#83.

As evening approached, Kang Jiwon’s steps were heavy as she walked through the apartment complex. The conversation she had with Park Minah-ssi last night, and the emotions she felt at that moment, weighed heavily on her heart.

,Why did I act like that towards Minah-ssi last night…?

Kang Jiwon’s mind was filled with anxiety. Park Minah-ssi’s eyes, her trembling voice, and that moment when they were almost touching… Am I rushing things too much?

Then, the man from the management office suddenly came to mind. He was an inexplicably irritating presence. She was dying to ask about him, but a strange fear made her hesitate.

,Will I be able to see Minah-ssi today…?

With this thought, Kang Jiwon quickened her pace. On her way home, she passed by the management office. Her heart started beating fast with the hope that she might see the man.

While watching the management office from afar, the door suddenly opened. Kang Jiwon held her breath and watched the scene. A woman was seen pushing a stroller.

Kang Jiwon’s eyes widened. She noticed something strange about the woman. Her face was flushed, and her clothes were slightly disheveled. And that stroller…

,Could it be… an affair?

All sorts of thoughts flashed through Kang Jiwon’s mind. And those thoughts naturally led to Park Minah-ssi.

,What is Minah-ssi’s relationship with that man…?

A seed of doubt began to take root deep in Kang Jiwon’s heart. Just then, the man who came out of the management office seemed to turn his gaze this way. Kang Jiwon was startled and quickly turned around to head home.

On the way back home, Kang Jiwon’s heart became even more complicated. Her feelings for Park Minah-ssi, and the situation she had just witnessed… Everything was tangled up, confusing her.

,What does all of this mean…?

Kang Jiwon sighed and headed home.

—

Late at night, Kim Eunju’s house was quiet. In the bedroom, Jinwoo was sleeping peacefully, and in the living room, Kim Eunju and Lee Hyunwoo were sharing each other’s warmth. Satisfaction was evident on Kim Eunju’s face as she was held in Lee Hyunwoo’s arms.

Lee Hyunwoo slowly stroked Kim Eunju’s hair and opened his mouth. “Eunju-ya, I think I need to visit my parents’ house this weekend.”

Kim Eunju raised her head and looked at Lee Hyunwoo. “Huh? Is something wrong?”

“My father called. He said they need some help with the autumn harvest…” There was a hint of apology in Lee Hyunwoo’s voice. “It’s a bit far to take Jinwoo, so I was thinking of going alone. Would that be okay?”

Kim Eunju paused for a moment, lost in thought. Various thoughts flashed through her mind. But soon, she gave a soft smile and replied, “Of course, it’s okay. Don’t worry too much and go.”

Lee Hyunwoo hugged Kim Eunju even tighter out of gratitude. “Thank you for understanding.”

,Just Jinwoo and I on the weekend…?

Kim Eunju was lost in thought as she was held in Lee Hyunwoo’s arms. Her fingers unconsciously caressed Lee Hyunwoo’s chest. But her mind was already wandering elsewhere.

A faint moonlight streamed into the bedroom. Kim Eunju closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The image of the weekend was already being drawn in her mind.

Herself and Jinwoo sitting at the dining table, and the figure of that person entering with the sound of the doorbell… Kim Eunju pictured herself opening the door in her imagination. She vividly recalled exchanging light greetings and receiving a bottle of wine he had brought.

Kim Eunju’s heart started beating slightly faster. Lee Hyunwoo assumed it was due to their relationship and hugged her even tighter. But Kim Eunju’s excitement stemmed from a completely different reason.

In her imagination, they were sitting at the dining table. Jinwoo was playing with toys in front of the TV, and she and that person were quietly talking. The sound of wine glasses clinking, the softly playing music, and his gaze…

,This time…, she muttered inwardly. Her lips parted slightly as if she was about to say something, then closed again.

Kim Eunju snuggled closer to Lee Hyunwoo. But her mind was already elsewhere. Her heart, waiting for the weekend to come, was filled with secret anticipation.

—

Late at night, Kang Jiwon’s footsteps echoed alone in the quiet of the apartment complex. Her heart was filled with anxiety and worry. She hadn’t seen Park Minah-ssi for a while, and the thought that she might have rushed things was tormenting her.

,Could it be that Minah-ssi has come to dislike me…?

That thought made Kang Jiwon’s heart even heavier. As she was walking forlornly, someone suddenly tapped her on the back. Startled, Kang Jiwon quickly turned her head.

“Ah! You scared me!”

Park Minah-ssi was standing there, smiling playfully. A smile instantly spread across Kang Jiwon’s face.

“Minah-ssi, hello.”

“Hello, Jiwon-ssi. Long time no see.”

Kang Jiwon felt her heart pounding as she replied, “It really has been a while. Have you been busy lately?”

A pout crossed Park Minah-ssi’s face. “A new project started at work, so I’ve had a lot of late nights. It’s been really tough.”

