Until Then

Chapter 4

I arrived earlier than the scheduled time for a meeting with a client. The place where I reserved was close to Shin's workplace. Speaking of Shin, after he left the morning when he slept over my place, he never texted me. He didn't visit me nor did he call me up. It has been the second day since then.

As the staff guided me to the seat I reserved for the meeting, I catch a glimpse of the person from the neighboring room. The door was half open so I was able to take a peek. There, I saw Shin. He was laughing enjoyably as he watch the other person he was with. I thought he was having a meeting with a client as well but they seem too close for them to be talking only about just "business". I felt a pang in my chest when I saw the woman sitting across him – she was beautiful. If she's a friend of his, I couldn't tell. I never meet her before.

"Ma'am, this way please."

The staff looks back at me. I nodded and follow after her – setting aside the bothering pain that's creeping in my chest.

"Look at the time."

I followed after Sam as we went out of the restaurant. She looked back at me, raising a brow.

"It's not even as if you're half an hour late for work."

"My secretary will nag me again, y'know. She was at it already this morning.", I replied as I entered the driver seat.

"So you were late for work this morning?"

Her lips formed an O shape, amused about the discovery. I stopped fastening my seatbelt and looked at her.

"You're enjoying this."

She shrugged and laughingly said, "It's your fault for drinking way more than you can handle. Serves you right.".

I drove back at my workplace. When we arrived, Sam bid her goodbye and told me that she needed to be somewhere. I didn't bother to ask her where that is, besides she brought her car.

The pile of documents on my table welcomed me as I open my office' door. My secretary reminded me of the things that need to be done for the day.

I am mostly finish with my schedule at around five o'clock. I heard my secretary knocking so I told her to enter.

"Sir, you have a visitor."

"Show them inside and have them take a seat.", I ordered without lifting my head as I am so focused on the document I'm reading.

I heard the door clicked after my secretary excused herself. I looked up to see who my visitor was and to my surprise, it wasn't a person I expected to see me on her own accord. It was Via.

"Shin.", she smiled weakly as she call on me.

"Via, why did you come here?"

I walked to where she is as she stood up. When I reach her, I gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I guided her back to her seat.

"So.. why did you come here?"

"I just finished a meeting with a client at a restaurant near here. As I pass by your workplace, I decided to visit you."

"I see."

Silence engulfed my office. I was at a lost for words. It was Via who broke the silence.

"Hmm.. What time will you be clocking out?"

I looked at the time in my wristwatch. It's already past 5 o'clock and there were only a few documents left to finish for the day.

"I can clock out now. Let me tell my secretary first."

I stood up and went outside to inform my secretary. I also told her to organize the remaining documents in my table before she leaves.

Via and I decided to dine out at a restaurant along the way to Via's place. The drive all throughout the way from my workplace to the restaurant was unusually silent. Before, every time we were together we would always talk about certain topics. Thinking about it now, it was always me who tries to start a conversation whenever but I don't have that energy right now.

When we arrived at the restaurant, we just ordered the usual meals we eat. I can feel the gaze of Via whenever she steal glances at me. It was as if she wanted to ask me something but she's hesitating. I wonder what is it.

"How are you?"

Shock was visible on her eyes as she looked at me. I smiled.

"It's been a while."

I reached for her hand resting at the top of the table and held it.

"I missed you.", I said lovingly as I looked her in the eye.

Her cheeks flushed red at the gesture but immediately pouted.

"L...", she mumbles.

"Hm? What did you say?"

I looked at Via – confused.

"I said you're a liar."

Surprised and still confused as to what she means, I tilted my head slightly as if asking her to elaborate what it was.

"Y-You're telling me that you missed me but you never contacted me since that day. If you really miss me shouldn't you, at the very least, send me a message? It has been two days, Shin."

I was about to reply but the waiter who served our orders interrupted me. The atmosphere wasn't good and the table was engulfed with silence but this time I was the one who broke it.

"Shall we eat first?"

I gestured her to eat her food as I eat mine. We ate in silence and no one bothered to talk. Even the drive from the restaurant to her place was silent.

It wasn't a fight but I feel like it became like one. There was no misunderstanding as well but we parted ways with heavy hearts. I didn't stay at her place nor did she ask me to stay. It was a decision that we subconsciously agreed upon.

I drove back to my place while trying not to think too much about what happened between Via and me. It wasn't a common occurrence but whenever it happens it was me who seeks her first. It has always been that way and I think it will continue that way as well.