AMOUR

Chapter Two

There was something different in the air that morning, something unusually welcoming. As Hana strolled toward the library near the farmhouse, she couldn't shake off the sense of freshness in the air. The cool spring breeze seemed to greet her personally, whispering promises of a new beginning.

The library was a sanctuary for Hana, a place where she sought solace and escape. Her face lit up as it came into view. "Good morning, Mr. Choi!" she beamed upon entering. "How have you been?" she asked warmly, expecting to see the familiar elderly man behind the counter.

"Umm, excuse me? Who are you?" a young man's voice responded from behind the desk.

Startled, Hana realized the elderly Mr. Choi had been replaced by someone else. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said, slightly embarrassed. "I thought you were someone else."

The young man before her was dressed entirely in black, exuding a quiet charm that caught Hana off guard. His dark, captivating eyes held a depth that drew her in as if they contained the entire universe within them. He was tall, with a slight build, undeniably handsome.

"No worries!" he replied with a smile, revealing bunny-like teeth that added to his endearing demeanour. "Are you looking for the owner?"

"Yes, please," Hana replied quickly.

"He's in the back. I'll go get him," the young man said, darting off to fetch Mr. Choi. This gave Hana a moment to take in the library. Everything appeared unchanged, each book in its place. A few subtle differences caught her eye, but they were minor details only she would notice, a testament to her keen observation.

"Look who came crawling back," Mr. Choi announced cheerfully, entering through the basement door. His voice alone brought a smile to Hana's face.

Rolling her eyes playfully, Hana walked into Mr. Choi's welcoming embrace. He hugged her tightly, swaying from side to side affectionately. "I didn't come crawling back," she teased. "I just missed you and everyone else."

Mr. Choi had known the Kang siblings since they were toddlers, close friends with their father. He treated Hana like a daughter, having never married and always insisting that books were his lifelong companions. He often joked that with Hana and her late sister Sana around, he didn't need any women in his life. Despite his solitary lifestyle, Mr. Choi was far from lonely, dedicating his youth to building his business empire.

"Same difference," Mr. Choi chuckled, his voice tinged with affection. "What brings you here today? Any special occasion?"

"Not really," Hana shrugged. "I'm back for a month or two," she continued casually, slipping her hands into her jeans.

Her gaze drifted back to the young man behind the counter, who seemed engrossed in his work. Intrigued, she discreetly asked Mr. Choi about him, pointing in his direction.

Mr. Choi hesitated for a moment, his expression faltering. "Oh, him?" he said awkwardly, glancing back at the young man. "That's Jungkook, um, my nephew visiting from the States. He loves books, so I've let him help out around here."

"I see," Hana replied quietly, sensing Mr. Choi's discomfort. She walked over to Jungkook and introduced herself politely.

"Hi, I'm Kang Hana. Nice to meet you," she said with a smile, extending her hand.

Jungkook looked taken aback but managed a nervous smile as he shook her hand. "Nice to meet you too," he replied hesitantly.

Hana noticed his demeanour and the flicker of curiosity in his eyes but decided not to dwell on it. He was a stranger to her, and she had no reason to judge him. Still, something about him lingered in her thoughts, hinting that he might become more than just a passing acquaintance.

"Hana, let's catch up somewhere quieter," Mr. Choi interrupted, appearing beside her. "We have so much to talk about."

"Sure," Hana agreed readily, smiling once more at Jungkook before following Mr. Choi away. She noticed Jungkook sigh softly as they disappeared behind the door, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Hours passed unnoticed as Hana and Mr. Choi reminisced and caught up on lost time. Their bond was evident in the ease with which they shared stories and laughter, the library walls echoing with their animated conversation. Mr. Choi's protective instincts flared when Hana revealed the true reason for her visit, but she managed to calm him down before he could unleash his formidable connections.

"Don't worry, Uncle. I'm fine now that I'm back home," Hana assured him gently. "No need for any drastic measures."

Mr. Choi huffed, sinking back into his chair. "I still want to give that guy a piece of my mind. How could he let someone like you slip away?"

Hana chuckled at his fierce protectiveness. "I know, right? But please, don't do anything. I don't want to see your violent side come out."

Mr. Choi had a reputation for being a respected figure in the business world, capable of making problems disappear with a snap of his fingers. Yet, he had always kept this side hidden from Hana and her siblings, a testament to his deep affection for them.

"I promise," Mr. Choi replied with a twinkle in his eye, his tone lightening. "No more violent outbursts. I'll leave that to the young and reckless."

As evening approached, Mr. Choi walked Hana back to the farmhouse, a gesture she appreciated deeply. His gentlemanly demeanour and casual flirtation were among the many reasons she cherished their bond.

Once alone in her room, Hana found herself restless. The quietude of her surroundings, so different from the hustle of university life, unnerved her. She needed a distraction, something to occupy her mind.

After dinner with Mrs. Wang, Hana took a walk along the running trails beside the Nakdong River. The serene beauty of the riverbanks soothed her, but her thoughts kept returning to recent events.

It was during her walk that she spotted something unexpected—a figure standing precariously close to the edge of the riverbank as if contemplating a plunge into the water.