Ch 58

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The Beginning of a New Time (19)

 

Yoonjae, who woke up around sunset, only tidied his messy hair before walking downstairs. He sat awkwardly in the living room, and when he got bored, he went into the kitchen and helped his sister-in-law carry food a couple of times. However, he was immediately chased back to the living room by Heesu’s stern order. Yoonjae wanted to subtly dip his toes into the amicable atmosphere, but Heesu’s determination not to make her youngest son-in-law, who had come from afar, suffer was too strong.

 

With each dish that filled the table, Heesu and her sister-in-law’s satisfied laughter leaked out of the kitchen. She loudly called for the whole family. The first to rush over were the little nephews and nieces.

 

Yoonjae checked on Eunho from time to time during the meal. Eunho, who had absorbed enough of the alpha’s pheromones and whose nausea had lessened, was trying to eat food that had been difficult for him. He started eating small portions of meat, which he hadn’t touched for a month, easing Yoonjae’s worries.

 

“Capri Island? Are you talking about Italy?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The eldest brother, who was skillfully cutting the steak, heard the wedding venue and looked up. His eyes widened and his cheekbones rose as if he had come up with a groundbreaking idea, and he clapped his hands to draw attention. He seemed quite pleased with Yoonjae’s choice, his face gleaming with satisfaction.

 

“I wanted to go to Positano anyway, so it wouldn’t be bad to take a family trip around the area while we’re there. Right, Mother?”

 

“I can’t leave the restaurant empty for too long.”

 

“That’s why I wish you’d delegate to the manager and enjoy your retirement by traveling. You still make the sauces yourself, saying the taste will change.”

 

The eldest brother complained to Yoonjae. Despite running a large restaurant that occupied an entire building, Heesu checked the ingredients every day and made the sauces herself. Although she had several main chefs, Heesu managed the key ingredients herself, which allowed her to maintain a consistent taste, but her hardship was hard to put into words.

 

“Let’s split into two teams. The second one goes first to enjoy the vacation, and we’ll take our parents and go the day before the wedding. If you leave right after the wedding, it’ll only be a day or two that the restaurant is empty, so it should be fine.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Yoonjae and Eunho were getting married, but the older brother and sister-in-law were more excited. It looked like they would pull out a map app and plan a travel course if they weren’t at the dinner table, and Eunho’s expression brightened as he watched. Yoonjae put down the fork and knife he was holding and subtly joined in the conversation with his brothers.

 

“We’ll cover the costs.”

 

“It’s a vacation and wedding attendance. Don’t say that.”

 

“No. I think it’ll make me feel better.”

 

Since it was a quiet wedding with only family and close associates invited, Chief Yoon and his wife and Kang Taeoh’s family were the maximum at the current number.

 

Italy, a third country, not Korea or the United States. Yoonjae wanted to spare no expense to ensure that there were no inconveniences in getting there. Yoonjae moistened his lips with water and turned to Eunho’s parents.

 

“The company is in a state of emergency, so after the reorganization, I’ll set a date as soon as it stabilizes. As quickly as possible…”

 

“Since you’re already family, focus on managing the company rather than rushing the wedding. There’s no need to be in a hurry. Isn’t that right, Eunho?”

 

He felt heavy-hearted because it looked like he was causing trouble and cleaning up afterward. Especially when he stood in front of his parents, it looked like a childish prank, and his face flushed.

 

Eunho’s parents placed more importance on the stability of the company than the wedding. A month ago, when he introduced himself and said that he was Eunho’s spouse, they were shocked and reserved their words, but after exchanging contacts and building trust, and confirming the person named Choi Yoonjae through various media, the parents became close enough to express their full support for everything he did. Above all, they were deeply touched by his sincere care for Eunho, so they stopped Yoonjae, saying that there was no need to rush the wedding.

 

Articles about SH Investment, which recently changed its name, attempting a major overhaul were being published every day. Eunho’s parents, who were keenly watching the articles related to Yoonjae, wanted Yoonjae to return to Korea as soon as possible to resolve the situation more than anyone else.

 

“I feel the same way.”

 

Eunho’s hand overlapped Yoonjae’s right hand. His hand, which was lightly holding his as if sharing warmth, shook gently. Don’t be nervous, Eunho encouraged Yoonjae with a soft look.

 

“There’s no rush.”

