Ephphatha Chapter 20

Even though she arrived earlier than the appointed time, Seo Han-seong’s sedan was already parked in front of her house. As she hastened her steps, a neatly dressed man stepped out of the driver’s seat. He raised both hands slightly in the air as if to stop her.

 

“Take your time.”

 

“Hello. You came early.”

 

“The traffic wasn’t bad.”

 

As he naturally moved to the passenger side and opened the door for her, Seul-ah’s gaze inadvertently shifted to a particular spot.

 

The corner of the outdoor parking lot, partially obscured by a large tree. It was where she had previously spotted a car emitting cigarette smoke. But, of course, there was nothing there now.

 

Feeling the weight of her bag out of habit, she adjusted its strap.

 

Inside her bag, the envelope of money and the handkerchief still added to its weight. Should she contact him separately and tell him to take it? She briefly considered it before shaking her head and getting into the car.

 

Since Ephphatha was involved, she would have to see him again whether she liked it or not. She could give it to him then. There was no need to arrange a separate meeting.

 

Having reached that conclusion, Seul-ah pulled the seatbelt over her shoulder. As she did, she subconsciously sniffed the phytoncide scent lingering in the car.

 

She had noticed it before—Seo Han-seong’s car smelled nice. Not a single speck of dust was in sight. It was a stark contrast to someone else’s car, which was soaked in cigarette stench and littered with cigarette butts.

 

She took another deep breath, enjoying the pleasant aroma, but when her eyes met Seo Han-seong’s, she felt embarrassed and smiled awkwardly.

 

“It smells nice….”

 

“That’s good to hear.”

 

Seo Han-seong smiled so she wouldn’t feel awkward and started the car.

 

“My mother recommended a good Korean restaurant, so I made a reservation there.”

 

“Okay. Ah, since you treated me last time, I’ll pay for today’s meal.”

 

She wanted to ease her guilt, at least a little, by treating the man who was unknowingly being used as a means to open the safe. However, Seo Han-seong refused with a smile.

 

“Next time.”

 

“Alright….”

 

His gentle demeanor made it hard to insist, so she quietly agreed. As he lightly asked about her recent activities, they exchanged conversation about their ordinary lives. Before she knew it, the scenery outside the car window had changed to an unfamiliar one.

 

The sedan was entering the parking lot of a building. As the car spiraled downward along the circular ramp, the shifting view made her slightly dizzy, so she lowered her gaze and quietly stared at the bag in her lap.

 

She could almost hear Kwak Chi-gyeom’s scolding voice in her head. Her fingertips lightly scratched the closed zipper when suddenly, Seo Han-seong let out an exclamation. Surprised, she looked up and saw two men walking across the parking lot.

 

“President Kwak Chi-gyeom.”

 

“……”

 

Through the front windshield, they saw Kwak Chi-gyeom and Kang Jin-ah walking side by side on the third basement level.

 

Why is he here?

 

Just as Kwak Chi-gyeom, striding with his usual relaxed gait, disappeared among the parked cars, Seo Han-seong pulled into an empty spot. Seul-ah blinked vacantly, staring after him, and only after the engine was turned off did she undo her seatbelt.

 

“Looks like they’re going to the same restaurant as us.”

 

Just before stepping out of the car, Seo Han-seong spoke. When she gave him a questioning look, he elaborated while opening the car door.

 

“My mother said she was introduced to the place by President Kwak.”

 

“Ah….”

 

“Let’s go. If we run into them, we should say hello.”

 

She would rather not run into them, but on the surface, she was a sponsored individual, and he was a sponsor. Seul-ah nodded appropriately and followed Seo Han-seong’s lead.

 

The air in the underground parking lot was thick and suffocating. Her throat felt dry and scratchy, so she held her breath and quickened her pace. But just as they reached the elevator, they came face to face with Kwak Chi-gyeom and Kang Jin-ah, making her cough involuntarily.

 

Cough!

 

“……”

 

It was Kang Jin-ah who turned at the sound, but his eyes met Kwak Chi-gyeom’s. Through the reflection of the elevator’s shiny doors, Kwak Chi-gyeom looked down at Seul-ah before shifting his gaze to Seo Han-seong.

 

“It’s been a while, Prosecutor Seo.”

 

“Yes. Have you been well? It seems you’re heading to Daon.”

 

“You as well?”

 

“Yes. My mother recommended the place. She said you introduced it to her.”

 

“I’m glad to hear it suited her taste.”

 

Just as Kwak Chi-gyeom responded perfunctorily, the elevator doors opened. As the people inside exited, Kwak Chi-gyeom stepped in first, followed by Kang Jin-ah. Seo Han-seong stepped aside, motioning for Seul-ah to enter next.

 

“Go ahead.”

 

She nodded and stepped inside, once again meeting Kwak Chi-gyeom’s eyes.

 

“Hel… hello, President.”

 

She reluctantly bowed her head, playing the part of a sponsored individual. Kwak Chi-gyeom smirked, accepting her forced politeness.

 

“Good morning. You look much better since I last saw you.”

 

“……”

 

“Love really does wonders, doesn’t it?”

 

“What?”

 

Her head snapped up, and she saw Kwak Chi-gyeom pressing the button for the ninth floor while directing his next words to Seo Han-seong, who was the last to enter.

 

“I never imagined you two would end up like this.”

