Chapter Text
-Chapter 1-
A lot had happened.
A lot.
After one night, Chairwoman Baek Do Yi, the woman who had everything, lost everything.
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“Chi Gam and Du Ri An are gone! Joo Nam is missing.”
The news was brought to Baek Do Yi as soon as she woke up. Her heir, her son was gone, nowhere to be found, along with that mysterious woman that she herself took in and gave shelter to. As if it was not enough, her new husband, who she just married, also vanished from the earth’s surface like he never really existed.
At first, it felt like a joke. A shocking news. At first, chairwoman Baek refused to believe that her family was torn apart after one night. Maybe Chi Gam had something important to do, so he left without saying goodbye. Maybe Joo Nam was filming his new project. Both of them prioritized their work more than anything else. She refused to believe that she had lost two of the most important men in her life, until a week later, after Chi Kang and Chi Jung used every connection they had to pinpoint Chi Gam’s location and failed miserably.
It was until then had chairwoman Baek realized: Ah, so she had lost her son, and her husband after one night, due to an unknown event that even the cops could not explain.
There weren’t even any bodies to bury.
No amount of money, no amount of condolences could console her devastated soul. She had everything, all the fame, all the glory, and yet all she was left with was a broken home and a cruel fate. Baek Do Yi didn’t know how she could survive this.
As if it wasn’t enough, the universe decided that her punishment was not over.
It was determined to break her.
Not even a week after Chi Gam and Joo Nam went missing, Not even a week after Baek Do Yi had to suffer for the lost of her family, she heard the news that drove her to the state of borderline insanity.
It was Chi Kang who told her.
It was Chi Kang, her eldest son, who showed up at her door in the middle of the rainy night, looked utterly broken in his crumpled black suits, delivering the news.
The news of his wife’s death.
Jang Se Mi was dead.
Apparently, her daughter-in-law was diagnosed with stage 3 liver cancer not long ago, Just right before Baek Do Yi’s 70th birthday. Apparently, she had lived with that monster growing inside her, spreading out all across her body all these times, and kept it a secret. She managed to keep that secret, even though her body was failing her. She covered her sickness with make-up and red lipstick. No one noticed. The cancer was the reason why Semi admitted her twisted love for Baek Do Yi after holding it in for 25 years. The cancer was the reason why Se Mi wanted to spend the rest of what little time she had living true to herself, chasing the love she was so afraid to chase when she was younger.
With Se Mi’s situation, the doctor said she had a year or two.
It was supposed to be a year, or two, if she accepted the treatment, or quit alcohol and wine.
Se Mi didn’t quit.
She couldn’t.
How could she, when she had to suffer her mother-in-law’s cruel words, or the dismissive behaviors of the woman she loved? How could she, when she had to watch Baek Do Yi stomped on her sincerity, her wholeheartedly and undying, desperate love and affection that she had to mutter all her strength to confess? She couldn’t stop drinking. She just couldn’t.
The breaking point was when Do Yi announced that she had married Joo Nam, the cousin Se Mi despite with her whole heart. The breaking point was when Do Yi dismissed her and casted her out of Do Yi’s new life, leaving her in the darkness of her own mind. Se Mi relapsed into her drunken state. Se Mi drank herself to stupor, knowing that the liquid she was swallowing was the poison that brought her to her certain death. There was no amount of advice, yelling, of begging from Chi Kang that could stop Se Mi from trying to numb her pain.
It didn’t help that Deung Myung was too caught up with his obsession for So Jeo, making him neglect his mother.
Everything combined, driving Se Mi to the point of no going back.
One day, Chi Kang saw his wife laying on the couch, hair disheveled, arms sprawled. Warm skin turned cold. Her eyes were closed, and a relieved smile was on the corner of her lips. She looked so peaceful, like she was finally set free from her agony. A shattered glass on the floor, spewing amber liquid he had grown to hate over the pass few years. The liquid that killed his beloved wife.
Se Mi was gone.
The news of Se Mi’s death caused something inside Baek Do Yi’s brain to snap clean off. She fainted on spot. Despite being brought to the hospital on time, the doctor announced that chairwoman Baek was in a state of shock, and that sudden grief had reverted her brain into the mind of a twelve years old. They said it was a defense mechanism of her body to shield her from the pain she had to endure. It was some kind of dissociative identity disorder. Chairwoman Baek must be observed closely, for she was not in any state to take care of her own self anymore.
Baek Do Yi didn’t attend Jang Se Mi’s funeral.
Chi Kang was afraid that it only worsened her mental state.
However, when Baek Do Yi accidently saw the news about Jang Se Mi’s funeral on the TV, the maids had told Chi Jung that they saw chairwoman Baek had a moment of lucid. They saw chairwoman Baek kneeled before the TV, caressing the picture of Mrs. Jang, and whispered something incoherently. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
It was hard to take chairwoman Baek away from the TV after that. They had to pry her off the screen as she was kicking and screaming at them. And when they succeeded, chairwoman Baek refused to leave the living room. She always stayed there, looking at the screen like she was waiting for Mrs. Jang to walk out of the screen and come to her.
After that, days passed like a blur.
Chi Jung took over the company. He had no choice but to fill in for his missing brother. He had no choice but to shoulder the weight of his mother’s legacy. He couldn’t let her life work crumble down to dirt. It was the least he could do. Chi Kang went back to his hospital and tried his best. It was his way of saying sorry to his wife. He tried his best to save people, for it was the one good thing he could do, one thing that stopped him from going insane after Se Mi.
Chi Kang never went home to see his mother after the incident. He could never forgive her for driving Se Mi to her grave. The responsibility fell on Chi Jung. However, Chi Jung, who was constantly busy with his new work, still made time, every day, to go home and check for his mother.
Nothing was different. Do Yi was still like that. A 71-year-old woman but with a mindset of a twelve-year-old child, who loved nothing but to sit in the living room and rewatched her 70th birthday party from dusk till dawn. Chi Jung’s heart broke for his mother, for every moment his mother excitedly pointed at his sister-in-law and exclaimed: Se Mi so pretty! And his heart broke for every moment his mother’s eyes stopped at Chi Gam’s face, and she would ask: Will Chi Gam come home tonight? Can we go get sushi for dinner?
Chi Jung didn’t know how much longer he could live like this.
The noble Dan family was falling apart, and Dan Chi Jung could do nothing but to stand there and watch as the cruel fate fell upon each and every single one of his loved ones.
Everyday went by the same. Everyday went by with Baek Do Yi sitting on the couch, asking the maid to turn on the TV for her to watch the tape of her 70th birthday. Everyday, until one day. One day, the maid noticed the sudden clear voice of Madam Baek. “Turn on the recording.” It was different to the childish tone she was used to, but she didn’t question it. Madam Baek was different, too. She didn’t touch the ice cream. She didn’t hunch forward and babbled nonsense. She sat like any woman of her age. Composed. Calmed and collected. Her eyes were still glued to the screen, but she didn’t giggle when master Chi Gam’s face appeared on the screen. She didn’t clap her hands excitedly.
Madam Baek sat there and watched with sadness filled her gaze.
