A Child Who Resembles Me [EN]: Chapter 38

Jeong-o didn’t hear Ji-heon’s voice, preoccupied as she was with suppressing a cough.

Ji-heon, having risen from his seat, moved to check on Jeong-o, but she held out a hand as if to stop him, exclaiming,

“Woah! Don’t come any closer!”

“…….”

“Don’t touch me.”

As if confronting a wild animal, she issued the warning and then fled.

She ran recklessly, putting as much distance as possible between herself and the tasting event.

However, Jeong-o quickly realized it would be better to turn around and go home.

Chae Eun-bi would also be at the tasting event, and there was no point in creating unnecessary misunderstandings.

On the one hand, she couldn’t shake off a feeling of resentment.

How could the father of her child have such bad manners?

If she had been a few seconds slower, she would have been kissed.

Come to think of it, he had behaved inappropriately during the meal as well. He paused and quickly lowered his hand, but he had definitely touched her cheek. He acted as if something was on her cheek, so she remained still, but his behavior was definitely strange.

‘So, he was doing that on purpose during the last meeting too.’

She recalled the Dawon Liquor production meeting two weeks prior. Ji-heon, who sat next to her then, had been noticeably restless. He acted so annoyingly, dropping his pen on the floor, and then covering her hand when she bent down to pick it up.

That was also this man’s scheme.

‘I didn’t know he was this kind of man, and I…’

She should be thankful a thousand times over that Ye-na was born because of this man, but she deeply regretted being infatuated with him at one time.

If she had known this man’s true nature sooner, she would have been less hurt.

But there was no use in regretting it. The past cannot be changed.

She had to be careful in the future.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

Seung-gyu was anxious.

Day by day, June 7th, Monday, was getting closer, but he couldn’t persuade his friend.

Moreover, it seemed like something went wrong with Chae Eun-bi because he brought up Deputy Lee Jeong-o’s name in Ji-heon’s office.

He felt too ashamed to ask about Monday’s schedule again.

‘Jeong Ji-heon isn’t the type to come back to this house to play with other people’s kids…’

The children and his wife already firmly believed that Ji-heon would come back to their house on Monday, so Seung-gyu couldn’t help but feel more anxious.

“Aigoo, aigoo, aigoo…” [Aigoo is a Korean expression of frustration or worry.]

While Seung-gyu was making eye contact with the children and worrying, Jin-seo groaned and leaned against the bed.

“Do-yoon didn’t take a nap today. I wrestled with him all day, and my whole body aches.”

Seung-gyu quickly approached Jin-seo and massaged her shoulders.

Jin-seo twisted her body and said, as the children went out to the living room following a paper airplane.

“It’s okay. Go watch the kids.”

“They’re playing well.”

Seung-gyu glanced at the living room and focused on the massage again.

He should have told his wife that he couldn’t persuade Ji-heon, that he probably wouldn’t come on Monday.

“Um, Jin-seo…”

Drrr.

In the meantime, Seung-gyu’s phone vibrated.

‘But, who is this! Isn’t it my lovely friend Jeong Ji-heon?’

Seung-gyu stopped massaging and quickly answered the phone.

“Oh! Friend! What’s up?”

[I have something to ask you.]

Ji-heon’s voice sounded serious.

“Yeah. Ask me anything.”

[Did a rumor spread in the company that I’m getting married?]

“Huh? What do you mean?”

[It seems like there’s such a rumor going around? About me and Chae Eun-bi.]

Seung-gyu tilted his head. In fact, Seung-gyu had been in another affiliate of Sae-ryun Group before transferring to Max Planning less than a year ago. As he was in the HR team, he had access to more rumors than Ji-heon, but there were still limitations.

“I’ve heard rumors that you two are dating. But I haven’t heard anything about marriage?”

[I see. Thanks.]

Ji-heon hung up the phone as if he was in a hurry.

Seung-gyu stared blankly at the disconnected phone.

‘Ah, this heartless friend. He only says what he wants and hangs up.’ Seung-gyu was resentful of his heartlessness today.

At that time, Jin-seo, who had been lying on the bed groaning for a few minutes, got up and asked Seung-gyu.

“Honey. Doesn’t something feel strange?”

