Letters to Anonymous | MYG [Completed]

40. Fight back!

Dong-Hyun was probably the last person on the earth Ah-In wanted to see at the moment! But when Ah-In called the said man in the morning, he practically pleaded Ah-In to give him twenty minutes of her day. And Ah-In just couldn't say no.

One part of her was worried that Dong-Hyun may rub her nose in Ah-In's misery! But another part said that he would not go as low. But this was Dong-Hyun at the end of the day, so one can never be too sure!

With hesitating steps, Ah-In entered the cafe where she was supposed to meet Dong-Hyun. He was already there, waiting for Ah-In. Dong-Hyun got up from his seat as soon as he saw Ah-In. He pulls seat for Ah-In to seat and smiled at her gently.

This was not usual Dong-Hyun. He has never been so courteous. Ah-In has always seen him smirking, never showing a genuine and gentle smile! Something new! Something really odd!

"What would you like to have?"

"Nothing. Why am I here?" Ah-In was blunt. Dong-Hyun's smile dropped instantly at the tone.

"They have herbal tea too. Ginger is your favorite, right?"

"Please get to the point Dong-Hyun!"

His smile dropped further.

"I'm sorry for whatever is happening with you lately."

"I don't need your pity!" Ah-In snaps unnecessarily.

"I'm not pitying you Ah-In. I really feel bad! You don't deserve all these!"

"Dong-Hyun, please don't pretend to be concerned about me. I know you! I've known you for years! You might well be getting sadistic pleasure out of my situation!"

There's a deep frown on Dong-Hyun's face hearing harsh words coming from Ah-In.

"Why would you say that Ah-In? I have always been concerned for you!"

"Please let's not waste time in discussing this stuff. Why am I here?"

"No, let's talk about this first. From the first day, you walked into our college and I laid eyes on you, I've been concerned about you! It's just you have never seen it!"

"What are you on about? You have always been after my case. You have never left a single opportunity to compete against me."

"That's not always have been the case!"

"Whatever it is I'm not interested. Is there anything important you wanted to talk about or shall I leave?" Seems Dong-Hyun was getting on Ah-In's nerves.

"For once will you please listen to me calmly? Yes, I do have something important to tell you but what I'm telling you right now is also important!" It was Dong-Hyun's turn to snap. By now that gentle smile was long gone and it was replaced with a deep scowl.

Dong-Hyun takes a deep breath, regaining his composure.

"I'm sorry Ah-In. I didn't mean to snap at you. But for once I want to tell you what's in my mind. So, please just hear me out!"

Ah-In remained silent. Upon seeing her seat calmly, Dong-Hyun proceeded further.

"You know I was so infatuated by you!"

"Excuse me?!"

"Of course, you wouldn't know. You never noticed and I never had the courage to tell you! Well, I'm telling you now. So better listen well!"

Dong-Hyun again takes a deep breath. Expressions on his face softened a little.

"From day one, I was so infatuated. You have this mix of approachability and mysticism which draws people towards you. You have this unique ability to seem confident and vulnerable at the same time! A personality that would appeal to anyone, highly intellectual and of course beautiful appearance, I couldn't help but fall head over hills for you!"

This was the last thing Ah-In expected to hear from the other. She didn't really know how to respond, so she just remained silent as Dong-Hyun continued.

"Initially, I tried to help you with settling down at the new location and new culture. I thought that will help us get closer. But you already had too many people helping you out and you never noticed me! Then once during a debate, we were put against each other. We debated with so much passion for almost an hour! And that was the longest conversation I ever had with you, the closest I ever stood with you, the longest I hold your attention! And I just loved it! In the next tests, we both came first with exact same score. For the first time, my name was with you, on the same line and it felt exhilarating! Then onwards, I worked so hard to stand right beside you! I didn't know when did you start considering it a competition but for me, it was the only chance to stay along your side!"

"Why didn't you ever say anything Dong-Hyun? Between college and the time I worked at L. P. Publishers, we have been alongside for almost five years!"

"Oh come on Ah-In. You know you were and still are, way out of my league! I never had the guts to pour my heart to you!"

"Then why now?"

"Well, I am not the same eighteen years old kid that I was in college. Time has made me braver I guess! I don't know! Anyways, this was not the reason I wanted to meet you!" Dong-Hyun lets out a sigh and continues with the actual reason for wanting to meet Ah-In.

"Around three weeks back, I saw that kid Sang-Hoon at L. P. He came up to me to meet me. He said that he was there for an interview. I saw him a couple of times during the same week after that but never afterward. I thought he might have not been selected. But then last night, he was there back again and it seems he had a long discussion with senior management. I asked the HR manager if he is joining our publishing company. They told me that senior management had not selected him for the internship for which he had interviewed, instead, they had offered him some freelance work! As per the HR Manager, only our CEO, marketing head, PR manager, and Sang-Hoon knows what kind of freelance work he is offered. The entire incident seems fishy to me and somehow my gut feeling says that it has something to do with you."

"Why do you think that it has anything to do with me?"

"You know our CEO! You know how competitive he is and up to what extent he can go to beat the competition. Since, the day of your nomination for the international award, he has been on the edge. He isn't happy that you were nominated and I wasn't. I don't trust him Ah-In."

"Neither do I. Thank you for letting me know this. We have hired an investigator. I will ask him to investigate into this as well."

"Why do I get the feeling that by "we" you don't mean you and NeoBooks but you meant you and your boyfriend, the rapper!"

Dong-Hyun was right but Ah-In thought it would be insensitive towards Dong-Hyun to admit it. So she remained silent.

"Anyways, I will also investigate this on my own at the publishers. And I will let you know once I get more information."

"Okay, thanks. And Dong-Hyun...." She spoke hesitantly, "I am sorry for being so ignorant of your feelings!"

"It was never your fault Ah-In. I never had the guts to admit it when I had the chance!"

Again Ah-In had no words to respond. They both remained silent till they completed their Tea and parted their ways.