The maid supervised carefully, like she was afraid Madam Baek would do something drastic, but nothing happened. Madam Baek just paused the recording when it showed Mrs. Jang. At that, Madam Baek breathed out in a voice full of regret: “Semi ah…”
The way she called her once daughter-in-law name was surprisingly lucid.
“Semi ah… I wish I could go back in time and fix this.”
The maid was elated. Madam was normal again! She ran out of the room to grab the phone and prepared to call master Chi Jung. This was excellent news! He would be pleased to know all the medicines had finally made some progress! The maid didn’t notice the strange glow emitting from the living room as she left. The light blue aura burst out in a flash, blinding light, like a miracle. After all, the Gods could make time travelling happened, once. They could make it happen again, if the prayer was sincere enough.
When the maid came back, Madam Baek Do Yi was nowhere to be found.
She disappeared, like master Chi Gam once did.
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Baek Do Yi didn’t know where she was.
She didn’t know what had happened. One moment, she was sitting in her living room, living in a state of a half-decent human with a wrecked mind, now, everything felt clear like she was back to her own self before the tragedy happened. She looked at herself in the mirror. There wasn’t a mark of time on her skin. Her hair was not tied in pigtails anymore. It fell in waves onto her shoulders. It felt strong and healthy like it was taken care of by professionals. There was makeup on her face. Red lips. She was in a suit.
She was in her office, at the company.
Baek Do Yi swallowed hard. She staggered out of the chair and ran out of her room. Thoughts after thoughts bombarded her brain. She wanted to confirm her theory. So, she ran. She ran out of the chairwoman’s room and pushed the lift’s button to go downstair. Her stomach was churning in anticipation. This could be a cruel joke, a cruel trick her mind was playing on her, or…
Or it could be true.
The Gods had heard her prayers.
When the lift opened, Baek Do Yi barged out. Her breathing labored as she stood in front of another office’s door. The name on it was still the same as she remembered.
Director: Dan Chi Gam.
With a heavy heart, she knocked on the door, waiting for it to open. She didn’t know what to expect. Would it be Chi Jung who greeted her? Chi Jung had taken over his brother’s position. Chi Jung had been the one who kept the family together after Chi Gam disappeared. Would it be Chi Jung? Or would it be Chi Gam, like she was wishing for? Baek Do Yi didn’t know. Her heart was thundering in her chest. The wait, although it was just a few minutes, still stirred her crazy.
Please be Chi Gam. Please God, let it be Chi Gam.
“Eomma? What are you doing down here? You know, if you need anything, you can just call me, and I will come to you.”
His voice… The voice she hadn’t heard for so long filled her ears. It was her second son, Dan Chi Gam, who opened the door to greet her. He was just as sweet as ever, smiling at her politely like usual. His hair was the same as the day she lost him, but he had some facial hair, like he didn’t have time to shave before rushing to work… Her son was here.
Baek Do Yi’s vision blurred with tears as she drawn Chi Gam into a crushing hug, which surprised him, but he didn’t protest. Chi Gam just hugged her back, shielding her with his wide shoulders. Her son, all grown up. A strong man. Baek Do Yi cried silently. Her son, finally home. She clutched on to him, tight, like she was afraid this was just a dream. She hung on to him, like she was scared he would vanish. Chi Gam let her. He had always been a sweet child. He let her hold him while he was patting her back.
“Eomma… What’s wrong? You are never this emotional. Did Hyeongsu-nim do something that irritates you?”
Chi Gam was asking her in a gentle tone. The way he said it was so familiar. The way he said ‘Hyeongsu-nim’ felt familiar, too. The only one Chi Gam called ‘hyeongsu-nim’, the only one he might have been mentioning could only be…
Jang Se Mi.
Baek Do Yi gasped as she let go of Chi Gam.
Se Mi… Se Mi. She needed to find Se Mi!
“Eomma?” Chi Gam frowned when he saw his mother frantically seeking for the door. She looked like she was in an urgent. The look of fear on her face didn’t escape Chi Gam’s watchful eyes. Whatever was making his mother react like this, it had something to do with his sister-in-law. When did his mother care about Jang Se Mi that much anyway? Weren’t they in a hot and cold relationship after his sister-in-law gave birth to Deung Myung? If Chi Gam recalled correctly, his mother and his sister-in-law were not on speaking terms right now.
He had to hold his mother’s hand before she basically ran out of the room. His mother’s actions were worrying him. “Eomma, what is going on? Why are you like this?” He inquired with a serious tone. His mother looked so lost for a second. She kept glancing at him, and then to the door, like she had an urgency she needed to fix. It couldn’t be the case. The company was fine. Everybody in their family was fine. They had just had breakfast together. Even Deung Myung was there. No one was in any trouble. His mother had just chastised his older brother’s wife a moment ago. She just came back to her office and now she came to him like a different person. It made Chi Gam worried out of his mind.
“Eomma… can we go back inside and sit down for a moment? I will make you tea.”
His mother didn’t want to. He saw it in her eyes. But she didn’t refuse when he guided her back into his office and helped her sit down. Her eyes didn’t leave him for even a second. Something was off. Though he felt strange, Chi Gam still dutifully brewed his mother’s favorite tea and sat down with her, bringing a steaming cup.
“Eomma?” He tried again. Holding her hand as he did so.
“Chi Gam ah… What year are we in?”
It was an odd question. Very odd. It was like his mother was having amnesia, but Chi Gam didn’t comment on that. He made a mental note to tell Chi Kang to make an appointment for their mother to check on her health later.
“Eomma, you’re going to be 70 next year. Are you trying to remind me to buy you gift? Your 69th birthday party will be tonight.” Chi Gam smiled and joked. “Don’t worry, Eomma. My wife and I have prepared the birthday gifts. We won’t forget to bring it.”
69th birthday.
A year before her blasted 70th. Baek Do Yi mumbled under her breaths. A year before Chi Gam went missing. Before…
Before Se Mi’s death.
Baek Do Yi didn’t notice there was a lone tear slipped down on her cheek. She didn’t notice until Chi Gam took out his handkerchief to dab it away. Clearing her throat, she muttered a small ‘thank you’ to him and tried to regain her composure. Why did the Gods take her to this particular moment? Why now? Baek Do Yi felt a headache coming. She sighed and rubbed her temples. Did the Gods want her to do something about this? Do Yi had to figure this out. And she couldn’t act suspicious, too.
She was back in time.
She must not let anybody know about this.
Taking a moment to collect herself, Baek Do Yi took Chi Gam’s hand in hers. She smiled. A true smile after years of being drowned in grief. With a gentle voice, she told him: “Look at you, my son…” Chi Gam matched her smile with his. Though, his was filled with uncertainty and puzzled, like he didn’t understand where this all was coming from. She huffed out a laugh, trying to pretend like she was fine: “You forgot to shave, my boy. Remember to keep your image in front of your employees, alright?”
Chi Gam unconsciously rubbed his chin and furrowed his brows: “I was in a rush this morning. I will see to it immediately, mother. Gotta looks my best to attend my dearest mother’s birthday party, am I right?”
Baek Do Yi shook her head fondly. She looked at her son for a moment longer before patting his shoulder: “That’s right.” She took in his healthy appearance once again, then stood up. “I have work to finish. See you tonight, my son.”
