Whisper Chapter 11

As Lee Heewoo lifted her head, Cha Gyeol, holding his chopsticks, gestured with his chin.  

 

“It’s not set up for you to look at, so eat.”  

 

Seeing Cha Gyeol scoop up some rice with his chopsticks, Lee Heewoo also picked up hers.  

 

“Did you make all of this yourself, guest?”  

 

After briefly contemplating what to eat first, Lee Heewoo picked up a piece of meat and popped it into her mouth. The tender meat melted effortlessly as she chewed, making her beautiful eyes curve even more prettily.  

 

“This is insane. Is it really that good?”  

 

“Yes!”  

 

It wasn’t bland, and the seasoning was just right, making every bite a delight. She had always eaten mild and flavorless food to match her grandmother’s palate, but this was a taste that could turn her world upside down. It was as good as sausages.  

 

Her neatly placed feet started bouncing involuntarily.  

 

“But there are no sausages.”  

 

“…….”  

 

With her lips pursed, Lee Heewoo looked at Cha Gyeol and gave a slight smile. Seeing her eyes curve so beautifully, Cha Gyeol suddenly felt thirsty, so he put down his chopsticks and grabbed his cup.  

 

“It’s fine even without them. This is really delicious. Thank you,sir.”  

 

Her tiny face lit up with a smile that shone even brighter than the morning sunlight. Cha Gyeol, who had initially wondered if such an ordinary breakfast could really bring so much joy, soon recalled the small meals he had received in the mountains. With a nod, as if understanding, he remembered how he had once eaten similar food, thinking that even a monastery would have better meals. Yet, the flavors of the ingredients had been perfectly preserved.  

 

Drinking his water, Cha Gyeol picked up his chopsticks again, deciding that while he wouldn’t interfere with anything else, he should at least stop Lee Heewoo from cooking.  

 

“But, kiddo.”  

 

As if something had suddenly come to mind, Cha Gyeol called out to Lee Heewoo, whose cheeks were stuffed full. She looked up with her eyes as if asking what he wanted while busily chewing.  

 

“I heard you talking to someone in your room. Is there someone else in my house?”  

 

For a moment, a heavy silence filled the air. Lee Heewoo, as if unsure of what to do with the food in her mouth, froze in place before swallowing it down in one big gulp—without even properly chewing. Her throat hurt, but there was no time to dwell on that. Her mind was racing.  

 

Did he hear everything?  

 

She knew exactly how strange this must have seemed. She could still vividly remember the reactions of people who had seen her as a child. Though her grandmother had constantly warned her, the truth was that ghosts had always been like friends to her in the mountains.  

 

Thanks to them, she had learned to speak and wasn’t lonely even when alone. Of course, like everything in life, not all of it was good. The downside was that they were noisy and never stopped talking, day or night. Because of this, Lee Heewoo had hardly ever gotten a good night’s sleep and had always lived surrounded by the voices of ghosts.  

 

As Lee Heewoo, her face now pale, restlessly darted her eyes around, Cha Gyeol continued eating, watching her indifferently.  

 

“Uh… I have… Since I lived in the mountains, I don’t have any friends. So… talking to myself has become a habit.”  

 

Well, it wasn’t entirely untrue. Not wanting to sound even more pathetic, Lee Heewoo shut her mouth and closely observed Cha Gyeol’s expression for any sign of change.  

 

“That’s a sad story.”  

 

“…….”  

 

Sad…?  

 

Lee Heewoo blinked her large eyes innocently, unable to comprehend.  

 

“Your talking to yourself sounded so real that, even though I knew it wasn’t possible, I thought there was someone else in your room.”  

 

“…Well, I’ve been talking to myself for nearly twenty years.”  

 

Somewhat sullen, Lee Heewoo poked at her food with her chopsticks. If she was with the guest, there was no reason to talk to herself. As she silently mulled this over and stole glances at Cha Gyeol, their eyes suddenly met.  

 

“You could become an actress.”  

 

His sharp, three-white eyes curved slightly before returning to their usual shape.  

 

The food she had hurriedly swallowed earlier seemed to sit heavy in her chest, making her heart ache dully. She still hadn’t adjusted to his strikingly handsome face, despite spending days with him.  

 

Every time she saw him, she felt a jolt, and she feared her heart wouldn’t survive at this rate. If only he were a little less good-looking and impressive. But since he lacked any flaws, people mistook him for a ghost.  

 

If Cha Gyeol’s acquaintances had heard this, they would have scoffed, saying, “No flaws? What about his personality? Isn’t he lacking in human decency? What are we supposed to do about his awful temper?” But Lee Heewoo thought nothing of it.  

 

“I haven’t watched TV or movies, but I do know that only beautiful people do that,sir.”  

 

With a knowing look, Lee Heewoo lowered her gaze and picked up another piece of meat, making Cha Gyeol’s face contort strangely.  

