Just Twilight-Chapter 57

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to chase me all the way to the lobby in that outfit. Think about your position and act accordingly. And don’t forget about Jang Sera waiting inside.”

Her words, laced with cold finality, drained the strength from Seungwoon’s grip. His eyes darted around nervously before he exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair.

Junyoung rubbed her wrist, her gaze narrowing as she noticed the white bandages wrapped around his hand.

What happened to his hand?

“Just… just wait. Let’s talk,” he pleaded, his voice strained.

“I don’t think we have anything to talk about,” she replied curtly.

“Well, I do!” he shot back, his voice trembling with frustration, his shoulders quivering. Junyoung regarded him with a calm expression before speaking evenly.

“You ran into a friend who spent the night with the woman he’s about to marry. Sure, it’s awkward now, but later it’ll just be a funny story to laugh about. Isn’t that right?”

Seungwoon’s wide brown eyes seemed to collapse, like a sandcastle swept away by a wave. His lips twisted bitterly as he slowly covered his face with one hand.

“Yeah. To you, that’s all it is. Nothing more.”

A low, hollow laugh escaped him. As he looked at her with a crooked smile, his face twisted in pain.

“Now that you’ve reunited with Kwon Beomjin, someone like me doesn’t even register to you anymore, huh?”

For the first time, a flicker of surprise appeared in Junyoung’s usually composed eyes. Seeing that, Seungwoon’s smile grew darker before his face turned utterly blank, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“Wait in the lobby. I’ll come out once I’ve cleaned up to look the way you want me to.”

Junyoung stood motionless, staring at his retreating back as he disappeared into the suite. Her mind felt foggy, as though a heavy cloud had settled over it.

How does he know I met Kwon Beomjin?

There’s no mention of Beomjin in any of the documents. And I’ve never brought it up. Our encounter had been nothing short of a coincidence, an event no one could have foreseen.

…Has he been there? Near me?

The recent influx of phone calls from him suddenly made sense.

A shiver ran down her spine, and Junyoung wrapped her arms around herself. The room felt unnervingly cold, though it might’ve just been the air conditioning.

Still, she couldn’t shake the memory of Seungwoon’s piercing gaze when he uttered Beomjin’s name—it lingered like a haunting specter in her mind.

***

After stepping out of the elevator, Junyoung remained motionless for a while. Today, she thought, might be the day everything came out in the open. It could very well be the moment to tie up loose ends.

Seungwoon wasn’t the type to form shallow relationships. Ever since returning from studying abroad, he had seemed to avoid women altogether, almost as if he were conscious of her presence. He didn’t dislike Jang Sera, but he didn’t seem particularly drawn to her either—not enough to meet her at a hotel, at least. And given the timing and Manager Kim’s instructions, it was likely that Jang Sera had offered something in return for this encounter.

The issue was that Seungwoon wasn’t particularly ambitious. While he was competent at his job, he didn’t aspire to climb any higher. If there was anything he was passionate about, it was… me. Yoon Junyoung.

But no matter how much Manager Kim might try, he couldn’t manipulate her at will.

So what had Jang Sera offered in exchange?

“...Kwon Beomjin.”

The name escaped her lips in a soft murmur, followed by a quiet sigh.

If Seungwoon confessed his feelings, she could reject him. But would it end so simply? Could it?

Her thoughts spiraled as she furrowed her brow and shook her head. Then, suddenly, she froze. In the spacious lobby café, she spotted a few familiar faces.

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It must be a mistake, she thought, narrowing her eyes. But it wasn’t. Among the four people seated there, two were faces she knew all too well. She couldn’t believe they were sitting together.

“Junyoung.”

Seungwoon’s voice called from behind, making her stiffly turn her head. His hair was still damp, but his neatly pressed linen shirt and jacket gave him a composed appearance. As he approached, he leaned in and whispered, “I told Jang Sera there was an urgent meeting. Let’s take my car.”

“Wait a minute.”

Junyoung struggled to clear her racing thoughts, but her gaze met Mihyang’s before she could fully compose herself. Mihyang, who had been sporting a polite, hostess-like smile, acknowledged her with a slight tilt of her chin.