He escorted her to the door and gave her a little wave, which made her laugh. Chi Gam, her sweet boy, alive and well. Do Yi felt like she could breathe a bit easier now, but there was still something pressed on her heart, heavily. When the door closed behind her back, she walked into the lift and clutched her heart. The image of Jang Se Mi appeared in her head and Do Yi almost cried out for the pain in her chest got to an unbearable level.
Se Mi…
Baek Do Yi whimpered as she got back to her office. She took no time to find her phone and searched for Se Mi’s name in the contact. There it was. She immediately made Se Mi her emergency dial and pressed the call button. The ringtone was making her anxious. Her 69th birthday… That meant Se Mi and she was not on good terms. Not yet. Se Mi was still acting like she hated Do Yi, and Do Yi didn’t even care about Se Mi back then…
Would her phone call alarm Se Mi?
Would Se Mi notice her differences?
Do Yi hoped not.
As per usual, Se Mi picked up her call very fast. As per usual, Se Mi said: “Hello, Eomeonim.” Even though her voice was distant and cold, Do Yi still felt like her heart was bursting out of her chest. Jang Se Mi… Se Mi… her Se Mi was alive. She was alive and she was answering Do Yi’s call. It was all that mattered. Do Yi breathed out a laugh of relief. She didn’t notice it when Se Mi asked: “Eomeonim, what else do you want to tell me? You still have something to chastise me? I have already told you; I don’t care that Deung Myung wants to be an actor. If it’s his dream, I support him. I hope you can do that, too.”
Se Mi’s voice was distant and haughty. It had always been like that, until she confessed her love to Do Yi later on. Baek Do Yi remembered Se Mi’s words back then.
“I tried to make you hate me. I tried to distance myself from you. I thought it would help me fall out of love with you. But I was wrong. I have loved you for twenty-five years. I just can’t stop loving you, Eomeonim.”
Do Yi rubbed her forehead.
Right. If she recalled correctly. The morning before her 69th birthday, she had a quarrel with Se Mi about Deung Myung’s career path. She wanted her grandson to quit his acting job and come to work at the company. She wanted Deung Myung to be the heir of her legacy after Chi Gam. However, Se Mi was against that idea, and they fought over breakfast. She remembered it now. No wonder Se Mi was so passive aggressive as she picked up Do Yi’s phone call.
Do Yi sighed. She was irrational back then. Deung Myung was a talented actor. She had realized that. She had no problem with him following his dream now. She sighed and said to Se Mi over the phone: “I know. I won’t speak about this matter again. After all, he is your son. You will always want the best for him.”
Apparently, her words had rendered Se Mi speechless. Her daughter-in-law stayed like that for a moment before reluctantly said: “thank you, Eomeonim.”
They fell into a stretch of silence. None of them knew what to say.
Do Yi wanted to ask Se Mi where she was. Do Yi wanted to run to Se Mi, to make sure she was not drinking, to make sure she was okay, but it was so unlike her in the past. She shouldn’t, couldn’t just blatantly change like that over a few hours. And even though her heart was screaming at her to get close to Se Mi, she held herself back. Instead of telling Se Mi how much she missed her, how much she was sorry for her past actions, how much she wanted to draw Se Mi into a hug, Do Yi swallowed hard and breathed in before saying:
“Don’t be late tonight. I want to sit with my daughters-in-law.”
Do Yi forced her voice to be as emotionless as possible, but it still stunned Se Mi. She could basically hear the wonder in Se Mi’s tone as she replied: “You… want to sit with me, mother? You always sit with your sons…”
Do Yi didn’t have to be next to Se Mi to see the gears in Se Mi’s head were turning, trying to understand why the sudden change in Do Yi’s request. Do Yi wanted to explain, to say that she wished to be closed to Se Mi, now and always. She couldn’t. She couldn’t without scarring Se Mi. So, she just put on her icy façade and grunted: “Stop asking questions. Remember to be on time. And wear something nice.”
She heard Se Mi grumbled on the other side of the line: “Are you saying I’m not presentable, mother?”
Do Yi rolled her eyes. Gave it to Se Mi to always twist her words. But it was partially her fault. Do Yi never appeared to approve Se Mi’s clothing of choice. She didn’t say it before, but she would admit it now. Now that she was given a second chance, she would make sure to tell Se Mi that she’s stunning in any gown she chose to wear. Her Se Mi was always beautiful…
Do Yi sighed and bit her lips. She didn’t say it before, but Se Mi was like an angel in her white dress on her 70th birthday. It was hard not to look Se Mi’s way that night. Se Mi in white was her weakness. Do Yi was ashamed to admit it back then, but she would, now. She was done being afraid. She was done ruining everything for the both of them.
She would not let Se Mi in pain anymore.
“Wear something white. You have always been beautiful in white.”
At that, she cut the call abruptly. Her cheeks were burning. Was that too much? Did she say too much? She hoped Se Mi was not freaking out. Gods… She was a wreck. She didn’t know how to act around Se Mi, but she would try her best. She would not let Se Mi hold her love inside and be hurt by it longer. Not when she had a second chance to fix whatever mistakes she had made in the previous time. She would love Se Mi the way Se Mi deserved.
She would give Se Mi the world to make up for her sins and her cowardice in the past.
In truth, Baek Do Yi had fallen for Jang Se Mi ever since the day Se Mi showed up in her office, bringing her the food Se Mi cooked herself. It was that moment when Se Mi cried because Do Yi refused to touch the food… It was that moment, when Se Mi gently, carefully arranged the meal… Or that moment, when Se Mi adorably used a loving way to wheedle with Do Yi had Do Yi fell for Se Mi. Fell for her daughter-in-law. It was so hard not to fall for Se Mi. It was so hard to resist that lovely pout, that sweet voice. She fell for Se Mi at that very moment.
But in the past life, Do Yi was a coward. She was a coward. She was afraid that her twisted affection toward Se Mi would wreck their family, would make Se Mi divorce Chi Kang. She was afraid of what the world would say. A mother, robbing her son’s wife? A grandmother being a homewrecker? A chairwoman who was a sexual deviant? She was scared that it would ruin everything, her son’s life, her reputation. But then, she didn’t know that her dismissal toward Se Mi would drive her insane, would drive Se Mi into her death…
She was done with hiding her feelings for Se Mi.
This time, she would not be a coward.
She would be brave for both of them. Reputation be damned. She didn’t care. She just wanted Se Mi to be healthy and well. She just wanted Se Mi to live…
Baek Do Yi wanted to make up to Jang Se Mi, to take care of Jang Se Mi like Se Mi had done for her. This time, she would be the one Se Mi could lean on. She would not let anything bad happen to her angel. Not on her watch. Never again.
Little did Do Yi know, when she cut the line, Se Mi was in a state of shock.
