw Cheon with her arms crossed over her chest, huddled up tightly.

“……Would you like to wear my jacket instead?”

“I said I’m fine. How are you going to manage if you give me your jacket? Hurry up and put it back on.”

It seemed even Secretary Jung Minjae thought Cheon looked very cold. He actually started to take off his jacket to give it to her, but with Cheon’s firm rejection, he fixed his clothes again with a somewhat sulky look on his face.

That sight looked quite cute, and I let out a small chuckle. Just then, the sound of a car came from afar. The three of us, who were walking along the shoulder of the road, all turned our eyes in the direction of the sound.

“Excuse me! Please stop for a moment!!”

The headlights drew closer, and the first one to step out was Secretary Jung Minjae. With a truly desperate air, he waved his hand at the approaching car. The road was dark, so I wasn’t sure if we could be seen clearly. Thinking that, I raised my hand and waved along with Secretary Jung Minjae.

Thankfully, the driver seemed to have noticed us, as the speeding car gradually slowed down. Watching the car come to a complete stop just a little past where we stood, I let out a sigh of relief.

“Excuse me.”

As I approached the passenger side of the stopped car, the window rolled down. Bending slightly at the waist and trying my best to put on a gentle expression, I peered into the car, only to see a face I hadn’t expected to see here.

“President?”

“Boss Jo Yoonhoe?”

“What? Boss Jo Yoonhoe?”

Boss Jo Yoonhoe and I stared at each other in surprise. Hearing the familiar name come out of my mouth, Jung Minjae chimed in with a delighted expression.

“Boss!”

“What, even Secretary Jung? Why are you all here?”

At his question, filled with puzzlement, I gave a slightly awkward smile.

“There was a bit of…… an accident.”

“An accident? Don’t tell me it was a car accident? No one’s hurt, I hope?”

“Yes. Thankfully, we’re all fine. But the car and our phones are all wrecked……”

As I explained the reason why we were walking aimlessly in a place like this, Boss Jo Yoonhoe’s face darkened. Then click, came the sound of the previously locked car door unlocking from inside.

“Please, get in. I’ll drive you back to the city.”

“Thank you so much, sir.”

Grateful for President Jo Yoonhoe’s kindness, I turned to the side.

“Thank you.”

“Then, excuse us~.”

Cheon and Secretary Jung Minjae quickly climbed into the back seat under my gaze. Only after making sure the back door they got in through was properly closed did I take a seat in the front passenger seat.

“You’re cold, aren’t you? Should I turn up the heater?”

“Yes, please. My sister is quite sensitive to the cold.”

Just as I said that, a small sneeze echoed from the back. I turned around with a worried expression and saw Cheon covering her nose and mouth with her sleeve. I took off my coat and handed it to the back seat. Since we were in the car and the heater had warmed it up, Cheon quietly took the coat and draped it over herself without a word.

“You two seem close.”

“Yes. We’re the only siblings we have.”

Boss Jo Yoonhoe, who had been quietly observing Cheon and me, spoke up. I responded with a smile, and he smiled warmly in return.

With the softened atmosphere, the gentle music playing in the car, and the warm air from the heater, my body gradually relaxed. I sank deeper into the passenger seat and let out a shallow breath. I felt like all my tension was melting away.

“……Are you really okay?”

“Of course. I’m fine.”

At my calm reply, Boss Jo Yoonhoe glanced over at me. His eyes were filled with genuine concern. Sensing his worry, I slowly straightened up a bit in my seat.

“Please make yourself comfortable. We still have about 20 more minutes to go anyway.”

After briefly debating in my mind, I gave in to his considerate words and relaxed my body again. I could feel the soft seat supporting my back and head. It felt like I’d be truly happy if I could just fall asleep like this. Still, I forced my eyes to stay open, determined not to doze off.

“If you’re tired, feel free to sleep.”

“No, I can’t do that when someone’s driving right next to me.”

Even though I spoke politely with a drowsy, faint smile, Boss Jo Yoonhoe chuckled quietly. He glanced over at me with a gentle look before slowly speaking again.

“I’m glad it doesn’t seem like the accident was too serious. Ah, would it be better if I took you to a hospital instead of into the city?”

“No, just drop us off somewhere we can catch a taxi.”

