But what was even more annoying for her was the fact that, ultimately, the more he interfered in her work, the better the outcome of the proposal that she presented to the client.

It is not like she was not aware of his talent, but who would take pleasure in being humiliated right on the spot? She could not even deny the need for his interference – nor the importance of it. It really sucked to admit it.

How rich, for someone who could not control his urge for me just yesterday…

Na-Yool found some peace of mind only after she mentally devalued Si-Jin. Then, she thought about how he had remained by her side until the client gave confirmation.

Indeed, it was a little unexpected. Still, as she nonchalantly scrolled down the chat, she recalled Saturday afternoon.

It was a short winter day, and the afternoon felt like evening. As if it was the natural course of events, Si-Jin had hinted his intention to take her home in his own car.

In spite of herself, Na-Yool accepted his offer in the end, and did not realize the incongruity of her situation until she got out in front of her house and waved him goodbye as if under a spell. They did not talk much during the ride, but she now knew for a fact that he surprisingly liked loud music –  the music he played in the car was the same as that time.

Until now, it was a succession of unthinkable events but…

There will not be any more.

Throughout the weekend, he had not contacted her outside of work, and she also did not expect any personal call from him anyway.

Yes, I never expected anything from him. And he is certainly not the reason I could not sleep until Sunday morning. Absolutely not.

Rather, it made no doubt that it was indeed the reason for the sleepiness that wore her out, and that fooling her own self it was not had also contributed in keeping her awake.

First of all, if she thought it was not, then it was not. If she believed so, that is what it was.

Anyway, she had fainted due to overthinking it and now here she was, as she faced Sang-Hoon’s absurd messages on her way to work after a quick morning routine.

[Truth is, I know it too. That I have been bad to you in many ways…]

[I know there is not a single woman as hardworking as you]

[I was wrong]

[My friends said so. That I was a dumbhead who didn’t realize how lucky he was… That I didn’t know how great of a woman you are…]

“… For real, what a load of crap. ‘I was wrong’, my ass.”

The bad words she hated so much came out of her mouth. No other words were more appropriate.

Dammit. It was a load of crap.

[You are not a gold-digger who does not know her position]

[You’re different from those women who fish for a rich man to live off of his wealth]

[You have no intention either to be a full-time housewife]

[You know your worth]

[That’s right, and it’s probably why you don’t even dream such a futile dream]

[You really are a kind and good woman. Maybe because you know well that you are not that pretty?]

“… This crazy bastard.” There truly was nothing a stupid man cannot say when he is drunk.

[Ha… When I think about it, that’s why I liked you at first.]

[Your unwomanly attitude and appearance these days,]

[That unwomanly way you have to be responsible for your own life,]

[It’s different from ordinary Korean women who simply wish to marry and live comfortably as a stay-at-home while raising their children.]

Did Sang-Hoon even realize he spit on his own mother’s face, who had served him breakfast every single morning during his 31 years of existence? His mother had been a full-time housewife all her life to raise a man who could not even act his age, and that is how he was repaying the favor.

Na-Yool’s mother, who had been treated harshly her whole life by her in-laws because she failed to give birth to a son, would feel mentally victorious when someone’s son from the neighborhood was a bit of a weirdo. “I knew it, it is better not to have a son to begin with”, she would say, triumphantly.