Jang Se Mi was sulking in her flat after the dreadful family breakfast with her mother-in-law. She loved her mother-in-law. She knew her love would never be returned, so she tried her best to make Eomeonim hate her. She tried to irritate Do Yi as much as possible. It was her choice, but it didn’t mean it was easy for her to hear Eomeonim spewing vicious words her ways. It hurt like hell. It always did. Se Mi thought she was used to it, but Eomeonim’s words were still cut, deep like knife. Seeing Eomeonim looking at her like an inconvenience made Se Mi want to curl up and cry like a baby. But Se Mi was above crying. She was above breaking down. So, she sulked in the living room of her flat, alone.
Until her phone rang. The ID said “Eomeonim”.
Do Yi was calling, and Se Mi couldn’t help but feeling bitter. Was Do Yi calling to yell at her some more? Se Mi didn’t know if she could take more scathing words from Do Yi today. Her heart was already bruised. Still, Se Mi put on a brave front and told Do Yi that she didn’t want to argue anymore. She took the lead and braced herself for the yelling of her mother-in-law. However, it never came. Instead, what Do Yi said surprised Se Mi and put her into a trance.
Do Yi was not angry at Se Mi.
Do Yi told Se Mi that she understood Se Mi’s stand on her son’s career path.
Do Yi told Se Mi to come to her birthday party, to sit next to her tonight…
And Do Yi told Se Mi… Do Yi told Se Mi that she looked beautiful in white…
Se Mi was speechless. Her heart fluttered at Do Yi’s words. It was supposed to be a normal compliment, and yet Se Mi felt like she was flying. She had been trying to keep her feelings for her mother-in-law in the dark, shoving it down to the depth of her core to shield it from the daylight. She had been trying her best to keep it contained, but just with Do Yi’s gentle words, she felt like a high school girl again, couldn’t handle her crush on someone she shouldn’t. Se Mi bit her lips and pressed her hand on her thundering heart.
Please calm down. She doesn’t love you. She’s just being nice…
Se Mi told herself so, but she still stood up, steps skipping as she wandered to the closet. It’s still early in the day, just noon. There was plenty of time for her to prepare, and yet she looked at all the dresses she owned. Se Mi had picked out her green suit for tonight event, but Do Yi told her to wear something white, so, naturally, Se Mi put the green suit back and ventured to find a white dress. She didn’t want Do Yi to be disappointed. And even when she was trying to make Do Yi hate her, it didn’t shield the truth that Se Mi wanted Do Yi to look at her…
And her only.
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Baek Do Yi ended her work day sooner than she usually did.
She had to prepare for her own birthday party, after all.
In her past life, she remembered, she had spent a lot of time on this event to make it perfect. Makeup and dresses. Singers, and guests. She handpicked them all. This time, Do Yi didn’t mind that much. It’s just a birthday party. She didn’t care anymore. Her priority was Se Mi. She couldn’t wait to see Se Mi again. She wanted to put on her best for Se Mi. That’s why Baek Do Yi was at her home an hour before the due time and rumbled through her closet. She wanted to look good. She wanted Se Mi to see her and dropped all the façade she was wearing. She wanted to dress to impress.
Do Yi hoped with her whole heart that Se Mi would wear something white, for she herself chose a white suit in hope that they would match. Her sons and Chi Gam’s wife always wore dark colors. And if Do Yi recalled correctly, Se Mi wore black to her 69th birthday, too. She just wished Se Mi would listen to her this once…
The suit she picked was simple enough, but still had the edges to it. Red details would definitely compliment Se Mi’s lipstick. Se Mi always wore red lipstick, making her so kissable. Do Yi’s eyes twitched at that. She was being ridiculous. At this very moment, Se Mi hadn’t confessed, not yet. And all Do Yi could think about was the taste of her lips. Gods gave her strength.
Do Yi had wasted so much time. She was getting impatient.
It made her heart ached for Se Mi, who had to hide for decades. How did Se Mi do it? Do Yi wondered. Poor her Se Mi…
Baek Do Yi took her time. She took her time preparing herself. When the party started and the guests started filling in, Chi Kang knocked on her door. He stood in his black suit, looking good for his age. The smile on his lips indicated true happiness. This was her Chi Kang before the medical incident. This was her confident, well-respected son and not Dan Chi Kang who was drowned in guilt and shame like she remembered. This was her son before he distanced himself from her, before he blamed her for his wife’s death. She missed him. She didn’t know that she did until he stood in front of her.
“Eomma, everyone is waiting for you.” He offered his arms to escort her. It was their tradition. Her sons and grandson would walk with her to greet the guests. It was a power move that Baek Do Yi, as the matriarch of the powerful Dan family, loved to show off. She nodded to him and took his arm. She didn’t question him about Se Mi’s whereabouts. She was confident that Se Mi would come. Why? She could feel Se Mi’s presence even though she didn’t see her. She could always feel Se Mi, one way or another.
Do Yi had realized this after Se Mi died.
When Se Mi died in her past life, Do Yi felt nothing but emptiness.
But now, Do Yi was filled with life, again. Thanks to Se Mi.
When she walked down to the hall, she saw a sea of people. A sea of unimportant individuals with fake smiles. Those vultures in which wanted a piece of the Dan family for themselves. It was irritating. She couldn’t understand why she felt elated in the past life as she saw their presence. It was ridiculous. But then, as her eyes scanned the room. The world vanished. In her vision, Baek Do Yi saw Jang Se Mi.
She saw her Se Mi, in her pure white dress that hugged her body just right. She saw her Se Mi, with her red lips and rosy cheek, with her proud expression, as always, staring back at her with doe eyes filled with something she used to don’t understand, but now, she did. It was concealed love. It was a desperate shield of undying devotion and wholehearted loyalty. Se Mi was trying to hard to hide it all away, but now, Do Yi saw them all. She saw them all and she desperately wanted it to show to her and only her.
Her Se Mi… The swan in the middle of a flock of vultures.
Do Yi gravitated to Se Mi. She abandoned her sons and her grandson, who tried to walk her to her usual spot of spotlight. She walked toward Se Mi, who couldn’t hold the surprise in her eyes. Do Yi smiled as her heart hammering in her chest. Her brain was repeating a mantra of Se Mi’s name.
Semi ah… Semi ah… Thank the stars… You are alive and well… Thank the Gods, you are still here with me.
“Eomeonim.”
As Do Yi stopped in front of Se Mi, as Do Yi was holding herself back from the need to wrap Se Mi in a hug, Se Mi bowed her head and greeted her politely, like she was not affected at all, like they were just normal mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and nothing more. But the eyes didn’t lie. Se Mi was affected. And Do Yi could see it as clear as day.
“Deung Myung’s Eomma.” Do Yi called out despite her wish to say Se Mi’s name. She figured if she said, ‘Semi ah’, Se Mi would run away. So, Do Yi opted for a safe option. However, she could not keep the affection and longing from her tone. It must have shaken Se Mi, for her daughter-in-law staggered back and eyed her with disbelief. Se Mi would have to get used to this, then, for Do Yi couldn’t be harsh with her anymore. Not when her heart was singing Se Mi’s name like a choir.
