Chapter 13: Honestly, I'm glad you came in late again
Days passed and I could say I was living my best life.
I quit my part-time jobs even when I still hadn't secured the job at the company but I guess I just needed some time to rest and recollect my thoughts.
I took pictures a lot. Went on walks with Lily around the park I had found her. I ate out at expensive restaurants, ate the desserts that I restrained myself from earning when I had no money.
I went to places where animals were allowed in because I couldn't bring myself to leave Lily in the studio alone. I knew how it felt to be left alone and I didn't want her to feel that way.
And that was the definition of me living my best life.
Ah, it has been a week and I still haven't gotten back to Mr Soo. This was okay, right? It's not like I gave him a time range of when I would contact him.
But there's actually a limit to how much I can put this off. I just might blow my chance of getting a job at Wailers if I put it off for too long. Aish, who am I kidding? It's not like I can contact the twins either.
Though I have the money to take a plane to Italy once more, and I know where they leave too, but it's not like I can just go over like a friendly visit and drop the bomb on them.
Besides, for them to be able to live in such a big house, they probably have high-paying jobs already. They wouldn't just leave their lives just because I asked. We weren't that close.
"Meow!" Lily purred and I smiled.
"Yeah, I got it. The sun is already setting." I said and got up.
The sunset from the park was so pretty. I would love to stay longer but I needed to take Lily to the vet to get her wounds checked. It was Saturday after all.
"Maybe I should've come earlier?" I muttered. Well, I didn't exactly state the time I would be coming to visit and it's the same as the last time.
I took Lily to the vet on Tuesday and was lucky to have met Dr Geumtae when the heavy crowd had died down.
Tuesdays seem to be very busy for him, I wonder why he said it was okay to impose on his busy schedule.
I got to the vet center and walked in to find Geumtae cleaning the floors.
"Hello." I said and he raised his head.
"Ah, and there comes my last customer of the day." He said with a cheerful smile.
I tried to smile back but it was a bit crooked since I felt awkward. He was just too bright.
"I got this knowing you'd be here." He said, stretching over a take-out coffee. "Please, help yourself while I attend to Lily."
"Ah, I couldn't possibly..." I intended to reject his favor but then he looked a bit sad and said,
"That's too bad. I went out of my way to get it though."
Hearing that, I felt it would be ungrateful to reject his genuine offer. And so, I took it.
"Then, thank you." I said.
Geumtae looked pleased as he took Lily to get her wound redressed.
"Honestly, I'm glad you came in late again." Geumtae said and I nearly choked on the coffee.
"Why is that?" I asked.
"Well, then I can focus my attention solely on you." He said and my heart leaped again.
Wait, no. Don't misunderstand. I shook my head. I had to think like a rational person and not put meaning into every little thing.
"Why? Did you have something you wanted to discuss?"
"Not really." He said and then looked up to smile brightly at him. "I just wanted to talk to you alone since you're so adorable."
I coughed.
"I mean, it's not like I get to see you every time. You only come to her Lily checked up and after that, you're like the wind. You're so cute that I wish to see you every day."
Now, there was no way I would read unnecessary meaning into that, right? He complimented me so much and said things like that. Was he really... Into me? No, is he even gay?
First, let's act politely.
"Um, thank you." I said. "You're also really handsome. I'd like to talk to you every day as well but I don't think I have such pleasure."
"Ah, that's right. You probably work as well." He said and laughed, captivating even the animals that were in his care. "Well, I guess it can't be helped."
He picked up Lily from the table and walked around towards me.
"But, if you want to talk, you can always come to me." He drew near, placing his hand on my shoulder. "I'm all ears." He gave out a puff on my earlobe and moved back. "Have a nice day, Lee Dongwoo."
"You too, Doctor."
I took Lily from him, slightly bowed my head, and left.
That was strange. So strange.
I glanced back at the door.
If I didn't know any better, I'd immediately come to the conclusion that he was interested in me. But well, he must be lonely being the only one working there.
'He should hire a nurse to accompany him, so he doesn't get lonely so much.' I thought to myself and looked up at the dark sky. The sun had completely disappeared, leaving the darkness of the night.
I turned my head and saw a hooded man wearing a nose mask. He looked like he had been staring at me since I walked out of the vet.
Who was he? Did he know me?
Most people would get frightened by the fact of a tall hooded man watching them but I felt it was a misunderstanding. Why would anyone watch me in the first place?
But, I couldn't look past his eyes. With eyes like that, he was definitely a handsome one. Tall and handsome...there was no way I was the one at the end of his gaze.
His were sparkling grey as if holding the entire galaxy. They reminded me of... Seojun.
Just then, my phone rang. I took it out of my pocket to see it was Mr Soo calling. My eyes widened. What was this? Why was he calling me all of a sudden?
Oh no, he didn't want to ask about the model, did he?
Okay, take deep breaths. Let's just hear what he has to say.
I answered the call and the first thing I heard shocked me,
"You're such a wonder, Mr Dongwoo." He said and I tilted my head.
"Eh?" Was he perhaps talking about the picture I took? But he already showered me enough praise for that.
"To think we were looking forward to having one extremely handsome model but you provided us with two. Truly remarkable. We'll make sure to add a few more benefits to the contract and..."
"Wait, please, hold on a minute." I said, confused. What was he saying? I needed to hear it clearly. "Did you say I provided you with two models?"
"Well, yes." He said. "The model in the picture you submitted for the contest was actually a twin. Why did you not tell us about it?"
"What?" My eyes widened. How did he know Seojin was a twin? Wait, somethings not right.
"Well, it doesn't matter. You probably planned to surprise us. Hoho. Having both in the company will make huge waves. I'm proud of you, Mr Dongwoo."
I don't understand. I don't get it. How did any of this make sense?
"They contacted me this morning and made their conditions. This isn't something to be talked about on the phone so see you on Monday."
With that, he cut the call, leaving me utterly confused. What did any of this mean? The twins... Did they really contact the agency? Did they come to Korea?
I subconsciously turned my head to where the masked man was standing but he was no longer there. What was I even looking for?
"Meow!" Lily's pur brought me back to reality.
"That's right. The only way to know what's going on is to go to the agency. I have to see for myself what is going on."