,Thank goodness…, Kang Jiwon breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

“Ah, I see. You must have been through a lot. Hang in there.”

Then, Kang Jiwon noticed the bag Park Minah-ssi was holding. She could see cans of beer.

“Is that… beer, by any chance?”

Park Minah-ssi smiled cutely and replied, “Yes, it is. I’ve been a bit stressed.”

At that sight, Kang Jiwon’s heart beat once again. Park Minah-ssi raised the bag and said,

“Would you… like to have some together?”

Kang Jiwon hesitated for a moment. But the answer was already flowing from her lips.

“Should we?”

The two women’s eyes met. At that moment, Kang Jiwon felt all her anxiety and worry disappear. Instead, her heart was filled with anticipation and excitement.

Kang Jiwon looked around for a moment. Late at night, the apartment complex was quiet. She mustered her courage and said,

“Um, Minah-ssi… It’s a bit chilly to drink outside. Would you like to drink at my place? We can just chat comfortably…”

Park Minah-ssi’s eyes widened slightly. She seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then nodded.

“Okay, that sounds good. Thank you.”

As they got into the elevator, Kang Jiwon cautiously brought up the topic. “Come to think of it, we didn’t even have each other’s contact information. Could you perhaps give me your number?”

Park Minah-ssi seemed to hesitate for a moment, but soon replied with a bright expression. “That’s right. Of course.”

The two women took out their phones and exchanged numbers. Kang Jiwon’s heart started beating fast.

“I saved it,” Park Minah-ssi said. “Now we can contact each other anytime.”

Kang Jiwon smiled and nodded. “Yes, I guess so.”

Kang Jiwon’s apartment door opened, and the two women entered. Park Minah-ssi’s eyes looked around with a curious expression.

“Wow, your house is really neat!” Park Minah-ssi exclaimed. “I’m not very good at tidying up, so I’m really envious when I see such a neat house.”

Kang Jiwon smiled, feeling inwardly proud. “Really? Actually, I used to be a mess too. It just became a habit.”

The two women sat side by side on the sofa. Cold cans of beer were placed on the table. Light conversation was exchanged as they opened the cans.

“Is work getting any better?” Kang Jiwon asked.

Park Minah-ssi sighed and replied, “Not yet. But I’m glad I can relieve stress by drinking beer like this.”

As time passed and the atmosphere ripened, Kang Jiwon decided to bring up the question she had been harboring in her heart. She cleared her throat.

“Um, Minah-ssi… I don’t want to be rude, but,” Kang Jiwon cautiously opened her mouth. “That man I saw last time… Could it be…”

Park Minah-ssi’s expression instantly hardened. Kang Jiwon immediately regretted it.

“Ah, I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer if it’s an uncomfortable question. I guess I was too hasty.”

Park Minah-ssi was silent for a moment. Her eyes wavered. But soon, she raised her head and looked at Kang Jiwon.

“No, it’s okay,” Park Minah-ssi took a deep breath. “Actually… that person is…”

Park Minah-ssi’s voice trembled. Kang Jiwon quietly waited for her to speak. A strange tension filled the room.

Park Minah-ssi took a deep breath and began to speak. Her voice trembled, but a firm determination could be felt.

“That man and I… I thought we liked each other. We even shared love.” A faint shadow fell over Park Minah-ssi’s eyes. “But from some point on, his attitude became cold. It was as if he only wanted my body.”

Kang Jiwon clenched her fist tightly. Anger surged up, but she tried her best to suppress her emotions and comfort Park Minah-ssi.

“Wouldn’t it be better to… give up on a man like that?” Kang Jiwon cautiously asked.

Tears streamed down Park Minah-ssi’s eyes. “I want to give up. I really do. But…” Her voice became faint. “I can’t forget him. When he contacts me, I end up going without even realizing it.”

Kang Jiwon quietly reached out and embraced Park Minah-ssi. Park Minah-ssi leaned on her shoulder and cried. A strange tension filled the room.

Kang Jiwon felt thirsty. She picked up the beer and took a sip. The cold liquid went down her throat, but the anxiety in her heart did not subside.

As time passed and Park Minah-ssi calmed down, she raised her head and looked at Kang Jiwon. A smile lit up her face.

“Thank you for listening to my worries.”

At that smile, Kang Jiwon’s heart started beating fast. She suddenly felt like she was suffocating.

Park Minah-ssi stood up. “I think I should go now. It’s getting late.”

Kang Jiwon nodded, unable to hide her disappointment. “Okay… Go safely.”

After the door closed and Park Minah-ssi left, Kang Jiwon sank deeply into the sofa. She closed her eyes and recalled Park Minah-ssi’s scent, her voice, and those tearful eyes.

It was as if Park Minah-ssi’s presence still lingered in the room. Kang Jiwon savored those traces, caught in a whirlwind of complex emotions.