“You wear white…” Do Yi took Se Mi’s hand despite the shock on the other woman’s face and drawn her closer. Se Mi stumbled into Do Yi’s waiting arms. It seemed like they hugged in front of every camera, but Do Yi hadn’t touched Se Mi’s body. Not yet. They were so close, so close and yet so far. Close enough for Do Yi to feel Se Mi’s drastic heartbeat, and too far to actually embrace the woman her heart desired. It would have to do for now. For now…
Do Yi promised herself as she glanced up to Se Mi’s lips. She swallowed and averted her gaze. Good lords…
She tried to croak out: “You are beautiful, dear.”
Her fingers traced down to the seam of Se Mi’s dress, and she let out a sigh. The curves of Se Mi’s body were irresistible. How could Se Mi keep her shape after giving birth to Deung Myung, after all these years of aging, Do Yi didn’t know. She had always envied Se Mi. Se Mi, who had her natural beauty, like she was blessed by the grace of God. Se Mi, who was perfect in every way possible. So unlike Do Yi, who relied on plastic surgeries to hold on to her youth. It was so unfair, but Do Yi was willingly accepted that, for Se Mi loved her. Se Mi was hers and only hers.
Do Yi didn’t notice, but Se Mi was in a state of shock. Se Mi didn’t anticipate this. Se Mi didn’t come knowing that she would have gone through this. When Do Yi told her that she looked beautiful, Se Mi’s eyes watered. She wanted to cry. That soft tone which was never directed at her was now whispering in her ears, telling her what she had wished to hear her whole life was too much. Se Mi felt her knees weakened. Had it not for Do Yi catching her, Se Mi would have fallen down on the ground, but Do Yi caught her in her arms and Se Mi had to hide her face in Do Yi’s shoulder.
What was going on with her Eomeonim…?
Se Mi wanted to ask, but the softness of Do Yi’s body embracing her was enough to shoo away all the negative thoughts in her head. She shuddered when Do Yi’s arm wrapped around her waist and guided her down to the couch. Se Mi sat there as Do Yi greeted all the guests. The show began, but Se Mi’s eyes never strayed too far from Do Yi. They were the only ones wearing white today. It felt like they were matching. Like an unofficial wedding, of sort.
The fact that this was Do Yi’s idea and request made Se Mi’s heart fluttered even stronger than before. She bit her lips and looked down at her hands. If Do Yi kept doing this, Se Mi was afraid that she could not stop herself from declaring her love longer.
As Do Yi finished her socializing ritual and shooing Chi Gam’s wife away, they sat together in silence, listening to the opera performance on the stage. It was peaceful. It was all Se Mi had ever wanted. Do Yi was holding her hand. Her mother-in-law didn’t let go when she tried to detangle their joined hands to reach for her wine glass. Se Mi noticed Do Yi didn’t touch her drink, either. When Do Yi noticed Se Mi’s restless behaviors, her mother-in-law silently waved the waiter and asked for two glasses of orange juice.
“You must be thirsty and tired. I know you don’t like these long and exhausting events.”
Se Mi licked her dry lips. She was desperate for a glass of strong liquor, to chase this feeling away, but Do Yi didn’t let her. As her hand reached out, Do Yi told the waiter to take all the alcohol away, which made Se Mi frowned. Her mother-in-law had never been this persistent to not let Se Mi drank wine. If anything, Do Yi was a wine lover, too. Something was very off today, and Se Mi couldn’t put it together.
“Eomeonim, I…” Se Mi tried to say that she wanted a proper drink, but Do Yi didn’t let her finish. Her mother-in-law moved forward and pressed the cool glass of juice into Se Mi’s palm. “Drink up.” Do Yi’s tone left no room for negotiation. And Se Mi obeyed. She always obeyed. Drinking the juice like a kid in the adult party, and yet Se Mi still felt warmth filled her stomach. There must be a reason why eomeonim insisted. Do Yi’s action showed that she cared, but a traitorous part in Se Mi’s mind told her that Do Yi was just doing this so that Se Mi couldn’t get drunk and embarrassed her.
However, what Do Yi said next pushed all the negative thoughts away from Se Mi’s brain. “You should cut your alcohol, Deung Myung’s Eomma. I’d hate to see you get tired from the after effect.” Se Mi nodded and kept her face down as she tried to regulate her breathing. Do Yi cared for her… Do Yi cared…
A hand came up to play with Se Mi’s hair and Se Mi involuntarily closed her eyes. She had to press her lips together to stop a moan from spilling out at how good it felt as Do Yi toyed with the baby hair on the nape of her neck. Her mother-in-law didn’t look at her, but Se Mi could spot a little smile on the corner of Do Yi’s lips as Se Mi dropped her head on Do Yi’s shoulder and hid her face. She was feeling bold. She was feeling drunk even though she didn’t touch a drop of alcohol. She was drunk on Do Yi’s touch, and she had a feeling Do Yi knew that.
The world be damned. Her husband be damned.
Se Mi leaned her forehead on Do Yi’s shoulder and dwelled in this magnificent feeling. She didn’t know what was going on with Do Yi, but she would take whatever she could get.
It didn’t stop her from asking Do Yi, though.
“Eomeonim… What about what happened in our breakfast this morning…?” Se Mi swallowed as she chose her words carefully. She was afraid that Do Yi would stop touching her. The thought of the older woman retracting her hand freaked Se Mi out, but she just had to ask. She braced herself for the harsh words. However, Do Yi told her with a calming tone: “I was out of line. Deung Myung has his dreams. Let him follow his dream. I’m sure that he will grow to be a brilliant actor. After all, he has his mother’s beauty and talents.”
Se Mi almost choked on her saliva. Her body shook slightly at Do Yi’s words. What was going on? Was Se Mi in heaven? Just this morning, her mother-in-law was furious at her, and now, they were closer than ever, with Do Yi murmuring apologizes in Se Mi’s hair. It didn’t make any sense. It didn’t feel real, but when Se Mi pinched herself, it hurt. This was more than real.
“Deung Myung’s Eomma…”
Se Mi closed her eyes and muttered all her courage to say: “Please, eomeonim, please… call me Se Mi…”
She was prepared to be chastised. She was prepared to be pushed away, but Do Yi just halted, mid-sentence, like she was contemplating something before saying: “Se Mi…”
Jang Se Mi swore her heart jumped out of her chest. The way Do Yi called her name was so sweet and gentle. So loving with a hint of something felt suspiciously like longing and grief. Se Mi didn’t understand why, but it warmed her soul and hurt it at the same time. “Se Mi ah…” Do Yi called again. This time, her fingernails scratched lightly on Se Mi’s scalp, making her shudder. “Have lunch with me tomorrow?”
Se Mi could not believe her ears. She could not believe how her mother-in-law change so much in the span of a day. Do Yi never wanted anything to deal with Se Mi. Do Yi hated Se Mi’s presence. Do Yi despite Se Mi’s behaviors toward her and chalked it up as disrespect. Now, she was asking Se Mi to have lunch with her?
“In my office? I have missed your cooking skills, dear.”
Se Mi took in a deep breath, like she was trying to steel herself before whispering, small and unsure: “Yes, eomeonim… I will cook.”
“That would be wonderful.”
Se Mi noticed the distant look in Do Yi’s eyes. The flash of pain was clear as day. She wondered what had happened. But that look vanished in an instant, replaced by a determined glint. Se Mi didn’t know what Do Yi was thinking, but again, she didn’t care. She’d take any chances to be close to Do Yi.