“You’re heading straight back?”

His face was full of surprise at the question he asked.

“Yes. I think that would be best.”

After all, I’d gotten out of the car before the accident happened, so I wasn’t badly hurt. And staying in a city where that kind of incident occurred just felt…… off. I swallowed the reasons I couldn’t clearly explain and gave a vague smile, to which Boss Jo Yoonhoe nodded.

“Understood.”

I quietly let out a sigh of relief at how quickly he accepted my decision. I was thankful we wouldn’t have to go back and forth arguing about whether to go to a hospital.

After that response, a calm silence settled inside the car. It seemed Boss Jo Yoonhoe kept quiet so that we, who had just gone through a rough time, could rest. Normally, either Secretary Jung Minjae or I would have made some small talk, but we were both too exhausted now, and I appreciated Boss Jo Yoonhoe’s thoughtful silence.

After some time passed and tall buildings started appearing here and there, Boss Jo Yoonhoe pulled the car over to the side of the road.

“That up ahead is a taxi stand.”

He pointed with his finger through the windshield. Just as he said, several taxis were lined up in front of the stand, waiting for passengers.

“Thank you so much, sir. We really owe you one.”

“Don’t mention it. Be careful on your way home. And if possible, do get checked out at a hospital.”

Boss Jo Yoonhoe responded in a casual tone, flashing a good-natured smile. I bowed my head once more to show my sincere gratitude, then stepped out of the car. Shortly after, Cheon and Secretary Jung Minjae got out of the back seat, and Boss Jo Yoonhoe gave us a brief farewell before driving off.

I was watching the car grow smaller in the distance when I suddenly felt a weight on my shoulder. Startled, I turned around with wide eyes.

“Put it on.”

Cheon, with a disinterested look, had draped the coat I had lent her back over my shoulders. I looked at her still-hunched shoulders for a moment before slipping my arms into the coat she returned.

“Let’s go.”

As I adjusted my clothes and spoke curtly, Jung Minjae took the lead and headed toward the taxis. He walked up to the one at the front of the line and started talking to the driver through the passenger window. He was probably asking if the taxi could take us to Seoul.

“Please get in, President. Director.”

Apparently, the conversation went well, as Jung Minjae opened the back door of the taxi for us. I let Cheon get in first, then followed her into the back seat. There, I noticed the taxi driver glancing back at us with a curious look.

What’s that about? Why is he looking at us like that? Maybe it looked strange that Secretary Jung Minjae opened the door for me? Feeling flustered, I tilted my head with a puzzled expression. The driver cleared his throat awkwardly and turned his head away. Meanwhile, Jung Minjae shut the back door and got into the front passenger seat.

The taxi started moving as soon as Jung Minjae closed the door, suggesting he had already told the driver our destination. For some reason, the driver kept stealing glances at me through the rearview mirror. I pretended not to notice and turned my gaze to the window.

Should I ask why he keeps looking at me? Or just let it go? I was still debating that when Cheon slowly shifted closer to me. Then, with a soft thud, she rested her head on my shoulder.

“Tired?”

“A little.”

“Sleep. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

At her rare show of affection, I whispered gently and patted her hand. Somehow, her hand felt thinner than I remembered—the back of her hand and her fingers more bony.

“Did you lose weight?”

“Hmm? Not sure, really.”

As she said that, Cheon quietly intertwined her fingers with mine. Yeah…… I was pretty sure she had lost weight. I didn’t say it out loud, though. I already knew why she had.

“……You should’ve eaten properly.”

“And in that situation, you would’ve been able to?”

Her sharp retort shut me up like I’d zipped my lips closed. She was right. The only reason I’d been able to hold it together after coming into this world was because I knew where Cheon was. Knowing where someone is and not knowing makes all the difference. If I hadn’t known where she was, I would’ve acted just like her.

“Sorry.”

“If you are, then be nice to me.”

“I am nice to you. Always.”

“Oh, really? Our Goo Won, where’s your conscience, huh? Did you sell it? Or maybe chew it up and swallow it? No matter how hungry you were, you shouldn’t have done that.”

At her shameless teasing, I stifled a laugh. And when I laughed, the corners of Cheon’s mouth curved up too, tracing a soft smile.