“What’s strange?”

“It’s too quiet.”

At Jin-seo’s words, Seung-gyu also held his breath. The house was as quiet as if the children had vanished.

It was more reassuring when the children were noisy and playing around. It’s the quiet times that are really scary.

Seung-gyu and Jin-seo quickly went out to the living room.

“Aaaaaah!”

Do-bin, who was scooping honey with his younger brother Do-yoon in a corner of the living room, threw everything away and ran away with a scream. Seeing her older brother running away, Do-yoon also ran away, sensing the situation.

The honey jar spilled.

The children’s hands and feet were covered in sticky honey.

The children ran around, smearing honey all over the floor.

“Hey! Don’t run!”

Seung-gyu shouted, but it was no use.

“I said don’t run!”

“Dad’s going to scold you!”

Do-bin retorted firmly as he ran away.

“You should be scolded if you did something wrong! No, don’t run, you!”

Still, the son was quickly caught by his father.

“You rascal!”

Seung-gyu picked up Do-bin and took him to the bathroom to wash his hands and feet while scolding him.

“I told you not to take things out of the kitchen, didn’t I?”

“I asked for honey, but you kept not giving it to me!”

“So you secretly took it out and ate it? And then you stepped on it and walked around? Huh?”

Jin-seo immediately took Do-yoon to the bathroom as well. Seung-gyu washed Do-yoon neatly as well.

Jin-seo sighed sadly and cleaned up the mess in the living room.

She felt drained as she checked the sticky floor with each step.

She’s been feeling depressed lately.

This house is never quiet.

She loved the honey-dripping eyes of her favorite actors so much, but why is it so tragic when honey drips in reality?

It’s something my own son did.

Jin-seo said to Do-bin, who came out of the bathroom.

“You. You’re banned from inviting Ye-na on Monday.”

Seung-gyu’s eyes lit up at Jin-seo’s strict punishment. Seung-gyu shouted ‘That’s right!’ in his heart.

It was a devastating punishment for Do-bin.

“Mom! No way!”

Do-bin, terrified, knelt on the floor and begged Jin-seo with his hands together.

“Mom, please, just not that!”

Jin-seo turned her head away, so Do-bin clung to Seung-gyu.

“Dad! Mom won’t let me invite Ye-na. Dad. Dad.”

“Dad doesn’t know…”

Do-bin burst into tears as Seung-gyu avoided the situation. Seung-gyu just wanted to let it go like this. However.

“If you want to invite Ye-na, don’t cause any more trouble. Got it?”

The mother, whose heart softened at her son’s tears, showed leniency. Do-bin wiped away his tears and answered loudly, ‘Yes!’

Seung-gyu’s shoulders drooped powerlessly.

.*. *. *. *. *. *.

Jeong-o went the long way around, avoiding a shortcut, and arrived at the tasting event. She wasn’t too late, having walked quickly in her anger. It was a pub located on the first and second floors of a building that didn’t exist when she was in college.

Team Leader Park Young-gwang, who was standing at the entrance, greeted her.

“Deputy Lee, you’re here? Have you had dinner?”

“I ate. How about the others?”

“They’ll be here soon. Shall we go in?”

Jeong-o entered the pub with Team Leader Park Young-gwang.

A mountain of canned beer was piled up in the wide hall. It was a tasting event, but it felt more like a party. Jeong-o looked around before grabbing a beer.

‘Did Jeong Ji-heon arrive first?’

As Jeong-o scanned the room, Team Leader Park Young-gwang pointed beyond the beer tower with his eyes.

The Production Team 1 people were surrounding a man wearing a red tie. Team Leader Ahn Chan-seop looked somehow troubled.

“Deputy Lee, do you see that person? The one holding two cans in one hand.”

“Yes. You mean the one wearing the red tie?”

“Be careful.”

“…….”

“He’s very, very Remy Remy.”

“Remy Remy?”

“He’s crazy beyond the limit.”

“Ahahaha. That’s innovative. Remy Remy.”

“I’m not joking. I’m serious. Be careful.”

For the gentle Team Leader Park Young-gwang to call someone crazy, she could imagine how toxic that person was.

Although Young-gwang gave her a warning, she couldn’t avoid meeting the Remy Remy advertiser.