When the party was over, Do Yi asked her sons and their family to stay in the estate for it was late, but Chi Kang refused, and Se Mi had no choice to follow him home. Before she departed, she stole a glance at Do Yi and was surprised that Do Yi was looking at her, too. On her face was a little smile. Se Mi was enchanted. She wanted to run to Do Yi, to stay, to never leave, but the moment didn’t last long. Deung Myung opened the car door for her, and Se Mi had to settle in. As the door closed, Se Mi sought for Do Yi’s silhouette one last time and she saw Do Yi was holding Chi Gam’s arm, turning her back to Se Mi.
Jang Se Mi thought… maybe she was imagining it all.
This was nothing but a fever dream and she’d have to wake up tomorrow.
---
Turned out, it wasn’t a dream.
Se Mi saw herself on the news when she woke up the next day.
Images of Se Mi and Do Yi were splattered on the first page of every big newspaper, all over the online pages. Speculation went wild. Before yesterday, the press had nothing good to say about Se Mi and Do Yi’s relationship. But today, it was different. The news switched up really quick and the title of every article was: Daughter and mother-in-law reunited. Madam Baek and her daughter-in-law mended their broken relationship. Madam Baek pinning after her own daughter-in-law?
Se Mi frowned at that.
She had half a mind to call for a favor and took that article down, but it would cause a bigger fuzz, so she stopped herself. Se Mi sighed and rubbed her eyes. Eomeonim would not be pleased to read this. And here Se Mi thought they were making progress. Fuck the press for ruining every good thing in Se Mi’s life. It didn’t help that they plastered the image of Semi leaning on Do Yi’s shoulder as Do Yi played with her hair, too. It looked so much like a pair of lovers in the middle of a crowded room. Shameless.
Se Mi groaned. She was so tired.
But then she promised Do Yi that she would cook, and she would not break her promise.
Se Mi knew what Do Yi liked, so it wasn’t hard to just go into the kitchen and started preparing the meal. It didn’t take her long to finish cooking. She tried to plate it as pretty as possible. Her cheeks flushed adorably as she thought about how Do Yi would react. She wished Do Yi would like it. She cooked with her whole heart. It would devastate her if Do Yi hated it.
Se Mi was so nervous standing in front of Do Yi’s office. Her hands fidgeted. She wanted to knock but she was scared. Her lips were bruised with how hard she was biting on it. Se Mi sighed. Let’s get this over with. She told herself as she knocked on the wooden door. She expected the secretary to be the one who greeted her, but instead, it was Do Yi who opened the door. The sight of Do Yi made Se Mi’s heart ached painfully in her chest.
Do Yi didn’t look like she had a good night sleep. Her eyes were dark, and she had a small frown on her lips. But when Do Yi’s eyes fell on Se Mi, they immediately lit up, making Se Mi weak a little in the knees.
“Se Mi…” Do Yi whispered. Se Mi witnessed as the frown slowly turned into a grin. Se Mi still wore white today. She didn’t know why she did, but when she walked into the closet, her hands touched the white jumpsuit and she could not help but thinking back to last night as Do Yi’s fingers lingered on her body, and Do Yi telling her that she was pretty. “Eomeonim.” Se Mi tried to put on a tough face, but failed miserably as Do Yi guided her with palm resting on the small of her back so that she would sit down next to Do Yi on the couch.
Normally, Do Yi would sit on her own chair at the end of the table, but today, she sat next to Se Mi. Her mother-in-law, who usually turned her nose up with disgust at whatever Se Mi brought her, was now helping her set the table. Se Mi was still in that state of shock. She didn’t know what had gotten into Do Yi’s mind these days, but this was league better than suffering and thinking Do Yi hated her. When Se Mi took out the only set of utensils she brought, she saw a raised eyebrow from her mother-in-law’s face. There it was. Do Yi was started to crack. This whole ‘being nice’ thing was just an act.
Maybe Do Yi wanted something from Se Mi.
Maybe she would ask Se Mi to divorce Chi Kang? She didn’t know. But it had to be something.
“Just one set of utensils…?”
Se Mi heard Do Yi whispered under her breath.
“Yes, eomeonim… I only prepared your portion.” Se Mi replied with a nonchalant voice. What did Do Yi expect? For Se Mi to eat with her? Her mother-in-law never wanted to touch anything Se Mi touched anyway. She had made a point out of that. Se Mi didn’t want to make the same mistake again. She could eat something else later.
“Hmm, it’s fine.” Se Mi frowned, didn’t understand why Do Yi was using that tone. “You never listen to me…” Do Yi’s small laugh was getting to Se Mi’s head. What was that supposed to mean? Se Mi couldn’t help herself but ask: “What do you mean, eomeonim? I did what you asked me to do.”
“Have lunch WITH me, not bring lunch to me…” Do Yi sighed and rubbed her temples. This was so hard. Baek Do Yi wished that she was brought back to her 70th birthday when Se Mi confessed. She would have no hesitation in telling Se Mi that she was in love with her, too. She would have taken care of Se Mi without feeling so out of place like this. But she couldn’t ask for more. Se Mi was alive and breathing, next to her. That’s enough. “This is fine. Thank you, Se Mi ah.”
Se Mi felt like she was falling into an alternated universe. What was this? A soap drama? Was she died and resurrected in a different reality? No, it couldn’t be. It’s ridiculous. Se Mi rolled her eyes at her lingering thoughts and reached for the wine she saw on the table. But as soon as her fingers glided on the glass, they were grabbed by Do Yi’s hand. “Not my cup.” Do Yi said, but her voice lacked the usual anger and more with worried. Of course, Do Yi would not want to drink the same cup with Se Mi. Her mother-in-law always made it seem like Se Mi was dirty or something. It was Se Mi’s turn to sigh as she made an attempt to stand up and reach the liquor shelves. She was stopped, too.
“Sit down.” It was the first time after yesterday morning that Do Yi used a commanding tone with her. It was a body reaction. Se Mi dropped back down to the chair and grumbled. She was irritated. She needed something to chase away this feeling. But what Se Mi didn’t anticipate was when she opened her mouth to give a remark on how Do Yi was being ridiculous, she felt the spoon pressed on her lips and her eyes widened.
Do Yi was holding a spoon filled with soft eggs and kimchi on Se Mi’s lips as if she was telling Se Mi to eat.
“Come on…” Do Yi urged her. “Take a bite first.”
The tenderness in Do Yi’s action, the way Do Yi was looking at Se Mi… Everything was just too much. Se Mi turned her head away, making Do Yi frown as she was rejected. Se Mi said with a muffled voice, like she was trying to hold something back: “Eomeonim, I promise, I am not trying to poison you, so you don’t have to do this.”
Se Mi was rendered speechless again in the span of a day and a half when Do Yi’s fingers pressed on her cheek and gently guided her face toward her. Being this close to Do Yi made Se Mi swallow harshly, unable to contain her blush any longer. Their eyes met and Se Mi swore she saw the affection shining in Do Yi’s eyes. There was no hint of hesitation, no harbored hatred. Just affection, and something like pain, and regret coming through.
