Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: The Story of a Long Unrequited Love
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Jessica began her story, recalling that moment.
"Actually, that day, I followed her thinking we'd have a big argument. But as soon as we entered, her words made it clear she hadn't called me there for that reason. So, what we talked about that day was..."
Thud.
A heavy tension hung in the air as Jessica walked behind Min Hyorin toward the waiting room.
Without exchanging a single word, the two entered the room and sat facing each other.
Rustle.
"I brought coffee."
With that, Min Hyorin pulled two canned coffees from her bag and handed one to her.
"Here you go."
Jessica's expression soured at the sight of the coffee being offered.
And for good reason—handing coffee to the woman who had made a move on her man.
Rustle.
"Th-thank you."
She accepted it anyway, but lacked the courage to open it.
Seeing Jessica's reaction, Min Hyorin smiled brightly and cracked open the coffee she was holding, offering it over.
"Here, have this one."
She swapped it with the one Jessica held.
"Out of all the coffees I've tried, this one's the best. Just take a sip."
Though uncomfortable, Jessica had no choice but to take a sip.
Gulp.
After one sip, Jessica's eyes widened at the unexpectedly delicious taste.
Amused by her reaction, Min Hyorin leaned in closer and asked,
"How is it? Delicious, right?"
"Yes, it's way better than I expected. It tastes like instant coffee but with something more."
"Yeah, it's called sweetened condensed milk coffee. I love it. My taste is pretty basic—I can't handle Americano or anything like that. I always craved sweets, but one day Kanghyeok brought this saying it'd suit me. Ever since, this is all I drink."
Jessica's face darkened again at the sudden mention of Kanghyeok Lee.
But Min Hyorin just shook her head at her reaction.
"Who you like is your freedom, so why act like such a sinner?"
"Yes?"
"I mean, it's not like you're trying to steal a taken man or anything. Don't look so guilty. It almost feels like I'm scolding you."
Click.
With that, Min Hyorin cracked open her own coffee and took a sip.
Gulp.
"Yep, delicious as always."
She continued,
"Honestly, I was a bit surprised when I first heard about it, but you both were in the dark, right? Isn't that so?"
"Ah, y-yes, it is."
Smile.
Min Hyorin nodded as if she'd expected that.
"And even if it wasn't, I wouldn't mind."
Jessica's eyes flickered oddly at the words "wouldn't mind."
"If it wasn't... does that mean it's okay to seduce Kanghyeok Lee Painter even knowing he's married?"
"Oh, come on. If it were, I'd chase you down and give you a piece of my mind."
"Then?"
"But Kanghyeok would never fall for it."
"He... wouldn't fall for it?"
Nod.
"Yeah, our relationship wasn't something that happened overnight. Well, that's just my take, anyway."
Min Hyorin took a shy sip of her coffee with a smile.
Jessica's voice rose even higher at her response.
"Even so, that's not right!"
"Yes?"
"I mean, if some woman flirted with your man, you'd get mad, annoyed, maybe even grab her by the hair!"
Min Hyorin's eyes widened at Jessica's words.
"Grab her hair?"
"Yes! And you'd tell your man off too. Like, what the hell have you been doing to let this happen? Even though we just met today, you seem like such a nice person."
Hm.
Min Hyorin gave an awkward smile at Jessica's sudden outburst.
"So... are you saying I should grab you by the hair right now?"
Jessica's mouth snapped shut at that.
It sounded ridiculous once she said it out loud.
She was talking like it was her own situation, but Jessica herself was the one who had caused it.
Rustle.
In the end, Jessica clutched her head with her hands and bit her lip.
"What was I even saying..."
Min Hyorin, watching her, couldn't help but chuckle.
"You're such a funny person, Jessica."
Jessica bristled again at the response.
"No, I mean, um, whatever. Since it's out there, I'll just say one thing. So why are you just sitting there?"
"Hm, I don't know what you think, but I'm not just sitting around."
"Then?"
"Right here. I came to meet you, didn't I?"
"Yes?"
"And now that we've met, I see it's just as I thought—a misunderstanding. Right?"
"......"
The more Jessica spoke, the stranger it felt.
She was acting frustrated, but the conversation made her feel like she was the one being cornered.
Jessica furrowed her brow.
"You're a really weird person, Min Hyorin. Frustrating one minute, then drawing people in with this odd charm the next."
"Is that a compliment?"