Eun-bi, who was standing next to the advertiser with a bored expression, called out to Jeong-o as she passed by.

“Deputy Lee Jeong-o.”

“Yes.”

“Aren’t you going to say hello? He’s our advertiser.”

‘Ah, she was going to say hello when our team all came.’

Jeong-o had no choice but to approach the Remy Remy advertiser. Fortunately, Team Leader Park Young-gwang followed.

“Director, this is Lee Jeong-o, the new copywriter from our company’s Production Team 2. She’s the same age as me, but still a deputy.”

“Oh, really? What have you been doing while our Section Chief Chae got promoted?”

The Remy Remy advertiser asked sarcastically at Eun-bi’s bitter introduction. Jeong-o emptied her mind and simply smiled.

“Hello. I’m Lee Jeong-o, a copywriter at Max Planning.”

“Are you married?”

“No.”

“Hmm. Then you can work harder.”

The Remy Remy advertiser filled a transparent cup with canned beer and handed it to Jeong-o, intending to make sure she emptied the glass.

It wasn’t difficult to down it in one shot, but.

“If you drink this, you’re dating me~”

The moment she held the glass, Jeong-o was stunned by what he said.

‘Was he telling her to drink or not to drink?’

Team Leader Park Young-gwang intervened.

“Hahaha. Director, aren’t you married?”

“Hey, Team Leader Park. Wife separately, lover separately. Don’t you know that? How can I think about my wife when such a beautiful woman is in front of me.”

Hueeeeee.

Jeong-o gritted her teeth inwardly, but smiled bitterly and took a sip of beer.

“Oh my, Deputy Lee is drinking it so quickly? You must like the director!”

Eun-bi applauded and cheered. The Remy Remy advertiser’s face also brightened at Eun-bi’s words.

Team Leader Park Young-gwang took the glass that Jeong-o was holding and emptied it all.

“I drank it too, so you have to date me, Director. Hehe.”

“Hey, why are you like this. I’m not interested in men.”

While the Remy Remy advertiser’s voice grew louder, Team Leader Park gestured to Jeong-o, telling her to run away quickly.

Jeong-o discreetly left her seat and headed to the nearby restroom.

When Eun-bi came in while she was washing her hands after using the restroom,

Eun-bi, standing at the sink next to Jeong-o, said while looking in the mirror.

“You look good with the director.”

“That kind of talk is unpleasant. Don’t say that to anyone, not just me.”

“Why? Isn’t it okay because he’s married? I thought you liked stealing other people’s men.”

Jeong-o felt wronged at Eun-bi’s words, but because of what happened an hour ago, Jeong-o couldn’t immediately lash out.

Fortunately, Eun-bi’s phone rang for a long time, so the meaningless conversation didn’t continue.

Eun-bi was surprised and answered the phone.

“Yes. Mother. Have you had dinner?”

Eun-bi greeted in a polite voice that was one tone higher.

Jeong-o, who was about to leave, stopped moving for a moment.

The person Chae Eun-bi could politely call mother.

Somehow, she was sure it was Jeong Ji-heon’s mother.

Her heart was pounding.

“I came to work. One of the companies I’m in charge of is a liquor company. There’s a new product tasting event today.”

Jeong-o opened her bag and took out her cosmetics.

“You know I can’t drink well. But it’s work, so I’m just going to try the samples and leave early. Ji-heon oppa [Oppa is a Korean term used by women to refer to an older brother or a close older male friend] left work early, but I don’t see him. I thought he left work early to come to the tasting event.”

The conversation continued while Jeong-o pretended to fix her makeup.

“Did you talk to oppa? When?”

Eun-bi seemed to get along quite well with Ji-heon’s mother.

That would be natural.

“Ah… Did oppa say that? He’ll tell you soon?”

However, the voice that had been so high as if to brag to Jeong-o suddenly became dark and small.

Of course, that tone didn’t last long.

“I think he’s going to tell you about the marriage. He mentioned it to me a little bit too.”

Eun-bi stretched her lips long towards Jeong-o and continued the call.

Marriage.

Even though she knew everything, Jeong-o’s insides were stinging as if a piece of sandpaper was hidden somewhere in her heart.