I Possessed a Terminally Ill Omega - Episode 192
I Possessed a Terminally Ill Omega – Episode 192
Seo I-kyung, with slightly improved color, asked:
“You’re not going to sleep there, are you?”
As if answering Seo I-kyung’s question, Han Seung-jae raised the upper part of the bed and leaned back. He then brought one arm to the back of his neck.
It was evident from every angle that he was uncomfortable, as it didn’t suit his body.
The VIP hospital room was equipped with a shower area, a place for caregivers to rest, a sofa and table, TV, and even a refrigerator. It was spacious inside and had large windows that allowed a view far into the distance on good weather days.
However, compared to the house Han Seung-jae lived in, everything here was lacking and insufficient. Seo I-kyung couldn’t even count all the differences on his fingers. Yet, Han Seung-jae just turned his head to look at Seo I-kyung and said concisely:
“I won’t be able to sleep.”
“…”
That wasn’t why Seo I-kyung had asked. Even to Seo I-kyung, it was clear that Han Seung-jae wasn’t someone who would easily fall asleep in a place like this.
Even Seo I-kyung, who shared the same bedroom, had rarely seen Han Seung-jae sleeping. He always came after Seo I-kyung had fallen asleep or left before he woke up. Moreover, even when he returned home, he spent most of his time in the study.
They had never been like this, lying side by side on a bed, blankly.
Between the two, there was only the sound of machines leaking from the hospital equipment. Seo I-kyung had been flustered from the moment Han Seung-jae suddenly settled on the hospital bed.
‘If he sleeps here together, what about Min Ra-hyun at home?’
Perhaps Han Seung-jae would soon get up from the uncomfortable bed and leave.
‘I’m overthinking.’
Trying to stop his thoughts from running wild, Seo I-kyung picked up the glass of water in front of him to wet his throat, and his eyes met Han Seung-jae’s. Seo I-kyung considered turning his head away. But wouldn’t that be too obviously avoiding him?
However, it was also awkward to keep looking for too long. Seo I-kyung tried to move his head naturally while picking up the water glass, trying not to show it.
“As expected.”
Seo I-kyung’s fingertips holding the water glass twitched. Han Seung-jae removed his arm from the back of his neck and pulled his upper body forward from where he had been leaning on the upper part of the bed.
“It’s uncomfortable.”
Han Seung-jae had never slept in a place like this, on a bed like this. So it was natural for him to feel uncomfortable.
Seo I-kyung felt conflicted, wanting Han Seung-jae to leave but also not wanting him to go to the house where Min Ra-hyun was. However, he couldn’t voice such thoughts.
Seo I-kyung pressed the button to lower the upper part of the bed. He tried to choose to sleep quickly before saying something unnecessary. Being tired, this time would pass quickly if he closed his eyes. And when he opened them, Han Seung-jae would be gone.
How much time had passed? Seo I-kyung, with his eyes closed, faintly heard steady footsteps.
He couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality. Beyond his hazy consciousness, he heard the sound of a door opening, then closing.
***
Late at night, at Executive Director Jin Tae-won’s residence.
“Hyung, I’ve had all the articles taken down for now.”
Jin Seok-young was anxious. He couldn’t help it. The situation wasn’t good. There was a high possibility that Han Seung-jae already knew about this. How could he not know? He would be the one most desperate to find Seo Dong-hu.
Jin Seok-young paced around the sofa.
“Han Seung-jae must have seen the news articles, right?”
In a situation where it wouldn’t be strange if Secretary Park came right away, Han Seung-jae was too quiet. It seemed like he didn’t know that Vice President Seo had died. Or maybe he did. Jin Seok-young found it difficult to guess.
“He must have seen it, so why is he so quiet? Did he not see it? If he saw it, there’s no way he’d be this calm.”
Jin Tae-won, annoyed by Jin Seok-young acting like a restless dog, wiggled his finger with a cigarette at him. Jin Seok-young sat on the sofa and added:
“It’s true that Vice President Seo died from excessive bleeding. They said a knife stabbed his side, causing a fatal wound.”
Jin Tae-won turned a page. It contained photos of Seo Dong-hu. Looking at the miserable images, Jin Tae-won exhaled smoke bitterly. Given Seo Dong-hu’s usual behavior, they couldn’t rule out the possibility that it was done by someone holding a grudge. It seemed that Director Han wasn’t the only one with a grudge now.
“Did Han Seung-jae really tell you to find Vice President Seo?”
Jin Tae-won quickly flipped through the papers he was looking at. Jin Seok-young, following the same spot with his eyes, said:
“I told you he did! How many times do I have to say it? It’s clear that Han Seung-jae couldn’t find Vice President Seo either. Otherwise, why would he tell me to go find him? Who would that benefit?”
If Jin Seok-young had found him and handed him over to Han Seung-jae, things might have gone more favorably. After all, it was Vice President Seo who had harmed Seo I-kyung. That was an undeniable truth. And if Seo I-kyung just said a word, Jin Seon-yoo could more easily get out of this situation.
“But damn it, now that Seo Dong-hu is dead, things have gotten even more messed up.”