Do Yi was cupping Se Mi’s face as she tried again, this time, more persistent: “Say ah…”
Se Mi unconsciously opened her lips and accepted the spoon of food. She forgot to even chew when Do Yi retracted and wiped at the corner of her lips in the softest way possible, while saying: “Look at you, making a mess, dear.”
Dear…
Se Mi’s eyes watered at that. She didn’t know it was something she desperately hoped for until she heard Do Yi called her so. Her arms hung uselessly next to her body as Do Yi focused on preparing another spoon. Her heart was beating so hard that she was sure Do Yi could hear it loud and clear. Eomeonim… Se Mi wanted to say. Eomeonim… She wanted to call out, but she couldn’t. This feeling… This warmth… She had wished for it for so long and now as she finally got it, she was so scared.
“Eomeonim… Did I do something wrong…?” Se Mi managed to croak out, making Do Yi looked at her with a puzzle gaze. “Eomeonim… If you are mad at me, tell me…”
She didn’t expect her mother-in-law to just put down the spoon and stared into space. She didn’t know what to do. Do Yi was so strange. Her mother-in-law was like a different person and it scared Se Mi to death. She couldn’t shake the feeling of daydreaming. Se Mi feared that this was not real.
“Se Mi…” She heard Do Yi said. “Se Mi?” Do Yi tugged her arm and Se Mi fell on Do Yi’s shoulder, once again. She frantically tried to get up, but Do Yi kept her there, nested on her body. The perfume Do Yi used was one of the gift Se Mi gave her long time ago. The one she made a point by not using it to spite Se Mi. Now, she was wearing it and the scent shook Se Mi to the core. She felt dizzy, like she was blessed and cursed at the same time.
“Se Mi ah, do you want to be my secretary?”
Se Mi could not believe her ears. Do Yi was asking her to be her secretary, a thing Se Mi had wanted for so long… To be near Do Yi all the time. Se Mi didn’t need to be given the title of being Do Yi’s lover. She didn’t need that. She just needed time with Do Yi, to see Do Yi every day. It was everything she had ever wished for. And now Do Yi was offering her just that. Out of nowhere. Se Mi was scared that Do Yi was going insane.
“Eomeonim… What is the meaning of this?”
Se Mi muttered out. So unsure of herself. Were her ears playing a trick on her?
“Be my secretary. Stay with me.” Do Yi simply said. Her eyes held all the unsaid words: stay close to me. Don’t run away. Let me take care of you. Let me love you… All the things she couldn’t say out loud, her eyes conveyed. It would take a long time to make Se Mi fully trusted her, but Do Yi was willing, no matter how long it took, to protect Jang Se Mi at all costs.
“Will you?” Do Yi pressed on. She needed to hear Se Mi said it. She needed to know… In this life, would Se Mi still love her.
Se Mi seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding: “Yes, eomeonim…”
Yes, eomeonim… I’d do everything you want if that meant you’re happy. I’d go to hell and back if that’s what you asked me to do. I don’t care how much it hurt. How could it hurt more than hiding my love for you for more than twenty years? I love you… I love you… I love you, eomeonim…
Se Mi wanted to say just that. But instead, all she could mutter out was: “Yes… Eomeonim…”
The brilliant smile on Do Yi’s face was like Se Mi had granted her the biggest wish. Seeing Do Yi like that made Se Mi feel like there was a fire spreading across her body. The constant cold that haunted her life slowly dissipated in the cloud of smoke. Se Mi felt warm for the first time in years.
---
After that day, Se Mi became Do Yi’s assistant.
Just in title, to be honest. Do Yi kept Se Mi close to her, working on something non-important, sitting in the same room, having lunch and sometimes dinner together. It had become their ritual. Se Mi would cook for Do Yi, and Do Yi would always insist that Se Mi shared the meal with her. Se Mi never brought extra utensils, so Do Yi made it her mission to feed Se Mi, too.
In a few months basically living with Do Yi, Se Mi felt like she was in heaven. She still tried to keep her cool, but it was getting harder and harder to manage. Do Yi was a serious business woman, it let to the fact that her mother-in-law would get headache after a tiresome meeting. That also meant Se Mi would be asked to bring Do Yi medicine. Usually, Do Yi would just drown a glass of alcohol before going back to work, but Se Mi noticed, Do Yi had cleared out the bar. She quitted drinking.
So, Se Mi, who didn’t want Do Yi to ruin her livers with all the medicine, had made it her mission to give Do Yi head massage. Today was no different. Do Yi was leaning on her chair, eyes closed. A grimace could be spotted on her face as she breathed shallowly. She was in pain, and she didn’t even have the energy to ask Se Mi to help her. Se Mi, whose body was wired to Do Yi’s needs, immediately dropped her paperwork down and silently gravitated to Do Yi. She bit her lips and leaned down as her hands came up to Do Yi’s temples. The flowery scent of Do Yi never failed to make Se Mi dizzy, but in a good way. She wished to lean down, to kiss the crown of Do Yi’s head, to just pull Do Yi up and kissed her silly, but Se Mi knew it was out of line.
She was just a daughter-in-law with a twisted mental state anyway.
With a heavy heart, Se Mi methodically moved her fingers to relief Do Yi’s pain. Her hands crept into Do Yi’s soft hair, scratching slightly on Do Yi’s scalp. The little moan suddenly slipped out of Do Yi and Se Mi’s knees buckled. A flood of wetness pooled down between her legs and Se Mi whimpered. She wanted to step back, to run to the restroom and fixed this embarrassment, but Do Yi let out a sigh, with a whisper, she told Se Mi:
“Don’t stop, dear… It feels so good… Keep going…”
The thoughts ran in Se Mi’s brain were dirty and inappropriate. Her face flushed red like boiled shrimp. She let her shaky hands ventured to Do Yi’s neck and pressed down gently, earning another loud moan from her mother-in-law.
“Right there… Yes…”
This was too much. In all the years in her life, even while being intimate with her husband, Se Mi never let out any sounds like this. Chi Kang never gave her such pleasure even from the most intimate activity of husband and wife. But just one satisfying sigh escaped Do Yi’s lips was enough to set fire to Se Mi’s soul and burnt it down to ashes with the strength of lust.
Good Gods have mercy…
Se Mi didn’t know for how long she could keep herself appearing unaffected.
Just as Se Mi was about to explode, a knock sounded on the door, bringing their attention back to reality. Se Mi was ready to be pushed off. She was ready to be casted away by Do Yi, but when she retracted her hands, Do Yi didn’t let her. “No, keep going. I’m still feeling under the weather, dear…” Se Mi bit her lips and hid her face as she dropped her head as low as possible. Do Yi casually told her visitor to come in and opened the door was no other than Dan Chi Gam, Do Yi’s second son.
As soon as he walked in, his brows raised to his hairline.
He knew his mother had offered his sister-in-law to be her secretary, but he didn’t know their relationship had improved that much.
“Eomma, hyeongsu-nim.” He greeted, and with a twinkle in his eyes, he jested: “If hyung-nim saw this scene, he would probably think he’s the leftover in this relationship.”
He is – Both women thought silently.