 

When he was dating Hyunjun, he always maintained a precarious relationship, as if he were hanging on the edge. An insignificant 1% in Lee Hyunjun’s life, a relationship barely maintained with money. Eunho, who had endured it, thinking that everyone had this kind of relationship, realized that the relationship was wrong when he met Yoonjae. Even in the midst of his busy schedule, Yoonjae’s priority was always Eunho. In the end, it was a matter of affection and mindset.

 

“It’s been a while since we’ve all taken a break together because of you, brother-in-law. It was hard to see each other because we always took shifts.”

 

If the executives step back and only the employees and managers run the business, something is bound to go wrong at some point. The restaurant was well-established because the family members took turns looking after the hall and kitchen, but the daily routine, like turning a treadmill, was exhausting. The eldest brother, who was happy to have a chance to gather and enjoy drinking all day, raised his wine glass and made eye contact with Yoonjae. As if by reflex, he neatly gathered his hands and offered an empty wine glass, causing Eunho, who was watching, to frown.

 

“Ah, hyung.”

 

“Hey, this is champagne.”

 

“Champagne is alcohol, too. And Yoonjae-ssi doesn’t like sweet things.”

 

“Wow, look at our youngest. I raised him, but he’s so heartless in the end. I’m out of his hands, right?”

 

Yoonjae’s eyes widened. The ‘Yoonjae-ssi’ that he was too embarrassed to call popped out over his lips, and he couldn’t hide his excited expression, shining brightly with a smile.

 

“You must be tired, so just drink one glass. I can’t give you any more because of that vixen.”

 

“…Not a vixen… a deer.”

 

The boisterous table was suddenly filled with silence. Only after the fork he was holding fell onto the plate with a clatter did the older brother and sister-in-law reconfirm Yoonjae’s last words, and Yoonjae, who had turned red in the meantime, lowered his gaze.

 

“Honey, were we like that when we were newlyweds?”

 

“We were worse. You said you were holding on to me every day because you thought I’d fly away if the wind blew.”

 

“I said that? Ahahaha.”

 

The atmosphere quickly shifted back to a boisterous one. The family shared playful jokes in a cheerful manner. Eunho was grateful that Yoonjae had blended into the family in just half a day without showing any discomfort.

 

After the meal, he sent his sister-in-law and mother, who were in charge of cooking, back to the living room, and the three brothers gathered to do the dishes and clean up. The two older brothers, who were already well aware of the hardships of raising children, treated Eunho, the youngest, like a child, showering him with worries and telling him to call them anytime if he had a hard time.

 

After finishing cleaning the kitchen, Eunho went to the living room and searched the house for traces of Yoonjae.

 

‘Where the heck did he go?’

 

He checked the nephew’s room and the bathroom, but Yoonjae was nowhere to be seen. Deciding that he wasn’t in the house, Eunho dragged his slippers and opened the front door. After checking the pool in the front yard and confirming that no one was there, Eunho breathed a sigh of relief when he saw two figures sitting on a bench in a corner of the backyard.

 

He didn’t know what they were talking about, but Yoonjae, who was having a serious conversation with his father and sometimes laughing, seemed quite comfortable. Sensing his presence, Yoonjae’s father got up first as Eunho approached and gestured for him to go in first, saying he was going to smoke.

 

“What kind of secret conversation are you having in the backyard?”

 

It couldn’t be slander, and the atmosphere was too cozy to be a lecture. Yoonjae just smiled without answering. Eunho, wondering about his pleased attitude, blocked Yoonjae’s path and leaned in.

 

“What is it? Won’t you tell me?”

 

Yoonjae, who raised one eyebrow and smiled softly as he looked up at him with wrinkles on his nose, smiled softly.

 

“Father… gave me words of blessing to live well. We also talked about the company.”

 

“My dad did?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Only then could Eunho fully understand his smile. Yoonjae projected his deceased parents onto Eunho’s father. If they were still alive, wouldn’t they have said the same thing to him as Eunho’s father? Yoonjae seemed to have gained the joy of having parents who were completely on his side.

 

***

 

Taeoh, who was looking at Junseo’s painting in Olivia’s studio, reached out and felt the texture of the oil paint with his fingertips. Taeoh, who was reminded of Junseo’s pain in those days by the rough brushstrokes that had been added, enjoyed the warmth of the phone against his ear and broke into a bitter smile.

 

-What, were you two in on this?