 

Does she not even look in the mirror?  

 

Come to think of it, did that house even have a mirror? Maybe just a small one for her face in her room?  

 

This is unbelievable. Fuck.  

 

“I think the reason you don’t have any friends might be something else.”  

 

At the sound of a low murmur, Lee Heewoo lifted her eyelids before soon focusing back on the side dishes.  

 

Cha Gyeol, having nearly emptied his bowl, leaned back and observed Lee Heewoo.  

 

Her proper chopstick etiquette and silent eating manners felt strangely out of place, as if she were isolated on her own. That was just the kind of presence Lee Heewoo had. She seemed as if she didn’t belong to this world, as though she had dropped in from somewhere else, carrying a mysterious aura.  

 

She had a knack for making every posture and gesture seem extraordinary.  

 

“Listen while you eat, little miss.”  

 

At Cha Gyeol’s composed voice, Lee Heewoo nodded, widening her eyes. Despite their slightly upturned corners, her large eyes resembled those of a gentle puppy or a squirrel.  

 

Cha Gyeol watched her strikingly clear, dark pupils for a moment before speaking again.  

 

“I think it’d be best for you to stay here for the time being and then look for a place. What do you think?”  

 

“A place to live?”  

 

“We can’t stay together forever, right? Just until you get used to things, you can stay here.”   

 

With the money in the bank account given by the shaman, she could afford a small apartment. After that, he could help her do whatever she wanted.  

 

“Why?” 

 

When Lee Heewoo’s lips moved slightly as if she were about to say something, Cha Gyeol asked.  

 

“…If I stay here for a while, I’ll see Grandma. Sir, I don’t need a place.”  

 

Her quiet and clear voice contrasted with the way her eyes turned red. Her large pupils became even more transparent, as though they were about to spill tears. Watching her delicate, beautifully drawn face, Cha Gyeol tapped his fingers lightly on the table.  

 

Should he tell her that she might never see the shaman again?  

 

“Alright. Then let’s see how things go for now.”  

 

In the end, Cha Gyeol didn’t say anything. It was unlike him.  

 

Lee Heewoo soon smiled softly, as if relieved. The sight of it was so pretty that his heart felt strangely heavy. Cha Gyeol’s three-whites narrowed slightly.  

 

“Thank you. I’ll only impose until Grandma arrives. She’ll be here soon.”  

 

Lee Heewoo’s gaze dropped. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, but Cha Gyeol pretended not to notice.    

 

“Little miss, let’s make a deal instead.”  

 

“What…?”  

 

Those dark eyes met his again. Seeing his own reflection in her glossy pupils was satisfying.  

 

“During that time, don’t listen to anyone else. Only listen to me.”  

 

“Okay, I promise.”  

 

Lee Heewoo’s face took on a determined look as she answered. The way she was both beautiful and adorable made Cha Gyeol chuckle. At the deep, smooth laughter that wrapped around her ears, Lee Heewoo’s cheeks turned a delicious shade of pink.  

 

Having someone beside him didn’t just feel not bad—it actually felt quite nice this morning.    

 

***  

 

Jang Pal-yong, who had gone out for external work in the morning, returned to the office and, upon seeing the man waiting for him, bowed in greeting before scratching his head awkwardly.  

 

“If President Cha spots you, what are you gonna do, huh? You keep coming around.”  

 

Jang Pal-yong set the luxury bag tucked under his arm on the desk before sitting down on the sofa. The man, who was already sipping tea, let out a bitter smile. Despite the sweltering summer heat, Jang Pal-yong was wearing a three-piece suit, and by the time he’d walked from the parking lot to the office, sweat had already beaded on his forehead.  

 

“Well, it’s our job to do as we’re told. President Cha hasn’t left the mansion yet.”  

 

“If you keep coming to see me, I’ll be in trouble. If President Cha finds out, with his temper, he’ll flip out—ugh, I don’t even want to think about it.”  

 

The man, referred to as ‘Secretary,’ nodded knowingly, as if understanding but also implying he had no choice.  

 

“Has President Cha been doing okay lately?”  

 

“I told you, I’m not close with him.”  

 

“But Sir Jang, you’re nice enough to put up with everything.”  

 

Hearing the flattery, Jang Pal-yong leaned back with a smug look.    

 

“Since we’re talking about it, who even puts up with that nasty temper? How can someone with a face like that have such a rotten personality? It’s practically a joke by the gods, a joke.”  

 

They say people even curse the king behind his back, so badmouthing that guy was no big deal. Jang Pal-yong rambled on as if venting about yesterday’s troubles. 

**T/N : “Three-white eyes,” also known as “sanpaku eyes” in Japanese, refers to a condition where the white part of the eye (sclera) is visible on three sides of the iris, meaning above or below the iris as well as on the sides, essentially showing more white than usual, making it appear like “three whites” around the colored part of the eyes.