Please, Confess to Me

Chapter 36 : Apology That Wasn't Needed

Hanni ignored Minji for another night.

Last night, Minji had asked Mrs. Jung to send another bouquet, but all she received was a crisp thank you and the sound of a door slamming. It seemed her wife was even angrier.

Minji tossed and turned all night, restless and fretting. Eventually, she got up before dawn and made her way to the stairs. This feeling was unbearable.

Click..

The front door suddenly opened, and Minji looked up to see Mrs. Jung entering with a basket full of vegetables.

"Boss, you're up early today," Mrs. Jung blinked in surprise. "You startled me."

"Yeah, I wanted to run a little earlier today," Minji replied, heading toward the door. She quickly changed into her running shoes, tying the laces tightly.

Dumbfounded, Mrs. Jung couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you going to change your clothes?"

Minji glanced down and realized she was still in her blue robe. With an awkward cough, she turned and headed back to her room to change.

While Minji was dazed, Hanni had slept well, but her late night poring over documents meant she woke up late. She jolted upright, thinking Minji might be waiting for her downstairs.

Bypassing the bathroom, Hanni threw on her slippers and rushed to the door. But as her hand touched the doorknob, she suddenly recalled that she was supposed to be angry with Minji.

Ultimately, Hanni made her way downstairs. It was already 9:00 a.m. She peeked stealthily at the dining table and noted Minji's absence, then turned toward the living room.

"Bark!" Choco saw his mother and excitedly jumped up.

"Madam, you're awake!" Mrs. Jung exclaimed, emerging from the kitchen.

"Ah, yes." Hanni replied, feeling inexplicably panicked.

"Come have breakfast. I'll heat everything up for you," Mrs. Jung offered.

"Alright." Hanni glanced around but still didn't see Minji. She turned to Choco. "Where's your mama?"

"Bark!"

"Boss has already gone to work," Mrs. Jung informed her as she brought out several dishes.

"Oh, I see." Hanni sat stiffly at the table, picking up her chopsticks to eat.

"Boss didn't have breakfast today," Mrs. Jung remarked thoughtfully.

"Oh?" Hanni said, feigning interest. "Did you pack a lunchbox for her?"

"I did," Mrs. Jung nodded. "Before boss left, she asked me to pass along a message."

"What is it?" Hanni braced herself for another apology.

"Boss said if you need some space, she can stay away for a while and come back later. You don't have to keep shutting yourself in your bedroom."

Hanni blinked.

"Madam, are you and the boss fighting?" Mrs. Jung asked gently.

"No," Hanni quickly denied it.

"I know I'm just the maid and shouldn't say much, but boss looks so pitiful," Mrs. Jung continued. "If her mistake isn't serious, please just forgive her."

"Pitiful?" Hanni scoffed.

"I don't think boss has slept well for several days now," Mrs. Jung explained. "When I arrived this morning, she was standing at the foot of the stairs, staring up at the second floor."