 

“……”

 

-How could you stab me in the back?

 

Taeoh, who had been ignoring Choi Seryeong’s calls ever since he filed the complaint with the prosecutor’s office, was convinced that she would call him again when rumors spread that SH Investment would invest 50 billion won in Seoin Construction and the stock price hit the upper limit, and he waited the whole time. Now that the puzzle was coming together, Seryeong screamed as if to tear his eardrums with a highly agitated tone. Taeoh, who had been calmly listening to Seryeong’s rant, slowly pressed his Adam’s apple.

 

“Did you just say stab in the back?”

 

-Then what is this if it’s not a stab in the back!

 

“Who stabbed who in the back!”

 

The extremely languid tone, with no highs or lows, instantly turned into an explosive sound filled with anger. Silence flowed over the speaker, and Seryeong flinched in surprise.

 

“There are people who think they’re invincible when they have power, and they enjoy ruining people like they’re playing with dolls.”

 

-…….

 

“You may have been playing around as a mere amusement, but the other person isn’t.”

 

-What are you talking about……

 

“Lee Junseo.”

 

The conversation was cut off again by the name Lee Junseo. Seryeong hesitated as if she was wondering why Lee Junseo came out of Taeoh’s mouth, and whether he was talking about the same person she knew. Taeoh took two steps back to check the entire painting, then gave strength to his lower jaw and gave strength to each syllable.

 

“Didn’t you do a proper background check on me? Ah, I guess there’s only a bunch of dull and lacking people gathered there.”

 

-Kang Taeoh!!

 

“What did you do wrong to Lee Junseo!!”

 

As he rebuked like a thunderbolt, the atmosphere calmly subsided. He wanted to return the extreme pain and terrible sense of loss he had suffered while being devalued, ridiculed, and buried in Korea. Unlike his raging tone, his mind was extremely calm.

 

“Try to remember.”

 

The tense air, as if strangling his breath, flowed through the phone. Choi Seryeong’s nervous breathing caught on the tip of his ear.

 

“The real game hasn’t even started yet.”

 

-…….

 

“You won’t even be able to raise your voice and get angry like you are now, and you’ll kneel before me.”

 

Traces of deep anguish, which cannot be described in words, appeared on Taeoh’s bleak face before disappearing. He smiled bitterly, lowered his eyes, and then gave strength again.

 

“Let’s see then.”

 

***

 

He moved the schedule to leave on Tuesday forward by two days. Eunho’s encouragement not to leave the representative position empty for too long, as he was not in a normal state and the general shareholders’ meeting was in a state of disarray, changed Yoonjae’s mind.

 

Before boarding the plane, Yoonjae comforted Kang Taeoh, who had come to see him off, with a hug instead of a handshake.

 

The moment Yoonjae checked on Olivia at the mansion after arriving in the United States, an indescribably complex feeling filled his head. Yoonjae couldn’t easily approach the child, who was smiling brightly with a face that perfectly resembled Junseo in the past. He was hesitant even to touch the child, and when Taeoh, who had been observing, gestured that it was okay, he hugged him once. That was all.

 

Now that he had someone he loved and was married to, it was hard to imagine how much Taeoh had lost. A sense of guilt, the weight of which was hard to estimate, piled up like a fan. Rather than offering clumsy comfort, Yoonjae decided to focus on further tightening the screws on Choi Seryeong, who had been the cause.

 

“I’ll proceed with the investment contract with Father, so you can come slowly.”

 

“The prosecutor’s office will be calling the informant who filed the complaint, so I’ll be going soon.”

 

Taeoh was more solid and level-headed than Yoonjae had thought. He produced two or three times the results of anything he was asked to do. Taeoh secured additional data not only on the Yuseong Group’s accounting irregularities provided by Yoonjae, but also on the tax evasion issues of private foundations.

 

“Still, I’m going to take a summer vacation with the child and then attend.”

 

His appearance with large black sunglasses and arms crossed looked somewhat arrogant. Yoonjae smiled and frowned at his confident smile.

 

“I’ll contact you as soon as I detect any movements from the Yuseong Group, so don’t worry about it and have a good vacation.”

 

“Then I’ll see you in Seoul.”

 

Yoonjae wrapped his arm around Eunho and entered the departure hall. Countless things had stayed and left between the two of them for nearly 10 months after the regression. Sometimes they were beaten, sometimes they were blocked in advance, and the time when they held a knife to each other flashed by like a lantern, and the time to start a new game had come again.

