Affection's Facade

What happens with us

Author's present POV

She was an interesting woman in some ways it was confusing to come to terms with why she was the way she was. Why did she act as she did, not every time. The thing was... with Elera there was always an understandable reason. At least there used to be. Still, over the years, she became less readable. Such as that night, the night of the dinner.

When Elera departed from the table, Tae-hyung couldn't help but wonder what might've led her to it, more than anyone else at the table, Tae-hyung wondered what was going through her mind. Even more so because for a moment there, their eyes had locked, an exchange as brief as it was inscrutable.

His gaze shifted to So-yeon and Jae-hoon across the table. So-yeon caught his eye, her expression unamused. "Well, that was interesting," she declared, her tone laced with studied nonchalance.

Jae-hoon appeared as confounded as Tae-hyung felt, but he chose the path of quiet contemplation. He took a measured sip of his wine, deliberately avoiding the others' probing stares.

"Let's not make a big deal out of it," Tae-hyung finally broke the silence, sweeping aside everything as if it were mere dust. "People leave dinners early all the time."

So-yeon's lips curled into a smirk as she swirled the wine in her glass. "People also usually say goodbye, especially when the dinner is for something as important as discussing a job offer."

Choosing to sidestep her pointed comment, Tae-hyung turned to Jae-hoon. "What are your thoughts about Mr. Chang's proposal? It seems like a good opportunity."

Jae-hoon carefully set his wine glass on the table and locked eyes with Tae-hyung. "It does seem like a good opportunity, but it raises the question—Why was Elera invited if the job offer was for me? Even more so, since when did you find me worth working with?"

Tae-hyung scoffed as a fleeting shadow crossed his face. "Mr. Chang likely had his reasons," he finally replied, his words carefully neutral. It was a half-truth at best, but it served as a convenient smokescreen for his complex feelings about choosing to invite Elera. To check on her without being so forward. Maybe at the time he didn't know it. " As for working with you. You need his support for your campaign. Despite my opposition, I was asked to." He said honestly.

Jae-hoon nodded, his expression maintaining its inscrutability, choosing not to delve any deeper into the subject.

So-yeon exhaled an audible sigh, as if drawing a line under the conversation, declaring it closed.

As the dinner wore on, Tae-hyung's thoughts persistently circled back to Elera, like a moth entranced by a flickering flame.

The night eventually came to a close, and goodbyes were exchanged. Still, a sense of unrest gnawed at him. Climbing into the car with So-Yeon, he gave a curt nod of thanks to the driver and made his way into Hae-Mi's room upon reaching home.

With a tender touch, he brushed stray strands of hair away from Hae-Mi's face before pulling the plush blanket snugly up to her chest. Stirring ever so slightly, as though sensing his presence, she gripped the edge of the blanket, her fingers curling in slumber's embrace. A fleeting moment of tranquility washed over him, a counterpoint to the evening's emotional turbulence.

Silently stepping out of the room, he pulled the door closed with soft finality. As he descended the stairs, he began to unbutton his sleeves, the smooth fabric slipping through his fingers as if echoing the shedding of his own internal tension. Upon entering the bedroom, he found So-yeon already settled on the bed, engrossed in the glossy pages of a fashion magazine.

"Should we...?" So-yeon looked up, her eyes meeting his as she gestured to the space beside her on the bed.

"Not tonight," Tae-hyung responded, deliberately averting his gaze. "I'm not really in the mood."