The Smile You Bring Me

Defeated

Dong-Chun noticed that Ji Pyeong was frowning, "Is there something wrong, Director Han?" he asked.

Ji Pyeong shook his head.

"Nothing, I was just startled when Min-Ah said she was leaving today,"

"Min-Ah has always been like that. You're lucky that she called you before she left. I always find out that she is abroad on her SNS," Dong Chun relayed sourly.

Then, Dal Mi knocked on the door. Both Ji Pyeong and Dong-Chun suddenly stopped talking.

"Am I interrupting something?" Dal Mi asked after she saw that they were quiet.

"No, Ms. Dal-Mi! I am just asking Director Han if he's not going to leave yet, —because it's already time to go, " Dong-Chun said.

"Is it time already?" Ji Pyeong asked, and he looked at his watch.

Dal-Mi and Dong-Chun nodded.

"Look at that! Our Director Han is very hard-working that he forgot the time again," Dong-Chun told Dal Mi. Dal Mi smiled at the sight of Ji Pyeong shutting down his computer.

"Director, you don't have — any more questions, right?"Dong Chun asked. But he was not asking Ji Pyeong about their work.

Ji Pyeong shook his head.

"I'll go ahead then!" Dong Chun said with a wink at Ji Pyeong. "Goodbye, Dal Mi," he added as he left.

When Dong Chun was [completely] gone, Dal Mi asked Ji Pyeong, "Do you wanna grab something to eat?" she asked.

"Ah, Sure!" he replied. He grabbed his coat and escorted Dal Mi out.

*******************************

Ji Pyeong and Dal Mi went to a pojangmacha, a Korean food tent.

"This is my treat!" Dal Mi said.

"Why? Did something happen worth celebrating today?" Ji Pyeong asked.

"Well, it's thanks to you...I got —them— back!" Dal Mi hesitantly relayed.

"Then, you should have treated me somewhere nicer!" Ji Pyeong joked.

"Sure! When I am not busy anymore with Tarzan's permit. But for now, we need —to eat our udon before it's cold. Besides, I still need to be back at the office to finish some things the boys will need, " Dal Mi relayed.

"Do you need me to help you?" Ji Pyeong offered.

Dal Mi shook her head, "No, thanks for the offer, though!" 

"Dal Mi, you know  — you can ask me for anything, right?" Ji Pyeong said as he looked at her.

Dal Mi nodded as she looked back at him with a faint smile.

"Is there a problem? " he asked.

Dal Mi took a deep breath, "I'll be working with Do-San again!" she paused,  "...and that scares me!" she added in a soft-toned voice.

Ji Pyeong put down his spoon and chopsticks, "Can I be honest?" he said.

Dal Mi nodded.

"I didn't like the idea of you working with them too. I hate the thought! However, knowing that Cheong Myeong urgently needs them, I have to put aside my feelings," he paused to breathe. "And I know this is not the right time—for this, but do you know what worries me more?" he said as he looked at her.

Dal Mi shook her head, "what?" she asked.

"It's the fact that you're worried— to be around him. Because that will mean he is still in your heart. That even after three years, I still cannot replace him!" Ji Pyeong sadly said.

He hoped Dal Mi to deny his words, but she didn't. They both finish their food in silence.

*******************

Months passed, and Cheong Myeong company finally obtained its temporary permit. And now, they are bidding to be partners at Smart City, despite Ji Pyeong's advice to Dal-Mi not to participate.

Ji Pyeong and Do-San even argued about participating in the bidding. Their argument ended with Do-San and Ji Pyeong returning something that belonged to one another. But all of a sudden, Do-San changed his mind and didn't want to return the letters to Ji Pyeong anymore. But Ji Pyeong couldn't give up his memories for Do-San. He went to Do San's house to get the things that belonged to him.

Ji Pyeong and Do-San drank together until both of them were drunk. Ji Pyeong was too drunk to go home. So, he spent the night at Do-San's place. In the morning, Do-San gave back the letters to him. Ji Pyeong felt that he should tell Do-San about Dal-Mi, and he did.

*********************

That night at Sandbox.

Ji Pyeong saw Do-San and Dal-Mi, were kissing in the post-it room. He knew that he was the one that told him about Dal Mi, but he was just human— and seeing them together hurt. He —actually— wanted to punch Do-San, but he could see how happy Dal-Mi was. He turned around and walked away; he just wanted to be out of that place asap.