 

After takeoff, Eunho slyly took out the laptop from Yoonjae’s briefcase, looked at Yoonjae, and turned it on. He rearranged the reports from each headquarters that he had received in advance before boarding so that they could be easily compared with the previous quarter and bundled them together. Despite trying to minimize the noise while typing on the keyboard, he was eventually caught.

 

Yoonjae, who had been lying down with his eyes closed, raised his body, and Eunho was startled, stopped what he was doing, and stiffened. He turned the direction of the air conditioner to the side, wrapped the blanket carefully around his stomach and legs, turned his gaze to the laptop on the auxiliary table, and frowned as if he was displeased.

 

“Your eyes will get worse. Relax and watch a movie.”

 

“It’s been a day or two, and I’m getting tired of it now.”

 

Eunho frowned as if asking him to take a look. Free time was like poison to Eunho, who didn’t know how to plan and enjoy himself. The more he spent his free time alone, the more depressed he became, which soon led to a drop in self-esteem.

 

“By the way, I’m worried that I’ll be bored because I’m unemployed.”

 

“Can’t you let go of work?”

 

“I’ve been thinking about it for a month. I don’t mean a contract job, but even a part-time job would be fine, so can’t I stay in the secretary’s office?”

 

The thought of being left alone at home while Yoonjae went to work made him feel stuffy already. Suyeong going to the cafe or shopping was only for a day or two, and Eunho, who couldn’t find any interest in playing alone, grabbed Yoonjae’s wrist and shook it, begging him to help.

 

“It’s going to be very hard, though.”

 

He couldn’t easily make a decision because he didn’t know Eunho’s exact condition. Just looking at the fact that he had lost weight in a month, he looked very tired, and he was worried about whether he could handle company work as well. Yoonjae would be happy if he was close to him, but he didn’t want to make his partner suffer for that reason.

 

“No… I mean, if it’s going to cause trouble for the employees, I’ll just stay quiet.”

 

Eunho was worried about whether it would be a burden to other employees more than the problem of physical strength. Who would like the title of the company’s representative’s spouse? After resigning, he didn’t know the atmosphere of the company, so he couldn’t rashly step forward and just watched. Yoonjae, who was holding Eunho’s hand and stroking it, finally parted his lips after a long time.

 

“Chief Yoon’s wife is due to give birth soon.”

 

“……Ah!”

 

“She’s going to take a long maternity leave, so let’s have you work for that period only. But are you going to be okay?”

 

“Of course!”

 

“But you won’t be a regular employee.”

 

“I’ll take any part-time job. Minimum wage is fine.”

 

He shrugged his shoulders and hummed as if he was so happy. Yoonjae scratched his forehead and tried to understand Eunho’s reaction. Usually, people want to rest, but it was an unfamiliar sight to insist on working.

 

“I’d like to see you more for a long time, but I don’t know if you’re overdoing it.”

 

“The little one likes being next to his dad more, too.”

 

“Really?”

 

“I’m much better now.”

 

Eunho’s condition had improved a lot, as if the days when he had to take IV drips to barely maintain himself were long gone. The nausea was still there like the day after drinking alcohol, but the quality of life had improved by one level just by getting out of the days when he had to throw up even if he didn’t want to. He could endure it enough.

 

After arriving, he hugged Yoonjae, who was going straight to the company without even adjusting to the time difference, and encouraged him. When he took out his ticklish heart, telling him not to overdo it, he smiled kindly and stroked his head.

 

Yoonjae left, leaving only an empty seat, but he wasn’t sad or disappointed. When he took out his clothes from the travel carrier and moved to the laundry room, the helper lady chased after him and took everything he was holding.

 

The housekeeper told him everything that had happened in the past month, starting with Yoonjae’s car accident. She looked at the gaunt Eunho and smiled kindly, telling him to tell her right away if there was anything he wanted to eat.

 

“Oh, have you been to the study?”

 

“No?”

 

“Open it up. You’ll probably be surprised.Eunho, who was lost in thought at her back as she trailed off meaningfully and entered the laundry room, got up from his seat and approached the study across from the main bedroom.

 

What on earth was in there to make her say that? Eunho grabbed the doorknob and opened the door, then stopped at the threshold, unable to close his mouth at the changed interior.