Moreover, the place where Vice President Seo had harmed Seo I-kyung was none other than Executive Director Jin Tae-won’s residence. If he started being investigated, Jin Tae-won’s name would inevitably be mentioned.
That wasn’t welcome. It was clear as day that this would damage the image Chae-eon Foods had built up over the years. It takes over decades to build a reputation, but it can crumble like a sand castle in an instant.
Whether they could recover from this was questionable, but even if they could, it would be a tough battle during Jin Tae-won’s time. It might even be impossible. They needed to act before things got out of hand.
“I need to meet Han Seung-jae myself. Set up an appointment.”
“You’re going to meet him in person, hyung?”
Jin Tae-won stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray. Then he immediately took out a new cigarette and lit it. Just that was enough for Jin Seok-young to hold his tongue.
“Alright. I’ll tell Secretary Park that you’re coming.”
Jin Tae-won closed the papers he was looking at and put them down on the table. Sending Jin Seok-young wouldn’t be enough to persuade Han Seung-jae with his level of intelligence. It would be better to resolve things at this point before they got more complicated due to his impulsive nature and lack of eloquence.
“Still, I can’t go empty-handed, so I should ask Seon-yoo what would be a good gift for Seo I-kyung.”
Jin Tae-won leaned back on the sofa. It was as good as silent permission. Jin Seok-young got up and went up the stairs.
“Seon-yoo.”
Jin Seok-young flung open the door. Jin Seon-yoo lit both wicks. He had told him to knock so many times that his mouth was sore from saying it.
“It’s about Seo I-kyung.”
However, at the mention of Seo I-kyung’s name, Jin Seon-yoo’s eyes changed.
“What about I-kyung? Has he gotten worse?”
Jin Seon-yoo looked like he was about to rush out. Jin Seok-young firmly grabbed his shoulder.
“No, it’s not that. He’s pregnant, remember? Tae-won hyung asked what would be a good gift.”
“Big brother did?”
Jin Seon-yoo’s eyes widened. But he quickly recalled the pile of gifts he had seen with Seo I-kyung. It must be a congratulatory gift for the baby. Jin Seon-yoo thought for a moment and then spoke. Hearing this, Jin Seok-young narrowed his eyes.
“Isn’t that what you want?”
Jin Seon-yoo kept listing things he had seen in the reception room. Baby clothes, toys, and even flower baskets. There were objects piled up as tall as Jin Seon-yoo in that house.
Jin Seok-young asked suspiciously:
“Really?”
He wasn’t asking if that many gifts had poured in, but rather, he couldn’t believe that what Jin Seon-yoo said was what Seo I-kyung “wanted.”
“I’m telling you, it’s true.”
Jin Seon-yoo logically persuaded Jin Seok-young again.
***
Seo I-kyung tossed and turned. He moved his left arm in a cast out of habit and opened his eyes at the weight. Then he slowly turned his head to the right. It was as if he was checking if someone was there or not.
The bed where Han Seung-jae had been was empty. Come to think of it, he seemed to have heard steady footsteps in the night. The door opening and closing too. Han Seung-jae must have left then.
‘So that wasn’t a dream.’
And Seo I-kyung lowered his eyelids as if resigned. Suddenly, he heard voices as if continuing a conversation from beyond the screen.
“I brought a suit for you to change into and breakfast from the chef. What should I do with this? He seems to be sleeping.”
“Wait and see.”
Han Seung-jae’s voice was low but had a clear resonance. Soon after, Han Seung-jae, who had changed into a suit, appeared and approached Seo I-kyung’s bedside, who had just woken up.
“Can you get up?”
Facing Han Seung-jae, whom he had been looking for, Seo I-kyung nodded unconditionally, lest his true feelings be revealed. It wasn’t his legs that were injured after all. Then Han Seung-jae removed the blanket covering Seo I-kyung’s chest and made him get up from the bed.
Surprised by Han Seung-jae’s unexpected action, Seo I-kyung’s feet tangled as he lowered his legs from the bed. Because of this, he moved to the shower room almost as if embraced by Han Seung-jae.
“I, I can do it alone.”
“If you move like that and fall, you’ll get hurt even more. Do you want to keep being held by me?”
“…”
Seo I-kyung kept his mouth shut. Seeing Han Seung-jae’s eyes reflected in the mirror, he chose to accept rather than engage in unnecessary argument.
Seo I-kyung put his right hand in the sink. Despite the slow face washing due to the pain near his chest, Han Seung-jae supported him with an arm around his waist to prevent him from falling. Suddenly, Han Seung-jae spoke through the open door.
“Bring something to wipe with.”
Then Secretary Park approached and handed over a long towel. Han Seung-jae took it and wiped Seo I-kyung’s small face. His touch was indifferent, as if he had never done this before.
Seo I-kyung felt Han Seung-jae’s firm upper body behind him. Heat kept rushing to the tips of his ears. Every time the towel swept across his face, Seo I-kyung could faintly see his reflection in the mirror. He was in a posture that looked almost as if he was fully embraced in Han Seung-jae’s chest.
The space in front of the sink was far too narrow for Han Seung-jae and him to stand together.