Chapter 67. I Need You (8)

Translator: Aura

“Ah, ah, yes. I know. The truth is that I still have work to do…. I have files to review.”

Lee-Seob chuckled at Minkyung’s clumsiness.

“No matter how much work you have left, turn off your laptop and let’s go.”

He tilted his head towards her and looked into her eyes.

“Hurry up.”

She didn’t know what else to say to refuse. The words ‘you go first’ just stuck in her throat before sliding back down. It seemed even more unnatural to react like that.

Minkyung turned off her laptop, aware that his eyes were still on her. Her brow furrowed. It bothered her that the situation was out of control.

‘This shouldn’t happen, it’s just another passage of shameful history that he will want to erase one day.’

For it to become a shameful story that he wanted to erase, it would have to be funny, like a joke, but this one wasn’t light enough to laugh at. Unclear feelings, coupled with a mixture of discomfort and irritation she hadn’t felt when they kissed in her car or their bodies tangled over her spotless kitchen island, invaded her heart for an instant. He wouldn’t drive her home, so she saw this as an unnecessary emotional drain on an already finished work day.

Maybe because it was late to leave work, the two of them were the only ones inside the elevator. Minkyung stood near the door, while Lee-Seob stood in the center, at the back. It wasn’t the first time she was in such a situation with him, but she felt nervous like she was on a roller coaster. Minkyung reached out her left hand and grabbed the elevator handrail.

“It won’t collapse.”

When Minkyung turned her head, Lee-Seob pointed at Minkyung’s hand with his chin, as if he found it funny.

“It’s a habit.”

Those were Minkyung’s only words. Lee-Seob stood straight without losing his elegance and only raised his eyebrows briefly.

Once out of the elevator, she crossed the lobby and went through the revolving doors. She adjusted her purse, and fiddled with the strap a few times.

Now all she had to do was wait for him to get in the car and wave goodbye to him. She thought that the kisses, the loss of head, and the entanglements would fade away for both Lee-Seob and her after this weekend. However, Lee-Seob’s car, which was supposed to already be outside the revolving door, was nowhere to be seen. Minkyung looked around, but it was the same.

“Assistant Manager Kim hasn’t come out yet. I’ll call him.”

“No need, I told him to come later.”

Lee-Seob said to Minkyung,

“I have something to buy at the convenience store.”

He then strode off in that direction. Minkyung said out loud hurriedly,

“Sir, I’ll get it for you. What do you need?”

Lee-Seob turned to her,

“In that case, let’s go together.”

Lee-Seob stood still as Minkyung approached. When they were side by side, he turned his head to Minkyung and nodded slightly. His expression seemed to say ‘Thank you’. Her heartbeat quickened, perhaps because she saw his face from the best angle.

The spring night air that passed between the two was cool. There were almost no pedestrians walking on the sidewalks.

Lee-Seob, who was supposed to go to the convenience store, just passed by the convenience store closest to the company. Minkyung didn’t say anything to him as they waited for the green light in front of a long, wide crosswalk. They both looked at the light and began to cross the street at the same time.

The green numbers decreased one by one in a countdown and the traffic light beeped. Every time she turned her head to look at Lee-Seob, her eyes were dazzled by the headlights of the cars lined up at the stop line.

His scent floated in the scent of the city carried by the wind. Her body shuddered the moment she remembered the time that scent was even closer. Minkyung quickly added up the numbers that appeared on the traffic light. There was no quicker remedy to numb the senses than numbers.

The convenience store Lee-Seob entered was large and spacious. On the upper floor, separated by about four steps, there was an area with several tables set up, like a small restaurant. She saw that it was being renovated a few months ago, but this was her first time inside.

“What do you want to eat?”

Minkyung shook her head in response to Lee-Seob’s question.

“Nothing in particular.”

“Then…”

Lee-Seob reached into the chest freezer, pulled out two ice creams, and paid for them. He handed one to Minkyung, who stood there blankly.

“Let’s eat them together.”

Since she remained silent with the ice cream in her hand, Lee-Seob shrugged,

“Do you want us to eat them on the way back?”

Just imagining eating ice cream on the streets near TK’s offices at night with Tae Lee-Seob made her embarrassed.