Chapter 22

-Hyung, when are you getting here?

It was a call from Seong Tae. Woo Hyun held his phone to his ear and looked around.

"Tonight's flight."

-Why is it so noisy? Where are you?

"Duty-free shop."

Woo Hyun replied, slowly looking around the duty-free shop.

His paternal grandfather's 70th birthday party was held lavishly in the U.S.

Woo Hyun had initially tried to skip it, using work as an excuse. However, his mother, who was quicker than anyone to catch onto her son's tricks, threatened him, saying, 'If you don't come, I'll force you to marry Seo Eun. Even if I have to gag you.' So, he had no choice but to attend. After the two-night, three-day trip ended, Woo Hyun went to the duty-free shop alone. When he was in Korea, he was too busy and tired to find time to go to department stores. Since it was a rare break, he decided to buy what he needed now.

-Duty-free shop? You didn't bat an eye even when I begged you to go before.

Seong Tae grumbled in dissatisfaction.

"I know."

Woo Hyun replied indifferently.

-What are you buying?

"A wallet and cologne."

That's what he had intended when he first came to the duty-free shop. But his feet stopped dead in front of the Chanel handbag display. Woo Hyun's gaze landed on a black handbag displayed on the very top shelf of the store.

A store employee quietly came and stood beside Woo Hyun.

"Show me that one, please."

Woo Hyun pointed with his fingertip to the bag on the very top shelf and spoke in English. The female employee, wearing white gloves, carefully took down the bag and meticulously showed Woo Hyun everything, from the handle and the interior to the finishing.

-Hyung, what are you being shown? Is it my gift?

Seong Tae asked with an excited voice.

"This is our most beloved handbag among women."

The female employee, realizing Woo Hyun was Korean, spoke in Korean.

-Hyung, where are you? Women? Handbag?

As Woo Hyun looked at the female employee, Seong Tae, with his sharp hearing, immediately shot back questions.

"I'm going to give it as a gift."

-To your mother?

"No."

-Hyung, I'm asking this out of impatience, but are you by any chance buying it for the café owner?

Woo Hyun answered with silence.

-It's true, then.

Seong Tae added, 'Oh my god.' Woo Hyun, who never bought gifts for girlfriends except on anniversaries, was apparently buying a handbag.

-With that woman.

"Again."

Woo Hyun said curtly, as if telling him to repeat himself, and the other end of the line went silent. Seong Tae seemed to flinch.

-Are you dating that woman?

"No."

-But, you're giving her a handbag? You, of all people?

"Did you call to check what I'm buying? Just state your business."

Woo Hyun cut Seong Tae off, as if he didn't want to argue any further.

-Manager Kim wants to have a meal with you after you return to Korea. It seems like he wants to entrust you with his nephew's financial planning.

"Tell him to let me know his available times. Politely tell him that I'll do my best to adjust my schedule to meet him."

Woo Hyun replied stiffly, meticulously examining the bag the female employee was showing him.

-Understood. By the way, since you're going, could you buy me a wallet? Mine is tattered. You know the brand I use, right? Please get me a new product from there.

"Okay."

After ending the call, Woo Hyun looked at the handbag. It was luxurious and neat. The moment he saw the bag, Da Hee came to mind. The handbag suited Da Hee's calm image well.

'But you're buying her a handbag? You, of all people?'

Seong Tae's voice, asking in surprise, came to mind. Even when he had a girlfriend, he rarely gave special gifts outside of anniversaries. Yet, here he was, looking at a handbag for a woman who wasn't even his girlfriend. He hadn't even bought his own perfume and wallet yet.

"I'll take this one."

Nevertheless, Woo Hyun chose without hesitation.

He wanted to see Da Hee happy. That was the only reason he chose it.

~~~~~

Miel's Translations