 

With an unreadable expression, Kwak Chi-gyeom slightly raised his eyebrows as if he truly hadn’t known. Seo Han-seong responded with a sheepish smile.

 

“It’s not what you think. I don’t have any siblings, so I just think of her as a younger sister.”

 

“Oh, a younger sister.”

 

Avoiding the gaze that silently pressured her as if ruminating on something, Seul-ah hesitantly stepped sideways, moving to the farthest corner away from him. Along the way, her eyes met Seo Han-seong’s, who was looking at her curiously, and she gave an awkward smile. But then, beyond him, her gaze intertwined with Kwak Chi-gyeom’s.  

 

Leaning crookedly against the wall, he once again formed a circle with his left hand and pressed his right index finger into it repeatedly 👉👌. His white shirt, covered in red flower prints, swayed in sync with his crude gestures.  

 

“…….”  

 

He was certainly consistent—his audacious greetings, his flashy taste in clothing.  

 

Seul-ah furrowed her brows discreetly, making sure Han-seong wouldn’t notice, and turned her back completely on Chi-gyeom.  

 

The elevator, rising in silence, stopped at several floors, picking up more people. By the time it passed the fifth floor, she had to press herself against the wall.  

 

“Are you okay?”  

 

Hugging her bag tightly, she curled up as much as possible. Startled by the voice coming from above her head, she turned around to find Han-seong standing right behind her. Only then did she realize she had been leaning against him. She quickly pulled her body forward, but the cramped space rendered it useless.  

 

“I-I’m sorry.”  

 

“It’s okay. Just stay as you are.”  

 

“Ah….”  

 

Flustered by the position, which was almost like being embraced, Seul-ah didn’t know what to do. It was only for a fleeting moment, but her gaze met Chi-gyeom’s, who was standing at an angle with his arms crossed. He was observing her with a disinterested expression.  

 

“…….”  

 

Her cheeks instantly burned. She hung her head low, desperately waiting to reach her destination. For some reason, a sense of shame, as if she had exposed her private life, spread through her entire body.  

 

At last, the elevator stopped at the ninth floor, and as the crowded people rushed out, she felt relief wash over her. Seul-ah exited the elevator faster than the three men she knew.  

 

It was a floor filled with restaurants, and as it was lunchtime, the place bustled with people and was saturated with the scent of food. She pressed the back of her hand against her cheek, trying to cool the heat that was deeper than the warmth that had touched her back.  

 

Though she was technically an accomplice, it felt as if she was the only one caught red-handed doing something wrong. As she silently suffered from this inexplicable emotion, she suddenly heard the quick, rhythmic sound of footsteps.  

 

She instinctively turned her head, and just then, someone brushed past her. It was a young woman with her hair tied up high and wearing a white apron.  

 

Without much thought, Seul-ah followed the woman with her eyes until she reached the elevator, where Chi-gyeom had just stepped out. The moment their eyes barely brushed against each other, the woman suddenly grabbed his left arm. Seul-ah’s eyes widened in shock.  

 

“Greet your own brother.”  

 

Chi-gyeom, looking annoyed, shook her off, but the woman playfully rolled her eyes at him and tugged at his arm. Chi-gyeom, who had half-heartedly let her pull him along, threw a perfunctory greeting at Han-seong, who was also watching curiously.  

 

“Well, enjoy your time.”  

 

“Oh, uh… Enjoy your meal.”  

 

Without another word to Seul-ah, Chi-gyeom was led away by the woman.  

 

Only after Kang Jin-ah, who was following behind them, entered a restaurant on the left did Han-seong finally approach Seul-ah.  

 

“I heard that the restaurant belongs to President Kwak Chi-gyeom’s secretary’s younger sister. That must be her.”  

 

Finally grasping the situation, Seul-ah let out a small exclamation of realization.  

 

“Let’s go inside, too.”  

 

“Okay.”  

 

The place Han-seong led her to was the same restaurant Chi-gyeom had entered—‘Daon.’ Passing a wooden signboard with the name neatly written in Hangul, they stepped into the restaurant. A server immediately checked their reservation and guided them inside.  

 

As they walked toward their room, Seul-ah’s gaze darted around, not to admire the well-maintained interior but for a different reason.  

 

She subtly glanced at the firmly closed doors of the private rooms as they passed by. Before long, they reached their reserved room. On the central table, dining sets for two had already been prepared.  

 

“I’ll bring your meals shortly.”  

 

As Han-seong, who had entered first, pulled out a chair for her, Seul-ah thanked him while still peeking through the closing door left ajar by the server.  

 

It was still an unbelievable sight to her.  

 

She never imagined that someone would be so affectionate toward a man as fierce and rough as Kwak Chi-gyeom—or that he would actually let them.  

 

They didn’t seem like lovers. If anything, he was blatantly irritated by her. But it didn’t seem like he was annoyed because he disliked her. Judging by how the woman hadn’t taken offense, their relationship must have been close enough that she could tolerate his rudeness. Given how close Kang Jin-ah was to Chi-gyeom, it was reasonable to assume that she was also familiar with his younger sister.  

 

“Seul-ah?”  

 

Lost in thought while staring at an empty plate, Seul-ah was slow to react. As she slowly raised her head, she saw Han-seong tilting his head while pouring water into his glass. Realizing she had been lost in unnecessary thoughts, she let out an awkward laugh.  

 

“Sorry, what did you say?”