Do Yi stared at her son. Her eyes never left him as she grabbed Se Mi’s awkward hand and held it in hers. Her action made Se Mi, who stood behind her, pressed up against her back, like Se Mi was hugging her from behind the chair. Se Mi felt like she was about to explode, but she could not break away from Do Yi’s grip. Her mother-in-law didn’t seem to care anyway. Do Yi’s thumb glided on Se Mi’s skin, right in front of Chi Gam. It was blatant, like she was stating her territory. Chi Gam sighed. He didn’t comment on that.
After all, words got out pretty quickly. Everybody in the company knew that Chairwoman Baek treated her secretary like a treasure. Wherever Chairwoman Baek went, her secretary went. They were like each other shadows. It was a wonder that his sister-in-law didn’t complain. It almost seemed like she was enjoying it, rather than being annoyed.
Jang Se Mi had always been odd around his mother.
Sometimes, Chi Gam had a feeling that his sister-in-law’s true love was his mother and not his brother, Chi Kang. And Chi Kang might feel like that, too. For his brother had spent so much time at the hospital and not at home, anyway. When Chi Gam confronted Chi Kang about it, Chi Kang just smiled and shrugged, saying: ‘Isn’t it good that Se Mi is finally happy for once in her life?’
His brother had always been like that. Selfless. Chi Gam couldn’t understand why he could be like that. His wife was basically moving in with their mother and all Chi Kang cared about was his wife being happy or not.
Chi Gam cleared his throat and decided not to mention anything further into the matter of his mother and his sister-in-law relationship. It was not his place. He just came here because there had been problems with the company.
“Eomma, I have an emergency tonight. I can’t make it to the meeting, can you attend it for me? It’s an important dinner with our potential partner.” Chi Gam sat down and poured himself a cup of tea. Usually, his mother would offer him wine instead, but these days, there was no trace of alcohol in her office, or her home anymore. Chi Jung was complaining about it quite a lot.
His mother pursed her lips and sighed. “That could be arranged. Se Mi, can you note that down for me?” Do Yi leaned back to look at Se Mi, and the younger woman startled before giving a nod. Se Mi wanted to move to her desk, but Do Yi hadn’t let her hand go. Se Mi muttered out with a small and embarrassed voice: “Eomeonim, you have to let me go if you want me to do my job…”
Do Yi seemed to realize, for she smirked a little and let go of Se Mi. When Se Mi moved away, Do Yi called after her: “When you are done with that, come to me. This headache is still bothering me.”
Se Mi scurried away, feeling the weight of Chi Gam’s scrutinizing gaze on her as she fled. She rubbed her face to get focused and hoped to death that her cheeks were not as red as she felt.
Chi Gam didn’t stay for long. He really had work to do. So it left only Se Mi and Do Yi in the office once again. Do Yi had insisted that she only needed Se Mi, so her other secretary was moved to another office next to hers. Se Mi reluctantly asked as she massaged Do Yi’s head: “Eomeonim… Do I have to go to tonight event?”
In truth, Se Mi hated social events. She didn’t want to go out and mingle with the riches around the Dan family. It was exhausting. But if Do Yi wanted her to, she would go. Se Mi didn’t want to waste any moment to be with Do Yi. That was.
Do Yi seemed to contemplate for a while before she said: “I would love it if you are there with me. But if you’re tired, you can go home, dear. I can call my secretary and we can sort this out.”
Se Mi was quick to say: “No, eomeonim! I am fine…”
Do Yi smiled and turned to press her cheek on Se Mi’s skin. “Then come with me.”
Butterflies fluttered in Se Mi’s stomach. Jang Se Mi felt like she was flying.
They prepared for the dinner in silence. Do Yi had ordered the outfits for them to change into. It didn’t surprise Se Mi anymore that their clothes matched. Do Yi was wearing a green dress, and Se Mi in a matching green suit. The way Do Yi was looking at Se Mi while she buttoned up her dress shirt made Se Mi felt hot all over. And when Do Yi slapped her hands away, helping her with the collar of her shirt, Se Mi had to clench her thighs together to not embarrass herself further. She almost moaned a loud when Do Yi smoothed her neck with her soft fingers. It was so dangerous.
Se Mi felt like Do Yi was playing with fire, and Do Yi liked it.
“There… So pretty, dear…” Do Yi grinned up at her and Se Mi blinked hard. She gave a meek smile in return, and they moved to the car.
The dinner was boring. Old men trying to initiate conversation was the worst. And what was even more blasted was that they began to drink and force Se Mi to drink as well. Se Mi, seeing Do Yi’s eyes twitched, politely refused, but they were persistent. Glasses after glasses of wine were handled to Se Mi in Do Yi’s anger.
“Your secretary needs to let loose, madam Baek.” One man said.
“She can’t drink.” Do Yi replied dryly.
It’s not true. Se Mi’s alcohol tolerance was higher than Do Yi. But whenever Do Yi thought back to why Se Mi died in her past life, Do Yi could not stand the sight of her Se Mi drowning that poisonous substance.
“From now on, I drink for her.” Do Yi declared and snatched the cup from Se Mi’s fingers, gulped it down in one go. “There. Now, we can have fun.”
Se Mi couldn’t believe her ears. She couldn’t stop Do Yi from drinking, either. The dinner dragged along until midnight, and by that time, Do Yi was intoxicated. The hazy eyes of her mother-in-law while she was looking at Se Mi was like a feather, teasing Se Mi’s skin. She felt goosebumps raising all across her being as she tried to get Do Yi back to their home. Do Yi couldn’t stand straight, but her eyes never left Se Mi, not once. Do Yi didn’t fight when Se Mi pulled her in a half hug, either. Her mother-in-law tugged into Se Mi’s neck and Se Mi could swear that Do Yi was breathing in her scent.
“You smell so good, my dear Se Mi…”
My dear Se Mi…
A shot of arousal shot through Se Mi’s spine as she struggled to let them both dropped on the couch of the living room. Se Mi mouthed to the maid: ‘It’s fine’ as she cradled a very drunk Do Yi in her arms. Her heart was beating like crazy. The cherry red lips of eomeonim were inviting her, calling for her to just lean down and captured them, but Se Mi swallowed hard to quelch her desire. She closed her eyes briefly to regain composure and whispered to Do Yi:
“Eomeonim… Let me go and get you a glass of lemonade…”
Do Yi was clearly not having it, for she clutched Se Mi’s shirt and bunched in her fist, making Se Mi gasped as Do Yi was so close to her breasts. A small moan slipped out of her throat when Se Mi looked down and found Do Yi fiery eyes staring back at her.
“Stay with me.” It was demanding. It was more than asking. It was a command. Se Mi gulped as she let herself be dragged down, with Do Yi pressed up against her front. Se Mi felt like fainting. Her hooded eyelids were struggling to stay open.
“Who gave you the permission to leave me?” Do Yi was getting closer to Se Mi’s face. Se Mi could feel Eomeonim’s breaths fanned on her cheeks. They were so close. Just one slip and their lips would meet. Se Mi fought to stay as still as possible, but Do Yi was irresistible. It was so hard to not giving in…
“Never again… my darling Se Mi…”
Softness pressed on her lips and Se Mi saw stars.