Surely not. She couldn’t possibly be here just to watch this unfold.

Suppressing a sigh, Junyoung turned to Seungwoon. He, too, had noticed Mihyang and now wore a startled expression.

“Introduce yourself,” Junyoung said softly before walking toward the table. Clenching his fists, Seungwoon followed her hesitantly. Mihyang rose from her seat with an elegant smile.

“How did you know I was here? Come over. I was just having tea with some wonderful people,” she said.

Mihyang, her hair neatly styled in an updo, wore an ivory two-piece suit. Seungwoon, looking sheepish, lightly patted his mother’s back as he glanced at her companions—only to freeze in place.

“This is Director Kim Ikseon of H Securities, and this is Ms. Lee Hanhee, former deputy director of the New York Jetty Gallery,” Mihyang introduced.

“I’m just a private collector now,” said the elderly woman with gray hair and a gentle smile.

Seungwoon barely managed a proper greeting, his attention fixated on the man rising from his seat and straightening his jacket. Mihyang continued.

“And this is Director Kwon Beomjin of JBK Financial. My son, Na Seungwoon, works in the Business Planning Department.”

“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Kwon Beomjin.”

Dressed impeccably in a blue shirt, tie, and suit, Beomjin looked nothing like the man Junyoung had encountered before. His neatly combed hair and composed demeanor made him seem like a successful young businessman.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of recognition on his sharp face as he glanced at Seungwoon’s trembling fists. Instead, he spoke in a calm voice.

“It seems you’ve injured your hand.”

“Oh, I just enjoy exercising a little too much,” Mihyang interjected, answering on her son’s behalf as she subtly observed his pale face.

Director Kim smiled and chimed in, “You must be proud to have such a capable son.”

“He still has a long way to go. Now, shall we head to the gallery?”

Mihyang, smoothing down Seungwoon’s arm, smiled brightly. Beomjin gave her a polite nod.

“I already have my selections in mind. I’ll be in touch,” he said.

“We’ll wait. Let’s go, Seungwoon. I need your help with something,” Mihyang said, tugging him along.

Junyoung, standing a step behind, caught the brief glance Mihyang shot her way before turning her gaze downward. Even as he followed his mother, Seungwoon kept glancing back at the two remaining figures, only to turn away when his eyes met those of their other guests.

Junyoung waited until they were far enough before looking up to see Beomjin heading toward the parking lot.

Well, would you look at that? Not even a word of acknowledgment before walking away?

The unexpected encounter in such an unexpected setting left her oddly amused. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she slowly followed him.

By the time she descended the stairs, Beomjin was climbing into a sleek black car. It was a stark contrast to the beat-up one he’d driven in Busan. As the engine roared to life, Junyoung quickly ran up and stepped in front of the car, forcing it to stop.

Beomjin’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked up at her. Junyoung pointed to the passenger seat with a tilt of her chin.

“If you don’t unlock the door, I’m not moving.”

After a brief pause, Beomjin sighed and lowered his gaze before stepping out of the car. He walked toward her, his steps measured. Junyoung stood still, observing him closely.

His hair had been trimmed, giving him a neater appearance, and the tailored suit added to his polished look. Despite the changes, his distinctive aura remained. As he neared, she caught a faint whiff of cologne.

Kwon Beomjin smells better just as he is.

Startled by her own thought, Junyoung blinked rapidly. As she did, Beomjin brushed past her, opened the passenger door, and leaned against it with a slight tilt of his head.

“Stop doing reckless things,” he muttered.

“Well, then don’t leave me behind,” she shot back, scrunching her nose.

Smirking, she climbed into the passenger seat, and he closed the door behind her. Returning to the driver’s side, he exhaled a short sigh, shut the door, and started the car. Junyoung adjusted her seatbelt and pouted slightly.

“That company must be doing great if its executives are running around like this.”

Beomjin said nothing as he calmly drove out of the parking lot. Junyoung blatantly stared at his profile, letting out a mocking scoff.

“A man runs off after just a kiss? That’s low.”