"I don't know. At this point, I can't even remember why I came here."
Min Hyorin smiled at her.
"That's why it took me so long."
"It... took long?"
"Want to hear my story?"
"What kind... of story?"
Jessica's pupils trembled at Min Hyorin's continuing words.
"The long, heartfelt tale of one person's unrequited love."
"So that's why it took so long."
While I finished greeting guests and talked with Director Go, the two were still deep in conversation.
I'd wondered what they could be talking about for so long, but it turned out they were discussing our university days back in the waiting room.
"After hearing the whole story, I finally understood why she acted that way. It felt like no one could ever come between you two."
No need to go that far...
"And at the end, after everything, she said not to hate Kanghyeok Lee Painter because of her. That he deserves to be loved."
"M-me?"
"Yes. Hearing that made me realize again: this is what true love looks like."
I never imagined Hyorin would share such a story with Jessica in the waiting room.
I'd only worried they might say something hurtful or that feelings might get hurt.
"But the most surprising part is that she never told you, Kanghyeok Lee Painter."
"Ah, yes."
"She's just so cool to the end. Probably didn't want to embarrass me, so she said nothing. Honestly, she could only say it now that time has passed—if it were back then, she wouldn't have said a word."
True, it must have been hard for her to tell me, the person involved.
In fact, back then in the hallway, Jessica had fled the gallery without even meeting my eyes.
"Still, thanks to her, I met my husband."
"Thanks to Hyorin?"
"Yes. After that, I thought a lot about love. What true love really is."
Her words reminded me of something Hyorin had said before.
That in a group of ten people, there are ten stories—and she's just one of them.
But even as she said it, Hyorin had regretted the past.
Wondering what might have happened if she'd expressed her feelings sooner.
I'd agreed with her back then.
What if we'd confirmed our feelings mid-semester instead of after graduation?
"And that's when I met him. My current husband."
I smiled and asked,
"I haven't seen him, but he sounds great."
"Oh, he's not that great. He's actually pretty ugly."
Her playful laugh made it clear how much she loved her husband.
"But he's a good person. He's never once refused anything I've asked."
"Sounds great to me."
Jessica shook her head.
"Oh, come on. If we're talking great, Hyorin, you're greater. By the way, on the plane, it looked like just the two of you— is your family already in the US? Family trip?"
Daeun, who had been listening with sparkling eyes, chimed in.
"Mommy's going to heaven country."
"Ah......"
Jessica fell silent.
After a grueling 14-hour flight, we finally touched down in the US.
It was an endlessly long journey—sleeping fitfully, waking to eat, repeat.
Even I, an adult, found it exhausting; it couldn't have been easy for Daeun.
Yet Daeun finished the flight without a single complaint, tough as ever.
As we reached the runway and passengers began standing one by one,
Jessica, seated beside me, said,
"Once we part now, who knows when we'll meet again."
"Hm, if you stay in the US, it might be tough, but if you come to Korea, I can invite you."
"Invite me? Are you holding a solo exhibition, Kanghyeok Lee Painter?"
"No, not me."
"Then?"
I twisted slightly, pointing beside me.
"Daeun's having one in a few months."
"The princess?"
"Yes, so if you can make it, you're invited."
"Oh! That'd be amazing. I'm heading back to Korea in a month anyway, staying three or four months, then returning to the US. Timing-wise, it should work. If I can, I'll definitely come. A solo exhibition by Kanghyeok Lee Painter's daughter? I can't miss that."
She took down the date and location for Daeun's exhibition.
Once Jessica had all the details, Daeun spoke up.
"Daeun invites you!"
Perhaps because she'd heard everything, Daeun's attitude toward Jessica had softened considerably.
Noticing it too, Jessica smiled and replied,
"Got it. Auntie will definitely come to the princess's exhibition. But you absolutely can't forget about Auntie."
Hm, no worries there.
"Yes!"
At her answer, Jessica stood from her seat and knelt before Daeun.
She placed her hands on Daeun's shoulders and said,
"My princess. Auntie has something she wants to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Hm, Auntie has met a ton of people... but no one as wonderful and cool as your mommy."
Daeun's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. So what Auntie wants to say is..."
Jessica paused dramatically, then beamed.
"I want to tell you that our Daeun will grow up to be just as wonderful and cool as your mommy."
Her face lit up brighter than ever.
"Like Mommy?"
Nod.
"Yes, just like that shining woman."